Luke 9:28 – “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus takes three of His closest disciples—Peter, John, and James—up a mountain to pray. This moment sets the stage for the transfiguration, where Jesus will reveal His divine glory to these disciples in a powerful and unforgettable way. The phrase “about eight days after” connects this event to the teachings Jesus had just shared, including His prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection, and the call to take up one’s cross and follow Him.
By bringing only Peter, John, and James, Jesus shows that He is preparing them for something special. These three disciples were part of His inner circle, and they often witnessed significant moments during His ministry. The fact that Jesus went up the mountain to pray highlights the importance of prayer in His life and ministry. He often withdrew to pray before major events, showing His dependence on the Father and His desire for communion with God.
Historical Context
Mountains held deep significance in Jewish religious tradition. They were often seen as places where people could encounter God. For example, Moses met God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19), and Elijah heard God’s voice on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19). By taking His disciples up a mountain, Jesus was following this tradition of sacred encounters, preparing them to witness something extraordinary.
During this period, the disciples were struggling to understand Jesus’ role as the Messiah. They expected Him to establish a powerful earthly kingdom, but Jesus had been teaching them about His upcoming suffering and death (Luke 9:22). The transfiguration would give them a glimpse of His divine glory, affirming their faith and helping them endure the challenges ahead.
Theological Implications
- The Importance of Prayer – Jesus’ decision to pray before the transfiguration shows that prayer is essential for experiencing God’s presence and guidance.
- God’s Revelation Through Jesus – By bringing the disciples up the mountain, Jesus is preparing them to witness a revelation of His true identity. God often reveals Himself to those who seek Him in prayer and are open to His leading.
- Spiritual Preparation – Just as Jesus prepared His disciples to witness His glory, God prepares believers today through spiritual disciplines like prayer and meditation on His Word.
Literary Analysis
The phrase “about eight days after Jesus said this” ties the transfiguration to Jesus’ previous teachings on the cost of discipleship and His prediction of His suffering. This connection shows that the transfiguration isn’t a random event—it’s meant to reassure the disciples that, despite the suffering Jesus had foretold, His glory and victory are certain.
Luke often highlights Jesus’ habit of praying before major events, such as His baptism (Luke 3:21), the selection of the twelve disciples (Luke 6:12), and His time in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). This emphasis on prayer reflects Luke’s concern with showing Jesus’ dependence on God and the role of prayer in revealing God’s will.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 24:12-18 – Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet with God and receive the law, foreshadowing how mountains are often places of divine revelation.
- 1 Kings 19:11-13 – Elijah encounters God on Mount Horeb, showing that mountains are significant places of spiritual experiences.
- Matthew 17:1-8 – A parallel account of the transfiguration, emphasizing the glory of Jesus and the disciples’ reaction.
- Luke 6:12 – Jesus spends a night in prayer before selecting His disciples, highlighting the importance of prayer in His ministry.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds Christians of the importance of prayer in experiencing God’s presence and preparing for significant moments in life. Just as Jesus prayed before the transfiguration, believers are called to seek God in prayer regularly. Prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about being in communion with God, listening to His voice, and being open to His guidance.
It also shows that God often reveals Himself to those who take time to seek Him. The disciples were invited to a special encounter with Jesus because they were part of His inner circle, and they were willing to follow Him up the mountain. Today’s Christians are encouraged to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus through obedience and spiritual disciplines.
Additionally, this verse teaches that spiritual growth often comes through preparation. Just as the disciples needed to witness Jesus’ glory to strengthen their faith for the challenges ahead, believers today need regular spiritual nourishment to stay strong in their walk with God.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His desire to reveal Himself to His people. He didn’t leave the disciples to struggle with doubts or confusion about Jesus’ identity. Instead, He provided them with a powerful revelation of Jesus’ divine glory to strengthen their faith. This reflects God’s understanding of our human need for reassurance and His willingness to meet us where we are.
God’s love is also seen in the way He prepares His followers for future challenges. The transfiguration wasn’t just a random spiritual experience—it was designed to equip the disciples with the confidence they would need when they faced trials, including Jesus’ crucifixion. Similarly, God equips believers today by revealing His presence and truth through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects directly to Jesus’ role as both the mediator between God and humanity and the embodiment of God’s glory. By taking His disciples up the mountain, Jesus is revealing His divine nature to them in a way they hadn’t fully understood before. This event foreshadows His resurrection and ultimate glorification, where His victory over sin and death will be fully realized.
Jesus’ habit of praying before major events shows His perfect relationship with the Father and His example for believers to follow. His dependence on prayer highlights His humanity, while the transfiguration reveals His divinity, demonstrating that He is both fully human and fully God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How can you make prayer a more consistent part of your life, especially when facing significant decisions or challenges?
- What does it mean to you to “go up the mountain” with Jesus and seek a deeper relationship with Him?
- How has God revealed His presence to you in moments of prayer or spiritual preparation?
- Why do you think Jesus chose to reveal His glory to Peter, James, and John?
- How can the example of Jesus’ dependence on prayer inspire you to trust God more fully in your daily life?