19:38a
In Greek this verse begins with a verb that is often translated as “saying.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. It introduces what the people said as they shouted praises. Some other ways to translate it are:
They said (New Century Version)
-or-
shouting (New American Standard Bible)
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!: This clause is very similar to 13:35c which says, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” It is a quote from Psalm 118:26. Here in 19:38 the statement adds the word King. It indicates that this coming person, the king, was especially blessed by God. This is one of the praises that people shouted as they welcomed Jesus.
In Greek, this statement of praise has no verb. It is literally: “Blessed the coming one, the king, in the name of the Lord.” The phrase “the coming one” is a title that Jewish people used for the Messiah. Here “the coming one, the king” implies that Jesus was the Messiah and King whom they had expected to come.
Some ways to translate this statement of praise are:
• As a statement or exclamation. For example:
⌊The Lord⌋ has blessed the king who comes in his name!
-or-
Blessed is the Coming One, the King, who ⌊will rule⌋ in the name of the Lord!
• As a wish or prayer. For example:
May the Lord bless the king who comes in his name!
• As a command or encouragement to praise the king. For example:
Praise/Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Praise to the king who comes in the Lord’s name!
In some languages it may be more natural to use more than one sentence. For example:
The one ⌊we expected⌋ has come! He is the king, and God has blessed him!
-or-
Blessed is the Coming One! He is the king whom God has sent!
Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed refers to God showing favor to someone. Some other ways to translate Blessed in this context are:
Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The Lord has favored the king who comes in his name.
-or-
The Lord has done good things for this king who comes in his name!
See how you translated this word in 14:14–15. See also bless, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.
the King who comes in the name of the Lord!: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the name of the Lord means “as the representative of the Lord.” It indicates that the Lord sent Jesus with authority to represent him. As the phrase is used here in the context of being the King, it indicates that Jesus would rule as king with God’s authority.
Other ways to translate the King who comes in the name of the Lord are:
the king whom the Lord sent
-or-
who comes as king with the Lord’s authority
-or-
the one who comes ⌊to rule⌋ as king in the Lord’s name
the Lord: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord refers to God. It quotes Psalm 118:26, which uses Yahweh, the personal name of God. In some languages the word for “Lord” is not normally used for God, so it may be misunderstood. If that is true in your language, you may make explicit that it refers to God. For example:
the Lord ⌊God⌋
See Lord, Context 2, in the Glossary.
19:38b–c
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!: Like the phrase in 19:38a, the phrases Peace in heaven and glory in the highest are shouts of joy. In Greek they are arranged in a special poetic form, literally:
in heaven peace and
glory in the highest
In some languages it may be good to translate 19:38 as poetry. The praises in 19:38b–c are similar to what the angels said in 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.”
In Greek, there is no verb in these clauses. In some languages it is necessary to supply a verb. For example:
In heaven ⌊there is⌋ peace, and glory ⌊comes⌋ to God!
-or-
Peace ⌊fills⌋ heaven, and God ⌊receives⌋ great glory!
in heaven…in the highest!: The phrases in heaven and in the highest refer to heaven where God dwells. Some scholars believe that in this context, one or both of these phrases may be a way to refer indirectly to God himself. Jewish people often showed respect to God by referring to him in an indirect way. In this context both God and heaven are probably implied.
In some languages it may be helpful to refer to heaven in one of the phrases and to God in the other phrase. Refer to the examples in the preceding note. Another way to translate this is:
Peace in heaven and glory to God! (Good News Translation)
See heaven, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.
19:38b
Peace in heaven: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Peace in heaven implies that Jesus’ coming as King and Messiah was bringing peace between God and his people. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. In many languages a verb is needed. The form of the verb should refer to either the present or immediate future. For example:
⌊Now there will be⌋ peace ⌊with God⌋ in heaven.
-or-
⌊The king⌋ ⌊is bringing⌋ peace in heaven ⌊between God and his people⌋.
Peace: The word Peace refers to a condition of harmony, health, and prosperity. In this condition, people are living in harmony with others. They are secure and calm. They are not worried or in conflict. Peace often implies the security that comes from a good relationship with God.
In this context, the word Peace describes the relationship between God and people. This indicates that people are living in harmony with God. God is not angry with people, and people are not hostile toward God.
Some ways to translate Peace in this context are:
• Use a general term that can be used in different contexts to describe various types of harmony and security. For example:
well-being
-or-
harmony
• Use a more specific term that is appropriate to describe the blessedness of a harmonious relationship with God.
• Use an idiom in your language that expresses the meaning.
See the note on Peace at 19:42b for a suggested footnote for the word Peace. See peace, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.
19:38c
glory in the highest: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory in the highest was a shout of praise. It indicates that God in the highest has glory and deserves glory. It implies that people should praise God and speak of his glory. Express this in a way that would be natural for praise in your language. It may be appropriate to make this a separate sentence. For example:
Glory/honor ⌊belongs to God⌋ ⌊who lives⌋ in the highest ⌊place⌋!
-or-
How glorious ⌊is our God⌋ in his dwelling place!
-or-
⌊All people should⌋ praise God in heaven for his glory/majesty!
In this verse God’s glory is connected to the coming of Jesus as Messiah/King. Use a verb that is appropriate for this context. For example:
and God ⌊receives⌋ ⌊great⌋ glory/praise!
glory: The word glory is used in different ways. It refers to the honor and praise that God deserves. It also often refers to the greatness or magnificence of God. Translate it in an appropriate way for this context.
See also “glory” in Key Biblical Terms.
in the highest: The phrase in the highest refers to heaven. Several versions translate “in highest heaven.” However, the phrase does not imply that some areas of heaven are higher than others. Be careful not to imply that in your translation.
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