Luke 9:28-36
Second Sunday in Lent C
28 INow about eight days after these sayingsII Jesus tookIII with him
I {untranslated} = ginomai. This is to come into being, to happen, become, be born. It can be to emerge from one state or condition to another or is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth.
II “sayings” = logos. From lego (to speak, tell, mention). This is word, statement, speech, analogy. It is a word that carries an idea or expresses a thought, a saying. It could refer to a person with a message or reasoning laid out in words. By implication, this could be a topic, line of reasoning, or a motive. It can be used for a divine utterance or as Word – Christ.
III “took” = paralambano. From para (beside, by, in the presence of) + lambano (active acceptance/taking of what is available or what has been offered; emphasizes the choice and action of the individual). This is to receive, take, acknowledge, associate with. It can also mean to take on an office or to learn.
PeterIV and JohnV and James,VI and went upVII on the mountain to pray.VIII
IV “Peter” = Petros. Related to petra (large rock that is connected and or projecting like a rock, ledge, or cliff; can also be cave or stony ground). This is Peter, a stone, pebble, or boulder.
V “John” = Ioannes. From Hebrew yochanan (Johanan); from Yehochanan (“the Lord has been gracious”); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel); {from havah (to become); from hayah (to be, exist, happen)} + chanan (beseech, show favor, be gracious; properly, to bend in kindness to someone with less status). This is John, meaning “the Lord has been gracious.”
VI “James” = Iakobos. From Hebrew Yaaqov (Jacob); from the same as aqeb (heel, hind part, hoof, rear guard of an army, one who lies in wait, usurper). This is James, meaning heel grabber or usurper.
VII “went up” = anabaino. From ana (up, back, among, again, anew) + the same as basis (step, hence foot; a pace); {from baino (to walk, to go)}. This is to come up in a literal or figurative sense – ascent, rise, climb, enter.
VIII “pray” = proseuchomai. From pros (advantageous for, at, toward) + euchomai (to wish, make a request, pray). This is to pray or pray for, to worship or supplicate. It is more literally exchanging one’s own wishes for God’s.
29 AndIX while he was praying, the appearanceX of his faceXI changed,XII
IX {untranslated} = ginomai. Same as {untranslated} in v28. See note I above.
X “appearance” = eidos. 5x in NT– including “Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove” in Luke 3:22, at the Transfiguration, “the appearance of his face changed” in Luke 9:29; also “we walk by faith, not by sight” in 2 Corinthians 5:7. From eido (to be aware, see, know, remember, appreciate). This is form, shape, sight, appearance.
XI “face” = prosopon. From pros (at, towards, with) + ops (eye, face) {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is the face, surface, or front. It can imply presence more generally.
XII “changed” = heteros. This is other, another, different, strange. It is another of a different kind in contrast to the Greek word allos, which is another of the same kind. This could be a different quality, type, or group.
and his clothesXIII became dazzlingXIV white.XV
XIII “clothes” = himatismos. 6x in NT. From himatizo (to clothe, dress, give clothing); from himation (the outer garment, cloak, robe, or mantle; worn loosely over a tunic); from heima (garment) OR from ennumi (to put on). This is clothing, apparel.
XIV “became dazzling” = exastrapto. 1x in NT. From ek (from, from out of) + astrapto (to flash with or like lightning, be dazzling); {probably from aster (star literally or figuratively); probably from stronnumi or stronnuo (to spread, make a bed)}. This is to gleam, flash like lightning, be radiant. Can describe clothes that are very white or bright.
XV “white” = leukos. Related to luke (light). This is bright, white, or brilliant.
30 SuddenlyXVI they saw two men,XVII MosesXVIII and Elijah,XIX talking to him.
XVI “suddenly” = idou. Related to “appearance” in v29. From eido (see note X above). This is see! Lo! Behold! Look! Used to express surprise and or draw attention to the statement.
XVII “men” = aner. This is man, male, husband, or fellow. It can also refer to an individual.
XVIII “Moses” = Mouses. From Hebrew Mosheh (Moses); from mashah (to pull out in a literal or figurative sense, to draw out) OR from Egyptian mes or mesu (child, son i.e. child of…). This is Moses – the one drawn out from the water, which is to say, rescued. If derived from the Egyptian, his name would share a root with Rameses and Thutmose.
XIX “Elijah” = Elias. Related to “John” in v28. From Hebrew Eliyyah (Elijah) {from el (God, god) + Yah (the shortened form of the name of the God of Israel; God, Lord); {from YHVH (see note V above)}. This is Elijah, “The Lord is God.”
31 They appearedXX in gloryXXI and were speaking of his departure,XXII
XX “appeared” = horao. Perhaps related to “face” in v29. See note XI above.
XXI “glory” = doxa. From dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is literally something that evokes a good opinion – something that connects to our understanding of intrinsic worth. The ultimate expression of this is, of course, God and God’s manifestation. So, this is opinion, honor, and dignity, but also praise, glory, renown, and worship.
XXII “departure” = exodos. 3x in NT. From ek (from out, from out of) + hodos (way, road, path, journey). This is a departure, death, or exodus. It is where the word “exodus” come from.
which he was aboutXXIII to accomplishXXIV at Jerusalem.XXV
XXIII “was about” = mello. Perhaps from melo (something that one is worried or concerned about, something one pays attention to or thinks about). Properly, this is ready, about to happen, to intend, delay, or linger. This is just on the point of acting.
XXIV “accomplish” = pleroo. From pleres (to be full, complete, abounding in, occupied with). This is to fill, make full or complete. Properly, this is filling something up to the maximum extent that it can be filled – an appropriate amount for its individual capacity. So, this is used figuratively for furnish, influence, satisfy, finish, preach, perfect, and fulfill.
XXV “Jerusalem” = Ierousalem. From Hebrew yerushalaim (probably foundation of peace); {from yarah (to throw, shoot, be stunned; to flow as water so figuratively to instruct or teach) + shalem (to make amends, to be complete or sound)}. This is Jerusalem, dwelling of peace.
32 Now Peter and his companionsXXVI were weighed downXXVII with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,XXVIII they sawXXIX his glory and the two men who stood withXXX him.
XXVI “companions” = ho + sun + autos. Literally “those with him.”
XXVII “weighed down” = bareo. 6x in NT. From barus (heavy, burdensome; figuratively, violent, oppressive; that which presses down on someone so that they cannot move freely); from the same as baros (weight, burden in a literal or figurative sense; authority). This is heavy, press, weigh down, or burden.
XXVIII “stayed awake” = diagregoreo. 1x in NT. From dia (through, across to the other side, thoroughly) + gregoreo (to be or stay awake, watch. Figuratively, it can be alertness or vigilance); {from egeiro (to awake, raise up or lift up; to get up from sitting or lying down, to get up from sleeping, to rise from a disease or from death; figuratively, rising from inactivity or from ruins)}. This is to be totally awake.
XXIX “saw” = horao. Same as “appeared” in v31. See note XX above.
XXX “stood with” = sunistemi. 16x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + histemi (to stand, place, establish, appoint, stand ready, be steadfast). This is to establish, exhibit, demonstrate, stand together, prove.
33 XXXIJust as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus,XXXII “Master,XXXIII it is goodXXXIV for us to be here;
XXXI {untranslated} = ginomai. Same as {untranslated} in v28. See note I above.
XXXII “Jesus” = Iesous. Related to “John” in v28 & “Elijah” in v30. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (see note V above) + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
XXXIII “Master” = epistates. Related to “stood with” in v32. 7x in NT – all in Luke. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + histemi (see note XXX above). This is master, teacher – the one in charge, the leader.
XXXIV “good” = kalos. This is good, noble, beautiful, correct, or worthy. This is external signs of goodness like beauty, demonstrations of honorable character, showing moral virtues. A different word, agathos, speaks of intrinsic good.
let us makeXXXV three dwellings,XXXVI one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowingXXXVII what he said.
XXXV “make” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
XXXVI “dwellings” = skene. Perhaps related to skeuos (vessel, tool, container, implement; also vessel in a figurative or literal sense) or perhaps related to skia (shadow, thick darkness, outline; figurative for a spiritual situation that is good or bad). This is a tent, booth, tabernacle, or dwelling. It could be a cloth hut. This is a tent in a literal or figurative sense.
XXXVII “knowing” = eido. Related to “appearance” in v29 & “suddenly” in v30. See note X above.
34 While he was saying this, a cloudXXXVIII cameXXXIX and overshadowedXL them; and they were terrifiedXLI as they entered the cloud.
XXXVIII “cloud” = nephele. From nephos (cloud; figurative for a great crowd or multitude). This is cloud or cloudiness.
XXXIX “came” = ginomai. Same as {untranslated} in v28. See note I above.
XL “overshadowed” = episkiazo. Related to “dwellings” in v33. 5x in NT– 3x in the Transfiguration, 1x of the annunciation, 1x of Peter healing the sick with his shadow. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + skia (see note XXXVI above). This is to envelop, cast a shadow on.
XLI “terrified” = phobeo. From phobos (panic flight, fear, fear being caused, terror, alarm, that which causes fear, reverence, respect); from phebomai (to flee, withdraw, be put to flight). This is also to put to flight, terrify, frighten, dread, reverence, to withdraw or avoid. It is sometimes used in a positive sense to mean the fear of the Lord, echoing Old Testament language. More commonly, it is fear of following God’s path. This is where the word phobia comes from.
35 Then from the cloud came a voiceXLII that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen;XLIII listenXLIV to him!”
XLII “voice” = phone. Probably from phemi (to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (to shine) or phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is a voice, sound, tone or noise. It can also be a language or dialect.
XLIII “chosen” = eklego. Related to “sayings” in v28. From ek (from, from out of) + lego (see note II above). This is to select or choose. It is making a personal choice – a favorite.
XLIV “listen” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.
36 When the voice had spoken,XLV Jesus was foundXLVI alone. And they kept silentXLVII and in those days toldXLVIII no one any of the things they had seen.
XLV “spoken” = ginomai. Same as {untranslated} in v28. See note I above.
XLVI “found” = heurisko. This is to find, learn, or obtain. It is to discover something, which generally implies a period of searching for it. This is to find in a literal or figurative sense. This is where the word “heuristic” comes from.
XLVII “kept silent” = sigao. 10x in NT. From sige (silence, hush); perhaps from sizo (to hiss or hush). This is to be silent or hold peace.
XLVIII “told” = apaggello. From apo (from, away from) + aggello (to announce, report); {from aggelos (angel, messenger); probably from ago (to lead, bring, carry, guide, drive)}. This is to report, declare, bring word. It is an announcement that emphasizes the source.
Image credit: “The Transfiguration” by Masaru Horie, 2006.