Paragraph 22:5–7

22:5a

But: There is a contrast between the king’s invitation to come (in 22:4b–f) and the people’s refusing to come (in 22:5a). Most English versions make this contrast explicit with the conjunction “but.”

they paid no attention and went off: Most English versions seem to indicate that everyone in the second group paid no attention and left. However, in this clause is more literally “those who paid no attention left.” Verse 22:6a indicates that there were some people who did not leave. These other people siezed the servants and killed them (in 22:6a–b).

So some other ways to translate this clause is:

those people who paid no attention went off
-or-
some people paid no attention and went off

they paid no attention: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as paid no attention indicates that some people did not care about the fact that the king had invited them to a wedding.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the guests he had invited ignored them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the people refused to listen to the servants (New Century Version)
-or-
some people didn’t consider the invitation to be important

and went off: This verb indicates that some people left to do something else.

Here are some another way to translate this verb:

and left to do other things (New Century Version)
-or-
and went about their business (Good News Translation)

22:5b

one to his farm: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as farm is more literally “field.” It refers to a place where someone grows crops.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

to his field (New International Version)

another to his business: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as business refers to any sort of commercial activity.

Here some another ways to translate this phrase:

some went to their places of business (Contemporary English Version)

another to his store (Good News Translation)

-or-

another went to sell

General Comment on 22:5b

The two phrases in 22:5b refer to the ordinary activities of life. It is a general description of what the people who did not listen to the invitation went off to do. It does not mean that there were only two people in this group. So it is possible to translate this clause with plural words to communicate this understanding. For example:

some of them left for their farms and some went to their places of business (Contemporary English Version)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 22:37–40

22:37a

And he said to him: The pronoun he refers to Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus said to him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He answered (Good News Translation)

You shall love: In Greek, the verb love is future tense, but it has the force of a command. Also, the pronoun You is singular, but it applies to everyone. You should use whatever form is most natural in your language for such a command. Remember that God originally gave this command.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

You (plur.) must love
-or-
Love (plur.)
-or-
Everyone/People must love

love: The verb love refers to actions that someone takes on behalf of someone else. It refers to acts of kindness and service. Love for God suggests a way of life. In many languages, the concept of love will be mainly what a person feels for a spouse or children or other people he/she is close to. However, if you have a way of expressing the idea of devotion and commitment to God, use it here. The word love does not refer primarily to an emotion or something that you feel. However, that can be a part of the meaning.

The verb love is is also in 5:43b.

the Lord your God: The phrase the Lord your God indicates that the Lord is the God with whom people have a relationship. It implies that the Lord guides and cares for them as God, and they worship and serve him.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Lord, who is your God
-or-
your Lord/Master God
-or-
God who is your Lord/Master

In some languages, the phrase your God is not natural. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Lord God, whom you ⌊worship/serve⌋
-or-
God the Lord, who ⌊cares for⌋ you
-or-
the Lord, the God whom you ⌊worship⌋

This phrase is also in 4:7b. Translate it the same way here.

22:37b

with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind: The Greek words that the English Standard Version translates as heart, soul and mind are very close in meaning. Each of these three words occurs with the word all. Together, they express the idea of the whole of a person’s life.

Some languages may not have three terms to distinguish these ideas. Those languages can combine these three terms into two terms, or into one phrase. For example:

with all your inner being and with all your thinking
-or-
with your whole life

If you are doing cross-references or footnotes, this is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:5.

with all your heart: In Greek culture, the heart is the center and source of inner life. This is where thinking, feeling, and decision- making happen. Some languages use a different organ such as “liver” for this concept. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with all your inner being
-or-
with all your insides

with all your soul: The soul is often used to describe the whole of a person as a living being. Sometimes it has a focus on a person’s feelings and emotions. Sometimes it has a focus on the quality of being in a body. But it is more than just flesh and bones. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with all your spirit

-or-

with your whole life

with all your mind: The mind refers to the thinking and planning processes of a person. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

with all your thinking/thoughts

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:14

to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to indicates that 4:14 is the purpose for Jesus’ move to Galilee. He moved to Galilee, in order that scripture would be fulfilled.

In some languages, it will be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

⌊Jesus moved to Galilee⌋ so that what was spoken…might be fulfilled.
-or-

⌊He did that⌋ in order that the words…might be fulfilled.

to fulfill: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to fulfill means “to come true” or “to happen.” God spoke the words of 4:15–16 hundreds of years before Jesus was born. And now those words were about to happen.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

to make come true (Good News Translation)
-or-
to accomplish
-or-
would happen

what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what was spoken through the prophet can also be translated as “the words that were spoken through the prophet.” Isaiah spoke words that the Lord had instructed him to tell the people. Isaiah also wrote down these words.

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this:

• As a passive. For example:

what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the words that were said ⌊by God⌋ through the prophet Isaiah

• As an active. For example:

what God said through the prophet Isaiah (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the words that the prophet Isaiah said

the prophet Isaiah: The phrase the prophet Isaiah also occurs in 3:3. You should translate this phrase the same way as you translated it there.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 5:21–26

Jesus taught about anger and reconciling

In this section, Jesus explained one difference between the way that Jewish religious leaders interpreted the law of Moses and the correct interpretation of the law. Jewish religious leaders taught that God will judge a person who murders. Jesus taught that murder is the outward sign of evil inner attitudes. He taught that God will judge a person who is angry just as he will judge a person who has murdered. He spoke in such a strong way to show that reconciling is very important (5:23–26).

The rest of chapter five as well as chapters six and seven describe how a believer’s righteousness is to surpass “that of the scribes and Pharisees” (5:20).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Avoid becoming angry and reconcile with your fellowman
-or-
Make peace with people whom you have offended
-or-
Teaching about anger and reconciling

Paragraph 5:21–22

In 5:21, Jesus continued his sermon. In some languages it may be natural to indicate that Jesus continued speaking here. For example:

⌊Then Jesus said,⌋
-or-

⌊Jesus continued speaking⌋

5:21a

You have heard that it was said to the ancients: The clause it was said to the ancients refers to the law that Moses gave to the Israelites. The people listening to Jesus would know that he was referring to the law of Moses.

In some languages, it may be necessary to use more direct language. For example:

You have heard that the law of Moses says (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
You have heard what Moses commanded our ancestors long ago

You have heard: The clause You have heard indicates that most people had not read the commandments themselves. They had heard someone read them or explain them. In addition, this clause implies that everyone was familiar with the words that Jesus would say.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

You have heard ⌊the teachers of the law say that⌋

it was said to the ancients: The word ancients refers to the ancestors of the Jews who lived several hundred years before Jesus.

This clause it was said to the ancients is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive form. For example:

our ancestors were told (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
our forefathers were told (Revised English Bible)

• Use an active form. The law, Moses, or even other teachers are all possible agents who could have spoken this command to the rest of the Israelites. For example:

⌊the law⌋ commanded the people long ago
-or-
the people long ago received ⌊this command:⌋

5:21b

Do not murder: Most versions are like the Berean Standard Bible and use the word murder to translate the Greek verb in this clause. Most scholars also understand the Greek word to mean murder, rather than the more general word “kill.” To murder means to kill someone unlawfully. Murder generally does not occur when a person kills someone in war, or when the government executes a criminal, or when a person accidentally kills someone.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not kill ⌊anyone⌋
-or-
Do not ⌊unlawfully⌋ kill ⌊another person⌋

Here Jesus quoted one of the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). In Moses’ time, when God spoke to the people of Israel, he often used the singular “you,” as in this verse. He did this because he considered the people to be one nation. In the same way, the clause Do not murder is singular in Greek just as it is in the Hebrew Old Testament. But this commandment is general and addressed to everyone.

In some languages, people make general commands by using “you” (plural), or by using “we,” or by using “he,” “one,” or “a person.” For example:

You (plur.) must not murder ⌊anyone⌋.
-or-
A person must not murder ⌊anyone⌋.

Here, and in similar contexts, use whichever form is most natural in your language.

5:21c

and: Here the word and indicates that 5:21c is the second part of what the people had heard regarding murder.

Anyone who murders:

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

If you commit murder (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the person who kills another person
-or-
whoever murders (English Standard Version)

will be subject to judgment: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be subject to judgment refers to being tried before a judge (or judges). This probably implies that the person who commits murder will be both judged and punished.

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive form. For example:

will be judged ⌊and punished⌋
-or-
will be brought to trial (Good News Translation)

• Use an active form. For example:

⌊the local authorities⌋ will judge him

-or-

⌊they⌋ will judge/try him ⌊and punish him⌋

Here, this clause refers to a human court of law. But 5:22a repeats this clause, where it probably refers to God’s judgment. If possible, translate this clause in a way that you can use it in both contexts.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 6:5–15

Jesus taught about praying to God

In this section, Jesus taught his disciples about prayer. He taught his disciples to pray in secret so that only God will see them. Then he taught them a prayer. This prayer is as an example of how they should pray (6:9–13). Many English-speaking Christians call this prayer “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Lord’s Prayer
-or-
Teaching about prayer
-or-
Praying to God

There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 11:2–4.

Paragraph 6:5–8

In these verses, Jesus taught his disciples the manner in which they should pray. They should not pray in a way that people will see them (6:5–6). Rather, they should pray in a private place by themselves. They also should not make their prayers long by repeating the same words over and over (6:7–8).

6:5

This verse has similar grammar and similar phrases to 6:2. Translate it in a similar way.

6:5a

And: Verse 6:5a begins the second example of how to apply the command (in 6:1) not to do good works before people.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

Another example is
-or-
Jesus gave another example and said,
-or-
Similarly

Some English versions do not use a word or phrase to introduce this example. You should use whatever is most natural in your language.

when: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when means “whenever” or “each time.” It assumes that believers will pray.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whenever (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Every/each time
-or-
At any time

you pray: The word pray means “speak/talk to God.” Some languages may use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. Here you should use a word or expression that has a general meaning. Avoid a term that may imply magical or meaningless words.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

speak to God
-or-
talk with God

This word also occurs in 5:44b. See how you translated it there.

6:5b

do not be like the hypocrites: The clause do not be like the hypocrites means “do not pray like the hypocrites pray.”

The phrase the hypocrites first occurs in 6:2c. Translate it here as you did there.

6:5c

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for the command in 6:5b.

5bDo not pray like the hypocrites, 5c–dfor/because they love to pray where people can see them.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

because they love to pray… (NET Bible)
-or-
who love to pray… (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages, no conjunction or connecting phrase is necessary here.

In other languages, it will be more natural to put the basis for the command before the command. For example:

5cHypocrites love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners 5dto be seen by men. 5bDo not be like them.

they love to pray standing: The word love refers to liking or enjoying something very much. The hypocrites greatly enjoyed standing and praying where other people would see them, because they wanted those people to think highly of them and praise them.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

they ⌊very much⌋ enjoy standing and praying
-or-
they ⌊greatly⌋ like to stand and pray

in the synagogues and on the street corners: The phrase in the synagogues and on the street corners refers to very public places. Many people would be in those places, and they could easily see someone praying.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

in the meeting places and on the ⌊crowded⌋ street corners
-or-
in public places where there are many people

This expression is almost the same as the one in 6:2c. See how you translated it there.

the synagogues: The word synagogues also occurred in 6:2c. Translate it here as you did there.

the street corners: The phrase street corners refers to places where two streets joined or crossed. The place where the edges of the two streets met is a street corner. In cities such as Jerusalem, there would be many people passing by street corners who would see those praying there.

If busy street corners are not common in your area, you may want to use an expression for a busy outdoor place. For example:

in public places where there are many people

6:5d

to be seen by men: As in 6:1b, the clause to be seen by men implies more than just being seen. It implies a desire to be praised by people. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

to be seen ⌊and honored/praised⌋ by them
-or-
to impress people

The clause to be seen by men is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

in order that they are seen by people

• Use an active verb. For example:

so that they/people will see them

men: Here the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men means “people” and refers to both men and women. Here it has the same meaning as the word “men” in 6:1a and 6:2d.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

others (English Standard Version)
-or-
everyone (New Living Translation (2004))

6:5e

Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward: This clause is exactly the same as the clause in 6:2e. Translate it here as you did there.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

7:3a–b

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?: Before you translate 7:3a–b, there are two main issues to consider:

Issue 1: Rhetorical question

Verse 7:3 is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke, and it continues the theme in 7:1–2. In 7:1–2 Jesus commanded his disciples not to judge/condemn other people harshly. Here he criticized them for judging/condemning another person with a small fault when they themselves have something more serious in their own lives.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (New International Version)

• As a question followed by a command. For example:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye? ⌊Instead,⌋ you should pay attention to the plank in your own eye!

• As a command. For example:

Do not look at the speck in your brother’s eye. ⌊Rather⌋ pay attention to the plank in your own eye!

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

Issue 2: Metaphor

Verse 7:3 contains a metaphor. In this metaphor, a small sin/fault in your brother’s life is compared to a speck in his eye. A large sin/fault in your life is compared to a log that is in your eye.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. See the examples above. If you keep the metaphor, you may want to describe the meaning in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The “speck” represents a small sin/fault or a small number of sins. The “log” represents a large sin/fault or a large number of sins.

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit how it is similar. For example:

Why do you judge/condemn your brother for ⌊a small sin/fault which is like⌋ a small speck in his eye, when you have ⌊a large sin/fault in your life which is like⌋ a log in your own eye?
-or-
Why do you ⌊who have many sins judge/condemn your brother who has few sins? It is like⌋ looking at the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a log in your own eye.

7:3a

you: In Greek, 7:1–2 uses you plural. But here in 7:3, the Greek changes to you singular.

the speck: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speck refers to something that is very small and can get into a person’s eyes. It could be some dust, a very small piece of wood, or something similar.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the little piece of dust (New Century Version)
-or-
the piece of sawdust (God’s Word)
-or-
splinter

your brother’s: The phrase your brother’s probably refers to something belonging to a companion or friend here. It may also include neighbors or people in general. It includes both male and female.

In some languages the word brother’s refers only to something belonging to someone with the same father. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a more general word. For example:

your neighbor (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
your friend (New Living Translation (2004))

7:3b

but: There is contrast between “look” of 7:3a and “fail to notice” in 7:3b. In some languages it is natural to use the conjunction but here (as the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do). Your way to connect 7:3a and 7:3b will depend on the way you translate the rhetorical question and metaphor. (See the examples in the Display at 7:3a–b.)

fail to notice: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as notice also means “consider,” “be concerned about,” or “pay attention to.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb phrase:

pay no attention to (New International Version)
-or-
do not think about
-or-
do not see
-or-
ignore

the beam in your own eye: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beam refers to a large, heavy piece of wood. It is usually used as a beam in building a house.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

wooden beam (God’s Word)
-or-
big piece of wood (New Century Version)

-or-

plank (New International Version)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.