SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 9:45

9:45a–c

The main idea in this verse is that the disciples did not understand Jesus’ words in 9:44b. This main idea is stated in 9:45a. It is then further explained in 9:45b–c. See the General Comment on 9:45a–c at the end of 9:45c for other ways to organize the ideas in this verse.

9:45a

But they did not understand this statement: This clause indicates that the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant by the statement in 9:44. Connect 9:44 and 9:45 in a natural way in your language. Be sure that people understand that the pronoun they refers to the disciples, not to the people who would gain power over Jesus (9:44b). For example:

But the disciples did not know what this meant. (Good News Translation)

this statement: The phrase this statement, literally “this word,” refers back to Jesus’ statement that he would be betrayed into the hands of men. Another way to translate this phrase is:

what Jesus meant by this prediction/statement

9:45b

In Greek 9:45b begins with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. Logically it introduces a reason why the disciples did not understand. Another way to introduce this reason is:

because it was hidden from them

It was veiled from them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was veiled is a passive verb. It means that someone or something had prevented the disciples from understanding what Jesus meant. Scholars disagree about whether God, the disciples’ own thoughts, or Satan might be implied as the subject. All English versions use passive verbs and so are ambiguous.

Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

The meaning was hidden from them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They were prevented from understanding its meaning.

• As an active verb. Try to use a subject with a general meaning. For example:

⌊Something⌋ had kept them from understanding the meaning.

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

so that they could not comprehend it: There are two ways to interpret the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that they could not comprehend it:

(1) It is a result clause. The meaning of Jesus’ words was hidden from the disciples, with the result that they could not understand it. For example:

Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it. (New Living Translation (2004))

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It is a purpose clause. God or Satan hid the meaning of Jesus’ words from the disciples in order that they would not be able to understand it. For example:

it was hidden from them that they should not perceive it (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

Both interpretations are well supported by scholars, and both fit the context. If you must choose between them, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation fits with any of the possible agents of veiled in the preceding clause.

9:45c

and they were afraid to ask Him about it: This clause indicates that the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus what his words in 9:44b meant. In some languages it may be more natural to change this clause to a direct quote. For example:

and they were afraid to ask, “What do You mean”

they were afraid: Another way to translate the phrase they were afraid is:

they did not have the courage (Translator’s Reference Translation)

General Comment on 9:45a–c

The clauses “they did not understand this statement” in 9:45a and “they did could not comprehend it” in 9:45b have essentially the same meaning. In some languages it may sound redundant to use two similar statements like this. If that is true in your language, you may need to phrase the statements in a different way. For example:

But the disciples did not know what Jesus meant by this. They were prevented from understanding it, and they were afraid to ask him.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:15

10:15a

In this verse Jesus addressed the people of the town of Capernaum. These people were not actually present.

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No: This is a rhetorical question. It probably expresses in question form what the people of Capernaum believed about themselves: that they would be lifted up to heaven. Jesus used the question ironically to imply that they certainly would not be lifted up heaven. His words also imply a rebuke to the people of Capernaum.

In the Greek text there is no explicit answer, No. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the answer that is implied by the rhetorical question.

Some ways to translate this question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

As for you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
And you, Capernaum, do you really think you will be raised to a position of great honor in heaven?

• As a statement. For example:

And you, Capernaum, are certainly not going to be exalted to heaven.
-or-
And you, Capernaum, should not think that you will be honored in heaven ⌊more than other people⌋.

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

And you, Capernaum: The phrase And you, Capernaum emphasizes that Jesus had finished talking about Chorazin and Bethsaida at the end of 10:14. Here in 10:15 he was beginning to talk about Capernaum. Consider how to show this change in subject. For example:

And as for you, Capernaum! (Good News Translation)

Capernaum: Jesus often stayed in the town of Capernaum during his Galilean ministry. Although he did many miracles in this town, most of the people there still did not believe in him. In some languages it may not be natural to speak to a town as though it were a person. In those languages you may need to translate this as:

⌊people of⌋ Capernaum

will you be lifted up to heaven?: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will…be lifted up is passive. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• As a passive clause. For example:

Do you think that you will be given great honor in heaven?

• As an active clause. If you need to make the subject explicit, the implied subject is God. For example:

…will you receive great honor in heaven?
-or-
…will ⌊God⌋ lift you up to the highest place in heaven?

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

lifted up to heaven: The phrase lifted up to heaven probably refers to receiving great honor in heaven, where God dwells. For example:

honored in heaven (Contemporary English Version)

This phrase may imply that the people in Capernaum thought that they would receive more honor in heaven than any other people.

10:15b

you will be brought down to Hades!: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Most Greek manuscripts have a verb that means “you will be brought/thrown down.” This verb implies the use of force. For example:

you will be brought down to Hades (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (1996), NET Bible)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have a verb that means “you will go down.” For example:

you will go down to the place of the dead (New Living Translation (2004))

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), which corresponds to the passive clause used in 10:15a. You may want to put the other option in a footnote.

This clause is a direct contrast with 10:15a. Instead of being honored, the people of Capernaum will be brought down to a place of humiliation and punishment. Other ways to translate this are:

You will be thrown down to hell! (Good News Translation)
-or-
You will be brought down to Hades/hell, ⌊where you will be punished⌋.

The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will be brought down to Hades is passive. The implied subject is God. In some languages it may be more natural to make this explicit. For example:

⌊God⌋ will cause you to go down to Hades

to Hades: The word Hades means “the place of the dead.” In this context it is the opposite of heaven, the place of honor, so it probably refers to hell. It implies a place of humiliation and punishment.

In Greek, the phrase to Hades is in a position of emphasis. One way to translate this emphasis is:

Hades is the place to which you will be thrown down.

In some languages the way to emphasize a phrase is to place it last in the sentence. Consider if there is a natural way in your language to emphasize Hades in contrast to “heaven/skies” in 10:15a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:5

Paragraph 11:5–8

In this paragraph, Jesus told a story. The main point of the story is that when a human being asks a friend for something, the friend gives it to him. He does this even if it is not convenient. This story implies that God will also give us what we request.

11:5–7

In Greek, the story in 11:5–7 is in the form of a rhetorical question. Some versions translate the beginning of the question literally, for example:

Which of you…? (Revised Standard Version)

This rhetorical question is one long, detailed sentence. For this reason, most English versions divide the sentence into several sentences. They also begin this story with the statement “Suppose one of you” rather than with a rhetorical question. (However, some versions, such as the English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, and King James Version, translate this as a rhetorical question.)

In 11:7, Jesus tells about events that no one would do or that no one would imagine. This rhetorical question expects a negative answer, such as “None of us!” or “Of course not!” or “That would never happen!”

Some ways to translate 11:5–7 are:

• Translate 11:5–6 as a statement and begin the rhetorical question in 11:7. For example:

5aSuppose one of you has a friend, 5band he goes to him at midnight and says, 5c‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread….’

7a
Would the one inside answer, ‘Do not bother me…’?

• Translate most of 11:5–7 as a statement, and ask a question at the end of 11:7. In some languages, it may be natural to answer the question. Some sample questions and answers are:

⌊Who has a friend like that?⌋ ⌊No one!⌋
-or-

⌊Can any of you imagine this?⌋ ⌊No!⌋
-or-

⌊Would this ever happen?⌋ ⌊Of course not!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

5aSuppose one of you has a friend, 5band he goes to him at midnight and says, 5c‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread….’

7aThe one inside would certainly not answer, ‘Do not bother me…’

Translate 11:5–7 in a natural way in your language.

11:5a

Then Jesus said to them: The clause Then Jesus said to them introduces a story that Jesus told to his disciples. Jesus told this story to teach his disciples something about prayer. Some other ways to introduce this story are:

Then Jesus went on to say (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: (New Living Translation (2004))

Suppose one of you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suppose one of you is a rhetorical question in Greek. (See the discussion above.) The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word Suppose to begin the short story that follows. This word indicates that this story is fiction (it is not an event that actually happened). However, this story is something that could happen, and it teaches a lesson about how to pray. Some other ways to begin this story are:

For example
-or-
Think about this

Begin this story in a way that is natural in your language.

one of you: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as one of you here means “any one of you disciples.”

If the phrase one of you is not natural in your language, you can simply translate this phrase as “you.” For example:

Suppose you went to a friend’s house (New Living Translation (2004))

11:5b

goes to his friend at midnight: The phrase goes to his friend at midnight means “one of you goes to your friend at midnight.” Notice that while Jesus says “one of you” in 11:5a, in the rest of the parable he says “his” and “him.” In some languages it may be more natural to continue to use “you” here. For example:

you(sing) go to him at midnight

to his friend: The man does not actually see his friend at first. He stands at the door of his house and calls out to him. So in some languages it may be more natural to translate this as:

to his house/home

General Comment on 11:5a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to combine 11:5a and 11:5b. For example:

Suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight (Good News Translation)

11:5c–6b

According to Jewish custom, a host was obligated to give his visitors something to eat. He was also expected to eat with them. In addition, he needed to give them a large quantity of food to show his generosity.

See the General Comment on 11:5c–6b at the end of 11:6b for a comment about reordering.

11:5c

Friend: The term Friend was the natural way for one Jew to politely speak to another. Use an expression that is natural in your language. For example:

My friend
-or-
My brother

lend: The verb lend is an imperative verb. In some languages, it may be more polite to use another word along with this imperative. For example:

please lend

In some languages, a polite request should be stated in the form of a question. For example:

could you please lend…?

The verb lend implies that the person will return the thing that he has borrowed. That was not the case here. The next day, the man would not give three different loaves to his friend to repay him. So, in this context, lend could be translated as:

let me have
-or-
give me

If people share food in this way in your culture, use the expression that is natural for requesting food.

three loaves of bread: The loaves of bread were probably flat loaves that made up the main part of a meal. If bread is not described in terms of loaves in your culture, it may be possible to say:

three breads

If people do not eat bread in your culture, you may use a general word such as “food,” as in 11:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:37

Section 11:37–54

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and the teachers of the law

In this section, a Pharisee invited Jesus to his house for a meal. The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not ritually wash his hands before he ate. Jesus then criticized the Pharisees because they carefully observed outward rituals but neglected true devotion to God. He specifically warned the Pharisees about three ways in which they displeased God. He then directed three additional warnings to the teachers of the law.

Some other headings for this section are:

Jesus’ Criticism of the Religious Leaders

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 23:1–36 and Mark 12:38–40.

Paragraph 11:37–41

11:37a

As Jesus was speaking: This clause refers to what Jesus taught about light and darkness in the previous section. In some languages it may be more natural to use a more specific verb than speaking. For example:

As Jesus was teaching these things

11:37b

a Pharisee: The phrase a Pharisee introduces a new person into the story. Introduce this new person in a natural way in your language. For example:

a certain Pharisee (King James Version)
-or-
one of the Pharisees (New Living Translation (2004))

Pharisee: A Pharisee was a member of a Jewish religious group or party called the Pharisees. It was very important to them to obey all of the Jewish religious laws very carefully and in detail. Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Transliterate the word Pharisee according to the sounds of your language and indicate that it refers to a person. For example:

Farisi member
-or-
Parise adherent

• Transliterate the word Pharisee and indicate that it refers to a group of people with certain beliefs. For example:

person belonging to the Farise religious sect/group
-or-
member of the religious group called the Farasi

This word first occurs in 5:17b.

invited Him to dine with him: The Pharisee invited/asked Jesus to go to his (the Pharisee’s) house and eat a meal with him. In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit some of this implied information. For example:

invited him to eat ⌊at his house⌋
-or-
invited him home for a meal (Contemporary English Version)

11:37c

so He went in: The clause He went in means “Jesus went into the Pharisee’s house.”

and reclined at the table: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reclined at the table is literally “reclined.” The Berean Standard Bible has added the phrase at the table to make the meaning of the verb clearer.

It was the custom in Jesus’ time for people to eat a formal meal while lying on couches around a low table. They leaned on one elbow while they ate.

If reclining on couches would seem strange in your culture, you may:

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

sat down to eat (Good News Translation)

• Use a general expression that does not specify a particular position. For example:

took his place at the table (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:15

12:15a

And He said to them: In this verse Jesus began to speak to other people who had been listening to him. Most scholars think that he spoke to the whole crowd, though he may have been speaking mainly to his disciples. In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit who them refers to. For example:

Then he said ⌊to the other people who were listening⌋

Watch out! Guard yourselves against: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Watch out is a warning to be careful. The phrase Guard yourselves against has almost the same meaning as “Watch out.” Jesus used these two similar expressions to emphasize his warning. In some languages it may be natural to use two similar phrases. For example:

Be careful and guard against (New Century Version)
-or-
Be careful to guard yourselves from (God’s Word)
-or-
Watch out! Make sure that you avoid

In other languages it may be more natural to combine these expressions and translate the emphasis in a different way. For example:

Be very careful to stay away from

Guard yourselves against every form of greed: Here Jesus warned the people that they must not be greedy in any way. The phrase Guard yourselves against…greed indicates that people must not allow themselves to want more possessions than they ought to have. In some languages there is an idiom to express this. Other ways to translate the clause are:

Be sure that you do not become greedy in any way
-or-
Do not allow yourselves to want/seek more ⌊possessions⌋ than you need

every form of greed: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every form of greed is literally “all greed.” The word greed refers to a strong desire for more and more things. The phrase every form of greed indicates that there are different ways to be greedy and many different things that a person can desire too much.

In 12:15b Jesus mentioned possessions. A person can also be greedy for other things, such as land, status, and position. Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language. See the examples in the preceding note.

12:15b

for: In Greek, this part of the verse begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for. It introduces a reason for the warning Jesus had just given. Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions: The expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions indicates that owning many things does not make a person’s life more important or valuable. This implies that the things that a person owns do not determine the meaning or value of that person’s life. English versions translate this in quite different ways. For example:

Life is not measured by how much one owns. (New Century Version)
-or-
your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be (Good News Translation)
-or-
Life is not about having a lot of material possessions. (God’s Word)

one’s life: The phrase one’s life means “a person’s life.” The word life in this context is referring to having a meaningful life here on earth.

the abundance of his possessions: The phrase the abundance of his possessions refers to how many things a person owns or how much wealth he has. Other ways to translate this are:

how many things he possesses
-or-
owning a lot of things

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:47

Paragraph 12:47–48

12:47

This verse states a general principle. It does not refer to a particular action in the past. Use a natural way in your language to state this general principle. For example:

If servants are not ready or willing to do what their master wants them to do, they will be beaten hard. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Servants who know their master’s will but do not get themselves ready or do it will receive many blows.
-or-
As for a servant who knows his master’s will but does not do it, he will receive a severe beating.

12:47a

That servant who knows his master’s will: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as That servant refers to a type of servant that Jesus was about to mention. Jesus was referring to any servant who knew what his master wanted or told him to do. In some languages it may be more natural to use a different form to refer to a servant or servants in general. For example:

a servant who knows what the master wants (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
servants who know what their master wants them to do

12:47b

but does not get ready: In this context the phrase does not get ready means “does not prepare for the master’s return.”

or: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or introduces a second thing that the servant does not do. The servant does not get ready and he does not do what his master wants.

follow his instructions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as follow his instructions is literally “do his master’s will,” as in 12:47a. The Berean Standard Bible has varied the translation for stylistic reasons. You may use the same expression if that is good style in your language. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

obey his master
-or-
fulfill his master’s desires

General Comment on 12:47b

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of the two verb phrases in this part of the verse. For example:

and does not obey his master or prepare for his return

12:47c

will be beaten with many blows: This is a passive verb phrase. It refers to someone being struck many times with a whip (or possibly a stick). Some ways to translate it are:

• With a passive verb. For example:

will be whipped with many blows/strokes

• With an active verb. For example:

will receive a severe beating (New Revised Standard Version)

• If it is necessary to specify an actor, the implied actor is either the master or someone else whom the master orders to whip him. For example:

⌊his master⌋ will give him a severe whipping
-or-

⌊his master will cause/order someone to⌋ beat him with many blows

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

General Comment on 12:47a–c

12:47a–b describe a condition or situation that will lead to a particular result (12:47c). In some languages it may be more natural to state 12:47a–b as a conditional (if) clause. For example:

If servants do not obey their master or prepare for him to return, they will receive many lashes with the whip.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:20

Paragraph 13:20–21

13:20

This paragraph introduces the second of two brief parables describing what God’s kingdom is like. In the Greek text this paragraph begins with a conjunction. Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it as “And.” Other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version. translate it as “Then.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. You should use a natural way in your language to introduce another similar illustration.

Again He asked: The word Again refers to the fact that Jesus had asked a similar question in 13:18.

To what can I compare the kingdom of God?: This is a rhetorical question. Translate this rhetorical question as you translated a similar question in 13:18.

kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God also occurs in 13:18a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:17

14:17a

When it was time for the banquet: The phrase When it was time for the banquet is more literally “at the hour of the feast.” It refers to the time when the host was ready for his guests to come to the feast. At this time the host sent out another message telling the invited guests to come.

14:17b

he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited: This verse part introduces a message that the host wanted to give his guests. Another way to translate this is:

he gave his servant this message to deliver/take to the people who had been invited

The message in 14:17c is in direct speech. In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech here. See the General Comment on 14:17b–c for suggestions.

his servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant means “slave” (as in the New Revised Standard Version). This word refers to someone who was owned by another person. He worked for his owner/master without receiving pay. The plural form of this word also occurs in 12:37a.

In some cultures, slaves may not be known. In other cultures, the word for slave may imply different customs than in biblical culture. If that is true in your language, some ways to translate this are:

worker/servant
-or-
messenger

those who had been invited: The verb had been invited is a passive verb. If a passive verb is not natural in your language here, some other ways to translate this clause are:

his guests (Good News Translation)
-or-
those whom ⌊he⌋ had invited
-or-
them

14:17c

Come, for everything is now ready: This message implies that the guests should come to the host’s house for the banquet. In some languages it may be necessary to make the message more explicit. For example:

Come ⌊to the banquet⌋, for everything is now ready.
-or-
Come ⌊to my house⌋, for everything is now ready ⌊for the banquet⌋.

Translate this message in a natural way in your language. In some languages it may be necessary to change the order of clauses in the message. For example:

Everything is now ready. So come!

General Comment on 14:17b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this message as indirect speech. For example:

he sent his servant to tell the guests that they should come to the feast because everything was ready

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013