SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:2

10:2a

In this verse Luke began to quote what Jesus told the seventy-two disciples before they left. Be sure that the sequence of events is clear. See the note on 10:1–2.

And: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And, as do some other English versions (English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible). Many other versions do not translate this conjunction. Connect 10:2a to 10:1 in a way that is natural in your language.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…”: Jesus spoke here of a large crop with only a few people to harvest it. This is a metaphor. It means that many people were ready to hear Jesus’ message, but there were only a few people to tell them.

In some languages people may not understand that Jesus was using a metaphor here, or they may not understand its meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the entire metaphor, but make explicit in some way that Jesus was using figurative language. For example:

He told them ⌊this illustration/parable:⌋ “The…”
-or-
Jesus told them, “⌊I am sending you out like⌋ workers who will harvest a crop. The harvest…”

• Keep part of the metaphor. Make part of the meaning explicit. For example:

There are a great many people to harvest, but there are only a few workers. (New Century Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. Make one or both parts of the topic explicit. For example:

⌊Many people are ready to believe in me,⌋ ⌊but there are not many people to tell them the good news.⌋ ⌊They are like⌋ a big grain field that is ripe, and there are not enough workers to harvest the ripe grain.

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

There are many people who are ready to believe in me, but there are not many who can help/invite them.

This option should only be used if the other options are not clear or natural.

Try to keep at least part of the metaphor if possible. If you translate the metaphor literally, you may want to include a footnote with an explanation. For example:

The “harvest” symbolizes people who need to hear Jesus’ message. The “workers” symbolize people who tell them his message.

The harvest is plentiful: The word harvest refers here to a crop that is ready to be gathered. It is a general word that can refer to different types of crops, for example, ripe grain or fruit. See also Matthew 9:37–38. Other ways to translate this clause are:

There is a large crop ready to be harvested
-or-
The fields are full of ripe grain

the workers are few: The clause the workers are few means that not many people were working in the field to harvest the crop.

the workers: In some languages it may be more natural to translate this phrase with a word that refers specifically to harvest workers. For example:

the reapers
-or-
the harvesters

10:2b

Ask: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Ask means to ask urgently or plead. In this context it can also mean to pray. You may use a word that is appropriate for pleading with a literal human owner of the harvest or for praying to God, the figurative owner. For example:

beseech (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
pray to (New Living Translation (2004))

the Lord of the harvest: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord was used in 10:1a to refer to Jesus. Here it has both a literal and a figurative meaning. In the illustration it refers literally to the owner of a field. He is the one who gets workers to come and harvest the crop. Figuratively, it refers to God. It does not refer here to Jesus. The Greek word meaning “owner” or “master” was the same word that the Jews used for God. That is why the Berean Standard Bible translates it as Lord.

In some languages you may be able to use a word that could refer to both a master/owner or to God. For example:

the owner of the harvest (Good News Translation)
-or-
the master who is in charge of the harvest

In other languages it may be more appropriate to refer specifically to God. For example:

⌊God, who is⌋ the Lord of the harvest
-or-
God, who owns the harvest (New Century Version)

therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as therefore introduces 10:2b as the logical conclusion of 10:2a. The Berean Standard Bible has placed this word in the middle of the sentence. In some languages it may be more natural to place it at the beginning of 10:2b. For example:

therefore ask… (New Revised Standard Version)

to send out workers into His harvest: In this context the word workers implies more workers. The disciples were to ask the field owner to send more people to work in his field to harvest the crop. Some other ways to express this request are:

that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest (New Century Version)
-or-
to send more workers into his fields (New Living Translation (2004))

Here His harvest is a metaphor that refers to the many people in the world who had not heard Jesus’ message. In many languages it will be possible to keep this figure of speech. However, if it gives the wrong meaning in your language, you may translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

So pray to God, ⌊who has been making these people ready to believe⌋. Ask him to send more ⌊disciples⌋ ⌊to help people to come to me⌋.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 10:34

10:34a

He went to him: The Samaritan approached the wounded man and probably knelt down beside him while he treated him. This phrase shows the contrast between the way the priest and Levite acted and the way the Samaritan acted.

and bandaged his wounds: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bandaged is literally “wrapped.” The man probably wrapped or tied strips of cloth around the man’s wounds/injuries.

pouring on oil and wine: In New Testament times, people used oil and wine as medicines. The oil and wine cleansed and soothed wounds.

In some cultures, oil and wine are not used to treat wounds. In other languages, these words are not known or the action of pouring oil and wine on wounds would cause confusion. If this is the case in your language, you can:

• Make explicit the function of the oil and wine. For example:

He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine. (Contemporary English Version)

• State only the function of the oil and wine, but do not translate the actual words. For example:

cleaned…his wounds (God’s Word)

You may also want to include a footnote that explains this action. For example:

The Samaritan cleaned/treated the wounds with olive oil and wine. In those days people used oil and wine as medicines.

oil: In this context oil probably refers to olive oil. This oil came from the fruit of olive trees. People used this oil for many purposes, including cooking, fuel for lamps, and as medicine.

Be careful not to use a word for oil that refers only to motor oil.

wine: The term wine describes an alcoholic drink. It is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. When grape juice ferments, it becomes wine. Because wine contains alcohol, people also used it to clean and heal wounds.

In some areas, people may not be familiar with grapes or with wine. If that is true in your area, some other ways to translate wine are:

• Use a general term for an alcoholic drink.

• Use a specific term that can also be used to refer to alcoholic drinks in general. For example:

millet beer
-or-
palm wine
-or-
something like palm wine

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

fermented fruit juice/water
-or-
grape juice
-or-
fermented grape juice

This word also occurs in 7:33a.

General Comment on 10:34a

The Samaritan probably poured the oil and wine directly on the man’s wounds before he bandaged the wounds. He did not first put the bandages on the man and then pour oil and wine on top of the bandages. Some ways to make the sequence of events clear are:

• Keep the same order, but indicate the sequence of events in another way. For example:

bandaged his wounds after he poured wine and oil on them

• Put the phrases in chronological order. For example:

poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them (Good News Translation)

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

10:34b

he put him on his own animal: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he put means “he set” or “he placed.” The Samaritan had to lift the injured man onto the animal he had been riding. The man was severely wounded and perhaps unconscious. The verb that you use here should be appropriate for a man in that condition. For example:

he lifted him onto his own beast (Revised English Bible)

animal: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as animal is a general term. It refers to an animal that can carry baggage or that a person can ride. In that area, it would have been a donkey or mule. In areas where donkeys are not known, you may use a more general term. For example:

animal (Good News Translation)
-or-
beast (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
mount (New Jerusalem Bible)

brought him to an inn: In this context, the phrase brought him to an inn implies that the Samaritan walked to the inn, guiding the donkey and perhaps supporting the man. Use a natural term in your language to express this idea.

inn: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inn refers to a “guest house” or small “hotel.” It was a building where travelers could pay for a place to sleep and buy food to eat. It was not a place where people came to receive medical treatment.

10:34c

took care of him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took care refers to giving physical help to someone, for example, by bringing him food. Since the Samaritan was already taking care of the injured man, in some languages it may be natural to indicate that. For example:

⌊continued to⌋ take care of him

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 11:24

Section 11:24–26

Jesus warned that an unclean spirit may possess someone again

In the last section, Jesus explained that he cast out unclean spirits by the power of God. In this section, he gave a warning about people who had been delivered from an unclean spirit. He said that if they did not entrust their lives to someone else, they were in danger of being possessed by even more unclean spirits.

Another possible heading for this section is:

The return of the evil spirit (Good News Translation)

There is a parallel passage for this section in Matthew 12:43–45.

Paragraph 11:24–26

11:24a

This verse is the beginning of a new section, so you may want to say explicitly that Jesus was still speaking. For example, you could begin this verse with the words:

⌊Jesus also said⌋ ⌊to the people⌋…
-or-

⌊Jesus then told another parable. He said⌋…

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man: In this context the clause an unclean spirit comes out of a man implies that someone forces it to leave the person that it has possessed. In some languages it may be clearer to make some of this information explicit. For example:

When an unclean spirit leaves a person ⌊it has been possessing⌋
-or-
When an unclean spirit ⌊is caused to⌋ leave a person

unclean spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as unclean spirit is another term for “demon,” so you may use the same expression in your language for both Greek terms.

This term also occurs in 9:42c. See also demon in the Glossary.

a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man means “a person.” This could refer to a man or a woman, a boy or a girl.

11:24b

it passes through arid places: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it passes through arid places means “the unclean spirit wanders/roams around in dry/desert places.” The demon passed through these places but did not stay anywhere.

arid places: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as arid places means “places without water.” Arid places were dry places such as deserts or wilderness areas where people did not live.

11:24c

seeking rest and does not find it: The unclean spirit was looking for a place to rest from its wandering, that is, a place to stay. But it did not find a suitable place. Apparently it wanted to stay in a person whom it could control, as implied in 11:24d.

rest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rest here means “a place to rest.” It refers to a place to live or a home where the unclean spirit could stop wandering around and start to reside.

11:24d

I will return to the house I left: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as house is used here as a figure of speech. It refers to the person whom the demon had been possessing. The word house implies that what the unclean spirit was looking for was a person in whom to live. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that this house is a person. For example:

⌊the man who was my⌋ house/home
-or-

⌊the person⌋ in whom I lived/resided

I left: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I left is literally “from where I came out.” Another way to translate this phrase is:

the house/person that I exited

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 12:2

12:2–3

Many scholars think that one or both of these verses were well-known proverbs that Jesus used more than once in order to emphasize different truths. Here Jesus used the same proverbs he used in Matthew 10:26–27, but he was teaching a different lesson.

12:2a

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed: This proverb gives a reason for Jesus’ warning in 12:1 that the disciples should not be hypocrites like the Pharisees. In some languages it may be necessary to make this connection explicit. For example:

⌊don’t become/be like them because⌋… (Translator’s Reference Translation)

In this context, the proverb means that God will reveal the truth about hypocrites such as the Pharisees. The Pharisees were trying to hide their real motives, but God will one day cause everyone to know what they were really thinking.

Notice that this proverb contains two negatives: nothing and not. In some languages it is more natural to translate without using negatives. For example:

Everything that is hidden will be found out (Contemporary English Version)

concealed…disclosed: In Greek, the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as concealed and disclosed are both passive forms. Some ways to translate these words are:

• As passive forms. For example:

Whatever is covered up will be uncovered (Good News Translation)

• As active forms. Since this verse was probably a proverb, you should try to use a general subject for concealed. You should not refer specifically to the Pharisees. The implied subject of disclosed is God. For example:

⌊No one⌋ can hide anything that ⌊God⌋ will not reveal
-or-

⌊God⌋ will make known whatever ⌊anyone⌋ tries to conceal

Translate these words in a way that is most natural in your language.

12:2b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces a statement that has the same meaning as the previous verse part. Some English versions introduce 12:2b with “or.” Others do not use a conjunction. Consider how your language would connect two similar statements such as 12:2a and 12:2b. See the General Comment on 12:2a–b at the end of 12:2b for ways to translate similar statements.

nothing hidden that will not be made known: This part of the verse repeats the meaning of the previous verse part, using similar words. This is called parallelism and was a common pattern in Jewish proverbs.

In Greek, the word “nothing” is not repeated in the second part of this statement. It has been left implied. In some languages it will be necessary to supply the full clause, as the Berean Standard Bible does by repeating nothing. For example:

⌊there is nothing⌋ hidden that will not be made known

As in the previous verse part, the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hidden and be made known are passive forms. In some languages it may be more natural to translate them with active forms. For example:

⌊God⌋ will make known anything that ⌊a person⌋ hides.

General Comment on 12:2a–b

The parallel statements in 12:2a and 12:2b express the same meaning. No contrast is intended. In some languages it may not be possible to repeat two statements with similar meanings without sounding redundant or without implying a contrast. Two ways to avoid these problems are:

• Use a different general subject in 12:2b. For example:

2aEverything that ⌊people⌋ cover up ⌊God⌋ will uncover.

2b
You
(plur) cannot keep anything hidden forever.

• Reorder or combine the parts with similar meaning. For example:

Everything that is now hidden or unknown will be revealed or made known.
-or-
If people have any secret sins or hidden motives, God will cause them all to be known.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 12:34

12:34

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why the disciples should store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. This is what Jesus told them in 12:33c. Be careful not to imply a wrong connection to a different part of 12:33. Some English versions do not translate a connector here. In some languages it may be helpful to repeat some information from 12:33. For example:

⌊Provide this treasure in heaven⌋ because…

In other languages you may be able to use a more general phrase that refers back to all of 12:33. For example:

Remember/Realize that…

where your treasure is, there your heart will be also: The expression where your treasure is, there your heart will be also means that the place where your treasure is located is the place that you will think about. If a person has stored riches on earth, he will think about them and put efforts into protecting and increasing them. If a person has stored up riches in heaven, he will think about heaven and devote himself to God. Other ways to translate this verse are:

For what you consider to be your wealth is what you will truly love/value and think about.
-or-
Where a person puts his treasure, he will also direct his thoughts.

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of the two clauses in this verse. For example:

For your heart will always be where your riches are. (Good News Translation)
-or-
You will dedicate your life to whatever you consider to be most valuable. (adapted from the TRT footnote)

heart: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heart is used here in a figurative way. The Jews often spoke of the heart as the part of a person in which thoughts and feelings occur.

In some languages people use a different part of the body, such as the mind, throat, liver, or stomach, in this way. In other languages people use a non-figurative expression, as in the TRT example above. You should use an expression that is natural in your language.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 13:7

13:7a

So he said: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that some English versions translate as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible translates as So because it introduces what the owner said as a result of not finding any figs on his fig tree.

to the keeper of the vineyard: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the keeper of the vineyard is a single word that referred specifically to someone whose job is to look after grapevines. Another way to translate this word is:

vinedresser (Revised Standard Version)

Consider if there is a natural expression in your language for a servant who is in charge of looking after vines and trees. If your readers are not familiar with vineyards, you will need to use a more general expression that fits the term you used for “vineyard” in 13:6b. For example:

his gardener (Good News Translation)
-or-
the caretaker/manager of his field/trees
-or-
the person who took care of his farm

13:7b–c

Look: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look is used here to call attention to the next statement. Other ways to translate this word are:

Behold (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
See here! (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Listen!

Several other English versions do not translate this word. If your language has a natural way to draw attention to this statement, consider using it here.

for the past three years: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the past three years means “this is the third year.” The owner had also come looking for fruit the two previous years.

I have come: The owner had come at least three times. It is not clear whether he had come several times a year, or just once a year. Use a verb form that refers to doing something more than once.

13:7d

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore indicates that the command in 13:7d is a result of the situation described in 13:7b–c. In some languages it may be natural to introduce this command with that word or a similar one such as:

So

cut it down!: The command cut it down! implies that the whole tree should be removed, including the roots. In Israel people cut the roots of a tree in order to remove the tree along with its stump. If you have a natural expression in your language for cutting down a tree along with the stump, you may use it here. You may also use a more general expression, as in most English versions.

13:7e

Why should it use up the soil?: This is a rhetorical question. The owner used this question to express his opinion that the fig tree should not be allowed to continue wasting good soil in the vineyard. The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as use up has the basic meaning “make useless.” There are two ways to interpret the word in the context of this parable:

(1) The tree is taking up valuable space in the garden (that some other crop/plant could use to produce fruit). For example:

Why should it take up space? (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The tree is using up the nutrients in the soil (but producing no fruit). For example:

Why should it go on taking goodness from the soil? (Revised English Bible)

(Revised English Bible, NET Bible)

Many English versions translate in a way that allows both these meanings. It is recommended that you also translate in a way that allows both these meanings if possible. For example:

Why should it be wasting the soil? (New Revised Standard Version)

If it is not possible to allow both meanings, then you should follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars.

Here are some ways to translate the owner’s opinion, following interpretation (1):

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why should it be taking up the ground? (New Jerusalem Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

It’s taking up space we can use for something else. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
I will not allow it to keep using the space ⌊and not produce fruit⌋.

Translate this question in a way that is most natural in your language.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 14:4

Paragraph 14:4–6

14:4a

But they remained silent: The clause they remained silent indicates that the Pharisees and experts did not answer Jesus’ question. The text does not indicate the exact reason why they did not answer. They probably realized that people would criticize them for either answer they gave. If they said that it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, the other Jewish leaders could accuse them of not supporting the law against work on the Sabbath. If they said it was not lawful, the common people would accuse them of not caring about the suffering of sick people.

14:4b

Then: In Greek 14:4b begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then. This conjunction introduces Jesus’ next action after the Jewish leaders refused to answer his question. Many English versions, including the New International Version, translate the conjunction as “So.” Other versions, such as the Good News Translation, do not translate this conjunction. Here is another way to connect 14:4a and 14:4b:

When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man… (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate this connection in a natural way in your language.

Jesus took hold of the man, healed him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took hold of the man is literally “having-taken” or “having-taken-hold.” It probably indicates that Jesus put his hands on the man in order to heal him. It does not imply that Jesus took the man to a different location. While 14:4b is part of the same sentence as 14:4a in Greek, in some languages it will be more natural to start a new sentence at 14:4b. Most English versions do that. For example:

So Jesus took hold of the man, healed him (NET Bible)
-or-
Then Jesus touched the man and healed him

sent him on his way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent him on his way indicates here that Jesus dismissed the man. He gave him permission to leave and go home. Be careful not to imply that Jesus harshly ordered the man to leave.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 15:1

Section 15:1–7

Jesus told a parable about a man looking for his lost sheep

In Luke 15 Jesus welcomed sinful people, and many listened to him. However, the Pharisees criticized Jesus for welcoming people like that. Then Jesus told the three parables in this chapter. Each parable tells about something that was lost and the joy of the one who found it. The things that were lost represent sinful people. They need help to be restored to God. The parables illustrate that God feels great joy when even one sinful person repents and is restored to a good relationship with him. In the Notes each parable will be described in a separate section.

The parable in this section is about a sheep that went away from its shepherd. The sheep did not know how to find the shepherd again. When the shepherd noticed that this one sheep was missing, he searched for it diligently until he found it. He then invited his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him that he had found the lost sheep. Another heading for this section is:

The Lost Sheep (God’s Word)
-or-
A shepherd was happy to find his lost sheep

There is a parallel passage for this section in Matthew 18:12–14. However, the context and some of the details are different.

Paragraph 15:1–2

15:1a–b

Now: In this context the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now introduces a new event and a new topic. It is not a time word here. Introduce the topic in a natural way in your language.

all the tax collectors and sinners: The terms tax collectors and sinners refer to people who were known to be sinful. Many Jews refused to associate with such people. See how you translated this phrase in 7:34.

It is clear from 15:2 that tax collectors were included among those who were called “sinners.” In some languages it may be necessary to indicate this connection. For example:

tax collectors and other notorious sinners (New Living Translation (2004))

all: In this context the word all emphasizes that very many tax collectors and other sinners gathered around Jesus. It probably does not indicate that every sinner came. In some languages it may be more natural to make this clear. For example:

many tax collectors and sinners

tax collectors: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tax collectors refers to Jewish men who collected taxes from their fellow Jews for the government. Ordinary Jews despised them because:

(1) Tax collectors worked for a government that oppressed the people.

(2) Tax collectors often cheated the people by collecting more money than the law required and keeping the extra money for themselves.

If you do not have a word in your language for “tax collectors,” some other ways to describe them are:

men who collected taxes/payment for the government
-or-
men who were paid by rulers to collect money for them from people

See how you translated tax collectors in 3:12a. You may also want to include a footnote in your translation to help readers understand why most Jews hated tax collectors.

sinners: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sinners refers to people who habitually disobey God or do not do what he wants them to do. In this context sinners refers to people whom the Pharisees thought were especially sinful. The New International Version uses quote marks to indicate that the people had a reputation for being more sinful than others. Some ways to translate sinners here are:

people who ⌊habitually⌋ sin
-or-
people who do not obey God
-or-
wrongdoers

The word sinners also occurs in 5:30b.

were gathering around to listen to Jesus: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were…gathering around means “were approaching” or “were coming near.” The people were coming nearer to Jesus so that they could listen to his teaching. Other ways to translate this are:

were…crowding in to listen to him (Revised English Bible)
-or-
were coming near Him to listen to Him (New American Standard Bible)

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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.