Paragraph 17:5–8

17:5a

a bright cloud: The Greek begins this phrase with the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “suddenly” in 17:3. It focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this passage, the thing that is important and amazing is that a bright cloud appeared.

Here are some other ways to translate this word in its context:

suddenly a bright cloud (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

all at once a bright cloud

The word cloud refers to the mist or fog that floats in the sky. If your language has specific terms for different kinds of clouds, use the term that refers to a white, puffy, fair-weather cloud. This was a bright cloud, not a dark storm cloud.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a white cloud
-or-
a shining cloud (Good News Translation)
-or-
This cloud shone.

bright: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates bright is related to the word in 17:2 which describes how white Jesus’ clothing became. It means “shining” or “radiant.”

enveloped them: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as enveloped:

(1) It means cast its shadow or overshadowed. The cloud passed between them and the sun, and they were in its shadow. For example:

the shadow of a bright cloud passed over them (Contemporary English Version)

(English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means surrounded or enveloped. They were on a mountain. So when the cloud came, it surrounded them so that they were in the middle of the cloud. It was like being in a fog. For example:

a bright cloud covered them (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of English versions.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

a bright cloud cast its shadow on them
-or-
a bright cloud came over their heads, and they were in its shadow

17:5b

a voice from the cloud said: The Greek begins this phrase with the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “suddenly” in 17:3 and leaves untranslated in 17:5a.

Matthew repeated this word to show that the whole scene was very amazing. If your language allows you to mark a high point of a story in some way, consider how you might do so here.

In some languages, it may not be natural to talk about a voice without describing whose voice it is. The voice was the voice of God. In some languages, it may be more natural to say that God was speaking.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

They heard a voice that came from the cloud. It said
-or-

⌊God⌋ spoke from the cloud, and he said
-or-

⌊They heard God⌋ speaking from the cloud. He said

This same expression occurs in 3:17a. You should translate it the same way in both places.

17:5c

This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: This same sentence occurs in 3:17b. You should translate it the same way in both places.

This is My beloved Son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as This is My beloved Son is literally “This is my son the beloved.” The words “the beloved” indicate here that Jesus was God the Father’s one and only dear son. This phrase does not imply that God has other sons whom he did not love.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

This is my own dear Son (Good News Translation)
-or-
This is my dearly loved Son (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
This ⌊person⌋ is my son. I love him.

My…Son: See how you translated “My Son” at 3:17b. For further information, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.

in whom I am well pleased: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I am well pleased means “I am delighted” or “I am very pleased/satisfied.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He makes me very happy/pleased.
-or-
he makes my heart glad

Listen to Him: The Greek command that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Listen is often translated “hear.” It includes the idea that the one who listens should obey what he hears.

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