5:18a
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for Jesus’ statement in 5:17. It does not introduce the reason for something. Many English versions do not translate this conjunction.
I tell you truly: Jesus often used the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I tell you truly to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. When he began a statement with these words, he was asking people to listen with extra attention.
Here are some other ways to introduce this:
I assure you (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:
If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.
until heaven and earth pass away: The phrase until heaven and earth pass away is another way of saying “until the end of the world.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
as long as heaven and earth last (Good News Translation)
-or-
as long as earth and sky are still here
-or-
until the earth and heaven cease to exist
heaven: In this context, the word heaven refers to the sky (including the place where the sun, moon, and stars are). It does not refer to the place where God lives.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
the sky
-or-
the above
5:18b–c
not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law: This clause indicates that no part of God’s law will ever be removed or become invalid, not even the smallest part.
This clause uses the parts of writing words to refer figuratively to the commands and teachings in the law. It may be more natural in your language to refer to the commands and teachings directly rather than use parts of writing figuratively. For example:
not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with (Good News Translation)
-or-
even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain (New Living Translation (1996))
5:18b
a single jot: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as jot is literally “iota.” An “iota” is the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. It can also refer to a very small stroke of a pen or it can represent a small letter, like the English letter “i.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
the smallest part of a word
-or-
the shortest word
-or-
the smallest point of writing
not a stroke of a pen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not a stroke of a pen is more literally “not one pen stroke.” This phrase refers to the smallest part of a letter. It would be like the dot above the letter “i” or the cross mark on the letter “t.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
a dot (English Standard Version)
-or-
even the smallest part of a letter
5:18c
will disappear from: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disappear is the same word as in 5:18a. There the Berean Standard Bible translates this word as “pass away.”
Some languages may not use the same verb in both places. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
pass (English Standard Version)
-or-
be removed
-or-
be changed
the Law: Here the words the Law refer generally to the whole Old Testament. Use a phrase that can refer to the whole Old Testament. For example:
God’s Law (New Living Translation (2004))
5:18d
until everything is accomplished: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as until everything is accomplished is more literally “until all (things) happen.” This indicates that the law is in effect until everything happens that is supposed to happen. Every prophecy must be fulfilled, and every commandment must be completed/accomplished. Then the end will come, and only at that time will the law no longer be valid.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
until everything has happened (New Century Version)
-or-
until all that must happen has happened (Revised English Bible)
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