Scribe: see comment at 2.4. These men were expert in Jewish religious law. Good News Translation usually translates “teacher of the Law.”

This is the first time in the Gospel where Jesus is addressed as Teacher. It is quite natural that someone interested in the detailed interpretation of the Jewish Law should use this noun of address, and it seems strange that Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch should drop it from translation. Elsewhere in Matthew it is used as a noun of address for Jesus in 12.38; 19.16; 22.16, 24, 36. In 26.18 Jesus refers to himself as “the Teacher” when sending his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal. Some languages do not normally address someone with a title like Teacher, but if possible the term should be retained. It was a title of respect.

I will follow you: as stated in the introduction to verses 18-22, follow here takes on the extended meaning of “become a follower” or “become a disciple.” The man is declaring his willingness to become one of Jesus’ disciples, but as the next verse will reveal, he is not prepared to make the full commitment that discipleship involves. As we have pointed out before, it would be incorrect to use a term that merely meant “to follow behind.” “Go with” or “accompany” would be better, but “become one of your disciples” or “become one of your people” may be even closer to the intended meaning. Then it will be necessary to add “and I’ll go with you wherever you go.”

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 .