SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 42

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:32

Paragraph 10:32–33

10:32a

Therefore: This paragraph is the conclusion to the previous verses about persecution. Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid of persecution. Therefore, they must not deny him in front of their persecutors.

Here are some other ways to introduce this conclusion:

So in conclusion
-or-
So (English Standard Version)

Introduce this conclusion in a natural way in your language.

everyone who confesses Me before men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as confesses means “acknowledge,” “admit” or “declare publicly.” In this context, this clause refers to publicly declaring that Jesus is the Savior and that he believes in Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Those who declare publicly that they belong to me (Good News Translation)
-or-
If you tell others that you belong to me (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
All those who stand before others and say they believe in me (New Century Version)

men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates men is general and refers to people.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

people
-or-
others

10:32b

I will also confess him: This clause refers to Jesus declaring that the person of 10:32a is his true follower. He belongs in heaven.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will do the same for them (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me. (New Century Version)

before: In this context, the word before refers to being physically in front of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

in the presence of (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
in front of (God’s Word)

My Father in heaven: This phrase refers to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

my heavenly Father
-or-
my Father who ⌊lives⌋ in heaven

-or-

my Father ⌊God⌋ in heaven

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:22

11:22a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the Jews’ thinking and Jesus’ thinking. The Jews thought that the Gentile people of Tyre and Sidon were evil, but Jesus indicated that the Jews were worse. The Greek indicates this contrast with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

But ⌊even though they were bad⌋
-or-
But ⌊even though they never repented⌋
-or-

⌊You may think that they were very evil people⌋ but

I tell you: The words I tell you emphasize the following words. This expression is less strong than “Truly, I tell you” (in 8:10c).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I say to you that
-or-
think about this
-or-
listen

This phrase also occurs in 11:9c and 8:11a. You should translate it here as you did there.

11:22b

it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you: This clause compares the suffering of two groups of people. The Gentiles of the towns of Tyre and Sidon will suffer. And the Jews of the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida will suffer. But the suffering of the Gentile people from Tyre and Sidon will be more bearable than the suffering of the Jews from Chorazin and Bethsaida. This means that the Gentiles from those towns will suffer less than the Jews. God will punish them less than he will punish the Jews from those two towns.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

on the Judgment Day it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than for you (New Century Version)
-or-
on Judgment Day, ⌊God⌋ will punish ⌊the people of⌋ Tyre and Sidon less than he will punish you
-or-
on Judgment Day, the punishment that ⌊God⌋ will give you will surpass the punishment of Tyre and Sidon

the day of judgment: This phrase 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:

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

-or-

at the time when ⌊God⌋ judges ⌊everyone⌋

This phrase also occurs in 10:15b. You should translate it the same in both places.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:24

12:24a

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what the people were starting to believe about Jesus (in 12:23b), and what the Pharisees believed about him. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

Here is another way to introduce this contrast in English:

However

when the Pharisees heard this: The word this refers to what the people were saying/asking about Jesus (12:23b).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when the Pharisees heard that
-or-
when the Pharisees heard those words
-or-
when the Pharisees heard what the people were saying

they said: The words that the Pharisees said in 12:24b were not said directly to Jesus, because 12:25a says that Jesus knew their thoughts. They probably spoke the following words to each other and to some of those who were wondering if Jesus might be the Messiah. If it is natural in your language to say who was spoken to, use a phrase that does not include Jesus. For example:

said to each other (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
they said ⌊among themselves⌋

12:24b

Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons: In this clause, the Pharisees accused Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul (Satan) to cast demons out of people. This was a charge of sorcery.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He forces out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people (New Century Version)
-or-
Beelzebul, the prince of demons, gives him power. That is why he is able to cast out demons.

Beelzebul: This word refers to Satan. The Jews sometimes used this name instead of Satan to refer to the devil.

There is a spelling issue here. Some English versions spell this word “Beelzebul” (as in the Berean Standard Bible). Other English versions spell this word “Beelzebub” (as in the New International Version). You should follow the spelling of the major language version in your area.

If people in your area will not understand that Beelzebul refers to Satan, you may want to:

• Include a footnote explaining Beelzebul. Here is a sample footnote:

Beelzebul is a name that the Jews sometimes used for Satan.

• Use the name “Satan” rather than Beelzebul. For example:

No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons. (New Living Translation (2004))

prince: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as prince also has a general sense that means “ruler.” The English term “prince” often implies a “secondary ruler under a king.” But in this context the Greek word refers generally to any ruler.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

ruler (Good News Translation)
-or-
chief

demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demons refers to the same type of spirits as the Greek words that are often translated as “evil spirits” or “unclean spirits.” These evil spirits can control peoples’ actions and can make them sick.

Here are some other ways to translate demons:

• Use a word in your language that refers to a spirit that is evil and can control people. Do not use a word that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

evil/bad spirits
-or-
spirits that do evil

-or-

spirits that oppose God

See also demon in the Glossary for more information.

this man: The Greek text is literally “this (one).” It is likely the Pharisees said “this one” to show that they despised Jesus. You may want to translate this phrase with a term that shows that they disliked or despised Jesus. For example:

this fellow

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:6

13:6a

But: There is something unexpected here. The seeds sprouted quickly (13:5b), but the plants did not live long (13:6). The Berean Standard Bible indicates this unexpected event with the conjunction But.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a different conjunction or a phrase here. For example:

Then

In other languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

When the sun came up

when the sun rose: This clause refers to the hottest part of the day. This was some hours after sunrise. Here this clause does not refer to soon after sunrise. It may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

when the sun rose ⌊high in the sky⌋
-or-
when the sun became hot

the seedlings were scorched: The word scorched also means “burned.” This word indicates that the heat from the sun caused the plants to become dry and brown.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the plants were dried by the sun

• Use an active verb. For example:

the sun burned the plants

• Use another type of verb. For example:

the plants soon wilted (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the plants drooped

13:6b

they withered: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withered means “became dry.” When a plant becomes dry, its leaves shrink and turn brown, and the plant dies.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the plants dried up (New Century Version)
-or-
they died (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they withered/shriveled

because they had no root: The phrase had no root exaggerates the fact that the plants had few roots. The plants did not have deep enough roots to live under the hot sun. The roots could not grow down past the rock to find water. In some languages, it may be more natural not to exaggerate here. For example:

because they did not have deep roots (New Century Version)
-or-
since their roots could not go deep
-or-
they did not have enough roots

root: The word root is singular, but refers to any number of roots here. In some languages, it may be more natural to use the plural “roots” here.

General Comment on 13:6b

The clause “because they had no root” is the reason clause. The clause “they withered” is the result clause. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

And since they had no root, they withered away. (English Standard Version)

-or-

and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:38

13:38a

The field is the world: The field in the parable represents the earth, the place where all people live.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The field represents the earth
-or-
The field is ⌊like⌋ the world

13:38b

the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom: The phrase sons of is a Hebrew idiom that means “the people who belong to.” It refers to both men and women who belong to God’s kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The good seeds are those who belong to the kingdom. (God’s Word)
-or-
the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the good seed is ⌊like⌋ the people who have submitted to ⌊God’s⌋ rule

13:38c

The weeds are the sons of the evil one: As in 13:38b, the phrase sons of means “the people who belong to.” The weeds represent the people who belong to the evil one. The evil one is another name for Satan.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The weeds represent the people who follow Satan

weeds: This is the same word that occurs in 13:25b. You should translate it here as you did there. For example:

weed ⌊seeds⌋
-or-

⌊seeds of⌋ bad plants

-or-

⌊poisonous⌋ weed ⌊seeds⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:12

14:12a

John’s disciples: This phrase refers to John’s disciples. In the same way that Jesus had disciples who followed him and learned from him, John the Baptist also had disciples who followed him and learned from his teachings. John’s disciples are first mentioned in 9:14a. This term also occurs in 11:2b.

In some languages, it may be natural to add some implied information at the beginning of this verse. For example:

Later, John’s disciples (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊When⌋ John’s disciples ⌊heard about his death⌋
-or-

⌊When⌋ John’s disciples ⌊heard what had happened⌋

came and took: John’s disciples came/went to the prison and probably asked for permission to take the body. Your translation should not imply that they came and took the body secretly.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

came and got his body (New Century Version)

buried it: In Mark 6:29, John’s disciples buried his body in a proper burial place. Your translation here should imply a proper burial.

14:12b

And they went and informed Jesus: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

Then they went and told the news to Jesus. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:8

15:8a

These people: When Isaiah originally spoke these words, the phrase This people referred to the Jewish people of that time. Jesus said that the Pharisees were also the people whom Isaiah had spoken about.

In some languages it may be natural to translate this phrase as:

You (plur.) people
-or-
All of you (Contemporary English Version)

honor Me with their lips: The phrase honor Me with their lips is a figure of speech called a metonymy. In this figure of speech, the phrase their lips stands for “their words.” This means that the Pharisees honored/praised God with their words.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Substitute a similar figure of speech. For example:

praise me with their mouths

• Omit the figure of speech and express the meaning directly. For example:

honor me when they talk
-or-
show honor to me with words (New Century Version)

This clause indicates that the honor is hypocritical. If people in your area will think that the honor is real, you may want to add some implied information. For example:

⌊pretend to⌋ honor me with their words

me: Jesus was quoting from the book of Isaiah, which was quoting the words of God. So the pronoun me refers to God. In some languages it may be necessary to use indirect speech in order to make this clear. For example:

⌊in which God⌋ said that those people honored him with their lips/words

15:8b

their hearts: In the New Testament, the word heart refers to the mind, emotions, and will of a person. It refers to the part of a person that he uses to think, feel, and make decisions.

In some languages people refer to this part of a person as the thoughts, mind, throat, liver, or stomach. They are not referring literally to that physical part of the body.

Your language may use a word other than the heart to talk about the center of emotions. In that case, you should use that word instead of “heart.”

are far from Me: The words far from me are a figurative expression that means that the people had turned away from God. They had turned away in the following ways:

(a) They turned away with their minds and so they did not think of God.

(b) They turned away with their will and so they did not obey God.

In your translation, try to find an expression that implies or suggests all of these things.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

but their minds/livers/stomachs are far from me
-or-
but in their hearts/throats/thoughts, they have turned away from me

-or-

but they do not mean what they say

If one term expresses only part of the meaning, you may be able to use a combination of terms. For example:

they do not truly love me or think about me

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:1

Section 16:1–4

The Jewish leaders tested Jesus

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two groups of Jewish leaders who were often opposed to each other. Here, they joined together to test Jesus. They tested him by asking him to do a certain kind of miracle that would prove that God had sent him. This kind of miracle was called a “sign.”

Jesus rebuked them for asking for a sign. He said that the only sign that they would see would be like what happened to Jonah. Jonah was in a big fish for three days. Then God caused the fish to vomit Jonah onto land alive. Similarly, Jesus would be in the grave for three days. Then God would cause him to be alive again. This would prove that God had sent him.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The leaders ask for a miracle
-or-
The Demand for a Sign

There is a parallel passage for this section in Mark 8:11–13. There is a parallel passage for 16:2–3 in Luke 12:54–56.

Paragraph 16:1–4

In this paragraph, the Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus. They tested him by asking him for a sign to prove that he was from God.

16:1a

Then: This is the beginning of a new story. The Greek introduces this story with a word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then. Most English versions do not translate this word. In your translation, use a natural way to begin a new story. For example:

There were
-or-
Then

the Pharisees and Sadducees came: This clause means that “some” Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. It does not mean that all of them came. Only some came representing both groups.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

Some Pharisees and Sadducees…came (Good News Translation)

Pharisees: The word Pharisees last occurred in 15:12b. You should translate it here as you did there.

Sadducees: Use the same term here as you used in 3:7a.

came: The Greek text does not indicate where the Pharisees and Sadducees came from. It also does not indicate where Jesus was when they came to him. In your translation, do not try to make these things explicit.

16:1b

and tested Jesus: In this context, the word tested means “tried to trick/trap” so that he would fail. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted Jesus to fail to show that he was from heaven. If (or when) he failed, they could declare that he was not from God. Their purpose was to discredit Jesus so that people would not listen to him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

wanting to trick him (New Century Version)
-or-
wanted to trap him (Good News Translation)

by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven: Here the word sign refers to a special miracle that shows a particular truth. The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to do a miracle to show that he truly came from heaven/God. They did this because they did not believe that he could actually prove that he came from God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

by asking him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
they asked him to show them a miracle from God (New Century Version)
-or-
they asked him to do a miracle to show/prove that God ⌊had sent him⌋

from heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can mean either:

(a) sky – the space above the earth where birds fly, or

(b) heaven – the place where God lives.

If you can, use a word that means both sky and heaven. If you must make a choice, choose (b) heaven. Here, the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to see something that showed that Jesus came from “heaven/God.”

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ request more explicit. For example:

from God (New Century Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:38

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:1

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