And it came to pass about eight days after these words, that he took Peter, and James, and John, and went up into a mountain to pray.

And it came to pass after these words, about eight days, that taking Peter and John and James he went up into a mountain to pray.

And it came to pass, after these words, as it were eight days, that having taken Peter, and John, and James, he went up to the mountain to pray,

It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray.

And about eight days after he had said these things, he took Peter and John and James with him and went up into the mountain for prayer.

And it happened that, about eight days after these words, he took Peter and James and John, and he ascended onto a mountain, so that he might pray.

About eight days after speaking these words, Jesus went up the mountain to pray, taking with him Peter, John, and James.

See an account of the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13, and Mark 9:2-13.

About an eight days after - See the whole of this important transaction explained at large on Matthew 17:1-13 (note).

(6) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
(6) So that his disciples do not stumble at his debasing himself in his flesh, he teaches them that it is voluntary, showing in addition for a moment the brightness of his glory.

And it came to pass, about an eight days after those sayings,.... About a week after he had declared the above things, at, or near to Caesarea Philippi. The other evangelists, Matthew and Mark, say it was six days after: the reason of this difference is, because Luke takes in the day in which he delivered these sayings, and that in which he was transfigured, and they only reckon the intermediate days:
he took Peter, and John, and James; the same that he admitted to be with him at the raising of Jairus's daughter, and in the garden afterwards:
and went up into a mountain to pray; to his God and Father, that his disciples might have a visible display of his glory, as an emblem and pledge of that in which he shall hereafter appear: it was usual with Christ to go up into a mountain to pray; Matthew 14:23. See Gill on Matthew 17:1.

Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven.

JESUS TRANSFIGURED. (Luke 9:28-36)
an eight days after these sayings--including the day on which this was spoken and that of the Transfiguration. Matthew and Mark say (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2) "after six days," excluding these two days. As the "sayings" so definitely connected with the transfiguration scene are those announcing His death--at which Peter and all the Twelve were so startled and scandalized--so this scene was designed to show to the eyes as well as the heart how glorious that death was in the view of Heaven.
Peter, James, and John--partners before in secular business; now sole witnesses of the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37), the transfiguration, and the agony in the garden (Mark 14:33).
a mountain--not Tabor, according to long tradition, with which the facts ill comport, but some one near the lake.
to pray--for the period He had now reached was a critical and anxious one. (See on Matthew 16:13). But who can adequately translate those "strong cryings and tears?" Methinks, as I steal by His side, I hear from Him these plaintive sounds, "Lord, who hath believed Our report? I am come unto Mine own and Mine own receive Me not; I am become a stranger unto My brethren, an alien to My mother's children: Consider Mine enemies, for they are many, and they hate Me with cruel hatred. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail. Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: Show Me a token for good: Father, glorify Thy name."

About an eight days after. See notes on Matthew 17:1-9, for the Transfiguration. Also Mark 9:1-8. Luke adds the fact that the Lord went into the mountain to pray; that as he prayed, he was transfigured; that the fashion of his countenance was altered; that the theme of conversation with Moses and Elias was the Lord's decease; that the apostles were awake when they saw the vision; that they told no man in those days, even as Jesus directed (Matthew).
They kept it close. Until after the death and resurrection of the Lord.

Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.