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Luke 9:28-43
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Comparative primary texts about Spirit Possession and Exorcism and Purity and Social Relations, from Philo, Josephus, Lucian, Pseudepigrapha, Babylonian Talmud, Midrash, Philostratus. At Mahlon H. Smith's (Rutgers University) Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus.
  • "Transfiguration of Jesus," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • Chapter XIX, On Baptism,  Tertullian (c. 198)
  • IV.22, IV.23, IV.34, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter VIII, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "We have no reason to promise ourselves rest and quietness in this world, seeing that they themselves who seemed to fawn upon Christ crucify him shortly after."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
    • "Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine."
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • "They saw his glory - The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2Pet 1:16."
  • Christ's Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36): sermon by George Whitefield.
  • "The Comer's Conflict with Satan," Luke 9:42, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1856.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "a cloud--not one of our watery clouds, but the Shekinah-cloud (see on 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)."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Luke adds the fact that the Lord went into the mountain to pray; that as he prayed, he was transfigured; that the fashion of his countenance was altered; that the theme of conversation with Moses and Elias was the Lord's decease; that the apostles were awake when they saw the vision; that they told no man in those days, even as Jesus directed."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • The Transfiguration, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Transfiguration, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "...making time and space for prayer and reflection is crucial if we are to know who he is and where we are going with him."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "We can understand majesty in a miracle -- or in the glow on the mountain; it's the divine majesty revealed in the betrayal, suffering, death, and eventual resurrection that is incomprehensible to us -- when the powerful becomes powerless."
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
    • "Whatever the case, the disciples' sleeping stands in sharp contrast to when the three disciples become 'fully awake.'  Sleeping, they see nothing, but when 'fully awake,' they 'saw his glory.'"
  • First Look, Lee Koontz, Reflectious, 2010.
    • "We do tend to get lost in the clouds, I think.  There are times when the distance between Sunday and Monday seems to be about a million miles, and the path from mountaintop to dark valley subtly difficult to find."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 9:28-36, (37-43), David Ewart, 2010.
    • "Jesus demonstrates his high spiritual status by successfully rebuking the unclean spirit which is possessing the boy. Healing the boy and returning him to his father also results in restoring the social standing of the whole family: the boy is returned to his rightful place in the family; the family is returned to its rightful place in the village."
  • Jesus Now, Last Epiphany C. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "The Dial and the Switch: Recognizing the Movements of God's Special Visitation," guest essay by Pam Fickensher. The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
    • "What weighs you down with sleep and keeps you from seeing Christ?s presence with you? From seeing the necessity of suffering in following him?"
  • "Transfiguration," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "God commands us to listen to the words of Christ. The tense of the verb is present imperative. That is, God is commanding the disciples and the whole world to listen to Jesus."
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Jesus Transfigured," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "There is many an Elijah or Moses to divide our loyalties, but in the end it is Jesus we must listen to. He must be our focus, our Lord."
  • Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Last Epiphany (Transfiguration) C), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
    • "Most sermons I have heard on this passage assume the experience on the mountain was a positive one that can be compared to the emotional "high" that we sometimes experience in worship or in personal devotion or prayer...While there was a fantastic encounter with God, the content of that encounter was anything but positive and joyful...Preaching paths for this Sunday, while not having to be dark and gloomy, should take this dimension of the text seriously and not make the story into a "mountain top" experience that ignores the shape of the narrative."
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Luke 9:28-43, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "The distance between transfiguration and healing is not all that great in [Raphael's] painting. How is it in life where you are?"
  • "Matching Face and Heart," Lent 2, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
    • "The face of Jesus always showed who he truly was."
  • "Looking to the Future in a Rearview Mirror," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "What do people fear about the future? Why do they harbor such fears?"
  • "And They (Finally) Kept Silent," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "In what ways have I proceeded like Peter to blurt out my opinion and prove my ignorance when silence was truly the test of wisdom?"
  • "Dazzling Darkness," Barbara Brown Taylor, The Christian Century, 1998.
    • "Later, when Jesus? exodus got under way and they saw what it meant for him -- when they saw that shining face bloodied and spat upon, those dazzling clothes torn into souvenir rags -- I?ll bet they had to rethink what that glory was all about.
• Articles & Background:
  • "Transfiguration of Jesus," "The Possessed Boy," wikipedia.
  • "Miracles, In Other Words: Social Science Perspectives on Healings," Jerome H. Neyrey, University of Notre Dame, 1995.
    • "...we should attend to the institution in which the healing takes place, either kinship or politics. What roles does the family have in an illness? How are they socially and economically affected? What role do they play in the seeking of a cure? What costs do they pay or debts to they incur? What if the healing occurs in the political realm, even if this is a healing shrine such as the temple of Asclepius at Epidaurus? Healings, moreover, might have important political implications, for "prophets" arose, echoing themes of liberation and freedom. The political significance of the account of the healing by the Jewish Eleazar before the emperor Vespasian and his retinue should not be discounted (Josephus. Ant. 8.45-48)."
  • "Magic, Miracles, and The Gospel," L. Michael White. PBS From Jesus to Christ.
    • "Probably in some ways, and more than any other issue within the development of early Christianity and the gospels tradition, miracles present one of the problematic areas."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Arseniev, Nicholas S., "Resurrection and Transfiguration," St Vladimir's Seminary Quarterly, 1957.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Best, Thomas F., "The Transfiguration: A Select Bibliography," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1981.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Capps, Donald, "Curing Anxious Adolescents through Fatherlike Performance," Interpretation, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carlston, Charles Edwin, "Transfiguration and Resurrection," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1961.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ellenwood, Lee K., "Face to Face with the Living God: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for February," The Living Pulpit, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Garrett, Susan R., "Exodus from Bondage: Luke 9:31 and Acts 12:1-24," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jodock, Darell, "Looking Back and Ahead," The Christian Century, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Johnson, S. Lewis, "The Transfiguration of Christ," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1967.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kenny Anthony, "The Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1957.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kersten, Phyllis, "Off the Mountain," The Christian Century, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Langerak, Ana, "Study of the Word: Luke 9:28-36 - Power in Mission," Mission Studies, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Luther, Donald J., "The Mystery of the Transfiguration: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)," Word & World, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Mánek, Jindřich, "The New Exodus in the Books of Luke," Novum Testamentum, 1957.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Martin, Thomas W., "What Makes Glory Glorious? Reading Luke's Account of the Transfiguration over against Triumphalism," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Moessner, David P., "Luke 9:1-50: Luke's Preview of the Journey of the Prophet Like Moses of Deuteronomy," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Neumark, Heidi, "Altitude Adjustment," The Christian Century, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • O'Toole, Robert F., S.J., "Luke's Message in Luke 9:1-50," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pokorny, Daniel H., "The Transfiguration of Our Lord - Last Sunday after the Epiphany," Concordia Journal, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ringe, Sharon H., "Luke 9:28-36: The Beginning of an Exodus," Semeia, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rogness, Michael, "'You Are My Son, the Beloved': The Epiphany Gospels," Word & World, 2004. (Section on this text begins on page 90.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rogness, Michael, "The Transfiguration of Our Lord: Luke 9:28-36," Word & World, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Roschke, Ronald W., "Healing in Luke, Madagascar, and Elsewhere," Currents in Theology and Mission, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Russell, Keith A., "Hungering for God: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for March," The Living Pulpit, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, Morton, "The Origin and History of the Transfiguration Story," Union Seminary Quarterly Review, 1980.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stacy, R. Wayne, "Glimpses of Glory: Luke 9:28-36," Review and Expositor, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sterling, Gregory E., "Jesus as Exorcist: An Analysis of Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43a," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Taylor, Barbara Brown, "Dazzling Darkness," The Christian Century, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Willimon, William H., "Come on Down," The Christian Century, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Review: The Transfiguration of Jesus: Narrative Meaning and Function of Mark 9:2-3, Matthew 17:1-8, and Luke 9:28-36, by John Paul Heil. Reviewed by John F. Craghan in Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2002.
    • "By making a tent--similar to the Tent of Meeting--for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, Peter would thereby place all three figures on the same level, giving each equal opportunity to speak and thus prolong the epiphany. But the overshadowing cloud interrupts Peter's offer."
  • Review: Todd Klutz, the Exorcism Stories in Luke-Acts: A Sociostylistic Reading. Cambridge University Press, 2004. Review by Sean Kealy in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
• Sermons:
  • "Always Another Climb," the Rev. Dr. Robert Dunham, Day 1, 2010.
  • "The Greatness of God," Samuel Zumwalt, Transfiguration, 2007, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Seeing Things in a New Light," the Rt. Rev. Charles F. Duvall, Day 1, 2007.
  • "The Role of Religion in Today's Society," Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club.
  • "Connections that Count," the Rev. Dr. Robert Sims, Day 1, 2004.
  • "Mountains, Valley and Plains," "Jesus Christ and Superman," "Visions on a Mountaintop," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Listening Openly, Visiting Earnestly," the Rev. Francis Miller, Day 1, 2001.
  • Father Andrew Greeley, Author, Priest, Sociologist: Background and Homily
    • Lent 2, 2010
    • Lent 2, 2007
    • Lent 2, 2004
    • Lent 2, 2001
• With Children:
  • "Transfiguration," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Mountaintop Experiences," children's sermon, coloring page. Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons 4 Kids.
  • "Jesus Is Changed on the Mountain Top," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The Transfiguration," online computer java-based coloring pages from Grace Baptist Church of Feeding Hill.
• Drama:
  • "At the Summit of Mount Tabor," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
  • "Capernaum St. 2 - The Transfiguration," Jane and Mark Lewis, Potted Jam.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Luke 9:35, Luke 9:35 #2, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Bulletin Cover/Art, Luke 9:35, John Stuart, Knoxville, TN. (Free use by churches.)
  • Clip Art Images: Luke 9:28-36, Luke 9:28-36 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Luke 9:28-36, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Luke 9:28-36 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Clip Art: Jesus' Transfiguration, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • Commercial Site: "Transfiguration," visual liturgy, The Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • O Lord, As You Were On Your Way, original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette to the tune of REPTON 8.6.8.8.6.6
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Luke 9:28, 29, 33. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • "Transfigured," Jay C. Treat, The Christian Church in Pennsylvania.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Transfiguration
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Transformation
  • Seeing/Seeing in New Ways
  • Alternate Realities/Illusion-Reality Dialectic
• Literature and Literary References:
  • "Transfiguration," Louisa May Alcott.
  • "After the Transfiguration," Kathy Coffey. Theology Today, 1992.
• Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
  • Transfiguration C
  • Lent 2C
• The Text This Week's Resource Lists for Parallel Passages:
  • Matthew 17:1-9
  • Mark 9:2-9
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS

• Baptism of Jesus - Jan 8
• Epiphany 2 - Jan 15
• MLK, Jr - Jan 15
• Prayer for Christian Unity - Jan 18-25
• Confession of Peter - Jan 18
• Epiphany 3 - Jan 22
• Conversion of Paul - Jan 25
• Epiphany 4 - Jan 29
• Presentation - Feb 2
• Epiphany 5 - Feb 5
• Epiphany 6 - Feb 12
• Transfiguration - Last Epiphany - Feb 19
• Epiphany 7 - Feb 19
• Ash Wednesday - Feb 22
• St Mathias - Feb 24
• Lent 1 - Feb 26
• Lent 2 - Mar 4
• Lent 3 - Mar 11
• Lent 4 - Mar 18
• St. Joseph - Mar 19
• Lent 5 - Mar 25
• Annunciation - Mar 25
• Palm Sunday - April 1
• Passion Sunday - April 1
• Holy Monday - April 2
• Holy Tuesday - April 3
• Holy Wednesday - April 4
• Holy Maundy Thursday - April 5
• Good Friday - April 6
• Holy Saturday - April 7
• Easter Vigil - April 7-8
• Easter Day - April 8
• Easter Evening - April 8

• Calendars
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• YEAR B
• YEAR C
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF TERRORISM/WAR/PEACE RESOURCES
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©2010 and 2011, Jenee Woodard