13:11a

He replied: In Greek, there is a word that occurs after this phrase. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. There are two ways to interpret this Greek word:

(1) It is a speech introducer and means that. It introduces Jesus’ answer. So most English versions do not translate this word. For example:

He replied, “The knowledge….” (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It is a conjunction and means because. It introduces the reason that Jesus spoke in parables. For example:

He replied, “Because the knowledge…” (NIV2011)

(NIV2011, New Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version)

Here are some issues to consider when deciding which interpretation to follow:

• The majority of English versions follow interpretation (1). And the quote in the parallel passage in Mark 4:11 begins without the conjunction “because.”

• The meaning of the verse does not change if you choose interpretation (2). It may even be more natural in some languages to start the quote with “⌊I use parables⌋ because….” Many commentators also follow this interpretation.

13:11b

The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you: Another way to translate this clause is: “The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you to know.”

In some languages, secrets are not something that can be given. They are “revealed” or “told.” You should use the verb that is most natural in your language for telling a secret. In this context, it is God through Jesus who has revealed certain secrets to the disciples.

This clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (NET Bible)
-or-
You are permitted/allowed to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ has revealed/shown to you the secrets of the kingdom of heaven
-or-

⌊God⌋ has told you the secrets about the kingdom of heaven
-or-
I have explained the secrets about the kingdom of heaven to you (Contemporary English Version)

Notice that in the active examples above, the phrase The knowledge of is not translated. When secrets are revealed, it is implied that the person now knows them. So it may not be necessary to translate the phrase The knowledge of.

the mysteries: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mysteries refers to truths that were previously hidden or unknown. They were previously a mystery to everyone. Now, God reveals these truths only to certain people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

secret/hidden truths
-or-
mysteries (New Jerusalem Bible)

the kingdom of heaven: In the phrase the kingdom of heaven, the word heaven is a figure of speech called metonymy. In this figure of speech, heaven refers to God, but it refers to him indirectly by naming the place where he lives and rules. So the phrase the kingdom of heaven means the same thing as “the kingdom of God.”

Here are some ways to translate heaven in this context:

• Make some information explicit. For example:

⌊the one/Lord who lives in⌋ heaven

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

God

This phrase also occurs in 3:2b, 5:3b, 10:7b, and 11:11c. Also see kingdom of heaven in the Glossary.

13:11c

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between two types of people: the ones who know the secrets, and the ones who do not know them. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

In Greek, this contrast is also emphasized by putting the two groups first in each clause. For example:

11b
to you it has been given

11c
to them it has not been given

If there is a way in your language to emphasize and contrast the two groups of people, you should consider doing it here.

not to them: Some words are implied from 13:11b but not repeated here. It may be more natural in your language to repeat some or all of the implied words. For example:

⌊these secrets have⌋ not ⌊been revealed⌋ to them

-or-

⌊he has⌋ not ⌊told/explained the secrets about the kingdom of heaven⌋ to them

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