There Came a Voice Out of the Cloud - Luke 9:34-36

Today’s text states that “[the disciples] feared as they entered into the cloud.” What made them fear? What sort of cloud was it that overshadowed them – literally, “[by analogy] to envelop in a haze of brilliancy.” Some suggest that it was a “cloud” of angels surrounding them. Others believe that is was simply the watery clouds of the heavens. In his Gospel account, Matthew (17:5) is careful to tell us that it was a “bright cloud” – meaning “lustrous, well-illuminated: bright, full of light.” It was only Peter, James and John who feared as they entered the cloud. It certainly brought no disturbance to Moses or Elijah as it overshadowed them and continued to envelop them. This was not a cloud of the atmosphere or a cloud of angels; it was none other than the cloud called by the Jews the Shekinah, or the Dwelling, as being the visible pavilion of Jehovah – something no one in Israel had seen in 600 years. It was that glory which Isaiah saw in vision (Isa. 6:1-13) and the beloved disciple says was the glory of Christ (Jn. 12:41). Divine incandescence bathed the mountain top in the manifested presence of God because Christ was there and His disciples were afraid at such display.

Out of the cloud, a voice spoke – the voice of the Father, acknowledging Jesus Christ as His beloved Son and telling them to “hear (give audience to)” or obey Him. God will not allow anyone put on the same level as His Son. Peter never forgot this voice. Just before his death, Peter wrote in his second epistle that it was “such” or so great a voice, and he recognized immediately its heavenly origin (1:17-18). Given who He is, everything depends upon listening to Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1, 2). Listen to Him (Jn. 14:6; 7:37; Matt. 11:28-30).