SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:20

13:20a

The seed sown on rocky ground: This clause indicates that another explanation is coming. It is the explanation of what happened when some seed fell on rocky ground. Be careful not to imply that the seed is being compared to a person. The comparison is to the entire situation.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

⌊The meaning of what happened to⌋ the seeds that were planted on rocky places is this:

• Use an active verb. For example:

As for the seeds that ⌊the farmer⌋ planted on bedrock, that is like

• Use another type of verb. For example:

As for the shallow ground where some seeds fell, that is like

sown: Some English translations (like the New International Version and Good News Translation) translate sown here as “fell.” This indicates that the farmer did not sow the seeds on the rocky ground on purpose.

rocky ground: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rocky ground is the same word that occurs in 13:5a. It refers to ground that has a layer of solid rock underneath. There is not much soil on top of the solid rock. This clause does not refer to soil and rocks mixed together.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

shallow soil with underlying rock
-or-

⌊solid⌋ rock with a thin layer of soil
-or-
bedrock where there is only a little soil on top

13:20b

is: The word is indicates a comparison. It means “the situation in 13:20a represents….” In other words, sowing on rocky ground “is like” or “represents” someone who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. For example:

represents (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
stand for (Good News Translation)

the one who hears the word: The word one refers to a certain type of person. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a plural word here. For example:

the people who gladly hear the message (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who hear the message (New Living Translation (2004))

the word: This word refers to the “message,” “talk,” or “news” of the kingdom. You should translate the word in the same way as you translated it in 13:19a (Berean Standard Bible: “the message”).

13:20c

at once: Here are some other ways to translate this word:

without hesitation
-or-
immediately (English Standard Version)
-or-
as soon as they hear it (Good News Translation)

receives it with joy: The word receives indicates that the person accepts the message about God’s kingdom. He accepts it and is happy.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

welcomes it…with joy (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
accepts it…with joy (Revised English Bible)

-or-

believes it and is happy

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:52

13:52a

Then: In this verse, Jesus responded to the disciples’ answer.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

And… (English Standard Version)
-or-
So… (Good News Translation)

For this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For this reason usually indicates a conclusion. However, in this context, 13:52 is more a result of the disciples’ understanding. They understood what Jesus was teaching, so they are teachers who are like the master of a house.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

So (New Century Version)
-or-
That is why (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊Since/Because you understand,⌋ then

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate it either.

every scribe: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribe probably refers to a person who is a disciple/follower of Jesus. He is also a person who has received some training in the things of God.

In the book of Matthew, the word scribe normally refers to the teachers of the law whom Jesus criticized. But in this context, Jesus probably used this term in the more general sense of “religious scholar” or “learned one.”

Jesus’ twelve disciples were some of this group of “scribes.” As Jewish men, they had some education in God’s law. Jesus had also taught them many additional things about God and his rule.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use your normal term for scribe. This word last occurred in 12:38a. For example:

teacher of the law (New International Version)

• Translate the term scribe in a more general way. For example:

one who knows the Law (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
person learned in the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
person who knows ⌊God’s⌋ law

13:52b

who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven: This clause describes the particular type of scribe (teacher of the law) who is like the master of a house. He is a scribe who:

(a) has received training about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom through the parables in this chapter.

(b) has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. This is the basic meaning of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discipled. This verb has the same root as “disciple.”

In addition, this clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

who is made a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven (New Century Version)

• Use an active or reflexive verb. For example:

who has submitted himself to the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has committed himself to God’s rule/chieftaincy

• Use another type of verb. For example:

who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of heaven (Good News Translation)

13:52c

is like a homeowner: This is a simile. In this simile, a scribe is compared to a homeowner. The way that they are similar is that both people share things. The owner of a house shares his possessions. The scribe shares what he has learned about the kingdom.

homeowner: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as homeowner refers to a man who owns and manages his own house and land. This includes his own family, slaves, and other workers. The fact that he brings things out of his treasure (13:52d) indicates that he is probably rich.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

owner of a household
-or-
a rich man

13:52d

This part of 13:52 contains the second relative (who) clause in this verse. In many languages, it will be natural to divide this verse into several sentences and begin a new sentence here.

who brings out of: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brings out implies that the man takes/removes some of his possessions to share them or give them away. He brings them out to help his family and others. He does not bring out his possessions simply to look at them. This is like the teacher sharing his knowledge with others.

In some languages, it will be natural to make this explicit. For example:

brings out ⌊to share⌋
-or-
takes out ⌊to help others⌋

his storeroom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his storeroom can refer to the place where treasure is stored, or to the treasure itself (as in 13:44a). Here it refers to the place where the treasure is stored.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

his treasure chest (God’s Word)
-or-
the place where he stores/keeps his valuable things

new treasures as well as old: The phrase new treasures refers to the man’s new possessions/things. The phrase as well as old refers to the man’s old possessions/things. For example:

new and old things (Good News Translation)

-or-

new things and old things (New Century Version)

In the context of the parable, the word new represents the teachings of Jesus (13:51a). The word old represents the teachings in the Old Testament. Both are good. As a translator, you should not put this information into the text. You may put it in a footnote.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:26

14:26a

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated simply indicates a change from one participant to another. Here the change is from Jesus to the disciples. In this context, it does not indicate a contrast, although some English versions translate it as “But.” Many English versions do not translate this word. In many languages, it will not be necessary to translate this word either.

14:26b

they were terrified: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were terrified means “frightened.” The disciples were in great fear and distress.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they were afraid (New Century Version)
-or-
they were panicked

14:26c

It’s a ghost: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ghost refers to the spirit of someone who had died. Or it can refer to someone’s spirit who has left his body.

Here is another way to translate this:

It is a spirit

cried out in fear: This clause refers to yelling or shouting because of their great fear. The phrase cried out does not refer to weeping.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

screamed with fear (Good News Translation)

-or-

began to scream because they were afraid (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:22

15:22a

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated focuses attention on what follows. It indicates that what follows is important, unexpected, or amazing. Here a person who is not a Jew, and who is a woman, is an example to the disciples of someone with great faith.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Unexpectedly
-or-
Suddenly (Contemporary English Version)

Many English versions do not translate this phrase. In some languages, it will not be natural to translate this phrase either.

a Canaanite woman: The word Canaanite refers to a person whose ancestors lived in the area that the Old Testament called Canaan. Canaan was the land that God promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God told them to destroy all the people of Canaan because of their great sin. A few Canaanites survived. They and the Jews were enemies.

In this passage, instead of acting like an enemy, the Canaanite woman called to Jesus using a Jewish title for the Christ. That was very different from the religious leaders of the Jews. Those leaders should have accepted Jesus as the Christ, but they did not (15:1–20). In some languages, it may be necessary to put some of this information in a footnote.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

A Gentile woman (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a woman who was not a Jew

from that region: This phrase means that the Canaanite woman was from the area of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus had crossed the border between Israel and Phoenicia and was likely still close to the border. The woman was from that local area.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

from there
-or-
from that area (New Century Version)
-or-
who lived there

15:22b

came to Him: This phrase probably indicates that the woman came to Him from out of her house or her village, wanting to talk with Jesus. In some languages, it is more natural to simply say “came.” For example:

A Canaanite woman from that area came to Jesus (New Century Version)

crying out: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crying out means “shouting” or “calling out with a loud voice” It does not mean “weeping.” The Greek tense of this verb indicates that the woman probably shouted the following words several times.

The woman was urgently seeking Jesus’ attention. The words she used show that she was respectful to him. She was not trying to be rude.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

pleading (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
started shouting (New Revised Standard Version)

15:22c

Before you translate 15:22c, think about the most natural order in your language for the parts of this verse. In the Greek, the phrase “Lord, Son of David” comes after the phrase “have mercy on me.” The Berean Standard Bible puts “Lord, Son of David” first because it is more natural in English. In some languages, it will be more natural to follow the Greek order. For example:

Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David (English Standard Version)

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Lord means “owner,” “master,” or “ruler.” It refers to someone who has authority over something. The woman probably used this word to politely speak to Jesus. She also showed that she saw him as someone of higher status and greater authority than she had.

Here are some other ways to translate Lord:

Sir
-or-
Master

The Berean Standard Bible translates this same Greek term as “Sir” in 13:27b.

Son of David: This is a title that the Jews used for the Christ (the Messiah). They used that title because God promised that the Christ would be a descendant of David. The woman probably learned some things about the Christ from her Jewish neighbors. She used this title to show her respect for Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

the descendant of ⌊King⌋ David
-or-

⌊you⌋ grandson of David

See how you translated this same term in 9:27b.

have mercy on me: The woman used these words to politely and indirectly ask Jesus to help her. She did not just want Jesus to pity her. She wanted him to help her by healing her daughter.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

have pity/mercy on me
-or-

⌊please⌋ pity me ⌊and help me⌋

15:22d

My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon: These words indicate that a demon strongly controlled the daughter and was causing her to suffer.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

My daughter has a demon, and she is suffering very much. (New Century Version)

-or-

⌊Please help⌋ my daughter. A demon is making her suffer greatly.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:15

16:15

“But what about you?”… “Who do you say I am?”: In Greek, this is more literally, “But you, who do you I am?” In Greek, the pronoun “you” is emphasized the first time it occurs in this clause. Jesus had just heard what other people said about him. Now he wanted to know who his own disciples thought that he was.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

But you,…who do you say I am? (New Jerusalem Bible)

-or-

And you, who do you say I am?

In Greek this is one question. Some English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, add a separate question to show that the pronoun you is emphasized. For example:

But what about you?…Who do you say I am? (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:19

Paragraph 17:19–21

17:19a

Afterward: The events in this paragraph occur after Jesus and his disciples were by themselves. They either waited for the crowd to leave, or they walked away from the crowd.

Here are some other ways to begin this paragraph:

Then (English Standard Version)
-or-
Later (Contemporary English Version)

the disciples came to Jesus: The words came to refer to the disciples “approaching.” Jesus. They approached him with a question.

The disciples did not come to Jesus from a distance. They were already with him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the disciples approached Jesus (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the disciples went to Jesus (Contemporary English Version)

privately: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as privately is the same phrase that occurs in 17:1b. There the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “by themselves.” It means that when the disciples spoke with Jesus, there was no one else around.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

by themselves
-or-
When they were alone

17:19b

Why couldn’t we drive it out?: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drive it out means “expel the demon” or “force the demon to leave” the boy. It refers to forcing the demon to stop controlling the boy and leave.

Jewish people often spoke of demons as being in someone. Different cultures have different ways of speaking about people being controlled by demons and being released from the control of demons. Use a natural expression for this in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Why couldn’t we force the demon out of the boy? (God’s Word)
-or-
Why were we not able to send the demon away?

-or-

Why were we not able to cause the demon to come/go out ⌊of the boy⌋?

The expression drive…out also occurs in 7:22c. You should translate it the same way in both places.

General Comment on 17:19b

In some languages, it will be more natural to use indirect speech here. For example:

why they were not able to cast out the demon

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:24

18:24a

As he began the settlements: This clause indicates that the king had many servants to settle accounts with. They probably came to him one by one.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When he began to do this (God’s Word)
-or-
When the king began to collect his money (New Century Version)
-or-
As began to collect his money

18:24b

a debtor was brought to him owing: The verb was brought indicates that other servants led in one by one each of the people who owed the king money. The picture is of the king perhaps on his throne with the servants who owed money waiting outside the throne room for their turn.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

one of them was brought in who owed him (Good News Translation)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊someone/they⌋ brought in one of the workers who owed him money

a debtor…owing: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a debtor…owing is more literally “one debtor.” It refers to one of the servants who owed him money.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

one of his debtors…who owed him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a man who owed him (New International Version)

ten thousand talents: This phrase refers to an enormous sum of money. The number ten thousand was the largest number that could be named in Greek. The word “talent” refers to the weight of metal such as silver or gold (1 talent = about 30 kilograms). It was the largest weight at that time. So the phrase ten thousand talents refers to an amount of money that was almost beyond imagination.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use the number 10,000 and borrow the word “talent” from English or a national language. Then explain the whole expression in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The number 10,000 was the largest number you could say in Greek. A talent was the largest weight at the time. This was an enormous sum of money. It was so big you could not count it.

• Use the number 10,000 and replace “talent” with another expression. For example:

10,000 large pieces of money
-or-
ten thousand bags of gold (NIVUK)

• Use an expression that means “an enormous sum of money.” For example:

millions of coins

The last two options could also include a footnote. For example:

This was an enormous sum of money. It was so big you could not count it.

Some English versions use the American currency “dollars.” It is not recommended that you translate the term ten thousand talents using an amount of money in your national currency. The value of the currency used may change over time. In addition, using a modern currency removes this story from its historical setting.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:21

19:21a

If you want to be perfect: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be perfect also means “to be complete/whole/mature.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

If you want to be complete
-or-
If you want to lack nothing
-or-
If you want to have no faults

19:21b

go: This is a command. It does not specify where the young man should go. It just assumes that he will have to go to where he lives to take care of what Jesus told him to do. It is the opposite of the verb “come” at the end of the verse.

sell: The verb sell assumes that the young man would get money for his possessions.

your possessions: In Greek, this phrase is plural. It refers to everything that the young man owned.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

what you possess (English Standard Version)
-or-
everything you own (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all your property (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

and give to the poor: This clause implies that the young man should take the money he received for his possessions and give it to the poor. For example:

and give the money to the poor (New Century Version)

the poor: This phrase refers to people who are in poverty. They have little money and possessions.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

poor people

19:21c

and: In Greek, 19:21c is joined to the beginning of the verse with the common conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible frequently translates as and.

Here are some other ways to begin 19:21c:

If you do this (New Century Version)
-or-
As a result

you will have treasure in heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasure refers to something that is very valuable. The phrase treasure in heaven probably refers to rewards from God. (This same phrase occurs in 6:20a.) God will reward his people for “acts of righteousness” such as giving to the poor (6:2–4).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use the same word for treasures as in 6:19a. Such a word can be used to refer to figurative or spiritual treasures. For example:

you will have treasure/wealth in heaven
-or-
you will have riches in heaven (Good News Translation)

• Use a word or expression that refers to spiritual treasures. For example:

you will have rewards in heaven for doing good
-or-
you will receive that which is worth much in heaven

19:21d

Then come, follow Me: Here, Jesus used the verb follow in a figurative sense. He meant that the young man should become his disciple.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

Then come and be my follower (Contemporary English Version)

This figurative sense of the word follow first occurs in 4:19a. See the note there for more information.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:52

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:21

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