SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 35

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 17:2

17:2

This verse emphasizes how terrible it is for someone to cause a little one to sin. Even an awful death like drowning is better than the punishment that such a person will receive.

17:2a

It would be better for him: The clause It would be better introduces a comparison. The comparison is between two terrible punishments:

(a) drowning in the sea with a millstone tied around the neck (17:2b);

(b) ⌊the punishment for⌋ causing a little one to sin (17:1b).

Jesus was saying that the punishment for causing a little one to sin is worse than drowning. A person should prefer to drown rather than to cause a little one to sin. Languages compare such situations in various ways. For example:

2bIf people tied a big stone around the neck of a person who did that and threw him in the ocean ⌊so that he drowned⌋, 2athat would be a little punishment. 2cBut if he causes one of these little ones to sin, ⌊God⌋ will give him a really big punishment.
-or-

2cThe person who causes a little one to sin ⌊will be punished⌋ 2ain a way that will be worse than 2bif a millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Use a natural way to express the comparison in your language.

17:2b

to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea: This part of the verse describes how a person might be punished. People might tie a millstone around the person’s neck and then throw the person into the sea. Some English versions mention the sea first. For example:

to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck (New International Version)

But in some languages it may be more natural to mention these actions in the order they happen. For example:

if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea (Good News Translation)

You should use a natural order in your language.

millstone hung…thrown: The verbs hung and thrown are passive. In some languages it may be more natural to use active verbs and supply a general subject like “people” or “someone.” For example:

if ⌊people⌋ tied a large stone around his neck and threw him into the sea

to be thrown into the sea: If someone is thrown into deep water with a millstone tied around his neck, he will sink and die by drowning. In some languages it may be necessary to make this implied information explicit. For example:

thrown into the sea ⌊to drown/die⌋

the sea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sea refers to a large, wide body of water. The water can be either salty or fresh. This word can also be used in contrast to land. The phrase the sea does not refer here to any particular sea.

In some areas people may not be familiar with large seas. If that is true in your language, you can translate it with a more familiar term. For example:

into a lake/river

a millstone: A millstone is a large, heavy stone. People used stones like this to grind grain to make flour.

Sometimes a person rotated the stone. At other times an animal turned the stone.

Some other ways to translate the word millstone are:

large stone
-or-
very heavy stone

17:2c

than to cause one of these little ones to stumble: This verse implies that God will severely punish a person who causes little ones to sin. The punishment will be far worse than if someone had killed him by drowning him. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

than to endure the way that ⌊God⌋ would punish him for causing one of these little ones to sin

cause…to stumble: Translate cause…to stumble in a similar way as you translated “stumbling blocks” in 17:1a.

these little ones: The phrase little ones often refers to children. In this context Jesus used the phrase figuratively to refer to people who are innocent or weak in some way. They need protection and help. The word these refers to people who were listening to Jesus and probably to others like them. Some ways to translate this are:

one of these childlike people
-or-
an innocent/vulnerable person ⌊like⌋ these

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 17:34

Paragraph 17:34–37

For 17:34–35 see also Matthew 24:40–41. These verses indicate that some people who live and work close to one another will be separated at the time when Jesus returns.

17:34a

I tell you: The pronoun you is plural here. Jesus often used the words I tell you to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. It indicates that the statement was important and that people should listen carefully to it. Some other ways to show this emphasis are:

let me tell you this
-or-
listen carefully to this:
-or-
I assure you

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.

on that night: Here Jesus was referring back to what he said in 17:30 about the Son of Man being revealed (when he returns and everyone will see him). In some languages it may be better to use a different phrase to refer back to it. For example:

At that time ⌊when I return⌋
-or-
When ⌊I, the Son of Man, return⌋

two people will be in one bed: The Greek text does not say whether these two people are men or women, children or adults. A husband and wife, or two children, or any other two people might be in one bed. So use an expression for be in one bed that does not have sexual connotations. For example:

two ⌊family members⌋ will be ⌊sleeping⌋ in/on one bed

Jesus was not referring to any specific two people. He was saying that similar separations will happen all over the world when he returns.

17:34b

one will be taken and the other left: The verbs will be taken and left are passive. Here are some ways to translate these actions:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

one ⌊person⌋ will be taken and the other ⌊person⌋ will be left.

• Use active verbs and supply a subject. The subject may be either God or Jesus, since the clause refers to the time of Jesus’ coming. For example:

⌊God⌋ will take one ⌊of them⌋ and leave the other ⌊one⌋.
-or-

⌊I⌋ will take one person and leave the other person.

There are two ways to interpret the words One will be taken and the other left:

(1) The people who are taken will go to safety with Jesus. The people who are left will be punished. For example:

one will be taken away; the other will be left behind (Good News Translation)

(2) The people who are taken will go away to be punished. The people who are left will not endure that punishment. For example:

destruction will take one

It is recommended that you attempt to leave this ambiguous, as most English versions do. The point is that the righteous and wicked will suddenly be separated.

However, if you must decide between the interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most Bible scholars follow this interpretation. It fits the context of Noah and Lot, who were taken away to be safe while the other people were punished.

taken and…left: Note that the words taken and left refer to two opposite actions. In some languages it may be natural to use a conjunction that implies contrast. For example:

God will take one but will leave the other.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 18:29

18:29a

Truly I tell you: Jesus also used this phrase at 18:17. Here the phrase emphasizes what Jesus was about to say to the disciples in 18:29b–30b. Other ways to translate it are:

I assure you that… (Good News Translation)
-or-
I can promise you that…
-or-
I can guarantee this truth: (God’s Word)

For more suggestions, see the notes on 18:17a.

Jesus replied: In the Greek text, this clause occurs before the words “Truly I tell you.” Place it where it is most natural in your language.

18:29b–30a

no one who has left…will fail to receive: The phrase no one who has left…will fail to receive is an emphatic way to say “anyone who has left…will certainly receive.” For example:

Anyone who gave up his home, wife, brothers, parents, or children…will certainly receive many times as much in this life… (God’s Word)

18:29b–c

has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God: Here Jesus implied that sometimes his disciples must leave their homes and families in order to serve God and his kingdom. In this context, leaving family members probably implies being away from them for a long time. Jesus’ disciples did this when they left their families to travel with Jesus. Sometimes people may also have to leave their family members in order to become people in God’s kingdom. This is especially true when family members oppose Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this are:

has left behind their homes or wives or brothers or parents or children in order to serve God as his king
-or-
has given up his home, wife, brothers, parents, or children to submit to God as his king

home: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as home can refer to any house. It can also refer to the family members who live in a person’s house.

brothers or parents or children: The word brothers includes all siblings, older and younger, male and female. The word parents refers to both mother and father. The word children refers to a person’s sons and daughters. Use appropriate kinship terms in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 19:18

19:18–19

These two verses are similar to 19:16–17. In some languages it may be natural to translate these verses as a separate paragraph, as in the New Century Version.

19:18a

The second servant came and said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The second servant is literally “the second.” It refers to the next of the ten servants who came and spoke to his master the king. You can translate this part of the verse in a similar way as you translated 19:16a.

19:18b

Master: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Master also occurred in 19:16b. See the note there for translation suggestions.

your mina has made five minas: The meaning of this clause is the same as 19:16b, except that the amount is different. The second servant had used his master’s money to earn five times as much. See the notes at 19:16b for translation suggestions.

General Comment on 19:18a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech for this verse. For example:

The next servant also reported a good gain—five times the original amount. (New Living Translation (1996))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:2

20:2a–b

“Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”: The Berean Standard Bible places the words they said in the middle of what the chief priests, scribes, and elders said to Jesus. This is good English style. However, in some languages, it may be necessary to place these words at the beginning of 20:2a. For example:

and they said to him, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things and who gave you this authority?”

Tell us.…by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?: Here the Jewish leaders challenged Jesus’ authority. The Greek text uses two questions to translate this challenge. In some languages it may be natural to express one or both of the questions as a command. For example:

Tell us what authority You have to do these things and who gave You the authority.

The Greek text connects the questions with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and. However, many English versions translate this conjunction as “or.” In some languages it may be more natural to have no conjunction. For example:

What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority? (Contemporary English Version)

Use a natural way in your language to express this challenge to Jesus’ authority.

20:2a

they said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they said is literally “and they spoke, saying to him.” In the Greek text this phrase occurs at the beginning of the verse. See the note on 20:2a–b above and place this phrase where it is natural in your language.

In this context the leaders were challenging Jesus, so it may be natural to use a more specific verb. For example:

They demanded (New Living Translation (2004))

by what authority are You doing these things: In Greek the clause by what authority are You doing these things is identical to the question in Mark 11:28a.

The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by what authority means “by what right.” It questions the type of authority Jesus had. Did he claim to be the Messiah, a prophet, or to have some other type of authority? Some other ways to translate this are:

Tell us, what gives you the right…? (God’s Word)
-or-
Tell us where your authority to do all that…is from!

doing these things: The phrase doing these things has a general meaning. It refers to everything that Jesus had been doing and teaching since he arrived in Jerusalem. In some languages it may be helpful to include a footnote to explain the meaning more specifically. For example:

“These things” could refer to everything that Jesus had been doing and teaching since he arrived in Jerusalem. These things included accepting the praise of the crowd as he entered the city, making people stop selling things in the temple, and teaching people in the temple.

20:2b

and who gave You this authority?: This question is similar to the question in 20:2a, but it is more specific. The leaders demanded that Jesus tell who had given him the right to do what he was doing. The leaders themselves did not actually believe that anyone had given Jesus such a right. Another way to translate the demand is:

Who sent you ⌊to do these things⌋?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:34

Paragraph 20:34–38

In this paragraph Jesus gave the Sadducees an answer that had two parts:

(a) In 20:34–36, he explained that when people die and live again, they will have a new kind of life. They will not marry, just as angels do not marry. (See the notes on 20:36a–b.)

(b) In 20:37–38, he reminded them what God said in one of the books of Moses. God indicated that the great ancestors of the Jewish people were still alive with him. This showed that God does cause people to live again after they die.

20:34–36

The sons of this age…sons of the resurrection…sons of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as sons in 20:34 is the same word as the word sons in 20:36. The phrases sons of God and sons of the resurrection are two ways to describe the people who will live in the age to come. Jesus contrasted them with The sons of this age. Unlike the people of this age, the people who will live in the age to come will not marry, and they will not die again.

Translate these verses in a way that makes this contrast clear. For example:

34The people of this age marry, 35but people who are worthy to rise from death and live in the age to come will not marry 36and they will not die again. In that way they will be like the angels. They are people of God, and they have already been resurrected.

20:34

The sons of this age: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The sons of this age refers to all people who live on this earth. It also refers to our life here until the resurrection. It does not refer only to the people who were alive while Jesus was on earth. Another way to translate this is:

The people of this world

marry and are given in marriage: Here marriage is described in two different ways. Languages have different terms to describe marriage. In some languages different verbs are used for men and women. In other languages the same verb is used for both men and women. Some languages may use idioms to refer to marriage. Use natural terms in your language.

This phrase also occurred in 17:27. See the notes at 17:27b for translation suggestions. Some ways to translate it are:

The children of this world take wives and husbands. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The men and women of this age marry….(Good News Translation)
-or-
In this world, men marry women, and women are married to men.

are given in marriage: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are given in marriage is passive. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

⌊others⌋ arrange/approve marriages ⌊for their female relatives⌋
-or-

⌊Fathers/families⌋ give their ⌊daughters/women⌋ for men to marry

Another form of this verb occurs in 17:27. See how you translated it there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:19

21:19

By your patient endurance you will gain your souls: This clause is a promise. It indicates that by remaining firmly loyal to Jesus, his disciples will gain eternal life. The meaning is similar to the parallel verse Mark 13:13b, which says, “but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”

In some languages it may be helpful to reverse the order of phrases in this clause. For example:

You will be saved by being faithful to me. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
You will receive eternal life if you remain faithful ⌊to me⌋.

By your patient endurance: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as By your patient endurance is literally “in your endurance.” This phrase tells the way that the disciples will gain life. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

• As a clause that expresses a condition. For example:

If you stand firm

• As a command. For example:

Stand firm (Good News Translation)

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

patient endurance: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patient endurance is literally “your endurance.” endurance refers to steadfast perseverance through difficulties and suffering. In this context it refers specifically to the disciples remaining faithful to Jesus even when people persecute them and threaten to kill them because they obey him. In some languages it may be necessary to translate the meaning more explicitly. For example:

If you endure ⌊such times⌋ ⌊without giving up your faith in me⌋
-or-
Stand/Remain firm ⌊in your faith in me⌋ ⌊no matter what happens⌋

you will gain your souls: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as you will gain your souls clearly implies that the disciples would gain something that they did not yet have, which is eternal life with God. Faithful disciples of Jesus will live eternally with God. Some ways to translate this clause are:

you(plur) will receive eternal life
-or-

⌊God⌋ will give you eternal life

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:13

Paragraph 22:13

22:13a

So: In Greek this verse begins with a common conjunction. The Berean Standard Bible translates this word as So. It introduces what the two disciples did as a result of Jesus’ instructions to them in 22:8–12. Some English versions introduce the verse with “And.” In some languages it may be natural to introduce it with a clause. For example:

When Jesus finished giving them these instructions

Connect this verse to 22:8–12 in a natural way in your language.

they: The word they refers to Peter and John, the disciples whom Jesus sent to prepare for the Passover meal. In some languages it may be helpful to refer back to them more explicitly. For example:

Peter and John (Contemporary English Version)

went: In this context the verb went implies that Peter and John left Jesus to go to Jerusalem to do what he told them to do. In some languages it may be helpful to include a location with the verb. For example:

left ⌊for Jerusalem⌋
-or-
set out ⌊for the city⌋

22:13b

and found it just as Jesus had told them: In Greek the verb found has no object here. The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word it because an object is needed in English. In this context the phrase found…just as is used in a special way. It indicates that the disciples saw that everything happened exactly as Jesus told them before they went.

This same phrase found…just as was used in 19:32. In that context Jesus told his disciples where to find a colt for him to ride into Jerusalem. In that situation also, everything happened exactly as Jesus said it would. You may be able to translate in a similar way here in 22:13. See the note on 19:32b for more information.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

They found everything as Jesus had told them (God’s Word)
-or-
and they saw/realized that everything happened exactly as Jesus said it would
-or-
and all that Jesus had told them came-true

22:13c

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces what the disciples did next. Connect this part of the verse to 22:13b in a way that is natural in your language.

they prepared the Passover: The clause they prepared the Passover indicates that Peter and John made the preparations for Passover that were mentioned in 22:8. You may translate in a similar but briefer way here. Your translation should fit with 22:8 so that readers will understand that Peter and John followed Jesus’ instructions. See the note on 22:8b–c.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013