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Luke 9:33
ESV And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah" — not knowing what he said.
NIV As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)
NASB And as these two men were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is good that we are here; and let’s make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah'—not realizing what he was saying.
CSB As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it’s good for us to be here. Let us set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he was saying.
NLT As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, 'Master, 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.'
KJV And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto 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: not knowing what he said.
NKJV Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

What does Luke 9:33 mean?

Peter, James, and John followed Jesus up a mountain. Jesus came to pray. The other three fell into a deep sleep. They awakened to a stunning sight. Jesus is glowing. His face, clothes, and everything about His appearance is dazzling. He is speaking with two other men who are also glowing; somehow the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28–32).

Scholars have several theories about why Peter wanted to build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. He may be thinking about the Feast of Booths. More likely, he is trying to show honor to three great leaders. He's probably also trying to encourage Elijah and Moses to stay longer. Moses rallied the Israelites together, rescued them from Egypt, and made them a nation. Elijah took down hundreds of Baal's prophets (1 Kings 18:40). Peter may think Moses and Elijah will gather the Jews together politically and religiously so that Jesus can conquer the Romans and restore the Jewish nation.

Luke states that Peter doesn't know what he is saying. Some scholars say that by offering three equal tents, Peter shows that he considers his teacher on a level with the great Moses and Elijah—which is good. But he doesn't understand that Jesus is infinitely superior to Moses and Elijah. This is an error God corrects by identifying Jesus as His Son (Luke 9:35). The comment about the three disciples just awakening (Luke 9:32) might be an allusion to their spiritual dullness. When Peter calls Jesus "Master," he isn't wrong, but he still isn't fully grasping who Jesus is.

Matthew and Mark flesh out the scene. Peter asks Jesus' approval and offers to make the tents, himself (Matthew 17:4). He does so in great fear (Mark 9:6).
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