Luke 9:34

34 But as he was saying these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud:

Luke 9:34 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:34

While he thus spake there came a cloud
While Peter was making the above request, before an answer was returned, a cloud appeared, a very uncommon one, as a symbol of the divine presence: "and overshadowed them"; Jesus, Moses, Elias, and the disciples:

and they feared as they entered into the cloud;
either as they themselves entered into it, that coming gradually over them, because of the glory of it, and the solemnity that attended it; or as Moses and Elias entered into it; and so the Syriac and Persic versions read, "they feared when they saw Moses and Elias enter into the cloud"; which took them out of their sight: just as the cloud received Jesus out of the sight of his disciples, when he ascended to heaven, ( Acts 1:9 ) .

Luke 9:34 In-Context

32 But Peter and those with him were oppressed with sleep: but having fully awoke up they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.

33 And it came to pass as they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 But as he was saying these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud:

35 and there was a voice out of the cloud saying, *This* is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And as the voice was [heard] Jesus was found alone: and *they* kept silence, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Note, Matt. 17.5.
• [b]. Some authorities read 'those,' but I have put 'they' (i.e. the disciples (Ed.)), with other authorities, as it seems a change made to refer it to Moses and Elias.