SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 81

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 6:28

6:28a

bless those who curse you: To bless someone is to ask God to do good or show his favor to that person. For example:

Ask God to bless anyone who curses you (Contemporary English Version)

See bless, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

those who curse you: The phrase those who curse you refers to the same people as the “enemies” mentioned in 6:27b. To curse someone is to call on God or the gods/spirits to do evil to that person. Many languages will have a technical term for this that comes from the practices of traditional religion.

6:28b

pray for those who mistreat you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mistreat can refer to both physical and verbal abuse. It is recommended that you use a general term such as:

are treating you badly
-or-
are cruel to you (New Century Version)

Jesus wanted his followers to pray to God for their enemies. He did not say explicitly what they should pray. He implied that they should ask God to do good to their enemies. This was not a prayer that God would judge those who mistreat them.

© 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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 7:11

Section 7:11–17

Jesus caused a widow’s son to live again

In this section Jesus showed his compassion for a widow and her dead son by causing him to live again. This is the first time in the book of Luke that Jesus caused a dead person to live again. People were so excited that they spread the good news throughout the whole area.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus Brings a Widow’s Son Back to Life (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus raised a man from the dead

Paragraph 7:11–12

7:11a

Soon afterward: The event in this section happened not long after Jesus healed the centurion’s servant. It may have happened the next day.

a town called Nain: The town of Nain was probably in the district of Galilee, not far from the town of Nazareth. Though the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as town is translated as “city” in many English versions, here it probably referred to a small town. Another way to translate this is:

the village of Nain (New Living Translation (2004))

7:11b

His disciples:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. Disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

Some ways to translate this are:

students/learners
-or-
apprentices
-or-
followers

See how you translated this term at 5:30a. See also disciple in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 7:43

7:43a

I suppose: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I suppose introduces an answer that is cautious or hesitant. Some other ways to say this are:

I think
-or-
Probably
-or-
I concede that it would be
-or-
In my opinion

the one who was forgiven more: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the passive form was forgiven is active. It may be more natural in your language to use an active expression. For example:

The one…to whom he forgave more (Revised Standard Version)

Jesus was saying that the man who would love the lender most was the one to whom the lender forgave the bigger amount of money. Because the lender did not make the borrower pay the huge amount that he owed, he would feel much gratitude and love for the lender. Another way to say this is:

the one for whom he canceled the larger debt (New Living Translation (2004))

In this context Jesus compared “canceling debt” (in 7:43) with “forgiving sin” (in 7:47). It may be helpful to use the same verb for both actions, if that is natural in your language. For example:

(7:43) the one who was forgiven more (Good News Translation)

(7:47) her many sins have been forgiven (Good News Translation)

If this is possible in your language, consider using that same word here and also in 7:42b, 7:47a, and 7:47c.

7:43b

You have judged correctly: Jesus was saying here that the Pharisee had given the right answer. Other ways to say this are:

You are right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your answer is correct

Jesus said: In Greek the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus said and puts at the end of the sentence comes at the beginning of the sentence. It is literally, “And he said to him.” Another way to translate this is:

Jesus said to Simon (New Century Version)

Place this phrase where it is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 8:25

8:25a

In Greek this verse begins by introducing what Jesus said to his disciples. See the note on “he asked his disciples” in this part of the verse. Introduce the verse in a natural way in your language.

Where is your faith?: In Greek the form of this question is literally “Where your faith?” There is no verb in the question. If you need to supply a verb such as “is” or “was,” use one that is natural in this context.

This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used it here to rebuke the disciples for their lack of faith. There are two ways that you could translate this:

• As a question. For example:

Where is/was your faith?

• As a statement. For example:

You should have had faith ⌊in me⌋.
-or-

⌊I am amazed that⌋ you did not have ⌊more⌋ faith in me!

faith: The word faith here refers to trust and confidence in Jesus. The disciples should have remained confident that Jesus would protect them during the storm. In some languages it may be necessary to translate faith as a verb and supply an object. For example:

Why do you not trust ⌊me⌋?
-or-

⌊I am amazed that you did not⌋ have confidence in ⌊me⌋.

See believe, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

He asked: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible has translated He asked is literally “he said to them.” The Berean Standard Bible does not include the word “them.” Other translations (New International Version, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004)) supply the term “his disciples” for clarity. Translate this in a natural way in your language.

In Greek, the phrase He asked occurs before Jesus’ question. The Berean Standard Bible has placed this phrase at the end of the quotation for the sake of English style. Place it where it is natural in your language.

8:25b

Frightened and amazed: In some languages it may be necessary to translate Frightened and amazed as verbs. For example:

They were afraid and they wondered

The disciples were afraid because of the great power that Jesus had just shown. Their question, “Who is this?” in 8:25c shows that they were in awe of Jesus. They did not fear that Jesus would harm them, but they were amazed that he could cause the winds and water to obey him. Consider how to express this type of fear and amazement in a natural way in your language.

8:25c–d

Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him: In Greek 8:25c–d is one long question. Another way to translate this is:

Who then is this, that he commands even wind and water, and they obey him? (Revised Standard Version)

This is a rhetorical question. It expresses amazement that Jesus had such great authority and power.

There are three ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a question. For example:

Who is this that commands even the wind and the water, and they obey him? (New Century Version)

• As a question and an exclamation. For example:

Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him! (NET Bible)

• As one or two exclamations:

See what a great and powerful man this is! He even commands the wind and water and they obey him!

even the winds and the water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even means “also.” The word even is an intensive form of “also” and is correct in this context. In addition to the amazing things the disciples had already seen Jesus do, they were amazed by the greatness of the miracle that he just did. Another way to translate this is:

⌊in addition to the great things he has done,⌋ he now commands the winds and the water and they obey him.

the winds: The Greek word for winds here is plural. In some languages it may be more natural to use a singular form. For example:

the wind (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 9:1

Section 9:1–6

Jesus sent his twelve apostles to preach and heal people

Jesus sent his twelve apostles to different towns to preach about God’s kingdom, to heal people, and to cast out demons. He gave them instructions about the trip (9:3), about where they should stay (9:4), and about what to do when people did not welcome them (9:5).

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Another heading for this section is:

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles/disciples
-or-
The Sending of the Twelve Apostles (NET Bible)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 9:35, 10:5–15, and Mark 6:6–13.

Paragraph 9:1–6

9:1a

Then Jesus called the Twelve together: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then Jesus called the Twelve together is the first event in this section. Jesus called together the twelve disciples whom he had chosen as apostles. He asked them to come where he was so that he could prepare them for what he wanted them to do.

The verb called…together implies that some of the Twelve were not with him at the time. Jesus may have sent a messenger to summon them.

Other ways to introduce this section are:

He summoned the Twelve (New American Bible)
-or-
Jesus caused the Twelve to gather/come to him. When they came, he…
-or-
One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples (New Living Translation (2004))

You should begin this story in a way that is natural in your language.

the Twelve:
The phrase the Twelve refers to the twelve apostles whom Jesus had chosen from among his disciples. See 6:12–16. Some English versions supply the word “apostles.” Others supply the word “disciples.” For example:

the twelve disciples (Good News Translation)
-or-
his twelve apostles (Contemporary English Version)

You may use either option here. See the word that you used for “apostles” in 6:13b. In 9:10a, all the English versions as well as the Greek text use the word “apostles.” See the note there for more information on “apostles.” See the note in 9:14b for more information on “disciples.”

9:1b

and gave them power and authority: The word power refers to the ability to do something, and authority refers to the right to do something. Here Jesus gave the twelve apostles both the ability and the right to do the work that he was sending them to do.

In some languages there may be one expression that covers both ideas. For example:

gave them complete power (Contemporary English Version)

In 4:36d the same words also occur, but the nouns are reversed. Use whichever order is natural in your language. In some languages it may be more natural to use two clauses. For example:

and he gave them power…. He also gave them the right to…

In some languages you may need to use verbs to express the meaning of power and authority. For example:

he empowered and authorized them

over all demons: The phrase over all demons is literally “over all the demons.” It refers to causing evil spirits to leave people and stop controlling them. The disciples did this by commanding the spirit/spirits to leave.

Jewish people often spoke of evil spirits as being in someone. Different cultures have different ways of speaking about people being controlled by demons and being released from the control of demons. Use a natural expression for this in your language. Some ways to translate this are:

to drive out all demons (New International Version)
-or-
to send the demons away
-or-
to exorcize the demons
-or-
to free people who were controlled by demons

all: The word all does not indicate that the disciples were to cast out every demon on earth. It indicates that they were able to cast out every demon that they encountered. There was no demon that they were not given the power and authority to cast out.

demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demons refers to spirits that are evil and can control people’s actions. The word demons refers to the same type of spirit as the Greek terms that are often translated as “evil spirits” and “unclean spirits.”

Some ways to translate demon are:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to spirits that are evil and can control people.

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. These spirits should be able to do evil things. Do not use a term that refers to spirits of dead people.

• 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 how you translated demon in 4:33a. See demon in the Glossary for more information.

and power to cure diseases: In some languages it is more natural to say that the apostles were to cure people rather than diseases. If that is true in your language, you may need to make this explicit. For example:

and to cure/heal ⌊people⌋ from their diseases/sicknesses
-or-
and to heal ⌊the sick⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 9:33

9:33a

As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus: The two men, Moses and Elijah, started to leave Jesus. But before they left, Peter spoke to Jesus.

9:33b

Master: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Master often refers to the owner or boss of a servant/slave. People also used this word to show respect when they addressed a person who had authority over them. Peter called Jesus Master here to show respect for him. It also implies that Peter had a close relationship with Jesus as his teacher and spiritual leader.

Be careful not to use a word that refers only to the owner of a slave. Some other ways to translate Master in this context are:

Lord
-or-
Sir

This word first occurs in Luke in 5:5a.

it is good for us to be here: The clause it is good for us to be here expresses Peter’s feelings. He felt that it was good, wonderful, or fortunate that they were there to see and experience this amazing event.

Some other ways to translate this are:

it is good that we are here (Revised English Bible)
-or-
our presence here is ⌊really⌋ good
-or-
how wonderful that we are here

us: There are two ways to interpret the pronoun us here:

(1) It is inclusive, referring to the three disciples and Jesus. It means:

It is good for ⌊all of⌋ us(incl) to be here ⌊together⌋(2) It is exclusive, referring to the three disciples only. It means:

It is good for us(excl) ⌊disciples⌋ to be here

You should translate ambiguously if your language allows you to do so. If you need to choose an exclusive or inclusive “us,” you may choose either one. Be sure to consider carefully the implications of either choice for speakers of your language. You should also consider whether a major language translation in your area has followed one interpretation or the other.

9:33c–d

Let us put up: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let us put up expresses a suggestion. It is not a request for permission.

Some other ways to translate this are:

We shall make
-or-
I would like for us to make

us: In this context the pronoun us refers to only Peter, James, and John. Peter did not expect Jesus (or Moses or Elijah) to help them make the shelters.

put up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put up is literally “make.” Peter was suggesting that he, James, and John build shelters from materials that were there on the mountain.

Some other ways to translate this are:

build
-or-
make (New Jerusalem Bible)

three shelters: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shelters:

(1) It refers to temporary shelters made from branches, leaves, and other things that were easy to find. They were used for shade or to block the wind. For example:

three shelters (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers to tents. Tents are made of cloth or animal skins. They were used to block the rain or the wind. God’s worship tent in the Old Testament was made of skins. For example:

three tents (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Leafy branches were available on the mountain to use in making a shelter, booth, or hut. Animal skins, used for making tents, would not have been available.

9:33e

(He did not know what he was saying.): The clause He did not know what he was saying means that Peter did not realize what his words meant or implied. He did not think carefully before he spoke. Three men in their heavenly bodies would not need any earthly shelter.

In the Greek text, this clause is connected to the previous sentence. It explains why Peter said what he did. The Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation indicate that this is an explanation by using parentheses. Another approach is to use a dash. For example:

—not knowing what he said (Revised Standard Version)

You could also introduce this clause with a word that would imply that Peter had spoken inappropriately. For example:

But Peter did not know what he was talking about. (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be clearer to introduce this clause by referring again to what Peter said in 9:33b–c. For example:

⌊He said this because⌋ he did not know what to say.

General Comment on 9:33a–e

In some languages, it may be more natural to place 9:33e before what Peter said. For example:

33aAs Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, 33enot even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, 33b“Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here!…” (New Living Translation (2004))

Arrange these verse parts in a way that is natural in your language.

© 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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:3

10:3

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves: This statement indicates that Jesus was sending his disciples to places where some of the people would oppose them.

10:3a

Go!: If the command Go! sounds too abrupt, you may wish to use a more gentle expression. For example:

Be on your way… (Revised English Bible)
-or-

⌊It’s time to⌋ go ⌊now⌋ (Translator’s Reference Translation)

In the Greek text, the next clause begins with a word that many English versions translate as “behold.” The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not translate this word. The word is used here to introduce something surprising or unexpected. Some other ways to translate this word are:

Go now, but listen! (New Century Version)
-or-
Now go, but remember (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages there are special expressions or verb prefixes that have this meaning. If you have something like this in your language, you may be able to use it here.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate “behold” in a different place in the verse. For example:

Go! I am sending you. But remember, you will be like lambs that are among wolves.

I am sending you out: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as am sending…out is literally “send.” The word “apostle” is a different form of the same Greek word. There is no need to translate the word out unless it is natural in your language. For example:

am sending you (Contemporary English Version)

10:3b

like lambs among wolves: This is a simile. It compares the disciples to lambs in an area where there are wolves. The disciples were going to towns where some people would strongly oppose them and want to harm them.

The disciples were similar to lambs because they would be helpless and unable to defend themselves. Their opponents were similar to wolves because they were dangerous and vicious.

If the point of the comparison is not clear, it may be necessary to make some of the implied meaning explicit. For example:

⌊you will face danger⌋ like lambs among wolves
-or-
like ⌊helpless⌋ lambs in an area where there are ⌊dangerous⌋ wolves

lambs: The word lambs refers here to young sheep. In areas where people are not familiar with lambs, you may:

• Use a more general expression, with or without the implied point of similarity. For example:

a young animal ⌊that cannot defend itself⌋

• Use a term for another young animal that people in your culture consider to be helpless. Choose an animal that is as similar to a lamb as possible.

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

wolves: The term wolves describes animals that are like wild dogs. They often attack and eat smaller animals such as lambs. If you do not have wolves in your area, you may:

• Use a general expression for a dangerous animal. For example:

a fierce/wild animal

• Use a term in your culture for a similar fierce animal or predator. For example:

wild dogs

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

© 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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:35

10:35a

The next day: In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that the Samaritan and the other man stayed at the inn that night:

⌊They slept at the inn that night, and⌋ when morning came

he took out two denarii: This clause implies that the Samaritan took two silver coins called denarii from the place where he carried his money. In some languages it may be necessary to say from where the Samaritan took these two coins. For example:

he took two silver coins ⌊out of his money bag⌋

two denarii: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as two denarii uses the plural form of the word “denarius.” A denarius was a Roman silver coin that was worth the pay for a full day’s work for an ordinary worker.

When translating this phrase you can:

• Transliterate the Greek word denarius, as the Berean Standard Bible and other versions do. For example:

two denarii (Revised Standard Version)

• Transliterate the Greek word denarius and add a descriptive phrase. For example:

two denarii coins

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

two silver coins (Good News Translation)
-or-
two pieces of money

• Use a generic phrase. For example:

some money

Whichever option you choose, it will probably be good to include a footnote. Some sample footnotes are:

Two denarii are two silver coins. This was as much money as a worker would earn in two days.
-or-
The money was called denarii in Greek. These two silver coins were worth the salary that a common laborer would earn in two days.

10:35b

gave them to the innkeeper: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave refers to handing over a payment, not to giving a gift. If that is not clear, it may be necessary to use a different expression. For example:

handed them to the innkeeper
-or-
paid them in advance to the innkeeper

innkeeper: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as innkeeper refers to the man who took care of the guesthouse. He was the “manager” of the inn and may also have been the owner.

10:35c

This part of the verse implies that the Samaritan was about to leave the inn to continue his journey. He gave instructions to the innkeeper about caring for the man until he returned. In some languages, it may be necessary to begin 10:35c by mentioning the Samaritan’s intention to leave. For example:

⌊I must leave now.⌋ Look after him…

In other languages, this information may occur at the beginning of 10:35d. See 10:35c and 10:35d in the Display for examples.

Take care of him: In this context the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Take care of him means, “Take care of ⌊this injured man⌋.” The same verb occurs in 10:34c.

In some languages, it may be necessary to begin this request with a polite word such as “please.”

he said: In some languages it may be helpful to say explicitly “the Samaritan said.”

In Greek, the words he said occur before the clause “Take care of him.” You should place he said where it is most natural in your language.

10:35d

and on my return: The Samaritan was going either to Jerusalem or to Jericho. Apparently he planned to come back later on this same road.

10:35e

I will repay you for any additional expense: The Samaritan did not know whether the innkeeper would have to spend more than two silver coins to take care of the injured man. In some languages it may be best to make this clear by using an “if” clause. For example:

If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you. (New Century Version)

I will repay you: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I will repay you means “I will pay you back.” The Samaritan was willing to pay whatever it cost the innkeeper to take care of the other man.

any additional expense: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as any additional expense refers to costs in addition to the two silver coins that he had already paid.

General Comment on 10:35d–e

In some languages it may be necessary to reorder 10:35d–e to put the events in chronological order. For example:

35eYou may need to spend more than this. If so, 35dwhen I return 35eI will pay you the difference/extra.
-or-

35eIf the cost is more than this, I will pay you the rest 35dwhen/after I come back.

© 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.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013