Paragraph 21:34–36

21:34a

watch yourselves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as watch yourselves means “be alert, concerned, and watchful.” Here Jesus used the word to introduce a warning. He warned his disciples to be alert and careful to avoid anything that would prevent them from being faithful to the Lord. They must be ready always for him to return. Some other ways to translate this are:

Watch out (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Be on guard (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
watch yourselves (English Standard Version)
-or-
Make sure that (God’s Word)

In some languages there may be an idiom to express this warning. Translate it in a natural way in your language.

21:34b–d

or your hearts will be weighed down…and that day will spring upon you suddenly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or here introduces what would happen if the disciples were not careful. It introduces the purpose for the warning in 21:34a. This purpose has two related parts:

(a) so that their hearts will not be weighed down:

(b) so that the day does not close on them unexpectedly.

Some other ways to translate this connection are:

so that your hearts are not weighed down…and that day catch you unexpectedly (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
do not let your minds be dulled…so that the great day catches you suddenly (Revised English Bible)

Some English versions begin a new sentence at 21:34b. Be sure that this connection with 21:34a is clear and natural in your language.

21:34b

your hearts will be weighed down: The clause your hearts will be weighed down is more literally “your hearts will be burdened.” This is a figure of speech. It implies that the disciples should not become like people who are carrying a heavy load and cannot do anything else. The disciples must not become too busy with other things. If they are too busy, they will not have the strength to pray and be faithful to Jesus. Then they will not be ready when he returns.

In some languages a literal translation of the figure of speech may give a wrong meaning. Some other ways to translate it are:

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

become occupied with too much (Good News Translation)
-or-
always thinking about

• Use a different figure of speech that expresses the meaning in your language. For example:

consumed with/by
-or-
get-sidetracked by

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

21:34c

by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life: Here Jesus mentioned three things that can “weigh down people’s hearts” so that they are not faithful in following the Lord.

dissipation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dissipation refers literally to going to parties, getting drunk, and not behaving with self-control. In this context dissipation also refers figuratively to any kind of self-indulgence that makes a person less interested in God and his ways.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

too much feasting (Good News Translation)
-or-
carousing (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
entertaining yourselves with pleasure (Translator’s Reference Translation)

In some languages there may be an idiom to describe this.

drunkenness: The word drunkenness refers to being intoxicated (drunk) and also to the foolish way people act when they are drunk. Describe this in a natural way in your language. Another way to translate it is:

⌊do not⌋ drink too much ⌊wine/liquor⌋ and behave foolishly

the worries of life: The word worries means “anxieties, cares.” Jesus referred to any worries that people have in their lives here on earth. The word the does not imply that Jesus referred to certain specific anxieties. The Greek text does not have the article here. Other ways to translate the worries of life are:

troubles about your livelihood
-or-
the worries of this life (Good News Translation)
-or-
worrying about worldly things (New Century Version)

life: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as life refers specifically to physical life and the normal activities that people do as they live. It often refers to worries about how to sustain life. For example, people worry about how they will get enough food and clothes or about where they will live.

A similar word for life was used in 8:14, where some people let the worries, riches, and pleasures of life choke the word. See the translation suggestions in the preceding note.

21:34d

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces the second part of the purpose or reason why the disciples should be careful (21:34a). See the note on 21:34b, for more information.

The clause here in 21:34d also tells the result of 21:34b–c. It tells what will happen if the disciples allow their hearts to be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, or worry. In some languages it may not be natural to translate the connection with a simple conjunction like and. Some other ways to translate it are:

If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

Don’t let that day catch you unaware (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

so that the day will not catch you by surprise

Translate the connection in a natural way in your language.

that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare: In this clause Jesus used a simile to describe what will happen if his followers do not stay alert (21:34a). They will not be ready on the day when he returns. They will not expect Jesus to come on that day, just as a bird or animal does not expect the trap that catches it.

Some other ways to translate this simile are:

you will not be ready for that day, and it will surprise you like a snare catching an animal/bird
-or-
that day will come when you do not expect it, just as a bird does not expect the snare that catches it
-or-
that day will arrive suddenly like a snare suddenly seizes an animal

that day: The phrase that day refers to the day of the Lord, the day when Jesus will return (21:27) and redeem his people (21:28c) and the kingdom of God will begin (21:31b). If you need to use a more specific expression, you may refer to the day when Jesus returns or to the last day/time. For example:

the day ⌊when I return⌋

you: The pronoun you refers to the disciples who will be alive at the time Jesus returns. See the first note on 21:28b.

like a snare: In some English versions the phrase like a snare is translated as part of 21:35, instead of 21:34d. For example:

and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap (New Revised Standard Version)

This difference does not change the meaning, and either division of the verses is fine. You may want to follow the decision of the major language version in your area.

snare: The word snare refers to a device that people use to catch an animal or bird. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a general word or phrase that can describe any type of snare. For example:

trap

• Use a word that refers to a specific kind of snare. For example:

net
-or-
noose

• Translate snare as a phrase and specify an object that the trap catches. You may use a general or a specific object. For example:

the way a snare shuts on an animal/bird
-or-
as a snare catches a rat

Translate the simile in an appropriate way in your language.

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