God’s Word Translation
Matthew 17:3
3Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Jesus.
Matthew 17:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
- New International Version (NIV)Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Context of Matthew 17:3
1After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John (the brother of James) and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. 2Jesus’ appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Jesus. 4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll put up three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!”
Read all of Matthew 17Matthew 17:3 word by word
καὶ ἰδοὺ ὤφθη αὐτοῖς Μωϋσῆς καὶ Ἠλίας συλλαλοῦντες μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Matthew 17:3
- Mark 9:4Then Elijah and Moses appeared to them and were talking with Jesus.
- Luke 9:30Suddenly, both Moses and Elijah were talking with him.
- Matthew 11:13All the Prophets and Moses’ Teachings prophesied up to the time of John.
- Deuteronomy 18:18So I will send them a prophet, an Israelite like you. I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.
- Deuteronomy 34:5As the Lord had predicted, the Lord’s servant Moses died in Moab.
- Luke 24:27Then he began with Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets to explain to them what was said about him throughout the Scriptures.
- John 1:17Laws were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ.
- John 5:45“Don’t think that I will accuse you in the presence of the Father. Moses, the one you trust, is already accusing you.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7The ministry that brought death was inscribed on stone. Yet, it came with such glory that the people of Israel couldn’t look at Moses’ face. His face was shining with glory, even though that glory was fading.
- Hebrews 3:1Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling. So look carefully at Jesus, the apostle and chief priest about whom we make our declaration of faith.
- Matthew 17:10So the disciples asked him, “Why do the experts in Moses’ Teachings say that Elijah must come first?”
- 1 Kings 17:1Elijah, who was from Tishbe but had settled in Gilead, said to Ahab, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord God of Israel whom I serve lives, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years unless I say so.”
- 1 Kings 18:36When it was time to offer the sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward. He said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make known today that you are God in Israel and that I’m your servant and have done all these things by your instructions.
- 2 Kings 2:11As they continued walking and talking, a fiery chariot with fiery horses separated the two of them, and Elijah went to heaven in a windstorm.
- Malachi 4:5“I’m going to send you the prophet Elijah before that very terrifying day of the Lord comes.
- Luke 1:17He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord.”
Commentaries on Matthew 17:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Moses and Elias - Elijah came from heaven in the same body which he had upon earth, for he was translated, and did not see death, 2 Kings 2:11. And the body of Moses was probably raised again, as a pledge of the resurrection; and as Christ is to come to judge the quick and the dead, for we shall not all die, but all shall be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:51, he probably gave the full representation of this in the person of Moses, who died, and was thus raised…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And behold there appeared unto them Moses and Elias - Moses, a distinguished servant of God, by whom the law was given, and whose institutions typified the Messiah. It was particularly proper that he should appear, when his prophecies and types were about to be fulfilled, and the rites which he had instituted were about to be done away. Elias, or Elijah, a distinguished prophet, taken to heaven without seeing death. See 2 Kings 2:11. Elijah had been…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Moses represents the law, and Elijah represents the prophets. They appeared as witnesses to Christ. Their presence showed that Jesus, the Son of God, fulfills everything written in the law and the prophets (see Matthew 5:17–20; 11:2–6; 12:28).Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 17:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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