Them is translated “them all” by Good News Translation in order to avoid the possible misunderstanding that the reference is to “the two brothers” mentioned toward the end of verse 24.

The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them may be better translated “foreign kings rule over their subjects” or even “rulers oppress their people” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), without specific reference to their being foreign rulers. This seems also to be the understanding of New English Bible: “in the world, rulers lord it over their subjects.” At the very least them should be identified as either “their subjects” or “their people.”

The expression lord it over them probably can best be translated by an expression that means to have complete authority over them. An example is “rule over them in everything.”

Their great men exercise authority over them, which forms a parallel to the previous statement, is rendered by Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition as “and a man who has power makes it felt by others.” Barclay is similar: “in their society the mark of greatness is the exercise of authority.” If the form of Revised Standard Version is maintained, then it may be necessary to indicate the persons over whom this authority (Good News Translation “complete authority”) is exercised: “… complete authority over their subjects.”

Although for English readers great men may suggest heroes or the like, the context implies negative, or at the very best, neutral overtones. Good News Translation‘s “leaders” would then seem more satisfactory. Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition translates the two clauses as follows: “Rulers tyrannize their people, and those who have power make it felt by others.”

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 .