Devine Scripture

Luke 9:34

What does Luke 9:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:34 means

While Peter spoke, a cloud came and overshadowed them; they entered the cloud and feared. In Scripture, a cloud signifies God’s presence (e.g., Sinai, Tabernacle). The cloud’s arrival transforms the scene from a memorable vision into a divine theophany, prompting reverence and fear. The overshadowing indicates God’s closeness and majestic holiness, which evokes awe. The disciples’ fear is an appropriate response to God’s manifest presence, reminding readers that encountering divine glory is both glorious and humbling, not for human manipulation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And while he said these things, the shade of a cloud came over them, and they were full of fear when they went into the cloud.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and as he was speaking these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared in their entering into the cloud,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as he spoke these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them. And they were afraid when they entered into the cloud.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But as he was saying these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud:

Context

This verse follows Peter’s ill-advised attempt to linger (v.33) and introduces the decisive divine intervention—the cloud. Luke uses the cloud imagery to recall God’s covenantal appearances and to pivot from human action to divine speech. The fear and solemnity prepare the ground for God’s voice of endorsement (v.35), which clarifies who Jesus is and commands attention to him alone.

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.

v.34This passage

v.35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 9:7

    And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.

  • Exodus 40:34

    Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

  • Psalms 18:9

    He bowed the heavens also, and came down; And thick darkness was under his feet.

  • Revelation 1:17

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

  • Judges 13:22

    And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

  • Exodus 14:19

    And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them:

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