SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 141

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:34

11:34–36

In 11:34–36, Jesus used the word “body” to refer to the person himself. Consider if it would be better to make this explicit. One way to do this in English is to use “you” throughout this passage. For example:

34Your eye is your lamp. When your eyes are good, you also are full of light. But when they are bad, you also are full of darkness. 35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if you are full of light, and no part is dark, you will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use terms such as “a person” and “his” in parts of 11:34–36. For example:

34aThe eye is the lamp of a person’s body. 34bWhen a person’s eyes are good, his whole body also is full of light. 34cBut when they are bad, his body also is full of darkness. 35He must see to it, then, that the light within him is not darkness. 36aTherefore, if a person’s whole body is full of light, 36band no part of it dark, 36cit will be completely lighted, 36das when the light of a lamp shines on him.

Also note that in the Greek text Jesus used the singular forms for “your” and “you” throughout this passage. However, he was talking about anybody and everybody. Consider if it would be better to use the plural forms for “you” and “your” in this context. The Display will use both forms.

11:34a

Your eye is the lamp of your body: This is a complex metaphor. It compares a person’s eyes (both physical and spiritual) with a lamp. The point of similarity is that both of these help him to see. A person’s physical eyes receive light and enable him to see where he is going and what is happening. A person’s spiritual eyes represent his attitude toward Jesus and his message. This attitude determines whether a person will understand the message.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

A person’s eye is like his lamp.

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the point of similarity. For example:

Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. ⌊It helps you to see.⌋

If the figure of the eye is not understood correctly, you may want to add a footnote. For example:

In Jewish thinking, the eye was the part of the body that could receive or see light. Here Jesus used the eye as an illustration of a person’s willingness to receive spiritual light or truth.

Your eye: In some languages, it may be more natural to use the plural “Your eyes” rather than the singular “Your eye.” For example:

Your eyes are the lamp for your body (Contemporary English Version)

your body: The phrase your body is a figure of speech. This phrase represents you as a whole or you as a person. As mentioned above, some other ways to translate your body are:

you
-or-
a person

11:34b–e

In 11:34b–e, Jesus used good eyes and bad eyes as a figure of speech. He contrasted the results of having good eyes and bad eyes. In the example below, the meaning of the figure is put in parentheses.

34bWhen your eyes are good (When you accept my message),

34cyour whole body also is full of light (you will understand the truth about me and it will guide you to do what is right).

34dBut when your eyes are bad (But when you ignore or reject my message),

34eyour body also is full of darkness (you will remain ignorant of the truth about me).

11:34b

When: The word When introduces a condition or circumstance. It is not an expression of time.

your eyes are good: The word good in this context means “healthy.” A person whose eyes are good, healthy, or clear can see well. The meaning of this figure is, “If you accept my message.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When/If your sight is good
-or-
If you are able to see clearly/properly
-or-
A person with good eyes

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

⌊A person who accepts my message is like⌋ someone who has good eyes. If a person is like that…

11:34c

your whole body also is full of light: The clause your whole body also is full of light pictures light entering the body and lighting up the entire body. In this context, the meaning is that the person’s whole being (body/mind/heart) will be completely lit up. The meaning of this figure is “he will really/properly understand the truth.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is light in/for the whole body
-or-
you will have plenty of light
-or-

⌊it is as if⌋ your entire mind/being is illuminated

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

⌊he will completely understand the truth. It will be as if⌋ his whole body is illuminated.

11:34d

But when: These words introduce a contrast to the situation described in 11:34b. See the note on when in that verse part.

they are bad: The word they in this clause refers to “your eyes” as in 11:34b. In this context, “bad eyes” refers to eyes that are diseased or that have something wrong with them. The meaning of this figure of speech is “if you reject my message.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When your sight is bad/faulty
-or-
If you are not able to see clearly/properly
-or-
A person with bad eyes

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

But ⌊a person who rejects my message is like⌋ someone whose eyes are bad. If a person is like that…

11:34e

your body is full of darkness: The clause your body is full of darkness is a figure of speech. It means that light is not able to enter the body, so the inside of the body is dark. In this context the meaning is that the person’s whole being (body/mind/heart) will be completely dark. The meaning of this figure is “he will be completely unable to understand the truth.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is darkness for the whole body
-or-
you will live in darkness
-or-

⌊it is as if⌋ your entire mind is in the dark

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

⌊he will be completely unable to understand the truth. It will be as if⌋ his body is completely dark inside.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:12

12:12

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why the disciples should not worry about their defense (12:11b). They should not worry because the Holy Spirit will help them know what to say. Express this connection in a natural way in your language.

at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say: This clause indicates that when Jesus’ disciples were at the court, the Holy Spirit would cause them to know what they should say. Most English versions have translated the verb literally as “teach.”

at that time: The phrase at that time refers to the time when the disciples needed to speak in court.

what you should say: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what you should say refers to what was necessary or right for the disciples to say to the people in the court. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

what you must say (New Century Version)
-or-
what is the right thing for you to say (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the best way to respond

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:44

12:44

Truly I tell you: The expression Truly I tell you emphasizes that what Jesus was about to say would certainly happen. The same expression occurs in 12:37b.

you: The word you here is plural. Although Jesus was answering Peter’s question, what he said applied to all of his disciples.

he will put him in charge of all his possessions: The expression he will put him in charge of all his possessions means here that the master will give his faithful servant authority to manage his whole estate. Previously he had just been in charge of the other servants.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:17

Paragraph 13:17

13:17a

When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated: The clause When Jesus said this gives not only the time but also the reason why Jesus’ opponents were humiliated. Another way to translate this is:

His answer made his enemies ashamed of themselves. (Good News Translation)

His adversaries were humiliated: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as His adversaries were humiliated means that Jesus’ opponents felt ashamed because Jesus had publicly shown that they were wrong.

13:17b

the whole crowd: The phrase the whole crowd refers to a different group from “his opponents” in 13:17a. It refers to the ordinary people rather than to the religious leaders. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

everyone else in the crowd (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the rest of the people

rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing: The ordinary people were very happy to see the miracles Jesus was doing. Other ways to translate this verse part are:

But the entire crowd was happy about the miraculous things he was doing (God’s Word)
-or-
while all the other people rejoiced because of the amazing/glorious things that he was doing

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:14

14:14a

you will be blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed here refers to being in a good situation. This situation is a result of God showing favor or kindness to that person. Some other ways to translate this word are:

you will be truly fortunate/happy
-or-
God will bless/favor you

See the notes on this word in 1:45a–b and 11:27b. See bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

14:14b

Since: In Greek, this verse part begins with a conjunction that some versions, such as the Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, translate as “because.” This conjunction introduces the reason why the host who invites the poor will be blessed. This reason is given in 14:14b–c. 14:14b gives the negative part of the reason: Poor people cannot repay you here in this life. 14:14c gives the positive part of the reason: God will repay you in the future. See the General Comment at the end of 14:14c for a way to reorder these verse parts.

The Berean Standard Bible uses the conjunction Since here because the negative clause in 14:14b is not a blessing in itself. This helps the reader to understand that the blessing will come from God in the future. Consider how to connect these clauses so that your readers correctly understand the reason for the blessing.

they cannot repay you: The expression they cannot repay you means that the poor and disabled are not able to do the same kind of thing for the host as he has done for them. They are too poor or too weak to have a feast to which they could invite others.

14:14c

you will be repaid: The clause you will be repaid is a passive clause. The implied subject is God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you will be rewarded
-or-
God will bless you and reward you (Contemporary English Version)

at the resurrection of the righteous: The phrase the resurrection of the righteous refers to the time in the future when God will cause all the righteous people who have died to live again. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

when the good people rise from the dead (New Century Version)
-or-
when upright people come to life again
-or-
on the day when God causes righteous people to live again

the righteous: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the righteous probably refers to people whom God accepts as righteous. He considers them to be just and good according to his standards. Some ways to translate this are:

all those who have a right relationship with God
-or-
those who have God’s approval (God’s Word)
-or-
those whom he/God considers to be good/righteous

In some languages people use an idiom to express this meaning. For example:

those who follow a straight path
-or-
upright people

General Comment on 14:14b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to place 14:14c before 14:14b. This may help readers to understand the reason why those who invite the poor and crippled in 14:14a are blessed. For example:

14cThen at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you 14bfor inviting those who could not repay you. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 15:11

Section 15:11–32

Jesus told about a father welcoming his sinful son home

In this parable Jesus told about a young man who left his father’s home and wasted the money that his father had given him. Then Jesus told how the young man returned to his father, and how his father welcomed him home. The young man had an older brother who was not happy at all when his father welcomed his younger brother. This story illustrates what God is like. He is ready to forgive anyone who truly turns from his sins and begins to obey him. It also warns people not to be like the older son, who did not want to forgive his brother.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Lost Son (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Son Who Left Home (New Century Version)
-or-
A son who wasted his share of the inheritance
-or-
A father was happy when his son returned home

Before you decide on a heading for this section, think about a natural way in your language to describe a child who deliberately left home and foolishly wasted his money. In some languages a word such as “lost” can only be used to describe someone who doesn’t know where he is. If that is true in your language, you will want to use a more appropriate expression for this context.

Paragraph 15:11–16

15:11

Then Jesus said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then Jesus said is literally “and/then he said.” It introduces the next parable that Jesus told the people. Other ways to introduce this parable are:

Jesus also told them another story. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: (New Living Translation (2004))

There was a man who had two sons: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as There was a man who had two sons begins the story by introducing all three of the main characters. The Berean Standard Bible has translated it in a way that is natural in English. Use an introductory phrase that is natural in your language for beginning a story. The events of the story did not actually happen, but they illustrate something that is true about God.

who had two sons: In some languages there may not be one word like “son.” Another way to translate the clause is:

who had two male offspring

Consider how your language describes this relationship.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 16:11

16:11a–b

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces a conclusion that Jesus made from the saying in 16:10. Here he began to apply this common saying specifically to his disciples. Many English versions translate this conjunction as “then,” since it introduces an inference. Translate this in a natural way in your language.

if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this question to emphasize that no one will trust you with true riches if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth. The context implies that God is the one who will not trust you with true riches.

Here are some ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

If, then, you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? (Good News Translation)
-or-
If you(plur) have not faithfully managed money here in this world, why should ⌊God⌋ entrust to you true ⌊spiritual⌋ wealth?

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

If you(plur) are not trustworthy in taking care of wealth here on earth, then certainly ⌊God⌋ will not trust you with true riches.

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

you have not been faithful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful is the same word as in 16:10a–b. But in some languages it may be more natural to use a synonym rather than keep on repeating the same word.

with: In place of the word with, some versions, such as the New International Version, supply a phrase such as “in handling.” You may also supply similar words such as “managing” or “taking care of.” In some languages you may not need to supply such a word. For example:

with the dishonest wealth (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
with wealth that is often used dishonestly (God’s Word)

worldly wealth: As in 16:9b, this phrase is literally “unrighteous mammon.” You should translate it in the same way or a similar way as you did there.

true riches: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as true riches is literally “the true, genuine ⌊thing⌋.” It refers to all the things that God considers to have eternal value. Some ways to translate this phrase are:

genuine wealth
-or-
what God truly values

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 17:12

17:12

As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance: In this verse Jesus was approaching a village to enter it. The context implies that he had not yet entered the village, because ten lepers came toward him. Lepers were not allowed to enter villages where healthy people lived. They also were not allowed to come near healthy people.

The lepers in this verse were probably living some distance from the village. They were not coming out of the village to meet Jesus. In some languages a phrase like He was met may not fit with the phrase stood at a distance. When you translate this verse, be sure that the phrases you use fit the situation and do not contradict each other. One way to do this in English is:

As he approached a village, ten lepers came toward him and stood some distance from him.
-or-
…as he was approaching a village, ten lepers met him. They kept their distance (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

17:12a

As He entered one of the villages: Jesus was going toward a village to enter it. Here is another way to translate this:

as he was approaching a village (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

He: The focus is on Jesus here, but the disciples were still following him. Consider how to imply that in your language while keeping the focus on Jesus.

17:12b

lepers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lepers refers to people afflicted with several different skin diseases. Scholars disagree as to whether these diseases included modern-day leprosy (Hansen’s disease). They agree that in New Testament times the Greek word referred to dreaded skin diseases.

People believed that these diseases were spread by contact with someone who had the disease. A person who had one of these diseases was also considered ritually unclean. Some ways to translate this word are:

• Use a general phrase that describes the nature or significance of the disease. For example:

a skin disease (God’s Word)
-or-
a dreaded skin disease (Good News Translation)
-or-
a contagious skin disease

• Use a term that refers specifically to leprosy. For example:

leprosy
-or-
something like leprosy

A term that refers specifically to leprosy may be appropriate in areas where readers are already familiar with the term “leprosy.” If you decide to use a word meaning “leprosy,” it is recommended that you add a footnote to give more information. For example:

The disease that is mentioned here refers to various contagious and dreaded skin diseases. A person who had one of these diseases was considered ritually unclean. According to the Jewish law, he was not allowed to associate with other people or to worship in the Temple.

This word also occurred in 7:22.

17:12c

They stood at a distance: The phrase stood at a distance indicates that they did not come near Jesus. Some other ways to translate this are:

They did not come close to Jesus (New Century Version)
-or-
They stood apart from ⌊Jesus⌋

General Comment on 17:12b–c

In some languages it may be natural to combine the phrases “met him” and “they stood at a distance.” For example:

ten lepers stood at a distance (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
ten lepers stopped a short distance away

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013