Devine Scripture

Luke 9:36

What does Luke 9:36 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:36 means

When the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone, and the disciples kept silent and told no one about the vision in those days. The fact that Jesus was alone afterward underscores his unique solitude in mission and the intimacy of the revelation. The disciples’ silence shows obedience to the earlier command to tell no one (v.21) and perhaps the sense that the experience could not be fully explained. Their restraint preserves the timing of revelation until after the resurrection, preventing premature declarations about the Messiah’s path.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after the voice was gone they saw that Jesus was by himself. And they kept quiet, and said nothing at that time to anyone of the things which they had seen.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whilst the voice was uttered Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace and told no man in those days any of these things which they had seen.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as the voice was [heard] Jesus was found alone: and they kept silence, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Context

This verse closes the transfiguration episode (vv.28–35). Jesus’ sudden solitude and the disciples’ silence align with Jesus’ earlier admonition to secrecy (v.21). Luke keeps the revelation private for a time, highlighting that full understanding awaits later events. The narrative now shifts back to ministry among the crowds and the drama of a demonized boy who could not be helped by the disciples (vv.37–41), contrasting glory with present spiritual struggle.

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

v.36This passage

v.37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 9:6

    For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid.

  • Mark 9:9

    And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:7

    a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

  • Matthew 17:9

    And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.

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