Bible Strands
Luke 9:32
Meanwhile Peter and his companions were overcome by sleep, but when they awoke, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter and his companions are present with Jesus on the mountain during a moment of divine revelation, having just witnessed Jesus transfigured alongside Moses and Elijah. They are initially overcome by sleep before waking to observe the scene.
The words — The Greek phrase σὺν αὐτῷ (sun autō) literally means “with him,” anchoring the two men’s presence directly beside Jesus. The verb ἦσαν (ēsan) simply states “were,” marking their continuous state of being overcome by sleep before waking.
The thread — The motif of falling into a deep sleep during divine encounters appears in Daniel 8:18 and Daniel 10:9, where the prophet collapses while receiving revelation. The vision of radiant glory witnessed here echoes John 1:14, which declares the Word made flesh and seen in His glory.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine glory is perceived only after human fatigue is set aside. It requires the reader to confront the gap between spiritual sight and human understanding before responding.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Daniel 8:18 While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Daniel 10:9 I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
- Matthew 26:40 Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.
- Exodus 33:18 Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Isaiah 60:19 No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.
- Luke 22:45 When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
- John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
- 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.