14:23a–b

He went up on the mountain: In Greek, this clause is more literally “he went-up to the mountain.” This clause indicates that Jesus went at least part way up a nearby mountain. He did not necessarily go to the very top of the mountain.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

he went up a mountain (God’s Word)

Lake Galilee is in a long valley with the surrounding area being about 500 meters higher than the valley. Jesus likely climbed part way out of the valley to be alone. Use the word in your language for this kind of mountain/hill. For example:

he went up a hill (Good News Translation)
-or-
he went…up into the hills (New Century Version)

by Himself: This phrase means “alone,” “privately,” or “apart.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

alone
-or-
where he could be alone (Contemporary English Version)

to pray: The word pray refers to speaking to God. Jesus praised God, thanked him, or asked him something. This term does not refer to ritualistic words or words of magic.

14:23c

When evening came: This is the same Greek phrase as in 14:15a. But it was several hours later than 14:15a. The crowd had eaten, the disciples had gathered the leftovers, Jesus had sent the crowd home, and he had gone into the mountain to pray. So you should use a term in your language that refers to a time in the evening later than the term you used in 14:15a. Use a term that refers to the time when the sky becomes dark. For example:

Night fell (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

Later that evening (Contemporary English Version)

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