17:3

Suddenly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly literally means “look” or “see.” It focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this passage, Moses and Elijah unexpectedly appeared.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
All of a sudden
-or-
unexpectedly

Translate this word in a way that you would ordinarily use to describe something sudden or startling.

Moses and Elijah: Moses and Elijah were both Old Testament prophets who lived many years before Jesus. But God brought them to the mountain to talk with Jesus.

If people in your area will not know that Moses and Elijah lived long before Jesus, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Moses and Elijah, ⌊prophets of long ago⌋

Moses: The name Moses first occurs in 8:4c. You should spell his name here as you did there.

Elijah: The name Elijah first occurs in 11:14b. You should spell his name here as you did there.

appeared before them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appeared is literally “was seen.” This form of the verb is often used to describe beings who appear in a supernatural manner. Here, this verb indicates that the disciples suddenly saw Elijah and Moses. The disciples did not see them coming from a distance.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Elijah and Moses appeared to them
-or-
Moses and Elijah were there (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They saw Elijah and Moses

before them: These words indicate that all three disciples saw the same thing.

In some languages, it will not be necessary to add this phrase. For example:

Moses and Elijah appeared (New Living Translation (2004))

talking with Jesus: In Greek, the grammar probably indicates that Moses and Elijah were already talking with Jesus when the disciples saw them. The grammar could also indicate that Moses, Elijah and Jesus were still talking when Peter interrupted them (17:4). Try to translate in a way that allows for either of those two meanings.

Matthew does not suggest that the disciples were close enough to hear what they were talking about. Matthew just indicates that the disciples could see from where they were standing that Jesus was talking with these two prophets.

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