SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:10

2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight: There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) The wise men were overjoyed when they saw the star reappear. The Good News Translation shows that it follows this interpretation by reordering 2:9–10:

9band on their way they saw the same star…. 10When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! 9bIt went ahead of them… (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

(2) The wise men were overjoyed when they saw the star stop over the place where Jesus was. For example:

When they saw that the star had stopped (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most English versions are ambiguous and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. But most commentators follow interpretation (1).

When they saw the star: Evidently, the wise men had not seen the star for some time. Then it appeared and they saw it again.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When they saw the star ⌊appear⌋
-or-
When they saw the star ⌊again⌋

they rejoiced with great delight: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they rejoiced with great delight means “they became extremely happy.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

they were filled with joy! (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

they were very happy

General Comment on 2:9–10

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:10 in the middle of 2:9. For example:

9aSo after hearing what the king said, they left. 9bOn their way they saw the same star that they had seen rise. 10When they saw it, they were extremely happy. 9bThe star continued going ahead of them. 9cIt moved on until it stopped over the place where the young child was.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:2

4:2

After fasting forty days and forty nights: The word fasting means choosing not to eat food for a certain period of time. This is done for religious or spiritual reasons.

If fasting for religious reasons is not a familiar idea in your language, you can translate this word with a descriptive phrase. For example:

spending forty days and nights without food (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus ate nothing for forty days and nights (New Century Version)

Jesus fasted the entire forty days. Matthew does not say whether or not Jesus drank anything during this time. In your translation, avoid using a word that makes drinking explicit.

He was hungry: Jesus did not eat for forty days, so he was hungrier than someone who had not eaten one or two meals. Jesus’ hunger was intense. In some languages, it may be more natural to make this fact explicit. For example:

he was very hungry (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

he was famished (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:9

5:9a

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

the peacemakers: The word peacemakers refers to people who help others to reconcile. They try to make peace between people or groups of people who are involved in serious disagreements, quarrels, or fights. People who are peacemakers try to calm down the quarreling people. They try to get each person to forgive the other. And they try to help the adversaries find a favorable solution to the conflict.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Those who work to bring peace (New Century Version)
-or-
those who help people reconcile
-or-
those who help others find harmony with one another
-or-
those who help others get along with one another

5:9b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that “the peacemakers” are blessed. They are blessed because they will be called sons of God. For example:

because God will call them his children (New Century Version)

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

They will be called God’s children. (God’s Word)

In other languages, it will be more natural to put 5:9b before 5:9a. For example:

Those who are peacemakers will be called the sons of God, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.
-or-

⌊God⌋ will call the peacemakers his children, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

they will be called sons of God: The clause they will be called sons of God is passive. God is the one who calls peacemakers sons of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

they will be called God’s sons/children

• Use an active verb. For example:

God will call them his children (Good News Translation)

-or-

God will say that they are his children

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:

God will say to them, “You are my children.”

sons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sons can also refer generally to “offspring,” both male and female. It refers to adults who are children of someone. Several English versions translate this word as “children.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:41

5:41a

and if someone forces you to go one mile: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as forces…to go means “force into service.” It originally referred to a Roman soldier who had authority to make a person carry something for him, as the Good News Translation translates (see the second example below). But it can also refer more generally to someone in a position of authority who can force you to do something for him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if anyone requires you to go one mile (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one mile (Good News Translation)
-or-
And if someone forces you to carry his load for one mile

one mile: The word mile refers to a Roman mile, which is about one and a half kilometers. The exact distance is not important to the teaching.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

one kilometer
-or-
one ⌊length of⌋ ground/land

5:41b

go with him two miles: Use the same term for “mile” as you used in the previous clause, but now it is two of them or “twice as far.” Jesus’ point here was that the person forced to help another person should do more than he is asked to do.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:25

Section 6:25–34

Trust God and do not worry

In the previous section Jesus said that we cannot let God control us and at the same time let our desire for money and possessions control us. Some may think, then, how they are to respond to their daily needs such as for food and clothes. Jesus taught here that his followers should trust God and not worry about these things. Christians are expected to work for their daily needs (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But if they are unable to meet their needs for some reason, God will still provide for them. Jesus also said that they should first seek to do God’s will (6:33a).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Do not worry because God will take care of you
-or-
God provides, so do not worry
-or-
Do not worry

Paragraph 6:25–27

6:25a

This verse begins a new section on not worrying; but Jesus continues speaking from 6:24. You may want to indicate that Jesus continued speaking. For example:

⌊Jesus continued…⌋

Therefore: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore can also be translated as “for this/that reason.” The phrase joins this section (6:25–34) to previous sections in a general way.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

This is why (Good News Translation)
-or-
Since God is our master
-or-
So (New Century Version)

6:25b

do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do not worry means “do not be anxious” (as in the English Standard Version). The phrase what you will eat or drink are specific examples of things that people often worry about regarding their life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause with the parts somewhat reordered:

don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live (New Century Version)
-or-
do not be worried about such things as the food and drink you need in order to stay alive
-or-
do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink to stay alive

6:25c

or about your body, what you will wear: The clause what you will wear is an example of things people often worry about regarding their body. They worry about clothes. The verb phrase “do not worry” is implied from 6:25b. So the entire clause could be translated as:

or ⌊do not be worried⌋ about such things as clothes for your body
-or-
and ⌊do not be concerned⌋ about what you will wear

In some languages, it is more natural to translate the clause what you will wear along with food and drink as a list of things not to worry about. For example:

25bDon’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or 25cwear. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

25bDo not worry about food, drink or 25cclothes.

6:25d

Is not life more than food…?: This is the first part of a rhetorical question. It expects an answer of “yes, life is more important than food.” Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize this truth.

Here are some ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is not life more important than food…? (New International Version)
-or-
Life is more important than food, is it not?
-or-
isn’t life worth more than food? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

Surely life is more important than food (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Your life is more valuable than food.

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

life: Your language may use a verb for the meaning of the noun life:

being alive
-or-
living

6:25e

and the body more than clothes?: This clause is the second part of the rhetorical question. The negative “Is not” of the previous clause is implied here:

⌊Is not⌋ the body more important than clothing?

It expects an answer of “yes, the body is more important than clothing.” Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize this truth. Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

and the body more important than clothes? (New International Version)
-or-
and the body is more important than clothes, is it not?
-or-
And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

and the body more important than the clothes you wear. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

-or-

Surely the body is worth much more than clothes.

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:23

7:23a

In the Greek, 7:23a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” There is contrast between what the people of 7:22 wanted and what Jesus said here. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction but leaves the contrast implicit. In some languages, it will be more natural to make the contrast more explicit. For example:

But (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Nevertheless
-or-
However

I: The pronoun I refers to Jesus.

will tell them plainly: This phrase refers to openly saying something to the people of 7:22.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

will tell them clearly (New Century Version)
-or-
will say to them directly/frankly
-or-
will answer them

7:23b

I never knew you: The clause I never knew you indicates that Jesus did not consider these people to be his followers. All people will stand before Jesus at the final judgment, and Jesus will know their names and what they did. But the people of 7:22 never belonged to God’s kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not consider you to be my people
-or-
You are not my people
-or-
I do not recognize you

depart from Me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as depart from Me also means:

leave me
-or-
go away from me

you workers of lawlessness: The phrase workers of lawlessness refers to people who do deeds that are against the law. This phrase implies that they did these things as a habit, even though they claimed to do good.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

you who do evil (New Century Version)
-or-
you who break God’s laws (New Living Translation (2004))

Some other issues to consider when you translate this phrase are:

• This phrase is also a direct address. Jesus used the expression like a title or a name. The Berean Standard Bible supplies the pronoun you to make the English natural. In some languages, it is more natural not to supply the pronoun. For example:

evil doers
-or-
law breakers

• In some languages, it is more natural to put this phrase first in 7:23b. For example:

Evil doers, I never knew you. Get away from me!

• This is a quote within a quote. So in some languages, it is more natural to state it more indirectly. For example:

I will say to them that they are evil doers and should go away because I refuse to acknowledge them as my people.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:26

Paragraph 8:26–27

8:26a

“You of little faith,” Jesus replied: The Berean Standard Bible places the words Jesus replied in the middle of what Jesus said. This is good English style. In some languages, it may be more natural to place these words at the beginning of 8:26a. For example:

And he said to them, “Why are you so afraid, O you of little faith?” (English Standard Version)

You of little faith: This expression is the translation of one Greek word. Jesus said this to the disciples. He spoke directly to them like calling them by name or by a title.

In many languages speaking like this is natural. But in some languages, it may be necessary to have a complete sentence. For example:

You have such little faith!
-or-
How little faith you have! (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You trust/believe ⌊in God⌋ so little!

This expression also occurs in 6:30d. You should translate the same way in both places.

why are you so afraid?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus rebuked his disciples for being afraid of the storm. You should translate in a way that indicates a rebuke.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you so frightened? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement or command. For example:

You should not be afraid!
-or-
Stop being afraid!

8:26b

rebuked the winds and the sea: The word rebuked indicates that Jesus commanded the wind and the waves to stop. In some languages, a person can only rebuke another person. He cannot rebuke things like wind and water. So another verb like “commanded” or “ordered” must be used.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

ordered the winds and the waves to stop (Good News Translation)
-or-
ordered the wind and the waves to calm down (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
said to the wind and waves, “Be calm!”

winds: It may be more natural in your language to translate this plural word as the singular “wind.”

the sea: Here the phrase the sea refers to the waves. So some English versions use the word “waves” instead of sea here. It is also possible to simply say “water” here.

8:26c

it was perfectly calm: The word calm means that the wind stopped blowing and the water stopped making waves.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

a great calm came
-or-
suddenly all was calm (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

the wind and lake became completely calm

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:24

9:24a

“Go away,” He told them: The Berean Standard Bible places the words He told them after what Jesus said. In some languages, it may be necessary to place these words at the beginning of 9:24a. For example:

he said, “Go away…” (English Standard Version)

Go away…The girl is not dead: The Greek of 9:24a uses a conjunction that is often translated as “for” (English Standard Version) to introduce the basis for the command to leave. For example:

Go away, for the girl is not dead (English Standard Version)

Many English versions allow the context to indicate this, and they leave this word untranslated.

Go away: The words Go away are a command to the people to leave the house.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Get out of here (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Leave

girl: Mark and Luke describe the dead girl as being twelve years old. Use a term for a girl of that age.

is not dead, but asleep: Jesus knew that the girl was dead, but he alone knew that her death was temporary. He knew that he would soon bring her back to life. So, he figuratively referred to her as asleep. As someone wakes from sleep, Jesus would bring the girl back from death.

Jesus was purposely speaking in a way that could be misunderstood. The meaning of his words would only be clear when the girl was alive again. So it is recommended that you translate the word asleep literally.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

is not dead; she is asleep (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the girl is only sleeping, she is not dead

If people in your area will think that Jesus was confused or wrong when he said that the girl was not dead, but asleep, you may want to include a footnote to explain. A footnote could include some of the above information.

9:24b

And: The crowd reacted to Jesus’ words by laughing at him. In some languages, it is natural to introduce this type of reaction with a word or phrase. For example:

But they laughed at him. (New International Version)
-or-
Then they all started making fun of him. (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊When they heard this,⌋ they laughed at him

they laughed at Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as laughed at can also mean “ridicule.” Since they knew the girl was dead, they probably thought Jesus was wrong or stupid to say that she was asleep.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

they began making fun of him (NET Bible)
-or-
they ridiculed him (New Jerusalem Bible)

-or-

they laughed, making fun of him

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:41

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:24

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