Paragraph 12:58–59

In this paragraph Jesus continued to speak to the crowd. He used a parable to warn the people that they should reconcile with God before the time of judgment arrived. If your readers will not understand the figurative meaning of the parable, you may wish to explain the meaning briefly in a footnote. An example of a possible footnote is:

Jesus told the people this parable/illustration to warn them that they needed to make peace with God before the time came for him to judge them.

12:58

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that can be translated as “for.” Some English versions translate it that way. This conjunction here introduces an example that illustrates the importance of making a good decision. See the examples in the note below for ways to introduce this illustration.

12:58a

Make every effort: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Make every effort is more literally “make an effort.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible, translate it that way. It refers here to making a serious effort. Other ways to express this meaning are:

try (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
do your best (God’s Word)

to reconcile with your adversary: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to reconcile with your adversary is more literally “to reach a settlement.” It means in this context that the accused person will try to settle the problem of his debt with the person who has accused him. Other ways to express this phrase are:

to settle the dispute (Good News Translation)
-or-
to make an agreement with him

adversary: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as adversary refers here to a person who plans to accuse someone in court.

12:58b

while you are on your way to the magistrate: This clause describes a situation that could happen. It is not a story about something that was actually happening. It describes a person who is traveling to court with the person who plans to accuse him there. If your language has a natural way to indicate that Jesus was not talking about an actual situation, you may want to use it here. For example:

For instance, when an opponent brings you to court in front of a ruler (God’s Word)
-or-
If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court (Good News Translation)

It is implied from 12:59 that the accused person will be accused of not paying a debt. In some languages it may be helpful to introduce this implied information earlier in the story. For example:

Let’s suppose that someone plans to bring charges against you in court ⌊because you owe him money⌋.

while you are on your way: In this context, the phrase while you are on your way refers literally to being on the journey to the court. However, if you have a more general expression that refers to making an out-of-court settlement, you may use it here. For example:

out of court
-or-
before you(dual/plur) arrive there

you: The Greek word for you is in the singular. Jesus was describing a situation that any one of his listeners might face.

magistrate: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as magistrate is a general word for a ruler or person in authority. In this context it refers to a judge who decides civil disputes in a court of law.

12:58c

Otherwise: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Otherwise is literally “lest” (meaning “so-that-not”). Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. It introduces a negative purpose, but most versions translate it as a negative consequence. It implies: “If you do not reach an agreement, this is what will happen.” Other ways to introduce the next clause are:

If you don’t, you will be dragged (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

or your adversary may drag you off (New International Version)

he may drag you off to the judge: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he may drag you off means “he may force/compel you.” It refers to taking someone somewhere he does not want to go.

the judge: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judge is not the same word as the word translated as “magistrate” in 12:58a. However, in this context it probably refers to the same person. It is a more specific word for the person in charge of a law court.

12:58d

and the judge may hand you over to the officer: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hand you over means “put you into the power/authority of.”

officer: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as officer refers to the official who carried out the judge’s orders. It was probably the policeman or jailor in charge of the prison. Other ways to translate this word are:

the jailer (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the police (Good News Translation)

12:58e

and the officer may throw you into prison: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as throw you here means “put you against your will.” Another way to translate this is:

and you will be locked up (Contemporary English Version)

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