Luke 9:34

KJV

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

KJV (with Strong's)

While {G1161} he {G846} thus {G5023} spake {G3004}, there came {G1096} a cloud {G3507}, and {G2532} overshadowed {G1982} them {G846}: and {G1161} they feared {G5399} as {G1722} they {G1565} entered {G1525} into {G1519} the cloud {G3507}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud;

Berean Standard Bible

While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

American Standard Version

And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:34 describes a pivotal moment during the Transfiguration, where a divine cloud descends upon Jesus and the disciples, overshadowing them. This sudden manifestation of God's presence instills fear in Peter, James, and John as they enter its enveloping mist, setting the stage for a profound divine revelation that would affirm Jesus' unique identity and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Transfiguration narrative in [Luke 9:28-36](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration of Jesus"). Immediately prior, Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John to a mountain to pray, where His appearance was transformed, and Moses and Elijah appeared, discussing His "departure" (ἔξοδος, _exodos_), a euphemism for His crucifixion in Jerusalem ([Luke 9:31](/luke/9-31 "Luke 9:31 - Jesus' Departure Discussed")). Peter, overwhelmed and perhaps not fully grasping the gravity of the moment, impulsively suggested building three shelters ([Luke 9:33](/luke/9-33 "Luke 9:33 - Peter's Suggestion at the Transfiguration")). It is precisely "While he thus spake" (referring to Peter's words) that the cloud appears, serving as a divine interruption and a clear signal that God is about to intervene and reorient the disciples' understanding, shifting the focus entirely from Peter's well-intentioned but misplaced zeal to Jesus alone.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The appearance of a cloud as a manifestation of divine presence has deep roots in Old Testament theology and Israelite experience. From the pillar of cloud that guided Israel through the wilderness ([Exodus 13:21-22](/exodus/13-21-22 "Exodus 13:21-22 - Pillar of Cloud and Fire")), to the cloud that covered Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law ([Exodus 19:9](/exodus/19-9 "Exodus 19:9 - God Appears in a Thick Cloud on Sinai")) and filled the Tabernacle ([Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34-35 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Cloud Fills the Tabernacle")) and later Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")), the "cloud" (often associated with the Shekinah glory) was the quintessential sign of God's holy, transcendent, and sometimes terrifying presence. For first-century Jewish disciples, such a manifestation would immediately evoke profound reverence and fear, recognizing it as a direct encounter with the Almighty. The mountain setting itself also echoes Old Testament encounters with God, such as Moses on Sinai.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 9:34 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of Luke and the Gospels. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Presence and Revelation**. The cloud is not merely a natural phenomenon but a tangible sign of God's direct involvement, signaling a moment of profound spiritual importance. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Awe and Reverent Fear** in the face of the divine. The disciples' fear is not a terror of punishment, but a natural, appropriate response to the overwhelming holiness and power of God, a fear that leads to humility and submission. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the theme of **Jesus' Unique Authority and Sonship**. The cloud's appearance, followed by the divine voice from within it ([Luke 9:35](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - God's Voice from the Cloud")), definitively affirms Jesus' identity as God's chosen Son, demanding the disciples' complete attention and obedience to His words, thereby establishing His supremacy over the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, often translated as "to become" or "to come into being," signifies a sudden, decisive, and divinely orchestrated event. It emphasizes that the cloud's appearance was not accidental or gradual, but a direct, instantaneous act of God, bringing a new reality into existence for the disciples. Its broad semantic range highlights the transformative nature of this divine manifestation.
* **overshadowed (Greek, _episkiázō'_):** This powerful verb means "to cast a shade upon," "to envelop in a cloud," or "to overshadow with a brilliant light." In this context, it conveys the idea of a divine, powerful, and protective presence enveloping the disciples. Significantly, this is the same verb used in [Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit Overshadows Mary"), where the Holy Spirit "overshadows" Mary, leading to Jesus' miraculous conception. This linguistic parallel subtly connects Jesus' divine origin and the power of the Spirit to the divine manifestation at the Transfiguration, emphasizing His unique relationship with God.
* **feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** Derived from _phóbos_, meaning "fear" or "awe," this verb describes the disciples' profound emotional response. It encompasses both a sense of being frightened by the overwhelming power and holiness of the divine, and a deep reverence or awe. This is not a debilitating terror, but a proper, humbling response to encountering the unapproachable glory of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"While he thus spake":** This clause directly links the divine intervention to Peter's preceding, somewhat presumptuous suggestion to build three tabernacles. It highlights the timing of God's action, interrupting Peter's words and redirecting the focus from human plans to divine revelation.
* **"there came a cloud":** This signifies the sudden, supernatural appearance of the cloud, immediately identifying it as a manifestation of God's presence, echoing numerous Old Testament theophanies where God appeared in a cloud, symbolizing His glory and mystery.
* **"and overshadowed them":** The cloud did not merely appear; it actively enveloped or covered Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and the three disciples. The word "overshadowed" (episkiázō) implies a divine, protective, and powerful presence, emphasizing the direct and intimate nature of this encounter with God's glory.
* **"and they feared as they entered into the cloud":** This describes the disciples' immediate and natural reaction to being enveloped by the divine cloud. Their fear is a mixture of awe, reverence, and trepidation in the face of God's overwhelming holiness and power, a common human response to theophany. The phrase "as they entered into the cloud" suggests an immersive experience, not just an observation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:34 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, with the cloud serving as a powerful symbol of God's presence, glory, and revelation, drawing heavily on Old Testament precedents. This is a classic instance of **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God to humanity, often accompanied by awe-inspiring natural phenomena. The timing of the cloud's appearance, interrupting Peter's suggestion, creates a moment of **Dramatic Irony**, as Peter's human attempt to control or contain the divine moment is immediately superseded by God's direct, overwhelming intervention. Furthermore, the use of the specific verb _episkiázō_ ("overshadowed") creates a subtle but profound instance of **Intertextual Allusion** or **Foreshadowing**, linking this event to the miraculous conception of Jesus in [Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit Overshadows Mary"), thereby emphasizing Jesus' divine nature and the Spirit's active role in His life and ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:34 serves as a dramatic transition point, moving from the human (Peter's suggestion) to the divine (God's direct intervention). The cloud, a classic symbol of God's presence and glory (the Shekinah), signifies that the disciples are no longer merely observing a miraculous event but are being enveloped in a direct, overwhelming encounter with the Almighty. This moment underscores the absolute sovereignty of God and His unique endorsement of Jesus. The fear experienced by the disciples is not a fear of punishment, but a profound, reverent awe in the face of divine holiness, a proper human response to the unapproachable light of God's glory. This fear prepares them to receive the subsequent divine declaration from the cloud, affirming Jesus' Sonship and authority.

* [Exodus 19:9](/exodus/19-9 "Exodus 19:9 - God Appears in a Thick Cloud on Sinai")
* [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Cloud Fills the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Transfiguration, and specifically the descent of the cloud in Luke 9:34, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our encounters with God, whether through His Word, prayer, or the community of faith, are not to be taken lightly. Like the disciples, we are called to approach God with a deep sense of reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness and power. This passage challenges us to move beyond our own preconceived notions or human plans, much like Peter's well-intentioned but misguided suggestion, and instead, to be prepared to listen intently when God speaks. The fear experienced by the disciples teaches us the importance of humility in the divine presence, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways. Ultimately, this event reinforces the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, urging us to listen to Him above all others, for He is the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the disciples' fear in the presence of the cloud inform your understanding of what it means to truly revere God?**
* **In what ways might our own "good intentions" or human ideas sometimes obscure or distract from God's divine revelation, as Peter's did?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater sense of awe and humility in our personal walk with God, even without a physical manifestation like the cloud?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the cloud in this passage?**

Answer: The cloud in [Luke 9:34](/luke/9-34 "Luke 9:34 - The Cloud Overshadows the Disciples") is highly significant, serving as a powerful symbol of God's direct presence, glory, and revelation. In Old Testament narratives, a cloud often accompanied divine manifestations (theophanies), such as the pillar of cloud that guided Israel in the wilderness ([Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - Pillar of Cloud and Fire")), or the cloud that filled the Tabernacle and Temple, signifying the Shekinah glory ([Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Cloud Fills the Tabernacle"); [1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Cloud Fills the Temple")). Its appearance here signifies that the Transfiguration is not merely a vision or a dream, but a real, tangible encounter with the divine, setting the stage for God the Father to speak directly from it in the very next verse ([Luke 9:35](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - God's Voice from the Cloud")), affirming Jesus' unique identity.

**Why did the disciples "fear" when the cloud overshadowed them?**

Answer: The disciples' fear was a natural and appropriate response to encountering the overwhelming holiness, power, and majesty of God. This was not a fear of punishment or a simple fright, but a profound sense of awe, reverence, and humility in the face of the divine. Throughout biblical history, human encounters with God's manifest presence often elicited such a response, as seen with Moses ([Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - Moses Hides His Face")), Isaiah ([Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Vision and Confession")), and Ezekiel ([Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel 1:28 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory")). It signifies a recognition of one's own smallness and unworthiness in comparison to the infinite greatness of God. This fear prepared them to receive the divine revelation that followed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:34, with its depiction of the overshadowing cloud, powerfully foreshadows and reinforces the Christ-centered reality of God's presence and revelation. The Old Testament cloud, which symbolized God's dwelling among His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's glory, the "Word made flesh" who "dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The cloud at the Transfiguration, from which the Father declares Jesus as His beloved Son ([Luke 9:35](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - God's Voice from the Cloud")), definitively establishes Jesus as the new and greater Temple, the true locus of God's presence. Just as the cloud filled the Tabernacle and Temple, so the fullness of God dwells in Christ bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). The fear experienced by the disciples is a proper response to the unveiling of divine glory, a glory that is now fully revealed in the person of Jesus, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Through Christ, believers can now approach God not with terror, but with humble confidence, for He has made a way for us to enter God's presence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). The Transfiguration, therefore, is a glimpse of Christ's ultimate glory, a foretaste of His second coming when He will return in power and great glory, accompanied by clouds ([Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man")).

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

Exodus 40:34

¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:38

For the cloud of the LORD [was] upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Matthew 17:7

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Mark 9:7

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:8

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Isaiah 19:1

¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.