SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:16

22:16a

And they sent their disciples to him: The phrase their disciples refers to disciples of the Pharisees. The word disciple should be translated in the same way as the word for Jesus’ disciples. The pronoun him refers to Jesus.

along with the Herodians: The word Herodians refers to servants or officials of Herod the tetrarch (mentioned in 14:1). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

members of Herod’s party (Revised English Bible)
-or-
some of Herod’s followers (New Century Version)
-or-
some of King Herod’s officials

saying: This word introduces the message they spoke to Jesus. It could also be translated as a the start of a new sentence. For example:

They said

22:16b

Teacher: Here, the word Teacher refers to a religious teacher. It was a polite title for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. Use a title that is an appropriate way to address a religious teacher in your culture. It should not refer only to a school teacher.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Sir
-or-
Master

This is the same form of address as in 8:19b. Translate it the same way here.

we know that you are true: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as true refers to the quality of truthfulness or honesty. Here it implies that the speakers considered Jesus to be someone who tells the truth. Because this was a trap (see 22:15), it was an insincere statement. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

you tell the truth (Good News Translation)
-or-
you are an honest man (New Century Version)

22:16c

and teach the way of God: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as way is more literally translated “road.” In this context it describes a manner of living. So the whole phrase refers to the way of life which God desires.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

and teach the way of life that God requires (Revised English Bible)

truthfully: The Greek phrase that the English Standard Version translates as truthfully uses another form of the word “true” in 22:16b. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in accordance with the truth (NET Bible)
-or-
in all honesty (New Jerusalem Bible)

22:16d

and you do not care about anyone’s opinion: In Greek this clause is more literally “and it is not a concern to you about anyone.” The context indicates that Jesus was not concerned about what people thought. If he did not care about that, he could say whatever he thought regardless of the opinion of others. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

You are not afraid of what other people think about you (New Century Version)
-or-
you are not concerned about the opinions of others

If you have a phrase or idiom in your language to express this idea, use it here.

22:16e

for: This connector introduces the reason for the statement just given.

Here is another way to translate this word:

because (Good News Translation)

you are not swayed by appearances: In Greek this clause is more literally “you do not look into the face of a man.” It means that Jesus was not someone who might change what he said depending on whom he was talking to. His teaching did not depend on whether his listener was rich or poor, lowly or important. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you do not regard the position of men (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you pay no attention to anyone’s status (Good News Translation)
-or-
You donʼt care how important they are. (NirV)

-or-

If someone is important, you do not change your answers to make them happy. (Easy English Bible)

If you have a phrase or idiom in your language to express this idea, use it here.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:12

Paragraph 2:12

2:12a

And: In some languages, it may be natural to begin 2:12 with a word or phrase that shows that the wise men’s dream occurred some time after they gave gifts. For example:

Later (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then (Good News Translation)

having been warned in a dream: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as having been warned is passive.

Here are some ways to translate this verb:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Later they were warned in a dream (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
And having been warned by God in a dream (New American Standard Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

God had warned them in a dream (Good News Translation)
-or-
God instructed/told them in a dream

warned: Here are some other ways to translate this word:

advised
-or-
told/instructed
-or-
informed

not to return to Herod: The phrase not to return to Herod was God’s warning in the dream. It is implied that they should not return to Herod and tell him where Jesus was.

Also, it may be more natural in some languages to make this direct speech. For example:

“Do not go back to Herod.”
-or-
“You (plur.) must not return to Herod.”

2:12b

they withdrew to their country: The wise men went back to their own country where they lived. They returned to their homeland. For example:

they went back home (Contemporary English Version)

by another route: They returned a different way. They did not go back the same way they had come. They did this to avoid seeing Herod again.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

by another road (Good News Translation)

-or-

a different way

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:4

4:4a

But: There is a contrast between 4:3 and 4:4. The contrast is between the devil’s desire and Jesus’ desire. Jesus refused to do what the devil wanted him to do. Some English versions indicate this contrast with the word “but.”

Here are some other ways to translate this contrast:

However
-or-
Instead
-or-
But instead ⌊Jesus refused⌋

Jesus answered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as answered here means “replied” or “responded.” Jesus was not answering a question. He was responding to what the devil was suggesting.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he replied (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Jesus responded by saying

It is written: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as It is written introduces words from the Hebrew Scriptures.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

The scripture says (Good News Translation)
-or-
It is written ⌊in the Scriptures⌋ ⌊that God said⌋

4:4b–c

In 4:4b–c, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. That passage teaches about true life. A person needs physical food, but for a complete life, he also must depend on God and obey all that he tells him to do.

4:4b

Man shall not live on bread alone: Jesus was saying that bread (food) alone does not give true life. There is something more important than food.

Be careful not to translate this clause in a way that implies that Jesus was saying that people need a variety of foods in addition to bread. He was not saying that bread is not nutritious enough to sustain life. He was saying that food alone does not give true life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A person does not live by eating only bread (New Century Version)
-or-
No one can live only on food. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It takes more than bread for man to live.
-or-
Food by itself is not enough to give people ⌊true⌋ life.

Man: The word Man here means a human being. It refers to both males and females.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Human beings (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
People (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
A person (New Century Version)

bread: In this context bread represents food in general. This is the same word as in 4:3c.

4:4c

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but indicates a strong contrast. The contrast is between what man cannot live on and what he can live on.

Here are some other ways to translate this contrast:

instead
-or-
rather

on every word that comes from the mouth of God: There is some implied information here. If the implicit information is included, it will say:

⌊he will live⌋ by/on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Jesus meant that obeying God is more important than eating food. Jesus implied here that he would be disobeying God if he turned the stones into bread and ate it.

The phrase every word that comes from the mouth of God is a figure of speech. It refers to the words that God speaks.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

every word that God speaks (Good News Translation)
-or-
by everything God says (New Century Version)

-or-

what God commands

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:11

Paragraph 5:11–12

5:11a

In 5:11 the pronoun changes from “Blessed are those” to “Blessed are you (plur.).”

Blessed are you when people insult you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as insult can also be translated as “revile” (as in the English Standard Version). It means to “treat someone or speak to someone with scorn or great disrespect.” It can also mean to “say or do something that hurts or intends to hurt the feelings of someone.” People insult Jesus’ followers in order to make them feel sad, shame them, or make others think that they are evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Blessed are you when others revile you (English Standard Version)
-or-
You are blessed when people say bad things about you (plur.)
-or-
God blesses you when people mock you (New Living Translation (2004))

persecute you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as persecute means “deliberately harm someone,” “mistreat someone” or “cause someone to suffer.” This word also occurs in 5:10a. You should translate it here as you did there.

5:11b

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as say means to “say/speak.” Jesus said that when people say all kinds of evil against his followers, what they are saying is a lie. This is indicated by the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as falsely. Some people will lie and say that Jesus’ followers practice all sorts of bad behavior.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

tell all kinds of evil lies against you (Good News Translation)
-or-
They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you (New Century Version)
-or-
lie concerning you saying, “These people have done many evil things.”

because of Me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as because of Me gives the reason why people insult Jesus’ followers, persecute them, and say evil things to them. The reason is because they are Jesus’ followers. Those who oppose Jesus and his teachings will also oppose his followers who believe and teach the same message.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because you are my followers (Good News Translation)
-or-
on my account (English Standard Version)

-or-

the reason ⌊is⌋ ⌊that you obey⌋ me

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:43

Section 5:43–48

Jesus taught that his disciples should love their enemies

In this section, Jesus continued to explain the difference between the way that Jewish religious leaders interpreted the law of Moses and the correct interpretation of the law. Some rabbis taught that Jews should hate their enemies, but this teaching is not directly found in the law of Moses. Jesus taught that we should love everyone, even our enemies.

This section continues the theme that believers should do good to those who do evil to them. They should love those who hate them. They should pray for those who try to harm them.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Love your enemies
-or-
Believers must love their enemies

Paragraph 5:43–48

5:43a

You have heard that it was said: These same words are found in 5:27a and 5:38a. Translate it here as you did there.

5:43b

Love your neighbor: This part of the verse is a quote from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). The Greek verb for Love is in the future tense, but is used as a command. It is also in the singular, but applies to all.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Love (plur.) your neighbor
-or-
You(sing)(plur) must love your neighbor
-or-
Everyone must love his neighbor

Love: The word Love in this context means to show kindness to someone and value him highly.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Care greatly for
-or-
Show great kindness toward
-or-
Treat very well
-or-
Be very concerned for

your neighbor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbor originally referred to someone who lives nearby. In this context it refers to a fellow Jew.

Here are some other ways to translate “Love your neighbor”:

Love your countryman/fellowman
-or-
Show kindness to your own people
-or-
Love your friends (Good News Translation)

Hate your enemy: This part of the verse is not a direct quote from the Old Testament. But the teachers of the law were teaching it as a command from God.

Hate: The verb Hate means to have strong dislike and hostility toward someone. Just as in “love” above, the Greek verb is in the future tense, but is used as a command. It is also in the singular.

enemy: An enemy is a person who hates and opposes you and may try to harm you physically or in some other way.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Despise the one who wants to harm you (sing.).

-or-

Do not love the one who opposes you (sing.).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:27

6:27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?: This is a rhetorical question that expects the answer “no one can.” Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that worrying is not helpful or beneficial because people are certainly not able to live longer by worrying.

Here are some ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? (God’s Word)
-or-
Can worry make you live longer? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Even if you worry, can that make you live even one hour longer?

• As a statement. For example:

You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. (New Century Version)
-or-
Worrying ⌊is useless. It⌋ cannot make you live even a minute longer.

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

a single hour: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a single hour refers to a short length of time. So the Berean Standard Bible translates it as a single hour.

Here is a more general way to translate this phrase:

any more time

-or-

a single moment (New Living Translation (2004))

to his life: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to his life refers to the length of a person’s life.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

to his span of life (English Standard Version)

In some languages, it will be more natural to translate life as the verb “live.” For example:

Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:25

7:25a

The rain fell: In this context, the clause The rain fell refers to a heavy rain. It is the type of rain that could damage a house.

the torrents raged: The expression the torrents raged refers to so much water in the rivers that the water overflows the banks of the rivers.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the streams rose (New International Version)
-or-
the rivers flooded over (Good News Translation)

7:25b

the winds blew: The phrase the winds blew means that they blew strongly. They were the type of winds that could damage a house.

The word for winds is plural in Greek. But in some languages, it is more natural to translate this as a singular noun and verb. For example:

the wind blew
-or-
a strong wind came

beat against that house: The words beat against that house refer to another thing that the winds did.

In some languages, the verb “beat” is something that only a human, animal, or supernatural spirit could do. If that is true in your language, then you may want to use a different word. For example:

the wind blew hard against that house (Good News Translation)

7:25c

yet it did not fall: The verb fall here means “fall down,” or “collapse.” In spite of the rain, flood, and wind, the house was not ruined.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

did not fall down/over
-or-
did not collapse
-or-
was not destroyed

because its foundation was on the rock: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was on the rock means “was firmly established” or “was built.” This verb refers to the base or lowest part of the house being placed on bedrock. So the house’s foundation was strong.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

it was built on solid rock (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it was built strongly

• Use an active verb. It was the wise man who built his house on the rock. For example:

he built it on the rock
-or-
he built it strongly

• Change the verb to a noun. For example:

it had its foundation on the rock (New International Version)

rock: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rock means “bedrock.” It does not refer to loose stones on top of the ground. It refers to a solid rock mass or layer under the surface of the ground.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:28

Section 8:28–34

Jesus commanded demons to leave two men

In this section Jesus and his disciples crossed Lake Galilee to a region called Gadara. In the region was a town of the same name. The town was about five miles southeast of Lake Galilee. But Jesus probably stayed close to the lake. The people of Gadara took care of pigs, so they were not Jews.

The demons that controlled the two men were strong and violent. But Jesus caused the demons to leave. So, this story shows that Jesus has more power than demons.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus healed two demon-possessed men
-or-
Two men whom demons controlled
-or-
Jesus had power to heal two demon-possessed men

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 5:1–20 and Luke 8:26–39.

Paragraph 8:28–31

8:28a

When Jesus arrived on the other side: This phrase refers to the other side of Lake Galilee. Jesus and his disciples finished their journey in the boat across the lake.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
After Jesus had crossed the lake (Contemporary English Version)

Jesus: It is also implied that Jesus arrived with his disciples. The focus is on Jesus here. But in some languages it is more natural to include the disciples. For example:

Jesus arrived ⌊with his disciples⌋

8:28b

in the region of the Gadarenes:
This phrase refers to the ground/land controlled by the people of the city of Gadara. The city of Gadara was probably small compared to cities of today, but was more important than the towns of that time. Use a word in your languages for a small city or large town.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

in the region of ⌊the city/town of⌋ Gadara
-or-
to the territory of Gadara (Good News Translation)

8:28c

He was met: The verb met probably means that the two men saw Jesus at a distance and then went to him. The verb met does not mean a planned meeting.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

came to him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
went to him
-or-
approached him

two demon-possessed men: The word demon-possessed refers to people who are controlled by demons. This same word occurs in 8:16a. You should translate it here as you did there.

the tombs: The word tombs refer to caves or small rooms that were cut out of a rock hillside. These tombs were the cemetery where people buried dead people. The two men may have lived in one of the tombs.

In some languages the usual word for “tombs” is not a place where someone is able to live. If that is true in your language, you may want to describe the burial place here. For example:

burial caves
-or-
cemetery caves

8:28d

They were so violent that no one could pass that way: This is general information about the two men. It does not refer only to when Jesus arrived.

violent: This word refers to people who always want to fight and hurt others.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

fierce (English Standard Version)
-or-
dangerous (New Century Version)

no one could pass that way: This clause indicates that no one was able to walk anywhere near the tombs, because the two men would come and attack them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

no one could go through that area (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

No one could travel along that road (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:43

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:28

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