“And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
Peter said to Jesus, rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah — Peter's proposal to build three shelters (skēnas, booths) reflects the Feast of Tabernacles tradition of building temporary shelters to commemorate the wilderness sojourn. The proposal treats Moses and Elijah as equals with Jesus — one shelter each. The rabbi address is the disciples' default respectful title for Jesus, but it is inadequate for this moment. Mark notes that Peter did not know what to say (verse 6) — the speaking fills the silence of incomprehension.
Church Fathers on Mark 9:5
After the consummation of the cross, the glory of the resurrection is shewn, that they, who were to see with their own eyes the glory of the resurrection to come, might not fear the shame of the cross.
And He takes with Him the three chief of the Apostles, Peter, as confessing and loving Him, John, as the beloved one, James, as being sublime in speech and as a divine; for so displeasing was he to the Jews, that Herod wishing to please the Jews slew him.
Our Saviour then when transfigured did not lose the substance of real flesh, but shewed forth the glory of His own or of our future resurrection; for such as He then appeared to the Apostles, He will after the judgment appear to all His elect.
Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!