SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 36

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:2

Paragraph 11:2–6

11:2a

Meanwhile: Verse 11:2 begins a new paragraph. The Berean Standard Bible indicates the start of this new paragraph with the word Meanwhile.

John was already in prison in 4:12. It was while he was in prison that he heard about the teachings (chapters 5–7) and miracles of Jesus (chapters 8–9).

Here are some other ways to indicate that this new paragraph is beginning:

At that time
-or-
While these things were happening

John: The John that Matthew referred to here is John the Baptist, not the disciple named John. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

John the Baptist (Good News Translation)

heard in prison: The word prison refers to a building where the government puts people and locks them in so they cannot leave.

Here is another way to translate this word:

jail

People are usually in prison because they have broken the law. But John was in prison because King Herod was upset at his preaching. Your translation should not indicate that John had broken the law.

about the works of Christ: This clause refers to the teaching, preaching, and miracles that Jesus was doing in chapters 5–9.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

about the ⌊wonderful⌋ deeds that the Christ was doing
-or-
about the things that the Christ was doing ⌊and saying⌋

Christ: Here Matthew used the word Christ as a descriptive title for Jesus. Christ is not just a name for Jesus. It has meaning, and the meaning of the title is in focus in this context.

During the time when the New Testament was written, the Jews used the term “the Christ” or “the Messiah” to refer to the special person whom God had promised to appoint and send to them. They believed that when he came, he would save their nation from their enemies. He was to be their King, Redeemer, and Savior.

Note that Christ as a title means the same thing as “the Messiah.” Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. So when Christ is used as a title, some English versions translate it as “the Messiah” to clearly show that it is a title for Jesus, not his name.

Here are some other ways to translate Christ:

• Transliterate Christ and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:

the Kristi

• Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:

Karisiti, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the Savior whom God promised to send

• Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:

the Messiah
-or-
the Promised Deliverer
-or-
the Rescuer-King whom God sent

If you do not indicate the meaning of Christ in the text, you may want to include a footnote to explain the meaning of Christ. Or you may want to explain the meaning in a glossary. For example:

The word/title “Christ” refers to the King and Savior whom God had promised to send.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:24

12:4a

He entered the house of God: The phrase the house of God was a Jewish expression that could refer to either the tabernacle or the temple. Here it refers to the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a movable tent. It was the special worship place for the Jews before they built the temple. It was the place where Jewish people presented sacrifices to God and where God revealed his presence to them.

If your word for house is general enough to include the Jewish tabernacle, you may follow the Berean Standard Bible. If people in your area will think only of a permanent house, you may want to use your expression for the Jewish tabernacle.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the tent of ⌊worship to⌋ God
-or-
the worship place of God

the tabernacle

The term house of God refers not only to the tent of worship but also the courtyards around it. Since only priests were allowed to enter the tent, David probably entered only the courtyard and the priest gave him the bread there. If you feel that this detail is important here, you may want to include the implied information. For example:

He entered ⌊the court/courtyard of⌋ the house of God

and he and his companions ate: There is some implied information here:

(a) According to Luke 6:4 and 1 Samuel 21:1–6, David asked the priest for the bread, and the priest gave it to him. David did not steal the bread. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

⌊he was given⌋ the bread of the Presence and ate it
-or-

⌊he received⌋ the holy bread and ate it

(b) According to 12:4b, David’s men also ate the bread. David was not the only person to eat it. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit here. For example:

and he ⌊and his men⌋ ate

the consecrated bread: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the consecrated bread is more literally “the bread of the presentation.” It had this name because a priest presented/offered this bread to God by placing it on a table in the tabernacle. Every Sabbath the bread was replaced with fresh bread. Then, only the priests were allowed to eat the old bread. See Leviticus 24:5–9 and Exodus 25:30.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the bread offered to God (Good News Translation)
-or-
the bread that had been placed before God
-or-
the holy bread (New Century Version)

bread: The word bread refers to the main food of the Jewish people. It was the food they ate every day.

If bread is not known in your area, you can:

• translate this word with a general term. For example:

food

• use the name of the food that is eaten at most meals in your area, but only if the word can also be used in a general sense to refer to any food.

12:4b

which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests: The law of Moses did not allow anyone but/except priests to eat this special bread (Leviticus 24:9). It was against the law for David and his men to eat it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it was against the Law for them to eat it—only the priests were allowed to eat that bread. (Good News Translation)
-or-
The law did not allow anyone except the priests to eat it. David and his men were not allowed to eat it.
-or-
If not for the priests, the law did not allow anyone to eat this bread. He and his men were not allowed to eat it.

priests: The word priests refers to Jewish men who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Priests also performed other rituals for the people.

Here are some other ways to translate priests:

• Use a descriptive term that focuses on the function of priests. For example:

sacrificers
-or-
men who offer sacrifices to God
-or-
men who represent people to God

• Use a local word for priests. This option may be acceptable if the duties of local priests are similar to those of Jewish priests. You may need to indicate that the word refers to Jewish priests. For example:

Jewish people’s priests/sacrificers

If possible, you should choose a term that can be used in both Old Testament and New Testament contexts.

The word “priest” first occurs in 8:4b. See also how you translated “priest” in the phrase “chief priests” in 2:4. See also priest in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 12:4a–b

God was not angry with David or the priest who gave the bread to him. Instead, God is pleased when his people help others in need. This is the implied conclusion based on 12:7b. You may want to explain some of this in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The priest had mercy on David and gave him the bread. This broke the law that said that only the priests were permitted to eat that bread. But God was not angry with the priest or David. Instead God was happy that the priest had mercy on David, as 12:7 explains. The intent of the law is to be merciful toward poor and needy people and to help them when they are in need.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:36

12:36a

I tell you: The words I tell you emphasize the words that follow. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a phrase before Jesus’ statement. For example:

I say to you
-or-

⌊Listen carefully to⌋ what I say

• Include an emphatic word or phrase such as “certainly” within the following statement. For example:

people will certainly give account

men will give an account: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as give an account can also be translated as “explain” here. God will ask everyone why they have said careless words, and they will have to explain. You should use a verb that describes what a person does in court or before a tribunal when he is asked to explain his words/actions.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

people will have to explain
-or-
people will be required to tell ⌊God⌋ the reasons why they have said
-or-

⌊God⌋ will ask everyone to testify why they have said

on the day of judgment: The phrase day of judgment refers to the time when God will judge all people for the things they have said and done on earth.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

on the Judgment Day (Good News Translation)
-or-
on the day that ⌊God⌋ judges ⌊all people⌋

This phrase also occurs in 11:24b. You should translate it here as you did there.

12:36b

every careless word they have spoken: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as careless also means “useless.” God will not only judge and condemn evil deeds. He will also judge words that were spoken without thought as to whether they might hurt someone.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

every thoughtless word you speak (Revised English Bible)
-or-
every worthless word they speak (NET Bible)

-or-

every time they said something that they should not have said

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:18

Section 13:18–23

Jesus explained the parable of the man who sowed seeds

In this section, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable of the sower. As you translate this section, it is important to understand and remember the main elements in this parable and what they represent.

There are three main metaphors in this parable:

(a) The seed represents the message about the kingdom.

(b) The sowing of the seed represents telling the message to people.

The first type of soil is the soil along the path. This soil represents people whom Satan causes to forget the message of the kingdom. The second type of soil is the rocky soil. This soil represents people who initially accept the message, but when troubles or persecution happen to them, they quickly reject the message. The third type of soil is the thorny soil. This soil represents people who accept the message, but worries about daily living cause them to not do anything for God. Finally, the forth type of soil is the good soil. This soil represents people who hear and understand the message, and the message produces results in their lives.

In these verses, the Greek text sometimes keeps the metaphor and sometimes explains the meaning of the metaphor. For example 13:19c–d has: “the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” The words “snatches away what was sown” keep the metaphor of birds eating the grain that the farmer sowed. But the words “the evil one comes” explains the meaning of the metaphor of “birds” (13:4c).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus explained the parable of the four soils
-or-
The Parable of the Sower Explained (New Revised Standard Version)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 4:13–20 and Luke 8:11–15.

Paragraph 13:18–23

13:18

Consider, then, the parable of the sower: These words introduce Jesus’ explanation of the meaning of this parable. Be careful to translate this clause in a way that does not give the impression that Jesus was going to tell the parable again. He was going to explain the meaning of the parable.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Listen to what the story about the farmer means. (God’s Word)

-or-

So listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer. (New Century Version)

then: This word is a conjunction that can also mean “therefore.”

Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

So (New Jerusalem Bible)

the parable: For help in translating this word, see the note in 13:3a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:50

13:50a

This is the same clause as in 13:42a. Translate it in the same way.

them: This pronoun refers to the evil people. It does not refer to the righteous people. Make sure this is clear in your translation.

13:50b

This is the same clause as in 13:42b. Translate it in the same way.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:24

14:24a

but: There is some contrast between Jesus alone on the mountain praying and the disciples together in the boat being tossed by the waves. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but. Other versions use another word to begin this verse. For example:

and (Good News Translation)

Some English versions do not have a conjunction here. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary here either.

already: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as already indicates that two events were taking place at the same time. At the same time that Jesus was praying, the boat had traveled a long way from land.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Meanwhile (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
by now (New Jerusalem Bible)

far from land: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as far from land is literally “many stadia.” (The Revised Standard Version says “many furlongs.”) This distance was at least several hundred meters. So, if the boat sank in the storm, it would be very difficult for the disciples to swim to shore.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

far out in the lake (Good News Translation)
-or-
far away from land (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
hundreds of meters from land

14:24b

buffeted by the waves: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as buffeted in this context means “tossed about.” The waves were crashing against the boat and making it sway and pitch/bounce violently.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

was being tossed around by the waves (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
was being thrown around by the waves (God’s Word)

• Use an active verb. For example:

the waves were tossing/rocking the boat
-or-
the waves were swaying the boat

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because indicates that the following clause is the reason that the waves were tossing the boat. The waves were tossing the boat for/because the wind was blowing against them.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put the reason first. For example:

the wind was blowing against them, that is why the waves were tossing the boat
-or-
It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. (Contemporary English Version)

the wind was against it: This clause means that the wind was “blowing” against them or the wind was “blowing” in their face. The disciples were trying to row into the wind.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the wind was blowing against it (Good News Translation)

-or-

they were facing a strong wind

In Greek, this clause is literally “the wind was contrary.” There is no pronoun it. The Berean Standard Bible had added the pronoun it to make the sense more clear. This pronoun refers to the boat carrying the disciples.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:20

15:20a

These are: The word These is emphasized in Greek. This word refers back to the list in 15:19.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

It is those ⌊things/actions that⌋ are
-or-
Those are ⌊the things/deeds that⌋
-or-
It is because of those ⌊things/deeds⌋

what defile a man: The word defile is the same word as in 15:11a–b and 15:18b. You should translate this word the same way here as you did there. For example:

makes a person unclean
-or-
make you unfit to/before God

15:20b

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what defiles a man (20a) and what does not (20b). The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

In some languages, it is not necessary to use a conjunction to indicate the contrast. The context will show the contrast even without a conjunction.

eating with unwashed hands: The term unwashed hands refers to the ceremonial rinsing as in 15:2b. You should translate this term here in the same way that you did there. For example:

to eat without washing your hands as they say you should (Good News Translation)

-or-

to eat without ⌊following the correct way to⌋ wash the/your hands

General Comment on 15:17–20

In some languages, it will be more natural to use plural words like “people” or “men” rather than singular words like “person” or “man.” For example:

17 Do you not see that whatever food people eat goes into their stomachs and then into the sewer? 18 But the talk that comes out of peoples’ mouths comes from their hearts and defiles them. 19 Because out of peoples’ hearts come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, false witness, speaking evil things about people. 20 These are what defile people. But for people to eat with unwashed hands, this does not defile them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:13

Section 16:13–20

Peter declared that Jesus is the Christ

In this section, Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus agreed with Peter that he was the Messiah. But then he told the disciples that they must not yet tell this truth to other people. Jesus also described the community which he was creating—the church. And he told them that Peter would have a very important part in it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Peter’s Confession of Christ (New International Version)
-or-
Peter declared his belief that Jesus is the Messiah

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 8:27–30 and Luke 9:18–22.

Paragraph 16:13–16

The story in 16:13–16 began sometime after the story in 16:5–12 ended. The Greek text does not say how much time passed between these two stories. In some languages, it is natural to begin a story with a time word or phrase. If your language does that, use an expression here that is not too specific. For example:

Then

16:13a

When Jesus came: This clause implies that this story happened after Jesus and his disciples arrived near Caesarea Philippi (see map above). They were still on the journey which started when they crossed the Sea of Galilee (in 16:5).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When Jesus came ⌊with his disciples⌋
-or-
Then Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ arrived

to the region of Caesarea Philippi: The words Caesarea Philippi refer to a town in far northern Israel. The name of the town comes from the names of two men: Emperor Augustus Caesar and Herod Philip. Herod Philip had enlarged a small village there and named it after Caesar and himself. This town is different than the town of Caesarea located along the coast.

The phrase the region of Caesarea Philippi refers to the land around this town.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to the district of Caesarea Philippi (English Standard Version)
-or-
to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi (Good News Translation)
-or-
near the town of Caesarea Philippi (Contemporary English Version)

16:13b

Who do people say the Son of Man is?: This question is asking more than who Jesus’ parents were, where he grew up, or what his name was. Jesus knew that the people who saw him do miracles had an opinion about how he got such power. The disciples’ answer shows that the people believed that Jesus was John the Baptist or one of the prophets. Translate this question in a way that fits the answer in 16:14a–c.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Who do people think that the Son of Man is?

-or-

Who do people believe that the Son of Man is?

say: In this context the verb say refers to what the people thought or believed, as well as to what they said. In some languages it may be more natural to use a verb like “think” or “believe” here.

the Son of Man:
Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear 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 this phrase. This phrase last occurred in 13:41a.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:36

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:13

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