The disciples do not yet comprehend the scene; but they rejoice that the patient Teacher, the meek and lowly One, who has wandered to and fro a helpless stranger, is honored by the favored ones of heaven. They believe that Elijah has come to announce the Messiah's reign, and that the kingdom of Christ is about to be set up on the earth. The memory of their fear and disappointment they would banish forever. Here, where the glory of God is revealed, they long to tarry. Peter exclaims, "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." The disciples are confident that Moses and Elijah have been sent to protect their Master, and to establish His authority as king.

Disciplene forstår endnu ikke, hvad det er, der foregår, men de fryder sig over, at deres tålmodige lærer, den ydmyge og sagtmodige, der som en hjælpeløs fremmed har vandret hid og did, nu bliver æret af de salige i Himmelen. De tror, at Kristi rige er ved at blive oprettet på jorden. Nu ville de for evigt bortvise erindringen om deres frygt og skuffelse. Her, hvor Guds herlighed har åbenbaret sig, vil de gerne blive ved at dvæle. Peter udbryder: "Rabbi! det er godt, at vi er her; lad os bygge tre hytter, en til dig og en til Moses og en til Elias." Disciplene stoler på, at Moses og Elias er blevet sendt for at beskytte deres Mester og for at stadfæste hans myndighed som konge.