20:33a

So then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So then means “therefore/then.” It introduces the question that the Sadducees asked Jesus when they concluded their story. Other ways to introduce 20:33a are:

So tell us (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
As a result, then
-or-
And therefore

Introduce the Sadducees’ question in a natural way in your language.

in the resurrection, whose wife will she be: Here the Sadducees asked Jesus what would happen at the resurrection when the woman and the seven men were alive again. They wanted to know to whom she would be married at that time. Some other ways to translate this question are:

…on the day when the dead rise to life, whose wife will she be? (Good News Translation)
-or-
After the resurrection which of these men will be her husband?

The Sadducees thought that there was no good answer to this question. They expected that Jesus could not answer it wisely, and then people would no longer believe him. They would think that it was foolish for him to teach that God will cause dead people to live again.

in the resurrection: The phrase in the resurrection refers to the time in the future when God will make dead people live again. The Sadducees did not believe that this would ever happen. They referred to it in order to imply that it was ridiculous to believe in it. In some languages it may be helpful to translate in a way that implies this attitude. For example:

When God causes them to live again ⌊as you believe he will⌋

resurrection: For more help in translating resurrection see the note at 20:27b.

20:33b

For all seven were married to her: This clause explains why it was difficult to decide who would be married to the woman after the resurrection. Other ways to translate the clause are:

…whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

⌊It is difficult/impossible to decide,⌋ because each of the seven men had her as wife.

Your translation should not imply that the woman was married to all of the brothers at the same time. She married the brothers one after the other. Consider how to say that clearly in your language.

General Comment on 20:33a–b

It may be helpful in some languages to change the order of these two clauses. For example:

33bSince the seven brothers were married to her, 33ain the resurrection, whose wife will she be?
-or-

33bBecause all the brothers had her as wife, 33awhich brother will have her ⌊as his wife⌋ when all the dead ⌊people⌋ live again?

© 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.

21:18

Yet: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet is often translated as “and.” Many English versions translate it as Yet or “But” because this verse contrasts strongly with 21:16–17. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that although people would oppose them and even kill them, his disciples would not suffer any permanent harm. Other ways to indicate the contrast are:

Yet (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
And even though ⌊they hate/kill you⌋

not even a hair of your head will perish: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not even a hair of your head will perish literally means that even one hair from the disciples’ heads will not be destroyed or lost. It implies that they will not be harmed at all. Other ways to say this are:

even a single one of your hairs will not be lost
-or-
nothing will be lost not even one of your hairs

Jesus used this statement in a figurative way. He spoke about a very small part of a person to imply that the disciples will not suffer any permanent harm at all.

In some languages a literal translation may give a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

• Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:

none of these things can really harm you (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊no one⌋ will be able to ⌊permanently⌋ hurt/harm you

• Use an idiom or figure of speech that expresses the same meaning.

Translate this expression in a natural way in your language. If you do not choose to translate it literally, then you should put the literal text in a footnote.

a hair of your head will perish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perish means “be lost” or “be destroyed.” In some languages people may not speak of a hair being “lost” or “destroyed.” Use a natural verb in your language. In other languages there may be a word that refers specifically to hair of the head. If that is true in your language, the phrase of your head may not be needed.

© 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.

22:12a

And he will show you a large upper room: The clause he will show you indicates that the owner of the house will lead the two disciples to the room. Other ways to translate this are:

He will lead you to a large room upstairs
-or-
The owner will take you upstairs and show you a large room (Contemporary English Version)

a large upper room: The phrase a large upper room implies that the house had a large room built on top of the main part of the building. Often such a room had its own staircase on the outside of the house. In some cultures upper rooms may be unknown. If that is true in your culture, you may:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a large room built on top of the main part of the house

• Refer to it in a more general way. For example:

a large room

If you translate in a general way, you may want to include a footnote or a picture in your translation. For example, the TRT suggests this footnote:

Jews built houses that had flat roofs. Wealthier families often built a large room on the flat roof. (Translator’s Reference Translation)

already furnished: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as already furnished indicates that the room already had furniture. This furniture included cushions or couches, and it may have included a table and other items. Other ways to translate this word are:

already made ready
-or-
furnished (New Century Version)
-or-
with furniture

22:12b

Make preparations there: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Make preparations there is literally “There prepare.” It answers the disciples’ question in 22:9 about where they should prepare. The phrase Make preparations refers to preparing for the Passover meal, as Jesus ordered in 22:8. Refer back to that order in a natural way in your language. For example:

Prepare the Passover meal there. (New Century Version)
-or-
That is where you should prepare our meal. (New Living Translation (2004))

For more information and translation advice, see the notes on 22:8b–c.

© 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.

22:44a

And: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is a common conjunction that is often translated as “and,” “but,” or “then.” In some languages it may be natural to indicate a contrast here. Even though the angel gave Jesus strength in 22:43, Jesus was still in great distress. In some languages a conjunction will not be needed. Connect 22:43 and 22:44 in a natural way in your language.

in His anguish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anguish refers here to the agony that Jesus felt as he thought about the terrible torment that he must endure. He knew that he would be punished for the sins of mankind. These thoughts caused him overwhelming grief. The suffering that he felt caused both mental and physical pain.

Some other ways to translate the phrase in His anguish are:

he felt great suffering/agony
-or-
in this exceeding hardship of his

In some languages there may be an idiom to describe this. For example:

his liver was very grieved
-or-
he was filled with anguish/grief

22:44b

He prayed more earnestly: This clause is a comparison. Jesus was already praying in 23:41–42. After the angel strengthened him in 22:43, he prayed more fervently and urgently. He put much strength, effort, and longing into his prayer. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Jesus prayed even harder (New Century Version)
-or-
he prayed more intensely/fervently

In some languages it may be more natural to translate without using a comparison. For example:

He was praying very fervently (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
He prayed so urgently that

In some languages there may be an idiom to express this. For example:

He poured out his soul in prayer

prayed more earnestly: As 22:42 indicates, Jesus prayed to God, his Father. In some languages it is necessary to make this clear. For example:

spoke more earnestly ⌊to God⌋
-or-
begged ⌊his father God⌋ more urgently
-or-
he prayed all the harder to God

22:44c

His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground: This clause is a simile. There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It indicates that Jesus’ sweat was like blood falling to the ground. It implies that he was sweating so much that drops of sweat fell to the ground as blood does when a person is bleeding. For example:

…his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(2) It indicates that Jesus’ sweat became bloody. Some scholars believe that Jesus began to bleed and that blood mixed with his sweat and fell to the ground. For example:

…His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible)

Most English versions are ambiguous. If it is natural in your language, you can translate it so that either interpretation may be understood. If you need to be specific, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

drops of blood: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drops occurs only here in the New Testament. It refers to very small amounts of a liquid. Blood or sweat often form drops and sit on the skin like little separate bits of liquid. In English these bits are called drops or “beads” (“beads of sweat”). Languages have different words to describe very small amounts of blood. Use a natural word in your language to describe this.

© 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.

23:38a

In Greek, 23:38a begins with two common conjunctions. These conjunctions connect the sign that was placed on Jesus’ cross in 23:38 with what the soldiers said about Jesus in 23:37. The soldiers and also the sign called Jesus “the King of the Jews.” The Roman governor who wrote the sign was also mocking Jesus. He did not believe that Jesus was the king of the Jews. Another way to connect the verses is:

There was also an inscription over him (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may not be natural to use a conjunction. Remember that the Roman governor had already written the sign and attached it before the soldiers mocked Jesus. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as background information.

Connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

Above Him was posted an inscription: The clause Above Him was posted an inscription indicates that a sign was attached to the top of Jesus’ cross above his head. John 19:19 indicates that the Roman governor Pilate wrote the sign. It was a Roman custom to put such a sign on a cross to indicate why the person was being crucified. Pilate did not believe that Jesus was the King of the Jews, and the sign was another way to mock Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Above him were written these words (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ had also written something on a sign and placed it above him
-or-
there was also a message written on a board and nailed to the cross

Above Him: In this context Above Him refers to a place on the cross, above Jesus’ head. When the Romans condemned someone to die on a cross, they wrote his crime on a paper or a piece of wood. When they crucified that person, they nailed the paper or piece of wood above his head on the cross for other people to read. Some other ways to translate Above Him are:

At the top of the cross (New Century Version)
-or-
above Jesus’ head (Translator’s Reference Translation)

was posted:
The phrase was posted introduces the words that were written on the sign above Jesus’ head. Some other ways to introduce them are:

It said (God’s Word)
-or-
The words were
-or-
with these words: (New Living Translation (2004))

Introduce the words on the sign in a natural way in your language.

23:38b

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS is more literally “the king of the Jews (is) this (one).” It implies that Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be the king of the Jewish people. The word “this” is a disrespectful way to refer to a person. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

This one is the Jews’ king
-or-
THIS IS THE KING OF/OVER THE JEWISH PEOPLE (Translator’s Reference Translation)

Some English versions write these words in capital letters because it was a common way at that time to write inscriptions. If that is not true in your language, you may use small letters, as most English versions do.

There is a parallel passage at John 19:19–21 that gives more information about this written notice.

© 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.

24:14

They were talking with each other about everything that had happened: This verse indicates that the two disciples were conversing about events that had happened during the past few days in Jerusalem. Those events included the things that they repeated to Jesus in 24:19–24. They talked about Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion and the reports that he was now alive.

They were talking about these things as they walked along. In some languages it may be helpful to make that clear. For example:

On their way they were talking to each other about the things that had recently happened.
-or-
As they were walking, they talked about all the things that had been happening.

© 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.

24:46a

And He told them, “This is what is written…”: This part of the verse introduces Jesus’ explanation in 24:46b–24:47. This explanation is probably a summary of what Jesus told them as he explained the Scriptures to them in 24:45. In his explanation he referred to various sections in the Hebrew Scriptures. He summarized what the Scriptures said, rather than quoting the actual words.

Some other ways to introduce the explanation are:

Then he said to them, “This is what the Scriptures say…”
-or-
He said, “In the Holy Book it is written…”

See the General Comment on 24:46a–c below for an example of using an indirect quotation here.

24:46b

The Christ will suffer: The phrase will suffer refers here to the suffering that led to the Christ’s death. His death is also implied in 24:46c. In some languages it may be necessary to make his death explicit here. For example:

that the Messiah would suffer and die (New Living Translation (2004))

The Christ: The Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the two words have the same meaning. This title also occurred in 20:41. For more information and translation suggestions, see the note at 20:41b. See also Christ in the Glossary.

24:46c

and rise from the dead on the third day: This clause is very similar to 24:7. You may translate it in a similar way here.

General Comment on 24:46a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech for the quotation in 24:46. For example:

He explained that the Scriptures prophesied that he, the Messiah, must suffer and die but after three days he would live again.

© 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.