What Does Luke 9:34 Mean in the King James?
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek verb for “overshadowed” also describes the Most High’s power covering Mary, so the cloud is more than an obstruction: it is a covering the disciples enter while afraid.
THE MEANING
You can find yourself inside a covering before you understand what it contains. Fear rises as you enter, yet the verse places you within the cloud, not abandoned outside it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Fear at the threshold does not prove that presence is absent; here, the disciples are afraid as they enter the cloud.
THE ROOT
ἐπεσκίαζεν
epeskiazen
GROWS FROM
σκια-
skia-
Shadow, shade; the stem at the center of the Greek verb for covering with a shadow.
“overshadowed” in this verse is epeskiazen. The cloud does not only block the disciples’ view; the verb presents it as a covering around them. The same verb describes the Most High’s power overshadowing Mary, joining the cloud’s concealment with the language of divine presence.
ALSO GROWS
skiá: A shadow or shade cast over something.
σκιά
The image carries both concealment and covering: what is hidden from sight is also enclosed by the shadow.
episkiázō: To cast a shadow over or envelop in shadow.
ἐπισκιάζω
This is the verb used here and in Luke 1:35 for the power of the Highest overshadowing Mary.
kataskiázō: To cover or overshadow with a shadow.
κατασκιάζω
Hebrews 9:5 uses this related verb for the cherubim shadowing the mercy seat, placing the same image around sacred space.
THE PATTERN
Divine presence can arrive as a covering that both conceals and surrounds.
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.THE THREAD
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Luke uses the same Greek verb, ἐπισκιάζω (episkiázō), for the cloud overshadowing the disciples and the power of the Highest overshadowing Mary. The shared verb makes the cloud a covering associated with presence as well as concealment.
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