OET interlinear LUKE 9:33

9:33a

As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus: The two men, Moses and Elijah, started to leave Jesus. But before they left, Peter spoke to Jesus.

9:33b

Master: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Master often refers to the owner or boss of a servant/slave. People also used this word to show respect when they addressed a person who had authority over them. Peter called Jesus Master here to show respect for him. It also implies that Peter had a close relationship with Jesus as his teacher and spiritual leader.

Be careful not to use a word that refers only to the owner of a slave. Some other ways to translate Master in this context are:

Lord

Sir

This word first occurs in Luke in 5:5a.

it is good for us to be here: The clause it is good for us to be here expresses Peter’s feelings. He felt that it was good, wonderful, or fortunate that they were there to see and experience this amazing event.

Some other ways to translate this are:

it is good that we are here (REB)

our presence here is really good

how wonderful that we are here

us: There are two ways to interpret the pronoun us here:

1. It is inclusive, referring to the three disciples and Jesus. It means:

   It is good for all of us^(incl) to be here together

2. It is exclusive, referring to the three disciples only. It means:

   It is good for us^(excl) disciples to be here

You should translate ambiguously if your language allows you to do so. If you need to choose an exclusive or inclusive “us,” you may choose either one. Be sure to consider carefully the implications of either choice for speakers of your language. You should also consider whether a major language translation in your area has followed one interpretation or the other.Using an exclusive pronoun here may incorrectly imply in some languages that being there was good only for the disciples, not for Jesus. It is likely that Jesus, as well as the disciples, was encouraged by this experience. On the other hand, using an exclusive pronoun here may acceptably imply only that the disciples were focusing on the benefit to them as disciples, since Jesus had specifically taken them with him. In the Philippines, the Ang Bagong Magandang Balita Biblia translation (Tagalog 2004) used an exclusive pronoun here. In Indonesia, several national language translations used an inclusive pronoun.

9:33c

9:33d

9:33c–d

Let us put up: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as Let us put up expresses a suggestion. It is not a request for permission.

Some other ways to translate this are:

We shall make

I would like for us to make

us: In this context the pronoun us refers to only Peter, James, and John. Peter did not expect Jesus (or Moses or Elijah) to help them make the shelters.

put up: The Greek word that the BSB translates as put up is literally “make.” Peter was suggesting that he, James, and John build shelters from materials that were there on the mountain.

Some other ways to translate this are:

build

make (NJB)

three shelters: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as shelters:

1. It refers to temporary shelters made from branches, leaves, and other things that were easy to find. They were used for shade or to block the wind. For example:

   three shelters (NET) (BSB, NIV, NJB, CEV, NET, JBP, REB, NLT)

2. It refers to tents. Tents are made of cloth or animal skins. They were used to block the rain or the wind. God’s worship tent in the Old Testament was made of skins. For example:

   three tents (NCV) (GNT, GW, NCV, ESV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Leafy branches were available on the mountain to use in making a shelter, booth, or hut. Animal skins, used for making tents, would not have been available.

9:33e

(He did not know what he was saying.): The clause He did not know what he was saying means that Peter did not realize what his words meant or implied. He did not think carefully before he spoke. Three men in their heavenly bodies would not need any earthly shelter.

In the Greek text, this clause is connected to the previous sentence. It explains why Peter said what he did. The BSB and GNT indicate that this is an explanation by using parentheses. Another approach is to use a dash. For example:

—not knowing what he said (RSV)

You could also introduce this clause with a word that would imply that Peter had spoken inappropriately. For example:

But Peter did not know what he was talking about. (CEV)

In some languages, it may be clearer to introduce this clause by referring again to what Peter said in 9:33b–c. For example:

He said this because he did not know what to say.