Matthew departs from Mark by the inclusion of the discussion about the Temple tax (17.24-27). Now in this brief narrative he again adopts the Marcan scheme of events, though the differences in presentation are such as to suggest that Matthew has concentrated on the question of rank in the Kingdom rather than on the actual rivalry of the Twelve.

At that time (so also Good News Translation, New English Bible) is literally “In that hour” (see comment at 8.13). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “About this time.” The function of the phrase is to indicate that the following event took place in immediate sequence to the discussion of the Temple tax. Translators can also say “Shortly after that” or “A short time later.”

The disciples came to Jesus is a fairly literal rendering of the Greek text. For many languages it will be better to translate “Jesus’ disciples came to him.” In some languages translators will find “went” more natural than came.

The question of the disciples, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? is not easy to restructure meaningfully. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “Who will be the greatest in God’s new world?” and INCL has “Who will be considered the greatest among God’s people?” Greatest here means “most important” or “of highest rank,” so translators must avoid a translation that will refer to size.

Kingdom of heaven was discussed at 3.2. This question of the disciples can be rendered “When God’s rule is established, who will be the most important in it?” or “Of the people who are part of God’s reign, who is the most important?” or “Who is the most important person in God’s Kingdom?”

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 .