21:18

Yet: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet is often translated as “and.” Many English versions translate it as Yet or “But” because this verse contrasts strongly with 21:16–17. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that although people would oppose them and even kill them, his disciples would not suffer any permanent harm. Other ways to indicate the contrast are:

Yet (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
And even though ⌊they hate/kill you⌋

not even a hair of your head will perish: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not even a hair of your head will perish literally means that even one hair from the disciples’ heads will not be destroyed or lost. It implies that they will not be harmed at all. Other ways to say this are:

even a single one of your hairs will not be lost
-or-
nothing will be lost not even one of your hairs

Jesus used this statement in a figurative way. He spoke about a very small part of a person to imply that the disciples will not suffer any permanent harm at all.

In some languages a literal translation may give a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

• Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:

none of these things can really harm you (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊no one⌋ will be able to ⌊permanently⌋ hurt/harm you

• Use an idiom or figure of speech that expresses the same meaning.

Translate this expression in a natural way in your language. If you do not choose to translate it literally, then you should put the literal text in a footnote.

a hair of your head will perish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perish means “be lost” or “be destroyed.” In some languages people may not speak of a hair being “lost” or “destroyed.” Use a natural verb in your language. In other languages there may be a word that refers specifically to hair of the head. If that is true in your language, the phrase of your head may not be needed.

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