4:24

The Greek of 4:24 begins with a word that is often translated as “and” or “so” (English Standard Version). This word indicates that verse 4:24 is the result of 4:23d. Jesus was healing every disease and sickness among the people in Galilee (4:23d), so as a result of that, news of his healing spread to all of Syria, and the people from there brought their sick people to Jesus (4:24).

Here are some other ways to show this connection:

Consequently
-or-
As a result
-or-
Because of this

Some English versions leave the connection implicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

4:24a

News about Him: The phrase News about Him refers to the news about the miracles of healing that Jesus did.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

his fame (English Standard Version)
-or-
a report about him (NET Bible)
-or-
His reputation (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

spread all over Syria: The word Syria is the name of another district/province like Judea and Galilee. Jesus was traveling throughout Galilee, and even people in the neighboring district of Syria heard about his miracles.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

spread all over Syria (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
became known in the entire ⌊province/district⌋ of Syria

4:24b

people brought to Him: The clause people brought to Him means “people brought their sick to him/Jesus.” Another way to translate this clause is to use a passive. For example:

24c–gall those who were ill with various diseases…24bwere brought to him

4:24c

all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain: In this clause, the word ill is a very general term that includes all those who were not well or who had a physical problem. The terms with various diseases and those suffering acute pain are two categories of people who were sick.

Here is one way to translate this clause:

all the people who were sick and were suffering from different diseases and pains

Different cultures categorize sicknesses, diseases, and physical problems in different ways. So you should translate the clauses in 4:24c using terms and categories that are natural in your language to refer to sick people.

Here are some other ways to translate these clauses:

people who had various diseases, people who had pain
-or-
sick people, and people who were suffering from pain
-or-
people with every kind of illness
-or-
people who were not well

all who were ill with various diseases: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all who were ill with various diseases indicates that one person was suffering from one type of disease, another person was suffering from a different type of disease. It does not mean that each person had several types of diseases.

4:24d

the demon-possessed: The phrase the demon-possessed refers to people who were controlled by demons. Demons controlled the thoughts and actions of these people.

Languages have different ways to refer to possession by demons or evil spirits.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Some of them had a lot of demons in them (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
people controlled by demons
-or-
people on whom evil spirits had fastened

demon: The word demon refers to a spirit being who was once an angel, but who rebelled against God. A demon is also referred to as “evil spirit.” A demon is not the spirit of a dead person.

Here are some other ways to translate demon:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to a spirit that is evil and can control people. For example:

a demon
-or-
a devil

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. Do not use a term that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

an evil spirit

See demon in the Glossary for more information.

4:24e

those having seizures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those having seizures refers to people who have epilepsy. A person who has an attack of epilepsy has a seizure. During the seizure, this person suffers various things. He loses consciousness, he falls down and may injure himself, and his body stiffens and begins to shake violently. After a while, the person stops shaking and regains consciousness.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

people who have spasms
-or-
epileptics (English Standard Version)
-or-
people who faint and shake/tremble violently

4:24f

and the paralyzed: The word paralyzed refers in general to people whose legs are paralyzed. They cannot walk. It can also refer to people who cannot move some other part their bodies.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

people who are crippled/lame
-or-
others could not walk (Contemporary English Version)

4:24g

and He healed them: The word healed is the same word as in 4:23d.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

he cured them
-or-
he made them well

-or-

he caused them to be healthy again

In some cultures, paralyzed people are not considered to be sick. So it is not possible to use the verb healed to describe what Jesus did to all the people. It may be necessary to use two or more verbs here. For example:

he healed the sick and made the others well

Jesus healed miraculously through God’s power. If people in your area will think that Jesus only healed as a doctor does, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

he ⌊miraculously⌋ healed them

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