13:52a
Then: In this verse, Jesus responded to the disciples’ answer.
Here are some other ways to begin this verse:
And… (English Standard Version)
-or-
So… (Good News Translation)
For this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For this reason usually indicates a conclusion. However, in this context, 13:52 is more a result of the disciples’ understanding. They understood what Jesus was teaching, so they are teachers who are like the master of a house.
Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:
So (New Century Version)
-or-
That is why (God’s Word)
-or-
⌊Since/Because you understand,⌋ then
Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate it either.
every scribe: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribe probably refers to a person who is a disciple/follower of Jesus. He is also a person who has received some training in the things of God.
In the book of Matthew, the word scribe normally refers to the teachers of the law whom Jesus criticized. But in this context, Jesus probably used this term in the more general sense of “religious scholar” or “learned one.”
Jesus’ twelve disciples were some of this group of “scribes.” As Jewish men, they had some education in God’s law. Jesus had also taught them many additional things about God and his rule.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
• Use your normal term for scribe. This word last occurred in 12:38a. For example:
teacher of the law (New International Version)
• Translate the term scribe in a more general way. For example:
one who knows the Law (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
person learned in the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
person who knows ⌊God’s⌋ law
13:52b
who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven: This clause describes the particular type of scribe (teacher of the law) who is like the master of a house. He is a scribe who:
(a) has received training about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom through the parables in this chapter.
(b) has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. This is the basic meaning of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discipled. This verb has the same root as “disciple.”
In addition, this clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
who is made a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven (New Century Version)
• Use an active or reflexive verb. For example:
who has submitted himself to the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has committed himself to God’s rule/chieftaincy
• Use another type of verb. For example:
who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of heaven (Good News Translation)
13:52c
is like a homeowner: This is a simile. In this simile, a scribe is compared to a homeowner. The way that they are similar is that both people share things. The owner of a house shares his possessions. The scribe shares what he has learned about the kingdom.
homeowner: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as homeowner refers to a man who owns and manages his own house and land. This includes his own family, slaves, and other workers. The fact that he brings things out of his treasure (13:52d) indicates that he is probably rich.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
owner of a household
-or-
a rich man
13:52d
This part of 13:52 contains the second relative (who) clause in this verse. In many languages, it will be natural to divide this verse into several sentences and begin a new sentence here.
who brings out of: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brings out implies that the man takes/removes some of his possessions to share them or give them away. He brings them out to help his family and others. He does not bring out his possessions simply to look at them. This is like the teacher sharing his knowledge with others.
In some languages, it will be natural to make this explicit. For example:
brings out ⌊to share⌋
-or-
takes out ⌊to help others⌋
his storeroom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his storeroom can refer to the place where treasure is stored, or to the treasure itself (as in 13:44a). Here it refers to the place where the treasure is stored.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
his treasure chest (God’s Word)
-or-
the place where he stores/keeps his valuable things
new treasures as well as old: The phrase new treasures refers to the man’s new possessions/things. The phrase as well as old refers to the man’s old possessions/things. For example:
new and old things (Good News Translation)
-or-
new things and old things (New Century Version)
In the context of the parable, the word new represents the teachings of Jesus (13:51a). The word old represents the teachings in the Old Testament. Both are good. As a translator, you should not put this information into the text. You may put it in a footnote.
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