Luke 9:28–50

The Transfiguration

²⁸Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus^w took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.^{* 29}And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.^{* 32}Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.^{* 33}Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying.^{* 34}While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen;^x listen to him!”^{* 36}When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.^*

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

³⁷On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. ³⁹Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he^y shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. ⁴⁰I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” ⁴¹Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴²While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death

While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples,^{* 44}“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.”^{* 45}But they did not understand this saying; its meaning remained concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.^*

True Greatness

⁴⁶An argument arose among them concerning which one of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side ⁴⁸and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the least among all of you is the greatest.”^*

Another Exorcist

⁴⁹John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.”^{* 50}But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”^*