22:10a
And those servants went out into the roads: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as roads is the same word as the word “roads” in the phrase “main roads” in 22:9a. The servants went to the roads that led out of the city. But here it is a general reference to “roads,” so other ways to translate it are:
into the streets (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to the paths/trails
In some languages, it will not be natural to repeat the word roads here. So some other ways to translate this clause are:
So the servants went there
-or-
Then the slaves went
22:10b
and gathered all whom they found: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as gathered is also means “brought together.” This clause indicates that the servants did just as the king commanded them to do.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
collected together (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
brought in (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
assembled
22:10c
both bad and good: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as bad is more literally “evil.” It indicates that some of the people whom the servants collected were people whom Jews would consider sinful (or unrighteous).
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
both evil and good (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
bad behavior/character as well as good
In this phrase the word bad is emphasized because it comes first. This is opposite the usual order.
22:10d
So: The Greek conjunction that the English Standard Version here translates as So is the ordinary conjunction that joins two events or things. Many English versions translate it as “and.” For example:
and (New International Version)
the wedding hall was filled with guests: The Greek word that the English Standard Version here translates as wedding hall is the same word translated as “wedding feast” elsewhere in this chapter (22:2b, 3b, 4f, 9b). However, because this word is together with the verb was filled here, it seems to indicate a place like a room or building where the wedding was celebrated, rather than the event itself.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
the banquet room (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the place/house of the wedding
This is a passive clause. There are two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
The banquet room was filled with guests (Contemporary English Version)
• Use an active verb. For example:
Many people came and filled the place of the wedding.
with guests: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as guests refers to people who actually came to the wedding. This is the second group of people whom the king invited to come.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
with people (Good News Translation)
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