Mark 9 5

Mark 9:5 kjv

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mark 9:5 nkjv

Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"?

Mark 9:5 niv

Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters?one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Mark 9:5 esv

And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Mark 9:5 nlt

Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials ? one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 5 Meaning

Peter, overwhelmed by the radiant manifestation of Christ's divine glory during the Transfiguration, along with Moses and Elijah, impulsively proposed building three temporary shelters. This suggestion, while rooted in awe and respect for the revealed glory, subtly reflected his incomplete comprehension of Jesus' unique supremacy, His messianic mission which involved suffering, and the ultimate purpose of the divine revelation. His desire was to preserve or make permanent a transient moment of spiritual revelation using human constructs.

Mark 9 5 Context

Mark 9:5 is set amidst the climactic event of the Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-8). Just prior to this, Jesus had plainly revealed His forthcoming suffering, death, and resurrection, a concept the disciples, especially Peter, struggled to grasp (Mk 8:31-33). He had also called His followers to a life of cross-bearing discipleship. The Transfiguration, a magnificent display of Jesus' divine glory and confirmation of His Sonship by the Father's voice, immediately follows these challenging teachings. Peter's outburst occurs when Jesus' divine glory is unveiled, with Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the Prophets) appearing beside Him, testifying to His fulfillment of all God's past revelation. Peter’s proposal for three tents is a reaction to this overwhelming sight, seeking to contain or prolong a moment he perceived as the triumphant manifestation of the Messianic era, without fully understanding the necessary path of suffering that preceded it.

Mark 9 5 Word analysis

• And Peter answered and said to Jesus:
  • Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): A prominent disciple, often impetuous, a spokesperson for the Twelve. His characteristic forwardness is evident.
  • answered (ἀποκριθείς - apokritheis): Indicates he spoke in response, likely to the visible glory or the presence of Moses and Elijah, though no direct question was posed to him.
  • said (εἶπεν - eipen): He expressed his thought, driven by the profound moment.
  • to Jesus (τῷ Ἰησοῦ - tō Iēsou): Peter directs his words specifically to Christ.
• 'Rabbi (ῥαββί - rhabbi): An Aramaic term transliterated into Greek, meaning "My Great One," "My Master," or "Teacher." While a respectful address, it signifies Peter's still limited understanding, viewing Jesus primarily as a revered human teacher, rather than fully grasping His divine nature that this moment so powerfully displayed. It contrasts sharply with the Father's subsequent declaration of Jesus as "My beloved Son."
• it is good for us to be here (καλόν ἐστιν ἡμῖν ὧδε εἶναι - kalon estin hēmin hōde einai):
  • good (καλόν - kalon): Signifies that it is "beautiful," "fitting," or "proper." Peter finds profound joy and blessedness in the experience, desiring to preserve it.
  • for us (ἡμῖν - hēmin): Inclusive, involving the three disciples who witnessed the event. It conveys a desire for communal benefit and perpetuation of the experience.
  • to be here (ὧδε εἶναι - hōde einai): A wish to freeze the moment in time and space, to extend or solidify the divine presence and glory they were experiencing.
• Let us make three tents (ποιήσωμεν τρεῖς σκηνάς - poiēsōmen treis skēnas):
  • Let us make (ποιήσωμεν - poiēsōmen): A subjunctive verb, expressing a proposal or suggestion ("we should make"). Peter takes initiative, demonstrating a human attempt to structure or control a divine manifestation.
  • three (τρεῖς - treis): The specific number, emphasizing the perceived equality or comparable importance of the three figures.
  • tents (σκηνάς - skēnas): Greek skēnē (singular), meaning "tent," "booth," or "tabernacle."
    • The term evokes the temporary dwellings used by Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), commemorating God's dwelling among His people in the tabernacle.
    • Peter's suggestion points to a desire for a prolonged dwelling place for God's manifest presence, perhaps mistaking the glorious vision for the ultimate advent of the Messianic Kingdom.
    • It represents an effort to create a stable, sacred space to commemorate and possibly contain this unique event.
• one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (μία σοί, καὶ μία Μωϋσεῖ, καὶ μία Ἠλίᾳ - mia soi, kai mia Mōyseī, kai mia Hēlia):
  • one for You (μία σοί - mia soi): Referring to Jesus.
  • one for Moses (μία Μωϋσεῖ - mia Mōyseī): Moses represents the Law, the foundational revelation and covenant with God.
  • one for Elijah (μία Ἠλίᾳ - mia Hēlia): Elijah represents the Prophets, the prophetic word and their call to repentance and expectation of Messiah.
  • Equality implied: By proposing separate but equal tents, Peter unintentionally diminishes Jesus' unique authority and status, placing Him on par with two venerated Old Testament figures rather than seeing Him as the ultimate fulfillment and supreme revelation of God's plan. This misunderstanding would be immediately corrected by the divine voice.

Mark 9 5 Bonus section

• Mark 9:6 adds vital context: Peter spoke "for he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid." This emphasizes that Peter's utterance was a spontaneous reaction to immense fear and awe, rather than a reasoned theological proposition. It reveals human frailty in the face of overwhelming divine presence.
• The appearance of Moses and Elijah signifies the convergence of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus, demonstrating that Christ is the culmination of all Old Testament revelation. Peter's desire for separate tents perhaps missed this intended synthesis, attempting to honor the distinct components rather than acknowledging their unity in the person of Jesus.
• Peter’s choice of “tents” suggests a temporary structure, even if he desired permanence in that moment. This contrasts with the eternal kingdom and dwelling that Jesus was establishing through His passion, not just a glorious visitation. It reflects an earthly focus versus a heavenly and eschatological one.

Mark 9 5 Commentary

Peter's declaration in Mark 9:5 during the Transfiguration encapsulates a deep spiritual longing and a profound theological misstep. Overwhelmed by the splendor of Christ's transfigured glory and the appearance of Moses and Elijah, his instinct was to capture and contain this breathtaking moment. The proposal to build three tents, or "tabernacles," stemmed from a desire to commemorate this sacred revelation and perhaps secure a permanent dwelling for such divine glory, reminiscent of the temporary dwelling of God among His people in the wilderness (the Tabernacle) or the Feast of Booths which looked forward to a final messianic dwelling. However, this proposal betrayed his failure to grasp Jesus' distinct and supreme identity. By suggesting equal tents for Jesus, Moses (the Law), and Elijah (the Prophets), Peter unknowingly equated the unique Son of God with His forerunners, implying a continuity without understanding the decisive fulfillment Jesus embodied. Furthermore, his eagerness to construct temporary dwellings spoke to a preference for glorification over the impending path of suffering, death, and resurrection that Jesus had just foretold. The true "tabernacle" of God's presence was not a structure of human hands, but Jesus Himself, Immanuel, God dwelling among us in flesh. Peter's words, uttered in a state of fear and awe, demonstrated the disciples' need for further enlightenment, which would soon follow with the Father's definitive voice proclaiming, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" This directed all focus solely to Christ, underscoring that human attempts to organize or interpret divine moments must yield to God's revealed will.