Section 9:35–38
The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few
This short section is a transitional section. The section begins with what is probably a summary of Jesus’ activities in chapters 5–9: he traveled around teaching, preaching, and healing people. The section ends with a call to pray to God to send more workers into the harvest. This is an introduction to Jesus sending out the twelve disciples in chapter 10.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The need for more workers in God’s kingdom
-or-
Jesus’ workers are few
-or-
Jesus Has Pity on People (Contemporary English Version)
Paragraph 9:35–38
9:35
This verse introduces the summary of Jesus’ activities in chapters 5–9.
Here are some ways to begin this summary:
So
-or-
In this way
9:35a
Jesus went through: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went through indicates that Jesus traveled from village to village and visited each one. He probably stayed for a day or two in each village. Your translation should not imply that he passed through these villages without stopping.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Jesus went around visiting (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus traveled through (New Century Version)
Jesus took his disciples along with him during his trips. Notice that they are with him in 9:37a. In some languages, it may be necessary to add this information here. For example:
Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ went throughout
all the towns and villages: This phrase probably refers to all the cities and villages in a certain area of the country of Israel. It may have been the district of Galilee, but the exact area is not specified. It probably does not refer to all the cities and villages in the entire country.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
all the towns and villages of that area (New Living Translation (2004))
towns and villages: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as towns refers to communities that are larger and more important than villages. Do not use a word that refers only to large, modern cities of today.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
cities and villages (English Standard Version)
-or-
the big villages and the small villages
9:35b–d
Verse 9:35b–d is exactly the same as 4:23b–d. You should translate these two verses the same way.
9:35b
teaching: In some languages, it may be necessary to say what Jesus was teaching. For example:
teaching ⌊about God⌋
-or-
teaching ⌊God’s word⌋
in their synagogues: The word synagogues refers to buildings where Jews gathered to pray, read Scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship God. The Jews also gathered in synagogues for cultural activities. There was only one temple, but each Jewish community had a synagogue.
The pronoun their refers to the Jews in each town.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
in the prayer-houses of the Jews
-or-
in the meeting-places of the Jews
-or-
in their buildings for worship
-or-
in each of the houses for gathering together
This word first occurs in 4:23b. See the note there for more information.
If a literal translation of in their synagogues would imply that Jesus was not a Jew, you should leave the word their untranslated. For example:
in the synagogues (Good News Translation)
9:35c
preaching: The word preaching refers to announcing news in a public manner.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
proclaiming (English Standard Version)
-or-
announcing (New Living Translation (2004))
This word also occurs in 4:23c.
the gospel of the kingdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gospel is sometimes translated as “good news” (as in the New International Version). In the New Testament, this Greek word specifically means “the good news that God has made a way to save sinful people through Jesus.”
In Matthew, the word kingdom is usually referred to by the fuller expression “kingdom of heaven.” It refers to God’s rule in a person’s life.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the good message about ⌊God’s⌋ kingdom
-or-
the good news concerning ⌊God’s⌋ kingship/ruling
-or-
the good news about submitting to ⌊God’s⌋ rule/authority
This phrase also occurs in 4:23c. You should translate it the same in both places.
9:35d
healing every disease and sickness: The words disease and sickness are a doublet. This means that these words have almost the same meaning. Together, these words refer to every type of illness and physical problem that people can have.
Different cultures categorize diseases and physical problems in different ways. As you translate this clause, remember that Jesus healed people of leprosy, fever, blindness, demon-possession, and various handicaps. You should find terms that cover all (or most) of these.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
• Use two terms. For example:
healing all kinds of diseases and sicknesses (New Century Version)
-or-
healing every disease and handicap
-or-
curing every illness and injury
• Use more than two terms. For example:
he cured people who were sick, handicapped, and injured
-or-
he healed people who had every type of disease, illness, disability, and other sickness
• Use one term. For example:
healing every kind of sickness
-or-
curing everyone who was not well
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