9:5a
Peter said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Peter said is literally “Peter answered and said.” This indicates that Peter responded to the situation of Jesus talking with Elijah and Moses.
In some languages it may not be natural to “answer” a situation. Because of that, many English versions use only the verb “said” here.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
Peter spoke up and said (Good News Bible)
-or-
Then Peter said to Jesus (NET Bible)
Rabbi: The word Rabbi is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” At the time when Mark wrote this gospel message, people used this word as a title of respect for an important religious teacher or leader. It does not refer to a school teacher.
If you do not have a word that expresses this idea of a religious teacher, you can simply use the word “teacher” or “master.” If possible, use a word that implies that the teacher is respected. For example:
Teacher
-or-
my teacher/master
Use an expression in your language that is natural and shows proper respect.
The parallel passages for this verse are in Matthew 17:4 and Luke 9:33. Matthew used a Greek title that means “Lord.” Luke used a Greek title that means “Master.” Both “Lord” and “Master” were used in the same way as “Rabbi.”
it is good for us to be here: The phrase 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.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
it is good that we are here (Revised English Bible)
-or-
our presence here is really good
-or-
how wonderful that we are here
us: There are two ways to interpret the pronoun us here:
(1) It refers to the three disciples only. It means:
“It’s good for us(excl) disciples to be here.”
(2) It refers to the three disciples and Jesus. It means:
“It’s good for all of us(incl) to be here together.”
You should translate ambiguously if your language allows you to do so. If you need to choose an exclusive or inclusive “us,” you should choose interpretation (1). Peter’s statement was probably closely connected to his plan in 9:5b to put up shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. (See the next note.) Your translation should not imply that Peter meant to exclude Jesus and the prophets in any offensive way.
9:5b
Let us put up: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let us put up expresses a suggestion. It is not a request for permission.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
We shall make
-or-
I would like for us to make
us: The pronoun us refers to only Peter, James, and John here. Peter did not expect Jesus (or Moses or Elijah) to help them to make the shelters.
put up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put up is literally “make.” Peter was suggesting that he, James, and John build a shelter from materials that were there on the mountain.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
build
-or-
make (New Jerusalem Bible)
three shelters: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible 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. The NET Bible says:
three shelters
(New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation)
(2) It refers to tents. Tents are made out 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. The New Century Version says:
three tents
(Good News Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, English Standard Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
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