Paragraph 20:4–6

20:4a

Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge: These verses do not say whether these judges were angels, people, or other beings. Your translation should allow any kind of being to be the judges. For example:

And I saw thrones, with appointed judges seated upon them (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge (Good News Translation)
-or-
Next I saw thrones. The ones sitting on them were given authority to judge.

the thrones: The word thrones refers to the official chairs where kings or people with great authority sit. A throne represents that authority. See how you translated this word in 19:4. But here, your translation should refer to the chairs of the judges, not the chairs of kings or other leaders.

those seated on them had been given authority to judge: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

to whom ⌊God⌋ had given authority to judge
-or-
whom ⌊God⌋ appointed/chosen as judges

authority: Here the word authority refers to having the right and power to control or rule over someone or something.

judge: The word judge indicates that those on the thrones will decide whether people are guilty of wrongdoing.

20:4b

the souls: The word soul refers to the essential part of a person, the part that does not die when his body dies. Use the usual word for this part of a person.

those who had been beheaded: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. The beast or one of his followers had beheaded the believers. For example:

those whose heads ⌊the beast⌋ had cut off
-or-
those whom ⌊others/enemies⌋ beheaded

beheaded: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beheaded :

(1) It refers to cutting off the head of someone. For example, the God’s Word says:

heads had been cut off

(2) It refers to any kind of killing someone. For example, the New Century Version says:

killed

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the lexicons support it and not interpretation (2).

20:4c

their testimony of Jesus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as their testimony of Jesus is literally “the testimony of Jesus.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It indicates that people gave a testimony about Jesus. For example:

they had told about Jesus (Contemporary English Version)

(2) It indicates that Jesus gave a testimony. For example:

they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

for the word of God: Here the phrase the word of God refers to what God said. It is the message from God to people. The believers believed this word of God. They probably also told it to others.

In some languages it is necessary to explain what was done with the word of God. For example:

because ⌊they believed⌋ God’s message
-or-
because ⌊they followed⌋ God’s word

See how you translated this phrase in 6:9.

20:4d

and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and those who is literally “and who.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase:

(1) It continues talking about those who had been beheaded. For example:

and who had not worshiped the beast or its image (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It introduces a new group of people. For example:

and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

worshiped: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerated
-or-
revered

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 19:20.

its image: This word refers to a statue. See how you translated this word in 13:14 or 19:20.

20:4e

and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands: This is the second deed that these believers did not do. In some languages it is more natural to introduce this clause with the word “or.” For example:

or received its mark on forehead or hand (Revised English Bible)

mark: This word refers to any kind of sign or symbol that is easily seen. These verses do not say how the mark was placed on the hand or forehead. See how you translated mark in 13:16 or 19:20.

20:4f

And they came to life: It is implied that God caused them to live again. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that they returned to life by their own power. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the literal meaning and explain in a footnote that God caused them to live again. An example footnote is:

God caused them to live again.

• Explain in your translation that God caused them to live again. For example:

⌊God caused⌋ them to return to life

20:4g

reigned: This word refers to ruling over people as their leader. For example:

ruled as kings (Good News Translation)

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 12:10.

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