24:32a

They asked each other: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They asked each other is literally, “and they said to each-other.” It introduces a rhetorical question. Probably one of them asked the question, and the other agreed. Introduce this rhetorical question in natural way in your language. Some other ways to introduce it in English are:

They exclaimed to each other
-or-
They said to each other (Good News Translation)

24:32b

Were not our hearts burning within us…?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the disciples’ feelings as Jesus talked to them. They had intense feelings, which probably included awe, joy, hope, and excitement. The phrase our hearts burning is a figurative way to describe their feelings as Jesus explained the Scriptures to them.

Some ways to translate these intense feelings are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Weren’t our hearts glowing…? (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

• As a statement or realization. For example:

So that’s why we felt such burning/shining ⌊joy⌋ in our hearts
-or-
Our hearts were blazing ⌊with joy/awe⌋

• As an exclamation. For example:

No wonder we felt such ⌊joy/awe⌋ burning in us…!

Translate this emphatic joy and excitement in a way that is natural in your language.

our hearts burning within us: The phrase our hearts burning within us is a figure of speech. It describes very strong, good feelings. These feelings can include joy, awe, love, hope, and excitement. However, in some languages “fire” or “burning hearts” may imply anger or misery. If a literal translation implies a wrong meaning in your language, you should translate it in a different way. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Use a simile. For example:

our joy was like a ⌊beautiful⌋ fire in us

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

we (two) felt great/strong awe/comfort
-or-
how thrilled we were

• Use a figure of speech that has the same meaning in your language. For example:

we were deeply moved
-or-
we were so stirred up

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

24:32c

The clause in 24:32c gives the reason for the disciples’ feeling of joy and excitement in 24:32b. In some languages it is more natural to give this reason before the result in 24:32b. See the General Comment on 24:32a–c below for an example.

as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us: This statement indicates that as Jesus talked to the two disciples, he helped them to understand the meaning of the Scriptures. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the phrases spoke with us and opened the Scriptures to us with one phrase. For example:

while he was explaining to us the written word of God

on the road: The phrase on the road refers to the walk/journey toward Emmaus. Other ways to translate it are:

while we were walking
-or-
during our journey here

opened the Scriptures to us: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as opened the Scriptures is an idiom. It means “explained the Scriptures.” It indicates that Jesus taught the two disciples from the OT Scriptures and explained the meaning so they could understand it. It does not imply that Jesus opened the pages of a book. It also does not indicate that Jesus had a copy of the Scriptures with him. Jesus was teaching the men from his own memory and knowledge of what the Scriptures mean.

Other ways to translate this phrase are:

explained the Scriptures to us (Good News Translation)
-or-
helped us understand the Scriptures

Scriptures: For help in translating the word Scriptures, see the note at 24:27d.

General Comment on 24:32a–c

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

32aThey said to each other, 32c“When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, 32bdidn’t it warm our hearts?” (Contemporary English Version)

Use an order 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.

1:30a

So the angel told her: This clause introduces what the angel said to Mary. The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So is most often translated as “and” in English. Some other ways to translate it are:

Then the angel said to her (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But the angel said to her (New International Version)

In some languages a conjunction may not be needed. For example:

The angel said to her (Good News Translation)

Connect this verse to 1:29 in a way that is natural in your language.

angel: See the note at 1:11a for suggestions about how to translate the word angel. See also angel, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

Do not be afraid, Mary: The angel used the phrase Do not be afraid to comfort and reassure Mary because she was troubled (1:29). The angel said the same words to Zechariah in 1:13a.

Some other ways to translate this reassurance are:

You do not need to be afraid, Mary.
-or-
Mary, do not be troubled/fearful.

1:30b

for: This conjunction introduces the reason why the angel told Mary not to be afraid. Some English versions, such as the New International Version, do not translate this conjunction. Connect 1:30b to 1:30a in a way that is natural in your language.

you have found favor with God: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you have found favor with God means “God has shown you favor/kindness.” It indicates here that God had blessed Mary and given her grace. In this context it specifically refers to the grace and blessing of being the mother of the Christ. Some other ways to translate this are:

You have received favor/grace from God
-or-
You are favored/blessed by God
-or-
God has been gracious to you

Notice that the verb found in the expression found favor means “obtained/received.” It does not mean to discover something or to find something after searching for it.

See grace, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

© 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.

1:62a

So they made signs to his father: The visitors communicated to the baby’s father here by motioning with their hands.

his father: It may be necessary to make it clear that his father refers to the baby’s father, that is, Zechariah. For example:

they made signs to the baby’s father
-or-
they made signs to Zechariah

1:62b

to find out what he wanted to name the child: Luke 1:62b gives the meaning of the people’s question that they asked by making signs with their hands. Some other ways to translate this are:

inquiring what he wanted to name his son (NET Bible)
-or-
asking how he wanted people to call the baby

In some languages it may be natural to express this in direct speech, even though the people communicated this through signs and not through speech. For example:

…they used signs to ask the baby’s father: “What/how do you want people to call the child?”

© 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.

2:46a

Finally, after three days: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as after three days probably indicates that Joseph and Mary found Jesus on the third day after they left Jerusalem. The first day was the day that they left Jerusalem to go toward Nazareth. On the second day they went back to Jerusalem, and on the third day they found Jesus.

If you want to make this clear in your translation you could say:

On the third day ⌊after they left Jerusalem⌋

Most commentators do not think that this phrase means that they searched for him in Jerusalem for three days.

temple courts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as temple courts is literally “temple” (as in most English versions). The temple was in Jerusalem and was the most important place where Jews worshiped God. It consisted of the main building and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. Here “temple” refers specifically to one of the temple courtyards.

Some English versions (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible) have made this clear by translating “temple” as temple courts. You may want to do this also if your word or phrase for “temple” would make readers think that Joseph and Mary found Jesus inside the temple building.

This word also occurs in 2:27a. See the note on 2:27a for examples of how to translate this. See temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

2:46b

among: The word among indicates that Jesus was with a group of teachers. It does not imply that he was one of the teachers. The word among can be translated as “with,” “next to,” “in front of,” or “in the middle of.” Translate it in a natural way in your language for this context.

teachers: The teachers were teachers of the Jewish religion. They were probably some of the best-known religious teachers in Israel.

2:46c

listening to them and asking them questions: Jesus was respectful toward these teachers. He behaved like a student.

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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.

37

3:33

the son of Admin, the son of Arni: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have two generations here. The names vary in the English versions. For example:

the son of Admin, the son of Arni (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have one generation here. For example:

the son of Ram (New International Version)

(New International Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). However, if the major national language version in use in your area follows option (2), you may also wish to follow that option.

© 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.

Section 4:31–37

Jesus cast out an evil spirit

In Nazareth, people did not believe that Jesus was sent by God. In this section, Jesus went back to Capernaum (4:23d). Apparently, the people in Capernaum accepted him. There he commanded a demon to come out of a man. The people were amazed at both the authority and the power with which Jesus spoke.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus Forces an Evil Spirit out of a Man (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus exorcises an evil spirit

There is a parallel passage for this section in Mark 1:21–28.

Paragraph 4:31–32

4:31a

Then: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “and.” Some English versions, such as the English Standard Version, translate it that way. However, since this verse is the beginning of a new story, other versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, translate this conjunction with a time word. In some languages, it will also be natural to begin this paragraph with a time word or phrase. For example:

After that
-or-
One day

He went down to Capernaum: Capernaum is the name of a town. Jesus went down from the town of Nazareth (a higher place) to Capernaum (a lower place). Capernaum was about 580 meters lower in elevation than Nazareth was. It was nearly thirty kilometers away.

In some languages, it is important to say whether people go up or down when they travel. In other languages, this would be unusual and might be confusing. If it is confusing in your language, you should not translate “down.” For example:

Jesus went to Capernaum
-or-
Jesus traveled to Capernaum

a town in Galilee: Capernaum was a town in the province of Galilee. It was on or near the northwest shore of Lake Galilee.

Since Nazareth was also a town in Galilee, it may be necessary to translate this as:

⌊another⌋ town in Galilee

4:31b

and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people: On one particular Sabbath day, Jesus went to the synagogue in Capernaum and began to teach there. While he was teaching, the incident in 4:33–37 happened.

the Sabbath:
The Sabbath day was the name of the seventh and last day of the week for the Jews. See the note on Sabbath at 4:16b for a more complete description.

He began to teach the people: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as began to teach is literally “he was teaching” (as in the Revised Standard Version). It can also be translated as “taught.” For example:

he taught the people (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it may be necessary to say explicitly what Jesus taught the people. For example:

taught ⌊God’s word to⌋ the people

the people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the people is literally “them.” It refers to the people of Capernaum who were in the synagogue that Sabbath day.

© 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.

5:30a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But is literally “And.” It introduces what happened next in the story. This next event happened after the meal. Connect this verse in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Then
-or-
However

In some languages, a conjunction is not necessary here.

the Pharisees and their scribes: The phrase the Pharisees and their scribes indicates that only the scribes who were Pharisees joined other Pharisees in the complaining (see Mark 2:16). Some of the scribes at this banquet belonged to the Pharisee party and others did not. Some other ways to translate this are:

the Pharisees, including the teachers of the law among them
-or-
the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect (New International Version)
-or-
Some Pharisees and some teachers of the Law who belonged to their group (Good News Translation)

the Pharisees: See the note on Pharisees at 5:17a.

their scribes: See the note on scribes at 5:17a. See teacher of the law in the Glossary.

complained: The verb complained here means “grumbled” or “protested.” These religious leaders were disturbed that Jesus and his disciples were eating with tax collectors.

The form of the Greek verb may indicate that they continued complaining for a period of time, rather than that they complained just once. It may also indicate the beginning of such a period. Some English versions therefore translate this as:

began grumbling (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
began to complain (New Century Version)

to Jesus’ disciples: The Pharisees addressed their complaints to Jesus’ disciples. They did not speak to Jesus. However, their complaints concerned Jesus. In some languages it may be more natural to say they “complained against” rather than “complained to.” This is because the disciples were included in the group they complained about.

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. In the New Testament, disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

Some ways to translate disciples are:

• Use a term that refers to people who learn from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learners are often with his teacher. For example:

learners/students
-or-
apprentices

Be careful not to use a term that would refer only to a student in a school or classroom.

• Use a term that refers to people who follow a teacher or leader by obeying his teaching. It is helpful if this term also implies learning from the teacher and actually following the teacher wherever he goes. For example:

followers
-or-
those who are committed/faithful (to a teacher/leader)

See disciple in the Glossary for more information.

5:30b

Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?: This is a rhetorical question. The religious leaders were rebuking and criticizing Jesus and the disciples because they ate with tax collectors and other sinners. They believed that close contact with such people would make them unclean and unfit for worshiping God with other people.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why do you eat and drink with those tax collectors and other sinners? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement or exclamation. For example:

You should not be eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners!
-or-
You are wrong to eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners.

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

you: The word you here is plural and includes Jesus as well as his disciples.

eat and drink with: The phrase eat and drink with is an idiom. It means “have meals with.” Jesus was in the habit of eating meals in the company of sinners. This was not the only time he did this. Another way to translate this is:

have your meals with (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

tax collectors and sinners: The Pharisees were speaking about people whom they considered worse sinners than others. In your translation, it should be clear that tax collectors were included among the sinners. Some ways to translate this are:

those tax collectors and other sinners (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
such scum (New Living Translation (2004))

If you are using footnotes to give background information, you might use one here:

Jews believed that all Jews, except the most sinful, would be saved. Tax collectors were one class of people who were considered terrible sinners, and so God would not save them. Most Jews who kept God’s law would not enter the house of a tax collector or eat a meal with him

tax collectors: See the note on “tax collector” at 5:27b.

sinners: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sinners refers to people who habitually do what is against God’s law. The Pharisees had added many other rules to God’s law. They considered people who did not obey those rules to be sinners. They also believed that such people deserved to be outcasts. Tax collectors were included in this group of people.

The Bible implies that God did not necessarily consider such people to be worse sinners than other people. The New International Version indicates this by using single quote marks: ‘sinners.’ In some languages there may be a special way to refer to people whom others consider to be bad.

© 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.