Paragraph 17:9–13

17:9a

As they were coming down the mountain: In some languages, it will be more natural to say “going” than coming. For example:

As they were going down the mountain

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

As they descended the mountain (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
On their way down from the mountain (Contemporary English Version)

they: The pronoun they refers to Jesus and the three disciples.

17:9b

Jesus commanded them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commanded means “directed,” or “gave orders.” Jesus ordered them to not tell other people what they saw.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus gave them this order (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Jesus warned his disciples (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus instructed them (New International Version)

17:9c

Do not tell anyone about this vision: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vision here refers to the things that the disciples actually saw on the mountain. Here it does not refer to something like a dream.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Don’t tell anyone what you have seen (New International Version)

In some languages, it will be more natural to translate this clause as indirect speech. For example:

not to tell anyone about what they had seen (New Century Version)

17:9d

the Son of Man: Jesus used this phrase to refer to himself. In some languages, this phrase by itself would refer to someone other than Jesus. If that is true in your language, consider translating it as:

⌊I,⌋ the Son of Man

In Matthew, this phrase first occurs in 8:20b. See the Note there for more information on translating this phrase. This phrase last occurs in 16:28b. You should translate it here as you did there.

has been raised from the dead: This phrase refers to returning to life after being dead.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

is brought back to life after being dead
-or-
has come to life again
-or-
dies and returns to life again

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

has been raised from the dead (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use an active verb with the “Son of Man” as the subject. For example:

until the Son of Man rises from the dead

• Use an active verb with “God” as the subject and the “Son of Man” as the object. For example:

until after ⌊God⌋ raises the Son of Man from the dead

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