SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 64

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 23:46

23:46a

Then Jesus called out in a loud voice: This clause introduces the words that Jesus called out to God as he died. In Greek the clause begins with the common conjunction that is often translated as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this conjunction as Then. The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates in a loud voice indicates that Jesus said or shouted the words loudly. The phrase does not imply that he was angry.

Some other says to translate the clause are:

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said (NET Bible)
-or-
After this, Jesus prayed loudly to God, saying

23:46b

Father: Here Jesus prayed to God. He addressed God as Father. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

Father ⌊God⌋
-or-

⌊God⌋ ⌊my⌋ Father

into Your hands I commit My Spirit: In this prayer Jesus entrusted his spirit to God to care for him and protect him. The phrase into Your hands is a metaphor. It represents God himself or his loving care. Some other ways to translate the prayer are:

into your hands I entrust my spirit (God’s Word)
-or-
I commit my spirit into your care
-or-
I give my soul into your holding/power

My Spirit: The phrase My Spirit refers to Jesus himself but does not include his physical body. He was about to leave his body and go to God. Express this in a natural way in your language. For example:

I put myself in your hands! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I entrust myself to you.
-or-
I give you my life. (New Century Version)

23:46c

He breathed His last: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He breathed His last means “he died.” Translate that meaning in a natural way in your language for this context. If you have a gentle way in your language to say that someone has died, you may be able to use it here.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 24:22

24:22a

Furthermore: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Furthermore introduces another event that caused the disciples to become more confused than they were before. The phrase continues the thought from 24:21c. “Not only was it three days since those things happened, but also….” Connect this verse to 24:21 in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction is not needed.

Some other ways to introduce it in English are:

and now (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Furthermore (NET Bible)
-or-
Then (New Living Translation (2004))

some of our women astounded us: The disciples were amazed as a result of the news that the women told them in 24:23. The disciples were not surprised that the women went to the tomb (24:22b). Be sure to make this connection clear in your language.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Some women in our group told us amazing things.
-or-
And we were amazed earlier this morning because of what some women among us said.

In some languages it is necessary to translate the order of events in this verse in a different way. See the General Comment on 24:22a–b below. In other languages it may be helpful to combine 24:22–23 to translate the events in the order that they happened. See the General Comment on 24:22–23 at the end of 24:23b–c for examples.

some of our women: The phrase some of our women refers to some women from the group of Jesus’ followers. The word our does not include Jesus. Other ways to translate the phrase are:

Some of the women in our(excl) group
-or-
some women among us (New American Standard Bible)

24:22b

They were at the tomb early this morning: The women went to the tomb around dawn on Sunday morning. The two disciples were talking to Jesus in the late afternoon of that same day.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

they went at dawn to the tomb (Good News Translation)
-or-
They were at the tomb early this morning (NET Bible)

General Comment on 24:22a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to translate the order of clauses in this verse in a different way. For example:

22bThen some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, 22aand they came back with an amazing report. (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate the events in a natural order in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:20

1:20a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces something unpleasant that will happen to Zechariah. This unpleasant thing will happen because Zechariah did not believe the good news that the angel had told him. Some English versions translate this as “But” (Good News Translation), and others do not use a conjunction (New Century Version). Translate this connection in a natural way in your language.

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is literally “look” or “see.” It often functions to focus attention on what follows it and to indicate that it is important or amazing. The word does not refer to time, as the word “now” sometimes does in English. In this context, Gabriel focused Zechariah’s attention on what would happen to him because he did not believe what Gabriel told him.

Some ways to translate the word in this context are:

look/listen
-or-
take note of this
-or-
pay attention to this

you will be silent and unable to speak: The phrases be silent and unable to speak are two ways to express the same meaning. The angel used these two expressions to emphasize what he was saying. Some other ways to translate this emphasis are:

you will not be able to speak even a single word
-or-
you will lose all power of speech and remain silent (Revised English Bible)

1:20b

until the day this comes to pass: The phrase until the day this comes to pass means “until the day that the events that I foretold take place.” This indicates that Zechariah would not be able to talk until the time when his son John was born.

1:20c

because you did not believe my words: Zechariah would not be able to speak because he did not believe what the angel Gabriel said. He did not believe that he and Elizabeth would have a son. He thought that the words of the angel were not true. Another way to translate this is:

because you did not believe what I told you (New Century Version)

1:20d

which will be fulfilled: The phrase which will be fulfilled refers to the fact that things would happen exactly as Gabriel had said, and that would show that his words were true.

at their proper time: The phrase at their proper time means “at the right time.” It refers to the time that God intended for the things to happen.

General Comment on 1:20a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. For example:

But 20cbecause you didn’t believe what I said, 20ayou will be unable to talk 20buntil the day this happens. 20dEverything will come true at the right time. (God’s Word)
-or-

20cYou did not believe my words, 20dwhich will be fulfilled at the right time. 20aThat’s why you will be unable to speak 20buntil the day that your son is born.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:52

1:52a

He has brought down rulers from their thrones: The clause He has brought down rulers from their thrones is a figure of speech. It indicates that the Lord has removed rulers from their positions of authority. In this verse, the word thrones represents the authority that kings have. Therefore, this expression means that God has caused people who were kings to be kings no longer.

In some languages, people may not understand this figure of speech. If that is true in your language, here are other ways to translate it:

• Use the figure of speech and also make the meaning explicit. For example:

He has pulled kings from their thrones and taken their kingship from them

• Use a similar figure of speech in your language. For example:

He has taken the kings’ staffs of office from them

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

He has removed kings from their positions of authority
-or-
He has taken away the power of kings

1:52b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but is often translated as “and.” It connects two ways in which God showed his power: He has brought down rulers from their thrones (1:52a), and he has lifted up humble people (1:52b). These two actions contrast with each other, so but is natural in English. Connect these parts of the verse in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction may not be needed.

has exalted the humble: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exalted here has the figurative meaning of “to give a high position to.” It has the opposite meaning of the verb “brought down” in 1:52a. The phrase the humble refers to people who were poor and also humble in spirit.

Mary and Elizabeth were examples of humble people whom God exalted. God exalted Mary by giving her the honor of becoming the mother of the Messiah. He exalted Elizabeth by making her the mother of John, who prepared people for the Messiah.

Some other ways to translate exalted the humble are:

exalted the lowly (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
honored humble people (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:4

Paragraph 2:4–7

2:4a–b

So Joseph also: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces a specific event that happened as a result of the background information in 2:1–3. This event begins a series of events in the story of Jesus’ birth. Some English versions do not have a conjunction here. Introduce this event in a way that is natural in your language.

Joseph: Joseph was mentioned in 1:27.

went up from Nazareth: The phrase went up from Nazareth means that Joseph left the town of Nazareth and went to a part of the country that was higher in elevation. Luke 2:5a says that Mary went with Joseph. They went to the town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is about one hundred kilometers (70 miles) from Nazareth and about three hundred meters (1000 feet) higher. On the trip Joseph and Mary sometimes went downhill as well as uphill.

In some languages, it may not be natural to say that they went up in this context. If this is the case in your language, you should simply say they “went.”

Nazareth: Nazareth is the town where Joseph was living when Caesar ordered the census.

Galilee to Judea: Galilee and Judea were two minor provinces that Rome controlled.

the city of David called Bethlehem: The Jews referred to Bethlehem as the city of David because King David had been born there. It was his hometown and the town of his ancestors. Bethlehem was not the place where David lived while he was king. Other ways to translate this are:

the town of Bethlehem…, the birthplace of King David (Good News Translation)
-or-
Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Bethlehem, because David had been born there (God’s Word)

2:4c

from the house and line of David: The words house and line have the same meaning. They mean here that Joseph was a “descendant” of David. The Greek uses two words that have the same meaning in order to emphasize that Joseph (and therefore Jesus) was a descendant of David.

When you translate this phrase, you can translate both words together in one expression. For example:

he was a descendant of David (Good News Translation)

the house…of David: In this context the phrase house…of David is used in a figurative way. It means that Joseph was a descendant of David. It does not refer to a literal building where people lived. Other ways to say this are:

David’s clan
-or-
David’s family

line of David: The expression line of David is another way to say that Joseph was a “descendant of David.” See the notes above.

General Comment on 2:4a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:4c before 2:4a. For example:

4cJoseph belonged to the house and line of David. 4a⌊That is why⌋ he also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee 4bto Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2:36

Paragraph 2:36–38

This paragraph begins with background information. It introduces a woman named Anna and tells about her. The event in 2:38 happened immediately after Simeon’s blessing in 2:34–35. Indicate the background information in a natural way in your language. In some languages, you may want to put part of 2:38a at the beginning of the paragraph. For example:

38aAt that very moment a prophetess came up to them. 36aHer name was Anna….

2:36a

a prophetess named Anna: Anna was a prophetess, that is, a woman who was a prophet. She was not just an ordinary person who went to the temple.

A “prophet” was someone whom God chose to speak for him. God revealed things to a prophet that the prophet then told the people.

Some ways to translate prophetess are:

a prophet (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a spokeswoman for God
-or-
a woman who spoke God’s words
-or-
God’s message speaker

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 3:16

3:16a

John answered all of them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as answered can also be translated as “replied” or “responded.” However, the text does not say that the people asked John a question. The word answered may indicate here that John answered a question that the people were thinking about. John knew that the people were wondering if he might be the Christ.

In some languages it may not be natural to use a word like answered unless the question has been mentioned. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general word like “said” (as in the Contemporary English Version).

I baptize you with water: The phrase I baptize you with water means “I baptize you using water.” John used the water of the Jordan River to baptize people.

I: The word I is emphatic in Greek. In this context it emphasizes a contrast between John and the Messiah: “I, John, baptize with water, but he….”

baptize: The verb baptize means to purify/wash someone or something with a special ritual that uses water. In this context the ritual was connected with people being purified from sin. The people were not being cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation into a new spiritual condition.

Here are some ways to translate “baptize”:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

⌊ritually⌋ wash
-or-
initiate ⌊people⌋ in/with water

• Use a term for a similar ritual that is already part of your culture. You may need to indicate that it has a special connection with God here. 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. This term may be borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

Luke used a form of the same Greek verb in 3:7a and 3:12a, and the noun form of this word at 3:3c. For more help in translating baptize, see the note for “baptism” in 3:3c and “to be baptized” in 3:7a. Also see baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

you: John used the word you to speak in general about all the people whom he baptized. This included the people who were listening to him at that time. It also included many other people who had come to him at other times. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the pronoun you in a more general way. For example:

I baptize ⌊people⌋ with water
-or-
I baptize with water (New Living Translation (1996))

3:16b

but One more powerful than I will come: The clause One more powerful than I refers to the Christ.

more powerful: The phrase more powerful in this context means “mightier,” “greater,” or “having more authority.” For example:

there is one coming who is greater than I am (New Century Version)

will come: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will come is literally “is coming.” It indicates here that the more powerful person would soon come.

3:16c

the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie: With this statement, John emphasized that the Christ was much greater than he was. In their culture, it was the work of a slave to untie the straps of his master’s sandals. John was saying that the Christ was so great that he, John, was not even worthy to be his slave.

If the meaning of this action is not clear to your readers, here are some other ways to translate it:

• Translate both the action and its meaning. For example:

I feel inadequate to even ⌊serve him like a slave by⌋ loosening the ties of his sandals.

• Translate the action in a more general way and also translate its meaning. For example:

I am not even qualified to take off his shoes.
-or-
Because of his greatness, I would be ashamed to even remove his shoes.

• Translate the meaning without the action. For example:

I am not even worthy to be his slave. (New Living Translation (1996))

In some translations it may be helpful to include a footnote to explain the meaning of untying someone’s sandals. For example, the Contemporary English Version footnote says:

untie his sandals: This was the duty of a slave.

straps: The word straps refers to thongs or strings that tied a sandal onto a person’s foot. The thongs were usually made of leather (animal skin).

sandals: The word sandals refers to a type of shoe. The sandals people wore in that time were usually made from a piece of leather that formed a bottom for the shoe. This leather bottom was tied onto the foot with leather straps or thongs.

I am not worthy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthy means “qualified” or “adequate” to do something. John felt that he was not important enough to act as Jesus’ slave. He felt he did not deserve the honor of serving him. He was emphasizing how great Jesus was.

In this context, the focus of worthy is on John’s status, not his character. Do not imply that John was a bad or evil person. Also do not imply that John was not physically able to do this task.

Some other ways to translate the clause I am not worthy are:

I do not deserve the honor of
-or-
I am not important/great enough

3:16d

In 3:16d, John again illustrated that the Christ was greater than he was. The way that the Christ baptized people was greater than the way John baptized them. John baptized people with water, but the Christ would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire.

As you translate 3:16d, remember that the word “baptize” has a meaning similar to the words “wash” and “cleanse.” In this part of the verse John used the word “baptize” in a figurative sense. The Christ would cleanse or purify people “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: Scholars interpret this sentence in many different ways. Two major views are:

(1) Jesus would baptize God’s people with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

(2) Jesus would baptize God’s people with the Holy Spirit and “baptize” others with the fire of God’s judgment.

You should translate so that people can interpret this part of the verse in either of these ways.

If your word for baptize implies a physical washing that only makes a person’s body clean, then you may have to find another word. However, your translation should try to keep the contrast between John’s baptism and the Christ’s baptism. Some ways to do this are:

When he baptizes you, he will cause the Holy Spirit and fire to initiate/purify you…
-or-
As for his baptism, he will send the Holy Spirit and fire to purify you…

If it is not possible to use your term for “baptize” with the word “fire,” you may need to use a different verb. Some examples are:

He will baptize/cleanse people with the Holy Spirit, and he will also ⌊purify/cleanse⌋ people with fire.
-or-
He will wash/cleanse you with the Holy Spirit, and ⌊purify you⌋ with fire.

See baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

He: In Greek, the pronoun He is emphatic. It refers to the Christ, and contrasts with the pronoun “I” in 3:16a.

you: When John used the pronoun you here, he was referring to people in general (as in 3:16a). In some languages it may be more natural to use a more general term. For example:

He will baptize people

with the Holy Spirit: The word with indicates the means by which the Christ will baptize people. He will baptize them “with” the Holy Spirit. It does not mean that the Christ along with the Holy Spirit will baptize people.

Holy Spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God, together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is Spirit in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is Holy in the sense that he is God and unique from every other being. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless.

Some ways to translate Holy Spirit are:

Spirit/Breath of God
-or-
Holy/Sacred Spirit

Do not imply that the Holy Spirit is like the ghost of a dead person or that God has died.

This term also occurs in 1:15c. Translate it here as you did there. See also holy, sense A2, in Key Biblical Terms.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 4:21

4:21a

and He began by saying: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He began by saying is literally “and He began to say/speak to them.” It indicates here that Jesus began to teach them. He began to explain the scripture that he had just read to them. This scripture was about him, and it was being fulfilled.

In your translation, you may want to use a more specific word or phrase than by saying or “to speak.” For example:

Then Jesus began to teach them. He said…
-or-
Then Jesus began to explain the words that he had read, saying…

4:21b

Today this Scripture is fulfilled: The phrase Today this Scripture is fulfilled means “That which this scripture talked about is happening today.” With these words, Jesus told them that he was the person whom the prophet Isaiah had written about. He was the one who fulfilled this scripture. God had appointed him to be the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit had empowered him to do all the things in 4:18–19.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Today this scripture has been fulfilled (NET Bible)
-or-
Today…this text has come true. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
This passage came true today (God’s Word)

Jesus was not saying that all the prisoners had been released, that all the blind people cured, or that the other things that he had read about had already happened.

in your hearing: The phrase in your hearing means “while you have been listening.” Some other ways to translate this are:

when you heard me read it. (God’s Word)
-or-
While you heard these words just now (New Century Version)

General Comment on 4:21b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of some of the parts of 4:21b. For example:

What you have just heard me read has come true today. (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013