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Mat_17:4. Ἀποκριθ .] see note on Mat_11:25. Taking occasion from what he now saw before him, he proceeded to say.
καλόν ἐστιν κ . τ . λ .] is usually interpreted thus: “Amoenus est, in quo commoremur, locus” (Fritzsche, Keim); or, what is much to the same effect, it is referred—particularly by Chrysostom, Theophylact, Euth. Zigabenus, Erasmus—to the security of the place, protected as it was by the two celestial visitants, in contrast to Jerusalem, where Jesus was destined to suffer. But, inasmuch as the terms used by Peter are ἡμᾶς (not ἡμῖν ) and the simple εἶναι (not μένειν ); further, inasmuch as what he says is occasioned by the presence of Moses and Elias, and has reference to them, as is likewise proved by the following εἰ θέλεις κ . τ . λ ., which implies that he wishes to do something towards enabling Jesus to have a longer interview with them,—it is preferable, with Paulus, Baumgarten-Crusius, Klostermann, Weiss, Volkmar, to interpret as follows: It is highly opportune that we (disciples) happen to be here (in which case, therefore, the ἡμᾶς is emphatic); accordingly, I would like to erect ( ποιήσω , see critical remarks) tabernacles (out of the brushwood growing around) for you here, with a view to a more prolonged stay. The transition to the singular is in keeping with Peter’s temperament; he would like to make the tabernacles.