SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 36

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:2

10:2a

In this verse Luke began to quote what Jesus told the seventy-two disciples before they left. Be sure that the sequence of events is clear. See the note on 10:1–2.

And: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And, as do some other English versions (English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible). Many other versions do not translate this conjunction. Connect 10:2a to 10:1 in a way that is natural in your language.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…”: Jesus spoke here of a large crop with only a few people to harvest it. This is a metaphor. It means that many people were ready to hear Jesus’ message, but there were only a few people to tell them.

In some languages people may not understand that Jesus was using a metaphor here, or they may not understand its meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the entire metaphor, but make explicit in some way that Jesus was using figurative language. For example:

He told them ⌊this illustration/parable:⌋ “The…”
-or-
Jesus told them, “⌊I am sending you out like⌋ workers who will harvest a crop. The harvest…”

• Keep part of the metaphor. Make part of the meaning explicit. For example:

There are a great many people to harvest, but there are only a few workers. (New Century Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. Make one or both parts of the topic explicit. For example:

⌊Many people are ready to believe in me,⌋ ⌊but there are not many people to tell them the good news.⌋ ⌊They are like⌋ a big grain field that is ripe, and there are not enough workers to harvest the ripe grain.

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

There are many people who are ready to believe in me, but there are not many who can help/invite them.

This option should only be used if the other options are not clear or natural.

Try to keep at least part of the metaphor if possible. If you translate the metaphor literally, you may want to include a footnote with an explanation. For example:

The “harvest” symbolizes people who need to hear Jesus’ message. The “workers” symbolize people who tell them his message.

The harvest is plentiful: The word harvest refers here to a crop that is ready to be gathered. It is a general word that can refer to different types of crops, for example, ripe grain or fruit. See also Matthew 9:37–38. Other ways to translate this clause are:

There is a large crop ready to be harvested
-or-
The fields are full of ripe grain

the workers are few: The clause the workers are few means that not many people were working in the field to harvest the crop.

the workers: In some languages it may be more natural to translate this phrase with a word that refers specifically to harvest workers. For example:

the reapers
-or-
the harvesters

10:2b

Ask: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Ask means to ask urgently or plead. In this context it can also mean to pray. You may use a word that is appropriate for pleading with a literal human owner of the harvest or for praying to God, the figurative owner. For example:

beseech (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
pray to (New Living Translation (2004))

the Lord of the harvest: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord was used in 10:1a to refer to Jesus. Here it has both a literal and a figurative meaning. In the illustration it refers literally to the owner of a field. He is the one who gets workers to come and harvest the crop. Figuratively, it refers to God. It does not refer here to Jesus. The Greek word meaning “owner” or “master” was the same word that the Jews used for God. That is why the Berean Standard Bible translates it as Lord.

In some languages you may be able to use a word that could refer to both a master/owner or to God. For example:

the owner of the harvest (Good News Translation)
-or-
the master who is in charge of the harvest

In other languages it may be more appropriate to refer specifically to God. For example:

⌊God, who is⌋ the Lord of the harvest
-or-
God, who owns the harvest (New Century Version)

therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as therefore introduces 10:2b as the logical conclusion of 10:2a. The Berean Standard Bible has placed this word in the middle of the sentence. In some languages it may be more natural to place it at the beginning of 10:2b. For example:

therefore ask… (New Revised Standard Version)

to send out workers into His harvest: In this context the word workers implies more workers. The disciples were to ask the field owner to send more people to work in his field to harvest the crop. Some other ways to express this request are:

that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest (New Century Version)
-or-
to send more workers into his fields (New Living Translation (2004))

Here His harvest is a metaphor that refers to the many people in the world who had not heard Jesus’ message. In many languages it will be possible to keep this figure of speech. However, if it gives the wrong meaning in your language, you may translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

So pray to God, ⌊who has been making these people ready to believe⌋. Ask him to send more ⌊disciples⌋ ⌊to help people to come to me⌋.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:34

10:34a

He went to him: The Samaritan approached the wounded man and probably knelt down beside him while he treated him. This phrase shows the contrast between the way the priest and Levite acted and the way the Samaritan acted.

and bandaged his wounds: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bandaged is literally “wrapped.” The man probably wrapped or tied strips of cloth around the man’s wounds/injuries.

pouring on oil and wine: In New Testament times, people used oil and wine as medicines. The oil and wine cleansed and soothed wounds.

In some cultures, oil and wine are not used to treat wounds. In other languages, these words are not known or the action of pouring oil and wine on wounds would cause confusion. If this is the case in your language, you can:

• Make explicit the function of the oil and wine. For example:

He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine. (Contemporary English Version)

• State only the function of the oil and wine, but do not translate the actual words. For example:

cleaned…his wounds (God’s Word)

You may also want to include a footnote that explains this action. For example:

The Samaritan cleaned/treated the wounds with olive oil and wine. In those days people used oil and wine as medicines.

oil: In this context oil probably refers to olive oil. This oil came from the fruit of olive trees. People used this oil for many purposes, including cooking, fuel for lamps, and as medicine.

Be careful not to use a word for oil that refers only to motor oil.

wine: The term wine describes an alcoholic drink. It is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. When grape juice ferments, it becomes wine. Because wine contains alcohol, people also used it to clean and heal wounds.

In some areas, people may not be familiar with grapes or with wine. If that is true in your area, some other ways to translate wine are:

• Use a general term for an alcoholic drink.

• Use a specific term that can also be used to refer to alcoholic drinks in general. For example:

millet beer
-or-
palm wine
-or-
something like palm wine

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

fermented fruit juice/water
-or-
grape juice
-or-
fermented grape juice

This word also occurs in 7:33a.

General Comment on 10:34a

The Samaritan probably poured the oil and wine directly on the man’s wounds before he bandaged the wounds. He did not first put the bandages on the man and then pour oil and wine on top of the bandages. Some ways to make the sequence of events clear are:

• Keep the same order, but indicate the sequence of events in another way. For example:

bandaged his wounds after he poured wine and oil on them

• Put the phrases in chronological order. For example:

poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them (Good News Translation)

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

10:34b

he put him on his own animal: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he put means “he set” or “he placed.” The Samaritan had to lift the injured man onto the animal he had been riding. The man was severely wounded and perhaps unconscious. The verb that you use here should be appropriate for a man in that condition. For example:

he lifted him onto his own beast (Revised English Bible)

animal: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as animal is a general term. It refers to an animal that can carry baggage or that a person can ride. In that area, it would have been a donkey or mule. In areas where donkeys are not known, you may use a more general term. For example:

animal (Good News Translation)
-or-
beast (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
mount (New Jerusalem Bible)

brought him to an inn: In this context, the phrase brought him to an inn implies that the Samaritan walked to the inn, guiding the donkey and perhaps supporting the man. Use a natural term in your language to express this idea.

inn: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inn refers to a “guest house” or small “hotel.” It was a building where travelers could pay for a place to sleep and buy food to eat. It was not a place where people came to receive medical treatment.

10:34c

took care of him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took care refers to giving physical help to someone, for example, by bringing him food. Since the Samaritan was already taking care of the injured man, in some languages it may be natural to indicate that. For example:

⌊continued to⌋ take care of him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:24

Section 11:24–26

Jesus warned that an unclean spirit may possess someone again

In the last section, Jesus explained that he cast out unclean spirits by the power of God. In this section, he gave a warning about people who had been delivered from an unclean spirit. He said that if they did not entrust their lives to someone else, they were in danger of being possessed by even more unclean spirits.

Another possible heading for this section is:

The return of the evil spirit (Good News Translation)

There is a parallel passage for this section in Matthew 12:43–45.

Paragraph 11:24–26

11:24a

This verse is the beginning of a new section, so you may want to say explicitly that Jesus was still speaking. For example, you could begin this verse with the words:

⌊Jesus also said⌋ ⌊to the people⌋…
-or-

⌊Jesus then told another parable. He said⌋…

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man: In this context the clause an unclean spirit comes out of a man implies that someone forces it to leave the person that it has possessed. In some languages it may be clearer to make some of this information explicit. For example:

When an unclean spirit leaves a person ⌊it has been possessing⌋
-or-
When an unclean spirit ⌊is caused to⌋ leave a person

unclean spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as unclean spirit is another term for “demon,” so you may use the same expression in your language for both Greek terms.

This term also occurs in 9:42c. See also demon in the Glossary.

a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man means “a person.” This could refer to a man or a woman, a boy or a girl.

11:24b

it passes through arid places: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it passes through arid places means “the unclean spirit wanders/roams around in dry/desert places.” The demon passed through these places but did not stay anywhere.

arid places: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as arid places means “places without water.” Arid places were dry places such as deserts or wilderness areas where people did not live.

11:24c

seeking rest and does not find it: The unclean spirit was looking for a place to rest from its wandering, that is, a place to stay. But it did not find a suitable place. Apparently it wanted to stay in a person whom it could control, as implied in 11:24d.

rest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rest here means “a place to rest.” It refers to a place to live or a home where the unclean spirit could stop wandering around and start to reside.

11:24d

I will return to the house I left: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as house is used here as a figure of speech. It refers to the person whom the demon had been possessing. The word house implies that what the unclean spirit was looking for was a person in whom to live. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that this house is a person. For example:

⌊the man who was my⌋ house/home
-or-

⌊the person⌋ in whom I lived/resided

I left: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I left is literally “from where I came out.” Another way to translate this phrase is:

the house/person that I exited

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:2

12:2–3

Many scholars think that one or both of these verses were well-known proverbs that Jesus used more than once in order to emphasize different truths. Here Jesus used the same proverbs he used in Matthew 10:26–27, but he was teaching a different lesson.

12:2a

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed: This proverb gives a reason for Jesus’ warning in 12:1 that the disciples should not be hypocrites like the Pharisees. In some languages it may be necessary to make this connection explicit. For example:

⌊don’t become/be like them because⌋… (Translator’s Reference Translation)

In this context, the proverb means that God will reveal the truth about hypocrites such as the Pharisees. The Pharisees were trying to hide their real motives, but God will one day cause everyone to know what they were really thinking.

Notice that this proverb contains two negatives: nothing and not. In some languages it is more natural to translate without using negatives. For example:

Everything that is hidden will be found out (Contemporary English Version)

concealed…disclosed: In Greek, the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as concealed and disclosed are both passive forms. Some ways to translate these words are:

• As passive forms. For example:

Whatever is covered up will be uncovered (Good News Translation)

• As active forms. Since this verse was probably a proverb, you should try to use a general subject for concealed. You should not refer specifically to the Pharisees. The implied subject of disclosed is God. For example:

⌊No one⌋ can hide anything that ⌊God⌋ will not reveal
-or-

⌊God⌋ will make known whatever ⌊anyone⌋ tries to conceal

Translate these words in a way that is most natural in your language.

12:2b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces a statement that has the same meaning as the previous verse part. Some English versions introduce 12:2b with “or.” Others do not use a conjunction. Consider how your language would connect two similar statements such as 12:2a and 12:2b. See the General Comment on 12:2a–b at the end of 12:2b for ways to translate similar statements.

nothing hidden that will not be made known: This part of the verse repeats the meaning of the previous verse part, using similar words. This is called parallelism and was a common pattern in Jewish proverbs.

In Greek, the word “nothing” is not repeated in the second part of this statement. It has been left implied. In some languages it will be necessary to supply the full clause, as the Berean Standard Bible does by repeating nothing. For example:

⌊there is nothing⌋ hidden that will not be made known

As in the previous verse part, the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hidden and be made known are passive forms. In some languages it may be more natural to translate them with active forms. For example:

⌊God⌋ will make known anything that ⌊a person⌋ hides.

General Comment on 12:2a–b

The parallel statements in 12:2a and 12:2b express the same meaning. No contrast is intended. In some languages it may not be possible to repeat two statements with similar meanings without sounding redundant or without implying a contrast. Two ways to avoid these problems are:

• Use a different general subject in 12:2b. For example:

2aEverything that ⌊people⌋ cover up ⌊God⌋ will uncover.

2b
You
(plur) cannot keep anything hidden forever.

• Reorder or combine the parts with similar meaning. For example:

Everything that is now hidden or unknown will be revealed or made known.
-or-
If people have any secret sins or hidden motives, God will cause them all to be known.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:34

12:34

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why the disciples should store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. This is what Jesus told them in 12:33c. Be careful not to imply a wrong connection to a different part of 12:33. Some English versions do not translate a connector here. In some languages it may be helpful to repeat some information from 12:33. For example:

⌊Provide this treasure in heaven⌋ because…

In other languages you may be able to use a more general phrase that refers back to all of 12:33. For example:

Remember/Realize that…

where your treasure is, there your heart will be also: The expression where your treasure is, there your heart will be also means that the place where your treasure is located is the place that you will think about. If a person has stored riches on earth, he will think about them and put efforts into protecting and increasing them. If a person has stored up riches in heaven, he will think about heaven and devote himself to God. Other ways to translate this verse are:

For what you consider to be your wealth is what you will truly love/value and think about.
-or-
Where a person puts his treasure, he will also direct his thoughts.

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

For your heart will always be where your riches are. (Good News Translation)
-or-
You will dedicate your life to whatever you consider to be most valuable. (adapted from the TRT footnote)

heart: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heart is used here in a figurative way. The Jews often spoke of the heart as the part of a person in which thoughts and feelings occur.

In some languages people use a different part of the body, such as the mind, throat, liver, or stomach, in this way. In other languages people use a non-figurative expression, as in the TRT example above. You should use an expression that is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:18

Section 13:18–21

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a seed and to yeast

In this section Jesus told two parables that figuratively describe what the kingdom of God is like. The parable about the mustard seed illustrates the way God’s kingdom grows or expands. The parable about the yeast illustrates the powerful influence that God’s kingdom has in human society.

Some other headings for this section are:

Stories About a Mustard Seed and Yeast (God’s Word)
-or-
Two Parables About God’s Rule

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:31–33 and Mark 4:30–32 (the mustard seed parable only).

Paragraph 13:18–19

13:18a–b

What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?: Both these questions have basically the same meaning. In Greek, the first question is more literally, “What is the likeness/comparison of the kingdom of God?” The second question is, “To what shall I liken/compare it?” These similar questions draw attention to what Jesus was about to say.

These are both rhetorical questions. Jesus used these rhetorical questions to introduce a new topic, the kingdom of God. He was inviting his listeners to think about that topic. He was not expecting an answer.

Some ways to translate this introduction are:

• As rhetorical questions. For example:

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? What is it like?
-or-
How shall we describe God’s rule? What’s a good illustration?

• As a statement or statements:

Let me tell you a story that illustrates what the kingdom of God is like.
-or-
I will give you an illustration/comparison about the kingdom of God. This is what it is like.

• As a rhetorical question followed by a statement:

To what shall we compare God’s rule? Here is a story/example we can use to describe it.

Use whatever form is most natural in your language to introduce a new teaching.

13:18a

the kingdom of God: The phrase the kingdom of God refers here 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.

Some ways to translate this are:

• As a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• As a verbal expression:

the way God rules more and more people

This phrase first occurs in Luke in 4:43a. See the notes on 4:43a and 9:2.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:15

Section 14:15–24

Jesus told a parable about a great feast

Jesus next told a parable about a feast that a man invited many people to attend. When they refused to come, he invited other people instead. This parable teaches that it is very important to accept God’s invitation to be a part of his kingdom. The people who refused the invitation represent people who are not interested in being part of God’s kingdom. Those who accepted the invitation represent people who are glad to be part of God’s kingdom.

Luke 14:16–24 is all one speech by Jesus. Check to be sure that this is clear in your translation.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

The parable of the excuses
-or-
The guests who refused the invitation to attend a banquet

There is a similar parable in Matthew 22:1–10. However, many details are different, so be careful not to translate both parables in the same way.

Paragraph 14:15–17

14:15a

When one of those reclining with Him heard this: The phrase one of those reclining with Him refers to one of the guests who was eating at the Pharisee’s house with Jesus (14:1). Probably all the other guests also heard what Jesus said. Be careful not to imply that only one of the guests heard what Jesus said. Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

After Jesus had finished speaking, one of the guests said (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
One of the guests who heard what Jesus said spoke up. He said to Jesus

those reclining with Him: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as those reclining with Him refers to the people who were eating with Jesus. They were probably lying down next to a low table. The New International Version adds the phrase “at the table” to make the meaning clear, and most other English versions do something similar. You should use an expression that is natural in your language. Other ways to translate it are:

the dinner guests (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
those eating with him (God’s Word)
-or-
the guests sitting at the table (Good News Translation)

14:15b

Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God: Many Jews believed that when the Messiah came to rule, he would begin his rule by inviting people to a great feast. All of the people who had been faithful to God would come to the feast. They would be the ones who would enjoy the blessings of the Messiah’s rule.

The phrase at the feast in the kingdom of God is similar to the reference in 13:29b. See how you translated the phrase there.

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who has received a great honor and privilege from God. The favor and kindness that God has shown to the person results in the person being in a good situation.

Some English versions translate this word as “happy.” In your translation, try to use an expression that refers to a fortunate situation rather than simply to a feeling of happiness. For example:

Joyful/desirable is your situation
-or-
How good it is for you
-or-
You are privileged/fortunate

Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health. See the note at 10:23b, where the same word occurs in a similar context. It also occurs in 6:20b and in this chapter at 14:14a. See bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

everyone: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as everyone refers to anyone and everyone who goes to the feast. It is not talking about only one person. Other ways to translate this expression are:

anyone (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
those (Revised English Bible)

will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God: In most contexts the phrase the 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. However, in this context, the emphasis is on being in a place where God rules or being among people whom God rules. Some ways to translate this phrase are:

will be included in the feast of all those whom God rules and cares for
-or-
will feast together in the ⌊good⌋ place where God rules

See the notes at 13:28b and 13:29b, where the term “kingdom of God” is used in a similar context.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 15:12

15:12a

The action of the story begins in this part of the verse. In some languages it may be good style to supply a general time phrase. For example:

One day

The younger son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The younger son means “The younger of the two sons.” In some languages it is necessary to indicate approximately how old the son was. If this is true in your language, you should use a word that applies to a man of about sixteen to twenty years old.

give me my share of the estate: In Greek, this was a request. It should not sound like a rude or abrupt command. In some languages it may be appropriate to supply a word such as “please.” Other ways to translate this request are given in the next note.

my share of the estate: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as my share of the estate means “that part of the family property that belongs to me.” Usually, sons received their portion of the family property when their father became very old or died. However, this son did not want to wait until his father died to inherit the property. He wanted to have his inheritance immediately.

In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that the phrase my share of the estate refers to the portion that he would inherit from his father. It may also be necessary to indicate that the father would need to divide the property right then, before he died, in order to give this son his share. For example:

Please divide your wealth now and give me my share.
-or-
I want my share of your estate now before you die. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Please give me now my share of the inheritance.

In some languages it may be more natural to leave more information implied here, since the next verse will supply some of that information. For example:

I would like to get my inheritance now.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this request as indirect speech. See the second meaning line for 15:12a in the Display.

15:12b

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces what his father did in response to his son’s request. In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that the father agreed to give his son his inheritance right away:

⌊His father agreed to do this⌋ and

he divided his property between them: According to Jewish custom, the older son received a share of the family property that was twice as large as that of any other son. So probably the younger son received a third of his father’s property. You may want to put this information in a footnote. Be careful not to translate divided in a way that implies dividing into two equal halves.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013