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