19:10a
For: In this verse Jesus gave the conclusion that he wanted people to learn from the events in 19:1–10. The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces this conclusion. Translate the conclusion in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction may not be needed. For example:
Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost. (God’s Word)
-or-
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Good News Translation)
This statement is similar to the theme of the parables in chapter 15, especially the parables of the lost sheep and of the son who came back to his father (15:24). You may be able to use some similar words and phrases in this verse.
the Son of Man came: The phrase the Son of Man came introduces a general statement about the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. He came to save people who were lost. Jesus referred here to his coming from God to earth. He did not refer specifically to his purpose for coming to Zacchaeus’ house. Other ways to translate this are:
The work/ministry of the Son of Man is…
-or-
The Son of Man came here to the earth
-or-
The Son of Man came ⌊from God⌋ ⌊to the world⌋
See how you translated the similar statement in 5:32.
the Son of Man: Here Jesus used the phrase the Son of Man to refer to himself. In some languages it may be necessary to make that clear by using a form like “I” or “me.” For example:
I, the Son of Man
The term Son of Man first occurs in Luke at 5:24a. See the note in 17:22a–b for more information and translation suggestions. See also “Son of Man” in Key Biblical Terms.
19:10b
to seek and to save the lost: In this context the phrase to seek and to save the lost has a figurative meaning. It indicates that Jesus was seeking to help people who were lost in a spiritual way so that he could rescue them. Here is another way to translate this:
to find lost people and save them (New Century Version)
In this context the phrase refers especially to Zacchaeus, who was one of the lost people whom Jesus came to seek and save. If this is not clear to your readers, you may need to make it explicit. For example:
to look for people who are lost ⌊as Zacchaeus was⌋
See the note on the lost below for more translation suggestions.
save: In this context the word save refers to rescuing people from sin and eternal punishment so that they are reconciled to God. See the note on “salvation” at 19:9a and see save, Meaning 2, in the Glossary. Some ways to translate save in this context are:
rescue
-or-
deliver
In some languages it may be necessary to say what a person is saved from or for. For example:
rescue ⌊from sin⌋
-or-
help ⌊so they can have life with God⌋
the lost: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the lost is used in a figurative way here, similarly to the way it was used in 15:24b. It refers to people who have sinned against God and are not able to reconcile with him unless they receive help.
In some languages a literal translation may not communicate the right meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate this are:
• Use a simile to indicate that the word lost is used in a figurative way. For example:
people who ⌊live/act as if they⌋ are lost
• Use a simile and make the meaning explicit. For example:
those who are ⌊like⌋ ⌊people⌋ who are lost because they do not know the way to God
• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
people who need help ⌊to reconcile with God⌋
In some languages there are similar figures of speech that could be used here. For example:
people who are far from God
-or-
those who have strayed away from the true path
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