9:32a–b

In this verse Luke indicated that the disciples had fallen asleep. They were asleep during the time when Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus (9:31). Languages have different ways to talk about events that happen at the same time like this. Some ways to do this in English are:

Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
While they were talking, Peter and his companions were sleeping soundly

Use a natural way in your language to make this connection clear.

Meanwhile: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Meanwhile. Some English versions, such as the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, and NET Bible, see it as introducing background information and translate it as “Now.” Other versions, such as the King James Version and NLV, see it as introducing a contrast and translate it as “But.” Still other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New International Version, and New Living Translation (2004), do not translate this conjunction. Connect 9:32a to 9:31c in a way that is natural in your language.

Peter and his companions were overcome by sleep, but when they awoke: The Greek idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were overcome by sleep is literally “were burdened with sleep.” There are two ways to interpret this idiom, along with the word awoke in this verse:

(1) It indicates that the disciples were completely asleep for a short time and then woke up. For example:

Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It indicates that the disciples were very sleepy but stayed awake. For example:

Peter and those with him were quite sleepy, but as they became fully awake (NET Bible)

(New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with a majority of scholars and English versions. The God’s Word has been used as the source line in the Display.

9:32b

In Greek this verse part begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “but.” It is a common conjunction that can be translated in different ways in different contexts. Some English versions, such as the New Living Translation (2004) and God’s Word, do not translate a conjunction here. Do what is natural in your language for this context.

when they awoke: The Greek verb here is literally “having awakened.” It introduces what the disciples saw in 9:32c. Some English versions translate it with an introductory clause, as the Berean Standard Bible does. Other versions start a new sentence here. For example:

All at once they woke up (Contemporary English Version)

9:32c

they saw Jesus’ glory: The clause they saw Jesus’ glory means that the three disciples saw the shining/bright light that came from Jesus and surrounded him. They saw that Jesus was shining brightly like a heavenly being. Another way to translate this is:

saw how glorious Jesus was (Contemporary English Version)

and the two men standing with Him: The disciples also saw that two men were standing with him. It is clear from 9:33c that they somehow recognized the men to be Moses and Elijah.

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