SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:21

1:21b

you are to give Him the name Jesus: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are to give Him the name Jesus means “name him Jesus.” This clause is future tense with the force of a command. Some languages may be able to use the future tense in the same way. Other languages will need to translate this clause simply as a command.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

name him Jesus (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you are to name him Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you must name him Jesus

Jesus: The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua.” This Hebrew name means “the Lord saves.” In order for people to understand 1:21c, they must understand the meaning of Jesus.

Here are some ways to explain the meaning:

• Include the meaning in your translation. For example:

you will name him Jesus (which means the Lord saves)

• Put the meaning in a footnote. A sample footnote is:

The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.”

1:21c

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the basis for the angel’s command to name the baby “Jesus.” The name “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” Joseph should name him Jesus (the Lord saves) because he will save his people. The name Jesus fits his purpose in life.

In some languages, it is more natural to put 1:21c before 1:21b. See the General Comment below for translation advice.

He: The pronoun He is emphasized in Greek. If there is a natural way in your language to emphasize this pronoun, you may want to do so.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

it is he who (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
he is the one who (New Jerusalem Bible)

will save His people from their sins: The word save refers to rescuing from harm. Sinning separates people from God, but Jesus rescues believers from that separation and brings them back to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

deliver/rescue his people from their sins
-or-
liberate his people from ⌊the guilt and power of⌋ their sins

His people: The phrase His people refers to the people of Israel. Do not translate this phrase simply as “people.”

Another way to translate this phrase is:

his own people

from their sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.

Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:

(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip and greed are also sins.

(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Here are some other ways to translate sins:

Wrong acts
-or-
evil/bad deeds

-or-

offenses ⌊against God⌋

General Comment on 1:21b–c

In some languages, it is more natural to have the basis of the command (1:21c) before the command (1:21b). For example:

21cHe will save his people from their sins, 21bthat is why you shall name him Jesus.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:5

3:5a–b

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan: This phrase is literally “Then came out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.” For example:

Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him (English Standard Version)

In the Greek, the words Jerusalem, Judea, and Jordan are used in a figurative way to refer to the people of those places. In many languages, it is more natural to refer to the people from these areas.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Many people from ⌊the city of⌋ Jerusalem and all ⌊the district of⌋ Judea and from the Jordan River valley went to John

went out to him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went out to probably indicates that people went to see John over a period of time. People may have gone to see him over a period of weeks or months. (Some people went one day, other people went the next day, and still other people went the following day, and so on.) They went to see him and to listen to him preach.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

were going (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
continued going out to ⌊see⌋ him ⌊and listen to him⌋

all Judea: The word Judea refers to a district or province. The phrase all Judea refers to all the areas in the district of Judea.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the whole province of Judea (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊they also came from⌋ all ⌊the regions of⌋ Judea

the whole region around the Jordan: The phrase the whole region around the Jordan refers to the land on both sides of the Jordan River. This land was outside of the district of Judea. People from the areas along the Jordan River also went to see John.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

all the area around the Jordan River (New Century Version)

-or-

⌊they also came⌋ from the land on both sides of the Jordan River

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:20

4:20

And at once: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And at once introduces an important event in the story. Simon and Andrew obeyed Jesus without delay.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Immediately (English Standard Version)
-or-
Right away
-or-
Right then (Contemporary English Version)

they left their nets: The clause they left their nets implies that Simon and Andrew stopped their work as fishermen. They abandoned their fishing work and became Jesus’ disciples. You may want to include some implied information to make this clear. For example:

they left/abandoned their nets ⌊and their fishing work⌋

and followed Him: As mentioned in 4:19a, the words followed Him imply that Simon and Andrew became Jesus’ disciples. They accepted Jesus’ request to follow him and become his disciples. You may want to make this information explicit. For example:

and followed him ⌊and became his disciples⌋

-or-

and went with him ⌊to become his disciples⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:27

Section 5:27–30

Jesus taught about sexual sin

In this section, Jesus explained another difference between the way that Jewish religious leaders interpreted the law of Moses and the correct interpretation of the law. The seventh commandment is: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). The Jewish religious leaders only spoke about external actions. In this section, Jesus taught that thoughts about adultery are like actually committing adultery.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The person who thinks about adultery is like one who commits adultery
-or-
Teaching about adultery

Paragraph 5:27–30

Jesus continued speaking here to his disciples. If your audience would not understand that Jesus was speaking here, you may want to indicate this. For example:

⌊Then Jesus said,⌋
-or-

⌊Jesus continued speaking⌋

5:27a

You have heard that it was said: The same clause also occurs in 5:21. However, here the words “to the ancients” are not repeated. You should translate this clause in a similar way.

You: In the Greek text, the pronoun for You is plural. It refers to all those to whom Jesus was speaking.

5:27b

Do not commit adultery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as adultery refers to having sexual relations with a woman who is married to another man.

Here are some other ways to translate this commandment:

Do not have sexual relations with another man’s wife
-or-
Do not take another man’s wife to bed with you

-or-

Do not sleep with a married woman

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:11

6:11

Give us this day our daily bread: This clause is a request to God to provide the food that we need for one day.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

⌊We pray that you will⌋ give us today the food that we need.
-or-
Today, ⌊please⌋ give us the food we need for this day.

our daily bread: The phrase our daily bread means “the food we need for today.” The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bread is the generic term for food.

In many languages the staple food, such as rice or cassava, has become the generic word for food. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Give us something to eat today

-or-

Give us our food for today. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:9

7:9a–b

In the Greek, 7:9a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “or.” It functions to introduce another example of Jesus’ teaching on prayer. The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this word. You should translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that no one would give a stone to his child if he asks for bread.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

If/When your son asks for bread ⌊to eat⌋, would any of you give him a stone? ⌊No!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

Certainly none of you would give a stone to your son if/when he asks you for bread.

7:9a

Which of you, if his son: The pronoun his refers generally to any of the people addressed by the plural pronoun you. In some languages using the pronoun “your” is more natural here than his. Another possibility is to change the grammar to make the meaning clear. For example:

Which of you (plur.), if your(plur/sing) son
-or-
Among you (plur.), whoever’s son

bread: The word bread was the food which the Jewish people ate every day. Here it is implied that the son was asking for bread because he was hungry. In some languages bread made of flour is not the daily food. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a word for an everyday food which is also used to refer generally to food. Or you may want to use the general word. For example:

food

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:12

8:12a

But: There is a contrast between 8:11 and 8:12. The contrast is between those who eat in the kingdom, and those who are cast out. The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions begin this verse with the conjunction But, which indicates this contrast.

the sons of the kingdom: The phrase the sons of the kingdom is an idiom. It refers to the people who belong to/in the kingdom of God. These people are the Jews. They are the people whom God first chose to rule. They are the ones who were supposed to be citizens in the kingdom of God. They were destined to be in the kingdom. But they did not believe in Christ, so they will not be in the kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who should have belonged to the kingdom (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
those for whom the Kingdom was prepared (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the ones who should have been in the kingdom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊many of⌋ the Jews who are supposed to be citizens of the kingdom ⌊of God⌋

8:12b

will be thrown into the outer darkness: This clause is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

will be thrown out into the dark (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ will throw them out ⌊of the kingdom and⌋ into the darkness

into the outer darkness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the outer darkness refers to the place that is outside the kingdom and far away from its light. The Jews considered this dark place to be hell.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

out into the darkness (Good News Translation)
-or-
into the dark (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
into the dark far away ⌊from God⌋

General Comment on 8:12a–b

Verse 8:12a–b contains a hyperbole. Not all Jews will be outside the kingdom. Some Jews believe in Christ and will be citizens of the kingdom. One way to make this clear is to add some information. For example:

But ⌊many of⌋ the people ⌊of Israel⌋ who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness.

8:12c

where there will be weeping: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as weeping refers to the loud sound that people make when they have much grief and sorrow. It is not a quiet sobbing.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

where there will be wailing (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People will cry (God’s Word)

and gnashing of teeth: The phrase gnashing of teeth refers to grinding of teeth because of pain, anger, and bitterness. In hell, people will be in pain. They will also be angry at what happened to them.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

• Use an expression in your language that describes what people do with their teeth when they are in pain and are also angry. For example:

grind teeth
-or-
clench teeth

• Add some information. For example:

they will grind their teeth ⌊in pain and anger⌋

• Translate the meaning of the action. For example:

and be in extreme pain there (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:10

Paragraph 9:10–11

9:10a

Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house: Some events happened between Jesus asking Matthew to follow him (in 9:9c), and Jesus reclining to eat a meal in Matthew’s house (in 9:10a). Somewhere between these two events, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to come and eat at his house, and they went.

In some languages, it is important to include some of this implied information. For example:

⌊Later⌋ Matthew ⌊invited⌋ Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ ⌊to eat⌋ at his home. While they were eating
-or-
Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests (New Living Translation (2004))

Later, as Jesus: In Greek, only Jesus is mentioned here. However, in 9:10c, Jesus’ disciples are also mentioned. In some languages, it will be more natural to mention the disciples here. For example:

Jesus and his disciples (Contemporary English Version)

was dining: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was dining is literally just “reclined” or “lay.” The Greek text does not mention a eating explicitly. However, the Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions translate this word to imply eating because it is common for many people in western cultures to “recline” at tables to eat. Also 9:10c explicitly mentions eating, so it likely that this Greek verb indicates Jesus’ physical posture as he ate.

In this context, the Greek word probably means that Jesus was lying on his side on a low couch or cushion as he ate. His head was propped on one elbow. This was one of the positions that people of Jesus’ time used when they ate, especially if it was a special meal.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

was having a meal (Good News Translation)
-or-
was eating

at Matthew’s house: This phrase refers to Matthew’s house.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

in Matthew’s house (Good News Translation)

9:10b

The Greek of 9:10b begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It indicates that something extraordinary will happen. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. Here, what is unexpected is that Jesus and his disciples ate with tax collectors and other sinners. This is something that Pharisees would not do.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

it happened (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
unexpectedly

tax collectors: The term tax collectors refers to Jews who collected taxes from their fellow Jews. These Jews were employed by the conquering Romans to do this. The Romans did not pay them wages. Rather they allowed the tax collectors to take extra taxes as their pay. But many tax collectors took a lot extra and made themselves rich. So most Jews considered them to be traitors who worked for an oppressive foreign power. They also considered them to be thieves. And since tax collectors had contact with the Gentile Romans, they were also considered to be religiously contaminated (“unclean”).

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

people who collect taxes
-or-
people who took money ⌊from the people⌋ for the Roman government

This term also occurs in 5:46b.

If people in your area will not think of tax collectors as bad people, you may want to include some implied information.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Include some implied information in the term tax collectors. For example:

⌊corrupt⌋ tax collectors
-or-

⌊evil⌋ tax collectors

• Include some implied information in the term sinners that reflects on tax collectors. For example:

tax collectors and other sinners (Contemporary English Version)

sinners: The word sinners refers to two other types of Jews:

(a) Jews who were sinful/immoral. They did not follow the laws of Moses, and

(b) Jews who did not follow the strict laws of the Pharisees regarding how to remain ceremonially clean/pure.

The Pharisees believed that they would become unclean/impure if they associated with either of these types of people. So they shunned them.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

lawbreakers
-or-
other people whom the Jewish leaders regarded as sinful people
-or-
people who were thought/said to be evil/sinful
-or-
outcasts (Good News Translation)

9:10c

ate with Him and His disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ate is literally “reclined with” or “lay with.” It is a similar word to the one used of Jesus in 9:10a (“was dining”). As in 9:10a, the word ate indicates that the tax collectors and sinners ate a meal with Jesus and his disciples.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and ate with him and his disciples (New International Version)

-or-

and joined them at the meal

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:10

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