18:13a

if he finds it: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as if he finds it can be more literally translated as “if he happens to find it.” In this story, it is possible that the shepherd does not find the lost sheep.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if he should find it
-or-
if he actually finds it
-or-
When he finds it (Good News Translation)

truly I tell you: Jesus often used these words to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

I assure you (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:

This same clause occurs in 18:3a.

General Comment on 18:13a

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 18:13a. For example:

I tell you the truth, if he finds it,

18:13b

he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray: This is a comparison. The shepherd’s joy concerning the one sheep that he found exceeds the joy he has for the other sheep. It does not imply that he is not happy about the ninety-nine other sheep.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off (New International Version)
-or-
his happiness concerning that one sheep is greater than his happiness concerning the ninety-nine sheep that did not stray

-or-

even though he is happy about the other sheep, he is very happy about the one that he found again

he rejoices more over that one sheep: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as over in this context means “concerning” or “about.” The shepherd is happy about the lost sheep that he found.

than over the ninety-nine: Some words are implied but not repeated here. The complete clause would be:

more than ⌊he rejoices⌋ over the ninety-nine ⌊sheep⌋

that did not go astray: Here is another way to translate this clause:

that did not get lost (Good News Translation)

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