SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 34

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:27

15:27a

Yes, Lord: The woman used the word Yes to show that she agreed with Jesus. In some languages, it will be more natural to make this explicit. For example:

Lord, that’s true (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Yes, Lord, I know (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Sir, I agree

15:27b

even the dogs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even is used for emphasis. It emphasizes that those who were not children (that is, the dogs), were allowed to eat some of the children’s food.

Here is another way to translate this phrase is to begin it with “but.” For example:

but even dogs (Contemporary English Version)

eat the crumbs: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crumbs:

(1) It means crumbs. It refers to the small pieces of food that accidentally fall to the floor while eating. For example:

crumbs (New Living Translation (1996))

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (1996), New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New Century Version)

(2) It means leftovers or scraps of food. It refers to the pieces of food that are not eaten. For example:

the scraps (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the leftovers (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation makes the most sense in this context.

that fall from their master’s table: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as master’s is the same word that is usually translated “Lord.” Here it refers to the owners of the dogs. Use whichever term that is natural in this context.

In Greek, the word master’s is plural. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a singular word here, as the Berean Standard Bible does. In other languages, it may be natural to follow the Greek and use a plural word here. For example:

their masters’ table (English Standard Version)

In some cultures where food is not placed on a table to be eaten, it will be more natural to say:

that fall on the ground/floor when their owners are eating

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:20

16:20

He admonished the disciples: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as admonished means “commanded,” “ordered” or “warned.” For example:

Jesus ordered his disciples (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus warned his followers (New Century Version)

not to tell anyone that He was the Christ:
Jesus told the disciples not to tell anyone what Peter had said about him, even though it was true. It was not yet the right time for everyone to hear that he was the Messiah.

Jesus’s command is in indirect speech. It may be more natural in some languages to use direct speech. For example:

he warned his disciples not to say to anyone: “Jesus is the Christ.”

-or-

he warned his disciples: “Do not tell anyone that I am the Christ/Messiah.”

the Christ: The phrase the Christ is a title. It is not Jesus’s surname. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.”

This title also occurs in 16:16a. You should translate it the same way in both places.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:24

Section 17:24–27

Jesus taught about the temple tax

In this section, Jesus taught Peter an important lesson about his relationship to his heavenly father. He used a question about paying the temple tax to show Peter that both he and Jesus were sons of the Father. That meant that they really did not need to pay this tax. But Jesus did not want to offend people over this issue. So he did a miracle to provide the money to pay the tax.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Talks About Paying Taxes (New Century Version)

-or

Payment of the Temple Tax (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The Temple Tax (NET Bible)

Paragraph 17:24–27

17:24

After they had arrived in Capernaum: The pronoun they refers to Jesus and his disciples. The word Capernaum is the name of a town in the region of Galilee. In 17:22–23 Jesus and his disciples were somewhere in the region of Galilee. In this verse they arrived in the town of Capernaum.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When Jesus and his followers came to Capernaum (New Century Version)
-or-
Then Jesus and his disciples arrived in the town of Capernaum.

17:24b

the collectors: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the collectors refers to some officials in Capernaum. These particular officials were responsible for collecting the temple tax and sending it to Jerusalem.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the tax collectors (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
the men who collected (New Century Version)
-or-
certain men who receive/gather money

the two-drachma tax: This phrase refers to a tax that all adult Jewish men were required to pay. They paid this tax once a year. It was used to pay for the services and maintenance of the temple in Jerusalem.

A “drachma” was a Greek coin. It was made of silver. It had about the same value as a Roman denarius. It was worth the same as the wages for a farm worker for one day of work. This was likely an average wage at that time in Israel.

In this verse, the important idea is that this was a tax for the temple. The amount of the tax can be explained in a footnote. (See a sample footnote below.)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the temple tax (NET Bible)
-or-
the money for the temple
-or-
the money that each Jewish man paid each year for the temple

Here is a sample footnote:

In Greek, this “tax” refers to a sum of money equivalent to two day’s work. All adult Jewish men paid this tax once a year. The money was used to maintain the temple in Jerusalem.

came to Peter: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as came to also occurs in 17:7a. There the Berean Standard Bible translated this verb as “came over.” The translation of this verb depends on the storyteller’s point of view.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

went up to Peter (English Standard Version)
-or-
approached Peter

17:24c

Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?: This is a real question. In Greek, this question is stated in a way that expects a positive answer. In other words, the collectors seemed to believe that Jesus did indeed pay the temple tax, and they wanted to confirm that with Peter.

Here is another way to translate this question:

Your teacher pays the tax, does he not?

You should translate in such a way that the reader will know the collectors expected “Yes” for an answer.

your Teacher: This phrase refers to Jesus. Here, the word Teacher refers to a religious teacher. It was a polite way to refer to 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 is another way to translate this phrase:

your master

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:29

18:29a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates that 18:29 is the result of what the first servant did and said 18:28.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

When this happened
-or-
As a result

Some English versions do not translate this word. They allow the context to suggest the connection. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary here either.

This same conjunction occurs in 18:26a

his fellow servant: These words refer to the servant that owed a hundred denarii. Make sure that your translation refers to this second servant.

fell down: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have only the word that is translated as fell down. For example:

fell down before him (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have the word that is translated as fell down plus the phrase at his feet. For example:

fell at his fellow-servant’s feet (Revised English Bible)

(Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, God’s Word)

The majority of English versions follow the Greek texts that have only “fell down.” However, here you should do what is most natural in your language. In some languages, it may be more natural to include a phrase like “at his feet.” See the paragraphs below for more advice.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fell down is parallel to the phrase “fell on his knees” in 18:26a. It is not exactly the same in Greek, but it is close enough to be translated in a similar way.

This word indicates that the second man humbled himself before the first servant as he pleaded for mercy.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

knelt
-or-
fell to his knees (New International Version)
-or-
got down on his knees (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
threw himself down (NET Bible)

This word does not mean that the man tripped and fell.

begged him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as begged means “pleaded” or “asked urgently.” It is parallel to the word “implored” or “begged” in 18:26b. You may use the same translation here as you did there. For example:

begged him (New International Version)

18:29b

Have patience with me, and I will pay you back: In Greek, this sentence is almost exactly the same as 18:26b–c. (Here, this sentence does not include the word “everything” as in 18:26c.) You should translate it in almost the same way.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Be patient with me, and I will pay you ⌊what I owe⌋.
-or-

⌊Please,⌋ wait a while. I will return your money.

-or-

⌊My friend,⌋ ⌊please⌋ give me some more time, and I will give you your money.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:26

19:26a

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

looked at them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as looked at is the Greek word for “look” plus a suffix that intensifies it.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

looked directly/intently
-or-
looked straight (Good News Translation)

19:26b

With man this is impossible: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as With in this context means “on the part of” or “in relation to.”

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as man is plural and in this context refers to all people.

The word this refers to “being saved.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

As for people, they are not able to do this
-or-
This is something people cannot do (New Century Version)
-or-
It is impossible for people [to save themselves] (God’s Word)

In some languages, it may be necessary to say what people are saved from. As with 19:25b, “saved” here is equivalent to gaining eternal life and entering into the kingdom of Heaven. So the use of the verb saved implies saving from punishment and destruction. For example:

It is not possible for people to save themselves ⌊from punishment⌋

19:26c

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what is impossible for man to do and what is possible for God to do. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

with God all things are possible: The phrase with God is parallel to the phrase “With man” in 19:26b. Translate it in the same manner. For example:

as for God, all things are possible
-or-
God can do all things (New Century Version)

all things: In this context, the phrase all things refers to any deed. God can do anything he desires, including saving people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

all deeds
-or-
everything (Good News Translation)

-or-

anything

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:28

20:28a

just as: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as just as means “in just the same way as.” This word indicates that what follows in 20:28 is similar in some way to what precedes. Jesus said that his followers should serve others just as he came to serve others.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

even as (English Standard Version)
-or-
like (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it will be natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

In the same way (New Century Version)
-or-
It’s the same way with the Son of Man (God’s Word)

the Son of Man: Jesus used the phrase the Son of Man to refer to himself. In some languages, it may be necessary to add the pronoun “I” or “me” to show that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

⌊I,⌋ the Son of Man

In Matthew, this phrase first occurs in 8:20b. See the Note there for more information on translating it. This phrase last occurred in 20:18b.

did not come: The verb come refers to Jesus coming into the world. It does not refer to coming to the location near Jericho where he was when he spoke these words. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

came not ⌊into this world⌋
-or-
did not become ⌊a human being⌋

to be served: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates to be served is based on the same word used in 20:26c that means “servant.” This verb means “to be given assistance/help.”

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

to be served (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to be helped
-or-
to have servants

• Use an active verb in a purpose clause. For example:

so that others would serve him
-or-
so that people work for him/me
-or-
so that people be his servants/helpers

20:28b

but: This is the same contrasting conjunction as in 20:26b. It indicates a contrast between the negative clause “did not come to be served” (20:28a) and a positive clause “to serve” (here in 20:28b).

In some languages, it is more natural to use “rather” or “instead” here. In other languages, no conjunction is necessary (as in the New Century Version).

to serve: Some words from the previous clause are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of those words explicit. For example:

⌊he came⌋ to serve ⌊others/people⌋

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

to work for others
-or-
to help other people
-or-

⌊he came⌋ to be the servant of other people

20:28c

and to give His life: The phrase to give His life means “to die willingly for others” or “to voluntarily die to benefit others.” Jesus willingly and freely came to die as a sacrifice for people’s sins.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to give himself to be killed
-or-
to allow himself to be killed
-or-
to willingly die

as a ransom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ransom means “the price of release.” This kind of payment was made either (a) to free prisoners captured in war or (b) to free slaves. Similarly, Jesus gave his life in order to pay to free people from their sin. His death was the ransom that released or redeemed people from their sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as the way to buy/pay the freedom
-or-
to redeem (Good News Translation)
-or-
to rescue (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to free

for many: The phrase for many means “on behalf of many people.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

for the sake of many ⌊people⌋

-or-

so that many ⌊people⌋ ⌊may be saved⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:26

22:26a

So too the second and third: This clause is a short way of saying that the second and third brothers married the same woman, and before they had any children, they also died. If necessary you may include the implicit information to make it clear. For example:

Then the second brother also died without children. The third brother married her and the same thing happened to him.

22:26b

down to the seventh: This is a short way of saying that all seven brothers married the woman and didn’t have any children before they died.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

This continued with all seven of them. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:12-15

Paragraph 1:12–16

This paragraph contains the third group of fourteen names of men in the family line of Jesus.

1:12a

After the exile to Babylon: The phrase After the exile to Babylon refers to the time after the exile began. It does not mean “after the deportation/exile was over.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

After they were taken to Babylon (New Century Version)
-or-
After they were forced to go and live in Babylon

1:12c

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel: According to 1 Chronicles 3:19, Shealtiel was actually the grandfather of Zerubbabel. If your word for father means only the actual biological father, you may want to use another word here. For example:

Shealtiel was the grandfather of Zerubbabel. (New Century Version)

-or-

Shealtiel was the ancestor of Zerubbabel

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:12-15

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