SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:6

2:6

Verse 2:6 contains a figure of speech called apostrophe. In this figure of speech, God speaks to the town of Bethlehem as if it were a person.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

• Keep the apostrophe as in the Berean Standard Bible.

• Translate it in a way that God is speaking to the people of the town. For example:

6aYou ⌊people of⌋ Bethlehem in the land of Judah, 6b⌊your town⌋ is by no means least among the towns of Judah, 6cfor out of your ⌊town⌋ will come a ruler 6dwho will be the shepherd of my people Israel.

• Translate it in a way that God is speaking indirectly about the town. For example:

But Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, it is by no means least among the leading towns of Judah; for out of it will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.

2:6a

But: In the Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that is usually translated as “And.” In Matthew, only part of a longer passage from Micah is quoted. In that longer passage, there is contrast. However, here in Matthew, the incomplete quote indicates no contrast. Only the Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, and the New Century Version translate the conjunction as But. Most other versions, such as the Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible, have “and.” Still others, such as the Good News Translation, do not use a conjunction here.

Since Matthew quotes only part of Micah, you may leave this conjunction untranslated.

you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah: In some languages, it will be more natural to put the pronoun you at the end of this clause. For example:

Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you

the land of Judah: The phrase the land of Judah refers to the country/kingdom of Judah. When the prophet Micah wrote these words, Judah was a kingdom. When Jesus was born, this area was no longer its own country. It had become a province and was then called Judea (2:5a). If possible, Judah and Judea should be spelled differently in your language.

2:6b

are by no means least: The phrase are by no means least is a figure of speech called litotes. In this figure of speech, God through the prophet makes an emphatic statement. He does this by stating that the opposite is not true. Bethlehem is not the least important town. This is a way to emphasize that Bethlehem is an important town.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Keep the apostrophe of 2:6 and the litotes here in 2:6b. For example:

are not least (New Living Translation (2004))

• Keep the apostrophe but not the litotes. For example:

you are very important (Contemporary English Version)

• Keep neither the apostrophe nor the litotes. For example:

you people are in a very important town

among the rulers of Judah: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rulers refers to a person who rules over a province. God was speaking to Bethlehem as if it were a person, so he referred to Bethlehem as a ruler of Judah.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Keep the apostrophe. For example:

among the leaders of Judah (God’s Word)

• Do not keep the apostrophe. In that case, you should translate the word rulers as towns/cities. For example:

of the leading cities of Judah (Good News Translation)
-or-
among the great towns of Judah

2:6c

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for indicates that 2:6c is the reason for what was said in 2:6b. 6bBethlehem is not the least among the towns of Judah, 6cfor/because a ruler will come from Bethlehem.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

because
-or-
The reason is that

In some languages, it is more natural to translate 2:6c (the reason clause) before 2:6b (the result clause). For example:

6cout of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. 6b⌊So⌋ you, Bethlehem, are by no means least among the towns of Judah.

out of you will come a ruler: This clause indicates that a ruler or “great leader” will be born in Bethlehem.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

From your town will come a leader (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It is from you that a ruler will come

2:6d

who will be the shepherd: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be the shepherd also means “tend.” It refers to watching over, protecting, and leading animals to places where there are plants to eat. Here it is used figuratively to represent a leader who watches over, protects, and provides for his people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Literally, as a verb or noun. For example:

will shepherd (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
will be the shepherd (New Living Translation (2004))

• With a simile. For example:

will be like a shepherd (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
will lead…like a shepherd

• Without the figure of a shepherd. For example:

will guide (Good News Translation)

My people: The pronoun My refers to God. It does not refer to the prophet Micah.

Israel: The word Israel refers to the people who were the descendants of the man whose name was Israel. (This man was first called Jacob.)

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the descendants of Israel
-or-
the tribe/nation of Israel

-or-

the Israelites

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:15

Paragraph 3:15

3:15a

There is a contrast between 3:14 and 3:15. The contrast is between John trying to prevent the baptism and Jesus telling him to allow it. Some English versions show this contrast with the conjunction “But” (English Standard Version). However, the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not explicitly show the contrast.

Let it be so now: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let it be so refers to permitting something to happen. John had tried to prevent the baptism (3:14a). But Jesus told him to allow it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Permit it at this time (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
For now this is how it should be (Contemporary English Version)

now: In this context, the word now indicates that that particular moment in time was the right time for John to baptize Jesus.

Here is another way to translate this word:

at this time (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus replied: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as replied sometimes introduces an answer to a question. In this passage, it introduces a response to a rhetorical question, not a real question.

The Berean Standard Bible places the words Jesus replied at the end of what Jesus said. This is good English style. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to follow the Greek and place these words at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

But Jesus answered him… (English Standard Version)

If you translated 3:14c as a question, you may want to use a word here meaning “answered.” But if you translated it as a statement, you may need to use a different word meaning something like “said” or “stated.”

3:15b

The Greek of 3:15b begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “for.” It introduces the basis for Jesus’ command in 3:15a. The Berean Standard Bible omits this conjunction. Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

because (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 3:15b before 3:15a. For example:

15bIt is proper for us to do this ⌊in order⌋ to do what God wants. 15a⌊So⌋ for now, let it be so.

It is fitting for us: The word fitting refers to something being morally right or correct. It was proper or correct for John to baptize Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it is right for us (NET Bible)
-or-
we must do (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it is proper for us (New International Version)

to fulfill all righteousness: The phrase to fulfill all righteousness indicates that when John baptized Jesus, they would accomplish God’s will. The word righteousness refers here to doing the right/good things that God requires. It was God’s will at that moment for John to baptize Jesus, and it was God’s will for Jesus to undergo John’s baptism.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do all that God requires (Good News Translation)
-or-
to do the right/good things that God wants

This phrase probably refers only to the baptism. It does not refer to all the things that God wanted Jesus to do. Your translation should not indicate a general reference for all time.

in this way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in this way can also be translated as “thus” or “this.” For example:

it is proper for us to do this (New International Version)
-or-

This is the proper way to do everything that God requires of us. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 3:15a–b

Verse 3:15a–b is a direct quote. In some languages, it is more natural to translate this as an indirect quote. For example:

15aBut Jesus told him to allow it at that time 15bbecause it was proper for them to do it ⌊in order⌋ to do what God wanted them to do.

3:15c

Then John permitted Him: The word permitted indicates that John agreed or accepted. For example:

So John agreed (Good News Translation)

It is implied that John agreed to baptize Jesus. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:

So John agreed to baptize Jesus (New Century Version)

-or-

So John accepted ⌊to baptize Jesus⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:5

5:5a

Blessed are: For help in translating the word Blessed, see the note at 5:3a.

the meek: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as meek refers to people who are gentle and humble. A person who is meek is not aggressive or quick to retaliate.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

those who are gentle (God’s Word)
-or-
those who are humble (Good News Translation)
-or-
those who are not aggressive

5:5b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that “the meek” are blessed. They are blessed because they shall inherit the earth. For example:

because the earth will belong to them (New Century Version)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

They will inherit the earth. (God’s Word)

In other languages, it will be more natural to put 5:5b before 5:5a. For example:

The meek will inherit the earth, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

they will inherit the earth: In this context, the word inherit means “possess” or “acquire.” In your translation you may want to use a more general term as well. For example:

The earth will belong to them (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they will receive the whole earth

the earth: There are two ways to interpret the phrase the earth:

(1) It is literal and refers to the whole earth. It probably refers to the promise of the new earth (Revelation 21:1) in God’s kingdom. For example:

because the earth will belong to them (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, King James Version, New Century Version)

(2) It is figurative and refers to all that God has promised to his people. For example:

they will receive what God has promised (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:37

5:37a

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’: This clause indicates that believers are to say only Yes when they truly mean Yes. In the same way, they are to say only No when they truly mean No. They must not use oaths to persuade people to believe what they say. In both cases Jesus emphasizes that believers must be perfectly truthful in their answers.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ (Good News Translation)
-or-
All you need say is ‘Yes’ if you mean yes, ‘No’ if you mean no (New Jerusalem Bible)

5:37b

Anything more: The phrase Anything more refers to any kind of words that are stronger or in addition to a simple “yes” or “no.” This phrase includes using oaths.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

Anything more than that (God’s Word)
-or-
If you say more than yes or no (New Century Version)

comes from: The phrase comes from indicates the origin or source of such oaths. In this verse, it is “the evil one” (that is, the devil) who causes or inspires the oath taking. It is not of God.

the evil one: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the evil one:

(1) It refers to the evil one, Satan. For example:

the devil (Contemporary English Version)

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

(2) It refers to evil. For example:

anything more than this comes from evil (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (1996))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions and commentators.

Here are some other ways to translate this entire clause:

Any statement more than that comes from the Evil One, the Devil.

-or-

If you add an oath ⌊to your “yes” or “no”⌋ ⌊so that people will believe you⌋, it comes from ⌊the Devil, who is⌋ the Evil One.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:21

6:21

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for the commands in 6:19–20. Jesus commanded his followers:

19aDo not lay up treasures on earth, 20abut lay up treasures in heaven. 21For/Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In some languages, it is more natural to put the basis for the commands (in 6:21) before the commands. For example:

21Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 19⌊So/Therefore,⌋ do not lay up for yourselves…

In some languages, no conjunction or phrase is needed to introduce 6:21.

where your treasure is, there your heart will be also: This sentence refers to the fact that a person’s thoughts and actions will be focused on those things that he values most. A person who desires material things will spend his life trying to accumulate material things. A person who desires things that please God will spend his life trying to please God.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

The place where your treasures are stored, at that same place will also be your heart/thoughts

-or-

Your thoughts will want to be at the place where the things you value are.

heart: The word the Berean Standard Bible translates as heart refers to your inner life, your thoughts and desires. For the word heart, use a term that is normally used in your language for “inner life.” It may be a different organ such as “liver” or “throat.” Or it may be a more general term such as “insides” or “spirit.” See how you translated heart in 5:8.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:19

7:19

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire: The verbs cut down and thrown are passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

Every tree that produces bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. (Contemporary English Version)

• Use active verbs. For example:

If a tree does not bear good fruit, ⌊people⌋ will cut it down and throw it into a fire

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:22

8:22a

But Jesus told him: There is a contrast between the way we might expect Jesus to respond to the man, and the way Jesus actually responded. The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions indicate this contrast with the word But.

8:22b

Follow Me: Here Jesus used the word Follow in both a literal and spiritual sense. He commanded the man to go with him, and he commanded the man to become his disciple.

In 8:21a, this man is already called one of Jesus’ disciples. The people who followed Jesus had varying degrees of seriousness or commitment. So here Jesus was probably telling the man to become a committed disciple.

Here are some other ways to translate this command:

Follow me ⌊and become my disciple⌋
-or-
Come with me ⌊and be my true disciple⌋

The command Follow Me probably implies that Jesus commanded the man to follow him immediately, not in the future. In some languages, it may be good to make this explicit. For example:

Follow me now. (New Living Translation (2004))

8:22c

let the dead bury their own dead: This saying is like a proverb. It is short, and its meaning is not immediately obvious. One thing that makes it difficult is that the word dead is used in two different senses.

The first time dead occurs, it is used in a spiritual sense. It refers to people who are spiritually dead. They are people who do not know God. The second time dead occurs, it is used in its normal sense. It refers to physically dead people. So Jesus said that spiritually dead people should bury those who are physically dead.

In Jewish culture, it was very important for a son to properly bury his father. So Jesus’ statement would have shocked this man. Jesus used this statement to tell the man that he should not allow burial customs (or other customs) to hinder him from following the Lord.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Translate it literally and keep the saying like a proverb. For example:

let the people who are dead bury their own dead (New Century Version)

If you follow this option, it may be helpful to add a footnote. Here are some sample footnotes:

The first word “dead” refers to people who do not follow Jesus. They are “dead” to the kingdom of God. They can take the time to bury dead people. Jesus used this saying to tell the man that his customs, such as burial customs, must not hinder him from following Jesus.

• Explain the meaning in the text. For example:

Leave those who are ⌊like⌋ dead people to bury those who have died.
-or-
Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

Let the people who do not believe in me bury their own ⌊kind when they are⌋ dead.

their own dead: The phrase their own dead would normally refer to people from their own families. However, in this context it may refer more specifically to people who are spiritually dead like them. When such people die physically and need to be buried, others who are spiritually dead should bury them.

Here is another way to translate this:

their own ⌊kind when they are⌋ dead

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:20

Paragraph 9:20–22

9:20a

Suddenly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly indicates that something extraordinary will happen. Here, what is unexpected is that while they were going to the ruler’s house, a woman came and touched Jesus’ robe.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
unexpectedly
-or-
Just then (New International Version)

a woman: In some languages, it is necessary to introduce a new main participant in a certain way. In that case the woman should be introduced in a way that is natural in the language. For example:

⌊There was⌋ a ⌊certain⌋ woman. She had a bleeding sickness for twelve years. ⌊While Jesus was on his way⌋, she suddenly…

who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered from bleeding is more literally “bleeding.” The word suffered is not in Greek.

The Greek does not indicate where the woman was bleeding from. She was probably bleeding from the womb at times that were not normal. For politeness sake, the Greek term is general. She had started bleeding twelve years prior to this time and probably bled most of the twelve years.

In some languages, there is a term for this kind of bleeding. In other languages, it is more natural to use a polite form (euphemism). Here is an example of each:

who had been bleeding for twelve years (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
who had continual menstrual bleeding for twelve years

General Comment on 9:20a

The clause “who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years” is information about the woman. In English, such information is often put in a relative clause, as it is here. In some languages, it may be more natural to give this information in a separate sentence. Notice how the following examples give the information about the woman:

Then a woman came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his clothes. She had been suffering from chronic bleeding for twelve years. (God’s Word)
-or-
There was a certain woman. She had been bleeding for twelve years. She approached Jesus from behind and touched the edge of his clothes.

9:20b

came up behind Him: This expression indicates that the woman approached Jesus from behind. She had probably been following Jesus, and she walked quickly so she could get close enough to him to touch his clothes.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

came close to him from the rear
-or-
approached him from behind (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Tassels on a Jewish man’s prayer shawl

touched the fringe of His cloak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fringe probably refers to one of the “tassels” that were attached to Jesus’ clothes. The Jews made these tassels by tying strings together, and they attached these tassels to the four corners of their outer clothes. When they saw these tassels, they were supposed to remember to follow God’s commandments. (Num. 15:37–38; Deut. 22:12).

Like any male Jew, Jesus probably wore tassels. The woman probably touched this part of Jesus’ clothing so he would not feel the touch.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Translate it with a word or phrase that refers specifically to tassels. For example:

touched the strings/threads on the hem of his clothes

• Translate it with a word or phrase that refers generally to the hem or edge of his clothes. For example:

touched the edge of his clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
touched the hem/border of his robe

cloak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cloak is a general word that means clothing. In this context, this word refers to the outer layer of clothing.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

garment (English Standard Version)
-or-
clothes (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
robe (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

coat (New Century Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:37

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:20

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