SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:14

Paragraph 22:14

The words in 22:14 are Jesus’ words to end the parable. They are not the words of the king. In order to make this clear, it may be necessary to say:

And Jesus concluded (Good News Translation)

22:14

For: Jesus used this Greek conjunction to introduce the conclusion to his parable and the reason why he told it.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Because

many: This word refers to a large group of people.

Here is another way to translate this word:

many people

are called: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as called also means “invited.” For example:

are invited (Contemporary English Version)

God is the one who calls. So, if necessary, you may use an active verb with God as the subject. For example:

⌊God⌋ calls/invites many people

A form of this word is also in 22:3b.

but few: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as few does not necessarily mean a small number. Instead it means some number less than “many.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

only some
-or-
fewer

are chosen: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as chosen means “selected.”

Here is another way to translate this word:

picked

God is the one who chooses. So, if necessary, you may use an active verb with God or he as the subject. For example:

but he only chooses some people

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:17

Paragraph 1:17

1:17a

In all, then: In this context, the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In all, then indicates that 1:17 is a summary of 1:2–16.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Thus (New International Version)
-or-
So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
All those listed above include (New Living Translation (2004))

there were fourteen generations: The word “generation” here refers to a person and the people in his age group. A father and his age group represent one generation. His son and his age group represent a second generation. His son’s son and his age group represent a third generation.

1:17b

the exile to Babylon: Translate this phrase as you did in 1:11b.

1:17c

to the Christ: The phrase to the Christ refers to the birth of the Christ.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to the birth of the Messiah (Good News Translation)
-or-
until Christ was born (New Century Version)

-or-

up to the time that the Messiah was born

Translate the Christ here as you did in 1:16b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:1

Section 3:1–12

John the Baptist taught people to repent and obey God

The story starting at 3:1 occurred about twenty-eight years after 2:23. Matthew did not tell what happened during those twenty-eight years. But he restarted the story at this time in Jesus’ life because Jesus was ready to begin the work that God gave him to do. He began at the time God chose for him.

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Jesus. The story of how John was born is in Luke chapter 1. He was the prophet whom God said would come (3:3). John wore the kind of clothes prophets often wore (3:4). He baptized people who repented. John preached that Jesus would be greater than he was (3:11).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The work of John the Baptist/Baptizer
-or-
The work of John who baptized people
-or-
John the Baptizer preached repentance and submission to God’s rule
-or-
John the Baptizer prepared people to receive the Lord

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:1, Luke 3:1–18 and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 3:1–3

3:1a

In those days: The phrase In those days may indicate “during the time when Jesus was living at Nazareth.” However, about twenty-eight years had passed since the end of chapter 2. If people in your area will think that the phrase In those days means that 3:1 happened soon after 2:23, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Years later (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Years passed
-or-
Later, during the days that

John the Baptist: John had baptized many people. As a result, he became known as John the Baptist or “John the Baptizer.” For more information on the meaning of “baptize,” see “were baptized” in the note at 3:6b.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

John the Baptizer (God’s Word)
-or-
John the one who baptized ⌊people⌋
-or-
John who cleansed ⌊people⌋ ⌊for God⌋
-or-
John the ⌊Ritual⌋ Purifier
-or-
John who initiated ⌊people⌋ with God’s washing

the Baptist: The word Baptist has the same meaning here as the word “baptizer.” It refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In this context, the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

came: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came can also mean “appear,” or “make a public appearance.” It indicates that at this time John began his work.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

appeared (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
began (New Century Version)

3:1b

preaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as preaching means to publicly “announce,” or “proclaim.” John was announcing the message that God had given to him. The words of 3:2 indicate what he was preaching.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

publicly announcing
-or-
proclaiming this message (Revised English Bible)
-or-
telling people God’s message

in the wilderness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wilderness refers to a wild, desolate area where few people lived. Some English versions translate this word as “desert” (New International Version). It was often a dry area, but it was not just sand and barren. Some wild grasses and bushes grew there. Many people went out to this wilderness to hear John preach. The focus here is that few people lived there, not that it was dry.

Some languages have a special word to refer to such an area, such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia). It may be appropriate to use such a word here.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Desert (New International Version)
-or-
empty land
-or-
region where no one lives

of Judea: The noun Judea refers to a district or province. It was one of the areas where Jews lived.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in ⌊the province of⌋ Judea

-or-

that was in ⌊the district of⌋ Judea

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:16

4:16

Before you translate 4:16, there are several issues to consider:

Issue 1: Parallelism

Verse 4:16 is a Hebrew form of poetry called a parallelism. In a parallelism, an idea is repeated. In this particular parallelism, different words are used in the second part of the verse, but they have the same basic meaning as the words in the first part.

The parallel parts in 4:16a–b that are similar in meaning are shown here:

16a
the people living in darkness have seen a great light,

16b
on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned

In some languages, people will think that the parallel parts in 4:16 describe different things. In other words, they will think that the clause “the people living in darkness” and the clause “those living in the land of the shadow of death” describe different groups of people. They will think that the clause “have seen a great light” and the clause “a light has dawned” describe two different things.

If that is true in your language, you should:

• Indicate that both expressions refer to the same thing. For example:

16athe people living in darkness have seen a great light;

16b
⌊I repeat,⌋ a light has dawned on those living in the land of the shadow of death

• Combine the parallel parts. For example:

a great light has dawned on the people living in the land of darkness and death

Issue 2: Metaphor

In addition, this verse uses metaphors of darkness and light. In the Bible, darkness and light are common metaphors. Darkness is a metaphor for sin and its effects: misery, destruction, punishment, folly, ignorance (lack of knowledge of God), and death. Light is a metaphor for God and the Messiah and the good things that the Lord gives: prosperity, wisdom, knowledge of God, life, joy, happiness, laughter, hope, justice, truth, spiritual and material redemption, salvation, revelation, God’s presence, God’s glory, and God’s favor.

Since this is a quote from the Old Testament, it is recommended that you translate this verse using the same metaphors. But it may be necessary to add some additional words to make their meaning clear.

4:16a

the people living in darkness have seen a great light: This clause is the first part of the parallelism. It has the same meaning as 4:16b.

This clause contains two metaphors. Parts of these metaphors are implicit.

In the first metaphor, people who are sinful are compared to people who dwell/live in darkness. They are similar in that neither group of people can see things properly. People who live in spiritual darkness have difficulty seeing/recognizing their sin. They cannot see the truth.

In the second metaphor, the Messiah is compared to a great light. They are similar in that both show something. The Messiah shows people the way to salvation and eternal life.

Here are some other ways to translate these metaphors:

• Keep the metaphors, but explain them in the text. For example:

the people who live in ⌊spiritual/moral⌋ darkness have seen the great light ⌊of the Messiah⌋
-or-
the people who live in the darkness ⌊of sin⌋ have seen the great light ⌊of the Messiah⌋

• Change the metaphors to similes. For example:

People ⌊who sin are like people⌋ who live in darkness. ⌊When they see the Messiah, it is like⌋ they have seen a great light.
-or-
the people there ⌊live in sin. It is like they⌋ are living in darkness. But now they have ⌊seen the Messiah. It is like they have⌋ seen a great light

• Translate the metaphors literally but explain them in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The “people living in darkness” refers figuratively to those who are sinful. They are like people walking around in the dark. The “great light” refers figuratively to the Messiah and his gospel. When Jesus came, the people finally saw the truth.

the people: The phrase the people refers to all the people who live in the land described in 4:15. It does not just refer to the Gentiles who are mentioned in 4:15c.

living: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living is literally “sitting.” For example:

the people who sat in darkness (Revised Standard Version)

This Greek word is a figurative way to say “live.” This word refers to people “inhabiting” a house or a town or a country for a long time. So some English versions prefer the word “dwelling/living” rather than “sitting” which implies a temporary situation.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

dwelling (English Standard Version)
-or-
sit (NET Bible)
-or-
stay

have seen: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have seen is past tense. It can also be translated as “saw.”

Isaiah wrote this prophecy hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth. But God spoke the words of this prophecy in the past tense as if viewing this event after Jesus began his work. In addition, Matthew wrote this book some years after Jesus went to heaven. So it may be natural in your language to follow the Greek and use the past tense here, like the Berean Standard Bible.

However, some English versions view this event from Isaiah’s time. So they use the future tense. For example:

will see (Good News Translation)

You should use the tense or aspect that is most natural in your language.

a great light: The phrase a great light refers figuratively to God’s truth as revealed in Jesus, the Messiah, and his gospel.

In this context, the word great refers to something bright. It does not refer to something large.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

bright light (Contemporary English Version)

4:16b

on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned: This clause is the second part of the parallelism. It has the same meaning as 4:16a.

This clause contains two metaphors. Parts of these metaphors are implicit.

In the first metaphor, people who cannot recognize the truth are compared to those living in the land of the shadow of death. They are similar in that neither group of people can see things properly. People who cannot see spiritually cannot recognize the truth or their own sin.

In the second metaphor, the Messiah is compared to the sun. Just as the sun rises and shines on the earth, Jesus reveals the truth so that people can see it.

Here are some other ways to translate these metaphors:

• Keep the metaphors, but explain them in the text. For example:

These people ⌊cannot see the truth. It is as if they⌋ are living in the region and the shadow of death. ⌊But⌋ the light ⌊of the Messiah⌋ has dawned/shone on these people.

• Change the metaphors to similes. For example:

⌊The Messiah is like⌋ a light ⌊that⌋ has dawned on those people ⌊who cannot see the truth. It is as if they are⌋ living in the region and shadow of death.

• Translate the metaphors literally but explain them in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The “those living in the land of the shadow of death” refers to people who are living in danger, fear, and hopelessness. It refers figuratively to people who are living in sin and cannot see/recognize the truth. The phrase “a light has dawned” refers figuratively to the Messiah and his gospel. When Jesus came, sinful people finally saw the truth.

living in the land of the shadow of death: The phrase in the land of the shadow of death is a figure of speech. This figure of speech can be restated as “the land where death casts its shadow.” Living in the shadow of death refers to living close to death. This is figurative language that refers to a land where people live in constant danger, fear, and hopelessness. It is a land of spiritual darkness. This clause is parallel to “living in darkness” in 4:16a.

In some languages, it is not possible to talk about death having a shadow or living in death’s shadow. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this clause:

living in the land of death and darkness
-or-
living in a land that is ⌊as if⌋ under clouds of death
-or-
living in the land of ⌊spiritual⌋ darkness
-or-
living close to death/danger and in darkness

Remember that this clause is parallel to “living in darkness” in 4:16a. So your translation of this clause should also have the idea of darkness in it.

a light has dawned: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a light has dawned is literally “a light has risen.” This clause refers to the sun rising and shining on everything on the earth. As mentioned above, it represents Jesus revealing God’s truth to people.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A light has risen (God’s Word)

-or-

a light has shined (New Living Translation (2004))

As mentioned above for the verb “has shined,” some English versions use the future tense. They view this event from Isaiah’s time. For example:

a light will shine (Contemporary English Version)

Because this is a quotation from the prophet Isaiah, you should keep the figure of light if at all possible.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:23

Paragraph 5:23–24

5:23a

So: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces a conclusion. In 5:23–26, Jesus concluded what he said about being judged for anger and insulting others in 5:21–22. He concluded by saying that we must reconcile with a brother whom we have offended. He implied that if we do not reconcile, we too will be judged.

Here is another way to introduce this conclusion:

Therefore (New International Version)

if you are offering: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are offering also means “you bring.” This verb probably indicates that the person has come near the altar but has not yet placed the gift on it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if you are about to place (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
if you bring (NET Bible)
-or-
when you are ready to give

you: In this paragraph and the next, the pronouns “you” and “your” are singular.

your gift: The word gift refers to an offering that someone makes to God. It could be an animal, grain, or another type of gift.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

offering (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
sacrifice (New Living Translation (2004))

If it would not be clear that this offering was to God, then you may want to add that information. For example:

offering ⌊to God⌋
-or-
gift ⌊presented to God⌋

at the altar: An altar was a platform where offerings were made to God. In this context, this altar probably refers to the one in front of the temple where animal and grain offerings were burnt. The Jews usually built their altars from stone. But the altar in front of the temple was like a table made of the metal bronze. This is probably the altar that is referred to here.

Here are some other ways to translate altar:

place for giving offerings/sacrifices
-or-
place/platform where people offer sacrifices ⌊to God⌋5:23b

and there: The word there refers to the area where the altar is located.

your brother has something against you: The clause your brother has something against you implies that you have done something to offend your brother. As a result, your brother is upset or angry with you.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

your brother has a grievance against you (Revised English Bible)
-or-
someone is angry with you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you have done something that angered/offended your fellowman

your brother: As in 5:22a, the word brother here refers to “fellow believer” or “fellowman.” It does not refer to a biological brother.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

someone (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
fellowman

-or-

fellow believer

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:7

6:7a

And when you pray, do not babble on: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as babble on refers to “speaking meaningless words” or “speaking without thinking.” In this context it probably includes excessive repetition.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

do not use a lot of words that have no meaning/value
-or-
do not continually repeat and repeat
-or-
do not pray a long time without thinking what you are saying

like pagans: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as like pagans refers to “people who were not Jews.” Such people worshiped idols, not the true God.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

non-Jews ⌊who do not worship God⌋
-or-
those people who don’t know God (New Century Version)

6:7b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that Gentiles pray long prayers.

7aThe Gentiles heap up empty phrases, 7bbecause they think that they will be heard because they use so many words.

In some languages, it is not necessary to have a conjunction here. For example:

They think God likes to hear long prayers. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it is more natural to put the reason first. For example:

7bThe Gentiles think that they will be heard because of their many words. 7a⌊So⌋ when they pray, they heap up empty phrases. Do not pray like them.

they think: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as think means “imagine something to be true.” In this case, they are mistaken in what they think. It may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

they ⌊mistakenly⌋ think/suppose
-or-
they believe ⌊wrongly⌋
-or-
they assume…. ⌊But they are wrong.⌋

by their many words: These Gentiles think that their “gods” will listen to them if they use many words and make their prayers long.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because of their many words
-or-
by using many words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when/if they pray a long time

they will be heard: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they will be heard is passive. The “god” or “gods/idols” that these people pray to are the ones that “hear.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

they will be heard (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
their prayers will be heard

• Use an active verb. For example:

their gods will hear them (Good News Translation)

-or-

whomever they are praying to will hear them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:5

7:5a

You hypocrite!: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hypocrite literally refers to actors (in the theater). Figuratively it refers to people who pretend to be something that they are not. They say that they believe one thing, but they do something different. Or they appear religious or spiritual on the outside, but they do not have true hearts that desire to please God.

The Berean Standard Bible has added the word You here. In Greek, only the word hypocrite occurs here. For example:

Hypocrite! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Pretender!

The word hypocrite also occurs in 6:2 and 6:16.

7:5b–c

beam…speck: As in 7:3–4, the words beam and speck are metaphors referring to large sins and small sins. Because this is the third verse with these metaphors, you can probably keep the metaphors without making the meaning explicit.

7:5c

brother’s: Be careful to translate the word brother’s as you did in 7:3a and 7:4a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:8

8:8a

In Greek this verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “but” or “and.” Here the Greek conjunction indicates a contrast. The contrast is between Jesus saying that he will go and the centurion saying that Jesus did not need to go. Some English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not begin this verse with a conjunction.

Here are some ways to begin this verse:

But (English Standard Version)
-or-
Then (New Living Translation (1996))

8:8b

Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof: This sentence is a polite way for the centurion to tell Jesus that he did not want Jesus to bother himself to go and enter his house. It does not mean “You are very kind to enter the house of someone who is so unworthy.” In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

Sir, ⌊please do not bother yourself.⌋ I am not worthy….
-or-
Sir, ⌊it is all right if you do not go.⌋ I am not worthy….
-or-
Lord, I am not worthy…. ⌊So please, it would be better if you did not come.⌋
-or-
“Oh no, sir,”…“I do not deserve….” (Good News Translation)

I am not worthy: The clause I am not worthy indicates that the centurion believed that he did not deserve a visit from Jesus. He knew that Jews did not enter the houses of Gentiles like himself. He also realized that God had given Jesus authority that was greater than his own.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

I’m not good enough (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I am not important/big enough

under my roof: The phrase under my roof is a figure of speech that means “in my house.” For example:

into my home (New Living Translation (2004))

8:8c

But: There is a contrast between 8:8b and 8:8c. The contrast is between what the centurion thought that Jesus should not do, and what he should do. In Greek, this contrast is indicated with a conjunction that English versions translate as But.

just say the word, and my servant will be healed: The clause just say the word indicates that the centurion believed that Jesus only had to say “your servant is healed” and his servant would become well. The officer knew that Jesus did not have to be present at his house in order to heal the servant. Jesus could heal him from a distance with a spoken word.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make explicit what kind of word this was. For example:

speak/say the words ⌊“be healed”⌋ and my servant will be healed
-or-
Just give the order, and my servant will get well. (Good News Translation)

The clause say the word is a polite request. The centurion was politely asking Jesus to heal his servant. He was not ordering Jesus to do something. Use a sentence form that can be used as a polite request in your language. For example:

⌊Please⌋ just say the words ⌊“be healed”⌋ and my servant will be healed.

-or-

⌊I believe that⌋ if you would kindly say, ⌊“he is cured”⌋, he would be cured.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:8

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