12:29
Verse 12:29 is a parable. In this parable, the “strong man” represents Satan. The strong man’s “house” represents Satan’s kingdom. “His possessions” represent people whom Satan controls. Jesus is the one who is stronger than Satan. He binds Satan and takes those people out of Satan’s kingdom.
Jesus told this parable to show people that he was working against Satan. Satan was not the one who was giving him power to cast out evil spirits.
In some languages, it may be good to explain the meaning of this parable in a footnote. A sample footnote is:
In this parable, Satan is the strong man. The strong man’s house is Satan’s kingdom. The possessions of the strong man are those people whom Satan controls. Jesus is the one who breaks into Satan’s kingdom and takes away or frees the people whom he controls.
12:29a–c
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man.
Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
How can anyone break into a strong man’s house and steal his things, unless he first ties up the strong man? (Contemporary English Version)
• As a rhetorical question followed by a statement. For example:
How can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property. (God’s Word)
• As a statement. For example:
No one can break into a strong man’s house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man…. (Good News Translation)
-or-
If anyone wants to enter a strong person’s house and steal his things, he must first tie up the strong person. Then he can steal the things from the house. (New Century Version)
Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
12:29a
Or again: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Or again indicates that this parable is another way of looking at the point of 12:28. That point is that Jesus is not working with Satan. He is working against Satan.
You may want to use a conjunction that shows that 12:29 is connected in thought with 12:28. Here are some examples:
Similarly
-or-
Or ⌊to say it another way,⌋
how can anyone enter a strong man’s house: The phrase strong man’s house refers to the house of a man who is physically strong. In this parable, the strong man represents Satan. The strong man’s house represents Satan’s kingdom. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:
who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
⌊Satan can be compared to⌋ a strong person. No one can enter his house…
This parable assumes that the strong man is home and guarding his possessions. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:
enter a strong man’s house ⌊when he is home⌋
enter: In some languages, it may be better to use a stronger word or phrase than the word enter. For example:
break into (Good News Translation)
-or-
break and enter
12:29b
steal: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as steal means “forcefully take away” or “rob.” In this context, it refers to taking the strong man’s possessions against his will.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
plunder (English Standard Version)
-or-
rob (New Living Translation (1996))
In some languages, a verb like steal will hinder people from understanding that the point of the parable is that Jesus is stronger than Satan. The point is not that Jesus is bad like a robber and steals things. So in some languages, it may be better to use a different type of verb here. For example:
take away (Good News Translation)
-or-
carry away/off
his possessions: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as possessions also means “property.” These things are the man’s belongings. They are the things he has in his house. In this parable, this word represents the people whom Satan owns or controls.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
his property (God’s Word)
-or-
his belongings (Good News Translation)
-or-
his possessions (New International Version)
12:29c
unless he first ties up the strong man: The phrase ties up means “binds.” In some languages, it may be necessary to include a previous action. For example:
if he does not first ⌊overpower⌋ the strong man and tie him up
General Comment on 12:29a–c
In some language, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses so that they are in chronological order. For example:
Or again, conly if someone first ties up a strong man acan he then enter the strong man’s house band carry off his possessions.
12:29d
Then he can plunder his house: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as plunder is a stronger form of the same Greek verb in 12:29b. The same action is meant here as in 12:29b, but the manner of “thoroughly” is included here. You may use the same verb for “plunder” in 12:29b and here in 12:29d, but you may want to use an extra word to show the completeness of the action. For example:
Then he can thoroughly plunder the house. (NET Bible)
-or-
Then he can completely rob his house
-or-
Then he can take everything (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then he could seize all the strong man’s things
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