19:28a
Truly I tell you: This same expression occurs in 19:23a. You should translate it here as you did there. For example:
I assure you that
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:
19:28b
in the renewal of all things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the renewal of all things is more literally “rebirth.” It refers to the age to come (see 12:32) when God makes the world new again.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
In the age when all things are renewed (NET Bible)
-or-
in the world to come (God’s Word)
-or-
in the New Age (Good News Translation)
-or-
when ⌊God⌋ makes the world/earth new again
19:28c
the Son of Man: Jesus used the phrase the Son of Man to refer to himself. In some languages, it may be necessary to add the pronoun “I” to show that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:
⌊I,⌋ the Son of Man
In Matthew, this phrase first occurs in 8:20b. See the Note there for more information on translating it.
sits on His glorious throne: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as His glorious throne is more literally “throne of his glory” (as in the New Revised Standard Version). This phrase does not only mean that the throne itself is glorious. It means that the person (Jesus) who sits on the throne is glorious. When Jesus sits on this throne, it shows that he has power and authority.
Also, Jesus will sit on this throne to rule. He will not sit on this throne because he needs to rest. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
will sit on his great throne (New Century Version)
-or-
will sit on his chief chair in glory/greatness ⌊to rule⌋
-or-
will sit with his authority/power on his chair/stool ⌊to rule⌋
In some languages, there may be a special verb that describes a chief sitting to rule. It may not be necessary to also translate the word throne. For example:
will sit in/with power to rule
glorious: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glorious is more literally “of glory.” Here it refers to the greatness and power of the person who sits on the throne.
throne: A throne is a special chair on which a king sits. He sits on this chair to judge and rule and show that he has authority.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
king’s chair
-or-
chief’s stool
19:28d
you who have followed Me: This clause refers to the twelve disciples whom Jesus chose.
Here is another way to translate it:
you, my followers (God’s Word)
-or-
you twelve followers of mine (Good News Translation)
-or-
you, my disciples
will also sit on twelve thrones: The word thrones here is the same as in 19:28c. Translate it here in the same way.
19:28e
judging: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judging:
(1) It refers to governing/ruling. According to this interpretation, it refers to using authority over a period of time. It is similar to Moses judging/ruling the people of Israel for forty years. For example:
to rule (Good News Translation)
(2) It refers to deciding whether people are guilty or innocent, and deciding how the guilty people must be punished. According to this interpretation, it refers to a single event on judgment day. The disciples will judge Israel. They will condemn some of the people of Israel for rejecting Christ.
If you can translate this word with a term that includes both interpretations, you should do that. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Jesus promised his disciples a reward for abandoning everything to follow him. That reward is that they will reign with him.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
rule/reign
-or-
govern
the twelve tribes of Israel: The word tribes refers to “clans.” The twelve clans started from the twelve sons of Israel who founded the nation of Israel.
Here the word tribes does not refer to distinct ethnic groups who spoke different languages and had different customs.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the twelve clans of Israel
-or-
the people who descended from the twelve sons of Israel
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