Mark 9:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Kefa said to Yeshua, "It's good that we're here, Rabbi! Let's put up three shelters -- one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu."

Berean Standard Bible:

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.”

American Standard Version:

And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} Peter^{G4074} answered^{G611} and said^{G3004} to Jesus^{G2424}, Master^{G4461}, it is^{G2076} good^{G2570} for us^{G2248} to be^{G1511} here^{G5602}: and^{G2532} let us make^{G4160} three^{G5140} tabernacles^{G4633}; one^{G3391} for thee^{G4671}, and^{G2532} one^{G3391} for Moses^{G3475}, and^{G2532} one^{G3391} for Elias^{G2243}.

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Commentary for Mark 9:5

Mark 9:5 is part of the narrative known as the Transfiguration, a pivotal event in the Gospel of Mark. In this verse, the disciple Peter responds to the extraordinary vision of Jesus transfigured before him, with his clothing becoming dazzling white and his appearance altered. Alongside Jesus, the disciples see Moses and Elijah, significant figures in Jewish history representing the Law and the Prophets, respectively.

Peter's suggestion to build three tabernacles, or shelters, stems from a desire to commemorate and perpetuate this sacred encounter. His words reflect both awe and a degree of misunderstanding. Awe, because he recognizes the sanctity of the moment and wants to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah equally. Misunderstanding, because he does not yet fully grasp the true nature of Jesus' mission and his unique status as the Son of God, which sets him apart from even the greatest figures of Jewish history.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in Jewish expectations of the Messiah and the end times. The presence of Moses and Elijah would have been particularly meaningful to early Jewish-Christian audiences, as both were believed to have unique eschatological roles. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah was expected to return before the great and terrible day of the Lord, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6.

In suggesting the construction of tabernacles, Peter may also be alluding to the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (Sukkot), a Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus and the dwelling of God with His people. Peter's instinct to build and memorialize reflects a human inclination to hold onto spiritual experiences and to honor significant religious figures.

However, the transfiguration is not just about the past; it is a revelation of Jesus' divine glory and a foretaste of the kingdom of God. The voice of God the Father soon interrupts Peter, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, thus clarifying Jesus' preeminent role and redirecting their focus away from building physical structures and towards understanding and spreading the message of the Gospel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4074
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πέτρος
   Transliteration: Pétros
   Pronunciation: pet'-ros
   Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4461
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ῥαββί
   Transliteration: rhabbí
   Pronunciation: hrab-bee'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (רַב with pronominal suffix); my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor:--Master, Rabbi.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2076
   There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστί
   Transliteration: estí
   Pronunciation: es-tee'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2570
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καλός
   Transliteration: kalós
   Pronunciation: kal-os'
   Description: of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from ἀγαθός, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2248
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμᾶς
   Transliteration: hēmâs
   Pronunciation: hay-mas'
   Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1511
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἶναι
    Transliteration: eînai
    Pronunciation: i'-nahee
    Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5602
    There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὧδε
    Transliteration: hōde
    Pronunciation: ho'-deh
    Description: from an adverb form of ὅδε; in this same spot, i.e. here or hither:--here, hither, (in) this place, there.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5140
    There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τρεῖς
    Transliteration: treîs
    Pronunciation: tree'-ah
    Description: a primary (plural) number; "three":--three.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4633
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σκηνή
    Transliteration: skēnḗ
    Pronunciation: skay-nay'
    Description: apparently akin to σκεῦος and σκιά; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively):--habitation, tabernacle.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3391
    There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μία
    Transliteration: mía
    Pronunciation: mee'-ah
    Description: irregular feminine of εἷς; one or first:--a (certain), + agree, first, one, X other.
    
16. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
    
17. Strong's Number: G3475
    There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Μωσεύς
    Transliteration: Mōseús
    Pronunciation: mo-oo-sace'
    Description: of Hebrew origin; (מֹשֶׁה); Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver:--Moses.
    
18. Strong's Number: G2243
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἡλίας
    Transliteration: Hēlías
    Pronunciation: hay-lee'-as
    Description: of Hebrew origin (אֵלִיָּה); Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite:--Elias.