Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:35

"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him." — Luke 9:35 (ASV)

The Voice speaking from the cloud is the awesome Voice of God the Father himself. The message expressed by the Voice is so clear that any uncertainty about the meaning of some of the other aspects of this great scene become comparatively unimportant. The focus throughout the Transfiguration is on the supreme person and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. And now he is expressly declared to be God’s Son—a declaration similar to that spoken by the Voice at Jesus’ baptism (cf. 3:22) and later just before his passion . It affirms that Jesus is the one who is sent by God and who has God’s authority. These words spoken by the Voice on these three occasions affirm that Jesus is the Son of God, is obedient to him, and possesses divine authority for his mission. The words “this is my Son” recall Ps 2:7; “chosen” (GK 1721) points us to Isa 42:1 and the concept of the Suffering Servant found in the broader context of Isaiah (esp. 52:13–53:12).

“Listen [GK 202] to him” is not only a command; it is a correction of the human tendency to substitute human opinion for divine revelation. The words also fulfill Dt 18:15, which predicts the coming of the prophet God would raise up and commands, “You must listen to him.” Jesus alone is the True Prophet, the Chosen Servant, and the Son of God.