7:20a

the men: The phrase the men refers to the two disciples whom John had sent to Jesus. Another way to translate this is:

they (Good News Translation)

7:20b

John the Baptist: John had baptized many people. As a result, he became known as John the Baptist or “John the Baptizer.”

If you use a verbal expression, such as “John the Baptizer” or “John who baptizes ⌊people⌋,” be sure that you do not imply that John was still baptizing people at this time. He was in prison. (See the note about John at 7:18a.) For example, you could say:

John who had baptized ⌊people⌋
-or-
John who had been baptizing ⌊people⌋

In many parts of the world, there are churches that are called Baptist Churches. If possible, translate the Baptist in a way that means that John baptized people and not that he was the member of a Baptist church.

See also baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

the Baptist: The word Baptist has the same meaning here as the word “baptizer.” It refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In this context the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

You will probably need to decide how to translate the verb “baptize” before you translate the title “John the Baptizer.” Here are some ways to translate “baptize”:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

⌊ritually⌋ wash
-or-
initiate ⌊people⌋ in/with water
-or-
immerse people in water for God
-or-
sprinkle/shower people with God’s initiation water

• Use a term for a similar ritual that is already used in your culture. You may need to indicate that in this context it has a special connection with God. For example:

purify people with God’s ceremonial bath
-or-
wash people in initiation water for God

• Use a term that is already accepted by the local churches. In some areas this term may have been borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

Churches use different ways to baptize people. Choose a term that is acceptable to the different churches in your area.

Some other ways to translate the title “John the Baptist” are:

John who cleansed ⌊people⌋ ⌊for God⌋
-or-
John the ⌊Ritual⌋ Purifier
-or-
John who initiated ⌊people⌋ with God’s washing

7:20c

The words in this part of the verse are exactly the same as in 7:19b. See the notes there.

7:20d

The words in this part of the verse are exactly the same as in 7:19c. See the notes there.

General Comment on 7:20b–d

In 7:20c–d the words in 7:19b–c are repeated as a quotation within another quotation. In some languages it may not be natural to have a quotation within another quotation like this. You may need to use indirect speech for one of the quotations. For example:

…they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask if you are the one who was to come, or if we should expect someone else.”
-or-
…they said that John the Baptist had sent them to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come or should we expect someone else?”

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

8:2a

some women: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as some women includes Mary, Joanna, and Susanna. It also includes the “many others” of 8:3b whose names are not mentioned.

women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Some of the women had formerly been controlled by evil spirits, and some had been sick. The text does not imply that all the women had been controlled by evil spirits and had also suffered from diseases. One way to make this clear is:

and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits or diseases

In some languages it may not be natural to speak of being healed of evil spirits. If that is true in your language, you may use a different verb. The phrase healed of evil spirits implies that formerly the evil spirits were controlling the women. Then Jesus forced the evil spirits to release their control. Use natural terms in your language to talk about this. For example:

who had been delivered from evil spirits
-or-
whom Jesus freed from evil spirits

evil spirits: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as evil spirits refers to spirits that are evil and can control people’s actions. The phrase evil spirits refers to the same type of spirit as the Greek terms that are often translated as “demons” and “unclean spirits.” The Greek term for “demons” is used in 8:2b. In many languages it may be good to translate these two terms in the same way.

Some ways to translate evil spirits are:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to spirits that are evil and can control people. If there is one word with this meaning, you may not need a separate word like “evil.” For example:

demons

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. This spirit should be able to do what is described in this context. Do not use a term that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

evil/bad spirits
-or-
unclean spirits

Be sure that an expression like “unclean spirits” does not imply that the spirits are literally dirty.

See demon in the Glossary for more information.

8:2b

Mary called Magdalene: Scholars believe that Mary was called Magdalene because she came from the town of Magdala. Mary was a common name in New Testament times, and this distinguished her from the other women named Mary who are mentioned in Luke. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

Mary surnamed the Magdalene (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Mary, known as Mary of Magdala (Revised English Bible)

from whom seven demons had gone out: When a demon controlled a person, the Jews thought of the demon being in the person. Here the text says that the seven demons had gone out of Mary. Your language may have a different expression to describe when a demon releases control of a person. Some other ways to say this are:

whom seven demons had left
-or-
who had been healed/rescued from seven demons
-or-
who had been controlled by seven demons, but had been freed from their control

The text implies that Jesus is the one who caused the demons to come out of Mary. If this is not clear to your readers, you may need to make it explicit. For example:

from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons
-or-
Jesus had commanded seven demons to leave her

demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demons is different from the term “evil spirits” in 8:2a, but it has the same meaning. Here are two ways to translate these terms:

• Use a different term here than the one you used in 8:2a, but be sure that it has the same meaning or a very similar meaning.

• Translate both terms in the same way.

See demon in the Glossary.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 8:34–39

8:34a

those tending the pigs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those tending the pigs is more literally “those who were herding” or “the herdsmen.” It refers to the men who took care of the pigs as their job. Some languages will have a specific word for “pig herders.”

This is the first time that the pig herders are mentioned in this story. Introduce them in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do this in English are:

Some men were there taking care of the pigs. They…
-or-
The men who had been tending the pigs…

saw what had happened: The text does not indicate exactly what the phrase what had happened refers to. At least these men saw that the pigs drowned. It is probably good to use a general expression here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

8:34b

ran off: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ran off means “they ran away” or “they fled.” The herdsmen ran away because they were frightened by what had happened. This becomes clear in 8:35e and 8:37a–b. They did not run off because they were excited and happy that Jesus had healed the man with the demons.

reported this: The phrase reported this indicates that the herdsmen told people about what had happened. In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit what the herdsmen told or whom they told. For example:

reported everything that had happened
-or-
telling everyone about this

town and countryside: The town is not identified by name, but was probably Gerasa. See the note on “the region of the Gerasenes” at 8:26a. The countryside refers to the farms and small villages surrounding the town.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 9:10–17

Jesus did a miracle to feed more than five thousand people

Jesus taught the people about the kingdom of God and he healed many sick people. Then he fed all of the people by multiplying a small amount of bread and fish. This is the only miracle besides Jesus’ resurrection that all four Gospels record.

Some other headings for this section are:

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (New International Version)
-or-
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (NET Bible)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, and John 6:1–14.

Paragraph 9:10–11

9:10a

Then the apostles returned: Jesus’ twelve apostles came back from their trip through the villages, where they had preached and healed people. See 9:1–6. In some languages it may be necessary to say where they returned from and/or to:

When the apostles returned ⌊from their journey/tour⌋
-or-
When the apostles ⌊had completed their trip, they⌋ came back ⌊to Jesus⌋

the apostles: The Greek word that English versions translate as apostles means “those who are sent.” Here it refers to the people whom Jesus sent with authority to accomplish the mission that he gave them in 9:1–2.

In 9:1a these apostles are called “the Twelve.” In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit so that your readers know that it is the same group of people. For example:

the twelve apostles (New Century Version)

Some ways to translate apostles are:

• Translate the meaning of the Greek word apostles. For example:

people sent ⌊to speak/act for him⌋
-or-

⌊special⌋ messengers
-or-
representatives
-or-
men with authority from Jesus

• Indicate the role or function of apostles. For example:

chief leaders ⌊of Jesus’ work⌋
-or-
people who were in charge ⌊of Jesus’ work⌋

Be careful to choose different terms for “apostles,” “angels,” “elders,” and “prophets.”

See also apostle in the Glossary.

and reported to Jesus all that they had done: The apostles told Jesus about what they had done on their preaching tour of the villages.

9:10b

Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida: This part of the verse indicates that Jesus took the disciples to a place where he and they could be alone together. The phrase away privately means “alone, apart from others.” Jesus wanted to be with his apostles away from the many other people who followed him.

Some other ways to translate it are:

he led them to a town called Bethsaida where they could be alone together
-or-
Then Jesus took them with him to a town called Bethsaida, where they could be alone together. (New Century Version)

to a town called Bethsaida: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to in this context probably means “toward.” The context implies that Jesus and his disciples remained in a quiet, deserted place some distance from the town. A way to express this meaning is:

toward the town of Bethsaida (New Living Translation (2004))

Bethsaida: Bethsaida was a town on the northeast shore of Lake Galilee.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

9:42a

Even while the boy was approaching: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the phrase the boy. The Greek text says “While he was coming,” and several English versions translate the phrase that way. Your translation should clearly indicate that it was the son who was coming. It should also indicate clearly that he was coming to Jesus. Some ways to do this in English are:

Even while the boy was approaching ⌊Jesus⌋
-or-
But before the boy could reach him (Revised English Bible)

the boy: If you use a term such as the boy here, it should refer to a male probably less than thirteen years old and more than three years old.

9:42b

the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion: In Greek, the clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as slammed him to the ground in a convulsion is literally “the demon threw him down and convulsed him.” It means that the demon caused the boy to fall violently to the ground and to jerk around in a fit or convulsion. Other ways to translate this include:

the demon violently caused him to fall down and made him shake/jerk all over
-or-
the demon knocked the boy to the ground and threw him into convulsions (God’s Word)

demon: The word demon occurs in 9:1b. See the note there for information about translating this term.

9:42c

Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit: The clause Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit means that Jesus gave a stern command to the demon. It does not mean here that Jesus merely scolded the demon. Luke did not record what Jesus said, but it is clear from the parallel passages that Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to leave the boy. In some languages it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

Jesus sternly commanded the evil spirit ⌊to leave the boy⌋

unclean spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as unclean spirit refers to the same type of spirit as the terms “evil spirit” and “demon.” These terms all refer to a spirit that is evil and can control people’s actions.

See the note on 4:33a. You may translate unclean spirit the same way that you translated the word “demon” in 9:42b, or you may use a different term. Be sure to use an expression that clearly refers to the same being as the word “demon” in 9:42b.

If the term for “unclean spirit” is a single word in your language, you can omit the word for unclean. In other words, it is not necessary to say “unclean demon” if a demon is already unclean. Do not literally translate the words unclean and spirit unless this is a natural way in your language to refer to this type of being.

See the word demon in the Glossary.

9:42d

healed the boy: There are two ways to interpret the phrase healed the boy:

(1) Jesus healed the boy by casting out the demon. For example:

and ⌊thus⌋ healed the boy

(2) Jesus cast out the demon and also healed the boy of his injuries. For example:

He ⌊also/then⌋ healed the boy

The English versions are ambiguous. If possible, you should translate in a way that allows either meaning. If you cannot do this, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is supported by a majority of scholars.

gave him back to his father: The phrase gave him back to his father means that Jesus led or presented the boy to his father. See the note on 7:15b.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

10:12

Jesus’ instructions to his disciples about what they were to say to people ended at the end of 10:11c. In 10:12 Jesus told the disciples about God’s punishment for a town that rejected his message.

In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that 10:12 does not continue the words that the disciples were supposed to speak. The TRT suggests two ways to do this. For example:

⌊Jesus continued,⌋
-or-

⌊After giving those instructions, Jesus said,⌋

I tell you: Jesus often used the words I tell you to begin a statement that he wanted to emphasize. He wanted people to listen with extra attention. Some ways to show this emphasis could be:

• As a phrase before Jesus’ statement. For example:

Let me tell you this
-or-
Listen
-or-
I assure you

• As an emphatic word within Jesus’ statement. For example:

It will certainly be better on the day of judgment for the people of Sodom

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. See the note on 4:24a.

it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town: This comparison means that on the day when God judges people, he will punish the people of Sodom less than he will punish the people of a town that rejected Jesus’ disciples. See 10:14 for a similar comparison. The people of Sodom had sinned greatly (see Genesis chapter 19), but people who rejected Jesus’ disciples sinned even more. See Matthew 10:15 and 11:24. Other ways to translate this comparison are:

on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to that town (Good News Translation)
-or-
on the Judgment Day it will be better for the people of Sodom than for the people of that town (New Century Version)
-or-
On the Judgment Day God will punish the people of that town more severely than the people of Sodom

more bearable: In this context more bearable indicates that Sodom will not be punished as severely as a town that refuses to welcome Jesus’ disciples.

on that day: The phrase on that day refers to the future day or time when God will judge people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

on the Judgment Day (Good News Translation)
-or-
at the time when God judges people

Sodom…that town: The word Sodom and the phrase that town are figures of speech that refer to the people who lived there. In some languages these figures of speech may not be clear or natural, and it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

the people of Sodom…the people of that town (Contemporary English Version)

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

11:34–36

In 11:34–36, Jesus used the word “body” to refer to the person himself. Consider if it would be better to make this explicit. One way to do this in English is to use “you” throughout this passage. For example:

34Your eye is your lamp. When your eyes are good, you also are full of light. But when they are bad, you also are full of darkness. 35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if you are full of light, and no part is dark, you will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use terms such as “a person” and “his” in parts of 11:34–36. For example:

34aThe eye is the lamp of a person’s body. 34bWhen a person’s eyes are good, his whole body also is full of light. 34cBut when they are bad, his body also is full of darkness. 35He must see to it, then, that the light within him is not darkness. 36aTherefore, if a person’s whole body is full of light, 36band no part of it dark, 36cit will be completely lighted, 36das when the light of a lamp shines on him.

Also note that in the Greek text Jesus used the singular forms for “your” and “you” throughout this passage. However, he was talking about anybody and everybody. Consider if it would be better to use the plural forms for “you” and “your” in this context. The Display will use both forms.

11:34a

Your eye is the lamp of your body: This is a complex metaphor. It compares a person’s eyes (both physical and spiritual) with a lamp. The point of similarity is that both of these help him to see. A person’s physical eyes receive light and enable him to see where he is going and what is happening. A person’s spiritual eyes represent his attitude toward Jesus and his message. This attitude determines whether a person will understand the message.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

A person’s eye is like his lamp.

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the point of similarity. For example:

Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. ⌊It helps you to see.⌋

If the figure of the eye is not understood correctly, you may want to add a footnote. For example:

In Jewish thinking, the eye was the part of the body that could receive or see light. Here Jesus used the eye as an illustration of a person’s willingness to receive spiritual light or truth.

Your eye: In some languages, it may be more natural to use the plural “Your eyes” rather than the singular “Your eye.” For example:

Your eyes are the lamp for your body (Contemporary English Version)

your body: The phrase your body is a figure of speech. This phrase represents you as a whole or you as a person. As mentioned above, some other ways to translate your body are:

you
-or-
a person

11:34b–e

In 11:34b–e, Jesus used good eyes and bad eyes as a figure of speech. He contrasted the results of having good eyes and bad eyes. In the example below, the meaning of the figure is put in parentheses.

34bWhen your eyes are good (When you accept my message),

34cyour whole body also is full of light (you will understand the truth about me and it will guide you to do what is right).

34dBut when your eyes are bad (But when you ignore or reject my message),

34eyour body also is full of darkness (you will remain ignorant of the truth about me).

11:34b

When: The word When introduces a condition or circumstance. It is not an expression of time.

your eyes are good: The word good in this context means “healthy.” A person whose eyes are good, healthy, or clear can see well. The meaning of this figure is, “If you accept my message.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When/If your sight is good
-or-
If you are able to see clearly/properly
-or-
A person with good eyes

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

⌊A person who accepts my message is like⌋ someone who has good eyes. If a person is like that…

11:34c

your whole body also is full of light: The clause your whole body also is full of light pictures light entering the body and lighting up the entire body. In this context, the meaning is that the person’s whole being (body/mind/heart) will be completely lit up. The meaning of this figure is “he will really/properly understand the truth.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is light in/for the whole body
-or-
you will have plenty of light
-or-

⌊it is as if⌋ your entire mind/being is illuminated

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

⌊he will completely understand the truth. It will be as if⌋ his whole body is illuminated.

11:34d

But when: These words introduce a contrast to the situation described in 11:34b. See the note on when in that verse part.

they are bad: The word they in this clause refers to “your eyes” as in 11:34b. In this context, “bad eyes” refers to eyes that are diseased or that have something wrong with them. The meaning of this figure of speech is “if you reject my message.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When your sight is bad/faulty
-or-
If you are not able to see clearly/properly
-or-
A person with bad eyes

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

But ⌊a person who rejects my message is like⌋ someone whose eyes are bad. If a person is like that…

11:34e

your body is full of darkness: The clause your body is full of darkness is a figure of speech. It means that light is not able to enter the body, so the inside of the body is dark. In this context the meaning is that the person’s whole being (body/mind/heart) will be completely dark. The meaning of this figure is “he will be completely unable to understand the truth.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is darkness for the whole body
-or-
you will live in darkness
-or-

⌊it is as if⌋ your entire mind is in the dark

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

⌊he will be completely unable to understand the truth. It will be as if⌋ his body is completely dark inside.

© 2009, 2010, 2013 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.