As he was alone praying Or rather apart from the multitude, for the word καταμονας, here rendered alone, excludes not his disciples, but the multitude, now sent away when they were filled, as appears from Mark 4:10, where the same word is used; and where we read, when he was alone, (καταμονας, apart from the multitude,) they that were about him, with the twelve, asked him of the parable, Or the expression here, καταμονας προσευχομενος, may be rendered, as he was praying alone, or by himself; his prayer being ended, his disciples came to him. He asked them When he had done praying, during which they probably stayed at a distance, Who say the people that I am, &c. See this paragraph explained on Matthew 16:13-23; and Mark 8:27-33. He commanded them to tell no man, saying, The Son of man must suffer, &c. As if he had said, Ye must prepare for a scene far different from this.
Related Commentaries of Luke 9:18
Luke 9:18-22
18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying,Whom say the people that I am?
19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
20 He said unto them,But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
22 Saying,The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.