14:35a
the men of that place: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men:
(1) It refers specifically to men. The Greek word is the more specific term “males,” so it should be translated as “men.” For example:
when the men of that place (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version)
(2) It refers generally to people. For example:
When the people there (New Century Version)
(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Matthew uses the specific Greek word for men rather than the more general word often translated as “people.” It would be the men who would be available and more likely to send messengers throughout the region. The women would most likely be in their homes or buying at the market.
This entire phrase refers to the men of the town and region of Gennesaret.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the men who lived there
-or-
the local men
-or-
the men there (God’s Word)
recognized Jesus: The verb recognized refers to seeing and knowing who a person is. The men had seen Jesus before, so when they saw him this time, they knew who he was.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
identified Jesus
-or-
saw Jesus, they knew who he was
-or-
saw him and said that he was Jesus
14:35b
they sent word: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent word indicates that the men sent a message saying that Jesus was there.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
they sent a message
-or-
sent messengers (God’s Word)
-or-
they told people (New Century Version)
-or-
they spread the news
to all the surrounding region: This phrase refers to the surrounding areas. It was likely those places that were a day’s walk away or less.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
to the whole surrounding area ⌊that Jesus had come⌋
-or-
all around there that Jesus had come (New Century Version)
14:35c
all the sick: This phrase refers to anyone who had something wrong with them, either physical, emotional, or mental. This phrase includes those controlled by a demon.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
those who had something wrong with them
-or-
those who were not well
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