10:42a

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones: The phrase one of these little ones refers to any disciple of Jesus. The word little is used in a figurative way to refer to a disciple of low status, not his age. He is an ordinary person and is not important.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

one of the least of these my followers (Good News Translation)
-or-
any of my humble followers (God’s Word)
-or-
one of these least important ⌊disciples of mine⌋

even a cup of cold water: Giving someone a cup of cold water to drink was a common example at that time of the smallest deed of hospitality. Even a poor person could go to the community well and get water for someone to drink.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

even a cup of cold water ⌊to drink⌋
-or-
even a drink of water (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

10:42b

because he is My disciple: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because he is My disciple is literally “in the name of a disciple” (as in the NET Bible). The meaning is the same as the similar phrase in 10:41a. This phrase indicates that the person knew the other person was a disciple and therefore gave him a cup of cold water.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because that person is my disciple (God’s Word)
-or-
because he knows/recognizes that he is my disciple

10:42c

truly I tell you: Jesus often used these words to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize.

Here are some other ways to show this emphasis:

• As a phrase before Jesus’ statement. For example:

I tell you the truth (New International Version)
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:

• As an emphatic word within Jesus’ statement. For example:

he will certainly never lose his reward

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here. See how you translated this clause in 10:23b.

he will never lose his reward: The phrase never lose is a figure of speech. It means that he “will definitely receive” a reward. Here lose does not mean that the person had a reward and then lost it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he will not fail to receive a reward
-or-
will certainly receive a reward (Good News Translation)

-or-

⌊God⌋ will certainly give him a reward

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