12:11a
When you are brought before synagogues: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When you are brought before synagogues contains implied information. It implies that people would arrest the disciples and take them to the synagogues, the local Jewish meeting places. There the Jewish leaders would ask them questions and decide whether they should be punished because they were loyal to Jesus. Jesus implied that the Jewish leaders would be hostile to the disciples because they were Jesus’ followers. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:
When you are brought ⌊to trial⌋ in the synagogues
-or-
When you are ⌊arrested and tried⌋ in front of the synagogue ⌊courts⌋
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are brought is a passive verb. If it is more natural to use an active verb in your language, you should supply a general subject. For example:
When ⌊people/they⌋ ⌊arrest you and accuse⌋ you in the synagogues
synagogues: The term synagogues describes buildings 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. Some ways to translate synagogues are:
prayer-houses ⌊of the Jews⌋
-or-
meeting-places ⌊of the Jews⌋
-or-
worship buildings
-or-
houses 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:
sinagog house/building
The word synagogues also occurs in 11:43b. See synagogue in the Glossary.
rulers, and authorities: The phrase rulers, and authorities refers to all kinds of government leaders, both Jews and Gentiles, who ruled people and also acted as judges. For example:
governors or rulers (Good News Translation)
-or-
the leaders and other powerful people (New Century Version)
Use one or more terms in your language that would allow for a variety of civil rulers.
12:11b
do not worry about: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worry means to be anxious or concerned about something. Jesus told his disciples not to be anxious about what they should say when they were accused.
how to defend yourselves or what to say: The two clauses how to defend yourselves and what to say both refer to what the disciples will say when they are accused in court. The first phrase refers in general to the method or type of defense that the disciples will use to answer the accusations against them. The second phrase refers more specifically to what the disciples will say.
Some ways to translate these similar ideas are:
• Use two separate clauses or phrases, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:
the way you will answer and what you will say
-or-
how you will answer the accusations against you and what you will say
• Combine the ideas in one clause or phrase. For example:
what to say in your defense (New Living Translation (1996))
Translate these ideas in a way that is natural in your language.
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