SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 83

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 19:39

19:39a

But: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “and.” Some English versions, such as the English Standard Version, translate it that way. The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions (NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004)) translate it as But in order to show that it introduces a contrast. Other versions, such as the New International Version and Contemporary English Version, do not translate this conjunction. Connect this verse to 19:38 in a natural way in your language.

some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him: There were many people around Jesus. The text does not say when these particular Pharisees joined the crowd. They may have been traveling to Jerusalem with his followers or they may have joined the crowd as Jesus came near Jerusalem.

In some languages it may be more natural to introduce them before telling what they said. For example:

There were Pharisees in the crowd. Some of them said to Jesus

the Pharisees: The Pharisees were a group of Jewish religious leaders who emphasized keeping the Jewish Law and following traditional customs. See how you translated this word in 17:20. See also “Pharisee,” sense A, in Key Biblical Terms for more information.

19:39b

Teacher: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Teacher was a polite way to address a Jewish religious leader. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. Use an appropriate way to address a religious teacher in your language. For example:

Honored Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

Be careful not to use a term that can refer only to a school teacher.

rebuke Your disciples: Here the word rebuke indicates that the Pharisees wanted Jesus to command his disciples to stop shouting praises, as they were doing in 19:38. The text does not say why the Pharisees did not want the disciples to say those things. However, they did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the coming King (19:38a), so they were probably offended that Jesus allowed his disciples to praise him in that way.

In some languages it may be helpful to translate the word rebuke in a more explicit way. For example:

command your disciples to be quiet (Good News Translation)
-or-

tell your followers not to say these things (New Century Version)
-or-
tell your disciples that they must not say ⌊things like that⌋

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech for what the Pharisees wanted Jesus to tell his disciples. For example:

Command/Tell your disciples: “Stop saying these things!”

disciples: The word disciples here refers to the “whole multitude of disciples” in 19:37b.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 20:23

Paragraph 20:23–26

20:23

But: This conjunction indicates a contrast with 20:22. This verse tells how Jesus responded to the spies’ question. He responded in a way that they did not expect, so the Berean Standard Bible introduce the verse with But. Other English versions do not begin the verse with a conjunction. Begin the verse in a natural way in your language.

Jesus saw through their duplicity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saw through means “to notice.” The clause Jesus saw through their duplicity indicates that Jesus realized that the spies were trying to trick him. Other ways to translate it are:

Jesus perceived their deceit (NET Bible)
-or-
he was aware of their cunning (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He detected their trickery (New American Standard Bible)

The Berean Standard Bible uses an idiom to translate this meaning. If you have an idiom in your language that expresses it, you may be able to use it here.

duplicity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as duplicity means “cunning, craftiness, trickery.” Here it refers to a deceitful and evil trick. The spies wanted to trick Jesus into saying something that would cause him great harm, even death. Their motives were evil. Another way to translate this is:

that they were trying ⌊with evil intent/cunning⌋ to trick him

and said to them: This clause introduces what Jesus said as a result of understanding the motives of the spies. Introduce his reply in a natural way in your language. Here is another way to translate this:

So he told them (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:8

21:8–11

In these verses, Jesus told his disciples about terrible events that would occur after he left this world and before he will return to it. Jesus said that during that time certain persons would falsely claim to be the Messiah. There would be wars, famines, and earthquakes. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that it was very important to remain faithful to God during these times of suffering.

The parallel passages for 21:8–11 are Matthew 24:4–8 and Mark 13:5–8.

21:8a

Jesus answered: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus answered is literally “And he said.” Here, “he” refers to Jesus. The verb answered introduces Jesus’ reply to the question that the disciples asked him. Introduce it in a natural way in your language.

See to it that you are not deceived: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See to it is literally “See.” Here it is a command to the disciples to be watchful and aware of possible danger. This danger is explained later in the verse. People would try to deceive them. They had to be watchful and protect themselves from being deceived. Other ways to translate this command are:

See that you are not led astray (English Standard Version)
-or-
Be careful that you are not deceived (God’s Word)
-or-
Watch out; don’t be fooled (Good News Translation)

that you are not deceived: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that you are not deceived is passive. In this context it indicates that the disciples should not allow anyone or anything to cause them to believe something that is not true. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• As a passive clause. For example:

don’t be fooled (Good News Translation)
-or-
that you are not misled (Revised English Bible)

• As an active clause. For example:

Don’t let anyone mislead you…. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Be careful that ⌊people⌋ do not deceive/mislead you.

21:8b

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason for what Jesus told his disciples in 21:8a. Connect this reason to 21:8a in a way that is natural in your language. Another way to do this in English is:

⌊I say this⌋ because

many will come in My name, claiming: The words many will come in My name, claiming indicate that many men will say in public that they have Jesus’ authority. In this context the phrase will come introduces these men as people who will do and say things in the future. It does not indicate that they will come to any particular place. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

many will appear, using my name, saying
-or-
many men will publicly claim to have my authority. They will say

many will come…claiming: Here the phrase many will come indicates that many individual men will come at different times. They will not come as a group at the same time. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

there will be many men who will come…. Each of them will claim…

claiming: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as claiming is literally “saying.” It introduces the two things that the men will say in 21:8c and 21:8d. Each man will say that he is the Messiah and that the time is near. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word claiming to imply that what they will say is not true. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate that explicitly. For example:

⌊will lie,⌋ saying
-or-
will ⌊falsely⌋ claim

See the General Comment on 21:8a–e at the end of 21:8e for examples of using indirect speech here.

21:8c

I am He: In this context the clause I am He indicates that each man will claim to be the Messiah. The word I is emphatic in Greek. It indicates that each man will say that he is the Messiah, the one whom God promised to send as king and savior. Some ways to translate I am He here are:

• Use the term for “Christ” or “Messiah” in your language. For example:

I am the Messiah (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am the promised Deliverer-King
-or-
I am Christ (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a more general term. It is good if this term implies that he is the one whom people were expecting. For example:

I am the One (New Century Version)

For help in translating “Christ” or “Messiah,” see the note at 20:41b. There are parallel verses in Matthew 24:5 and Mark 13:6.

21:8d

and: The word and introduces another false statement that each man will say. Another way to introduce the statement is:

Each one will also say

The time is near: The word time refers to the time of the “end” that will be mentioned in 21:9d. This “end” could be the end of the temple or the end of that age (era of time). It may be helpful to refer to it in a similar way here and in 21:9d. Some ways to translate The time is near are:

The time ⌊when this age will end⌋ has arrived.
-or-
The time has come! (Good News Translation)
-or-
The ⌊end of this era⌋ is here.
-or-

⌊This period of time/history⌋ is now ending.

21:8e

Do not follow them: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not follow them is a command that Jesus gave to his disciples. It is not another thing that the false messiahs will say. In some languages it is helpful to make that explicit. For example:

When they say that, do not follow them.
-or-
Then Jesus said, “Do not follow them.”

follow them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as follow them is literally “go after them.” It indicates that the disciples should not believe those people and go with them. They should not become their followers. Some other ways to translate the command are:

Do not believe them.
-or-
But you should not join them.

General Comment on 21:8a–e

In 21:8c and 21:8d Jesus quoted what other people will say. In some languages it will be more natural to use indirect speech for one or both of these statements. It may also be helpful to indicate when the quotes or indirect speech ends. For example:

8aJesus said, “See to it that you are not deceived, 8bbecause many men will come using my name. 8cEach one will say that he is the Messiah, 8dand he will say that the time has come. 8eDo not follow any of them.”
-or-
He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them….” (New Living Translation (1996))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:2

22:2a–c

In this verse, the clause in 22:2c is the reason for 22:2a–b. In some language it may be more natural to reverse the order of clauses so that the reason comes before the resulting action. See the General Comment on 22:2a–c at the end of 22:2c for examples.
SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:2
22:2a

the chief priests and scribes: The terms chief priests and scribes refer to the Jewish religious leaders who were mentioned in 9:22, 19:47, 20:1, and 20:19. Translate the terms in the same way here. See the notes on chief priests and scribes at 19:47b–d for translation advice. See also priest and teacher of the law in the Glossary for more information.

22:2b

were looking for a way to put Jesus to death: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were looking for a way to put Jesus to death is more literally “were seeking how they could destroy/kill him.” It implies that they wanted to cause Jesus to be arrested and executed. Other ways to translate this are:

were seeking how they might put Him to death (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
were trying to find some way to execute Jesus (NET Bible)

The next clause (22:2c) implies that they wanted to get rid of Jesus privately and secretly without causing trouble for themselves. The Jewish leaders could not execute Jesus, but they wanted to cause the Roman authorities to do that. In some languages it may be necessary to add this implied information here in 22:2b. For example:

were looking for a ⌊private⌋ way to cause Jesus to be executed
-or-
were trying to find a way of putting Jesus to death secretly (Good News Translation)
-or-
wanted to discover how to cause ⌊the rulers⌋ to execute Jesus

It may be helpful to refer to the notes on the similar phrases “were intent on killing him” and “killing him” in 19:47b–d.

22:2c

for they feared the people: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that the Jewish leaders tried to find a private way to kill Jesus. They feared that the people who usually listened to him might fight for him if they knew that he was in danger.

In some languages it may be necessary to make the connection with 22:2a–b more explicit. For example:

⌊They did not want to arrest him publicly,⌋ for they were afraid of what the people would do to them.

Here is a different way to make the connection explicit:

…they wanted to kill him without starting a riot, a possibility they greatly feared. (New Living Translation (1996))

See the note on 20:19d for a similar example.

General Comment on 22:2a–c

In some languages it may be necessary to change the order of clauses in this verse and place the reason before the result. For example:

2aThe chief priests and the scribes 2cwere afraid of the people, 2band so they were trying to find a way of putting Jesus to death secretly. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Because 2athe chief priests and the scribes 2cfeared the people ⌊would attack them if they arrested Jesus in public⌋, 2bthey looked for a ⌊secret⌋ way to kill Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:34

22:34a

I tell you, Peter: Jesus used the phrase I tell you here as a solemn introduction to what he was about to say to Peter. Jesus often used the words I tell you to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. Here it indicates that the statement was important and that Peter should listen carefully to it. Some other ways to show this emphasis are:

Peter, let me tell you this
-or-
Listen carefully to this, Peter:
-or-
I assure you, Peter

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.

22:34b

the rooster will not crow today until: The clause the rooster will not crow today until refers to a time later that same night. The Jewish day begins at sundown. Jesus said this sometime during the evening. Roosters crow early in the morning before sunrise. So Jesus indicated that Peter would deny him that night before sunrise. Refer to this time in a natural way in your language. Other ways to translate the clause are:

before a rooster crows tomorrow morning (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the rooster will not crow today until (NET Bible)
-or-
tonight before the rooster crows at dawn

the rooster: The phrase the rooster refers to a male cock. The phrase does not indicate that Jesus was thinking of any particular rooster. Some ways to translate this are:

a rooster crows (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a cock crows

crow: The word crow refers to the loud sound a rooster makes before dawn each day. Languages have different ways to describe this sound. For example:

sings
-or-
cries

Use the natural way in your language to describe this sound that a rooster makes.

22:34c

you have denied three times that you know Me: This clause indicates that Peter would say three times that he did not know Jesus. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this clause as direct speech. For example:

three times you will say, “I do not know him/Jesus”

General Comment on 22:34b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of 22:34b and 22:34c. For example:

34cyou will deny three times that you know me 34bbefore the rooster crows tonight.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:66

Section 22:66–71

The Jewish leaders questioned Jesus

In this section Luke told about Jesus’ trial before the Jewish leaders. This trial is also described in Matthew 26:57–68 and John 18:12–15, 18:19–24. Some other examples of headings for this section are:

Jesus is tried/questioned by the Jewish council
-or-
Jesus before the Council (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus’ trial before the leaders of the Jews

Paragraph 22:66–69

22:66a–b

At daybreak: The phrase At daybreak refers to dawn when daylight came. A Jewish council could only make legal decisions during the daytime. So they waited until after sunrise to have this meeting. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

At dawn
-or-
When the sun rose

the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together: Scholars differ about whether the meeting at dawn included two groups or three groups:

(1) The meeting included two groups: the chief priests and the scribes. These two groups together were described as the council of the elders. Here is another way to translate this:

all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(2) The meeting included three groups: the elders of the people, the chief priests, and the scribes. Here is another way to translate this:

the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law met together (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, King James Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is supported by the construction of the Greek sentence. It is true that the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, included more than two groups. However, here Luke mentioned just two of the groups and referred to the Sanhedrin itself as the council of the elders.

Another way to translate this interpretation is:

the council of the elders of the people gathered together. These elders were the leading priests and the experts in the law.

the council of the elders of the people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as council of the elders refers to the assembly of the main leaders of the people. Here the phrase of the people refers to the Jewish people/nation. At the council the groups that led the Jewish people met and made decisions. Some other ways to translate the council of the elders of the people are:

the nation’s leaders (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the assembly of the elders of the people (New Revised Standard Version)

chief priests and scribes: For translation suggestions, see the notes at 19:47b–d. See also priest and scribe in the Glossary for more information. These terms also occurred in 22:2a. See how you translated them there.

met together: The phrase met together indicates that the council gathered for a specific purpose. In this context they gathered to make a judgment about Jesus. Other ways to translate the phrase are:

assembled (Revised English Bible)
-or-
gathered together (NET Bible)

22:66c

They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin: Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

Jesus was led before them (New International Version)

• Use a causative. For example:

They caused Jesus to be led into their meeting

• Use an active clause and supply a subject, as the Berean Standard Bible does. If you need to be more specific, you may refer to men who guarded Jesus. For example:

they brought Jesus before them
-or-

⌊the guards⌋ led Jesus before them

into their Sanhedrin: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as into their Sanhedrin is literally “into their council.” The context implies that he was brought there for trial. Some English versions use the word “before” to imply this. For example:

before them (New International Version)

If there is a special idiom to imply this in your language, you may be able to use it here. Other ways to translate this are:

to their meeting
-or-
into their gathering

and said: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and said is literally “saying.” In the Greek text, these words are at the beginning of 22:67a, but the Berean Standard Bible places them here. Place them where it is natural in your language. If you translate the council’s demand as a question, you may want to use a verb like “asked.” Translate in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 23:28

23:28a

But Jesus turned to them and said: The clause Jesus turned to them and said introduces what Jesus said to the women who mourned for him. The phrase Jesus turned indicates that Jesus turned toward them. It does not indicate that he turned to look behind him or go in a different direction.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

Jesus turned to them and said (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus turned-to-face them and said

Daughters of Jerusalem: Jesus addressed the women as Daughters of Jerusalem. This phrase indicates that the women lived in Jerusalem. These women were not among Jesus’ family members and probably not his close friends. Use a natural way in your language to address women from a particular place. For example:

Women from Jerusalem
-or-
Jerusalem women

In other languages it may be strange or rude to use a direct address like this for the women. If that is true in your language, you should translate it in a different way. For example:

As for you women from Jerusalem
-or-
You women from this city of Jerusalem should not be weeping for me

23:28b–c

do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children: The two commands here contrast with each other. Jesus indicated that instead of weeping for him, the women should weep for themselves and their children. This statement is a warning that the people of Jerusalem will soon suffer terribly.

Jesus used this statement to emphasize that there was a greater reason for the women to weep for themselves than for him. He probably did not mean that it was wrong to weep for him at all. Translate this warning in a natural way in your language.

Some other ways to translate this in English are:

it should not be me that you are crying-for but rather yourselves and your children
-or-
do not cry for me. It is better that you cry for yourselves and your children.

23:28c

but: In Greek, 23:28c begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but. This conjunction indicates a contrast between what Jesus said here and what he said in 23:28b. Many English versions translate this word as “but.” Another way to translate this is:

Rather (God’s Word)

Some versions indicate the contrast without a conjunction:

28bdo not weep for me; 28cweep for yourselves (New International Version)

Show this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

weep for yourselves and for your children: In the context of 23:29–31, this command is a warning. Jesus implied that the women should weep because they and their children will suffer terribly. (They will suffer like this when God punishes the city of Jerusalem for rejecting Jesus.) In some languages it may be helpful to indicate clearly that Jesus was warning them. For example:

but rather the thing that you should cry about, is what’s going to happen to you and your children.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 24:4

24:4a

In the Greek text, 24:4a begins with a phrase that literally means “And it happened.” Luke used this phrase to connect 24:4a with 24:3b and to introduce what was about to happen in 24:4b. You should connect 24:4a with 24:3b in a way that is natural in your language.

While they were puzzling over this: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they were puzzling means that the women were perplexed and confused. The phrase over this tells what caused them to be confused. They could not imagine where Jesus’ body might be. Some other ways to translate this are:

Then they were troubled and amazed about that
-or-
As they were totally confused about ⌊where his body could be⌋
-or-
That caused them to be confused/amazed

In some languages there is an idiom for this meaning. For example:

While they stood utterly at a loss (Revised English Bible)

24:4b

suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them: This clause implies that the two men were not ordinary people by saying that their clothes gleamed like lightning. In 24:23 the women described the two men as “angels” when they told the disciples about them.

In some languages it may be helpful to translate this part of the verse as two separate clauses. For example:

suddenly two men stood beside them. The men were wearing clothes that gleamed like lightning.

suddenly two men…stood beside them: In this context the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suddenly introduces something that is surprising or unexpected. The women were startled as they became aware of the presence of two men. The women did not see or hear these men come. Some other ways to translate this phrase in English are:

all at once two men appeared, standing beside them
-or-
unexpectedly two men…stood beside them

in radiant apparel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as radiant means “dazzling, bright.” The same word can be used to describe flashes of lightning (as in 17:24). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apparel refers to clothing. In this context these words indicate that the angels’ clothes were bright and shining. A form of this word was also used in 9:29 to describe Jesus’ clothing during his transfiguration. You may be able to translate it in a similar way here.

Some other ways to translate in radiant apparel are:

in bright, shining clothes
-or-
clothed in dazzling robes (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
wearing clothes that were as bright as lightning

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013