Matthew 17:4 kjv
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Matthew 17:4 nkjv
Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17:4 niv
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters?one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17:4 esv
And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17:4 nlt
Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials ? one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 17:1 | "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother..." | Transfiguration setting, disciples present |
| Mk 9:2 | "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John..." | Parallel account in Mark |
| Lk 9:28 | "Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter..." | Parallel account in Luke |
| Matt 17:5 | "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them..." | Father's voice immediately follows Peter's proposal |
| 2 Pet 1:17-18 | "For He received from God the Father honor and glory... and we heard this voice..." | Peter's own later reflection on Transfiguration |
| Lk 9:31 | "speaking of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." | Moses and Elijah discussed Jesus' "exodus" |
| Matt 16:21 | "From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer..." | Jesus foretold suffering, preceding Transfiguration |
| Matt 16:22 | "Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord!'" | Peter's similar attempt to divert Jesus from suffering |
| Mal 4:5 | "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." | Prophecy of Elijah's return |
| Deut 18:15 | "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst..." | Moses foresaw a greater Prophet (Christ) |
| Lev 23:42-43 | "You shall dwell in booths for seven days... that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths..." | Feast of Tabernacles origin (Sukkot) |
| Num 9:15-16 | "For on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle..." | Divine presence indicated by cloud |
| Ex 40:34 | "Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." | Glory of Lord associated with tabernacle/cloud |
| Ps 27:5 | "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me..." | "Tabernacle" as place of dwelling/protection |
| Is 4:6 | "And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, For a place of refuge..." | "Tabernacle" as shelter, imagery for glory/refuge |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory..." | "Dwelt" (εσκηνωσεν, eskēnōsen - tabernacled) amongst us |
| Heb 9:1-2 | "Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared..." | Earthly tabernacle as a type of heavenly reality |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them..." | God's ultimate dwelling with humanity (new heaven/earth) |
| Acts 7:44 | "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed..." | Stephen refers to the wilderness tabernacle |
| 1 Cor 10:6 | "Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things..." | Wilderness experiences as warnings/examples |
| Zech 14:16-19 | "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations... shall go up... to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." | Future significance of Sukkot (Messianic era) |
| John 7:2-3 | "Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand." | Jesus' presence at the Feast of Tabernacles |
| Phil 3:20 | "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior..." | Contrasting Peter's desire for earthly dwelling with heavenly citizenship |
Matthew 17 verses
Matthew 17 4 Meaning
Peter's impulsive proposal to build three shelters—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah—during the Transfiguration expresses his desire to extend and solidify that glorious moment. He perceived it as supremely beneficial to remain in that exalted state. This idea, while well-intentioned and rooted in Jewish tradition (Sukkot), missed the true purpose of the Transfiguration: to confirm Jesus' identity as the Son of God, empower Him for His impending suffering, and underscore the ultimate authority of Jesus above the Law and Prophets. Peter sought to equalize Jesus with Moses and Elijah, but the divine voice quickly corrected this perspective.
Matthew 17 4 Context
Matthew chapter 17 is centrally placed within Jesus' ministry, following His first clear prediction of His suffering and death (Matt 16:21) and Peter's misguided rebuke (Matt 16:22-23). The Transfiguration event (Matt 17:1-8) serves as a dramatic counterpoint and divine affirmation, giving three key disciples (Peter, James, John) a glimpse of Jesus' divine glory. This pre-Passion revelation provides crucial support for both Jesus and His disciples as they approach Jerusalem and the path of suffering. Peter's statement in verse 4 comes amidst this glorious display, just after Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to Christ. Historically, Peter's desire to build booths reflects the Jewish tradition of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a joyful harvest festival commemorating God's provision and Israel's dwelling in temporary shelters during their wilderness journey. This context reveals Peter's instinct to solidify and celebrate a perceived culmination of Messianic glory.
Matthew 17 4 Word analysis
- Then (Τότε - tote): Indicates a chronological sequence, linking Peter's response directly to the extraordinary events that just occurred (Transfiguration, appearance of Moses and Elijah).
- Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): One of Jesus' inner circle disciples, consistently characterized by his outspokenness and impulsiveness, often speaking before fully comprehending.
- answered (ἀποκριθείς - apokritheis): The typical Greek word for "answered," but here it emphasizes Peter's immediate vocal reaction to the astonishing vision.
- and said (εἶπεν - eipaen): Connects Peter's act of answering with the content of his specific verbal proposal.
- to Jesus (τῷ Ἰησοῦ - tō Iēsou): Directs Peter's statement specifically to Christ, affirming Jesus as the primary recipient of his words.
- Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie): A respectful address, acknowledging Jesus' authority and often used as "Sir" or "Master." In this context, it aligns with Peter's recent confession of Jesus as the Christ (Matt 16:16).
- it is good (καλόν ἐστιν - kalon estin): The Greek "kalon" implies something morally good, noble, beautiful, and beneficial. Peter perceives the current experience as supremely desirable and worthy of preservation.
- for us (ἡμῖν - hēmin): Refers inclusively to Peter, James, and John, highlighting the shared positive experience of the disciples present.
- to be here (ὧδε εἶναι - hōde einai): "Here" signifies the specific mountain location of the Transfiguration, a place of unique divine revelation, emphasizing Peter's wish to remain in that hallowed presence.
- if You wish (εἰ θέλεις - ei theleis): A deferential conditional clause, indicating a request or a proposal submitted for Jesus' approval, though it originates from Peter's own thought.
- I will make (ποιήσω - poiēsō): "Poieō" signifies to do, make, or build, demonstrating Peter's readiness for concrete action.
- three (τρεῖς - treis): The specific number signifies equal provisions for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, reflecting Peter's (mis)perception of their equivalent status.
- tabernacles (σκηνάς - skēnas): Greek "skēnē" means a tent, booth, or temporary dwelling. This term directly evokes the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), where Israelites built temporary shelters to commemorate God's wilderness provision. Peter likely envisions a commemorative or festive encampment.
- here (ὧδε - hōde): Reiteration of the specific location, indicating Peter's intention to build these structures on the sacred mountaintop.
- one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah: This specific enumeration reveals Peter's error in placing Jesus on par with Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets). He fails to recognize Jesus' ultimate superiority and His unique role as God's beloved Son who fulfills both the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 17 4 Bonus section
Peter's impulsive nature is a consistent aspect of his portrayal in the Gospels, often leading him to speak or act without full understanding, such as his rebuke of Jesus in Matt 16:22. The term "tabernacle" (skēnē) holds a rich theological history beyond Sukkot, referring to the wilderness tabernacle as God's dwelling place among His people (Ex 40:34) and even later becoming a symbol for God's ultimate dwelling with humanity in the new heavens and earth (Rev 21:3). However, Peter's use here appears more in line with a temporary commemorative structure. The presence of Moses and Elijah served not only to signify the witness of the Law and Prophets to Christ but also, according to Luke, to discuss Jesus' "exodus" (death) in Jerusalem. This shows that the Transfiguration was not about prolonging a moment of glory, but about preparing for and validating the sacrificial path Jesus was to take, highlighting the vast spiritual gap between Peter's immediate desire and the divine purpose of the event. The entire episode powerfully illustrates the ongoing spiritual formation of the disciples, where human aspirations often clash with divine revelation and purpose.
Matthew 17 4 Commentary
Peter's spontaneous declaration, "Lord, it is good for us to be here," encapsulates the human desire to prolong moments of divine glory and comfort. His subsequent offer to build three "tabernacles" reflects an attempt to memorialize and stabilize the Transfiguration event within a familiar Jewish religious framework (the Feast of Tabernacles). This was well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed. By suggesting equal dwellings for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, Peter inadvertently leveled Jesus' divine preeminence, treating Him as merely one of three great figures from Israel's sacred history. Peter sought to create a lasting monument on the mountain of glory, perhaps hoping to avoid the painful path of suffering and the cross that Jesus had recently predicted. The significance of Peter's misstep lies in his human impulse to prioritize immediate glory and celebration over God's greater redemptive plan, which necessarily included the "exodus" (Lk 9:31) of the crucifixion. His proposal, rooted in earthly tradition, required immediate divine correction by the Father's voice, firmly re-establishing Jesus' singular authority.