5:47a–b
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that if you greet only your brothers, you are certainly not doing more than what other people do.
Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
If you greet only your brothers, are you doing more than others?
-or-
If you greet only your brothers, how are you doing anything beyond what others do?
• As a statement. For example:
If you greet only your brothers, you are certainly not doing anything better than other people do.
Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
if you greet only your brothers: In the Jewish culture of that time, part of the greeting was to ask God to bless and give peace to the other person. You may want to include some of the implied information. For example:
if you greet only your brothers ⌊with a blessing⌋
-or-
if you only greet your brothers ⌊wishing them peace and blessing⌋
you: The you of this clause is plural.
your brothers: In this context, the word brothers probably refers to “those of your own group,” either men or women. If people in your area will think that the word brothers refers only to biological brothers, you may want to use a more general term. For example:
your friends (Good News Translation)
-or-
your fellowmen/relatives
-or-
those from your own ethnic group
5:47c
Do not even Gentiles do the same?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that even pagan Gentiles are kind/friendly to their friends.
Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? (NET Bible)
-or-
Don’t even unbelievers do that? (Contemporary English Version)
• As a statement. For example:
Even the pagans do that! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Even people who do not know God do that!
Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gentiles refers to people who were not Jews. Such people worshiped idols, not the true God.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
unbelievers (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who don’t know God (New Century Version)
-or-
pagans (New International Version)
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