12:23a

The crowds were astounded: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as astounded is an idiom. Its literal meaning is “stood outside ⌊themselves⌋.” The people were often surprised at Jesus’ miracles (as in 9:33b). This idiom indicates that they were even more surprised than normal.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

were astonished (New International Version)
-or-
were very surprised

In some languages, it may be natural to say what amazed the people. For example:

were very amazed ⌊by what Jesus did⌋
-or-

⌊This miracle⌋ really surprised the people

asked: The people probably spoke the following words to each other and not directly to Jesus. But they probably spoke them publicly because the Pharisees heard them (12:24a).

In some languages, it may be natural to make some of this information explicit For example:

said ⌊to one another⌋

12:23b

Could this be the Son of David?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and uncertainty. Jesus was not the type of Messiah that the people were expecting. However, he did things that only the Messiah could do. So the people were confused. They were not certain that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, but they were beginning to think that maybe he was. It was a surprising thought.

Here are some other ways to translate this surprise and uncertainty:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Is it possible that this man is the Son of David?

• As a statement. For example:

Perhaps this man is the Son of David! (New Century Version)

this: The word this refers to Jesus. Some languages may need a noun to go with the word this. For example:

this man (God’s Word)

the Son of David: This phrase is a title that the Jews used to refer to the Messiah. God had promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

the Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

-or-

the ⌊promised⌋ Son/Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

In some languages, it may be helpful to add a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

God promised that one of King David’s descendants would be the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). The Jews were expecting this promised person to come, and they referred to him by the title “Son of David.”

This phrase also occurs in 9:27b. You should translate it here as you did there.

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