King James Version

What Does Luke 9:28 Mean?

Luke 9:28 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mounta... — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. sayings: or, things

Luke 9:28 · KJV


Context

26

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

27

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. sayings: or, things

29

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. Luke's phrase egeneto de meta tous logous toutous (ἐγένετο δὲ μετὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους, "it came to pass after these sayings") connects the Transfiguration to Jesus' predictions about His death (v. 22) and the kingdom (v. 27). Luke says "about eight days" while Matthew and Mark say "six days"—likely inclusive vs. exclusive counting, a common variation in ancient reckoning.

Jesus selected the inner circle—Peter and John and James (Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην καὶ Ἰάκωβον)—who also witnessed Jairus' daughter's resurrection (8:51) and the Gethsemane agony (Mark 14:33). The mountain (traditionally Mt. Tabor or Mt. Hermon) symbolizes divine encounter—Moses at Sinai, Elijah at Horeb. Critically, he went up... to pray (anebē eis to oros proseuxasthai, ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος προσεύξασθαι). Luke uniquely emphasizes prayer—the Transfiguration occurred during prayer (v. 29), revealing that communion with the Father precipitated the glory manifestation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mountains held theological significance in Jewish thought—places of revelation where heaven and earth met. Sinai was where Moses received the Law, Horeb where Elijah encountered God, and Moriah where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. Jesus' mountain prayer establishes continuity with these pivotal redemptive moments. The Transfiguration functioned as divine confirmation of Jesus' true identity and mission immediately before the journey to Jerusalem and the cross. The inner three disciples were being prepared for leadership—Peter would preach at Pentecost, James would be the first apostolic martyr (Acts 12:2), and John would receive Revelation. This preview of glory sustained them through the crucifixion trauma.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus consistently seek mountains and solitary places for prayer, and what does this teach about communion with God?
  2. How does Luke's emphasis that the Transfiguration occurred during prayer highlight the connection between prayer and spiritual perception?
  3. What prepared Peter, James, and John to witness this revelation when the other nine disciples were excluded?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 22

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 22

And

G1161

but, and, etc

μετὰ3 of 22

after

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τοὺς4 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγους5 of 22

sayings

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τούτους6 of 22

these

G5128

these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition)

ὡσεὶ7 of 22

about

G5616

as if

ἡμέραι8 of 22

days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ὀκτὼ9 of 22

an eight

G3638

"eight"

καὶ10 of 22

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραλαβὼν11 of 22

he took

G3880

to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn

τὸν12 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρον13 of 22

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

καὶ14 of 22

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰωάννην15 of 22

John

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

καὶ16 of 22

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰάκωβον17 of 22

James

G2385

jacobus, the name of three israelites

ἀνέβη18 of 22

and went up

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

εἰς19 of 22

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ20 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄρος21 of 22

a mountain

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

προσεύξασθαι22 of 22

to pray

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 9:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 9:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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