9:2a
Just then: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Just then are literally “and behold” (as in the English Standard Version). They indicate that something extraordinary will happen. Here, what is unexpected is that some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, and Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
And suddenly (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Unexpectedly
some men brought to Him a paralytic: The word paralytic refers to a person who is paralyzed. He cannot move all or part of his body. The fact that this paralyzed man was lying on a mat probably indicates that it was more than his legs that were paralyzed.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
a paralyzed man (Good News Translation)
-or-
a crippled man (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a man who had part of his body dead
This same term occurs in 4:24f and 8:6a.
lying on a mat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mat can mean “sleeping mat” or even “stretcher” for carrying sick people. It probably does not refer here to a normal “bed” for sleeping, because there is a different Greek word for “bed.” Use an expression that is natural in this context for carrying a person who cannot walk.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
lying on a bed (English Standard Version)
-or-
lying on a stretcher (NET Bible)
9:2b–d
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”: The clause When Jesus saw their faith is what prompted Jesus to say to the paralytic, Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven. In some languages this may be expressed as a reason for what Jesus says. For example:
Jesus saw their faith. Therefore he said…
-or-
Jesus saw their faith and so he said…
In other languages, it is sufficient to let the context show the connection. For example:
Jesus saw their faith. He said…
In other languages it may be more natural to put the reason after what he said. For example:
2cJesus said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 2b⌊He said that⌋ because he saw their faith.
9:2b
saw their faith: In this context, the word saw means that Jesus “perceived,” “noticed” or “understood” that they had faith. In some languages, it is more natural to use a different verb. For example:
realized that they had faith
-or-
perceived how much faith they had
their: This pronoun probably refers to both the paralytic and the people bringing him. Your translation should allow that the word their refers to both the paralytic and the people bringing him.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
that they had
-or-
that all of them showed
faith: In this context, the word faith indicates that the men believed that Jesus could heal the paralyzed man. They probably had heard of Jesus healing other people, so they believed that he could heal a paralyzed man as well. If your language needs to say what they believed in, you should refer to Jesus or his power. For example:
faith ⌊in him⌋
-or-
faith ⌊that he had the power to heal⌋
-or-
they believed ⌊in him⌋
-or-
they believed ⌊that he had the power to heal⌋
Your translation should not say that they believed Jesus to be the Christ or the Savior here.
9:2d
Take courage: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the idiom Take courage means “cheer up” or “be encouraged.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
don’t worry! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Be encouraged (New Century Version)
-or-
Cheer up (God’s Word)
son: The word son shows Jesus’ love for the man. It does not mean that Jesus was his father. In some languages, it is more natural to use a different term to express love/compassion for a person in need. For example:
My friend (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
my ⌊younger⌋ brother
your sins are forgiven: In this context, the verb are forgiven indicates that as Jesus spoke, he was canceling the paralytic’s sins. The man would not be punished for them. God would treat him as though he had not offended him in any way. Jesus was not referring to a past event.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
your sins are taken away
-or-
your sins are canceled ⌊at this moment⌋
-or-
your sins are ⌊now⌋ pardoned
In many languages, there may be an idiom for this. For example:
are erased
-or-
are wiped away
This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
Your sins are forgiven/canceled
• Use an active verb. For example:
⌊I⌋ forgive/pardon your sins
Jesus referred here to the man’s sins against God. This statement does not imply that the man had offended Jesus in some way. In some languages, it will be necessary to make this more clear. For example:
⌊all⌋ your sins are forgiven
-or-
your sins ⌊against God⌋ are forgiven
This verb also occurs in 6:12a.
sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.
Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:
(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip and greed are also sins.
(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.
Here are some other ways to translate sins:
wrong acts
-or-
offenses ⌊against God⌋
-or-
evil deeds
In some languages it may be natural to translate sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:
wrong things that ⌊you⌋ have done
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