King James Version

What Does Luke 9:33 Mean?

Luke 9:33 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto 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: not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:33 · KJV


Context

31

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto 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: not knowing what he said.

34

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto 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: not knowing what he said. As Moses and Elijah were leaving (en tō diachōrizesthai autous, ἐν τῷ διαχωρίζεσθαι αὐτούς), Peter impulsively spoke. His address Epistata (Ἐπιστάτα, "Master") is Luke's preferred term—respectful but less than "Lord." Peter declares it is good for us to be here (kalon estin hēmas hōde einai, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι)—the mountaintop experience was glorious, and he wanted to preserve it.

His proposal to build skēnas (σκηνάς, "tabernacles" or "tents")—three shelters equalizing Jesus with Moses and Elijah—reveals theological confusion. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated wilderness wandering and anticipated Messianic kingdom (Zechariah 14:16). Peter may have thought the kingdom was arriving and wanted to stay. Luke's parenthetical comment, not knowing what he said (mē eidōs ho legei, μὴ εἰδὼς ὃ λέγει), gently rebukes Peter's misunderstanding. Jesus cannot be equated with Moses and Elijah—He is their Lord and fulfillment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals, celebrating the harvest and commemorating Israel's wilderness dwelling in tents. During the feast, Jews built temporary shelters (sukkot) and lived in them for seven days. Rabbinic tradition associated the feast with the Messianic age—when Messiah comes, all nations would celebrate Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19). Peter likely connected the glory, Moses, Elijah, and Messianic expectations with the feast. His desire to build booths was theologically confused but understandable—he recognized this as a Messianic moment but didn't yet grasp that Messiah must first suffer before reigning.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why was Peter's desire to build three tabernacles—equalizing Jesus with Moses and Elijah—theologically mistaken?
  2. What spiritual danger exists in trying to prolong mountaintop experiences rather than descending to serve in the valley?
  3. How does Peter's confusion about the kingdom's nature (glory now vs. suffering first) mirror contemporary misunderstandings of Christian life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
καὶ1 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο2 of 36

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν3 of 36

as

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ4 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαχωρίζεσθαι5 of 36

departed

G1316

to remove (oneself) wholly, i.e., retire

αὐτοῦ6 of 36

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπ'7 of 36

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτοῦ8 of 36

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἶπεν9 of 36

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

10 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος11 of 36

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

πρὸς12 of 36

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν13 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν14 of 36

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Ἐπιστάτα15 of 36

Master

G1988

an appointee over, i.e., commander (teacher)

καλόν16 of 36

good

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

ἐστιν17 of 36

it is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡμᾶς18 of 36

for us

G2248

us

ὧδε19 of 36

here

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

εἶναι20 of 36

to be

G1511

to exist

καὶ21 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ποιήσωμεν22 of 36

let us make

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

σκηνὰς23 of 36

tabernacles

G4633

a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively)

τρεῖς24 of 36

three

G5140

"three"

μίαν25 of 36
G1520

one

σοὶ26 of 36

thee

G4671

to thee

καὶ27 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Μωσεῖ28 of 36

Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

μίαν29 of 36
G1520

one

καὶ30 of 36

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μίαν31 of 36
G1520

one

Ἠλίᾳ32 of 36

Elias

G2243

helias (i.e., elijah), an israelite

μὴ33 of 36

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

εἰδὼς34 of 36

knowing

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

35 of 36

what

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

λέγει36 of 36

he said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 9:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 9:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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