21:10a–b
Then He told them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then He told them is literally “Then he was saying to them.” Luke used this phrase to focus attention on what Jesus would say next. Some other ways to translate this are:
Then Jesus continued (God’s Word)
-or-
Then He continued by saying to them (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Then he added (Revised English Bible)
In some languages, it is not necessary to include a phrase like this, because the same person is still speaking to the same people. Continue what Jesus said in a way that is natural in your language.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: There is an ellipsis here. The full form is:
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom ⌊will rise against⌋ kingdom.
The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will rise against is used in a figurative way. Here it means “will attack” or “will fight against.” It indicates that nations and kingdoms will attack and fight each other. Jesus implied that these attacks/wars would happen many times to many nations and kingdoms. Consider whether it is more natural in your language to use singular or plural forms.
Some ways to translate the ellipsis in this verse are:
• Repeat the same verb in both 21:10a and 21:10b. For example:
One tribe will fight with another tribe, and one kingdom will fight with another kingdom.
• Use different verbs with similar meanings in 21:10a and 21:10b. For example:
Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. (Good News Translation)
-or-
…many towns will fight-each-other, one king opposing the other king.
• Translate “nations” and “kingdoms” as a compound subject and use one verb. For example:
Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other. (New Living Translation (1996))
Translate the ellipsis in a natural way in your language.
Nation…kingdom: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Nation and kingdom have similar meanings. See the notes on these words in 21:10a and 21:10b. In some languages it is not natural to use two different words to translate this meaning. If that is true in your language, you may use one word or phrase. For example:
⌊People of⌋ different nations/kingdoms will fight against people of other nations/kingdoms.
21:10a
Nation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Nation refers to a country, tribe, or ethnic group. It does not refer specifically to the government of a nation. It refers to the people of one nation or tribe. In some languages it may be more natural to mention “people” in the term. For example:
People of different countries/tribes will fight/war against people of other countries/tribes.
21:10b
and kingdom against kingdom: A kingdom is the territory that a king rules. Here it refers to the people who live in the kingdom. Another way to translate 21:10b is:
and ⌊people⌋ who are ruled by one ruler/chief ⌊will fight against⌋ ⌊people⌋ who are ruled by another ruler/chief
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