Luke 9:30

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 9:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;
Luke 9:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And behold there talked with him two men, etc.] Of great note and fame: which were Moses and Elias; the one the giver of the law from God to the people “of Israel”, as well as the redeemer of them from Egyptian bondage, and who led them through the wilderness, to the borders of Canaan's land; and the other a prophet famous for his zeal for God, and his worship, and who was translated, soul and body, to heaven: these appeared and talked with Christ on the mount; and what they talked of is mentioned in the following verse; (See Gill on “<401703>Matthew 17:3”).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“there talked with him two men . . . Moses and Elias . . . appeared in glory--"Who would have believed these were not angels had not their human names been subjoined?" [BENGEL]. (Compare Act 1:10; Mar 16:5). Moses represented "the law," Elijah "the prophets," and both together the whole testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures, and the Old Testament saints, to Christ; now not borne in a book, but by living men, not to a coming, but a come Messiah, visibly, for they "appeared," and audibly, for they "spake."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See an account of the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13, and Mark 9:2-13. Luke 9:29 The fashion - The “appearance.” Glistering - Shining like lightning - of a bright, dazzling whiteness. As Mark says, “more white than any fuller could make it.” Luke 9:31 In glory - Of a glorious appearance. Of an appearance like that which the saints have in heaven. His decease - literally, his “exit” or “departure.” The word translated here “decease” - that is, exit, or “going out” - is elsewhere used to denote death. See 2 Peter 1:15. Death is a departure or going out from this life. In “this” word there may be an allusion to the “departure” of the children of Israel from Egypt. As that was going out from…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Luk 24:27, Luk 24:44; Mat 17:3, Mat 17:4; Mar 9:4-6; Joh 1:17; Rom 3:21-23; Co2 3:7-11; Heb 3:3-6 Elias: Luk 9:19, Luk 1:17; Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18 Luke 9:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification