Luke 9:30 (WEB)
Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Luke 9:30–31 (KJV)
30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Key words
- ἔξοδοςexodos · Greek
- 'decease' — literally 'exodus,' the departure Jesus is to accomplish at Jerusalem.
- Μωϋσῆς καὶ ἨλίαςMōusēs kai Ēlias · Greek
- 'Moses and Elias' — the lawgiver of the first exodus speaks with Jesus about the new one.
Why it matters
At the Transfiguration Moses and Elijah speak of the 'exodus' Jesus will accomplish at Jerusalem. Pitre uses the word to define the shape of Luke's Gospel (pp 43, 65): Jesus is the new Moses, but his exodus runs not from Egypt to the promised land but from Jerusalem to heaven, ending when he is 'carried up into heaven' (24:51). For Jesus the earthly promised land is the point of departure — and that is what makes the Assumption of the new Ark fitting.