SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 61

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.

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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⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:22

11:22a

someone stronger: The phrase someone stronger means “a person even stronger than this strong man.” This phrase figuratively refers to Jesus. By casting out the demons, Jesus had shown that he was stronger than the demons and stronger than Satan, their chief.

attacks and overpowers him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as overpowers also means “conquers” or “defeats.” The stronger man begins to fight the strong man and wins the fight. Another way to translate this is:

comes and defeats him (Contemporary English Version)

11:22b

This part of the parable is an illustration of what Jesus does when he drives out demons from a person. Taking away the weapons of the strong man is a picture of Jesus taking away Satan’s power over people.

he takes away the armor in which the man trusted: After defeating the strong man, the stronger man takes away his weapons and armor. The man in the house relied on these things to protect his house and the things he owned.

he…the man: It is important to keep the references to the two men clear. Certain languages use two kinds of third person pronouns. Other languages could use other terms like “his opponent” to refer to the strong man. For example:

that stronger man will be able to take away the weapons that his opponent relied on

the armor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as armor refers here to all the equipment that a soldier used, both weapons and protective gear. It is not the same word as “fully armed” in 11:21a, but in this context it refers to the same things. Several versions, such as the Good News Translation, translate both terms as “weapons.”

in which the man trusted: The strong man trusted the armor in the sense that he expected that it would help him to defeat anyone who attacked him. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

on which the man had relied (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the owner was depending on (Good News Translation)

11:22c

and then he divides up his plunder: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as divides up his plunder refers to distributing the possessions of a defeated enemy. It was the custom for a conqueror to take away the things his enemy owned and give them to his own family and friends. In this illustration, the stronger man distributes the things he took out of the house. Another way to translate this is:

Then he will divide with others what he has taken. (Contemporary English Version)

Here is the meaning of this part of the illustration: Jesus is the stronger man. He brings blessings to those people from whom he drives out unclean spirits and also to many others.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:54

11:54

waiting to catch Him in something He might say: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as waiting to catch Him in something He might say is more literally “waiting in ambush to catch him in something from his mouth.” The Jewish leaders were figuratively “waiting in ambush,” that is, they were “plotting” against Jesus. They asked Jesus many questions because they wanted to trick him into making a mistake in what he said. They wanted to accuse him of saying something for which the Roman leaders could punish him.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

trying to lay traps for him and catch him saying something wrong (Good News Translation)
-or-
They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:32

Paragraph 12:32–34

This paragraph concludes Section 12:22–34. If you have a special way to introduce the conclusion of a section, you may want to use it here. For example:

So don’t be afraid (New Living Translation (2004))

12:32a

Do not be afraid, little flock: Here the command Do not be afraid is similar to the command not to worry at the beginning of the section (12:22). In this context it implies that the disciples did not need to fear or worry that they would not have enough food or clothes. They were like a flock of sheep with a good shepherd to take care of them.

little flock: Here Jesus addressed his disciples as little flock. In some languages it will not be natural to use a phrase like this as a direct address. Some other ways to translate it are:

You are a little flock.
-or-
My disciples, you are a little flock.

The phrase little flock is a metaphor. It compares the few disciples to a small group of sheep. Some of the implied similarities are that the disciples were few and had strong enemies. They needed care and protection. Another similarity is that Jesus would care for his disciples just as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus was not insulting his disciples when he compared them to sheep.

In some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

my small group of ⌊disciples, you are like⌋ sheep
-or-
you are ⌊few and weak like⌋ a small flock of sheep

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

My little group of disciples (Contemporary English Version)

Since the metaphor of sheep is used throughout Scripture, you should try to keep the figure if possible. If it is not natural in your language, it is suggested that you add a footnote, giving the literal meaning and some explanation. For example:

In Greek this is “small group of sheep.” Jesus is like a shepherd who takes care of his sheep. He takes care of his disciples. (See John 10:11–15).

General Comment on 12:32a

In some languages it may be necessary to rearrange 12:32a so that the command “Do not be afraid” will connect more closely to the reason for the command in 12:32b. For example:

You are a little flock. Do not be afraid, for your Father…

12:32b

for: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason the disciples should not be afraid.

your Father is pleased: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is pleased is literally “has been pleased.” It indicates that God chose to do something, and he was pleased to do it. The verb does not indicate that God had stopped being pleased, so many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, use the present tense here. Other examples of this are:

your Father is pleased (God’s Word)
-or-
it gives your Father great happiness (New Living Translation (2004))

Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your Father has chosen (Revised English Bible)
-or-
your Father gladly decided

to give you the kingdom: In this context to give you the kingdom means “to allow you to enter the kingdom of God” or “to allow you to live under God’s rule.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to rule you ⌊and provide for you⌋ as your King (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
to receive you among those he rules as King

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:5

13:5a

No, I tell you: Jesus was denying that these eighteen people had sinned worse than all the other people living in Jerusalem. What his listeners had assumed was wrong. See the note on the identical clause in 13:3a for suggestions on how to translate this. Consider whether it is good style in your language to use the same wording here.

13:5b–c

These verse parts are identical to 13:3b–c. If it is natural in your language, you may translate them in the same way here. In some languages it may be more natural to use slightly different words to express the meaning in this context. If that is true in your language, be sure that people understand that the meaning of 13:3b–c and 13:5b–c is the same.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:2

14:2

Right there before Him: In the Greek text this verse begins literally with the phrase “And behold.” Versions such as the Revised Standard Version translate it that way. Here it introduces something new that the author wants people to pay attention to. It introduces a person who was sick with dropsy. This man did not say or do anything in this context, but his presence indirectly caused everything that happened.

In some languages you may have a special way to introduce a person like this into a story and to focus attention on him. Another way to translate this is:

There right in front of him was a man (NET Bible)

See the note on 10:25a, where the phrase “And behold” has a similar function.

a man with dropsy: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man with dropsy means that the man was sick with an illness called dropsy. In this illness water (lymph fluid) gathers in a person’s body and causes swelling, especially in the arms and legs. Use an expression for this sickness that is natural in your language. Some examples of descriptive phrases in English are:

A man whose legs and arms were swollen (Good News Translation)
-or-
A man whose body was swollen with fluid (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:34

Paragraph 14:34–35

In this paragraph Jesus used a figure of speech. He compared the disciples to salt, but he did not mention them explicitly. One way to indicate that Jesus was using a figure of speech is to add a separate section heading for this paragraph. A suggested heading is:

Jesus compared his disciples to salt

Parallel verses occur in Matthew 5:13 and Mark 9:50.

14:34a

If you decide to begin a new section here, you may want to indicate that Jesus was still speaking. For example:

⌊Jesus then told them a parable. He said⌋

If you do not have a separate section heading, a quote introduction like the one above may help to clarify that Jesus was speaking about salt figuratively, not literally.

Salt is good: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good can also mean “useful.” Salt is useful or valuable because it makes food taste good and it stops food from rotting. Since there is more than one possible use for salt, you should avoid specifying only one use in your translation. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Salt is a good thing (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
There are good uses for salt
-or-
Salt is useful/valuable

14:34b–c

but if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be seasoned?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that it certainly cannot become salty again. Some ways to emphasize this fact are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be restored?
-or-
But if it loses its saltiness, is there a way to make it salty again? ⌊No! It is not possible!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

but if it loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again (Good News Translation)
-or-
but salt that loses its flavor certainly cannot become salty again
-or-
but if it loses its taste/strength, it is definitely not possible to cause its taste/strength to return

14:34b

but if the salt loses its savor: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as loses its savor is literally “becomes tasteless.” It refers to salt that has stopped having a salty flavor. This expression can be difficult to translate. The word “loses” may not fit in this context. The taste of salt is also expressed in many different ways. Some other ways to translate this expression are:

if its saltiness is removed
-or-
if it no longer has its taste/flavor
-or-
if it has become insipid/tasteless
-or-
if its strength is gone

Use a natural expression in your language.

14:34c

with what will it be seasoned?: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will…be seasoned is passive. Some other ways to translate this passive are:

• Make it active and supply a subject that can refer to any person. For example:

how will you restore its flavor? (God’s Word)

• Use a causative. For example:

it is definitely not possible to cause its taste/strength to return

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013