7:32a–c
In this verse some people brought to Jesus a man who was deaf and had a speech defect. The Greek text does not specify the cause of these disabilities, but they were probably caused by disease or injury. (Lane, page 266.) Your translation should not imply that the man was demon-possessed.
7:32a
In Greek this verse begins with the common connector that is often translated as “and.” It introduces what happened after Jesus and his disciples arrived near the Sea of Galilee. Use a natural way in your language to connect 7:31 and 7:32. For example:
There (New International Version)
-or-
While he was there (New Century Version)
Some people brought: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Some people brought is literally “they brought.” In 7:33, these people are referred to as “a crowd.” In some languages it may be more natural to use the same term here. Use a term that is natural in your language to introduce this group of people.
to Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus.
a man who was deaf: The word deaf means “unable to hear.”
7:32b
and hardly able to speak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hardly able to speak literally means “to speak with difficulty.” It indicates here that the man was unable to speak clearly. He was probably not completely mute, but other people could not understand his speech easily. (There are two interpretations: (1) He had a speech impediment; (2) He could not speak intelligibly. Many commentaries support each view, but all the English versions on TW support (1).)
Here are some other ways to translate this:
could not talk plainly (New Century Version)
-or-
had difficulty speaking (NET Bible)
-or-
had a speech defect (God’s Word)
General Comment on 7:32a–b
The deaf man is in focus in this story. Because of this, it may be more natural to introduce him before you introduce the people who brought him. For example:
A certain man was there. He was deaf and could hardly speak. Some people brought him to Jesus.
-or-
A man who was deaf and could hardly talk was brought by some people to Jesus.
7:32c
they: The pronoun they refers to the same people who brought the man to Jesus.
begged: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as begged indicates that the people made an earnest request.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
earnestly asked
-or-
pleaded
Refer to how you translated this same word in 5:10. (The same verb parakale? is also used in 5:17–18 and 5:23a, but in the latter verse an intensifying word is added.)
Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is literally “him,” as in the Revised Standard Version. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word Jesus so that it is clear that the people are speaking with Jesus, not with the deaf man. Refer to Jesus in a way that is natural in your language.
to place His hand on him: The people asked Jesus to place His hand on him in order to heal the man. If the purpose of their request is not clear in your language, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example, the New Living Translation says:
to lay his hands on the man to heal him
place His hand: The text does not say where Jesus should place His hand. In some languages it may be more natural to use a general expression. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:
to touch him
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