Luke 9:32

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) But Peter . . . and when they were awake.—The relations of the two clauses would be better expressed by, And Peter . . . but awaked . . .

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:28-36 Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Heavy with sleep - Borne down with sleep - oppressed, overcome with sleep. It may seem remarkable that they should fall asleep on such an occasion; but we are to bear in mind that this may have been in the night, and that they were weary with the toils of the day. Besides, they did not "fall asleep" while the transfiguration lasted. While Jesus was praying, or perhaps after he closed, they fell asleep. "While" they were sleeping his countenance was changed, and Moses and Elias appeared. The first that "they" saw of it was after they awoke, having been probably awakened by the shining of the light around them.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

32. and when they were awake—so, certainly, the most commentators: but if we translate literally, it should be "but having kept awake" [Meyer, Alford]. Perhaps "having roused themselves up" [Olshausen] may come near enough to the literal sense; but from the word used we can gather no more than that they shook off their drowsiness. It was night, and the Lord seems to have spent the whole night on the mountain (Lu 9:37).

saw his glory, &c.—The emphasis lies on "saw," qualifying them to become "eye-witnesses of His majesty" (2Pe 1:16).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Ver. 32. See Poole on "Luke 9:28"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But Peter, and they that were with him,.... The other two disciples, James and John;

were heavy with sleep; as they afterwards were in the garden, while Christ was praying, as he had been now; being weary with the labours of the day past, and it being now night, as is very probable, since that was an usual time Christ spent in prayer:

and when they were awake, The Syriac version reads, "scarcely awake"; they were so heavy with sleep, that it was with difficulty they were awaked out of it, even by the rays of light and glory that were about them. The Ethiopic version adds, "suddenly"; such a lustre darted from these glorious forms, especially from the body of Christ, as at once surprised them out of their sleep; and being thoroughly awake,

they saw his glory; the brightness of his countenance, and the whiteness of his raiment: and the two men that stood with him: Moses and Elias, and the glory in which they appeared.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 9:32. βεβαρ. ὕπνῳ: this particular, in Lk. only, implies that it was a night scene; so also the expression ἐν τῇ ἑξῆς ἡμέρᾳ, Luke 9:37. The celestial visitants are supposed to arrive while the disciples are asleep. They fell asleep while their Master prayed, as at Gethsemane.—διαγρηγορήσαντες, having thoroughly wakened up, so as to be able to see distinctly what passed (here only in N.T.).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

32. were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake] Rather, had been heavy with sleep; but on fully awaking. The word diagregoresanies does not here mean ‘having kept awake,’ but (to give the full force of the compound and aorist) suddenly starting into full wakefulness. They started up, wide awake after heavy sleep, in the middle of the vision.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 9:32. Σὺν αὐτῷ, with him) By this formula Peter is given the precedency over James and John.—ὕπνῳ, with sleep) Comp. Genesis 2:21. [By the mediation of that sleep an oblivion of all earthly thoughts and images whatever took possession of them.—V. g.]—διαγρηγορήσαντες) when they had recovered themselves from sleep. [By the sleep they were now become more alert.—V. g.] It is probable that it was night: Luke 9:37 [“the next day”] seems to imply this.—εἶδον τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, they saw His glory) Peter, who was present at the scene, has described it in the same words, 2 Peter 1:16-17 : so also John 1:14.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 32. - And the two men that stood with him. It has been asked - How did the disciples know the names which those glorified ones had once borne? Three replies are at least probable.

(1) They may have heard their Master address them by their old earthly names.

(2) In subsequent conversations the Lord may have disclosed them to the three.

(3) Is it not a very thinkable thought that the blessed bear upon their spirit-forms their old individuality transfigured and glorified? Were such a vision vouchsafed to us, should we not in a moment recognize a Peter, a Mary, or a Paul? Luke 9:32

Vincent's Word Studies

Heavy (βεβαρημένοι)

The perfect participle. Lit., burdened or oppressed. "It was but natural for these men of simple habits, at night, and after the long ascent, and in the strong mountain air, to be heavy with sleep; and we also know it as a psychological fact, that, in quick reaction, after the overpowering influence of the strongest emotions, drowsiness would creep over their limbs and senses" (Edersheim).