27 and I say to you, truly, there are certain of those here standing, who shall not taste of death till they may see the reign of God.'
28 And it came to pass, after these words, as it were eight days, that having taken Peter, and John, and James, he went up to the mountain to pray, 29 and it came to pass, in his praying, the appearance of his face became altered, and his garment white—sparkling. 30 And lo, two men were speaking together with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who having appeared in glory, spake of his outgoing that he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem, 32 but Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep, and having waked, they saw his glory, and the two men standing with him. 33 And it came to pass, in their parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, 'Master, it is good to us to be here; and we may make three booths, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah,' not knowing what he saith: 34 and as he was speaking these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared in their entering into the cloud, 35 and a voice came out of the cloud saying, 'This is My Son—the Beloved; hear ye him;' 36 and when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone; and they were silent, and declared to no one in those days anything of what they have seen.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:27-36
Commentary on Luke 9:18-27
(Read Luke 9:18-27)
It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.
Commentary on Luke 9:28-36
(Read Luke 9:28-36)
Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven.