SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:30

9:30a

And their eyes were opened: This clause is an idiom. It means that the two men’s eyes were healed, and they were able to see. It does not mean that their eyes had been closed, and now they were open.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They were able to see (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then the men were able to see. (New Century Version)

The men were immediately healed when Jesus spoke the words of 9:29. The New International Version indicates that with a semi-colon (;) at the end of 9:29, and the Good News Translation indicates that with a long dash (—). If people in your area will not think that the healing was immediate, you may want to use punctuation, grammar, or another way to indicate so. Here are some examples:

and ⌊immediately⌋ they could see
-or-
and ⌊at the very moment⌋ ⌊he said that,⌋ they could see

9:30b

warned them sternly: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as warned them sternly is a strong warning, but it is not an angry warning.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

strongly cautioned them
-or-
insisted thoroughly
-or-
severely commanded/ordered
-or-
said emphatically

See that: In this context, the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See that is a warning that means “Be careful” or “Do not” It is a word of warning not to do something. Here it does not mean “look” at something.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

Don’t tell (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t let (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

no one finds out about this: This clause means that the two men should not tell anyone that Jesus had healed them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Let no one know about this/that
-or-
do not tell that/this to anyone

-or-

do not tell anyone ⌊that I healed you⌋

General Comment on 9:30b

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate 9:30b as indirect speech. For example:

Jesus strongly warned them not to tell anyone what had happened.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:24

Paragraph 10:24–25

10:24a

A disciple is not above his teacher: Here the word disciple refers to disciples or students in general. It does not refer only to Jesus’ disciples. Some English versions translate this word as “student” or “pupil.”

The word above is used in this context to refer to something greater in importance. Students are not more important than their teachers.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

No pupil is greater than his teacher (Good News Translation)
-or-
A student is not better than his teacher (New Century Version)
-or-
A student is not more important/honored than his teacher.

10:24b

nor a servant above his master: This clause means that a servant/slave is not more important than his master. This clause is similar in meaning to the clause in 10:24a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

no slave is greater than his master (Good News Translation)
-or-
and a servant is not better than his master (New Century Version)

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant is often translated as “slave.” But the difference between a “slave” and a “servant” is not important here. It refers to someone who serves or works for another person. For example:

worker/laborer
-or-
one who serves

master: This word refers to the person who owns the slave, or the person who rules the servant.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

boss/owner

-or-

one who rules

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:14

11:14a

And if you are willing to accept it: In Greek, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accept does not have an object. Something must be accepted/believed, and there are two ways to interpret what that something might be:

(1) It is the second half of the verse: he is the Elijah who was to come. For example:

if you will believe me (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It is the prophets in 11:13. For example:

if you believe them (Contemporary English Version)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This fits the context best and is the interpretation that most English versions follow.

if you are willing to accept it: This is an if clause, but it is not a normal if clause. The second part of this verse (he is the Elijah who was to come) is true even if people were not willing to accept it.

Many people in the time of Jesus mistakenly believed that Elijah would literally come back to earth. Jesus probably used this if clause to draw attention to their mistaken belief and to emphasize the truth of what he was about to say.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if you are willing to accept/believe what I say, ⌊you will understand that⌋
-or-
whether you are willing to accept/believe this ⌊or not⌋
-or-
Even though you may find it hard to accept/believe, ⌊I tell you the truth.⌋

This clause does not imply that if the people are not willing to accept it, then John is not the Elijah who is to come.

11:14b

he is the Elijah who was to come: This clause indicates that John was the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5. In that verse, God said that he would send the prophet Elijah. This prophecy took place after Elijah had already gone to heaven. Because of this verse, the Jews were expecting Elijah to come back down among them.

In Luke 1:17, God told John’s father that John would go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah.” John was not the actual Elijah reborn, rather God gave him power just like he had given power to Elijah. So when the prophet Malachi said that Elijah would come, he was actually talking about a man who would be like Elijah. That man was John.

If you translate this clause literally and people think that John and Elijah are the same person, you may want to:

• Add some implied information about the prophecy. For example:

John ⌊fulfilled the prophecy⌋ about Elijah coming
-or-
John is ⌊the man whom the prophet was talking about when he said that⌋ Elijah would return

• Use “like” or “as” to show that John was not Elijah reborn. For example:

John is ⌊the one who came as⌋ Elijah ⌊whom the Scriptures said⌋ was to come

who was to come: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who was to come indicates that Elijah’s coming was prophesied. The prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah would come.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

whose coming was predicted (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one the prophets said would come (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

whom ⌊the prophet foretold⌋ would come

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:16

12:16

warning them: The pronoun them probably refers to the people whom Jesus healed. It does not refer to everyone who followed him. In 8:4a and 9:30b, Jesus also commanded people whom he healed not to tell anyone what had happened.

not to make Him known: This phrase refers:

(a) generally to spreading the news of his activities. Jesus did not want the people whom he healed to talk about his miracles and so make him famous. He did not want to encourage the Pharisees to try to kill him before it was time.

(b) specifically to spreading the news of his identity. The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would deliver them from Rome. They did not yet understand what type of Messiah he really was. Jesus did not want them to spread false information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

not to tell others about him (Good News Translation)
-or-
not to tell anyone what he had done

-or-

not to tell who he was (New International Version)

In some languages, it may be natural to translate this phrase as direct speech. For example:

“Do not tell anyone about me!”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:48

12:48a

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But simply indicates a change from one speaker to another. In this context, it does not indicate a contrast. Many English versions do not translate this word. In many languages, it will not be necessary to translate this word either.

Jesus replied: This clause introduces Jesus’ rhetorical question. In some languages, it may be natural to shorten this clause. For example:

Jesus said to this person
-or-
Jesus asked (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate this clause in a way that indicates that Jesus spoke to the man who told him about his mother and brothers.

12:48b

Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used it to introduce a new idea. The new idea is that people who do the will of God are Jesus’ true family. Since Jesus and the crowd knew that the people waiting outside were his biological mother and brothers, Jesus said this to make them think. He wanted them to think about what kinds of people should be treated as brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers. His answer in 12:49–50 shows that we should treat our fellow Christians as brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers.

Here are some other ways to introduce this new idea:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

Let me tell you who my mother and my brothers are.

-or-

I will tell you who my mother and my brothers are.

Use a natural way in your language to introduce this new idea. Be careful to translate this in a way that does not imply that Jesus did not know who his family was. Also, be careful to translate this in a way that does not imply that Jesus was saying that the people waiting for him were not his mother and brothers.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:30

13:30a

Let both grow together: The word both refers to the weeds and the wheat.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Let them both grow together (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Let the weeds and the wheat grow together (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊Leave it alone.⌋ Allow both of them to grow together

until the harvest: The harvest refers to the time when the wheat is mature and ready to pick. At that time, the workers cut down the wheat, gathered it and put it in a safe place.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

until harvest time/season
-or-
until it is time to gather/cut the grain

13:30b

At that time: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At that time is more literally “in the time of the harvest.” This phrase repeats most of the phrase in 13:30a. In some languages, it will not be natural to repeat it, which is why the Berean Standard Bible does not repeat the word “harvest.” If that is true in your language, you can say:

When that time comes
-or-
Then (Good News Translation)

I will tell the harvesters: The harvesters are the people whom the owner of the field hired to cut down the wheat and gather it.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

reapers (English Standard Version)
-or-
the harvest workers (Good News Translation)
-or-
those who cut the wheat/grain

13:30c

First collect the weeds: It is implied that the weeds are cut or pulled out and then collected/gathered. You may want to include some of the implied information. For example:

First ⌊cut and⌋ collect the weeds
-or-
First ⌊pull out and⌋ collect the weeds

tie them in bundles: During harvest time when the wheat plants were cut, it was common to tie the plants into bundles. The owner told the workers to do the same thing with the weeds. This made it easy to carry them.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

bind them in bundles (English Standard Version)
-or-
tie them together (New Century Version)

to be burned: The verb be burned is passive. The owner or his workers will burn the weeds. If a passive verb is not natural in your language here, you should use an active verb. For example:

in order to burn them
-or-
for burning
-or-
so we/you can burn them ⌊later⌋

13:30d

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then indicates some contrast here. The contrast is between what the owner told the workers to do with the weeds (in 13:30c), and what he told them to do with the wheat (in 13:30d). Many English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction “but.”

Here is another way to connect this part of the verse with the previous part:

and then (Good News Translation)

gather the wheat: The Jews harvested wheat by first cutting the wheat stalks with a large curved knife. The verb “cut” is implied. In some languages, it may be natural to include some of this implied information. For example:

Then ⌊cut and⌋ gather the wheat

into my barn: The word barn refers to a building used for storing food such as grain.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

storage house

-or-

granary

General Comment on 13:30b–d

In Greek, 13:30c–d is direct speech. The owner tells his servants the words that he will say to the harvesters. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate 13:30c–d as indirect speech. For example:

Then I will tell the harvest workers to pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them, and then to gather in the wheat and put it in my barn. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:4

14:4a

because: In this context, the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because indicates that 14:4 continues the explanation that began in 14:3c. Both 14:3c and 14:4 explain the reason that Herod put John in prison.

Here are some other ways to continue this explanation:

⌊and⌋ because
-or-

⌊He also did this⌋ because

John had been telling him: These words introduce what John said to Herod before Herod arrested John. The form of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had been telling indicates that John said the following things to Herod more than once.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

John was always saying to him
-or-
John had repeatedly said to him

14:4b

It is not lawful for you to have her: The phrase not lawful means “not right according to the law.” Here, the reference is to the law that God gave to Moses. In this context, have her means to “be married to your brother’s wife.” It was against God’s law for a man to marry a woman who previously had been his brother’s wife while his brother was still living (Leviticus 20:21).

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

It’s not right for you to be married to her. (God’s Word)
-or-
You are not permitted/allowed to have your ⌊older⌋ brother’s wife.

-or-

It is contrary to God’s laws/instructions to marry your ⌊older⌋ brother’s wife.

In some languages, it may be necessary to explain some of this information in a footnote. A sample footnote is:

This marriage was unlawful according to Jewish law (Leviticus 20:21) because Herod married Herodias while his brother Philip was still living.

General Comment on 14:3–4

14:3a–b occurred after 14:3c–4b. In some languages, it may be more natural to combine verses 3–4. In that way, you can change the order of the clauses and put them in the proper order. For example:

⌊He said that⌋ 3cbecause ⌊some time earlier⌋ ⌊Herod had married⌋ his brother Philip’s wife Herodias. 4⌊So⌋ John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 3a⌊As a result,⌋ Herod had arrested John and bound him 3band put him in prison.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:36

14:36a

begged Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as begged means “ask urgently” or “request help.” The word begged in English could imply that Jesus was reluctant to agree, but the Greek word does not imply this.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

implored him (English Standard Version)
-or-
urgently asked him
-or-
pleaded with him

just to let them touch: This clause indicates that the sick people wanted to touch something belonging to Jesus, even if it was a very little thing. They believed that if they touched a person like Jesus, they would be healed. They even believed that Jesus’ power went into his clothes, and if they touched even a little part of his clothes, they would be healed.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

to touch only/just
-or-
to allow them to touch just
-or-
to touch even as little as

14:36b

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.

Tassels on a Jewish man’s prayer shawl

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

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

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:

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

This same phrase occurs in 9:20b.

His 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)

14:36c

And: It is implied that Jesus allowed the sick people to touch his clothes. Some people may wrongly assume that Jesus did not want people to touch his clothes, but they touched them anyway. If that is true in your area, you should include some implied information. For example:

⌊and he allowed them,⌋ and
-or-

⌊and he said yes.⌋

all who touched Him: This clause means that “everyone who touched Jesus’ clothes” was healed. For example:

Everyone who touched his clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
all those who did so (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

were healed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were healed also means “were made well” or “were cured.”

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

were made well (English Standard Version)
-or-
were cured

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊the power of God⌋ healed them

• Use another type of verb. For example:

became well

-or-

their sickness left them

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:48

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:36

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