8:11–12
Many Jews believed that when the messiah came, he would establish a kingdom where there would be happiness and rest. They believed that one example of this happiness was a big feast. At that feast, they (the Jews) would have the privilege of celebrating with their important ancestors: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All other people (the Gentiles) would be outside in the dark.
Jesus shocked the Jews by telling them that:
(a) The people at the feast will be those who believe. This will include Gentiles.
(b) Many Jews will be the ones outside in the dark.
In some languages, it will be necessary to indicate that 8:11–12 refers to events in the future. Some ways to indicate this are:
I tell you, one day, many will come…
-or-
I tell you, in the future, many will come
8:11a
I say to you: The words I say to you emphasize the following words. But this expression is less strong than “Truly, I tell you” (8:10c).
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I tell you (English Standard Version)
-or-
Think about this
-or-
Listen
many will come from the east and the west: This clause refers to people who live to the east and west of the land of Israel. They are not from Israel. In other words, they are not Jews. They are Gentiles who have faith like the centurion. It may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:
many ⌊people who are not Jews⌋ will come from east and west ⌊of Israel⌋
-or-
many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west (New Living Translation (2004))
many…from the east and the west: This phrase refers to Gentiles from all areas of the world. In some languages, a literal translation of the east and the west would only refer to two locations. If that is true in your language, you may want to make it clearer. For example:
many Gentiles…from all over the world (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Many people…from everywhere (Contemporary English Version)
8:11b
to share the banquet: In Greek this clause is literally “and will recline.” Some English versions translate this this clause literally. For example:
and recline at table (English Standard Version)
The word “recline” refers to the customary position for eating at that time. Jesus used this clause to refer to the future feast that the Jews were hoping for (described above). The position for eating was to lie on one’s side with the elbow propped to raise the shoulders and head.
The exact position while eating is not important here. What is important is that people understand that this clause refers to eating at the great feast in the kingdom of heaven.
Here are some other ways to translate this expression:
will…sit down…at the feast (Good News Translation)
-or-
will sit and eat (New Century Version)
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: These three men were the first ancestors of the Jews. God gave his promises to them. The Jews expected them to be in heaven. In some languages people are not familiar with whom Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Include some implied information. For example:
⌊our
(incl.) ancestors⌋ Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
• Explain in a footnote. An example footnote is:
These three men were the first ancestors of the Jews. God gave his promises to them. The Jews expected them to be in heaven.
8:11c
the kingdom of heaven: When translating the phrase the kingdom of heaven, there are two issues to consider:
Issue 1: The meaning of heaven
In the phrase the kingdom of heaven, the word heaven is a figure of speech called metonymy. In this figure of speech, heaven refers to God, but it refers to him indirectly by naming the place where he lives and rules. The Jews considered God’s name to be so holy that they hesitated to say it. So instead of pronouncing God’s name directly, they often used the name of the place where he lives and rules. Because Matthew was writing primarily to Jews, he often used the word heaven to refer to God.
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven means the same thing as “the kingdom of God.” The phrase the kingdom of heaven only occurs in the book of Matthew. The expression “the kingdom of God” is found in all other books, and it even occurs five times in Matthew.
Here are some other ways to translate heaven in this context:
• Make some information explicit. For example:
⌊the one/Lord who lives in⌋ heaven
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
God
Issue 2: The meaning of the kingdom of heaven
Both the kingdom of heaven and “the kingdom of God” refer to God’s activity of ruling over his people. God’s rule is not simply giving orders or commands to people. It also includes his protection, care, and blessing for them. God leads, protects, and cares for his people. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. The phrase kingdom of heaven does not refer to a land or country that God rules over.
Here are some other ways to translate the kingdom of heaven:
• As a noun. For example:
the kingdom/rule of ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven
-or-
the kingdom of God
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s rule over people
• As a verbal expression. For example:
God rules his people
-or-
God cares for his people as king
This phrase also occurs in 5:19c. See also kingdom of heaven in the Glossary for more information.
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