13:19
Before you translate 13:19, carefully consider the most natural way in your language to order the clauses. In some languages, it will be more natural to put 13:19e first. Putting this clause first will follow the same order as in 13:20, 13:22, and 13:23. Compare the example below:
aWhen anyone hears the word of the kingdom band does not understand it, cthe evil one comes and snatches away dwhat has been sown in his heart. eThis is what was sown along the path. (English Standard Version)
-or-
eThe path/road that the seeds fell upon represents apeople who hear the message about the kingdom, bbut they do not understand its meaning. cThen the evil one comes and causes them to forget dthe message they heard.
13:19a
When anyone hears the message: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as message is more literally “word,” but also means “talk,” “news.”
In some languages, it may be natural to use the plural “people” instead of a singular noun. For example:
When some people hear the word
-or-
Those who hear the message (Good News Translation)
the kingdom: The word kingdom refers to “the kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” as Matthew often wrote. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:
the kingdom ⌊of God⌋
-or-
⌊God’s⌋ rule/kingship
For advice on translating the phrase “the kingdom of God,” see the note at 12:28b.
13:19b
but does not understand it: There is a contrast here that the Berean Standard Bible indicates with the conjunction but. The contrast is between hearing the message and understanding it.
13:19c
the evil one: This phrase refers to Satan. He is compared to birds (in 13:4c) who come and eat the seed along the path.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
• Translate this phrase literally and include a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
“The evil one” refers to Satan, the leader of demons.
• Include the name Satan in the text. For example:
the evil one, ⌊namely⌋ Satan,
-or-
Satan, the evil one,
• Use the name only. For example:
Satan
snatches away: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as snatches away means “remove forcefully.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
• Keep the metaphor of a bird and Satan taking away the seed. For example:
grabs
-or-
seizes
-or-
takes away (New Century Version)
• Explain the meaning of the metaphor. Satan snatches away the seed/word in the sense that he makes the person “forget” what they have heard. For example:
causes them to forget
13:19d
what was sown in his heart: This phrase explains what Jesus meant in 13:3b when he said that the farmer sows seed that falls along a path. The seed represents the message of the kingdom. Sowing the seed represents telling/announcing the message. The soil along a path represents the heart of certain people.
Notice that in this explanation, the phrase what was sown keeps the metaphor. This phrase refers to the message about the kingdom. On the other hand, the phrase in his heart explains part of the metaphor.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
• In some languages, it is possible to mix the metaphor and the meaning. For example:
what was planted in that person’s heart (New Century Version)
• In other languages, it will be necessary to explain the entire metaphor. For example:
the message which was put in his heart/mind
• In other languages, it will be necessary to leave in his heart untranslated. For example:
the message that he heard
-or-
the message that ⌊someone⌋ told him
in his heart: The word heart refers to the inner being of a person.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
in his mind
-or-
in him (God’s Word)
As mentioned above, in some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this phrase.
13:19e
This is the seed sown along the path: This clause indicates that 13:19a–d is the explanation of what happened when seed fell in the soil along/on the path.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
This is like the seed sown by the road-side (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
This is what the seed planted along the road illustrates (God’s Word)
-or-
That is ⌊the meaning of what happened to⌋ the seed which ⌊the farmer⌋ sowed/scattered on the path.
Your translation should not indicate that the seed represents the person who hears the message. The seed is the message.
This: The word This refers back to what Jesus just said in 13:19a–d. In some languages, it may be more natural to use “that” here.
sown: Here are some other ways to translate this word:
planted (God’s Word)
-or-
scattered/thrown
along the path: If you translated along the path in 13:4b as “on the path,” you should do the same thing here.
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