While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Parallel translations
- WEB While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.
- KJV While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
- NKJV While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
- NASB But while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
- NLT But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A cloud overshadows them and they are afraid as they enter it. The cloud signals the awesome presence of God.
Overview
In Scripture the cloud often marks the glory and presence of God, as at Sinai and the tabernacle. The disciples' fear is the fitting response to drawing near to the holy presence of God. The setting prepares for the divine voice that follows from within the cloud.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Matt 17:5–7While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
- Exod 40:34–38Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
- Ps 18:9–11He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet.
- Isa 19:1This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.
- Judg 6:22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
- Judg 13:22“We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!”
- Exod 14:19–20And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them,
- Mark 9:7–8Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”
- Rev 1:17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
- Dan 10:8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 9:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.