But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.
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.
- BSB While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered 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.
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 he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “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 Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.
- Ps 18:9–11He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
- Isa 19:1The burden of Egypt: “Behold, Yahweh rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt will melt within it.
- Judg 6:22Gideon saw that he was Yahweh’s angel; and Gideon said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh! Because I have seen Yahweh’s angel face to face!”
- Judg 13:22Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God.”
- Exod 14:19–20The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.
- Mark 9:7–8A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of 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. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
- Dan 10:8So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.