SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 6:25

6:25a–b

This woe is the opposite of the blessing in 6:21a–b. The contrast is as follows: Those who are hungry long for God to satisfy them. They are “blessed.” Those who are “full” have already satisfied their hunger. They are in trouble.

Try to make this clear in your translation by using terms or expressions that correspond to those you used in 6:21a–b.

6:25a

Woe to you: Translate this the same way you did in 6:24a.

who are well fed now: The phrase who are well fed now refers to people who have more than enough to eat on this earth. They are satisfied. Another way to translate this is:

you who are full now (Good News Translation)

now: Luke used the word now to emphasize a present situation.

6:25b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason why those “who are well fed” are in trouble. They are in trouble because now is the only time when they will be well-fed. Later they will be hungry.

you will hunger: Some English versions use an English idiom to translate the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as you will hunger. For example:

you will go hungry (New International Version)

The people who “are well fed” (6:25a) already have all the food that they need. However, when they face God’s judgment, they will no longer be well-fed. They will be hungry.

Some Bible scholars interpret the word hunger here in a figurative sense, as referring to people not being satisfied or having all they want. If you have a word that could be interpreted either way, it may be appropriate here.

will hunger: The Greek verb tense refers to future time. It is in direct contrast with the present situation (emphasized by “now”).

6:25c–d

This woe is the opposite of the blessing in 6:21c–d. This is the contrast: Those who mourn and weep now will have great rejoicing in God’s kingdom. They are “blessed.” Those who laugh in this life are in trouble.

Try to make this clear in your translation by using terms or expressions that correspond to those that you used in 6:21c–d.

6:25c

Woe to you: Translate this the same way you did in 6:24a.

who laugh now: As in 6:21d, the word laugh here refers to laughing from happiness or joy. These people do not know sadness and grief in this life, but live a life of ease and happiness.

now: Luke used the word now to emphasize a present situation.

6:25d

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason why people who laugh now are in trouble. They are in trouble because they will laugh only in this life. Later they will mourn and weep.

you will mourn and weep: The two verbs mourn and weep are a doublet. They have a very similar meaning. Together they emphasize the one idea of being sad. In some languages, stating the same idea in two different ways may not be a natural way to add emphasis. If your language is like that, you may translate both verbs by one verb. For example:

you(plur) will be very sorrowful
-or-
you will weep from sorrow

mourn: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mourn also means “be sad” or “grieve.” People often mourn when someone dies. Another way to translate this is:

be sad (New Century Version)

weep: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as weep also means “cry.” For example:

cry (God’s Word)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 7:8

7:8a–b

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces the reason why the officer was confident that Jesus could heal his servant by just speaking a command. Some ways to translate this connection are:

I know this because I… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

I know that you can do this because I myself…

I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man under authority is literally “a man placed under authority.” As a centurion in the Roman army, the officer had to obey the superior officers who had been given authority over him. He also had been given authority over soldiers, and they had to obey him. So he believed that Jesus had been given authority by God to command something to happen and make it happen. Some other ways to translate this are:

I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I know because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. (New Living Translation (1996))

I myself: The word myself indicates that the officer realized that he and Jesus were alike because that they both had authority. This likeness to Jesus is connected to all of 7:8a–e, not just to being under authority in 7:8a. The officer especially focused on the fact that when he and Jesus commanded that something be done, the commands were obeyed. Here are other ways to translate I myself in this context:

For I too ⌊understand authority⌋. I am a man under authority with soldiers under me.
-or-

For I, like you, ⌊have authority⌋. I am a man under authority with soldiers under me.

under authority: In English people often use the words “over” and under to describe roles in a relationship that involves authority. These words indicate who has the right to command and who must obey. Other languages may use different words to describe this relationship such as “in front” and “behind.” Translate this in a way that is natural in your language.

General Comment on 7:8a–b

In some languages it may be good style to show the link between 7:8a and 7:8b by using similar words or phrases. For example:

I too am a man under authority and I have soldiers who are under my authority.
-or-
I obey ⌊my superior officers⌋ and I have soldiers who obey me.

7:8c

I tell one to go, and he goes: The officer knew what it was like simply to command a soldier to do something and to know that he would do it. While most other English versions translate this command as direct speech, as it is in the Greek text, in some languages it may be more natural to translate it using indirect speech, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

In some languages it may be necessary to say where the soldier must go. For example:

I tell one of them to go ⌊somewhere⌋, and he goes ⌊there⌋.

one…he: The officer used the words one and he to refer to any of his soldiers. Other ways to express the idea in this context are:

I only need to say, “Go,” and they go… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I can say to one of them, “Go,” and he goes. (Contemporary English Version)

Use a natural way to give a general example like this in your language.

7:8d

and another to come, and he comes: In some languages it may be natural to use indirect speech for the quoted command, as the Berean Standard Bible does. It may also be helpful to repeat the phrase “I tell”:

and I tell another one to come, and he comes

General Comment on 7:8c–d

In some languages it may be natural to combine 7:8c and 7:8d:

I tell one of them to go and one of them to come, and they both obey me.

7:8e

I tell my servant to do something, and he does it: This part of the verse gives another general example of the officer’s authority. The word servant here refers to any servant to officer had. It does not refer specifically to the servant who was sick and dying. It also does not refer to a soldier such as those mentioned in 7:8b–d. The officer had the authority to command both his servants and soldiers.

my servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant is the same one that was used in 7:2a. See the note on servant at 7:2a.

to do something: The words to do something do not refer to any specific action. The officer could command his servant to any of the things that servants normally do. If you translated the command as indirect speech in 7:8c–d, you may wish to do so again here. For example:

I tell my servant to do ⌊something for me⌋, and he does it.

General Comment on 7:6d–8e

In this speech, the officer’s friend was telling Jesus the message that the officer had told him to say. The friend reported what the officer said as if it were the officer himself who was speaking. He used pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my.” Consider how someone gives a message from another person in your language. In some languages it may be more natural to refer to the officer in a different way. For example:

6d
The officer asks you not to trouble yourself further. 6eHe says that he does not deserve for you to enter his house.

General Comment on 7:7b–8e

The officer’s message gave the reason he believed that Jesus was able to heal his slave from a distance by commanding it to happen. This reason includes some implied information. The officer’s logic was:

(a) I believe that you can heal my slave just by giving the command (7:7b).

(b) I believe this because I understand authority. I am under the authority of my superiors, and I have soldiers under my authority (7:8a–b).

(d) I know that you, Jesus, have authority from God. So your command to heal will certainly be accomplished. (implied)

If the implied information is not clear to your readers, you might consider making it explicit. For example, after 7:8e you could say:

⌊I know that you have authority and so you can heal my servant⌋ ⌊from a distance⌋ ⌊just by commanding that he be healed.⌋
-or-

⌊I know that you have even greater authority, so you can give the command⌋ ⌊to heal⌋ ⌊and it will be done.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 7:40

Paragraph 7:40–43

7:40a

But: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “and.” Because Jesus responded here to the Pharisee’s thoughts (7:39), some English versions translate this as “Then” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004)) or “So” (NET Bible). The New International Version and some other English versions do not translate this Greek conjunction. However, since Jesus speaks to correct the Pharisee’s conclusions about him, to indicate a contrast, the Berean Standard Bible translates the conjunction as But. Connect this verse to 7:39 in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus answered him: The Pharisee had not asked a question out loud. Jesus knew what he was thinking and responded to that. In some languages, it may not be natural to use the word answered when a question has not been asked. If that is true in your language, you may be able to say:

Jesus said to the Pharisee (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus answered his thoughts (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus responded ⌊to his thoughts⌋ and said

Simon: Here Jesus addressed the Pharisee by his name. This is the first time that his name is mentioned in this story. If it is not natural in your language to introduce the name here, you may need to mention the Pharisee’s name in 7:36a or 7:39a.

I have something to tell you: The phrase I have something to tell you means “I want to tell you something.” In this case Jesus wanted to use a parable and explain it in order to tell Simon something that might be difficult for Simon to accept. Some languages may have a natural expression that people use to introduce something like this that they want to say. Use a natural expression in your language.

7:40b

Tell me: The Pharisee invited Jesus to tell him whatever it was that he wanted to say. Use a phrase that is natural in this context in your language. For example:

What is it…? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I am listening.

Teacher: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Teacher was a polite form of address for a religious teacher. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach things about God. The same word was used to address John the Baptizer at 3:12b.

In some languages the appropriate way to address a religious teacher may be:

Sir Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

In some languages there may be a polite term of address for religious teachers that has a different meaning from “Teacher.” If that is true in your language, you may consider using it here.

he said: The phrase he said means “the Pharisee said.” Place this phrase where it is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 8:22

Section 8:22–25

Jesus commanded a storm to stop and it obeyed him

In this section Jesus showed his disciples that he had authority over the wind and the sea. While Jesus and his disciples were crossing Lake Galilee in a boat, a strong wind began to blow. The wind caused big waves on the lake. The waves were big enough to come into the boat. The boat was about to sink, but Jesus spoke to the waves. Because Jesus had the authority to command them to stop, the wind and the waves stopped.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus calmed a storm ⌊on the lake⌋
-or-
Jesus stopped the wind and waves
-or-
A storm obeys Jesus

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 8:23–27 and Mark 4:35–41.

Paragraph 8:22–24b

8:22

The Berean Standard Bible uses a different order for this verse than the Greek text does. Other English versions follow the Greek order. For example:

22aOne day 22bhe got into a boat with his disciples, 22aand he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” 22bSo they set out… (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow this order, as most English versions do. This order is indicated in the Display with alternate source lines for 8:22a and 8:22c.

8:22a

One day: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as One day is literally “one of the days.” It introduces a new event and indicates that it happened sometime during the same period of time as the preceding events. Some ways to translate this are:

At about that time
-or-
Around that time
-or-
on one of those days (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus said to His disciples: For help in translating the word disciples, see the note on disciples at 5:30a. See also disciple in the Glossary for more information.

Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is literally “he.” Many English versions translate it that way. Refer to Jesus in the most natural way in your language for this context.

8:22b

Let us cross to the other side of the lake: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let us cross is a polite command or request. In this context Jesus was telling his disciples that he wanted to cross with them to the other side of the lake. Other ways to express this request are:

Let us cross over to the other side of the lake (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Let’s cross the lake
-or-
I want us to go to the other side of the lake
-or-
We should go ⌊now⌋ to the other side of the lake

the other side of the lake: The word lake here refers to “Lake Galilee.” Luke refers to this lake as the “Lake of Gennesaret” or simply as “the lake.” See the note at 5:1a. Here Jesus and his followers were going from Capernaum on the northwest coast of the lake to the northeast coast.

8:22c

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So is most often translated as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions use So because the disciples set out as a result of what Jesus said. Connect this verse to the context in a natural way in your language. If you use a conjunction such as “so” that indicates result, notice that it goes with the verb “set out.” It does not go with getting into the boat.

got into a boat with them: This boat was probably a fishing boat with sails and oars. It was probably about 9 meters long and 2.5 meters wide (30 feet long and 8 feet wide).

In some languages there may be a special verb for getting into a boat. For example:

boarded a boat

Remember that in the Greek order, the phrase got into a boat has already occurred in 8:22a. You do not need to translate this phrase twice in 8:22.

set out: The words set out indicate that the disciples began moving the boat across the lake. They probably put up a sail for the wind to move the boat.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 8:54

Paragraph 8:54–56

8:54

There is implied information here. After Jesus spoke to the people in 8:53, he went to the place where the girl’s body was lying. See Mark 5:40. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

⌊Jesus went to the place where the girl was lying⌋ and took her

But Jesus:
In the Greek text, the pronoun “he,” which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus, is emphatic. Along with the conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But, it indicates a contrast. The focus shifts from the people who were mocking Jesus to what Jesus did next. He went to the girl and raised her from the dead, as he had come with Jairus to do. Connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language. Another way to translate this is:

As for Jesus, he ⌊went and⌋ took

Jesus took her by the hand: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus took her by the hand means that Jesus held the hand of the girl in his own hand. Some languages may express this idea in different ways. For example:

he grasped the girl’s hand
-or-
he took her hand

Jesus was gentle as he picked up her hand and held it. Your translation should not imply that it was a forceful action. For example:

Jesus gently took her by the hand (NET Bible)

Express this action in a natural way in your language.

and called out: The Greek verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called out is literally “called saying.” The word “called” indicates that Jesus spoke in a loud voice, and the word “saying” introduces what he said. Some other ways to translate this are:

He…spoke forcefully (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Jesus…said in a loud voice (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus…called to her (New Century Version)

Child: In the parallel passage in Mark 5:41 Jesus’ word (in another language) is translated into Greek with the meaning “little girl/lady.” Use a term of address that would be appropriate in your culture for a man kindly to address a young girl who is twelve years old.

get up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as get up can mean:

(a) stand up from a lying or sitting position;

(b) wake up from sleep;

Option (c) is the clearest in this context. It emphasizes that Jesus was telling a dead person to live again. This is important in cultures where the other options might imply that the girl was not really dead, but asleep (8:52). However, option (a) is appropriate when it implies that the girl had been dead, as well as lying down. Some languages may have a word like the English word “rise” that can be used for all three meanings. If that is true in your language, it may be a good choice here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 9:30

9:30

The Berean Standard Bible changes the Greek order of the phrases in 9:30. Some other versions, such as the New International Version and the New Living Translation (2004), include some part of 9:31 in 9:30 for clarity. See the General Comment on 9:30–31b at the end of the notes on 9:31b-c for suggestions about how to order all of these phrases.

9:30a

Suddenly two men: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly two men is literally “And behold, two men.” Several English versions translate the phrase this way. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly here, literally “behold,” calls the readers to notice something surprising and sudden. Your language may have an expression of its own that indicates this. For example:

All at once two men

9:30b

Moses and Elijah: Moses and Elijah were both Old Testament prophets who lived many years before Jesus. But God brought them to the mountain to talk with Jesus.

Some people may not know that Moses and Elijah lived long before Jesus. If that is true in your area, you may want to include some implied information in the text or in a footnote. For example:

Moses and Elijah, ⌊prophets of long ago⌋

9:30c

began talking with Jesus: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as began talking can indicate either an ongoing action or an action that is just starting. Another way to translate this is:

were talking with Jesus (New Century Version)

It may be natural in your language to express the idea of talking with a term such as “conversing” or “speaking.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 9:62

9:62a–b

No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God: In this verse Jesus used a metaphor about farming with a plow. Jesus indicated here that a person who says he will follow Jesus but then wants to return to his former way of life cannot do useful work in God’s kingdom. He is like a person who looks behind him as he uses a plow. The similarity between these people is that neither one is able to do useful work. A person who looks backward while plowing a field will make crooked furrows. Similarly, a person who is sidetracked by his former way of life will not serve God effectively in his kingdom.

In some languages the meaning of this metaphor may be clear. If it is not clear, other ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. Make the implied topic explicit. For example:

⌊No one who starts to be my disciple and then turns back to his former way of life⌋ will be useful to serve/work in God’s kingdom. He is like someone who begins to plow a field but then he looks backwards.

• Make the topic explicit. State each part of the metaphor as a separate sentence. For example:

If anyone starts to plow a field and then looks back, ⌊his work will be useless. In the same way, if anyone starts to follow me and turns aside to do other things,⌋ he will not be able to do useful work in God’s kingdom.

• State the meaning directly. For example:

Whoever starts to follow me and then looks back is of no use in serving God in his kingdom.

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

9:62a

puts his hand to the plow: The phrase puts his hand to the plow describes someone who grasps a plow to begin to use it to prepare his field for planting. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

begins to plow a field (New Century Version)
-or-
starts plowing (Contemporary English Version)

plow: A plow (or plough) was a sharply pointed wooden tool used for breaking up the soil before planting seeds. It was pulled by a horse or an ox. The farmer held the plow in order to keep it going in a straight line.

and then looks back: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as looks back means “looks behind him.” If a farmer looks behind him as he plows, he will not be able to guide the plow in a straight line. Figuratively, this refers to a disciple who thinks longingly about how he used to live before he followed Jesus. This prevents him from following Jesus with all his heart.

9:62b

is fit for the kingdom of God: Jesus was saying here that no one who commits himself to be a disciple of Christ and then wants to go back to his former life can serve God in a useful way in his kingdom.

In this context is fit for the kingdom of God probably refers to the way a person serves and obeys God in order to benefit God’s kingdom. That would include telling people about God ruling his people through the Messiah. It would also include helping people to believe in Jesus (as in 9:60b) and other types of service. Some ways to translate fit for the kingdom of God are:

serve God effectively to benefit his reign/chieftaincy
-or-
serve God in a useful way as he rules his people

fit for: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fit means to be useful or able to serve effectively.

the kingdom of God: The phrase the kingdom of God refers to God ruling as king over his people. This same phrase occurs in 9:60b. See also the first note in this part of the verse for translation suggestions for this context.

General Comment on 9:62a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to begin this verse without using a negative phrase such as “no one.” For example:

Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God. (Good News Translation)
-or-
If someone starts to plow and then looks backward, his work in God’s kingdom will be useless.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:32

10:32a

So too, when a Levite: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So too indicates that the Levite behaved exactly as the priest had behaved. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

So likewise (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In the same way (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be more natural to introduce the Levite in a different way. The information expressed by the phrase “So too” can be expressed by words such as “also.” For example:

Later, there was a Levite…. He also…

Levite: A Levite was a Jewish religious worker who helped the priests in the Temple. The Levites were descendants of Jacob’s son Levi and were members of the tribe called Levi. Jewish people respected them, but their status was not as high as that of priests.

There are several ways to translate this word. Some possibilities are:

• Transliterate the word Levi and include a footnote to explain the meaning. For example:

Levites were members of the tribe of Levi who helped the Jewish priests with their work in the Temple. (New Century Version)

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

a descendant of Levi
-or-
a religious worker from the tribe of Levi
-or-
a temple assistant from the tribe of Levi

• Translate the function of a Levite without using the word Levite. For example:

Temple assistant (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
temple helper (Contemporary English Version)

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

came to that spot and saw him: There is a textual issue here. Some Greek manuscripts include a word that implies that the Levite came close to the man to look at him. The two options are:

(1) Some manuscripts do not include this word. The Levite saw the man but did not approach him. For example:

So too a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him went past on the other side. (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

(2) Other manuscripts include this word. The Levite saw the man and approached him. For example:

Next, a Levite came there, and after he went over and looked at the man, he walked by on the other side of the road. (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with a majority of the English versions.

that spot: In some languages it may be necessary to supply information from the preceding context about that spot. For example:

the place ⌊where the man was lying⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013