Matthew 17:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He does not take them up immediately upon the promise being made, but six days after, for this reason, that the other disciples might not be touched with any human passion, as a feeling of jealousy; or else that during these days’ space, those disciples who were to be taken up might become kindled with a more eager desire.

Peter, filled with deep affection for Christ and desiring to protect Him from harm, expresses, "It is good for us to be here," wishing neither to depart nor to face death. Should anyone approach, we have Moses and Elijah by our side; Moses triumphed over the Egyptians, and Elijah called down fire from heaven; they too will assist when adversaries come. He spoke this out of sheer fear, as noted by Luke, not fully understanding his own words. Struck by the extraordinary nature of the moment, he truly did not grasp what he was articulating, yearning for Jesus to stay on the mountain and avoid the suffering that awaited Him. Yet, to avoid sounding presumptuous, he adds, "if you will."

Peter was unaware of the implications of his words. Prior to the Savior's passion and victory over death, along with the transformation of our mortal forms, it was beyond Peter's grasp to be in union with Jesus and to aspire to the heavenly abodes. Such events were destined to occur only after the Savior's resurrection and His ascension into glory.

In his lack of understanding, Simon demonstrated considerable insight through his words, as he recognized Moses and Elijah, similar to how John, guided by the Spirit, acknowledged the Lord who came to him, testament to the fact that he declared, ‘I did not know Him’ (John 1:31). Thus, if the Spirit disclosed these truths to them, then it was the Spirit speaking through Simon, also expressing what Simon himself was unaware of. He suggested constructing three shelters for Christ, Moses, and Elijah, intertwining the notion of freedom with the Spirit's guidance.

It is made a question how it could be after six days that He took them, when Luke says eight. (Luke 9:28.) The answer is easy, that here one reckoned only the intervening days, there the first and the last are also added.

And suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him, conversing with Him. Peter exclaimed to Jesus, "Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, we will build three booths: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" (Matt. 17:3-4; Mk. 9:3; Lk. 9:29). Those who transition from the literal to the spiritual understanding perceive the Law and the prophets alongside the Word, proclaiming His coming with a loud voice. Why did Peter refer to the bushes? It is because all knowledge and virtue, when viewed in light of the eternal, are akin to a fleeting bush—as the Apostle states, "prophecies... will cease, and knowledge will be made useless" (1 Cor. 13:8). The three booths represent the active, natural, and theological realms.

Filled with deep affection for the Lord and reluctant to see Him journey to Jerusalem for the suffering He had predicted, Peter, however, hesitated to outright denounce Him. He feared further reproach, so he simply suggested that the Lord stay, believing the mountain was a safe refuge, unseen by those who plotted against Him. Peter recalled that Moses and Elijah could protect Him; the former had triumphed over many nations, and the latter had called down fire from heaven against fifty soldiers. When he remarked, "It is good for us to be here," he realized his words were misguided, only reflecting his personal thoughts. Thus, he added, “If you wish, we will set up three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” What were you thinking, Peter?

Or because in six days this whole visible world was made; so he who is above all the things of this world, may ascend into the high mountain, and there see the glory of the Word of God.

In the three thus taken up with Him, the election of people out of the three stocks of Sem, Cam, and Japhet is figured.

The apostle Peter, inspired by the unveiling of the divine mystery, turned away from worldly pursuits and developed a deep yearning for the eternal. Overflowing with joy from his experiences, he expressed a desire to remain with Jesus, reveling in the splendor of Christ’s glory. Thus he stated, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, we will make three tabernacles here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." However, the Lord did not respond to his suggestion; not out of rudeness, but because it was not suitable, as the salvation of humanity could only be achieved through the sacrifice of Christ. Through Christ’s example, the faith of humanity is held accountable. Let us recognize, amid our life’s trials, that we must seek patience before we experience glory, for the blessings of leadership do not arrive before the time of testing.

Justly was it after six days that He shewed His glory, because after six ages is to be the resurrectiond.

In this Transfiguration undergone on the mount, the Lord fulfilled within six days the promise made to His disciples, that they should have a sight of His glory; as it is said, And after six days he took Peter, and James, and John his brother.

Joy and sorrow erupt from the passionate lips of Peter: NOW PETER SAID TO JESUS, ‘LORD! Teacher! IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE; why should we separate, why should the prophets leave this place? IF YOU WISH, just give us the command, and we will construct three shelters or booths: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, and we will be content without the shelters.’ ‘Even if adversaries approached,’ states Blessed Theophylact, ‘we have intercessors - Moses and Elijah. Moses triumphed over the Egyptians, and Elijah called down fire from heaven....’ ‘Do you notice,’ observes St Chrysostom, ‘how passionately Peter cherished Christ? How his love for Christ ignited him?

Peter declared, “How wonderful it is for us to be present here! Let us construct three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

As the awe-inspiring vision began to fade and the glorious figures prepared to depart from the Savior, He entered into the cloud that enveloped them. Peter, filled with wonder, fear, and joy at this remarkable scene, felt at a loss for words yet desired to extend their stay. He called out, "Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; let us build three tents: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

"Lord, it is good for us to be here," Peter expressed, as noted by the Evangelist Mark: “for he knew not what to say” (Mark 9:6), with Luke adding that he spoke "not knowing himself what he was saying" (Luke 9:33). Overcome by this extraordinary vision and filled with wonder, Peter wished for it to endure, ideally forever, so that they could remain in that sacred place. Saint Chrysostom illuminates Peter’s mindset, suggesting that upon hearing that Jesus was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer, Peter, gripped by fear for Him, hesitated to voice his concerns directly due to his earlier rebuke; instead, he timidly conveyed his thoughts with vague expressions.