Luke 9:28

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096} about {G5616} an eight {G3638} days {G2250} after {G3326} these {G5128} sayings {G3056},{G2532} he took {G3880} Peter {G4074} and {G2532} John {G2491} and {G2532} James {G2385}, and went up {G305} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735} to pray {G4336}.

Complete Jewish Bible

About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray.

Berean Standard Bible

About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:28 serves as the immediate prelude to the Transfiguration, detailing Jesus' intentional withdrawal to a mountain with His closest disciples—Peter, John, and James—for the purpose of prayer. This verse establishes the critical timing and setting for one of the most profound revelations of Christ's divine glory in the Gospels, emphasizing the spiritual preparation and intimate fellowship preceding such a monumental event.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately following Jesus' pivotal discourse on His impending suffering and death, as foretold in [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Death"), and His subsequent call for radical discipleship, where He instructs His followers to "take up their cross daily and follow Me" ([Luke 9:23-27](/luke/9-23-27 "Luke 9:23-27 - The Cost of Discipleship")). The "about an eight days after these sayings" directly links the challenging demands of discipleship and the somber prediction of suffering to the glorious affirmation of the Transfiguration. It suggests that the revelation of Jesus' glory was not merely an isolated event but a divine counterpoint and encouragement, designed to strengthen the disciples' faith in the face of the difficult truths Jesus had just revealed about His mission and their own.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Mountains in biblical narratives often serve as significant locations for divine encounters and revelations, such as Mount Sinai for the giving of the Law ([Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai")). Jesus frequently retreated to mountains for prayer and solitude, a practice that aligns with the Jewish tradition of seeking God in elevated, isolated places, symbolizing a departure from the mundane and an ascent towards the divine. The selection of Peter, John, and James as an inner circle was a common practice among rabbis and teachers of the time, who often had a core group of closer disciples for more intensive instruction and shared experiences. This practice allowed for deeper, more intimate moments of teaching and revelation, preparing them for unique roles in the future.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Importance of Prayer**, a recurring motif in Luke, where Jesus is often depicted praying before significant moments in His ministry (e.g., His baptism in [Luke 3:21](/luke/3-21 "Luke 3:21 - Jesus' Baptism and Prayer") and the selection of the twelve apostles in [Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Luke 6:12 - Jesus Prays Before Choosing Disciples")). Secondly, it highlights the **Preparation for Revelation**, showing that divine encounters are often preceded by intentional spiritual discipline and withdrawal. Thirdly, the selection of the **Inner Circle** of disciples (Peter, John, and James) reinforces their unique role in witnessing pivotal events, from the [raising of Jairus's daughter](/luke/8-51 "Luke 8:51 - Raising Jairus's Daughter") to the agony in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:39-46](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), signaling the profound significance of the upcoming event.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to pass (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, often translated as "to become" or "to come into being," indicates a divinely orchestrated event or a transition in the narrative. Here, it signifies that the Transfiguration was not a random occurrence but a preordained, significant development in Jesus' ministry, unfolding according to God's sovereign plan. It marks a shift from Jesus' teaching on suffering to a revelation of His glory.
* **sayings (Greek, _lógos'_):** Referring to "these sayings," this term encompasses Jesus' preceding teachings, particularly His first prediction of His passion and the call to cross-bearing discipleship. The use of _lógos_ here emphasizes the weight and authority of Jesus' words, establishing a direct causal and thematic link between His challenging pronouncements and the subsequent divine affirmation of His identity and mission.
* **to pray (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** This word specifically means "to pray to God" or "to supplicate." It highlights Jesus' consistent and profound reliance on communion with the Father. In this context, it underscores that the Transfiguration was not merely a display of power but a moment of intimate, spiritual interaction between the Son and the Father, initiated and facilitated by prayer. It portrays prayer as the conduit for divine revelation and strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings":** This phrase establishes the precise timing of the event, linking it directly to Jesus' recent, weighty teachings about His impending suffering and the call to costly discipleship. Luke's "eight days" likely includes the day of the discourse and the day of the Transfiguration, emphasizing a full week's passage and the subsequent day, signifying a complete cycle of preparation and a new beginning. This temporal marker highlights the deliberate, divinely appointed nature of the upcoming revelation, serving as a powerful follow-up and affirmation.
* **"he took Peter and John and James":** Jesus' selection of these three disciples—His inner circle—for this profound experience underscores the unique significance of the event. They were consistently chosen to witness pivotal moments in His ministry, indicating their privileged position and the depth of their spiritual preparation for what they were about to behold. Their inclusion signifies the profound importance and intimacy of the revelation that was to follow.
* **"and went up into a mountain to pray":** This action sets the scene for a sacred encounter. The "mountain" is a symbolic location in biblical narrative, often associated with divine revelation, solitude, and communion with God. Jesus' ascent "to pray" emphasizes the spiritual discipline and intimate fellowship with the Father that preceded this glorious manifestation. It portrays prayer not just as a habit but as a necessary prerequisite for receiving divine insight and experiencing God's presence.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **Literary Devices** in this verse to heighten its significance. The specific temporal marker, "about an eight days after these sayings," creates a sense of **Narrative Pacing**, indicating a deliberate pause and a direct connection between Jesus' challenging teachings on suffering and the subsequent revelation of His glory. This temporal link serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting that the Transfiguration will provide a divine counter-narrative or affirmation to the difficult truths just shared. The act of going "up into a mountain to pray" is rich with **Symbolism**. The "mountain" is a traditional biblical locus for divine encounter and revelation (e.g., Mount Sinai), signifying a separation from the mundane and an ascent to a sacred space. Prayer itself is presented as the essential conduit for this divine encounter, emphasizing Jesus' profound reliance on the Father and modeling the spiritual discipline necessary for receiving revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:28 profoundly connects Jesus' humanity with His divinity, setting the stage for a unique revelation of His true identity as the Son of God. The act of prayer, a deeply human expression of dependence, precedes the divine manifestation of glory, showing that even the Son of God sought communion with the Father before pivotal moments. This highlights the Trinitarian dynamic at play—the Son praying to the Father, leading to the Father's affirmation of the Son. The selection of the inner circle also underscores the pedagogical purpose of the Transfiguration: to strengthen the faith of these key disciples, who had just heard the unsettling news of Jesus' impending suffering, by offering them a glimpse of His ultimate glory and the ultimate triumph that awaited Him beyond the cross. This divine affirmation served as a crucial anchor for their faith during the trials to come.

* [Matthew 17:1-2](/matthew/17-1-2 "Matthew 17:1-2 - The Transfiguration Account")
* [Mark 9:2-3](/mark/9-2-3 "Mark 9:2-3 - The Transfiguration in Mark")
* [2 Peter 1:16-18](/2_peter/1-16-18 "2 Peter 1:16-18 - Peter's Eyewitness Account of the Transfiguration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:28 offers profound insights into the spiritual disciplines and divine patterns that shape our walk with God. Just as Jesus, before a momentous revelation, withdrew to a mountain to pray, we are called to prioritize dedicated time for communion with God, especially before significant decisions, challenging circumstances, or when seeking deeper spiritual understanding. This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual growth and divine encounters often require intentional separation from the noise and distractions of the world. Finding our own "mountain"—a quiet, consecrated space for prayer—is not merely an option but a vital practice for cultivating intimacy with God and preparing our hearts to receive His revelations. Moreover, the sequence of events—Jesus' challenging teachings followed by a glorious affirmation—teaches us that periods of difficulty or demanding truths often precede deeper spiritual insights and experiences of God's presence and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mountain" or quiet place can I intentionally seek out in my daily life to prioritize prayer and communion with God?**
* **How does Jesus' consistent practice of prayer, even before momentous events, challenge my own prayer habits and reliance on God?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be preparing me for a deeper revelation or understanding through a period of challenge or demanding truth?**

### FAQ
**Why does Luke say "about an eight days" when Matthew and Mark say "after six days"?**

Answer: The apparent discrepancy between Luke's "about an eight days" ([Luke 9:28](/luke/9-28 "Luke 9:28 - The Prelude to the Transfiguration")) and Matthew's and Mark's "after six days" ([Matthew 17:1](/matthew/17-1 "Matthew 17:1 - The Transfiguration") and [Mark 9:2](/mark/9-2 "Mark 9:2 - The Transfiguration")) is best understood as a difference in counting methods, rather than a contradiction. Matthew and Mark likely count only the full days *between* the discourse and the Transfiguration. Luke, characteristic of his precise historical approach, most probably uses an inclusive reckoning, counting the day of the discourse itself and the day of the Transfiguration, thus encompassing a full week plus the new day. This "inclusive counting" was common in ancient Jewish practice (e.g., "three days and three nights" for Jesus' resurrection, including parts of days). Both accounts accurately convey that the Transfiguration occurred approximately one week after Jesus' initial prediction of His suffering and call to discipleship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:28, the prelude to the Transfiguration, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate glorification of Jesus as the Son of God, not merely in a momentary display but in His complete triumph over sin and death. The mountain, a place of divine encounter, foreshadows the ultimate ascent of Christ to the Father's right hand after His resurrection, as described in [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - Jesus' Ascension"). Jesus' prayer before this revelation highlights His perfect humanity and dependence on the Father, even as He is fully divine. This intimate communion prefigures His ongoing intercessory work for believers at the Father's side, as affirmed in [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession"). The Transfiguration itself, initiated by prayer, offers a glimpse of the glory that awaited Christ through His suffering, serving as a powerful affirmation of His identity as the Messiah, the one chosen by God, echoing the Father's voice at His baptism ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Luke 3:22 - The Voice from Heaven at Jesus' Baptism")). Ultimately, this event, rooted in prayer and leading to a revelation of glory, points forward to the future glorification of all believers who are united with Christ, transformed into His likeness ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into Christ's Image")) and sharing in His eternal reign ([Revelation 22:5](/revelation/22-5 "Revelation 22:5 - Believers Reign with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 6:12

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Mark 9:2

And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Matthew 26:37

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

Mark 14:33

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;