ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

Mark 9.4

Book: Mark · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"2. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; 3. and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them."

"4. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus."

"5. And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, 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. 6. For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid." (Mark 9:2-6, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"2. After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. 3. His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them."

"4. Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus."

"5. Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6. For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid." (Mark 9:2-6, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"2. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."

"4. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus."

"5. And Peter answered and said to 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 Elias. 6. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid." (Mark 9:2-6, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"2. And after six days doth Jesus take Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up to a high mount by themselves, alone, and he was transfigured before them, 3. and his garments became glittering, white exceedingly, as snow, so as a fuller upon the earth is not able to whiten [them]."

"4. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus."

"5. And Peter answering saith to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good to us to be here; and we may make three booths, for thee one, and for Moses one, and for Elijah one:' 6. for he was not knowing what he might say, for they were greatly afraid." (Mark 9:2-6, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: Mark / John Mark (traditionally, on Peter's preaching) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: Gentile-Roman Christian audience (heavy explanation of Jewish customs)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); Rome (likely composition)
  • Time period: events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 55-70

Theological reading

Key words

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.