Matthew 17:5
What does Matthew 17:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 17:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 17:5 means
While Peter is still speaking, a bright cloud descends and overshadows them, a common biblical symbol for God's presence and glory. From this cloud, God the Father's voice declares Jesus to be His "beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," echoing His baptismal affirmation. The command to "hear ye him" explicitly establishes Jesus' supreme authority, superseding both Moses and Elijah, marking Him as the ultimate divine spokesperson.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949While he was still talking, a bright cloud came over them: and a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased; give ear to him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862While he is yet speaking, lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying, `This is My Son, --the Beloved, in whom I did delight; hear him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight: hear him.
Context
This verse delivers the divine climax of the transfiguration. It directly follows Peter's well-meaning but flawed suggestion, correcting his misunderstanding of Jesus' status. The Father's audible declaration serves as the authoritative interpretation of the entire transfiguration, affirming Jesus' identity and establishing His unique preeminence above all others.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 42:21
It pleased Jehovah, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law, and make it honorable.
- Mark 9:7
And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.
- Deuteronomy 4:11
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.
- Acts 9:3
And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:
- John 3:35
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
- Deuteronomy 5:22
These words Jehovah spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.
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