15:31a

The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but that some English versions translate as “so that.” It means “for this reason, therefore, so.” This conjunction indicates that 15:31 is the result of 15:30.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

• Use a conjunction. For example:

As a result (NET Bible)
-or-
Therefore/So

• Begin the verse without any conjunction. For example:

The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking… (New International Version)

The crowd: This phrase refers to the same people as the “large crowds” of 15:30a. The expression you use here should refer to the same group of people.

was amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was amazed indicates that the people were amazed.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

were amazed (New International Version)
-or-
were astonished (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
marveled (New American Standard Bible)

15:31b

they saw the mute speaking: The crowd saw each type of handicapped person (the mute, crippled, lame, and blind) healed and functioning normally. In some languages, it may be more natural to say that the crowd “heard” the mute speaking rather than say that they saw the mute speaking. For example:

they heard the mute speaking. They saw…
-or-
Everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard. (Contemporary English Version)

15:31c

the crippled restored: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as restored means “whole,” or “undamaged.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the maimed made whole/complete
-or-

⌊they saw⌋ the handicapped made healthy
-or-
the crippled restored (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the crippled made well (New International Version)

15:31f

they: The pronoun they refers to the crowds. They are the same people who were amazed in 15:31a. The people whom Jesus healed probably also glorified God. But here the focus is on the crowds who saw all these miracles.

glorified: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glorified means “spoke well about.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

praised (New International Version)
-or-
honored
-or-
spoke highly of

the God of Israel: The term Israel here refers to the “people of Israel.” Also the use of the word of indicates that the people of Israel have a relationship with God. It does not mean that God belongs only to Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

God of ⌊the people/nation of⌋ Israel
-or-
God of the Jews/Israelites

-or-

God ⌊whom the people⌋ of Israel ⌊worship⌋

General Comment on 15:31

It may be more natural in your language to list the people healed first and then the reaction of the crowd. Here is an example:

Therefore, the mute were now speaking, and the crippled were now well, and the lame were now walking and the blind were now seeing. The crowds saw ⌊all this⌋ and were astonished, and they praised the God of Israel.

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