Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:33

"And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto 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 Elijah: not knowing what he said." — Luke 9:33 (ASV)

Peter’s suggestion to make three shelters implies that he wanted to keep Moses and Elijah from leaving. But Luke points out that Peter’s suggestion was highly inappropriate. The idea of three shelters is the main problem. These would have been temporary shelters, such as were used at the Feast of Tabernacles. Peter’s proposal of three, presumably equal, shelters may have implied a leveling perspective, putting Jesus on a par with the others. More than that, it connotes an intention to perpetuate the situation as though there were no “departure” for Jesus to accomplish. He still failed to grasp the significance of the passion prediction of v.22 and its confirmation in v.31.