SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:8

6:8a

In Greek, 6:8 begins with the conjunction that is often translated in English as “therefore/so.” For example:

So do not be like them (New American Standard Bible)

This conjunction indicates that 6:8 is the conclusion to something that came before it. The part that comes before the conclusion has some implied information.

Here is one way to show the conclusion and what is implied:

7bthey think they will be heard because of their many words, ⌊but they are wrong⌋. 8aTherefore/So, do not be like them.

The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this conjunction.

Do not be like them: The clause Do not be like them means “Do not pray like they pray.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not pray the way that they pray
-or-
Do not do what they do
-or-
Do not imitate them

them: The pronoun them refers to the “pagans” of 6:7a. You may need to repeat the expression you used for “pagans” instead of the pronoun them. For example:

Do not be like those pagans/Gentiles
-or-
Do not pray like those non-Jews

6:8b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command in 6:8a. In some languages, it is not necessary to have a conjunction here. For example:

Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it is more natural to put the basis of the command before the command. For example:

8bYour Father knows what you need before you ask him. 8aTherefore, do not be like the pagans ⌊who pray using many words⌋.

your Father: The phrase your Father refers to God. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
your ⌊heavenly⌋ Father
-or-
our(incl.) Father ⌊God⌋

This phrase also occurs 6:1c and 6:4b. See how you translated it there.

knows what you need: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

knows the things that are important to you
-or-
knows the things that are necessary for you

before you ask Him: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

before you ask him ⌊for those things⌋

-or-

before you ask him ⌊to give you those things⌋

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:6

Paragraph 7:6

7:6a–d

Do not give dogs what is holy…and then turn and tear you to pieces: Before you translate 7:6a–d, there are two main issues to consider:

Issue 1: Interpretation issue

There are three ways to interpret the way that the clause and then turn and tear you to pieces (7:6d) is connected to the rest of the verse:

(1) It is connected to 7:6a and refers to what dogs will do. The dogs will turn and tear you to pieces. According to this interpretation, the four clauses in 7:6 are arranged in a special order called a “chiasmus.” In this chiasmus, the first clause (7:6a) goes together with the last clause (7:6d), and the two middle clauses go together. For example:

6aDon’t give holy things to dogs, 6band don’t throw your pearls before pigs. 6cPigs will only trample on them, 6dand dogs will turn to attack you. (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, and many commentaries)

(2) It is connected to 7:6b and refers to another thing that pigs will do. According to this interpretation, this verse is not a chiasmus. Swine/pigs will both trample the pearls (7:6c) and turn to attack you (7:6d). There is no description of what dogs will do. For example:

6aDo not give dogs what is holy; 6band do not throw your pearls before swine, 6clest they trample them under foot 6dand turn to attack you. (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) It, together with 7:6c, is connected to 7:6a–7:6b and refers to another thing that both dogs and swine/pigs will do. Dogs and swine will both trample pearls underfoot (7:6c) and turn and attack you (7:6d). For example:

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentaries follow this interpretation. Another way to translate this verse is:

6aDon’t give to dogs what belongs to God. 6dThey will only turn and attack you. 6bDon’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. 6cThey will trample all over them. (Contemporary English Version)

Issue 2: Metaphor

Verse 7:6 is a proverb-like saying using metaphors of dogs, pigs, and pearls. The “dogs” and “swine” refer to people. They probably refer to people who have rejected the gospel of Jesus. The phrase “what is holy” and the word “pearls” refer to the truths of the gospel of the kingdom.

One way to translate this verse is to put an explanation before the metaphors. For example:

Do not give ⌊what is holy to people who do not value the good news and even attack it. That would be like giving⌋ something holy to dogs or like throwing pearls to swine/pigs. If you do, the pigs will trample those things and the dogs will turn and attack you.

Some other ways to translate the metaphors are listed below.

7:6a

Do not give dogs what is holy: The word dogs is a metaphor. In this metaphor, certain people are compared to wild dogs. Like wild dogs attack other animals, certain people continually reject the message of the good news of the kingdom. They even attack those people who preach the good news.

Here the word dogs refers to wild or stray dogs. They are not dogs that people keep around their houses.

Here Jesus taught his disciples not to continue to teach the message of the good news to people who continue to reject and attack both the message and those who preach it.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Do not give what is holy to dogs (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t give holy things to dogs (New Century Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

Do not give what is holy to ⌊people who act like⌋ wild dogs.
-or-
Do not give what is holy to ⌊people who reject it like⌋ wild dogs.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Do not ⌊continue to⌋ give/teach the holy message of the good news to people who reject it.
-or-
Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. (New Living Translation (1996))

If you follow this option, you may want to include a footnote that gives the literal words. Here is a sample footnote:

Literally: “Do not give what is holy to dogs.”

what is holy: The word holy means “dedicated to God.” The phrase what is holy represents the good news of the kingdom of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

what belongs to God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
holy things (New Century Version)
-or-
what is sacred (New International Version)

7:6b

In Greek, 7:6b begins with a conjunction that indicates that another negative clause is coming. This conjunction can be translated as “nor,” “and” and “or.” For example:

Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw…
-or-
Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw… (NET Bible)
-or-
Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw… (New Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction, but connects 7:6a and b with a semi-colon (;).

do not throw your pearls before swine:

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. (Contemporary English Version)

• Change the metaphors to similes and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

Do not give ⌊the valuable truths from God to people who do not value them. This is like⌋ throwing pearls to swine/pigs.

• Translate without the metaphor. For example:

Do not give the valuable truths from God to people who do not value them.

You may then want a footnote that gives the literal words:

Literally: “Do not throw your pearls to swinge/pigs.”

do not throw: The verb phrase do not throw implies carelessly throwing away something. The truths of the gospel are valuable like pearls. Jesus tells his followers not to carelessly share these truths with people who will not value them.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

Don’t give (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Do not scatter/toss
-or-
Do not share

your pearls: The word pearls refers to round, stone-like beads about 5–10 millimeters (quarter to half an inch) across. Pearls are found in a kind of shellfish called an “oyster.” Pearls are often very beautiful, and good ones are very valuable. People wear them in necklaces and as other jewelry.

In this context, the word pearls is a metaphor. Pearls represent the good news of the kingdom of God. They are similar in that both are valuable. The word pearls corresponds to the phrase “what is holy” in 7:6a.

Here are some other ways to translate the word pearls:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

valuable jewels called pearls
-or-
expensive beads
-or-
precious/costly stones

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

the good news of the kingdom which is valuable like pearls

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

the good news of the kingdom

before swine: The word swine means “pigs.” It is a metaphor. In this metaphor, certain people are compared to pigs, also called swine. Like swine do not value pearls and so trample them, certain people do not value the message of the good news of the kingdom.

7:6c

If you do: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as If you do links two actions. The first action was “throwing pearls before swine” in 7:6b. The second action is “they…trample them under their feet” in 7:6c. The first action prevents the second action from happening. Jesus was saying that a person should not throw pearls in front of swine/pigs (7:6b) to prevent the pearls from being trampled underfoot (7:6c).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

lest (English Standard Version)
-or-
otherwise (NET Bible)
-or-
so that they do not

they: If you followed the recommended interpretation (1) in the note on 7:6a–d, the pronoun they refers to the pigs. In some languages, it will be good to make this explicit. For example:

Pigs will only trample on them (New Century Version)

trample them under their feet: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trample them under their feet refers to purposely walking on something to crush it into the ground with your feet.

This clause continues the metaphor of 7:6b. Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

trample them under their feet (New International Version)
-or-
stomp them into the ground
-or-
walk/step on them

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

They will not value those things.

7:6d

As mentioned above, this clause refers to what the dogs (in 7:6a) will do. In some languages, it will be good to make this explicit. For example:

and dogs will turn to attack you (New Century Version)

and then turn and tear you to pieces: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as turn and tear you to pieces refers to cutting flesh with the teeth.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

turn and tear you to pieces (New International Version)
-or-
and turn and bite you

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

and ⌊the people who act like dogs will⌋ turn and mock/disrespect you

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:9

8:9

In 8:9, the words of the centurion show that he understood authority. He understood that when someone in authority gives a command, that command is obeyed. This implies that he recognized Jesus’ authority and believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant, even from a distance. As 8:10 says, Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith.

Be careful that your translation of this verse does not imply that the centurion was ordering Jesus to heal his servant.

If people in your area will not understand the correct meaning of these words, you may want to add a footnote to explain. Here is a sample footnote:

In saying this, the centurion indicated that he believed that Jesus had the authority and power to heal by simply commanding it.

8:9a

For: In this context, the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces an explanation for the centurion saying “just say the word” (in 8:8c). In this verse, the centurion explained that he knew that someone with authority could give a command, and the command would be obeyed. This implies that he recognized that Jesus had authority, and he believed that Jesus could heal his servant with a command.

Here are some ways to begin this verse:

• With a conjunction or introductory phrase that introduces the explanation. For example:

I know this because (New Living Translation (2004))

• Without any conjunction. For example:

I, too, am a man under the authority of superior officers (Good News Translation)

I myself am a man under authority: The phrase a man under authority means “a man who is placed under the authority of others.” A centurion in the Roman army was an officer, but he was not the highest officer. There were senior officers who had authority over him. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this explicit. For example:

I am under the authority of my superior officers (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I have officers who give orders to me (Contemporary English Version)

I myself: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as myself probably has the sense of “also” here. The centurion used this word to compare himself to Jesus. Both had the authority to give commands.

It is perhaps going too far to say that the centurion was saying that Jesus is under authority like he was under authority. In most of this verse, the centurion spoke of his authority to give commands, not receive them. So he was comparing his authority to give commands with Jesus’ authority. It is perhaps because of this difficulty that some English versions do not translate the word myself.

under authority: The phrase under authority refers to the centurion submitting to officers of higher rank than him. Greek and English use the words “under” and “over” to describe differing levels of authority. Other languages may use different words to describe this relationship such as “in front” and “behind.” Translate this in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

I must obey people with higher authority
-or-
I must do what people with greater power tell me

8:9b

with soldiers under me: This phrase means that the centurion had authority to command the soldiers that he led. He implied that, in the same way, he believed that Jesus had authority to heal people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

I also have soldiers who must obey me
-or-
And I give orders to soldiers who are under me

8:9c–d

I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes: The phrases one and another refer generally to any of the soldiers under the centurion’s authority.

Here is another way to translate this:

I tell one ⌊soldier⌋ ‘Go’ and he goes; and ⌊I tell⌋ another ⌊soldier⌋ ‘come’ and he comes

I tell one to go: Here the command go means that the centurion was giving the soldier an order to “go somewhere” or to “go do something.” It does not mean that the centurion was chasing away the soldier. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

I send one soldier saying, “Go ⌊over there⌋.”

8:9e

my servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant here is not the same Greek word as “servant” in verse 8:6a. Here the Greek word refers generally to any servant or slave. The Roman centurion also commanded his servants or slaves and they obeyed him.

Some English versions translate these two words differently. For example, the Good News Translation translates this word as “slave.”

Use an expression that refers generally to any servant of the centurion. For example:

one of my servants
-or-
anyone who serves me

-or-

my slave (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 8:9c–e

In the Greek, the words “go,” “come,” and “Do something” are direct speech. For example:

And I say to the one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. (English Standard Version)

However, in some languages, it may be more natural to translate these commands as indirect speech, as the Berean Standard Bible models.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:7

9:7

And the man got up and went home: There is implied information here. Jesus healed the man so that he was able to get up and go home. In some languages, it may be more natural to include this implied information. For example:

And the man ⌊was healed,⌋ got up and went home

-or-

⌊Immediately, the man was healed.⌋ He stood up and went home

General Comment on 9:6–7

When Jesus healed the man, this action proved that he had the authority to forgive sins. If people in your area will not see that, you may want to add a footnote to explain. Here is a sample footnote:

Jesus healed the man. This miracle also proved that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:1

Section 10:1–4

Jesus appointed the twelve disciples as apostles

In the previous section, Jesus challenged the disciples to pray that God would send out workers into the spiritual harvest. In this section, Jesus appointed his twelve closest disciples as apostles or “sent ones.” He gave them power to cast out evil spirits and heal people. Matthew used this occasion to list the names of these twelve men.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Chooses His Twelve Apostles (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Twelve Apostles (Good News Translation)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 3:13–19 and Luke 6:12–16.

Paragraph 10:1–4

10:1a

And: This is the beginning of a new section. This section is loosely connected to the previous section.

Here are some other ways to begin this new section:

Then (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Later
-or-
After that

calling His twelve disciples to Him: In this context, the verb calling means that Jesus was “asking the disciples to come” to him. According to the parallel passages in Mark and Luke, Jesus did this when he was in the hills around Lake Galilee.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Jesus called together his twelve disciples (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus told/asked his twelve disciples to come to him

disciples: The word disciple also occurs in 8:21a. See the note there for help in translating this term. See also disciple in the Glossary for more information.

10:1b

Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out: This phrase means that Jesus gave his disciples the power to cast unclean spirits out of people. Up to this point, only Jesus had this power.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

He gave them the power to force out evil spirits (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and gave them the power to make unclean spirits leave people

unclean spirits: The term unclean spirits refers to the same beings as “evil spirits” and “demons” (8:16a). You can translate these three terms with the same term.

The Jews believed that anyone who had an evil spirit was unclean. So an evil spirit was also called an unclean spirit.

Here are some other ways to translate unclean spirits:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to spirits that are evil and can control people. For example:

demons
-or-
devils

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. Do not use a term that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

evil spirits (New International Version)

See demon in the Glossary for more information.

they could drive them out: The phrase drive them out means “to cause evil spirits to leave people and stop controlling their lives.”

Different cultures have different ways of speaking about people being controlled by evil spirits and being released from the control of evil spirits. Use a natural way to say this in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

to send away evil spirits
-or-
to free people whom demons controlled
-or-
to expel evil spirits from people

The term drive…out also occurs in 8:16c.

10:1c

and heal: This is the second thing that Jesus gave his disciples power to do. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

and ⌊he also gave them⌋ ⌊the power⌋ to heal

every disease and sickness: The words disease and sickness are a doublet. This means that these words have almost the same meaning. Together, these words refer to every type of illness and physical problem that people can have.

This same pair of words occurs in 4:23d and 9:35d. See the notes there for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use two terms. For example:

every kind of disease and sickness (New Century Version)
-or-
every disease and handicap
-or-
every illness and injury

• Use more than two terms. For example:

people who were sick, ill, or had a disease

• Use one term. For example:

every kind of sickness

-or-

everyone who was not well

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:33

10:33a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between those who confess they are Jesus’ disciples (10:32) and those who deny they are his (10:33).

Here are some other ways to indicate this contrast:

However
-or-
In contrast

whoever denies Me before men: The word denies refers to denying that Jesus is the Savior and denying that he believes in Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

those who reject me publicly (Good News Translation)
-or-
the person who tells others that he doesn’t know me (God’s Word)
-or-
all who stand before others and say they do not believe in me (New Century Version)

10:33b

I will also deny: In this context, this clause refers to Jesus denying that the person is a true follower of Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will reject (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will say that I do not know him

-or-

I will say…that they do not belong to me. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:23

11:23–24

Verses 11:23–24 contain a figure of speech called apostrophe. In this figure of speech, Jesus spoke to the town of Capernaum as if it were a person.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

• Keep the apostrophe as in the Berean Standard Bible.

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?

• Translate it so that Jesus is speaking to the people of the town. For example:

23aPeople of Capernaum, do you think you will be honored in heaven? (Contemporary English Version)

11:23a

And you, Capernaum: The phrase And you, Capernaum shows that Jesus had finished talking about Chorazin and Bethsaida at the end of 11:22. Here in 11:23 he was beginning to talk about Capernaum. Consider how to show this change in subject in your language. For example:

And as for you, Capernaum! (Good News Translation)

Capernaum: The word Capernaum is the name of another town where Jews lived. Jesus often stayed in the town of Capernaum during his ministry around Lake Galilee. Although he did many miracles in this town, most of the people there did not believe in him. The people of Capernaum were like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida: many people did not believe in Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

⌊the town of⌋ Capernaum
-or-

⌊people of the town of⌋ Capernaum

will you be lifted up to heaven?: Before you translate this clause, there are three issues to consider:

Issue 1: Meaning

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lifted up means “caused to have high status” or “honored.” In order to show this high status, a person was often lifted higher than other people.

This verb is contrasted with “brought down” in 11:23b. So, if possible, you should translate both the aspect of “honor” and the aspect of “lifted up.” To do this, you may need to use two verbs. For example:

lifted to heaven and honored there

English versions focus on only one aspect. For example:

lifted to heaven (God’s Word)
-or-
honored in heaven (New Living Translation (2004))

Issue 2: Rhetorical Question

This is a rhetorical question. It expresses in question form what the people of Capernaum probably believed about themselves. They were proud of themselves and believed that they would be exalted/lifted to heaven and honored there. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that they certainly would not be lifted/raised to a position of honor in heaven. His words also imply a rebuke to the people of Capernaum.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke and emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

do you think that you will be lifted/raised to a position of great honor in heaven?
-or-
do you think you will be honored in heaven? (Contemporary English Version)

In Greek, the form of this rhetorical question implies that the people of Capernaum would not be lifted to heaven. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No. (NET Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

you are certainly not going to be raised to heaven and honored there.
-or-
you should not think that you will be lifted to heaven and honored there ⌊more than other people⌋.

Issue 3: Passive

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

will you be lifted up to heaven (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

will ⌊God⌋ lift you to heaven to honor you?

11:23b

you will be brought down: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have a verb that means “you will be brought/thrown down.” This verb implies the use of force. For example:

you will be thrown down (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (1996))

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have a verb that means “you will go down.” For example:

You will descend (New American Standard Bible)

(New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation corresponds with the passive in 11:23a and is a direct contrast with it. Instead of being lifted up and honored, the people of Capernaum will be brought down to a place of humiliation and punishment.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

you will be thrown down (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ will throw you down

to Hades: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Hades means “the world of the dead.” In this context, it refers to hell. It is the place where God will punish people who did not believe in Jesus. It is the opposite of “heaven” in 11:23a.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

hell (Good News Translation)
-or-
the place of the dead (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the place of fire/punishment

11:23c–d

if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day: This is another long sentence that begins with an if clause. It is further complicated because it contrasts two situations. The first situation is a real situation: Jesus did miracles in the Jewish town of Capernaum. It is implied that the people of that town did not repent. The second situation is a hypothetical situation: If Jesus had done those same miracles in the Gentile town of Sodom, the people of that town would have repented and the town would still exist.

In some languages, it will be natural to divide this long sentence into several shorter sentences. For example:

I did miracles in your town, ⌊but you did not repent⌋. If, ⌊for example,⌋ I had done these same miracles in the town of Sodom, that town would still exist today.
-or-
I did miracles in your town, ⌊but you did not repent⌋. Suppose that I had done these same miracles in the town of Sodom. ⌊The people of that town are not Jews, but they would have repented long ago. As a result,⌋ their town would still remain.

11:23c

For: Verses 11:23c–d explain the reason why Jesus rebuked the people of the town of Capernaum (in 11:23a–b). The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Here is another way to introduce this explanation:

⌊I say this⌋ because

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

if the miracles that were performed in you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as miracles can also be translated as “mighty works” (as in the English Standard Version). Here Jesus referred to the miracles that he has done in the Jewish town of Capernaum. It is implied that even though he did miracles there, the Jewish people in Capernaum did not repent.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If the miracles I did in you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
If the miracles that took place in your town (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I did miracles in your town, ⌊but you Jews did not repent⌋

had been performed in Sodom: This part of the “if” clause is hypothetical. This means that it refers to something that did not happen. Jesus did not do miracles in the town of Sodom. But if he had done miracles there, the people there would have repented.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

had been done in Sodom ⌊but they were not done⌋
-or-

⌊I did not do miracles⌋ in Sodom. But if I had done miracles there
-or-
If, ⌊for example,⌋ I had done these same miracles in the town of Sodom

Sodom: The word Sodom refers to a town that God destroyed long before Jesus’ time because the people were so evil (Genesis 19).

11:23d

it would have remained to this day: This clause means that the town of Sodom would have remained in existence. God would not have destroyed it. The people of Sodom, after seeing the miracles, would have repented, and God would not have destroyed them and their town.

This clause is another part of the hypothetical statement. The Gentile people in the town of Sodom did not see Jesus’ miracles. They did not repent, and God did not spare their town. He destroyed it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it would still be there today (God’s Word)
-or-
that town would still be standing (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

⌊God⌋ would not have destroyed it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:25

Paragraph 12:25–29

12:25a

Knowing their thoughts: Jesus supernaturally knew what the Pharisees were thinking. Your translation should not imply that someone told Jesus what they were thinking.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus knew what they were thinking (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking (New Century Version)

Jesus said to them: It is implied that the reason Jesus said the words of 12:25–32 was because he knew what the Pharisees were thinking. In some languages, it may be natural to make the connection more explicit. For example:

Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them (God’s Word)
-or-

so he said (New Century Version)

12:25b

Every kingdom divided against itself: This clause describes a civil war. It refers to any nation/country where the people within that country divide into groups and fight one another.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Any kingdom divided by civil war (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Any country that divides itself into groups which fight each other (Good News Translation)
-or-
Any kingdom where people fight each other (Contemporary English Version)

will be laid waste: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be laid waste means “will be destroyed” or “will be ruined.” The two sides killing each other would cause the country to be destroyed/ruined. It is implied that few people will remain alive in that country.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

will be ruined (New International Version)
-or-
will be destroyed (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

If the people of a certain country fight against one another, they will destroy their country

12:25c

Verse 12:25c teaches the same principle as 12:25b.

and every city or household: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as household is a figure of speech. It refers to the people in the house.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

house (English Standard Version)
-or-
family (Good News Translation)

divided against itself will not stand: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as stand is a figure of speech. It refers to remaining or existing.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

will not last (God’s Word)

-or-

will fall apart (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages, it may be necessary to use a different verb to describe the destruction of a city and a family. For example:

A city whose people fight against one another will be destroyed. A family whose members argue with one another will not stay together.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:33

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:25

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