Luke 9:29 kjv

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luke 9:29 nkjv

As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

Luke 9:29 niv

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

Luke 9:29 esv

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

Luke 9:29 nlt

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 29 Meaning

Luke 9:29 describes the Transfiguration of Jesus, a pivotal event where His divine glory was temporarily revealed. While Jesus was deeply engaged in prayer, His physical appearance dramatically transformed: His face altered, emanating a radiant light, and His clothing became intensely white and dazzling, like lightning. This moment manifested Jesus' inherent divine nature, distinct from humanity, offering a glimpse into His future resurrected glory and the glory of His coming Kingdom, simultaneously confirming His unique identity as the Son of God to His chosen disciples.

Luke 9 29 Context

Luke 9:29 is part of the account of Jesus' Transfiguration, occurring "about eight days after" Peter's profound confession of Jesus as "the Christ of God" (Lk 9:20). Immediately prior to the Transfiguration, Jesus had clearly foretold His suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection, marking a significant turning point in His ministry where the path to Jerusalem and the cross became clearer (Lk 9:22). He then issued the challenging call for disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross daily (Lk 9:23-27). The Transfiguration serves as a divine affirmation of Jesus' identity and mission, particularly his difficult path of suffering leading to ultimate glory. It acts as a visual and auditory confirmation of His divine Sonship for the inner circle of disciples (Peter, James, and John), preparing them for the profound and challenging events that would follow, especially the crucifixion, by offering a foretaste of His resurrected and glorified state. It connects the path of suffering with the destiny of glory, both for Christ and for those who follow Him.

Luke 9 29 Word analysis

• And as He was praying, (ἐν τῷ προσεύχεσθαι αὐτόν)
  • praying (προσεύχεσθαι - proseuchomai): A frequent and crucial activity for Jesus in Luke's Gospel, often preceding significant events (e.g., His baptism, choosing disciples, Gethsemane). Here, prayer is presented as the catalyst or context for divine revelation and transformation, emphasizing His intimate relationship with the Father. It highlights that true glory and divine manifestation often emerge from deep communion with God.
• the appearance (τὸ εἶδος - to eidos)
  • appearance (εἶδος - eidos): Refers to the outward form, look, or physical appearance. Luke focuses on the visible aspect of Jesus' transformation.
• of His face (τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ)
  • face (πρόσωπον - prosopon): Emphasizes a direct and personal manifestation. The face is the most distinctive feature of a person, where identity and emotion are typically revealed. Its alteration signals a fundamental, even ontological, change in presentation.
• was altered (ἕτερον ἐγένετο - heteron egeneto)
  • altered/became different (ἕτερον ἐγένετο - heteron egeneto): Luke uses this phrase, literally "became other," or "became different." While Matthew and Mark use metamorphoō (transfigured), Luke's choice emphasizes a distinct kind or quality of change. It signifies that His very form took on a different nature, no longer appearing merely human, but partaking of a divine, unearthly quality. This implies a transformation not just in superficial glow but in His essence being momentarily revealed.
• and His clothing (καὶ ὁ ἱματισμὸς αὐτοῦ)
  • clothing (ἱματισμός - himatismos): Refers to outer garments. In biblical accounts, clothing often symbolizes purity, status, or identity. Here, its radical transformation further indicates the supernatural nature of the event.
• became dazzling white (ἐξαστράπτων λευκός - exastraptōn leukos)
  • dazzling (ἐξαστράπτων - exastraptōn): Derived from a verb meaning "to flash forth as lightning," "to gleam brightly," or "to radiate." It conveys an intense, sudden, and blinding brilliance. This is more than just light; it is a radiant, eruptive luminescence.
  • white (λευκός - leukos): Represents purity, holiness, divine glory, and the supernatural. In many biblical visions (e.g., angels, the Ancient of Days, glorified saints), white clothing signifies celestial origin and moral perfection.
  • dazzling white: This combination vividly portrays a supernatural effulgence. It points to Christ's divine glory being unveiled, transcending any earthly source of light or purity. This brilliance is directly linked to the glory of God.

Luke 9 29 Bonus section

• The Transfiguration account strongly connects to Old Testament Theophanies, where God's presence was revealed often with light, clouds, and powerful manifestations. It implicitly suggests Jesus shares in that same divine nature.
• The event occurs on a "mountain," often a place of divine encounter and revelation in the Bible (e.g., Mount Sinai for Moses).
• Luke's emphasis on Jesus' "face" (prosopon) being altered highlights the direct and personal nature of the transformation.
• The description of the clothing as "dazzling white, like lightning" evokes a supernatural, dynamic power, aligning with descriptions of the very light that radiates from God's presence.
• This verse provides assurance for believers about future glory and resurrection. If Christ, through prayer, could be transfigured, it foreshadows the transformative power available through Him for the bodies of believers at the consummation of His kingdom.
• The Transfiguration event, with its light and glory, provided comfort and strengthening for Peter, James, and John, who would later witness Jesus' deep agony in Gethsemane. It affirmed that suffering was a prelude to glory.

Luke 9 29 Commentary

Luke 9:29 vividly describes the climactic moment of Jesus' Transfiguration, unveiling His divine essence through His transformed appearance. It is crucial that this profound revelation occurs as He was praying, reinforcing prayer as the gateway to profound spiritual encounters and divine power. The alteration of Jesus' face and the incandescent brilliance of His clothing are not merely aesthetic changes but a temporary manifestation of His inherent divine glory, a "thin veil" being lifted to reveal His true identity. This event prefigures Christ's post-resurrection glorification and serves as a powerful validation of His earlier claims and prophecies regarding His suffering and future kingdom. The "dazzling white" apparel, reminiscent of divine beings in heavenly visions (e.g., Daniel, Revelation), signals a supernatural intervention and establishes Jesus as more than a prophet; He is the Christ, the Son of God, shining with uncreated light. For the disciples present, this glimpse of ultimate glory would serve as an anchor of faith during the harrowing events of the cross and as a preview of the blessed hope of His return and their own future glorification.