SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 16:20

16:20a

And a beggar named Lazarus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beggar refers to a very poor person. It is not a specific word for a professional beggar. The Berean Standard Bible probably uses the word beggar here because Lazarus was clearly placed at the rich man’s gate in the hopes that he would receive food or money. Most versions translate this word as:

a poor man

lay: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lay is passive and is literally “had been laid.” There are three ways to interpret this verb:

(1) It indicates that people had brought him there and left him. For example:

was laid (New American Standard Bible)

(New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version Contemporary English Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It indicates only that he was lying there. For example:

lay (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

(3) It indicates that people brought him there regularly. For example:

was regularly brought (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The passive verb implies that he was too crippled or sick to get there himself. This helps to show the contrast between the rich man’s luxurious lifestyle and the poor man’s miserable condition.

If it is necessary to use an active verb in your language, you should supply a general subject. For example:

people had placed him at the gate of the rich man’s house

at his gate: The phrase his gate probably refers to the main gate that led into the courtyard of the rich man’s house. It does not refer to the door of the house itself.

16:20b

covered with sores: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as covered with sores means “with sores all over his body.” This man suffered from a bad skin disease. These sores may have been ulcers or boils. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this phrase with a separate sentence. For example:

His body was full of sores.
-or-
He had sores on his entire body.

General Comment on 16:20a–b

Several English versions give the name of this poor man later in this verse. For example:

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores. (New International Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to tell the man’s name and describe his condition earlier in the verse. For example:

20aThere was also a poor man whose name was Lazarus. 20bHe had sores all over his body. 20aPeople had left him at the gate of the house of the rich man.

Lazarus is the second main person in this story. Introduce him in a natural way in your language.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 17:21

17:21a

Nor will people say: The phrase Nor will people say is a negative statement that is connected to the negative statement in 17:20d. People will not observe the kingdom coming (17:20d), and they will also not speak of it being “here” or “there” (17:21a). Another way to translate the statement is:

also, people will not say

This statement does not literally indicate that no one will say the words in this verse. People may say those things, but they will not be able to say them truthfully. No one will know exactly where the kingdom of God will begin.

‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’: The quotation ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is’ is more literally “‘Look, here’ or, ‘there.’” For example:

‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ (Good News Translation)

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look is the same word that is often translated as “behold.” It is something that people might say if they were pointing to the kingdom of God or to the place where it came or began.

The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word it to refer back to the kingdom of God (17:20). People will not say that the kingdom of God had come here or There. Use a natural way in your language to point out something that is outstanding and significant.

In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech and mention the kingdom of God explicitly: For example:

that the kingdom of God is here or it is there
-or-
that God has begun his reign here, or there is the place where he has begun his reign

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of here and There. For example:

“Look, there it is!” or “Look, here it is!”

You may use a natural order for these words in your language. A similar use of these words occurs in 17:23, where the order is “there” and “here.” Use a natural order in your language for both verses.

17:21b

For: The word For introduces the reason for what Jesus said in 17:20d–21a. People cannot observe the beginning of the kingdom or say “Here it is,” For the kingdom of God is among them. Express this reason in a natural way in your language.

In Greek this part of the verse begins with a word that many English versions translate as “behold.” The word “behold” calls attention to the following statement. It often indicates that the statement is surprising or unexpected. For example:

for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you (Revised Standard Version)

Consider whether you have a similar way in your language to call attention to this statement.

the kingdom of God is in your midst: The pronoun your is plural. Scholars have interpreted the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the kingdom of God is in your midst in two ways:

(1) It means that the kingdom of God is among you. It refers to the fact that Jesus, the Messiah King, was with them. Here is another way to translate this:

the kingdom of God is among you (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011), Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means that the kingdom of God is within you, that is, in your hearts and minds. Here is another way to translate this:

the Kingdom of God is within you (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New International Version, King James Version, God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the view of the majority of commentators. God was already ruling and caring for his people through Jesus. He was already defeating Satan by curing sick people and forgiving sinful people. For more information, see kingdom of God, Context 3 in the Glossary.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 18:16

18:16a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces what Jesus did when the people brought the children to him. What Jesus did contrasted with what the disciples said to the people, so many English versions have “but” here. The New Living Translation (2004) has “Then.” Connect this verse to 18:15 in a natural way in your language.

Jesus called the children to Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the children is a pronoun, “them.” It refers back to the “babies” in 18:15a. Here is another way to translate this:

Jesus called the infants to him (God’s Word)

However, 18:16c uses the more general word for “children.” Many English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, use the word children here as well. Refer to them in a natural way in your language.

Many of the children were too young to walk, so the phrase called the children to Him implies that Jesus was inviting the parents to bring them. Here is another way to translate this:

Jesus called for the children (NET Bible)

18:16b

and said: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and said is literally “saying.” It introduces what Jesus said to the disciples. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

and said ⌊to the disciples⌋

18:16c–d

Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them: These clauses are two commands: Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them. These commands have similar meanings. Jesus repeated his meaning in two different ways to emphasize what he said.

In some languages it may be more natural to give the negative command first. For example:

Do not forbid the children to come to me. Allow them to come….

In other languages it may be more natural to combine the two commands. For example:

Don’t stop the children from coming to me! (God’s Word)

Translate these two commands in a natural way in your language.

18:16c

Let the little children come to Me: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let means “allow” or “permit.” Here is another way to translate this:

Permit the children to come to Me (New American Standard Bible)

little children: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as little children is a general word for children of any age.

18:16d

do not hinder them: The phrase do not hinder them indicates that the disciples should not prevent the children from coming to Jesus. Other ways to translate this command are:

do not stop them (Good News Translation)
-or-
do not forbid their coming to me

18:16e

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason or explanation for Jesus’ commands to his disciples in 18:16c–d. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

because (Good News Translation)

Express the reason or explanation in a natural way in your language. See the General Comment on 18:16c–e below for a suggestion about changing the order of clauses in this verse.

the kingdom of God belongs to such as these: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the kingdom of God belongs to such as these indicates that people who are like those children have the right/privilege to be included in the group of people whom God rules. It does not mean that such people own the kingdom of God.

Some other ways to translate this are:

the citizens of the kingdom of God are people like these children
-or-
it is people like these children who live/belong in God’s chieftaincy
-or-
the people whom God cares for as king are like these ⌊little⌋ children

the kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. See kingdom of God, Context 2, in the Glossary.

such as these: The phrase such as these means “people like these children.” Here Jesus compared people who are included in his kingdom to children. He did not make explicit how they should be like children. However, many scholars refer to the fact that children must humbly depend on other people to care for them. In a similar way, a person in God’s kingdom must humbly depend on God.

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

because the kingdom of God belongs to people ⌊who depend on God⌋ like these children ⌊depend on those who care for them⌋.
-or-
for it is people who are ⌊trusting/humble⌋ like these children who will live in the kingdom of God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 19:5

Paragraph 19:5–7

In Jewish culture, a person usually would not eat or stay in someone’s house if that person did not invite him. But Jesus invited himself to be the guest of Zacchaeus. Jesus showed that he was willing to enter the house of a tax collector even if it meant that he would be considered ritually unclean.

If you are using footnotes to give background information, you might want to use one here. For example:

In Jewish culture it was not customary for a person to invite himself to eat at another person’s house. Jesus did that to help Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus knew that most religious leaders would not enter a tax collector’s house, so Zacchaeus might not feel that he should invite Jesus.

For more background information about tax collectors, see the introduction to Section 19:1–10.

19:5a

When Jesus came to that place: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that place refers to the location of the tree into which Zacchaeus had climbed. As he was walking along, Jesus stopped near that tree. In some languages it may be natural to refer to the tree specifically. For example:

When Jesus came to the tree (God’s Word)

In other languages it may not be necessary to refer specifically to the place. For example:

When Jesus came by (New Living Translation (2004))

19:5b

He looked up and said: Here the phrase He looked up indicates that Jesus looked up into the tree at Zacchaeus. Then Jesus spoke to him. Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he/Jesus looked up ⌊and saw him/Zacchaeus⌋. Then Jesus said

19:5c

Zacchaeus: Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and showed him that he knew about him. Jesus was speaking in a friendly way. He was not angry at Zacchaeus for climbing the tree.

In some languages people do not call other adults by their names. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a term of respect with his name. For example:

Elder/Brother Zacchaeus

In such languages it may also be helpful to include a footnote. For example:

In that culture it was the custom to call people by their names to show friendliness.

hurry down: The Greek command that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hurry down is more literally, “hurrying, come down.” Some other ways to translate it are:

come down immediately (New International Version)
-or-
Quick, come down! (New Living Translation (2004))

19:5d

for: In the Greek text, 19:5d begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for. It introduces the reason or explanation for 19:5c. Some English versions have “because” here. Jesus called Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree because he intended to stay at his house that night. Connect 19:5c and 19:5d in a way that is natural in your language.

I must stay at your house today: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I must stay at your house today is more literally “today it is necessary that I stay at your house.” This clause implies that it was necessary because it was God’s will. God had decided that Jesus must do that.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

It is necessary for me to stay at your house today
-or-
I am to stay at your house today (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It is ⌊God’s will⌋ that I stay at your house today

In the Greek text this clause begins with the word today. For example:

today I must stay at your house (New American Standard Bible)

In this section it probably implies a connection with what Jesus said in 19:9a: “Today salvation has come to this house.”

stay at your house today: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stay at your house today implies that Jesus would remain at Zacchaeus’ house for the rest of the day. It probably implies that he would also spend the night there. Use an appropriate expression in your language. Here is another way to translate this:

be a guest in your home today (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 19:5c–d

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

5cZacchaeus, 5dtoday I must stay at your house, 5cso hurry down.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 19:37

Paragraph 19:37–40

19:37a

And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives: In Greek this clause is more literally:

And he coming-near, already (being) at the descent of the Mount of Olives

The word approached can imply either a general location or a specific one. Specifically, Jesus was approaching the place where the road began to go down toward Jerusalem, so he was also coming nearer to Jerusalem itself. The road descended from the Mount of Olives into the Kidron valley before rising again and entering the city. As the descent began, Jesus was less than two kilometers from Jerusalem.

In some languages it may be helpful to specify Jerusalem as the location Jesus that was “coming-near.” For example:

When he came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives (Good News Translation)
-or-
As he was coming close to Jerusalem, on the way down the Mount of Olives (New Century Version)

the Mount of Olives: For help in translating the Mount of Olives, see the note on 19:29b.

19:37b

the whole multitude of disciples: In this context the word disciples includes all the people who listened to and followed Jesus. It does not refer only to the twelve men who were with him all the time.

began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as joyfully indicates that the people were rejoicing as they praised God. They praised him loudly to express their joy and gratitude. Other ways to translate this are:

began to rejoice and praise God (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
began joyfully shouting praise to God (New Century Version)

19:37c

for all the miracles they had seen: This phrase gives the reason why the people praised God. The phrase all the miracles they had seen refers to the many miracles that they had seen Jesus do. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

because of all the miracles that they had seen Jesus do
-or-
because they had seen ⌊him do⌋ many miracles

miracles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as miracles is literally “powers.” A “miracle” is an action that requires great power to accomplish. When a human being does a miracle, he must use greater power than human beings normally have. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God.

Some other ways to translate miracles are:

mighty/great works
-or-
marvelous/amazing acts ⌊done with/by God’s power⌋
-or-
deeds of power

In this context the people praised God because the miracles that Jesus did helped people. Through his miracles they received God’s mercy. For example, Jesus healed people of many sicknesses. He made blind people able to see, and he caused deaf people to hear again. Use a term that fits such helpful miracles. Avoid terms that refer to magic tricks or only to displays of power that frighten people.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:21

20:21a

In Greek, 20:21a begins with conjunction that is often translated as “and.” The New International Version translates this word as “So.” It introduces the result of the plans that the Jewish leaders made: The spies asked Jesus a question. Many English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not have a conjunction here. In some languages it may be natural to introduce the verse with a phrase or clause. For example:

When the spies came to Jesus, they…
-or-
Having come to Jesus, the spies…
-or-
Then the spies went to Jesus, and…

Introduce this verse in a natural way in your language.

“Teacher,” they inquired: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they inquired means “to ask” or “to question.” The Berean Standard Bible places these words in the middle of what the spies said. In some languages, it may be necessary to put these words at the beginning of 20:21a. For example:

So the spies questioned him, “Teacher…” (New International Version)

Teacher: The word Teacher was a polite title for a Jewish religious leader. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach other people things about God and his commands. In some languages the appropriate way to address a religious teacher may be:

Honored Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

The term does not refer to a person who taught children in school.

they inquired: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inquired is literally “questioned.” In some languages, it may be necessary to make the subject of this verb explicit, since the subject of 20:20 was the Jewish leaders. For example:

the spies questioned him (New International Version)

The spies did not question Jesus until 20:22. First, they praised Jesus in a long statement. In some languages it may be more natural to translate inquired as “said” here. If you do this, you may introduce the actual question in 20:22 with a phrase like “then they asked him.”

20:21b

we know that You speak and teach correctly: Here the spies said something that they did not really believe. They did not really believe that Jesus spoke and taught correctly. They said it because they wanted him to think that they were friendly toward him. They did not want him to guard carefully what he said to them. However, what they said about Jesus was true: Jesus did teach what was correct. Some other ways to translate this are:

we know that what you say and teach is true (New Century Version)
-or-
we know that you are right in what you say and teach (New Revised Standard Version)

we: The pronoun we refers to the spies and not to both the spies and Jesus.

speak and teach correctly: The phrase speak and teach correctly is literally “rightly speak and teach.” It indicates that what Jesus taught and what he said in ordinary speech was true and correct. It implies that he did not teach error.

In this context the words speak and teach have similar meanings. In some languages it may be more natural to use only one of these verbs. For example:

we know that you teach the truth (Contemporary English Version)

20:21c

You show no partiality: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You show no partiality is literally “you do not receive/accept a face.” This statement is an idiom. It indicates that Jesus did not favor one person more than another person. He treated all people fairly. He did not flatter rich and important people. He told everyone the truth, even when they did not like to hear it. Here is another way to translate this:

you pay no attention to anyone’s status (Good News Translation)

By saying this, the spies were praising Jesus. However, they had a deceitful motive in praising him. They wanted Jesus to answer their question without showing special favor or respect even to the emperor. Be sure to translate the statement as a good thing to say about Jesus. For example:

You do not show unfair/improper favor to anyone

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

You treat everyone fairly.
-or-
And you treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are. (Contemporary English Version)

20:21d

but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth: This statement is similar to the statements in 20:21b and 20:21c. It indicates that Jesus taught what is true about God’s way. He did not say false things in order to please anyone.

In some languages a conjunction like but may be confusing here or it may imply a wrong contrast. If that is true in your language, you may connect the statements in a different way or omit a conjunction. For example:

You teach the way of God truthfully. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
…and you always teach the truth about God’s way. (New Century Version)

the way of God: In the context of the question about paying taxes, the phrase the way of God refers primarily to what God wants people to do or not to do. Some other ways to translate this are:

the way of life that God requires (Revised English Bible)
-or-
what God wants people to do (Contemporary English Version)

in accordance with the truth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in accordance with the truth is literally “in truth.” It means “truthfully.” The spies were saying that Jesus taught the truth about the way God wants people to live.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:6

21:6a

As for what you see here, the time will come when: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as As for what you see is literally “these things that you see.” It refers here to the temple, including the stones and gifts that his disciples admired in 21:5. Jesus indicated that he was going to tell them what would happen to the temple in the future. Some other ways to translate 21:6a are:

Let me tell you something about/concerning these things that you see. A time will come when….
-or-
You see these things ⌊now⌋, but the time is coming when….
-or-
The time will come when all these stones that you see….

See the General Comment on 21:6b–c below for other ways to connect 21:6a to 21:6b–c.

see: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as see means to look at something with focused attention. Other ways that you might translate this are:

looking at (New Century Version)
-or-
gazing at (NET Bible)

the time will come when: The phrase the time will come when is more literally “days will come in which.” This phrase introduces what Jesus predicted about the temple. He told what would happen to it in the future. In this context the word “days” refers in general to a period of time. It does not indicate whether the number of days will be few or many. Other ways to translate the phrase are:

the days will come when (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
there will be a time when
-or-
someday in the future

21:6b–c

not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down: One way to translate this more literally is:

…there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down. (New American Standard Bible)

This statement is an emphatic way to say that the whole temple will be completely destroyed. This includes the parts that are not made of stone. Other ways to translate this meaning are:

…none of the walls/buildings will be left standing. Every wall will be broken down.
-or-
…nothing will be left of this ⌊beautiful⌋ temple. It will be completely destroyed.

Some languages have an idiom to describe something being totally destroyed. Describe the destruction in a natural way in your language.

will be left: The verbs will be left is passive. In some languages it may be more natural to translate without a passive verb. For example:

not even a single stone will remain in its place
-or-

⌊they⌋ will not leave even one stone on another one
-or-
there will no longer be one stone on top of the other

every one will be thrown down: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be thrown down means to destroy completely by tearing down and dismantling. Other ways to translate this word are:

will be torn down (God’s Word)
-or-
will be knocked down ⌊to the ground⌋

This is a passive clause. In some languages it may be necessary to use an active verb and supply a subject. In 19:43–44 Jesus said that the enemies of the Jews would do this. So here you may use a similar subject as you did there. For example:

when ⌊enemy armies⌋ will not leave one stone upon another…

General Comment on 21:6b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 21:6b and 21:6c. For example:

6ceverything ⌊you see/admire here⌋ will be destroyed, 6band nothing will be left

In other languages it may be more natural to make one emphatic statement. For example:

this temple will be completely destroyed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:38

21:38

And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple: As in 21:37, this verse refers to an action that was repeated each morning in the last days before Jesus died. The people came to the temple early every morning to hear Jesus teach them. Some other ways to translate this are:

Early each morning all the people went to the Temple to listen to him. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him. (New Century Version)

Translate this repeated action in a natural way in your language.

early in the morning: The phrase early in the morning probably refers here to daybreak, as soon as it was light enough to see. Use an appropriate word or phrase in your language.

all the people: all the people refers to all the many people who had been listening to Jesus teaching at the temple. It does not include every person in Jerusalem.

temple: The word temple occurred in 21:37. Refer back to it here in a natural way in your language.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013