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Luke 9:29
ESV And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
NIV As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
NASB And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
CSB As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
NLT And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
KJV And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

What does Luke 9:29 mean?

Jesus has taken Peter, John, and James to a mountaintop. Jesus is there to pray; the other three fall asleep (Luke 9:28, 32). As Jesus prays, His appearance changes, reflecting the glory God the Son shares with God the Father.

Throughout this passage, there are several references to Moses' ministry. Here, Matthew says Jesus' "face shone like the sun" (Matthew 17:2). Moses, too, met God on a mountaintop and glowed with His glory (Exodus 34:29–35). Moses, too, experienced a "departure" (Luke 9:31), from exodos in Greek. Some scholars compare Peter's tents (Luke 9:33) to the tabernacle construction Moses oversaw. Many say the cloud that came over the mountaintop (Luke 9:34) is the same shekinah glory that descended on the tabernacle and led the Israelites during the day (Exodus 40:34–38).

"Dazzling white" in the ESV is translated "became white and flashing with the brilliance of lightning" in the Amplified version. One of the purposes of the transfiguration is to assure the witnesses that Jesus is the Son of God despite His impending death. At this moment, it seems to have the opposite effect (Luke 9:44–45): if Jesus' glory looks like this, how could the religious leaders reject and kill Him?
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