Luke is the only Gospel writer who mentioned that the descent happened the day following the Transfiguration. This notation has the effect of contrasting the glorious manifestation on the mountain with the mundane world of sin and unbelief below. Some commentators thought that Luke"s comment implies that the Transfiguration happened at night, but that is an unnecessary supposition. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Luke 9:37-50 - The Greatest Serve The Neediest
When the mountain is bathed in the glory of God we are loath to leave it. But we must not tarry in the enjoyment of its raptures, when the plain contains so much misery. Saints and angels on the one hand, demons on the other! The disciples that have not enjoyed the mountain fellowship have no power over the unclean spirits that haunt men. It is easy to denounce demons; we must do more-we must exorcize them.
But let it never be forgotten that if you are able to cope with the devil, in the power of God, you must be prepared for the Cross, Luke 9:44-45. We cannot die for men, as Jesus did; but we can suffer rebuke and shame with Him, and thus "fill up that which is behind" of His afflictions, Colossians 1:24.
Let us seek the child-heart! We must distinguish between childishness and childlikeness. One of the loveliest pictures of the coming time is Isaiah 11:6. Only childlike souls can tame and conquer the beasts. Let us welcome simple holy souls, and be ourselves of that class; and let us cultivate large-hearted charity toward those who cast out demons, though they be not of our school. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 9
1Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach 7Herod desires to see Jesus 10The apostles return 12Jesus feeds five thousand; 18inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion; 23proposes to all the pattern of his patience 28The transfiguration 37He heals the lunatic; 43again forewarns his disciples of his passion; 46commends humility; 51bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge 57Many would follow him, but upon conditions
Greek Commentary for Luke 9:37
On the next day [τηι εχης ημεραι] Alone in Luke. It shows that the Transfiguration took place on the preceding night. [source]
They were come down [κατελτοντων αυτων] Genitive absolute of second aorist active participle of κατερχομαι katerchomai a common enough verb, but in the N.T. only in Luke‘s writings save James 3:15.Met him (συνηντησεν αυτωι sunēntēsen autōi). First aorist active of συνανταω sunantaō common compound verb, to meet with, only in Luke‘s writings in the N.T. save Hebrews 7:1. With associative instrumental case αυτωι autōi f0). [source]
Met him [συνηντησεν αυτωι] First aorist active of συνανταω sunantaō common compound verb, to meet with, only in Luke‘s writings in the N.T. save Hebrews 7:1. With associative instrumental case αυτωι autōi f0). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 9:37
Mark 9:14And scribes questioning with them [kai grammateis sunzētountes pros autous)] Mark alone gives this item. He is much fuller on this incident (9:14-29) than either Matthew (Matthew 17:14-20) or Luke (Luke 9:37-43). It was just like the professional scribes to take keen interest in the failure of the nine disciples to cure this poor boy. They gleefully nagged and quizzed them. Jesus and the three find them at it when they arrive in the plain. [source]
What do the individual words in Luke 9:37 mean?
It came to passthenthenextdayon having come downof themfromthemountainmetHima crowdgreat
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Greek Commentary for Luke 9:37
Alone in Luke. It shows that the Transfiguration took place on the preceding night. [source]
Genitive absolute of second aorist active participle of κατερχομαι katerchomai a common enough verb, but in the N.T. only in Luke‘s writings save James 3:15.Met him (συνηντησεν αυτωι sunēntēsen autōi). First aorist active of συνανταω sunantaō common compound verb, to meet with, only in Luke‘s writings in the N.T. save Hebrews 7:1. With associative instrumental case αυτωι autōi f0). [source]
First aorist active of συνανταω sunantaō common compound verb, to meet with, only in Luke‘s writings in the N.T. save Hebrews 7:1. With associative instrumental case αυτωι autōi f0). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 9:37
Mark alone gives this item. He is much fuller on this incident (9:14-29) than either Matthew (Matthew 17:14-20) or Luke (Luke 9:37-43). It was just like the professional scribes to take keen interest in the failure of the nine disciples to cure this poor boy. They gleefully nagged and quizzed them. Jesus and the three find them at it when they arrive in the plain. [source]