SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013 – Page 85

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 11:29

Section 11:29–32

The people demanded a miracle

In 11:17–26, Jesus answered the accusation in 11:15 that he drove out demons by the power of Beelzebul. In this section, he answered the other group of people who wanted him to show them a sign from heaven (11:16). Even though he had already done many miracles for them, they would not believe that he had come from God. Jesus made it clear that God would punish them because they would not believe in him. He reminded them that the people of Jonah’s time believed what Jonah preached. He also reminded them that the Queen of Sheba in Solomon’s time came from a distant country to listen to Solomon wise words. The people of Jesus’ time were seeing God reveal himself in an even greater way, but they still did not believe.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

The People Want A Miracle (New Century Version)
-or-
The Sign of Jonah (New International Version)

There is a parallel passage for this section in Matthew 12:38–42.

Paragraph 11:29–32

11:29a

As the crowds were increasing: There are two ways to interpret the meaning of the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as As the crowds were increasing:

(1) More and more people came to see Jesus. For example:

As the crowd grew larger (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(2) The people who had already come to see Jesus gathered/crowded together around him. For example:

As the people crowded around Jesus (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), King James Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). As more and more people heard about the man that Jesus had healed, they came and joined the crowd that had gathered around him. Another way to translate this clause is:

More and more people gathered

11:29b

This is a wicked generation: The clause This is a wicked generation means “the people living at this time are evil.” Jesus said this because the people refused to believe that God had sent him, even though they had seen him perform many miracles. Another way to translate this is:

The people who live today are evil. (New Century Version)

The word generation also occurs in 9:41a in a similar context.

Since Jesus was including the people he was talking to, in some languages it may be necessary to use the second person:

You(plur) are a wicked generation.

11:29c

Verse 11:29c helps to explain why Jesus called the people of 11:29b “wicked.” They were wicked because they demanded a sign. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this relationship explicitly. For example:

because it asks for…

It: The pronoun It refers to “this wicked generation” in 11:29b.

demands a sign: The clause demands a sign probably refers back to 11:16. In that verse, some of the people in the crowd asked Jesus “for a sign from heaven.” The requests in both of these verses mean essentially the same thing. Both contain similar implied information. In some languages, some of this implied information may need to be made explicit. For example:

They are asking ⌊me to perform⌋ a miracle ⌊to prove that God has sent me⌋.

If you used the second person “you” in 11:29b, it will probably be necessary to do so here also. For example:

You keep looking for a sign from God. (Contemporary English Version)

demands: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demands is literally “seeks.” Some other ways to translate this verb are:

asks for (New International Version)
-or-
want to see (New Century Version)

The same verb was used in 11:16.

a sign: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a sign means “a sign or distinguishing mark by which people know that something is true.” In this context it refers to a miracle that would prove that God had sent Jesus. The same word occurs in 11:16.

11:29d

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a contrast between what the people were demanding in 11:29c and what they would receive in 11:29d. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this contrast.

none will be given it: The clause none will be given it means “no sign will be given to this generation.” The verb will be given is a passive verb. Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

no sign will be given them (New Century Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

they will not see/receive any miraculous sign
-or-

⌊I⌋ will not give them a miraculous sign

Translate this verb in a way that is most natural in your language.

except the sign of Jonah: Jesus made one exception. He would give that generation one sign: the sign of the prophet Jonah.

In some languages it may be more natural to place this phrase at the beginning of 11:29d. For example:

But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. (New Living Translation (2004))

the sign of Jonah: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as the sign of Jonah:

(1) It refers to what happened to Jonah. For example:

But what happened to Jonah is the only sign you will be given. (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers to Jonah’s preaching. For example:

The only sign they will be given is what Jonah preached.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most scholars. The parallel passage in Matthew 12:40 clearly identifies the “sign of Jonah” as Jonah being three days inside the belly of the fish. This experience is compared to Jesus being dead and buried for three days. In 11:29d Jesus stated that this sign was still in the future, whereas Jesus had already been preaching for some time.

Most English versions literally follow the Greek grammar and say “the sign of Jonah.” There are at least two translation issues to consider:

(a) Some readers may wrongly interpret this phrase to mean “the sign/miracle that Jonah performed for others.” In your translation, be sure that the sign/miracle refers to the miracle that happened to Jonah, as in the Contemporary English Version example above.

(b) Your readers may not understand from 11:29d that Jesus was using a comparison. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this clear in 11:29d so that it fits with the comparison in 11:30a–b. For example:

The only sign they will be shown is like what happened to Jonah.

If your readers are not familiar with what happened to Jonah, it may be helpful to add a footnote. For example:

Jonah was a prophet of God long ago. A large fish swallowed him, but after three days God caused the fish to vomit Jonah onto the land. See Jonah 1:17 and 2:10. See also Matthew 12:40.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:7

12:7a

And even: The two Greek conjunctions that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And even introduce a contrast between the way God cares for sparrows and the way he cares for the disciples. God remembers each sparrow. But he cares much more for each of Jesus’ disciples. He even knows the number of hairs on each of their heads. Consider how to express this contrast in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do this in English are:

But as for you, God even knows how many hairs…
-or-
And certainly God remembers you far more. Even your hairs…

the very hairs of your head are all numbered: In this context the clause the very hairs of your head are all numbered indicates that God knows exactly how many hairs are on your head. It does not mean that God actually counts the hairs. For example:

But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. (New Century Version)

12:7b

So do not be afraid: In this context Jesus used the phrase do not be afraid to reassure his disciples that God was taking care of them. The phrase implies that they should not be afraid of men or of what might happen to them in the future. However, they must still fear God, as Jesus said in 12:5c. In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit what the disciples should not be afraid of. For example:

⌊So⌋ do not be afraid ⌊of what may happen to you here in this world⌋

12:7c

you are worth more than many sparrows: In this context the phrase worth more means “more precious” or “more valuable” or “more important.” It does not refer to monetary value. Jesus implied that since God cares for each little bird, he cares much more for each person.

In some languages it may be helpful to make clear here that Jesus was referring to people’s worth or importance to God. For example:

you are worth more ⌊to God⌋ than many sparrows
-or-

⌊God⌋ considers you to be more important than many small birds

General Comment on 12:7a–c

In some languages it may be helpful to change the order of the parts of this verse to help people understand the connections. For example:

7c And you are worth more than many sparrows. 7b So do not be afraid. 7a God knows/cares about every hair on your head.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 12:39

Paragraph 12:39–40

In this paragraph Jesus continued to teach his disciples that they needed to be ready for his return. He used a short illustration about a house owner who needed to be ready in case a thief broke into his house. This story is not a continuation of the previous story.

12:39a

In some languages it may be helpful to introduce this verse by indicating in some way that Jesus was beginning to give a different illustration. For example:

⌊Then Jesus said⌋ ⌊to his disciples⌋
-or-

⌊Then Jesus gave another example. He said⌋

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as translates as But here introduces a new illustration that teaches the same point as the one in 12:35–38. The new illustration does not contrast with the previous one. Be careful not to use a conjunction that implies a wrong connection between the two illustrations. In some languages a conjunction will not be needed.

understand this: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as translates as understand this is literally “know this” or “you know this.” Jesus used this clause to emphasize that what he was about to say was important. The word this refers to the illustration that he was about to give them. Some ways to translate this clause are:

you can be sure that (Good News Translation)
-or-
Here is another example for you to think about
-or-
Remember/Consider this also

12:39b–c

Here Jesus used an illustration to teach his disciples that he will return when people do not expect him.

If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into:
This short illustration contains much implied information:

(a) The owner of the house did not know that a thief was coming or what time he would come.

(b) A thief did come.

(d) The owner could have prevented this if he had been ready.

In some languages a literal translation may be confusing. It may imply to some readers that Jesus was telling about a past event that happened to a specific house owner. Use a natural way in your language to indicate that Jesus was giving an illustration. Some ways to do this in English are:

You would surely not let a thief break into your home, if you knew when the thief was coming. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 13:12

13:12a

He called her over and said: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He called her over and said is literally “he called-out and said to her.” There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It describes two actions. Jesus called the woman to come to him, and then he said the words in 13:12b. For example:

he called her over and said (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) It describes one action. Jesus called out to the woman the words in 13:12b. For example:

he called out to her (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries. Jesus was in front of the congregation. The woman would have been sitting in the back with the other women. Jesus summoned her to come to him at the front so that he could speak to her and lay lands on her. Another way to translate this is:

he called her to come to him and said (God’s Word)

13:12b

Woman: This was the way a Jewish man often addressed a woman. Jesus was not being harsh with the woman. He was speaking kindly to her. If it is unkind or unnatural in your culture to speak to a woman this way, then you may:

• Omit the word.

• Use another, more polite form of address, such as “sister,” “mother,” or “madam.”

you are set free from your disability: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are set free is literally “have been set free.” This form of the word indicates here that Jesus considered the woman’s healing to be already accomplished, starting from that very moment. For example:

You are now well. (Contemporary English Version)

The form “are set free” is a passive. Some ways to translate this are:

• As a passive form. For example:

you are healed of your sickness (New Living Translation (2004))

• As an active form, either an adjective or an active verb. For example:

you are free from your disability (God’s Word)
-or-
you will now become well

• If the one who does the healing needs to be made explicit, the implied subject is God or I (Jesus). For example:

⌊God⌋ heals you from your sickness
-or-

⌊I⌋ free you from your disease

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 14:9

14:9a–b

In 14:9a–b Jesus quoted what the host might say to a person who chose an important seat. In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech for this quotation. For example:

If that happens, the one who invited the two of you ⌊to join in the feast⌋ will go to you and ask you to let the other man sit in your place.

In this verse Jesus continued to use a singular form of “you” to refer to any of his listeners. You should continue to use the appropriate form in your language for this type of context. You may want to refer back to the note on “you” in 14:8a.

14:9a

Then: In Greek this verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “and.” It introduces what might happen if a more important guest arrived in 14:8. The Berean Standard Bible has translated this conjunction as Then as one natural way in English to express this connection. Use a natural way in your language to express this. See the note on 14:8c–9 for other suggestions.

the host who invited: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as host is literally “(one) having-invited.” It refers to the man who decided to give the feast and invite all the guests. The Berean Standard Bible has used the word host because that is an appropriate term in English. In other languages there may be different expressions to refer to this person. For example:

your host (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one who invited you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the house owner
-or-
the one who gave the feast

both of you: The phrase both of you means “you(sing) and the more distinguished guest.” Notice that these were not the only two guests. They were just two guests among many others.

will come and tell you: Languages use the verbs “come” and “go” in different ways. Consider whether it may be more natural in this context to say “will go to you.”

14:9b

Give this man your seat: In this context the clause Give this man your seat means “Let this man sit where you are sitting.” It indicates that the host will tell the person to move to a different seat so that the more distinguished guest can sit in the seat of honor.

Consider what a host in your language area would say in this situation. It may be necessary to use special polite expressions so that the host will not sound rude. For example:

Please move to a different place so that this man may sit in your chair.
-or-
Excuse me, please. You seem to be sitting in this gentleman’s seat. Would you sit in another place?

14:9c

And: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is more literally “and then.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. This phrase introduces the next thing that will happen to the less important guest as a result of what the host told him in 14:9b.

in humiliation: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in humiliation is more literally “with shame.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. In this context it implies that the first guest will feel embarrassed when he has to leave his good seat and take the least important one.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate the word humiliation as a noun or a verb in a separate sentence. Consider whether it will be more natural to place it at the beginning or the end of the verse. For example:

You will be embarrassed and will have to sit in the worst place. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So you will have to transfer to the least important seat. This will make you feel very ashamed.
-or-
You will have to move to the lowest place. How shameful!
-or-
This will cause/give you much shame. You will have to get up and go sit in the seat where no one else wanted to sit.

you will have to take: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will have to take is more literally “you will begin to take.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. The man will have to get out of the best seat and start to move down the table to the worst seat.

you: Here Jesus continued to refer to any of his listeners. Use an appropriate form to do this in your language. You may want to refer again to the note on 14:8a.

the last place: The phrase the last place probably refers to the seat farthest from the host. It implies that people were already seated in all the other places. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

• Use a similar descriptive phrase. For example:

the worst place (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the last place (New Century Version)
-or-
the lowest place (Good News Translation)

If you cannot use a phrase such as the last place here in your language, you may be able to use a phrase such as “a very unimportant/low place.”

• Use a phrase in your language that refers to a seat where a person of low status would sit. For example:

whatever seat is left at the foot of the table (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
at the back/edge of the room

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 15:6

15:6a

and calls together his friends and neighbors: This clause indicates that he invites his friends and neighbors to come to his house, probably for a feast or celebration.

neighbors: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbors refers to the people who lived nearby.

15:6b

to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’: In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech and to say:

…and he will invite them to rejoice with him, because he has found his missing sheep.

to tell them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to tell them is literally “saying.” It introduces what the shepherd said to his friends and neighbors. He may have said this as his invitation to them or in addition to other words of invitation.

Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!: The Greek text connects these two clauses with a conjunction that is often translated as “because.” The shepherd had found his sheep, and that was the reason why he wanted to rejoice:

Rejoice with me for/because I have found my lost sheep.

In some languages it may be necessary to reverse the order of the two clauses:

I have found my lost sheep! ⌊So come,⌋ rejoice with me!

Rejoice with: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Rejoice with means “be happy with” or “be glad with.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 16:17

16:17a–b

But: In the Greek text this verse connects to the previous verse with a conjunction that introduces a contrast: The good news is now being preached, but/nevertheless the Law and the Prophets remain valid. The Berean Standard Bible (like the Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation) translates this conjunction as But. Other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, and New International Version, do not translate this conjunction. You should indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law: The phrase heaven and earth refers to the universe as a whole. The universe was considered to be a symbol of permanence. So this comparison means that God’s word will not lose any of its authority. It is even more permanent than heaven and earth. In some languages it may be necessary to translate this comparison in other ways. For example:

The sky and the earth will come to an end, but even the smallest letter in God’s Law will remain unchanged.

It may be necessary to reorder the clauses of 16:17a–b. See the General Comment on 16:17a–b at the end of 16:17b for further suggestions.

In translating this verse, be careful not to imply that:

(a) it is easy for heaven and earth to disappear;

(b) heaven and earth will never disappear.

Although many people thought that the universe would last almost forever, other verses teach that it will be destroyed in the future. See Matthew 5:18, Mark 13:31, 2 Peter 3:7, 3:10.

16:17a

heaven and earth: In some languages it may be more natural to say “earth and heaven.” You may use whatever order is more natural in your language.

heaven: The word heaven in this context refers to the sky and the physical universe beyond the earth. It includes the sun, moon, and stars. See heaven, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

pass away: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pass away means to end, to cease to exist.

16:17b

a single stroke of a pen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a single stroke of a pen is more literally “one projection/stroke.” It refers to the smallest part of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It would be like the cross on the “t” in English or one of the lines on the letter “m.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the smallest part of a letter (New Century Version)
-or-
one letter (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the smallest detail (Good News Translation)

drop out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drop out is literally “fall.” In this context it has a figurative meaning. Some other ways to translate this are:

become void (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
cease to be valid/authoritative
-or-
lose its force (Revised English Bible)
-or-
to be changed (New Century Version)

the Law: In 16:16a, Jesus used the term “the Law and the Prophets” to refer to the Old Testament as a whole. Here the word Law alone is also used to refer to the whole Old Testament. In some languages a literal translation may imply that Jesus is excluding the writings of the prophets and the rest of the Old Testament. If that is true in your language, consider using a more general term, such as “God’s Book” or “the words of God.”

General Comment on 16:17a–b

In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the clauses of 16:17a–b. For example:

Even the smallest part of God’s Word is more permanent than the sky and the earth.

Use a natural order in your language.

In some languages it may be necessary to state the main point about the Law before giving the comparison about the heaven and earth. For example:

But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 17:18

17:18

Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?: This is another rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to emphasize his surprise and disappointment that only the foreigner returned to praise God. The implied answer to the question is “no one except the Samaritan has returned to praise God.”

Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is this Samaritan the only one who came back to thank God? (New Century Version)
-or-
Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement or statements. For example:

Only this foreigner came back to praise God. (God’s Word)
-or-
But look! This foreigner was the only one ⌊of the ten men⌋ to come back to praise God.
-or-
Just this foreigner came back to thank God. ⌊I am amazed/disappointed⌋ to see that none of the other nine men came back.

Translate this surprise and disappointment in a way that is natural in your language.

found except this foreigner to return: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as found is used in the sense “to appear, to be seen.” It does not imply that God (or someone) was literally searching for a person who would return and give thanks. The word found emphasizes that no one had returned except the foreigner.

In some languages it may not be natural to use a word that means found. It may even wrongly imply that someone was lost. If this is true in your language, you may need to translate the meaning without this word, as several English versions do. For example:

Why was this foreigner the only one who came back to thank God? (Contemporary English Version)

to return and give glory to God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as give glory refers here to thanking or praising God. Some other ways to translate give glory to God are:

praise/thank God
-or-
say thank you to God

except this foreigner: In this context the word foreigner refers to a person who is not a Jew. Jesus was surprised that none of the Jews whom he had healed came back to thank him. Only the Samaritan came back. Another way to translate this phrase is:

except this one who is not a Jew

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 2013