4:11a
He replied: Since the disciples were asking questions, it may be more natural in your language to use the verb “answered” or “told” here. For example, the New International Version says:
he told them
4:11b
The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you: This is a passive clause. In some languages it may be necessary to use an active verb and supply the subject “God.” For example:
God has given to you the mystery of the kingdom of God.
This clause means that God has revealed a mystery about his kingdom to the disciples. People did not previously know this mystery. Another way to say this is:
God has revealed to you the mystery about his kingdom.
The mystery of the kingdom of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mystery refers to a truth or secret that was previously hidden and is now revealed to certain people. The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. The mystery of the kingdom of God refers to the way God’s rule works.
Here are some other ways to translate The mystery of the kingdom of God:
The hidden truth about how God rules his people…
-or-
What people have not known before about God’s rule/reign…
-or-
The secret concerning God’s chieftaincy/government…
See also kingdom of God, Context 2, in the Glossary.
God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God refers here to the eternal being who created everything. Although he is spirit, he is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshipped. Here are some ways to translate God:
• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.
• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:
Creator
-or-
Great Spirit
-or-
Ruler of the universe
Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and churches in your area. For more detailed information, see God in the Glossary.
has been given: In some languages it may be necessary to express the idea of “giving a secret” in a different way. For example:
God has revealed to you the mystery
-or-
God has made known to you the hidden truth…
-or-
You have been allowed/enabled to learn what people did not previously understand
you: The pronoun you is plural. Its position in the clause in Greek emphasizes the disciples in contrast to the outsiders mentioned in 4:11c. In some languages this contrast may be emphasized in different ways. Some ways to emphasize this contrast are:
• Use a different word order. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:
To you(plur) has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God.
• Use a separate phrase. For example:
As for you, you have been given the mystery of the kingdom of God.
Use a natural way in your language to emphasize the contrast between you and the other people to whom Jesus is not speaking directly, whom he calls “those on the outside.”
4:11c
but to those on the outside: The word outside here refers to people who are not among the group of Jesus’ followers. It refers to those who do not believe in Jesus. God does not give the mystery to them.
In languages where the word outside is only used literally, you may want to use a different expression. For example:
But to other people who are not my followers
-or-
But to those who do not believe in me
everything is expressed in parables: This clause is passive. Jesus referred here to his own use of parables. If it is more natural in your language to make this clause active, you can say:
I say everything in parables
-or-
I use parables to teach everything
everything: In this context, the word everything refers to the teachings about God and his kingdom. In some languages the idea of saying or teaching everything may need to be expressed in other ways. For example:
I only teach them by using parables
-or-
I always use parables when I teach them
parables: See the note on 4:10b.
© 2008 by SIL International®
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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