Translation commentary on Matthew 17:3

And behold (Good News Translation “Then”): see comment at 1.20.

There appeared to them: the Greek verb appeared may also be interpreted “was seen,” and the phrase to them may mean “by them.” Good News Translation follows the first of these two alternatives and also makes explicit the persons referred to by the pronoun them; thus the translation “Then the three disciples saw….” If translators keep the word appeared, they may find it natural to say “Moses and Elijah appeared there, and the three disciples saw them talking with Jesus.” But the Good News Translation model usually proves quite useful here.

Both Matthew and Luke (9.30) read Moses and Elijah in place of “Elijah with Moses” of Mark (9.4). Although Elijah was regarded by the Jews as the forerunner of the Messiah, the linking together of Moses and Elijah is to affirm that both the Law (symbolized by Moses) and the prophets (represented by Elijah) bear witness to Jesus. But naturally the translator can only translate the text, without alluding to this symbolism.

Many readers will not be familiar with Moses or Elijah. Certainly it is important to convey that these were great Jewish leaders of times past. Some translators have “Moses and Elijah of long ago.” It is also possible to have a footnote indicating that Moses was the great leader who led them out of captivity, and that Elijah was a great prophet.

Talking with him: for stylistic reasons Good News Translation explicitly identifies him as Jesus. Some translators start a new sentence here: “All of a sudden the disciples saw Moses and Elijah appear. They were talking with Jesus.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:3



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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