SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:22

10:22a

You will be hated by everyone: This clause is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

you will be hated by everyone (NET Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

Everyone will hate you (Good News Translation)

The word everyone is hyperbole. This means that it is an exaggeration to emphasize that many people would hate the disciples. If people in your area will think that everyone literally means “everyone,” you should make an adjustment to your translation. For example:

you will be hated by many, many people

because of My name: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because of My name is more literally “on account of my name.” Here the word name represents Jesus. Many people hate Jesus, and so they hate the people who follow him and believe in him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

on account of my name (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
because of me (Good News Translation)
-or-
because you follow me (New Century Version)

10:22b

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the implied possibility of abandoning one’s faith, and enduring to the end. Persecution may tempt a believer to abandon his faith. But if he remains firm and endures to the end, he will be saved. The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction but.

the one: This phrase refers to either a man or a woman. In some languages, it may be natural to use a pronoun or a plural. For example:

you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the person (God’s Word)
-or-
whoever (Good News Translation)
-or-
everyone (New Living Translation (2004))

perseveres: This word indicates that a person continues to be loyal to Jesus even though people hate him and cause him to suffer.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

remain faithful (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
continues to believe/trust in me
-or-
do not stop believing/following me

to the end: The phrase to the end means “until the end of his life” or “until the end of the time of persecution.”

will be saved: This phrase refers to someone being saved or rescued from harm or danger. In this context, it refers to a believer being saved by God from eternal punishment that results from sin.

The verb is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

will be saved/rescued ⌊from being punished for his sins⌋

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ will save him ⌊from sin/hell⌋

Do not imply here that people will be saved from physical death. Jesus indicated that some disciples would indeed die because of persecution.

This verb also occurs in 1:21c.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:12

11:12a

From the days of John the Baptist: This phrase refers to the period of time that began with John the Baptist’s preaching.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

And from the time John the Baptist began preaching (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
From the time John preached his message (Good News Translation)
-or-
From the beginning of the work of John

until now: The phrase until now refers to the period of time up till the time when Jesus said these words.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

until this very day (Good News Translation)
-or-
up to today
-or-
until this present time
-or-
up to this time

11:12b

the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has been subject to violence:

(1) The verb is passive and means that the kingdom is being violently attacked. According to this interpretation, this clause refers to persecution from evil spiritual beings or evil humans who are attacking God’s kingdom. One example of the kingdom being “violently attacked” was that Herod put John in prison and later killed him. Later, Jesus and many of the disciples were also killed. For example:

the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, NIV2011, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version)

(2) The verb has an active sense and means that the kingdom has been forcefully advancing. According to this interpretation, this clause indicates that God is defeating evil, and he is gathering people into his kingdom. Some examples of the kingdom “forcefully advancing” were that John forcefully preached, and Jesus cast out demons and did other miracles. For example:

the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength (New Century Version)

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation best fits with the next clause “the violent take it by force.” Also, the majority of English versions and commentaries follow this interpretation.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the kingdom of heaven has been attacked with force

• Use an active verb. In this case, the subject should be “the violent” referred to in 11:12c. For example:

violent people have been attacking the kingdom of heaven

11:12c

the violent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the violent refers to violent/fierce people who are attacking the kingdom.

Here is another way to translate this word:

fierce/evil people

lay claim to it: This clause means that violent men are trying to “seize” the kingdom of God. This again refers to evil people persecuting believers. It also refers to the battle between good and evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

grab it using force/strength

-or-

capture/plunder it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:14

12:14

But: There is a contrast between 12:13 and 12:14. The contrast is between what we might expect people to do after a miracle, and how the Pharisees reacted in 12:14. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

Here are some other ways to translate this in English:

However
-or-
Nevertheless
-or-
In spite of this

This verse is also the next event in this story. Some versions indicate this rather than the contrast. For example:

Then (Good News Translation)

went out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went out indicates that the Pharisees left the synagogue.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

left (Good News Translation)
-or-
exited

plotted: The verb plotted means “made plans.” In this case, their plans were evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

made plans to (Good News Translation)
-or-
planned how

-or-

met and discussed ways to

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:46

Section 12:46–50

Jesus taught about who is his true family

In this section, Jesus showed that all who obey God are members of his/Jesus’ spiritual family.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The True Family of Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The people whom Jesus considered to be his true family
-or-
People who do the will of God are like the true family of Jesus

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 3:31–35 and Luke 8:19–21.

Paragraph 12:46–50

12:46a

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds: Verse 12:46a connects this paragraph with the preceding paragraphs. Even though Jesus had been speaking primarily to the scribes and Pharisees in 12:38–45, other people were also listening since 12:23.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

While Jesus was still talking to the crowds (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus continued talking with the people.

12:46b

The Greek word that begins this clause is left untranslated in the Berean Standard Bible, but some English versions translate it as “behold.” This word focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this context, this word introduces the main topic of this paragraph: Jesus’ mother and brothers. Many English versions translate this word as “look” or “behold” in this context.

His…brothers: Church groups differ in what they believe about Jesus’ brothers. Here are the three main views:

(1) They were the sons of Joseph and Mary, born after Jesus.

(2) They were Jesus’ cousins.

(3) They were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. That is, they were Jesus’ step-brothers.

The Hebrew and Aramaic words for “brother” do not distinguish between biological brothers and cousins. It is good to use a general word for “brother” that could apply to any of the views above. For example, you may have a word that could refer to:

(a) brothers with the same father and mother,

(b) brothers with the same father but different mothers, and

If you must use a more specific word, it is recommended that you consult with all major church groups in your language area. You will want to choose a word that is acceptable to the churches.

If your language must distinguish between “older” and “younger” brothers, it is recommended that you use a term for “younger brothers” here. If your language does not use terms that distinguish male and female, such as brother or sister, it may be more natural to use general terms. For example:

siblings
-or-
younger-siblings

stood outside: There is some implied information in this part of the verse:

(a) Jesus was at this time speaking from inside a house.

(b) Jesus mother and brothers had not been present in the crowd in the previous paragraph, but now they arrived.

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

came and stood outside (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
stood outside ⌊the house⌋
-or-
when his mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside (Good News Translation)

12:46c

wanting to speak to Him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wanting can mean “seeking/trying,” “wanting,” or “asking.” So this clause can simply mean that “they wanted to speak to Jesus.” Or it can mean that “they told people that they wanted to speak with him.” Either one is possible and acceptable.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They wanted to talk to him. (God’s Word)
-or-
trying to find a way to talk to him. (New Century Version)

-or-

They said that they wanted to speak with Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:28

13:28a

An enemy did this: The word this refers to planting weeds in the wheat field.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

It was some enemy who did this (Good News Translation)
-or-
An enemy planted weeds. (New Century Version)

13:28b

So: Verse 13:28b is the servants’ response to the field owner’s statement. The Berean Standard Bible introduces this response with the conjunction So. Many English versions do not have a conjunction here. In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary here either.

Do you want us to go and pull them up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pull them up means “gather” or “collect.” Here it refers to removing the weeds. The word them refers to the weeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

pull up the weeds (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

pull out the weeds (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:2

14:2a

his servants: This word refers to assistants who advised rulers about their decisions. This is a different Greek word than the word translated as slaves.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

advisers (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
officials (Good News Translation)
-or-
aides/helpers/workers

This is John the Baptist: Herod mistakenly thought that Jesus was John the Baptist. The words that Herod said in this verse were his opinion. They were not the truth.

Here are some ways to make this clear:

he ⌊mistakenly⌋ said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
-or-

⌊He thought that Jesus was John the Baptist. So⌋ he said to his servants, “That man is John the Baptizer.

John the Baptist: You should translate this phrase as you did in 3:1a.

14:2b

he has risen from the dead!: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He has come back from the dead
-or-
He has returned from the place of the dead
-or-
He has become alive again.

The text does not say who Herod thought raised John. So you should avoid saying that “God” raised him from the dead.

14:2c

That is why: This phrase introduces the result part of a reason-result pair of clauses. The reason is “he has risen from the dead” (in 14:2b). Herod believed that if someone came back from the dead, he would have special powers. So he believed that the miracles that he heard about were the result of John coming back from the dead.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

that is the reason why
-or-
for this reason
-or-
and as a result

miraculous powers are at work in him: This clause means that John had the power to do miracles.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he has the power to perform these miracles (God’s Word)
-or-
he can do such miracles (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he has received the power to do those miracles

-or-

he is able to do those miracles

miraculous powers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as miraculous powers is the same word as in 13:54d. You can translate both passages using the same term.

General Comment on 14:2b–c

The clause “he has risen from the dead” (14:2b) is the reason clause. The clause “That is why miraculous powers are at work in him” (14:2c) is the result clause. In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of the reason and result clauses. For example:

2cHe has the power to do these miracles 2bbecause he has been raised from the dead.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:34

Paragraph 14:34–36

14:34a

When they had crossed over: This clause means that Jesus and his disciples traveled/sailed the rest of the way across the lake in the boat. They reached the other side of the lake.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

After they finished crossing ⌊the lake⌋
-or-
When they finished going across ⌊the lake and arrived at the other side⌋

14:34b

they landed: This clause means that the disciples brought the boat to the land at the edge of the lake. That is where they landed and docked the boat. It is implied that they then got out of the boat onto the shore.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they came to shore (New Century Version)
-or-
they came to land (English Standard Version)
-or-
they reached the edge of the lake, ⌊then they got out of the boat⌋

at Gennesaret: This was the name of a village and the surrounding area on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee. The village was south of the town of Capernaum. It is not known whether Gennesaret here refers to the village or to the area.

Here is another way to translate this word:

near ⌊the village of⌋ Gennesaret

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:30

15:30a

Large crowds: The Greek phrase the Berean Standard Bible translates as Large crowds can be translated more literally as “many crowds.” The plural crowds perhaps indicates that groups of people came from different areas. Perhaps one group came from one town, and another group came from another town.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

many groups of people
-or-
many people

15:30b

the lame: The word lame refers to those who could not walk or use their legs well. There was something wrong with one or both legs.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the crippled
-or-
people who had crippled legs
-or-
those with bad legs
-or-
those who could not walk well

This word also occurs in 11:5a.

15:30c

the crippled: The word crippled refers to people who have something wrong with an arm or a leg. Their arm or leg was deformed in some way. Or they may be missing part of an arm or a leg.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the maimed (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
those with ruined limbs
-or-
the handicapped

the mute: The word mute refers to people who are unable to talk. The Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible use the word “dumb,” which in this context, means the same as mute. Here it does not mean “stupid.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

those unable to talk

15:30d

many others: This phrase refers to other people who had other types of handicaps. It may also refer to those who had diseases. And it may also refer to people who were demon possessed. Some languages use different words for people who are handicapped, those who are sick with diseases, and those who are demon possessed. So it may be necessary to use two or more different expressions here. For example:

many other ⌊afflicted⌋ people
-or-
many other people ⌊who had handicaps and who were sick⌋

15:30e

and laid them at His feet: This clause means “they placed the handicapped people in front of Jesus.” For example:

They placed them…in front of Jesus (Contemporary English Version)

and He healed them: Jesus miraculously healed everyone who was handicapped and everyone who was sick. He immediately made each person well. He did not heal them like a doctor heals.

As mentioned above, some languages use different words for people who are sick with a disease and people who are handicapped. In these languages, the verb healed may refer only to curing those who had a disease. Such languages may need to use a second verb to refer to Jesus restoring handicapped people. Or there may be a more general term to cover both. For example:

he made them all well

-or-

he ⌊miraculously⌋ healed them and made them well

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:46

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:34

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:30

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