2:28

Therefore: In this context the Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the result and conclusion of Jesus’ statement in 2:27. Use an appropriate connector in your language. The God’s Word translates it as:

For this reason

the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is Lord emphasizes the word Lord. Try to show this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” It is a title that Jesus often used to refer to himself. It implies that:

(a) he was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) he came from God and had authority from God.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

the Man whom God Sent
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
-or-
The Older Brother of All People

Refer to the way you translated this title in 2:10a. In this context there is a special connection between the title Son of Man and the statement that “the Sabbath was made for man” in 2:27. You should try to keep that connection in your translation here.

In some languages it may be necessary to indicate explicitly that Jesus was referring to himself here. For example:

I, the Son of Man

Lord even of the Sabbath: The word Lord means “master,” or “the one who has authority.” See Lord, Context 1, in the Glossary. In this context the word Lord refers to Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath day. The word even emphasizes that Jesus’ authority was great. Although the Sabbath was given by God, Jesus had authority over it. There are various ways to express Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath. For example:

I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath! (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
I, the Son of Man, have authority over the rest day.

There is implied information here. Jesus had authority over the Sabbath in the sense that he had the right to decide what people could or could not do on the Sabbath day. This meaning may be expressed in several ways. For example:

I, the one who became a person, have the right to decide what a person can do on the day for resting.
-or-
I, the older brother of all people, have the authority to say what people are allowed to do on the rest day.

Paragraph 3:1–6

Verse 3:1 provides the background for the story that is told in 3:2–6. It introduces the people in the story and the place where it happened.

3:1a

Once again: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Once again is literally “again.” This indicates that the story in 3:1–6 happened on a different occasion or day than the previous story did. The context indicates that it was another Sabbath day.

Several stories in Mark have happened on a Sabbath day. This is another story that happened on a Sabbath.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

On another Sabbath
-or-
One other Sabbath day

Translate “Sabbath” here in the same way you did in 1:21b.

the synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. There was only one temple (in Jerusalem), but each Jewish community had a synagogue. In this context the phrase the synagogue probably refers to the synagogue in Capernaum that was mentioned in 1:21.

Here are some other ways to translate the synagogue:

the prayer-house of the Jews
-or-
the meeting-place of the Jews
-or-
the worship building
-or-
the house for gathering together

If you make explicit a phrase such as “of the Jews,” be sure that it does not imply that Jesus was not a Jew.

If the word synagogue is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may want to include a word or phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

the sinagog house/building

See how you translated synagogue in 1:21b. You should translate synagogue consistently wherever it occurs. See also synagogue in the Glossary.

3:1b

a withered hand: The phrase a withered hand refers to a hand that is shriveled and small because it is paralyzed or crippled. Some languages would say that this man’s hand was “dead” or “dried.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

paralyzed hand (Good News Bible)
-or-
crippled hand (Contemporary English Version)

hand: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hand includes the fingers, palm, wrist, and forearm. The Greek text does not specify how much of the man’s hand was paralyzed. Probably the whole area from the fingers to the forearm was included.

Each language divides the body differently. If you have a specific term that refers to the area from the forearm to the fingers, you could use that term here. Otherwise, you can use a general term for the hand and arm. If your language requires you to specify which hand, you should say the right hand, as in Luke 6:6.

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