24:5a
As: In the Greek text, 24:5a begins with an common conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but” (as in the New International Version). The Berean Standard Bible translates it as As. Here it introduces what the men said when the women bowed to them. Other ways to translate it are:
Then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but (New International Version)
Some versions do not have a conjunction. Connect this part of the verse with 24:5b in a natural way in your language.
the women bowed their faces to the ground: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as bowed their faces to the ground is likely an idiom. It is not clear in this context whether they bent only their heads or whether they also bowed down or knelt. In this context the action probably showed both fear and respect.
Some other ways to translate this action are:
the women bowed down to the ground (Good News Translation)
-or-
the women bowed their heads to the ground (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
they bowed ⌊to show respect⌋ (Translator’s Reference Translation)
Translate the action in a way that communicates respect or fear in your culture.
in terror: The phrase in terror indicates that the women were very afraid. Some ways to translate it are:
The women were very afraid (New Century Version)
-or-
The women were terrified (God’s Word)
-or-
Full of fear (Good News Translation)
24:5b
the two men asked them: This clause introduces a rhetorical question that the men asked the women. Use a natural verb in your language. Some other ways to translate the clause in English are:
The men asked the women (God’s Word)
-or-
the men said (Revised English Bible)
24:5c
Why do you look for the living among the dead?: This is a rhetorical question. The men used it as a mild rebuke to the women. The men were saying that it was useless for the women to look for a live person in a tomb. The question implies that Jesus was alive, and therefore the women did not need to look for him in a tomb.
Some ways to translate this mild rebuke are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Should you search for a living person in this place for the dead?
• As a statement. For example:
It is useless for you to look in the place of the dead for someone/one who is alive!
Translate this mild rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.
the living: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the living refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus was alive. This is clear from the Greek text, which uses a singular form. Other ways to translate the phrase are:
someone who is alive (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the living one (God’s Word)
among the dead: The phrase the dead refers to dead people. The Greek text uses a plural form. The phrase among the dead implies that they should not be looking in a tomb, the place for burying dead people, to find a living person.
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