13:15a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction. Since it introduces a contrast between what the synagogue leader wanted and what Jesus said was right, some English versions (New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version) translate it as “But.” Other versions (English Standard Version, NET Bible) translate it as “Then” to introduce what happened next. The Berean Standard Bible and several other versions (Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New International Version) do not translate this conjunction. Connect 13:15a to 13:14c-e in a way that is natural in your language.

“You hypocrites!” the Lord replied: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord replied is literally “the Lord answered him and said.” The pronoun “him” refers here to the leader of the synagogue. But it is clear from the next phrase, “You hypocrites,” that Jesus was speaking not only to the synagogue leader. He was also speaking to any other people there who agreed with what the leader had just said. In some languages it may be necessary to make this implied information explicit. For example:

The Lord said to the leader ⌊and to those whose thoughts were similar⌋

13:15b

You hypocrites!: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hypocrites refers to people whose words are inconsistent with their behavior. They may also expect other people to follow a different standard than they follow themselves. Jesus called the synagogue leader and his companions hypocrites for at least two reasons:

(a) They scolded other people for “working” on the Sabbath by coming to get healed, but they themselves took care of their animals on the Sabbath.

(b) They talked as though they were criticizing the people and really wanted everyone to obey the law, but their real intention was to criticize Jesus.

Some ways to translate hypocrites in this context are:

You pretenders/fakes
-or-
You who pretend to obey God
-or-
Your words do not fit what you do

See the notes on “hypocrisy” or “hypocrites” in 6:42d, 12:1d, and 12:56a. In some languages, the term for “hypocrite” may be general enough to fit all these contexts. In other languages, it may be necessary to use a different term for different kinds of hypocrisy.

13:15c–d

Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the obvious fact that each of the hypocrites worked on the Sabbath just as much as the people they were criticizing. They untied their animals and led them out to drink on the Sabbath, as well as on other days. Here are some possible ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the Sabbath and take it out for watering? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
So ⌊do you think⌋ you(plur) are not ⌊working when you⌋ untie your ox or donkey from the manger and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath?

• As a statement. For example:

Without doubt, all of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and take it to drink water on the Sabbath day! ⌊And so, you, too, are working!⌋

Translate this emphasis in a way that is most natural in your language.

13:15c

his ox or donkey: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ox is a general word that can refer to any animal that is like a cow. Although the English word “ox” refers specifically to a castrated bull, the Greek word is more general. In languages that do not have terms for ox or donkey, you may:

• Use the names of similar animals in your culture. For example:

cow/buffalo or horse

• Use a general term. For example:

your work animals (New Century Version)

from the stall: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stall may refer specifically to a feeding trough or “manger.” It may also refer more generally to a “stall,” a section or room inside a stable where the animals were fed. There are several ways to translate this term:

• Specify a place, such as “manger,” “stall,” “stable,” or “animal shelter,” where the animal was tied. For example:

untie his ox or donkey from the manger (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Leave the place implicit. For example:

untie your ox or donkey and lead it out to drink (Contemporary English Version)

13:15d

and lead it to water: This verse part explains the reason people untied their animals every day, even on the Sabbath. They led the animals to a place where they could drink water, and then led them back to their stall. Jews normally considered this as work. But they made an exception for this on the Sabbath, because to them it was necessary.

Languages have different ways to refer to leading an animal to a place where it can drink. For example:

take it out for watering (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
lead them to drink water (New Century Version)
-or-
go and cause it to drink

Use an expression that is natural in your language.

General Comment on 13:15c–d

In some languages it may be more natural to mention the stall in 13:15d rather than 13:15c. For example:

Each Sabbath you all untie your ox or donkey and lead it out from its stall to give it water.

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