God’s Word Translation
Matthew 17:4
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.”
Matthew 17:4 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.”
- English Standard Version (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."
- New King James Version (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.”
Context of Matthew 17:4
2Jesus’ appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light. 3Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Jesus. Peter 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!” 6The disciples were terrified when they heard this and fell facedown on the ground.
Read all of Matthew 17Matthew 17:4 word by word
Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν τῷ Ἰησοῦ· κύριε, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι. εἰ θέλεις, ποιήσω ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς, σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωϋσεῖ μίαν καὶ Ἠλίᾳ μίαν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thenδέde · thenG1161
- answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
- Peterὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- PeterΠέτροςPetros · PeterG4074
- and saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- unto JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- it isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
- for usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- hereὧδεhōde · hereG5602
- ifεἰei · ifG1487
- thou wiltθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- let us makeποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
- tabernaclesσκηνήskēnē · tentG4633
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- for theeσύsu · youG4771
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- for MosesΜωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
- for EliasἩλίαςHēlias · ElijahG2243
Cross-references for Matthew 17:4
- Mark 9:5Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
- Luke 9:33As Moses and Elijah were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t know what he was saying.
- Exodus 33:18Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory.”
- Psalms 4:6Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your presence shine on us, O Lord.
- Psalms 16:11You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever.
- Psalms 63:1O God, you are my God. At dawn I search for you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry, parched land where there is no water.
- Isaiah 33:17Your eyes will see how handsome the king is. You will see a land that stretches into the distance.
- Zechariah 9:17They will be beautiful and lovely. Young men will prosper on grain, and young women will prosper on new wine.
- John 14:8Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us.”
- John 17:24“Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me, to be where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made.
- Philippians 1:23I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That’s by far the better choice.
- 1 John 3:2Dear friends, now we are God’s children. What we will be isn’t completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is.
- Revelation 21:23The city doesn’t need any sun or moon to give it light because the glory of God gave it light. The lamb was its lamp.
- Revelation 22:3There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him
Commentaries on Matthew 17:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Peter said - let us make, etc. - That is, when he saw Moses and Elijah ready to depart from the mount, Luke 9:33, he wished to detain them, that he might always enjoy their company with that of his Lord and Master, still supposing that Christ would set up a temporal kingdom upon earth.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Let us make here three tabernacles - A tabernacle is a tent. It was made, commonly, by fixing posts into the ground, and stretching on them cloth fastened by cords. See the notes at Isaiah 33:20. In some instances they were made of branches of trees a temporary shelter from the sun and rain, not a permanent dwelling. Peter was rejoiced at the vision and desirous of continuing it. He proposed, therefore, that they should prolong this interview and dwell…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Three shelters (Or three tabernacles): Peter probably thought the kingdom of heaven was about to arrive in full glory (compare Acts 1:6). He wanted to remember the moment by building shelters.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 17:4
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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