SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:25

Section 10:25–37

Jesus told a story to show us who our neighbors are

One day as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he stopped to teach people. An expert in the Jewish law was there and asked him a question. The expert asked what he should do to obtain eternal life. He and Jesus discussed this question and agreed that a person must love God and love his neighbor. Then the expert asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered him with a story that was a parable.

In the story robbers attacked a man and left him bleeding on a road. Two Jewish religious leaders passed the man without helping him. Then a man from the province of Samaria came and helped the man. People from Samaria were called Samaritans. The Jews despised Samaritans, so Jesus’ story surprised the Jews.

The person who treated the injured man with love, as a neighbor should, was a Samaritan. The Jewish religious leaders did not show love to the man. Most Jews considered only their fellow Jews to be their neighbors, but by this parable Jesus taught that all human beings are neighbors. We must love every other human being.

Some other possible section headings are:

The parable about the good foreigner
-or-
Who is my neighbor?
-or-
The Good Samaritan

Luke is the only gospel writer who includes this parable.

Paragraph 10:25–29

10:25a

One day an expert in the law: In Greek, this paragraph begins literally with the phrase “And behold.” In this context, the phrase introduces something new that the author wants people to pay attention to. The phrase introduces the expert in the law, who was an important person in the story. It also introduces the new event that Luke was beginning to tell about. One way to translate this is:

And listen! An expert in the law…

In some languages, including English, it is natural to begin a new event such as this with a time word or phrase. Since the text does not include details about when this event happened, you should refer to the time in a general way. Some ways to introduce this event and the expert in the law are:

One day an expert in religious law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then an expert on the law (New Century Version)
-or-
There was a certain expert in the law
-or-
An expert in the law was there.

Introduce the expert in the law and the whole event in a natural way in your language.

expert in the law: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as expert in the law refers to a man who studied, interpreted, and taught God’s laws to the people.

Some English versions translate this term as “lawyer.” However, the function of a lawyer today is quite different from the function of an “expert in the law” in Jesus’ time. The main function of the expert in the law was to teach the laws of Moses.

Some ways to translate this term are:

teacher of the Law of Moses
-or-
teacher of religious law
-or-
expert on the law

This word is different from the word used in 9:22b, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “scribes.” However, both words have the same meaning and refer to the same group of men. It is recommended that you use the same expression to translate both terms.

See expert in the law in the Glossary.

stood up: In Israel at that time, a teacher and his students usually sat while he taught them. When a student asked the teacher a question, the student stood. It is also possible that the lawyer came forward in the crowd in order to speak with Jesus more easily. In some languages it may be helpful to make some of this implied information explicit. For example:

stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊while Jesus was teaching,⌋ a law expert stood to ask a question to test Jesus’ ⌊knowledge⌋
-or-
came forward to test him by asking (Revised English Bible)

10:25b

to test Him: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as test:

(1) It means “to test or examine.” The law expert wanted to test Jesus’ ability to teach and interpret the law by asking him a question. For example:

to test Jesus by asking him this question (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
asked Jesus a question to see what he would say (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New American Standard Bible)

(2) It means “to trap.” The law expert wanted to trick Jesus into saying something that could be used against him. For example:

tried to trap Jesus (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, King James Version, NLV, TLV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions. In other contexts, Jewish leaders did try to trap Jesus, but here, the question was appropriate for testing Jesus’ knowledge about God and his will for people.

10:25c–d

Teacher: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Teacher was a polite title for a Jewish religious leader. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. In some languages the appropriate way to address a religious teacher may be:

Sir Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

Be careful not to use a term that can refer only to a school teacher.

Consider what term of respect people use in your area for religious teachers. If religious teachers are not highly respected in your culture, it may be appropriate to use a term other than Teacher. Use a natural term in your language.

The word Teacher also occurs in 3:12b and 9:38b. See how you translated the same term there.

he asked: The Berean Standard Bible has placed the phrase he asked in the middle of the law expert’s question. In Greek, it comes before the question begins. Place it where it is most natural in your language.

what must I do to inherit eternal life: The man was asking what religious duty or deed he should perform in order to receive eternal life.

Some other ways to translate this are:

what must I do to have eternal life (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what ⌊deed⌋ should I do so that I may live eternally

Almost the same question occurs in Matthew 10:16, Mark 10:17, and Luke 18:18.

to inherit: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inherit means “acquire, obtain.” The man wanted to know what deed would cause God to give him eternal life in heaven. Another way to translate this is:

so that I may receive

In some languages, it may be necessary to say from whom the man expected to obtain eternal life. If that is true in your language, you may need to supply the information that it is God who gives that life. For example:

so that ⌊God⌋ will give me eternal life

eternal life: The phrase eternal life literally means life that never ends. In this context it refers to living forever with God in heaven.

In some languages, a literal translation of eternal life would wrongly mean that the man hoped to live forever on earth without dying. If that is true in your language, it may be necessary to supply some implied information. For example:

life ⌊in heaven⌋ that never ends
-or-
to live forever ⌊with God⌋ ⌊after I die⌋
-or-
so that ⌊God will cause me⌋ to live forever ⌊in heaven⌋

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:15

11:15a

but some of them said: This clause contrasts some of the people in the crowd with the crowd in general. Most of the people were amazed. The smaller group in the crowd spoke to each other, not directly to Jesus. In some languages, it may be clearer to make this explicit. For example:

But some people ⌊in the crowd⌋ said ⌊to each other⌋
-or-
But some of them said ⌊about Jesus⌋

This group is a different group than the “others” in 11:16 who asked Jesus directly for a sign.

11:15b

It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible transliterates as Beelzebul was the name of a pagan god. The people were using it to refer to Satan.

Some ways to translate this are:

• Transliterate the Greek term. The actual Greek term here is best transliterated as Beelzebul (as in the Berean Standard Bible and most English versions). Some English versions, such as the New International Version and King James Version, have used “Beelzebub” in order to conform to 2 Kings 1:2. If you transliterate this term, it is recommended that you follow the Greek form, Beelzebul.

• Use your word for Satan to replace Beelzebul each time it occurs in this passage. For example:

He gets his power from Satan (New Living Translation (2004))

It is also recommended that you include a footnote the first time this word occurs. For example:

Beelzebul is another name for Satan.

If you use the word “Satan” instead of “Beelzebul” in 11:15, 11:18b, and 11:19a, it is recommended that you include a footnote at 11:15. For example:

In the Greek of this passage, Satan is actually called “Beelzebul.” “Beelzebul” was the name of a pagan god, and people also used this name to refer to Satan.

by Beelzebul: The phrase by Beelzebul means “using the power of Beelzebul.” The people were accusing Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul to cast unclean spirits out of people. They did not believe that Jesus did this by the power of God. Some other ways to translate this idea are:

with the help of Beelzebul (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul…to force demons out of people. (New Century Version)
-or-
It is Beelzebul…who gives him the power to drive them out. (Good News Translation)

the prince of the demons: The phrase the prince of the demons means “the leader of the unclean spirits.” This was a reference to Satan, the devil. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the ruler of demons (God’s Word)
-or-
the chief of the evil spirits (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

See demon in the Glossary.

11:15c

drives out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drives out means to cause or force a demon to leave a person. This is the same verb as in 11:14a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:47

11:47–48

In 11:47–48 Jesus criticized the law experts for building tombs to honor the dead prophets. The logic of Jesus’ statement is difficult to follow because:

(a) Normally, building tombs to honor someone is a good thing to do.

(b) If the law experts built tombs for prophets whom their forefathers had killed, people would think they were trying to atone for the sins of their fathers. That too would normally be a good thing to do.

Jesus’ logic was something like this:

(a) The only real way to honor the prophets would be to follow and obey their message.

(b) But the law experts did not obey the message of the prophets. So they were not honoring the prophets.

(d) This was the same as agreeing with what their ancestors did.

See the General Comment on 11:47–48 at the end of 11:48b for some possible ways to clarify 11:47–48.

11:47a

Woe to you!: This phrase is the same as in 11:43a.

11:47b

You build tombs for the prophets: The law experts were apparently in the habit of building fine tombs or memorials to honor the prophets of Old Testament days.

build tombs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as tombs probably refers to stone monuments. These monuments were built at the site of the grave. They served to decorate the grave. Other ways to translate the phrase build tombs are:

make fancy grave markers
-or-
build monuments (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
make/erect memorials
-or-
set up beautiful stones to decorate the graves

prophets: The word prophets describes men and women who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who speaks God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

The word prophets also occurs at 10:24a. See also prophet in the Glossary.

11:47c

your fathers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as fathers figuratively means “ancestors.” Many English versions translate it that way. Another way to translate this is:

your forefathers (New International Version)

killed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as killed can also be translated as “murdered” here. The ancestors of the law experts had killed the prophets unlawfully because they had hated the prophets and their message.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:25

12:25

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “and.” This conjunction introduces a third reason why the disciples should not worry. The reason is that worry does not accomplish anything. Some ways to introduce this third reason are:

Besides that (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
As for worrying
-or-
You also should not worry because…

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one can add a single hour to the length of his life by worrying about it.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can worry make you live longer? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! (New Living Translation (1996))

• As a statement. For example:

You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

a single hour: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a single hour literally means “a cubit.” Many English versions translate it that way. The cubit was a measure of length, about eighteen inches. Here it probably refers to a short time. Use an expression in your language that is commonly used for a short period of time. For example:

a day (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a single moment (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:57

12:57

And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. It indicates that the people themselves should think about what was happening and decide what was right. Jesus was rebuking them because they did not do that.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

You should judge for yourselves what is right.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

judge for yourselves what is right: In this context the phrase judge for yourselves what is right probably refers back to 12:56. It indicates that the people should think about what was happening and decide the right way to interpret it. It probably also implies that they should decide what was right to do about it. The parable in 12:58–59 indicates that they should make peace with God.

Translate this phrase in a way that implies this meaning. In some languages you may need to add a phrase to make the meaning clear. For example:

think ⌊about this⌋ and decide for yourselves what is right
-or-
decide for yourselves what is the right ⌊thing to do in these times⌋

judge for yourselves: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judge often refers to deciding what is right in court cases. In this context the phrase judge for yourselves indicates that the people themselves should think carefully about what was right. They should not rely only on what someone else told them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:30

13:30a

And indeed: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And indeed, literally “And behold,” introduces something that is important and also unexpected. It indicates that the listener should give it special attention. In this context, the unexpected statement that Jesus is about to make is also closely related to what he has just said about Jews and Gentiles. Consider whether there is an expression in your language that has a similar function.

This Greek phrase is not easy to translate into English. Some versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it as “And behold.” Other versions, such as the New Jerusalem Bible, translate it as “Look.” Still other English versions, including the Good News Translation, do not translate it here. Other examples in English are:

Yes, and some who are now last… (Revised English Bible)
-or-
And note this: Some who seem… (New Living Translation (2004))

some who are last will be first: The expression some who are last will be first means that God will consider as very important many people whom others say are not important. In the context this includes Gentiles, whom the Jews considered as less important than themselves. It can also include any other people whom others do not honor or think important. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
There are those who have the lowest place in life now who will have the highest place in the future. (New Century Version)

last: The word last here means “last in importance” or “unimportant.” It does not primarily mean last in time or last in line, though it could include the idea that the Gentiles learned about God after the Jews.

first: The word first here means “important.” It refers to those whom God will favor and honor in his kingdom. It does not primarily refer to being first in time or place. However, it could include the idea that the Jews were the first to know about the true God and hear the gospel of Christ.

13:30b

and some who are first will be last: This expression is the opposite of 13:30a. It contains implied information from that verse part. In many languages it will be necessary to fill in the implied information. For example:

and ⌊there are those who are⌋ first now who will be last

Jesus meant that many people who have high status on this earth will have low status in God’s kingdom. God will not give them important positions, even though people considered them important on earth. Other ways to translate this expression are:

and some who are the greatest now will be least important then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
And there are those who have the highest place now who will have the lowest place in the future (New Century Version)

You should translate this verse part using terms that correspond to those you used in 13:30a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:27

14:27

And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple: If you reordered 14:26 as shown in the preceding General Comment, you may also want to reorder 14:27. For example:

And no one can be my disciple unless he carries his cross and follows me.

carry his cross: The phrase carry his cross refers to the way that Roman soldiers executed criminals. They forced a condemned criminal to pick up a large wooden cross. He had to carry it to the place where he would be put to death. Then the soldiers nailed him on the cross to die.

When Jesus used this phrase, he knew that the Romans would soon force him to carry a literal cross. But in this context, he used the phrase figuratively. Jesus meant that anyone who wanted to become his disciple had to be willing to suffer and die in order to obey him.

Some ways to translate the phrase carry his cross are:

• Translate the figure of speech literally and add a footnote that explains the meaning. A sample footnote is:

In the time of Jesus, a person who was condemned to be nailed to a cross was forced to carry the cross. He carried it to the place where he would be nailed to it. Here Jesus was saying that a person who wants to be his follower must be ready to suffer and die in order to follow Jesus.

• Omit the figure of speech and translate the meaning directly. For example:

is not willing to suffer and even die

If you follow this option, consider adding a footnote that gives Jesus’ literal words.

See also the note on 9:23d, where a similar phrase occurs. Be aware that in that verse, the word “daily” may make a slight difference in the meaning.

cross: A cross refers to two large wooden boards or beams that were attached to each other. Roman soldiers used crosses to kill criminals. They nailed or tied a criminal to these wooden beams, then set them upright. They did this in order to cause the criminal to die slowly and painfully.

The word cross comes from the fact that the beams were crossed and attached. This made the shape of a + or ✝ (or sometimes a T).

In many languages there may be no word for cross. If that is true in your language, you may need to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

board/wood of death
-or-
crossed-beam(s) of death
-or-
a tree for killing people
-or-
a stake/plank to which they fasten/nail someone to kill him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 15:24

15:24a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For gives the reason why the father wanted to celebrate.

this son of mine was dead and is alive again!: The father used the words dead and alive here in a figurative way. He meant that his son was like someone who had died and had become alive again. His son had not actually died, but the father had not expected to ever see him again.

If this expression will be understood literally in your language, you may need to make explicit that it is a figurative comparison. For example:

I thought this son of mine had died and here he is alive!
-or-
It is as if my son had been dead, and now he has come back to life.

this son of mine: This phrase probably indicates that the son was standing right there. The father was probably gesturing toward him as he spoke.

15:24b

He was lost and is found!: This clause expresses the same idea as 15:24a but in different words. The son was not literally lost. He knew how to get back home. But his father compared him to something that gets lost and later someone finds it. As in 15:24a, it may be necessary in some languages to make explicit that this is figurative language. For example:

⌊It is as if⌋ he was lost and now ⌊I⌋ have found him!
-or-
He was ⌊as if⌋ lost, but now he has returned home!

15:24c

So they began to celebrate: Some time passed after 15:24b before the celebration started. The servants obeyed the father and everyone got ready for the party. In some languages it may be necessary to make this clear. For example:

so ⌊they all got ready and then⌋ began to celebrate

celebrate: See the note at 15:23b.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013