Matthew 17:5
New International Version
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

New Living Translation
But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”

English Standard Version
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Berean Standard Bible
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Berean Literal Bible
While yet he was speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

King James Bible
While 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.

New King James Version
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

New American Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!”

NASB 1995
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

NASB 1977
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

Legacy Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

Amplified Bible
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”

Christian Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!

American Standard Version
While 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.

Contemporary English Version
While Peter was still speaking, the shadow of a bright cloud passed over them. From the cloud a voice said, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!"

English Revised Version
While 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!"

Good News Translation
While he was talking, a shining cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased--listen to him!"

International Standard Version
He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. Keep on listening to him!"

Majority Standard Bible
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

NET Bible
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!"

New Heart English Bible
While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And look, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

Webster's Bible Translation
While he was yet speaking, 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.

Weymouth New Testament
He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him."

World English Bible
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
While he is yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I delighted; hear Him.”

Berean Literal Bible
While yet he was speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

Young's Literal Translation
While 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
He yet speaking, behold, a shining cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my dearly beloved Son, in whom I was contented; hear ye him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And while he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud overshadowed them. And behold, there was a voice from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

New American Bible
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

New Revised Standard Version
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And while he was speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved Son, I am pleased with him; hear him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And while he was speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice came from the cloud, which said, “This is my Son, The Beloved, in whom I delight; hear him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and lo, a voice from the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight; hear him.

Godbey New Testament
He still speaking, behold, a white cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am delighted; hear ye Him.

Haweis New Testament
And while he was yet speaking, behold, a luminous cloud overshadowed them; and lo! a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom is my delight; hear him!

Mace New Testament
while he was speaking, a bright cloud surrounded them: and suddenly a voice broke out of the cloud, saying, "this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

Weymouth New Testament
He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him."

Worrell New Testament
While 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 delighted; hear Him."

Worsley New Testament
And as he was speaking, lo a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Transfiguration
4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.…

Cross References
Matthew 3:17
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”

Luke 9:35
And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”

2 Peter 1:17-18
For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” / And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

John 12:28
Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Hebrews 1:1-2
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 5:37
And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form,

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Psalm 2:7
I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.

Genesis 22:2
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

Psalm 89:26-27
He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’ / I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

While he yet spoke, 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 you him.

behold.

Exodus 40:34,35
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle…

1 Kings 8:10-12
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, …

Psalm 18:10,11
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind…

a voice.

Exodus 19:19
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

Deuteronomy 4:11,12
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness…

Deuteronomy 5:22
These words the LORD 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 in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

This.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:11
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 9:7
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

in whom.

Matthew 12:18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 42:1,21
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles…

John 15:9,10
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…

hear.

Deuteronomy 18:15,19
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; …

Acts 3:22,23
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you…

Acts 7:37
This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

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Matthew 17
1. The transfiguration of Jesus.
14. He heals the boy with a demon,
22. foretells his own passion,
24. and pays tribute.














While he was still speaking
This phrase sets the scene for a divine interruption. The context is the Transfiguration, where Jesus is on a high mountain with Peter, James, and John. The phrase underscores the immediacy and urgency of God's revelation. In the Greek, "while he was still speaking" (ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος) suggests an ongoing action, emphasizing that God's voice breaks into human conversation, highlighting the divine authority over human discourse.

a bright cloud enveloped them
The "bright cloud" is significant in biblical symbolism, often representing the presence of God. In the Old Testament, a cloud led the Israelites by day (Exodus 13:21) and filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). The Greek word for "cloud" (νεφέλη) here is associated with divine presence and glory. The brightness signifies purity and holiness, indicating that this is no ordinary cloud but a manifestation of God's glory.

and a voice from the cloud said
The "voice from the cloud" is a direct communication from God, reminiscent of God's voice at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:17). This divine voice confirms Jesus' identity and mission. The Greek term for "voice" (φωνή) implies not just sound but a message with authority. This moment is a theophany, where God reveals Himself audibly, reinforcing the divine endorsement of Jesus.

This is My beloved Son
This declaration is central to Christian theology, affirming Jesus' divine sonship. The Greek word for "beloved" (ἀγαπητός) conveys deep, unconditional love, indicating a unique relationship between the Father and the Son. This echoes Psalm 2:7, a messianic psalm, and reinforces Jesus' identity as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

in whom I am well pleased
This phrase echoes God's words at Jesus' baptism, emphasizing divine approval of Jesus' life and mission. The Greek word for "well pleased" (εὐδόκησα) suggests a sense of delight and satisfaction. It underscores the perfect obedience and righteousness of Jesus, which is pleasing to God. This approval is foundational for understanding Jesus' role as the sinless Savior.

Listen to Him!
This command is a divine imperative, urging the disciples to heed Jesus' teachings. The Greek word for "listen" (ἀκούετε) implies not just hearing but obeying. This echoes Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses speaks of a prophet like him whom the people must listen to. It underscores the authority of Jesus' words and the necessity of obedience to His teachings for all believers.

(5) A bright cloud overshadowed them--i.e., our Lord, Moses, and Elias. To the disciples this would, we cannot doubt, recall the "cloudy pillar" which had descended on the first tabernacle (Exodus 33:9), the "cloud that filled the house of the Lord on the dedication of the Temple" (1Kings 8:10). It was, in later Jewish language, the Shechinah, or abiding presence of Jehovah--the very form of the word connects it with both the Hebrew (mishkan) and the Greek (skene) words for tabernacle--which was the symbol that He was with His people. The Targums, or Paraphrases, of the Law and Prophets which were then current, had used the word as a synonym for the divine name. Where the Hebrew text had had "I will dwell in thee," the Targum of Jonathan had "I will make my Shechinah to dwell" (Zechariah 2:10; Zechariah 8:3). Its appearance at this moment, followed by the voice out or the cloud, was a witness that no tabernacle made with hands was now needed, that the humanity of Christ was the true tabernacle of God (comp. Note on John 1:14), and that it was in this sense true that "the tabernacle of God was with men" (Revelation 21:3), and that He would dwell with them. . . . Verse 5. - A bright cloud overshadowed them. The cloud spread over and around, not Jesus only and the other two, but in some degree over the apostles also, as St. Luke adds, "They feared as they entered into the cloud." It was the Shechinah, the token of the presence of the Most High, who dwelleth in the unapproachable light. It enshrouded Jesus and his two companions, so that mortal eye could not pierce it or even look upon it; but the apostles, who were outside its immediate contact, were in some sort included in its influence, so that it could be said to overshadow them. St. Peter calls it "the excellent glory (τῆς μεγαλοπρεποῦς δόξης)" (2 Peter 1:17). The cloud from which on Sinai the old Law was given, was dark and threatening (Exodus 19:18; Exodus 20:21); this was bright, coming not to terrify, but to teach and to bless. Here is seen the contrast between the two dispensations, the Law and the gospel (comp. Hebrews 12:18-24). A voice out of the cloud. It was the voice of God the Father, for he called Jesus, My beloved Son. The same voice, saying the same words, had been heard over the waters of Jordan when Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:17); it spake once again just before his Passion (John 12:28); at all times witnessing the Father's love and the perfect Divinity of Christ. Now, as before, the Holy Trinity was revealed, the Father speaking with audible voice, the Son standing in radiant light, the Holy Spirit present with the intense brightness of the enveloping cloud. The words heard are fontal in the earlier Scriptures. Thus in Isaiah 42:1 we read, "Behold my Servant, whom I uphold, my Chosen in whom my soul delighteth;" and in Psalm 2:7, "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." Hear ye him. Not Moses and Elias, but Jesus, the Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6). "This voice," St. Peter testifies, "we ourselves heard come out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount" (2 Peter 1:18). As Edersheim remarks, even if this Epistle is not St. Peter's, it still would represent the most ancient tradition. "God, having of old spoken unto the fathers in the prophets, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son" (Hebrews 1:1). The command to hear him recalls the saying of Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), that in good time God would raise up from Israel a Prophet like unto himself, and that unto him they shall hearken.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
While
Ἔτι (Eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

[Peter]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was {still} speaking,
λαλοῦντος (lalountos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

a bright
φωτεινὴ (phōteinē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5460: Bright, luminous, full of light. From phos; lustrous, i.e. Transparent or well-illuminated.

cloud
νεφέλη (nephelē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3507: A cloud. From nephos; properly, cloudiness, i.e. a cloud.

enveloped
ἐπεσκίασεν (epeskiasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1982: To overshadow, envelop; to cast a shade upon, i.e. to envelop in a haze of brilliancy.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a voice
φωνὴ (phōnē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

cloud
νεφέλης (nephelēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3507: A cloud. From nephos; properly, cloudiness, i.e. a cloud.

said,
λέγουσα (legousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“This
Οὗτός (Houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

beloved
ἀγαπητός (agapētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

Son,
Υἱός (Huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

whom
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I am well pleased.
εὐδόκησα (eudokēsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2106: To be well-pleased, think it good, be resolved. From eu and dokeo; to think well of, i.e. Approve; specially, to approbate.

Listen
ἀκούετε (akouete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

to Him!”
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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