Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:28

"And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray." — Luke 9:28 (ASV)

The Transfiguration occurred about a week after Peter’s confession of Jesus. There may be a connection here with the amount of time Moses spent on Mount Sinai before God spoke to him (Mark 9:2).

Peter, James, and John had been taken into Jesus’ confidence elsewhere (8:5). Luke uses the definite article with “mountain.” It may be Mount Meron, the highest mountain within Israel, northwest of the Sea of Galilee (see also comment on Mk 9:2). On the other hand, Luke may be using “mountain” symbolically. Symbolism is not infrequent in references to mountains, regardless of whether a historical mountain is referred to. If we think of the Exodus as a frame of reference, then Sinai is symbolically in mind; if the Parousia, then the Mount of Olives may be symbolized (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:10–12).

Once again Luke mentions that Jesus is at prayer.