Paragraph 2:24–25

2:24a

But I say: In this paragraph Jesus continued to speak. This should be clear to readers and listeners because no one else has been speaking.

In some languages it is more natural to begin a new paragraph by indicating who is speaking. For example:

⌊Jesus continued,⌋ “But I say….”

But: The Greek word here is often translated as “and” or “but.” Some English versions, such as the New International Version, translate the Greek word here with the English word “now” to introduce what follows.

There is contrast between what Jesus would do with Jezebel and her followers (2:22–23) and how he encourages the other believers in Thyatira (2:24–28). This is why the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions translate the Greek word here as But. For example:

But (Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

the rest of you: This phrase refers to the believers in Thyatira who did not follow Jezebel. They were faithful to Jesus.

2:24b

who do not hold to her teaching: The Greek clause is literally “as many as do not have this teaching.” It refers to the people in 2:24a (“the rest of you in Thyatira”). It further describes some of those in Thyatira. Other ways to translate this clause are:

all who do not accept this teaching (Revised English Bible)
-or-

⌊that is,⌋ all of you who have not followed her teaching

hold: Here the word hold means “follow” or “obey.” The Revised English Bible translates it as:

accept

her teaching: The pronoun her refers to the false teacher called Jezebel.

2:24c

and have not learned: This clause tells the reader more about the believers mentioned in 2:24a (“the rest of you in Thyatira”). Other ways to translate this clause are:

who have not learned (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
or learnt (New Jerusalem Bible)

learned: The Greek word is literally “know.” But many English versions refer to learning the secrets.

the so-called deep things of Satan: The Greek phrase here is literally “as they say the deep things of Satan.”

There are two ways to interpret who “they” refers to:

(1) It refers to the followers of Jezebel. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

what her followers call the “deep secrets of Satan.”

(2) It refers to people in general. For example:

what some call the deep things of Satan (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because “they say” seems to connect to “they” in 2:22. But if the major language version supports interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

deep things: The secrets are figuratively called deep because they are well hidden and difficult to discover. The phrase refers to secret knowledge or practices. It refers to the immoral practices described in 2:20d–e as well as other secrets not described here.

2:24d

I will place no further burden upon you: This statement is probably what Jesus said (2:24a) to the believers who have not followed Jezebel. For example:

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay upon you any other burden (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you (NIV2011)

The word burden refers figuratively to something that is difficult to do. This statement indicates that Jesus would not command the faithful believers to do anything else that was difficult. The several ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the figure of speech. For example:

I will not put any other load on you. (New Century Version)

• Keep the figure of speech and explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

So I won’t burden you down with any other commands. (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

I will ask nothing more of you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will not give to you any other difficult command

no further burden: The phrase no further refers to additional burdens other than those of 2:22–23.

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