Luke 9:31-35

Luke 9:31 (KJB)
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Decease - Exodus or departure, figurative “death”

Moses and Elijah had appeared on the Mount with Jesus to discuss the upcoming events at Jerusalem. Moses and Elijah had as much at stake in the death of Jesus as every other believer. If the death at Jerusalem was not accomplished, then there would not be one who could have been saved, then grace would have had to be removed from everyone who was saved from the dawn of history. Moses wrote about Jesus and Elijah had represented the prophets who wrote about the death of the Messiah. It is interesting that the word for “decease” is actually the word “exodus.” Moses led the exodus as a type of Christ.

Luke 9:32 (KJB)
But 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.

Just as these three will not be able to keep their eyes open in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus goes to pray, here they are showing that they had fallen asleep. However, they woke up in time to see Jesus with the Moses and Elijah. It may have been the brightness of the glory of Christ and the two who were with Him which caused them to wake up. It will be like the rapture on the last day when all the believers will be taken to Heaven and see the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory.

Luke 9:33 (KJB)
And it came to pass, as they departed 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 Elias: not knowing what he said.

Then Peter makes one of his understatements in that he stated it was good for them to be there. Peter was looking at this event as some type of permanent event in that he wanted to make tabernacles for them or he wanted to extend the time they were there. It is very interesting that Peter recognizes both Moses and Elijah. No one told him who they were but this may answer a question many Christians have and that is, will we know each other in Heaven? Elijah lived about 900 years prior and Moses lived about 1500 years prior, so how could Peter know who they were unless we will have full knowledge of everyone in Heaven, even those who lived hundreds of years ago. I believe this verse answers the question if we will know each other in Heaven. We must stop thinking earthly and transplanting those thoughts and scenarios to Heaven which will be a perfect environment.

Luke 9:34 (KJB)
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Then all of a sudden while Peter is still speaking, God the Father from Heaven forms a cloud of glory around Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and simultaneously truncates Peter’s speech. Peter wanted to stay on the Mount longer but God told them that they must listen to Jesus and He will guide them in the coming weeks. The appearance of this cloud was the culmination of this event.

Luke 9:35 (KJB)
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

God informs the three disciples that Jesus is His beloved Son and they were to listen to Him. Peter was probably talking and God wanted the disciples to listen to Jesus and not Peter. They probably also wanted to hear what Elijah and Moses were speaking about but God had demanded they only listen to Jesus. (Heb 1:1-2 KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, {2} Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Back