Luke Chapter 9

vs 31

Interesting topic of conversation. I'd never noticed that before. I guess it is the thing on their minds, the fulfillment of the covenant.

vs 32

It is supposedly one of the most awe-inspiring visions of all time, the three most powerful religious figures in Yahwism, and the disciples were sleepy. This occurence is the turning point of the gospel, where Jesus is realised for who he is with heavenly approval, and the disciples were sleepy. You just can't please some people.

vs 33

They were about to leave, so you have to assume that Peter wanted them to stay, hence the offer to build shelters.

Obviously, having just woken up, he was at a bit of a loss to know what to say or do.

vs 34

When it says they entered the cloud, I think it was more the cloud surrounding them from the context, but hey, it'll do.

vs 35

Son of God. Also chosen by God (could you perhaps say anointed? A la Christ?). So listen to him. God doesn't want to have to get on the loudspeaker every time someone's being a fool. Him saying listen once should be enough.

vs 36

At the time. Later, they would tell the other disciples, who would write it in gospel records.

vs 37

No wonder the guys were tired, they were up there a whole day! And then, no sooner do they get down the mountain, but the flesh is pressed against them again.

vs 38

Only children, so very important. Do they have any idea that Jesus is God's 'only child'? The reader is certainly meant to understand how valuable an only son is to the father asking for its healing.

vs 39

Sounds like epilepsy, doesn't it? Or at least some sort of mental malfunction. And yet they call it a spirit, and Jesus doesn't deny them that diagnosis. So, does that mean it was a spirit? Possibly. Does it mean that it was epilepsy, but that they didn't know? Could be - you then have to argue about the omniscience of Jesus, which I'm not going to do here. Does it mean that it was a mental problem, but that Jesus doesn't bother to try and explain medical terminology to the guy, and just agrees that it's bad? Could be. It's a hard one, because Jesus uses this boy's healing as an example later on.

vs 40

What he uses it to exemplify has to do with this fact - that they, despite the powers given them, could not make it go away.