10:24a
amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as amazed means “astonished” or “surprised.”
Jews of that time thought that riches were a blessing from God. So the disciples were surprised that Jesus said that it was hard for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom. If people in your area will not understand the reason that the disciples were amazed, you may want to include a footnote. Here is an example:
The Jewish people of that time thought that riches showed that God favored a person. Therefore, they thought that a rich person would easily get into heaven. But Jesus taught that riches often hindered a person’s relationship with God because he relied on his riches and not on God.
at His words: The phrase at His words refers to what Jesus said in 10:23b. It may be more natural in your language to use a verb to translate that meaning. For example:
The disciples were amazed at what he said.
-or-
When the disciples heard that, they were amazed.
10:24b
But: The disciples were amazed at this teaching and may have had difficulty accepting it. In contrast, Jesus repeated the teaching and applied it generally to all people.
Jesus said to them again: The word again indicates here that Jesus said something similar in 10:23b. But the teaching here is more general than in 10:23b. Jesus emphasized the teaching by repeating it. Use an expression with that meaning. For example:
Jesus told them again (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus reiterated
-or-
Jesus insisted (Revised English Bible)
10:24c
Children: Jesus addressed the disciples with the term Children. This term showed that Jesus cared about his disciples. Jesus may also have used this term to imply that he was like a father whose children failed to understand his teaching. Use an expression with that meaning. If a literal translation might be unnatural or misunderstood, you may need to say something like:
My children (Good News Bible)
-or-
Dear children (New Living Translation)
-or-
You who are like my children
-or-
My dear young men
how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!:
There is a textual issue in this verse. In some later Greek manuscripts, this clause includes the words “for those who trust in riches.” These additional words make 10:24c like 10:23b. (1) Some Greek manuscripts
do not have the words “those who trust in riches.” For example, the Good News Bible says: “My children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version). (2) Other Greek manuscripts have “those who trust in riches.” For example, the King James Version says: “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (King James Version). It is recommended that you follow option (1). But if the major language version in your area follows option (2), you may want to put the added words in a footnote. For example: Some later Greek manuscripts add the words “those who trust in riches.” The earlier Greek manuscripts do not have these words.) This clause has the same meaning as 10:23b, except that it does not include the words “for the rich.”
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