SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 132

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:14

Section 11:14–23

Jesus proved that he did not use Satan’s power

This section is not explicitly connected with the preceding section in time, place, or theme.

In this section, Jesus cast out a demon that made a man mute (11:14). Some people who were there commented to each other that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan (11:15). Jesus gave them two reasons why this could not be true (11:17–19). He concluded that he cast out demons by the power of God (11:20). Then he told a parable (11:21–22) that showed that he is stronger than Satan.

Some other headings for this section are:

Jesus is stronger than Satan
-or-
Jesus and Beelzebub
-or-
Jesus sends unclean spirits away by defeating Satan

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 12:22–30 and Mark 3:20–27.

Paragraph 11:14–16

11:14a

One day: This verse introduces a new story, but it does not provide any information about where or when the story occurred. In some languages, an introductory word or phrase is necessary to show that a new story is beginning. The Berean Standard Bible adds One day to show this. Other ways to translate this are:

One time (New Century Version)
-or-
Another time (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Luke 11:14a does not specifically mention the man who had an unclean spirit. In some languages, it will be more natural to introduce this man. For example:

There was a man who had an unclean spirit. This unclean spirit made him mute. One day, Jesus drove out this unclean spirit…

Jesus was driving out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was driving out is literally “was casting/throwing out.” To drive out an unclean spirit means to cause the unclean spirit to stop controlling the person. Jesus did this by commanding the demon to leave.

Jewish people often spoke of unclean spirits as being in someone. Different cultures have different ways of speaking about people being controlled by demons and being released from the control of demons. Use a natural expression for this in your language. Some ways to translate this are:

sent away
-or-
exorcized/expelled
-or-
caused to leave

a demon that was mute: The phrase a demon that was mute refers to an unclean spirit that caused a person to be mute or not able to speak. When that demon was in a person, one of the results was that the person could not speak. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a demon from a man who couldn’t speak (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The demon had made the man unable to talk. (God’s Word)

This phrase does not mean that the demon itself was mute.

demon: The word demon also occurs in 9:1b. See the note there for information about translating this term. See also demon in the Glossary.

11:14b

And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke: In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that the demon left or came out of the man who had been mute. For example:

The demon came out from the mute man, who then began to speak

11:14c

The crowds were amazed: The crowds have not been mentioned in this story up to this point. In some languages you may need to introduce them by saying something like:

there were a lot of people ⌊watching⌋, and they were amazed

amazed: The word amazed means “marveled,” “astonished,” or “surprised.” The people were astonished that Jesus was able to make the mute man able to speak.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:46

11:46a

“Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied: In Greek, Jesus’ reply is more literally “Also to you experts in the law, woe.” The word you is in an emphatic position in the sentence. It indicates that Jesus was now addressing the law experts specifically. For example:

As for you experts in the law, woe to you also

You may have a natural way to indicate this in your language. Remember that some languages place a focused item first in the sentence; other languages place it last.

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

He replied: The Berean Standard Bible has placed He replied after the start of what Jesus said. In the Greek text, these words are at the beginning of the verse. Place them wherever it is natural in your language.

11:46b

You weigh men down with heavy burdens: This is a metaphor. It indicates that the experts in the law were teaching people that they must keep many difficult laws in order to please God. Their teachings were like heavy burdens to the people.

In this metaphor the topic is implied. The chart below gives the full metaphor:

topic

⌊you make the Jewish people follow many complicated religious laws that are too difficult to obey
⌋

image
you make people carry loads that are too heavy for them

point of similarity
both are too difficult to do

God intended that the Old Testament Law should show people how to serve him happily. But these experts in the Law had made it into an unbearable burden by adding many extra laws.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make the topic explicit. For example:

⌊you make people follow many rules. It is as if⌋ you are placing heavy loads on their backs that they are unable to carry.

• State the meaning of the metaphor directly. For example:

You make strict rules that are very hard for people to obey. (New Century Version)

If possible, use words that would imply a heavy load. For example:

you crush people with unbearable religious demands (New Living Translation (2004))

Remember that one of the purposes of a metaphor is to create a picture in the hearer’s mind. So if possible, your translation of this metaphor should help your readers to imagine a heavy load.

11:46c

but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load is an idiom. It can be translated more literally:

you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers (Revised Standard Version)

There are two ways to interpret this idiom:

(1) It means that the law experts made no effort to help others follow their laws. They did not make the laws any easier, and they did not give any help or counsel to people who were trying to obey them. For example:

you yourselves will not stretch out a finger to help them carry those loads (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means that the law experts made no effort to try to obey their own laws. They were hypocrites who did not follow their own teaching. Instead, they were experts in finding ways to avoid following the law. For example:

you yourselves don’t even try to follow those rules (New Century Version)

(New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions. It is clear from the preceding context that the Jewish leaders were careful to follow even unimportant regulations.

will not lift a finger to lighten their load: The phrase lift a finger is an idiom in English as well as in Greek. It means here that the law experts refused to make any effort to help lighten the burdens of the people.

Some ways to translate this are:

you do not help them even by using one of your fingers
-or-
you do not do the smallest thing to help them
-or-
you do not help people even a little bit

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:24

12:24

In this verse Jesus gave another reason why the disciples should not worry about food and clothes. He explained that God takes care of the physical needs of birds, so he will certainly care for the disciples. They are much more important to God than birds.

12:24a

Consider the ravens: The clause Consider the ravens indicates that Jesus was introducing an example or illustration. He wanted people to think about ravens and learn something from what he said. Think about how someone would introduce such an illustration in your language. Also consider if you would naturally use the article (the ravens) or omit it. Some other ways to introduce this example are:

Think about ravens, ⌊for example⌋.
-or-

⌊Let me illustrate by⌋ reminding you about the ravens.

ravens: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ravens refers to any birds of the crow family, including ravens, rooks, and jackdaws. These are all large, black birds that the Jews considered to be of no value, since they could not be eaten. According to Leviticus 11:15, they were unclean birds. You may want to include this information in a footnote.

If your language has no word for ravens or “crows” or similar birds, you may use a more general term. For example:

Look at the birds. (New Century Version)

12:24b

They do not sow or reap: Here Jesus was stating something that was obviously true. In some languages it may be natural to indicate this by saying something like:

⌊You/We know that⌋ they do not sow or reap

sow or reap: To sow is to plant seed by scattering it on the ground by hand. To reap is to cut ripe grain and bring it in from the field. In this verse the focus is not on the type of crop or on the method of planting or harvesting. So you may use general terms that refer to any crop. For example:

They don’t plant or harvest (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They don’t plant seeds or gather a harvest (Good News Translation)

12:24c

they have no storehouse or barn: Jesus was again saying what everyone knew. Crows do not have barns or storehouses for storing extra food. In some languages it may be clearer to refer to the purpose of the storerooms or barns rather than the buildings themselves. For example:

they do not store away their extra food

storehouse or barn: A storehouse is a place in which people keep grain and other food. A barn refers to a structure built for holding grain. It is the same word that was used in 12:18b. See how you translated the word there.

12:24d

yet: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as yet here introduces something that happens in spite of what was recorded in the previous verse parts. Another way to introduce 12:24d is:

but ⌊nevertheless/still⌋

God feeds them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as feeds in this context means “provides food for.”

12:24e

Some English versions, such as the New International Version, begin this verse part with the word “and” in order to connect the following exclamation to the preceding context. There is no conjunction in the Greek text, and some other English versions do not supply a conjunction here. You may do whatever is natural in your language.

much more valuable you are than the birds!: This is an exclamation. Jesus was emphasizing the fact that his disciples were much more important than birds were. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate who valued the disciples so highly. If this is true in your language, you should supply “God.” For example:

And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊God⌋ values you much more than he values birds!

In some languages it may be more natural to express this emphatic exclamation as a rhetorical question. For example:

Aren’t you far more valuable ⌊to God⌋ than birds?
-or-
You certainly have more value ⌊in God’s sight⌋ than birds, ⌊don’t you?⌋

valuable: In this context the disciples were valuable in the sense of being of great worth and importance to God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:56

12:56a

You hypocrites!: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hypocrites (adding the word You to show that this is direct address) refers to people whose words are inconsistent with their behavior. They may pretend to be different than they really are, or they may not realize that their beliefs about themselves are not true. In this context the people were intelligent enough to recognize the signs that rain or hot weather was coming. But they refused to recognize that Jesus’ miracles were signs that he was the one whom God had sent to save the world.

Translate hypocrites with a term in your language that fits this context. In some languages you may have an idiom to express it. Some other ways to translate it in English are:

You frauds! (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
You inconsistent people (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
You people think you know so much

See the note on “hypocrisy” in 12:1d. See also the note on “hypocrite” in 6:42d. In some languages, the term for “hypocrite” may be general enough to fit all these contexts. In other languages, it may be necessary to use a different term for different kinds of hypocrisy.

12:56b

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky: This clause indicates that the people in the crowd could understand the weather signs (clouds and wind) that they could see on the earth and in the sky. Other ways to translate this clause are:

You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You can predict the weather by looking at the earth and sky (Contemporary English Version)

12:56c

Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. Jesus was rebuking the crowd for not knowing how to interpret the events that were happening at that time. He implied that they should know how to interpret them.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why don’t you understand what is happening now? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

But for some reason you don’t know how to judge the time in which you’re living. (God’s Word)
-or-
You should know how to interpret the present time!

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

interpret the present time: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as interpret the present time refers to interpreting what was happening in that period of time. Jesus was referring specifically to the years when he was teaching and doing miracles among the people. The people did not know how to interpret what Jesus was doing. They did not understand that God had sent him, and they did not know what God was going to do through him.

In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

interpret ⌊what I am doing at⌋ this time
-or-
understand the meaning of ⌊the signs that God is causing me to show at⌋ this time

interpret: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as interpret refers to examining or considering something and making a decision about its worth and value. In this context Jesus probably implied that the people should carefully consider the signs that Jesus had done and decide what the signs meant.

the present time: The phrase the present time refers here to the period of history in which Jesus and his listeners were living. It does not refer only to the time when Jesus was speaking to that particular crowd.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:29

13:29a

People will come from east and west and north and south: This clause refers to Gentiles, people who were not descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It indicates that non-Jewish people will come from many different places and countries to take part in the feast.

In languages where it is not natural to refer to four specific directions like this, you may translate more generally. For example:

People will come from all over the world (God’s Word)
-or-
People will come from all directions (Contemporary English Version)

13:29b

will recline at the table in the kingdom of God: The Jews believed that they would go to a great feast when the Messiah came. In this verse Jesus implied that many Gentiles would also join in this feast.

will recline at the table: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as will recline at the table refers to the custom in Jesus’ time of reclining around a table in order to eat a formal meal. If reclining does not carry this meaning in your culture, you may:

• Use the normal position for eating in your culture. For example:

sit down at the feast (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Use a general expression for eating at a feast but do not specify the particular position. For example:

take their places at the banquet (Revised English Bible)
-or-
eat (New Revised Standard Version)

in the kingdom of God: The phrase in the kingdom of God also occurs in 13:28b. Translate it in a way that is consistent with your translation there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:26

14:26a

If anyone comes to Me: It is implied from 14:26d that the person comes to Jesus in order to follow him or to become his disciple. In some languages it may be more natural to make this information explicit here. For example:

If a person comes to me ⌊to be my disciple⌋

anyone: Jesus was speaking here to anyone in the crowd. In this context, English can use a wide range of nouns or pronouns. For example:

a person
-or-
people (God’s Word)
-or-
Those (Good News Translation)
-or-
you (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a natural way in your language to address any individual in a crowd.

14:26b

and does not hate: This verse part gives the condition that a person must fulfill in order to become Jesus’ disciple. In many languages it will be more natural to state this condition in a separate clause as a requirement. For example:

he must hate

hate: The word hate is used here as a figure of speech in which hatred means “a lesser degree of love.” When Jesus said that a person must hate his father and mother, he did not mean that a person must literally hate his parents. He meant that a person must love his father and mother less than he loved Jesus. He must love Jesus more than he loved his father and mother. See the parallel verse in Matthew 10:37.

In some languages a strong word such as “hate” will express the right meaning very dramatically. In other languages, a literal translation will express the wrong meaning. Jesus did not literally mean that anyone should “hate” his family. Some translation options to avoid that wrong meaning are:

• Keep the literal word “hate” but make explicit that it is a comparison. For example:

you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother… (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a strong expression such as “reject” or “turn his back on” that avoids the unacceptable connotations of hatred. For example:

and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers… (God’s Word)

• Translate the figurative meaning directly. For example:

but loves his father, mother…more than me (New Century Version)

his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters: Languages express these terms in different ways. In some languages it may be more natural to say “his parents, his spouse and children, his siblings.” Use terms that are natural in your language.

14:26c

yes, even his own life: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as yes, even are literally “and also in-addition.” These words emphasize the phrase his own life. It was startling enough for Jesus to say that a person had to hate his own relatives. It was even more startling that a person needed to hate his own life. He needed to love Jesus more than he loved himself and be willing to die for Jesus if necessary.

The Berean Standard Bible uses long dashes at the beginning and end of this phrase to indicate this emphasis. You do not need to use dashes unless it is natural in your language. Another way to emphasize this last item in the series is to start a new sentence. For example:

In fact, he must hate even his own life. Otherwise, he cannot be…

14:26d

he cannot be My disciple: If you stated 14:26b as a requirement “he must hate,” you will need to connect 14:26d in a different way. For example:

⌊Otherwise,⌋ you cannot be my disciple
-or-

⌊If you do not do this,⌋ you cannot be my follower

disciple: For help in translating the word disciple, see the note at 9:14b.

General Comment on 14:26a–d

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:

26aNo one who comes to me 26dcan be my disciple 26bif he does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—26cyes, even his own life.

It is also possible to follow this order but translate the figurative meaning of “hate”:

26aThose who come to me 26dcannot be my disciples 26bunless they love me more than they love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, 26cand themselves as well. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 15:23

15:23a

Bring: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Bring indicates here that the servants should go out to the pasture or barn and get the fattened calf.

the fattened calf: Jewish families who had enough money fed one of their young cows much grain so that it would become fat. Then when the family wanted to have a special feast, it would be ready to be killed and eaten. If it is not natural in your language to speak of a fattened calf, you may translate this phrase as:

the fat/best calf
-or-
the calf that we(incl) have been fattening

calf: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as calf refers to the male offspring of a cow. If the idea of killing a calf is unacceptable to your readers, you may be able to use a more general word for a domestic animal. For example:

our fattest/best animal

and kill it: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kill means here to kill and butcher it. In some languages it may be necessary to supply the implied information that the calf was to be cooked or roasted. For example:

kill/butcher it ⌊and cook/roast it⌋

15:23b

Let us feast and celebrate: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let us feast is literally “let us eat.” The father was saying that they would all eat a big meal together and rejoice that his son had returned. He probably implied that they would invite people and have a big celebration. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this implied information explicit. For example:

Let us have a feast to celebrate ⌊my son’s return⌋

celebrate: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as celebrate literally means “make merry.” It refers here to enjoying oneself by eating a good meal. Another way to translate celebrate here is:

we will enjoy ourselves
-or-
we will be happy together

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 16:23

16:23a

In Hades: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word Hades, which many English versions translate as “hell,” but which the Berean Standard Bible, like many other English versions, transliterates as Hades:

(1) It refers here to Hades, the place where the spirits of dead people stay until the final judgment. For example:

In Hades (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011), Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It refers here to hell, the final place of punishment for the wicked people. For example:

He went to hell (God’s Word)

(New International Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries. This interpretation is consistent with the way that the word Hades is most frequently used in the New Testament (see Revelation 20:13).

It is implied that the rich man’s spirit went to Hades after his body was buried. In some languages it may be more natural to make this event explicit. For example:

and his soul went to the place of the dead (New Living Translation (2004))

Hades: Some ways to translate Hades are:

• Transliterate the word and add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Hades, the place/world of the dead

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the place where the dead live

• Use a term in your language that refers to the place where the spirits of dead people go.

See also “hell,” sense A, in Key Biblical Terms.

where he was in torment: The clause he was in torment means that the rich man was in much pain. He was suffering greatly because God was punishing him. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he was in much pain (New Century Version)
-or-
he…was suffering terribly (Contemporary English Version)

16:23b

he looked up and saw Abraham from afar: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he looked up and saw is literally “he lifted up his eyes and saw.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. This was a common expression that often meant simply “he looked.” The important point is not that he saw Abraham in a higher place, but that he saw Abraham from a distance. For example:

he saw Abraham in the far distance (New Living Translation (2004))

However, the Jews commonly thought of Paradise as being up, and the place where the wicked stayed in Hades as being “down.” So if it is natural to use a word that means “look up” in your language, you may do so. For example:

As he looked up, in the distance he saw Abraham and Lazarus. (God’s Word)

16:23c

with Lazarus by his side: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as with Lazarus by his side is literally “and Lazarus in his bosom.” Several English versions translate it this way. See the note on 16:22b. Here this expression means that Lazarus was next to Abraham.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013