Luke 9:33 - Printer Friendly

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's 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.

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).

Luke 9:28–36 comes amidst calls to follow Jesus more deeply. This reveals why He is worthy of allegiance; it also resolves Herod's question and Peter's answer about Jesus' identity. Peter, James, and John follow Jesus up a mountain. Jesus' clothes become bright white, and Moses and Elijah arrive to speak with Him. When the two prophets leave, a cloud descends, and God the Father affirms Jesus. This transfiguration fulfills the promise Jesus made that "there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27). The story is also in Matthew 17:1–8 and Mark 9:2–8.

Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.