SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:24

1:24a

After these days: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as After these days refers to the time after Zechariah returned home from his priestly service. It introduces the fact that Elizabeth became pregnant. It is not clear how much time passed after Zechariah returned home. It is also not clear when Elizabeth went into seclusion. You should translate After these days in this context with a general expression. For example:

After some time (NET Bible)

became pregnant: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as became pregnant means that Elizabeth conceived a child. Use an expression that is appropriate for public reading.

1:24b

remained in seclusion: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as remained in seclusion means that Elizabeth “hid herself” in her house. This implies that she lived a very quiet, private life. She did not go out in public during this time. Your translation should not imply that she was hiding because she had done something wrong.

Some other ways to translate remained in seclusion are:

didn’t go out in public (God’s Word)
-or-
did not leave the house (Good News Translation)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:56

1:56a–b

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home: This statement tells the length of Mary’s whole visit to Elizabeth. After her visit, Mary returned to her home in Nazareth.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:8

Section 2:8–20

Angels announced to shepherds that the Savior was born

In this section some shepherds were taking care of their sheep in fields near Bethlehem. An angel came to them and told them that Christ the Savior had been born that night in Bethlehem. He told them that they would find the baby lying in a feeding box for animals. Then other angels came and praised God. After the angels left, the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found the baby, just as the angel had said they would.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

Angels tell shepherds about Jesus’ birth and the shepherds visit him
-or-
The Shepherds and the Angels (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 2:8–12

2:8a

And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby: This part of the verse is background information. It tells about something that was happening at a different place at the time when Jesus was born. Some other ways to translate this background information are:

That night…near Bethlehem some shepherds were (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Now in this same district there were shepherds (Revised English Bible)
-or-
When Mary bore Jesus, some shepherds were…near Bethlehem
-or-
That night, some shepherds were…nearby (New Century Version)

Express this background information in a way that is natural in your language.

shepherds: The term shepherds describes people who takes care of animals called “sheep.” If there is no word for shepherds in your language, you may use a descriptive phrase. For example:

people who tend sheep

Sheep are domestic animals that are raised for meat and for wool. If there is no word for “sheep” in your language, you may need to borrow the word. Then you can indicate the meaning with a general word in your translation of shepherds. For example:

people who care for ⌊animals called⌋ sheep

If people are not familiar with sheep in your area, you may want to include a picture in your translation.

residing in the fields: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as residing in the fields is literally “living outdoors” or “living in open country.” While the shepherds were watching their sheep near the town of Bethlehem, they were living in the fields there.

fields: These fields were open, grassy areas where the sheep could eat. They were not cultivated fields.

nearby: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nearby is literally “in the same region.” This means in the area around the town of Bethlehem.

2:8b

keeping watch over their flocks by night: The phrase keeping watch over indicates that the shepherds were protecting their sheep. The sheep were not kept in pens at night, so the shepherds took turns guarding them. They guarded their sheep so that no wild animals would hurt them and no thieves would steal them. They also watched them so that no sheep would wander away and become lost. Another way to translate this is:

They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. (God’s Word)

their flocks: The term flock describes a group of sheep. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flocks is singular here, not plural. You may translate this as “flock of sheep” or simply “sheep,” whatever is most natural in your language.

by night: The phrase by night indicates that the shepherds watched the sheep “during the night.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:40

2:40a

grew and became strong:
The word strong here refers to physical strength. As Jesus grew, he became physically strong.

2:40b

He was filled with wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as filled with wisdom is an idiom. It means that Jesus became very wise. Consider whether you also have an idiom in your language to express this.

The word wisdom here refers to understanding and insight, especially understanding of spiritual things. It does not refer only to intelligence or to knowledge that is learned from studying.

Another way to translate this is:

He became very wise
-or-
He gained great insight/ understanding

2:40c

the grace of God was upon Him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the grace of God was upon Him is an idiom. It indicates here that God continually favored and blessed Jesus. Jesus received the ongoing benefits of God’s favor during the years that he was maturing.

The word grace refers here to God’s kindness, favor, or blessing. He showed this kindness to Jesus in special ways. Some other ways to translate the grace of God was upon Him are:

God placed his special favor upon him. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
God continually blessed him.

See grace, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 3:20

3:20a–b

Herod added this to them all: There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) Putting John in prison was one more evil deed among many evil deeds that Herod had done. For example:

So Herod added one more evil to all the others; he locked John in prison. (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) Putting John in prison was the worst evil deed that Herod had done. He added to his sins by committing an even greater sin. For example:

Then Herod did an even worse thing by putting John in prison. (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

He locked John up in prison: In some languages it may be necessary to say that Herod caused John to be put in prison. Herod ordered his soldiers to lock John inside a prison, and they did.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 4:25

4:25

In 4:25–27, Jesus gave two examples to illustrate a prophet helping people in other towns or areas instead of his own people.

4:25a

I tell you truthfully: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I tell you truthfully is literally “in truth I tell you.” Jesus was emphasizing that what he was about to say was important and people must think about it. He was asking people to listen with extra attention.

Some other ways to translate this are:

I tell you the truth that
-or-
Listen to me: it is true (Good News Translation)
-or-
Listen to this

You may also translate this phrase with an emphatic word or phrase such as “indeed” or “certainly.” For example:

There were indeed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 5:13

5:13a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “and.” Some English versions, such as the English Standard Version, translate it that way. Other English translations do not translate this conjunction. Introduce what Jesus did in response to the man’s request in a natural way in your language. You may state directly what Jesus did without using a conjunction, or you may use a conjunction such as “then.” For example:

Then Jesus stretched out his hand (New Revised Standard Version)

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man: In some languages, it may sound unnatural to say “his hand” in the phrase reached out His hand and touched the man. This is because “his hand” is implied in the verb touched. If this is true in your language, use a natural way to express the action in your language. Some ways to translate this are:

Jesus reached out and touched him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus put his hand on him (Contemporary English Version)

5:13b

“I am willing,” He said: In Greek, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He said occurs at the beginning Jesus’ words. The Berean Standard Bible has placed it in the middle of Jesus’ words. Place the phrase where it is most natural in your language. For example:

Jesus reached out, touched him, and said (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus stretched out his hand, placed it on the leper, saying (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

I am willing: The phrase I am willing here means “I am willing to do as you ask” or “I do want to heal you.”

5:13c

Be clean!: The command Be clean! indicates here that Jesus was healing the man and that he was also making him ritually pure. In some languages, it may not be natural to use a command to express this idea. It may be necessary to indicate that Jesus himself was doing these actions. For example:

You are now pure. I heal you.
-or-
I take away your leprosy and make you ritually clean.
-or-
Now you are well. (Contemporary English Version)

If you have healers in your culture, they may use a special expression to pronounce someone well. Consider whether an expression like that would be appropriate for Jesus to say here.

clean: The word here for clean is the same word as in the clause “you can make me clean” at 5:12d. See the note there.

5:13d

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces what happened when Jesus spoke to the man. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Connect this part of the verse to 5:13c in a natural way in your language.

the leprosy left him: In some languages, it may not be possible to speak of leprosy leaving someone. If that is true in your language, use a natural way to express that the man no longer had leprosy. For example:

his skin disease disappeared and he was well again
-or-
he was completely healed/cured of his leprosy

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 6:6

Paragraph 6:6–11

In this paragraph, Jesus demonstrated his authority over the Sabbath. He had just stated in 6:5 that he had the authority to decide what people could or could not do on the Sabbath day. When he healed the man with the shriveled hand, he confirmed that authority.

The Pharisees’ laws about the Sabbath day stated that it was work to heal a person whose life was not in danger on the Sabbath. So when Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day, the Pharisees found a reason to accuse him.

6:6a

On another Sabbath: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as On another Sabbath is literally “and it happened on another Sabbath.” This phrase introduces a new story. This new story occurred on another Sabbath day. It may have been the next Sabbath day or several Sabbath days later. The exact time in relation to the previous Sabbath day story is not in focus. The important information is that this story happened on a Sabbath day.

Some other ways to translate this are:

One other Sabbath day
-or-
On another day of worship (God’s Word)
-or-
Once also on the worship day

For Sabbath, see the note on Sabbath at 6:1a.

Jesus entered the synagogue: The clause Jesus entered the synagogue tells where this story occurred. It occurred in the synagogue of some town. The pronoun he refers to Jesus. Make the subject explicit if it is necessary in your language. For example:

Jesus went into a synagogue (Good News Translation)
-or-
he went into the synagogue ⌊of a certain town⌋

synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read Scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. There was only one temple (in Jerusalem), but each Jewish community had a synagogue. The text does not say where this particular synagogue was.

Some ways to translate synagogue are:

prayer-house ⌊of the Jews⌋
-or-
meeting-place ⌊of the Jews⌋
-or-
worship building
-or-
house for gathering together

If you make the meaning explicit with a phrase such as “of the Jews,” be sure that it does not imply that Jesus was not a Jew.

If the word synagogue is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may want to include a word or phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

the synagogue house/building

See how you translated synagogue in 4:15a. See also synagogue in the Glossary.

and was teaching: Jesus was teaching people things about God and the Scriptures. In some languages it may be necessary with a verb such as teaching to indicate whom Jesus taught and what he taught. The context indicates that Jesus taught them about religious law. You may need to supply some implied information here. For example:

and was teaching ⌊people⌋ ⌊things about God’s law⌋

6:6b

and a man was there whose right hand was withered: This part of the verse introduces a person who will be important in the story. It also tells information about him. Introduce this person in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

There was a man in that synagogue whose right hand was withered.
-or-
A man whose right hand was paralyzed was there. (God’s Word)

hand: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hand includes the fingers, palm, wrist, and forearm. The Greek text does not specify how much of the man’s hand was paralyzed. Probably the whole area from the fingers to the elbow was included.

Each language divides the body differently. If you have a term that includes the area from the elbow to the fingers, you could use that term here. Otherwise, you can use a general term for the hand and arm.

withered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withered means “dry” or “without moisture.” When the word was used to refer to parts of the body, it implied that that part of the body was “lifeless” or “paralyzed.” This man could not move or use his right hand or arm. Some languages would say that this man’s hand was “dead” or “dried.”

Some other ways to translate this are:

a deformed right hand (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
crippled right hand (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:56

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:40

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 3:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 4:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 5:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 6:6

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