Paragraph 13:27–30
13:27a
servants: This word refers to the people who worked for the owner of the land.
Here is another way to translate this word:
workers
to him: The to him refers to the man introduced in 13:24c. This man was head of the household and probably owned the house and land.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the head of the house
-or-
the man who owned the field
13:27b
Sir: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sir is the same word translated “Lord” when referring to God. This word is a term of respect and indicates that the person spoken to is greater in status.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Master (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boss/Chief/Father
didn’t you sow good seed in your field?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and emphasizes that they knew that he had planted good seeds. They were surprised that there were weeds in the field, because he had sown good seed.
Here are some ways to translate this surprise and emphasis:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? (Revised English Bible)
• As a statement. For example:
You planted good seed in your field. (New Century Version)
Translate this surprise and emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
13:27c
Where then did the weeds come from?: This is a real question. There were many more weeds than normal, and the servants did not know where the extra weeds came from.
Here are some other ways to translate this question:
How then does it have weeds? (English Standard Version)
-or-
Then how does your field have ⌊all these⌋ weeds?
-or-
Then in what way did your field become ⌊so full of⌋ weeds?
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