In Greek this verse begins with and behold, which reflects Semitic language. Elsewhere in the Gospel this phrase is used with a special emphasis at 8.24, 29, 32; 9.2, 3, 10, 20; 26.51. Scholars indicate that we cannot speak of a systematic usage of the idiom, even though Matthew enjoys using it to stress something that is important to him. See comment at 1.20. As there, it may be translated as “and then,” “all of a sudden,” or “it happened at that time.”
Leper (so most translations) is translated “man suffering from a dreaded skin disease” by Good News Translation. As scholars note, the Greek word itself provides no real clue, since it can also cover elephantiasis, psoriasis, and vitiligo (depigmentation of skin). Today the term leprosy is properly applied to Hansen’s Disease, which was first isolated in 1871. Although it is possible that the reference here is to what modern science terms leprosy, this is not a necessary conclusion. New English Bible translates “a leper” but follows with a note: “The words leper, leprosy, as used in this translation, refer to some disfiguring skin disease which entailed ceremonial defilement. It is different from what is now called leprosy.” For translation it is best to use a term which may include leprosy but which does not necessarily indicate leprosy.
It is also important to note that institutions that work with leprosy patients prefer that we avoid putting a stigma upon anyone by calling a person a “leper.” It is better to refer to the disease, “leprosy,” and then to state that someone “has leprosy,” or “suffers from leprosy,” or “is a leprosy patient,” rather than marking the individual as a “leper.” We cannot, of course, call it “Hansen’s Disease,” since it did not have that name at the time of Jesus, and to give it that name would be an anachronism.
Having said that, we should point out that in many languages this is hard advice to follow. Some languages can use a general word or phrase much like “dreaded skin disease” of Good News Translation, and if so, translators should use it. But there are many languages that do not have a general word for “disease” or “skin disease” and must therefore always specify which disease. In such cases translators must either say “leprosy” or arbitrarily name some other disease. Some have used “skin fungus,” for example. However, it is unlikely that such an ailment would ever render someone ritually unclean or make him a social outcast the way leprosy would, and for this reason translators may be forced (we hope with reluctance) to revert to using “leprosy,” even though they know it may be incorrect.
Came to him may be “approached him” or “came to where Jesus was walking.”
That the man knelt before Jesus is an acknowledgment of the power and authority of Jesus, since one normally knelt before gods and kings. And, as one commentator observes, in the Old Testament the expression “come and kneel down” often refers to a ritual form of religious adoration. Both Matthew and Mark (1.40) indicate that the man knelt before Jesus, though they each use a different term; Luke (5.12) states that the man “fell on his face.” The expression knelt before is the same as in 2.11. It may be translated here as “knelt down in front of him to show honor” or “knelt down in great respect in front of him.”
Lord is translated “Sir” by Good News Translation and a number of other modern English translations (Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, New American Bible, Barclay, An American Translation). This noun of address here is notable for two reasons. First, it is not found in the Marcan account, and Matthew has a tendency to abbreviate Mark. Second, elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel the noun is used only in the speech of those who believe in Jesus. It is quite likely, therefore, that the term carries the full significance of Lord. The real difficulty is that of the time perspective. It may well be that in the original situation the man meant “Sir.” However, in the context of Matthew writing for the Christian community, the meaning is most probably Lord. In light of this, it seems best to use the term here that is used for Lord elsewhere, as for example when the disciples called Jesus “Lord” (8.25 is an example).
The Christian use of Lord has been handled in many ways. Often there is in a language a respectful term of address used only with chiefs or others to whom one owes allegiance. In many West African languages, Christians have found that the best equivalent is a term which means “Owner” or “Our Owner” or “Owner of the people.” “Lord” is thus one who has authority over us, one to whom we owe allegiance. There are other languages which have a respectful term of address used only for God, and in some cases that works well for the Christian usage also.
For the more common use, the equivalent of “Sir” in English, translators usually use the polite term with which they address some elder or senior person.
If you will (New English Bible “if only you will”; Anchor Bible “if you are willing”) is translated by Good News Translation in such a manner as to leave the false impression that the man was giving Jesus permission to make him well: “if you want to.” Some scholars indicate that the man’s words must not be taken to suggest that he thought Jesus was unwilling to heal him; rather, he addresses Jesus in a complimentary way, because he views him as a miracle worker.
The use of a phrase such as if you will, “would you be willing,” or “if it pleases you” as a very polite way of requesting something, is not uncommon, so many translators will be able to use a sentence similar to the text. In other languages a phrase such as “I would ask that you be willing” is appropriate.
You can make me clean is a literal rendering of the Greek text. As the footnote in Good News Translation indicates, this was a reference to ritual purification. The laws concerning leprosy are found in Leviticus 13–14 and Deuteronomy 24.8. The notion of ritual purification may be difficult in some translations, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has rendered “you can make me well!” Jerusalem Bible has “you can cure me,” as does New American Bible. Barclay also goes in this direction: “if you want to cure me, you can.” This seems to be a better solution than the retaining of the more difficult you can make me clean.
If translators retain the form of the text, you can make me clean, readers may think only of physical cleanliness, as if the man were washed. On the other hand, if they say “you can cure me,” important cultural information is lost. Some translations have tried to convey both by using phrases such as “you can heal me and make me acceptable to mix with people (or, make me clean in regard to God’s things).” But most translations have done something similar to Good News Translation and put the cultural information in a footnote.
The idea of being ritually clean, whether expressed in the text or explained in a footnote, is itself difficult to communicate in many cultures. Some translations have said “to be seen as clean in regards to the things of God (or, in regards to ways of worshiping God)” or “to be free from things God (or, people) call unclean.” Others have had to have a fairly extensive footnote, such as “There are some things that prevent a person from mixing with others and being able to worship God properly. These things are called unclean.”
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 .