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

© 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.

10:18a

On My account: This phrase indicates that the enemies of Jesus will bring the disciples before governors and kings to be judged because the disciples follow Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

for my sake (English Standard Version)
-or-
because you are my followers (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Because of me (God’s Word)

you will be brought: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be brought is literally “will be led.” In this context, this verb implies that the disciples were arrested and were forced to appear before a judge. The situation is similar to 10:17b where it says that people “will hand you over.”

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

you will be led
-or-
you will ⌊also⌋ be arrested and taken

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊they⌋ will bring you

governors: This word refers to government leaders of provinces or regions within a country. They were not as powerful as kings. Use a term that refers to a ruler who is lower than a king.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

⌊provincial⌋ rulers
-or-
chiefs

kings: Here, kings are rulers of whole countries. As an example, King Herod ruled all of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

supreme rulers
-or-
rulers of whole nations/countries
-or-
highest/biggest rulers

This word also occurs in 2:1b.

10:18b

as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles: This phrase expresses the purpose for God allowing the disciples to be arrested and taken before governors and kings. His purpose was so that these leaders and the Gentiles would hear the gospel.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witnesses refers to telling the good news about Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

In this way, you will give testimony before them and the Gentiles
-or-
This will be a way/occasion for you to tell the good news to them and the Gentiles.

-or-

But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. (New Living Translation (2004))

them: The pronoun them refers to the governors and kings. For example:

the rulers (New Living Translation (2004))

the Gentiles: The word Gentiles was used by the Jews to refer to all the people groups beside themselves. See how you translated this term in 10:5b.

© 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.

12:10a

and a man…was there: In Greek, this verse begins with an expression that can be translated as “and behold.” This word focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this passage, this expression introduces and focuses attention on the man with a withered hand.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

a certain man was there
-or-
now a man was there (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
There was a man there

with a withered hand: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withered hand is more literally “dried hand.” This phrase indicates that the man’s hand was paralyzed/crippled. The man could not move his hand or use it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

who had a paralyzed hand (Good News Translation)
-or-
whose hand was crippled (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
his hand was dried/dead

hand: The Greek word for hand refers to the end of the man’s arm that included his fingers, palm, and back of his hand. It could also include the wrist and forearm. Here the Greek text does not specify how much of the man’s hand was crippled. It is possible that the area from the fingers to the elbow was paralyzed.

In some languages, the “hand” and “arm” are often referred to using the same word. In Greek, there are two different words: one for arm and one for hand. Here the Greek word refers specifically to the part at the end of the man’s arm. You can use a word that includes the area from the fingers to the wrist, or the area from the fingers to the elbow. If possible, you should not use a word that can also mean the entire arm up to the shoulder.

12:10b–c

The Pharisees believed that healing was work. Therefore, healing was not allowed on the Sabbath. They believed that Jesus was wrong to heal on the Sabbath. So they asked Jesus a question to encourage him to say something that was against God’s law. Then they could accuse him in court of being wrong.

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 12:10b–c. For example:

cAnd they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—bso that they might accuse him.

12:10b

In order to accuse Jesus: There is some implicit information here. The Pharisees asked their question and hoped that Jesus would answer in a way that contradicted the law. Then they could accuse him. So this clause indicates that the purpose of the Pharisees’ question in 12:10c was to trick Jesus to say something wrong so that they could accuse him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the conjunction In order and the purpose clause, and include some implied information. For example:

They were hoping he would say yes, in order that they could bring charges against him. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊They asked him this question to force/cause him to say something wrong⌋ so that they could accuse him.

• Translate this clause as the reason that the Pharisees asked their question. For example:

⌊They asked this question⌋ because they wanted to accuse him of breaking the law.

accuse: This word means “say before authorities that (someone) has broken the law,” so that the person will be arrested.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

accuse him of doing something wrong (God’s Word)
-or-
claim that he is a lawbreaker
-or-
blame him for breaking the law

12:10c

they asked Him: The pronoun they refers to some Pharisees who were in the synagogue. The pronoun Him refers to Jesus, not the man with a withered hand.

Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Is it lawful is more literally “Is it permitted.” This means “Does God’s/Moses’ law permit healing on the Sabbath day?” The Pharisees believed that it was against God’s law to heal on the Sabbath.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Is it permitted to cure somebody on the Sabbath day? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Is it against our Law to heal on the Sabbath? (Good News Translation)

-or-

⌊Teacher,⌋ is it not against God’s law to heal a sick/handicapped person on the day of rest?

© 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.

12:42a–b

Verse 12:42 is another example like the example in 12:41. In some languages, it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

Also
-or-
Likewise

The Queen of the South: This phrase refers to the Queen of Sheba in 1 Kings 10:1–13. Her country was far to the south of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The Queen of Sheba (Good News Translation)
-or-
The queen of a country to the south

will rise at the judgment with this generation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rise is a different Greek verb than “stand” in 12:41a. But it is probably similar in meaning. There are the same issues of interpretation as with “stand” in 12:41a. Follow the same interpretation here as there.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

will also stand up against this generation on judgment day (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will also give testimony against you on the day when God judges people

12:42c

for: Verse 12:42c is the reason that the queen of the South will condemn this generation. The Greek introduces this reason with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for.

Here are some other ways to introduce this reason:

because
-or-

⌊She will accuse them⌋ because

she came from the ends of the earth: The phrase the ends of the earth is an expression that means “the places on earth that are very far away.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

she came from a distant land (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
she came from far away (New Century Version)
-or-
She traveled a long way (Contemporary English Version)

to hear the wisdom of Solomon: The word wisdom means “the ability to understand events and know the right action to take.” Solomon was king of Israel after his father David, and God gave very great wisdom to him.

In some languages, it may not be possible to speak about wisdom as a noun. If this is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Solomon’s wise words
-or-
Solomon’s right and just thinking

Solomon: Solomon was one of the kings of Israel. In some languages, it might be good to make this clear in the text. For example:

⌊King⌋ Solomon

12:42d

As in 12:41d, there is some important, implied information in this part of the verse. Jesus implied here “but you did not listen to me.” The Queen of Sheba traveled a long distance to listen to King Solomon. Jesus was right there with the people, but they did not listen to him.

Here are some other ways to include this implied information:

• Put it after 12:42d. For example:

and someone greater than King Solomon is here, ⌊but you did not listen to him⌋.

• Put it before 12:42d. For example:

But ⌊you did not listen to⌋ the person among you who is greater than King Solomon.

and now One greater than Solomon is here: Translate this clause as you translated 12:41d, using the name of Solomon instead of Jonah.

© 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 13:24–30

Jesus told the parable about the weeds in the wheat

In this section, Jesus told the parable about the weeds and the wheat. He explained the meaning of this parable later in 13:36–43.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The parable of the weeds
-or-
Weeds among the wheat

This parable occurs only in Matthew.

Paragraph 13:24–26

13:24a

Jesus put before them another parable: This clause is a figure of speech. It compares placing a parable before people to putting food in front of people for them to eat.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus told them another parable (New International Version)
-or-
Here is another parable he gave them (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Here is another story Jesus told (New Living Translation (2004))

them: This pronoun refers to the crowds mentioned in 13:2 and later in 13:34. It does not just refer to the disciples. You may want to make this clear in your translation. For example:

the people
-or-
the crowd

13:24b

The kingdom of heaven is like: Here Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to the whole situation described in the parable in 13:24–30. He did not compare the kingdom of heaven to just the man.

If people in your area will think that the comparison is only to the man, you may want to indicate that the comparison is to the whole parable. Here are some ways to do this:

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to (English Standard Version)
-or-
The kingdom of heaven is like the story about
-or-
The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when (Contemporary English Version)

kingdom of heaven: This phrase last occurred in 13:11b. You should translate it here as you did in other places in Matthew such as 11:11c.

13:24c

a man who sowed: The verb sowed is the same verb as in the parable of the sower (13:3–8, 13:19–23). It refers to scattering seed by throwing.

The way that the farmer sowed the seed in this parable is not important to the meaning of the parable. So if scattering seed is not a normal way of sowing, you may want to use a more general term for planting seed here. For example:

planted (New Living Translation (2004))

good seed: We would expect that when a farmer sows seed in his field, he would always sow good seed. So the word good would not normally be necessary. The fact that it is here indicates that a problem is coming.

field: This word refers to a large area of ground that the farmer has prepared for planting food plants.

© 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.

13:56a

Aren’t all His sisters with us as well?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and emphasizes that the people of Nazareth knew that his sisters lived there. The people doubted that Jesus could become someone important, because his sisters were not important people and did not marry anyone important.

Here are some ways to translate this surprise, doubt and emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

All his sisters are ⌊still⌋ with us, aren’t they?

• As a statement. For example:

All his sisters are ⌊still⌋ with us ⌊in this town⌋.
-or-
All his sisters live here too.

Translate this surprise, emphasis, and doubt in a way that is natural in your language.

His sisters: Jesus was the first-born, so his sisters were younger sisters.

13:56b

Where then did this man get all these things?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses both surprise and doubt. This clause is similar to the rhetorical question in 13:54d. Translate this clause in a similar way.

Here are some ways to translate this surprise and doubt:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

So where did this man get/learn all these things?

• As a statement. For example:

We wonder where/how this man got/received these things!

Translate this surprise and doubt in a way that is natural in your language.

Where then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is the conjunction that is normally translated as “therefore.” This word indicates the conclusion of something. Here, the people concluded all their rhetorical questions about Jesus with this general question.

Here is another way to translate this word:

So, where

all these things: The words all these things refer to the “wisdom and miraculous powers” of 13:54d.

© 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.

14:30a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between Peter walking on top of the water (in 14:29b) and Peter sinking into the water (in 14:30b). The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

when he saw the strength of the wind: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have the adjective “strong” here. For example:

when he saw the strong wind (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, NET Bible, King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts do not have an adjective here. For example:

when he saw the wind (Revised Standard Version)

(New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has the most version support.

he saw the strength of the wind: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he saw the strength of the wind indicates that Peter noticed the effects of a strong wind. He saw the waves and felt the strong wind blowing.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he felt the strength of the wind
-or-
he noticed the strong wind (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of the strong wind
-or-
he saw the waves/water that the big wind was blowing

14:30b

beginning to sink: The verb sink refers to going down into the water. Peter walked on top of the water for a while, but his fear interfered with his faith and he began to sink into the water.

It is not known how far he sunk before calling out. But at least his head was still above the water. Perhaps part of his upper body was also above water.

cried out: This phrase refers to yelling or shouting. The phrase cried out does not refer to weeping.

Here is another way to translate this verb:

shouted (New Living Translation (2004))

save me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as save in this context means “rescue (from danger)” or “save (from death).” It is the same word used for eternal salvation, but you may need to use a different term to make the meaning of “rescue” clear.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

rescue me
-or-
save me ⌊from death⌋

-or-

help me

© 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.