Luke 9:31

"Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,"

Key Reflection

In the first-century Jewish context, Luke 9:31 describes a visionary event where Jesus is visited by figures from Israel's past—Moses and Elijah. This scene would have been profound for the original audience, as Moses was seen as the lawgiver who led the people out of Egypt, and Elijah as a prophet renowned for his miracles and fiery preaching against idolatry. Their appearance would have symbolized continuity between the Law and the Prophets and the emerging Christian message, reinforcing Jesus' authority as both a fulfillment of Old Testament expectations and a new teacher.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 31. In glory. Of a glorious appearance. Of an appearance like that which the saints have in heaven. His decease. Literally his exit or departure. The word translated here decease--that is, exit, or going out--is elsewhere used to denote death. See Barnes "2 Pe 1:15". Death is a departure or going out from this life. In this word there may be an allusion to the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt. As that was going out from bondage, pain, and humiliation, so death, to a saint, is but going forth from a land of captivity and thraldom to one of plenty and freedom; to the land of promise, the Canaan in the skies. He should accomplish. Which was about to take place.

Related Verses

More from Luke 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion