5:16
Yet: There is a Greek conjunction at the start of this verse that almost all English versions translate, and most of them translate it as “But” or Yet in order to show contrast. Great crowds of people frequently came to Jesus, but Jesus continued his practice of regularly going off alone to pray.
Connect 5:15 and 5:16 in the way that is most natural in your language.
He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray: The form of the Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrew and pray indicates that Jesus did this regularly or repeatedly. He was in the habit of going away from the crowds and praying alone to God. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word frequently in order to make this clear.
withdrew to the wilderness to pray: The reason why Jesus withdrew was in order to pray. For example:
Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray (New Century Version)
the wilderness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the wilderness refers to wild or desolate areas where few people lived. This is the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “wilderness” in 1:80b, 3:2b, and 4:1b and as “solitary place” in 4:42a.
Some languages have a special word to refer to such areas such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia).
Some other ways to translate this are:
deserted places (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
places where he could be alone (God’s Word)
-or-
places where there were few/no people
Jesus went to such places so that he could be alone with God.
pray: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pray indicates that Jesus spoke or talked to God.
Some languages may use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. Here you should use a word or expression in your language that describes prayer in general.
Some other ways to translate this are:
talked to God
-or-
asked/begged God
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