Luke 9:32
What does Luke 9:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:32 means
Peter and the others were sleepy but woke fully to see Jesus’ glory and the two men with him. Their initial drowsiness shows human frailty at the moment of revelation; they needed to be fully awake to perceive and later testify. Once awake, they witnessed the glory that authenticated Jesus and the presence of Moses and Elijah. Their experience is both an honor and a formative glimpse meant to sustain them through later trials. The combination of limited comprehension and vivid sight characterizes discipleship’s mixture of weakness and grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now Peter and those who were with him were overcome with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep, and having waked, they saw his glory, and the two men standing with him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep. And waking, they saw his glory and the two men that stood with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Peter and those with him were oppressed with sleep: but having fully awoke up they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.
Context
This verse follows the transfiguration’s content (v.31) and describes the apostles’ human reaction—sleepiness—contrasting their later full alertness to glory. Luke’s detail underscores the mix of awe and incomprehension among the disciples: they witness something extraordinary yet cannot fully interpret it. What follows is Peter’s attempt to respond (v.33), the cloud and God’s voice (vv.34–35), and the instruction to keep silence about the vision (v.36).
v.31who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
v.32This passage
v.33And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 33:18
And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory.
- Daniel 10:9
Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
- John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
- Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.
- Daniel 8:18
Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright.
- Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
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