Paragraph 19:37–40

19:37a

And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives: In Greek this clause is more literally:

And he coming-near, already (being) at the descent of the Mount of Olives

The word approached can imply either a general location or a specific one. Specifically, Jesus was approaching the place where the road began to go down toward Jerusalem, so he was also coming nearer to Jerusalem itself. The road descended from the Mount of Olives into the Kidron valley before rising again and entering the city. As the descent began, Jesus was less than two kilometers from Jerusalem.

In some languages it may be helpful to specify Jerusalem as the location Jesus that was “coming-near.” For example:

When he came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives (Good News Translation)
-or-
As he was coming close to Jerusalem, on the way down the Mount of Olives (New Century Version)

the Mount of Olives: For help in translating the Mount of Olives, see the note on 19:29b.

19:37b

the whole multitude of disciples: In this context the word disciples includes all the people who listened to and followed Jesus. It does not refer only to the twelve men who were with him all the time.

began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as joyfully indicates that the people were rejoicing as they praised God. They praised him loudly to express their joy and gratitude. Other ways to translate this are:

began to rejoice and praise God (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
began joyfully shouting praise to God (New Century Version)

19:37c

for all the miracles they had seen: This phrase gives the reason why the people praised God. The phrase all the miracles they had seen refers to the many miracles that they had seen Jesus do. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

because of all the miracles that they had seen Jesus do
-or-
because they had seen ⌊him do⌋ many miracles

miracles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as miracles is literally “powers.” A “miracle” is an action that requires great power to accomplish. When a human being does a miracle, he must use greater power than human beings normally have. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God.

Some other ways to translate miracles are:

mighty/great works
-or-
marvelous/amazing acts ⌊done with/by God’s power⌋
-or-
deeds of power

In this context the people praised God because the miracles that Jesus did helped people. Through his miracles they received God’s mercy. For example, Jesus healed people of many sicknesses. He made blind people able to see, and he caused deaf people to hear again. Use a term that fits such helpful miracles. Avoid terms that refer to magic tricks or only to displays of power that frighten people.

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