The Meaning of Matthew 17:4 Explained

Matthew 17:4

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.

YLT: And Peter answering said to Jesus, 'Sir, it is good to us to be here; if thou wilt, we may make here three booths -- for thee one, and for Moses one, and one for Elijah.'

Darby: And Peter answering said to Jesus, Lord, it is good we should be here. If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles: for thee one, and for Moses one, and one for Elias.

ASV: And Peter answered, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, I will make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Matthew 17:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In addressing Jesus, Peter called Him "Lord," a title of general respect (cf. Matthew 7:21; et al.). That title would later take on the idea of unqualified supremacy when applied to Jesus, but Peter"s appreciation of Jesus was probably not mature enough to recognize that yet. The proof of this is Peter"s rebuke of Jesus ( Matthew 16:22) and his putting Jesus on a par with Moses and Elijah here.
Peter did not speak because someone had spoken to him. In countries with monarchies it was and is often customary for subjects to speak to the monarch in his or her presence only if the monarch first initiates conversation. He evidently spoke because he perceived the greatness of the occasion, and he wanted to offer a suggestion. The tabernacles (Gr. skenas) Peter suggested erecting were temporary structures that the Jews pitched for the feast of Tabernacles every year. This was a seven-day feast that looked forward to the time when Israel would dwell in permanent peace and rest in the Promised Land ( Leviticus 23:42-43). It anticipated kingdom conditions. Probably Peter meant that since the messianic age was apparently going to begin soon he would make booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, subject to Jesus" approval.

Context Summary

Matthew 17:1-8 - Jesus Shows Divine Glory
Moses' face shone after having absorbed the divine glory, as some diamonds burn with sunlight after being carried into a dark room. Stephen's face shone because for a moment he had seen the Son of man. But the face of our Lord shone, not from without but from within. The shekinah of His heart was for the most part hidden, but here it burst through the frail veil of flesh, John 1:14.
The Apostle uses the same word when he says, "Be ye transfigured," Romans 12:2. He does not mean that for a brief moment we should see and reflect our Lord's face. He wants us to enshrine Him in our hearts, and then to rid ourselves of all hindering veils, so that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God may make even the common garb of daily drudgery beautiful.
This was the great climax of our Lord's earthly life, when He definitely turned away from the glory that was set before Him, to endure the Cross for our redemption. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 17

1  The transfiguration of Jesus
14  He heals the boy with a demon,
22  foretells his own passion,
24  and pays tribute

Greek Commentary for Matthew 17:4

And Peter answered [αποκριτεις δε ο Πετρος]
“Peter to the front again, but not greatly to his credit” (Bruce). It is not clear what Peter means by his saying: “It is good for us to be here” Luke (Luke 9:33) adds “not knowing what he said,” as they “were heavy with sleep.” So it is not well to take Peter too seriously on this occasion. At any rate he makes a definite proposal. [source]
I will make [παιησω]
Future indicative though aorist subjunctive has same form.Tabernacles (σκηνας — skēnas), booths. The Feast of Tabernacles was not far away. Peter may have meant that they should just stay up here on the mountain and not go to Jerusalem for the feast. [source]
Tabernacles [σκηνας]
(σκηνας — skēnas), booths. The Feast of Tabernacles was not far away. Peter may have meant that they should just stay up here on the mountain and not go to Jerusalem for the feast. [source]
Let us make [ποιήσωμεν]
But the best texts read, ποιήσω , I will make, which is more characteristic of Peter. He would erect the booths himself.Three tabernacles ( σκηνάς )Tents or booths, out o£ the brushwood lying near. Peter realized that it was night, and was for preparing shelters into which the heavenly visitants might retire after their interview. [source]
Three tabernacles [σκηνάς]
Tents or booths, out o£ the brushwood lying near. Peter realized that it was night, and was for preparing shelters into which the heavenly visitants might retire after their interview. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 17:4

Mark 9:6 For he wist not what to answer [ou gar ēidei ti apokrithēi)]
Deliberative subjunctive retained in indirect question. But why did Peter say anything? Luke says that he spoke, “not knowing what he said,” as an excuse for the inappropriateness of his remarks. Perhaps Peter felt embarrassed at having been asleep (Luke 9:32) and the feast of tabernacles or booths (skēnai) was near. See note on Matthew 17:4. Peter and the others apparently had not heard the talk of Moses and Elijah with Jesus about his decease (exodon exodus, departure) and little knew the special comfort that Jesus had found in this understanding of the great approaching tragedy concerning which Peter had shown absolute stupidity (Mark 8:32.) so recently. See note on Matthew 17:5 about the overshadowing and the voice. [source]
Luke 9:33 Let us make []
See on Matthew 17:4. [source]
Luke 9:33 Tabernacles []
See on Matthew 17:4. “Jesus might have smiled at the naive proposal of the eager apostle that they six should dwell forever in the little succo=thof wattled boughs on the slopes of Hermon” (Farrar).Not knowing what he saidNot implying any reproach to Peter, but merely as a mark of his bewilderment in his state of ecstasy. [source]
Acts 7:44 The tabernacle of the testimony [η σκηνη του μαρτυριου]
Probably suggested by the mention of “the tabernacle of Moloch” (Acts 7:43). See note on Matthew 17:4 for discussion of skēnē (from skia shadow, root σκηνη — ska to cover). This first sanctuary was not the temple, but the tent in the wilderness. “Stephen passes on from the conduct of the Israelites to his other argument that God is not necessarily worshipped in a particular spot” (Page). [source]
Hebrews 8:2 The true tabernacle [τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀλυθινῆς]
Explanatory of τῶν ἁγίων . The form of expression is emphatic: the tabernacle, the genuine one, as compared with the tabernacle in the wilderness. For ἀλιθινός realgenuine, see on John 1:9. Σκηνή atent. For different shades of meaning, comp. Matthew 17:4; Luke 16:9; Acts 7:43. In this epistle always of the tabernacle in the wilderness. [source]
Hebrews 8:2 Minister [λειτουργος]
See note on Romans 13:6 and note on Philemon 2:25. Of the sanctuary “Of the holy places” By way of explanation of των αγιων — tōn hagiōn For σκηνη — skēnē see Matthew 17:4 and σκηνος — skēnos (2 Corinthians 5:1), old word used here for the antitype or archetype of the tabernacle in the wilderness in which Aaron served, the ideal tabernacle in heaven of which the earthly tabernacle was a symbol and reproduced in the temple which merely copied the tabernacle. Hence it is the “genuine” tabernacle and see John 1:9 for αλητινος — alēthinos Pitched First aorist active indicative of πηγνυμι — pēgnumi old verb to fasten as the pegs of a tent, here only in the N.T. Cf. Numbers 24:6. [source]
2 Peter 1:13 Tabernacle [σκηνώματι]
A figurative expression for the body, used also by Paul, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:4, though he employs the shorter kindred word σκῆνος . Peter also has the same mixture of metaphors which Paul employs in that passage, viz., building and clothing. See next verse. Peter's use of tabernacle is significant in connection with his words at the transfiguration, “Let us make three tabernacle (Matthew 17:4). The word, as well as the entire phrase, carries the idea of brief duration - a frail tent, erected for a night. Compare 2 Peter 1:14. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 17:4 mean?

Answering now - Peter said - to Jesus Lord good it is for us here to be If You wish I will make three tabernacles for You one and for Moses for Elijah
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Πέτρος εἶπεν τῷ Ἰησοῦ Κύριε καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι εἰ θέλεις ποιήσω τρεῖς σκηνάς σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωϋσεῖ Ἠλίᾳ

ἀποκριθεὶς  Answering 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀποκρίνομαι  
Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Πέτρος  Peter 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Πέτρος  
Sense: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
εἶπεν  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦ  to  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Κύριε  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
καλόν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
ἐστιν  it  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἡμᾶς  for  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ὧδε  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὧδε  
Sense: here, to this place, etc.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
θέλεις  You  wish 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ποιήσω  I  will  make 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
τρεῖς  three 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: τρεῖς 
Sense: three.
σκηνάς  tabernacles 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: σκηνή  
Sense: tent, tabernacle, (made of green boughs, or skins or other materials).
σοὶ  for  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
μίαν  one 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
Μωϋσεῖ  for  Moses 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Μωσεύς 
Sense: the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion.
Ἠλίᾳ  for  Elijah 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἠλίας  
Sense: a prophet born at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah.