SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 120

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:15

20:15a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So is often translated as “and.” Here it introduces what the tenants did as a result of their discussion. After they talked about the situation, they did what they had decided to do. Connect this verse to 20:14 in a way that is natural in your language.

they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him: The tenants threw the son out of the vineyard and then killed him there. They did not kill him in the vineyard and then throw his dead body out. Be sure that this is clear in your language.

they threw him out of the vineyard: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they threw him out was also used in 20:12. It indicates that the tenants forced the son out of the grape farm. They may have pushed or dragged him. They may even have carried him and thrown him down outside the grape farm.

and killed him: The tenants killed the son illegally. Another way to translate the clause is:

Then they murdered him.

20:15b

What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked it to make people think about what the owner should do. Although the people probably knew the answer to the question, Jesus answered it himself. He used the question to direct attention to the obvious conclusion of the parable. Some ways to translate this question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

⌊Jesus then asked,⌋ “What ⌊do you think⌋ the owner of the vineyard will do?”

• As a request or command. For example:

Now tell me what the owner of the vineyard will do.

• As a statement. For example:

⌊Now then, here is⌋ what the owner of the vineyard will do.

Use a natural way in your language to help people think about the conclusion of this parable.

What then: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What then introduces a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question so that his readers would think about how his parable should end. Some English versions have a result connector like “so” here. Consider how to connect this question to the parable in a natural way in your language.

do to them: In this context do to them implies that the owner would punish them in some way. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit:

do to ⌊punish⌋ them.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:47

20:47a

They defraud widows of their houses: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as They defraud widows of their houses is literally “who devour/eat the houses of widows.” This phrase an idiom. It indicates that the teachers of the religious law often tried to get as much money as they could from widows. The text does not specify how they did this. They may have persuaded the widows to give them generous gifts. Some other ways to translate this are:

But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
They persuade/manipulate widows to give them everything they have
-or-
They exploit widows and take their possessions and homes

If you have an idiom or phrase in your language that expresses this meaning, consider using it here. For example:

They fatten themselves by consuming the possessions/money of widows

houses: The word houses here is a figure of speech. It includes the widows’ money and other possessions, in addition to their homes.

20:47b

and for a show make lengthy prayers: This phrase implies that the scribes only pretended to be godly when they prayed. They prayed long prayers in public, wanting people to think that they were close to God. In reality, they were greedy and corrupt. See Matthew 6:5–8. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and then say long prayers to make themselves look good (God’s Word)
-or-
and then try to make themselves look good by saying long prayers (New Century Version)

for a show make lengthy prayers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for a show means “for a pretense.” The scribes prayed long prayers because they wanted to impress people. They wanted people to think that they were righteous, so they prayed long prayers in public where other people could see and hear them. Some ways to translate this are:

say long prayers to make themselves look good (God’s Word)
-or-
pray long prayers so ⌊people⌋ will think they are righteous
-or-
and then make a show of saying long prayers (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be helpful to use indirect speech here to express what the scribes wanted people to think. For example:

They pray long prayers so that people will say, “They are so righteous!”

make lengthy prayers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as make…prayers is literally “praying.” It refers to speaking to God. In this context it refers to formal prayers that the teachers prayed aloud in public. The phrase make lengthy prayers indicates that when the teachers prayed in public, they prayed for a long time. Some ways to translate this are:

pray for a long time
-or-
pray with many words

Some languages may use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. Here you should use a word or phrase that has a general meaning.

20:47c

These men will receive greater condemnation: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as These men will receive greater condemnation is more literally “They will receive the greater condemnation.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. There is an implied comparison here. The clause implies that the scribes will be punished more than other people will be punished. In some languages it may be necessary to make the comparison explicit:

They will be punished more severely ⌊than other people⌋.

greater condemnation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greater means “very great, much greater.” For example:

They will receive much more severe punishment

In some languages it may be necessary to indicate who will punish the scribes. If that is true in your language, you should indicate that God will punish them. For example:

⌊God⌋ will punish them much more severely/greatly ⌊than he will punish anyone else⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:32

Paragraph 21:32–33

21:32a

Truly I tell you: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Truly I tell you is literally “Amen I tell you.” Jesus used it to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. It indicates that the statement is important and reliable, and people should listen carefully to it. For more information and translation examples, see the note on 18:17a.

21:32b–c

this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened: There are many different ways to interpret this clause and the words and phrases it contains. Here are the three most likely interpretations:

(1) It refers to the people who were alive in Jesus’ lifetime. It indicates that they will not all die until the things that Jesus mentioned have happened. For example:

the present generation will live to see it all (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It refers to the people who will be alive at the time when the signs in 21:25–26 begin to happen. For example:

The people living at that time will certainly not all die before those things happen.

(3) It is used more generally to refer to the Jews as a race or specifically to Jewish people who refused to believe in Jesus. For example:

Some of this race/type ⌊of people⌋ will still be alive/existing when these things happen.

Most English versions translate the phrase literally as this generation, as the Berean Standard Bible does, or as “the people of this time.” It is good to translate the phrase so that people can interpret it in different ways. If you must make one of the interpretations explicit, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

all these things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the phrase all these things literally means “all ⌊things⌋.” There are different ways to interpret the phrase in this context. Two of the major interpretations are:

(1) It refers to signs that happened at the time when Jerusalem was destroyed.

(2) It refers to all the signs and even includes his return.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This fits with the interpretation that the Notes recommend for “this generation.” Many people who were listening to Jesus were still alive when Jerusalem was destroyed. However, it is good not to be too explicit in your translation, since there are many ways to interpret this verse.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:26

22:26a

But you shall not be like them: In Greek this clause is more literally, “But you, not so.” This is an ellipsis. Some information is left out of the clause. It introduces an emphatic contrast between Jesus’ disciples and the rulers of the Gentiles. Jesus’ disciples will be different from those rulers. They must not be like the rulers who do not serve God. Some other ways to translate this ellipsis are:

But among you it will be different (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Not so with you (NET Bible)
-or-
But it is not this way with you (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But you must not be like that (New Century Version)

Translate the ellipsis in a natural way in your language.

22:26b–c

In 22:26b–c Jesus described the humble attitude that he wanted his apostles and other leaders to have. He made two parallel statements that have almost the same meaning. He used these parallel statements to emphasize the meaning.

These statements contrast with the two parallel statements in 22:25 about the attitude of Gentile leaders. Consider how to emphasize this contrast in a natural way in your language.

Instead: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead introduces a statement that contrasts with 22:25. In that statement Jesus told his apostles to have a totally different attitude from the rulers in 22:25. In 22:26a Jesus already indicated that his apostles must not be like those rulers, so in some languages a conjunction may not be needed here. Some other ways to introduce this statement are:

But (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Rather (God’s Word)
-or-
Not so with you: on the contrary… (Revised English Bible)

Begin 22:26b in a natural way in your language.

the greatest among you should be like the youngest: This clause indicates that the apostle who is greater than all the others should behave very humbly. He should treat the others as humbly as if he had the lowest status among them. In Jewish culture the youngest people in a group had the lowest status. Some other ways to translate this are:

The greatest person among you must be like the lowliest
-or-
The most important one of you should be like the least important (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your greatest person must ⌊behave as humbly⌋ as the youngest person

the greatest…the youngest: The Greek text uses singular forms for the greatest and the youngest. However, in this context Jesus referred to any and all of the leaders among his followers. In many languages it may be more natural to use plural forms. For example:

Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank (New Living Translation (2004))

the greatest: The phrase the greatest occurred in 22:24b. You should translate in a similar way here.

should be like the youngest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as youngest usually refers to being young in age. But in this context, it refers to having low status. In Jewish culture, the youngest people in the group should serve all the others. They should do the hard work that the others did not want to do, and they should not expect others to honor them.

In this context Jesus compared this attitude to the humble attitude that he wants his apostles and other followers to have. In some languages you may need to make the meaning more explicit. Some ways to translate it are:

must regard himself as the least of all.
-or-
he must consider himself as if he is the youngest

22:26c

and: In most English versions, the parallel clauses in 22:26b and 22:26c are joined with the word and. In some languages a word like and may not be appropriate to join two statements with very similar meanings. Some other ways to connect them in English are:

yes
-or-
indeed

Connect these statements in a natural way in your language. In some languages a connecting word or phrase may not be needed.

the one who leads like the one who serves: This statement is an ellipsis. The full form is:

the one who leads ⌊should be⌋ like the one who serves

This statement has a similar meaning as the one in 22:26b. The phrase the one who leads refers to the same person as “the greatest among you” in 22:26b. Other ways to make this clear in English are:

⌊Yes,⌋ as he rules ⌊them⌋, he should behave like a person who serves.
-or-
when he leads ⌊others⌋, he must consider himself ⌊their⌋ servant

As in 22:26b, Jesus referred here to every disciple of his who rules or leads other disciples. Each leader should have the humble attitude of a servant. He should look for ways to help and serve others. In some languages it may be more natural to use plural forms. For example:

people who rule ⌊others⌋ should serve ⌊them⌋

the one who serves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the one who serves refers to someone who helps, serves, or works for another person. Another way to translate it is:

a servant (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:58

Paragraph 22:58

22:58a

A short time later: The phrase A short time later refers to a short time later that same night. By that time it would have been early in the morning but still dark. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

After a while (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
A little later (New International Version)

someone else saw him: The context implies that this person who saw him also realized that he had seen Peter before. Other ways to translate someone else saw him are:

another person saw Peter (New Century Version)
-or-
a different person noticed him
-or-
one of the other people there looked at him

someone else: The phrase someone else refers to one of the other people in the high priest’s courtyard. It does not imply that the person was a servant, so it is good to translate the phrase in a general way. See the examples in the note above.

22:58b

You also are one of them: In Greek this statement is emphatic. The man emphasized that Peter surely was one of Jesus’ companions. As in 22:56c, the word also means either “too” or “indeed, certainly.” See the note on 22:56c.

Some ways to translate the statement are:

You are one of them, too! (Good News Translation)
-or-
You are certainly one of them!

are one of them: The phrase are one of them may refer to being one of Jesus’ disciples or being one of the companions who were with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. In some languages it may be necessary to translate are one of them with a more specific phrase. For example:

are one of his companions

22:58c

Man: Here Peter addressed the person who spoke to him as Man. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Man means “person.” It was a common way for a Jewish man to address a person whom he did not know. Peter was not being rude or insulting the man. If it is unnatural or impolite in your culture to address a man in this way, you may:

• Omit the direct address, but make it clear that Peter was replying to the man.

• Use a different form of address in your language that is more natural or polite for this situation. For example:

Sir
-or-
My friend

Use a common way in your culture to address a man whom you do not personally know.

I am not: Here Peter falsely declared that he was not one of Jesus’ companions. This statement is similar in meaning to his denial in 22:57. Some ways to translate it are:

Definitely not.
-or-
I am not his companion.
-or-
That is not true!

Translate the denial in a way that is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 23:20

23:20

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Wanting to release Jesus gives the reason why Pilate appealed to the people again. He spoke to them again about Jesus, because he wanted to let him go free. In Greek the word order is different, as in the New Living Translation (2004):

Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a natural order in your language. The context implies that Pilate wanted to release Jesus because Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent. In some languages it may be necessary to include this implied information. For example:

Pilate ⌊knew that Jesus was innocent and⌋ wanted to release him, so he spoke to the people again.

Pilate addressed them again: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as addressed literally means “called to,” or “talked to.” Pilate called out to the people. The text does not indicate exactly what he said. He may have said the same thing he had said in 23:14–16.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 23:52

23:52a–b

He went to Pilate: The phrase He went to Pilate indicates that Joseph went to Governor Pilate to make a formal request. He did this after Jesus had died. Connect this request to 23:51 in a natural way in your language. In some languages it may be helpful to use a time phrase. For example:

⌊After Jesus died,⌋ Joseph went to Governor Pilate

Introduce Joseph’s request in a natural way in your language.

to ask for the body of Jesus: The clause to ask for the body of Jesus indicates that Joseph asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the cross so that he could bury it. Another way to translate this is:

he begged/requested Pilate to allow him to take Jesus’ corpse and bury it

The context indicates that Pilate gave him that permission. In some languages it may be necessary to make that explicit. For example:

he asked Governor Pilate to allow him to bury Jesus’ body. ⌊Pilate agreed⌋

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech. For example:

he said to Pilate, “Please allow me to take Jesus’ body and bury it.” ⌊Pilate said, “You may do that.”⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 24:28

Paragraph 24:28–35

24:28a

As they approached the village where they were headed: This clause tells about the progress of the men’s journey. It also introduces the next event, which happened while Jesus was talking to them. Other ways to translate the clause are:

By this time they were nearing Emmaus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
So they approached the village where they were going
-or-
After a while, they came near the village to which they were going

they approached…they were headed: The phrase they approached indicates that the three travelers, including Jesus, were coming near the village. However, the phrase they were headed probably refers only to the two disciples, who lived in the village. In some languages it may be helpful to make this clear. For example:

As they ⌊all/three⌋ approached the village where the ⌊two disciples⌋ were heading/stopping

the village where they were headed: The phrase the village where they were headed refers to the village of Emmaus. It was mentioned by name in 24:13. Refer to it here in a natural way in your language.

24:28b

He seemed to be going farther: The clause He seemed to be going farther indicates that the disciples thought that Jesus intended to continue his journey. Jews often invited fellow Jews who were traveling to eat or lodge with them. It would not have been usual for Jesus to come with them if they had not invited him. It is best not to translate in a way that implies that Jesus was trying to deceive them.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

Jesus seemed to be going farther (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he walked ahead as if he were going on (New Revised Standard Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013