While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

People's New Testament

9:28-36 About an eight days after. For the Transfiguration, see notes on Mt 17:1-9 Mr 9:1-8. Luke adds the facts (1) that the Lord went upon the mountain to pray (Lu 9:28); (2) that as he prayed, he was transfigured (Lu 9:29); (3) that the appearance of his countenance was altered (Lu 9:29); (4) that the theme of conversation with Moses and Elijah was the Lord's decease (Lu 9:30,31); (5) that the apostles were awake when they saw the vision (Lu 9:32); (6) that they told no man in those days, even as Jesus directed (Lu 9:36 Mt 17:9).

Wesley's Notes

9:34 A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

34, 35. a cloud-not one of our watery clouds, but the Shekinah-cloud (see on [1612]Mt 23:39), the pavilion of the manifested presence of God with His people, what Peter calls "the excellent" of "magnificent glory" (2Pe 1:17).

a voice-"such a voice," says Peter emphatically; "and this voice [he adds] we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount" (2Pe 1:17, 18).

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.