Mark 9:5 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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.'

NASB: Peter responded and *said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good that we are here; let’s make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

CSB: Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it's good for us to be here. Let's set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--

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.'

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.

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”—

Jesus has taken Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain where the three disciples fall asleep (Luke 9:32). When they awaken, Jesus is glowing, and Elijah and Moses are talking to Him about His coming departure (Luke 9:31). Peter, James, and John are terrified and don't know how to respond (Mark 9:6). They have no reason to think Moses and Elijah are leaving any time soon, so Peter offers to make tents, similar to the booths used in the Feast of Tabernacles. Such august visitors deserve shade from the sun while they confer.

Rabbi is Hebrew and means "honorable sir." Students and disciples called their teachers "rabbi" to show their respect. "Tent" is from the Greek root word skene. It can mean any shelter which is moveable, and could be made of skins or tree boughs; in this case, probably tree boughs.

Peter is known for his impetuous nature. He has already rebuked Jesus (Mark 8:32) and will make a vow he is incapable of fulfilling (Matthew 26:33). But he also tried his faith in rough seas (Matthew 14:28–29) and abandoned the boat to swim to Jesus after the resurrection (John 21:7). Now, he jumps in to the situation, glad he and his friends are there to serve their master and two significant figures from Jewish history.

Mark 9:2–13 occurs six days after Jesus promised that some of the disciples would see God's kingdom with power (Mark 9:1). He takes Peter, James, and John to a mountain where He is transfigured with the glory of God. The presence of Elijah leads the disciples to think the Messiah's earthly reign is imminent, but Jesus reminds them that He will suffer first. The story of the transfiguration is also recorded in Matthew 17:1–13 and Luke 9:28–36.

Mark chapter 9 contains an account of Jesus' transfiguration, where three of the disciples witness Him in a glorified form. In this passage, Jesus also heals a demon-possessed boy. His teachings in this section include a prediction of His death and resurrection, and corrections to the disciples' errors on questions of pride and temptation.

Mark 9 continues Jesus' efforts to teach the disciples who He is, what He has come to do, and what their role is in His mission. The chapter begins with the transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John catch a glimpse of Jesus' glory, and ends back in Capernaum. Jesus spends most of that time teaching. Although the disciples do quarrel with the scribes, the misconceptions and errors Jesus addresses come from the disciples, themselves, not outsiders. In the next chapter, He will leave Galilee and travel toward Jerusalem and the cross.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.