Therefore usually introduces a result or a conclusion, but here the logical link between the previous verse and this one is not obvious. The verse is a more general conclusion to the passage, and a transition such as “So then,” “Well then,” or even “It follows, therefore” may be more appropriate.
Scribe (see comments at 2.4) is translated “teacher of the Law” by Good News Translation (New English Bible “teacher of the law”). Barclay has “an expert in the Law” and Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition “every expert of the sacred Scriptures.” Although scribe is frequently used in this Gospel (23 times), this is the only place where it is used of a believer. Most scholars see here a reference to believers in general, though some few see a veiled reference to Matthew himself, since the word translated who has been trained sounds something like Matthew in Greek.
Has been trained for (a participle in Greek) is variously translated: “becomes a disciple in” (Good News Translation), “has become a learner in” (New English Bible), and “has been instructed in the meaning of” (Barclay). Matthew also uses this verb in 27.57; 28.19, though elsewhere in the New Testament it is found only in Acts 14.21. A major question concerns how the participle is to be related to the phrase the kingdom of heaven; and there are at least two possibilities: (1) one may follow Malay common language version (“Every teacher of the Scriptures who has learned how God establishes his rule in the world…”) or (2) one may go the route of Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition (“Every expert in the sacred Scriptures who has submitted himself to God’s rule…”). Translators who follow the first interpretation can also say “Every teacher of the Law who has learned about God’s rule (or, reign),” “… learned the truth about God’s rule,” or “… the meaning of God’s rule.” Those who follow the second may have “Every teacher of the law who has learned what it means for God to rule over him” or “… learned to put himself under God’s rule.”
It is worth noting that most of these examples use active sentences with the verb “learn” instead of the passive one, has been trained. Translators thus avoid the question of who trained these teachers of the Law for the Kingdom of heaven.
Householder (so also New English Bible) is “homeowner” in Good News Translation. The problem is that for American speakers of English householder is not in current usage; New American Bible has “the head of a household,” which is satisfactory. Elsewhere Matthew uses this noun in 10.25; 13.27; 20.11; 21.33; 24.43. The noun itself can mean either one who owns the house or one who is the head of a household, and quite often the two are not closely distinguished.
There is also a question regarding the meaning of what is new and what is old. Some scholars believe that Matthew here intends a contrast between the new (Jesus’ interpretation of the Law) and what is old (Judaism’s interpretation of the Law). But both what is new and what is old are here spoken of favorably, which leads to the conclusion that an alternative interpretation must be sought. At least two options present themselves: (1) Matthew may be thinking of the Old Testament together with Jesus’ interpretation and application of it, or (2) he may have in mind the Church’s application of the Law (what is new) in light of Jesus’ interpretation of it (what is old). Fortunately this is not the sort of information that should or may be placed in a translation. Translators should leave it quite general, as in “old things” and “new things.”
Brings out may need to be “takes out” in some languages. The text does not specify to where the householder takes these things or why, and the translation should be suitably general also. It is assumed that these are things to be used in the household.
Treasure (see 2.11; 6.19, 20, 21; 12.35) is translated “storage room” in Good News Translation and “storeroom” in New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible. As the translations indicate, the noun may refer either to the treasure or to the place where the treasure is stored, which seems to be the meaning here. “Place where he stores his things” is thus an acceptable rendering.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .