SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 49

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:21

11:21–22

Verses 11:21–22 contain a figure of speech called apostrophe. In this figure of speech, Jesus spoke to the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida as if they were persons.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

• Keep the apostrophe as in the Berean Standard Bible.

21aWoe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! 21bFor if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, 21cthey would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

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

21aYou people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are in for trouble too! 21bIf the miracles that took place in your towns had happened in Tyre and Sidon, 21cthe people there would have turned to God long ago.

11:21a

Woe to you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Woe expresses a warning. It is a warning of God’s coming judgment and a call to people to change the way that they are living. Jesus knew that God would punish the people who lived in the town of Chorazin. They had seen Jesus do miracles, but most people did not believe in him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

How terrible it will be for you (Good News Translation)
-or-
Great trouble awaits you
-or-
It will be bad for you
-or-
God will punish you

Chorazin: The word Chorazin is the name of a town in the northern region of Galilee. (Notice that some English versions spell this word Korazin.) By naming the town, Jesus was speaking to the people of the town. These people were Jews. In some languages, it will be natural to make some of this information explicit. For example:

⌊people of⌋ Chorazin
-or-

⌊Jews who live in the town of⌋ Korazin

In some languages, it will be natural to put the town before the word “woe.” For example:

⌊People of⌋ Chorazin, woe to you!

Woe to you, Bethsaida!: The same words of woe are repeated for the Jewish town of Bethsaida. This is done to emphasize the woe to each of these two towns. If repeating the phrase Woe to you does not emphasize that phrase in your language, you may want to emphasize the phrase in another way. For example:

Chorazin and Bethsaida, you will certainly have trouble!

11:21b–c

For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes: This is a 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 towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida. It is implied that they did not repent. The second situation is a hypothetical situation: If Jesus had done those same miracles in the Gentile towns of Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented.

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

I did miracles in your towns, ⌊but you did not repent⌋. If, ⌊for example,⌋ I had done these same miracles in the towns of Tyre and Sidon, they would have put on sackcloth and ashes ⌊to show that⌋ they had repented.
-or-
I did miracles in your towns, ⌊but you did not repent⌋. Suppose that I had done these same miracles in the towns of Tyre and Sidon. ⌊They are not Jews, but⌋ they would have repented long ago. ⌊They would have shown their repentance⌋ by putting on sackcloth and putting ashes ⌊on their heads⌋.

11:21b

For: Verses 11:21b–22 explain the reason why Jesus warned the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida (in 11:21a). 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 towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida. It is implied that even though he did miracles there, the Jewish people in those towns 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 towns (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I did amazing deeds/acts in your towns, ⌊but you Jews did not repent⌋

had been performed in Tyre and Sidon: 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 towns of Tyre and Sidon. 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 Tyre and Sidon ⌊but they were not done⌋
-or-

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

in Tyre and Sidon: Tyre and Sidon were two towns where Gentile (non-Jewish) people lived. God had punished them for their sins. This happened about 700 years before Jesus was born. The Jews knew about this situation from Isaiah 23. So the Jews considered them bad people. But Jesus showed the Jews that they were even worse sinners than the people of Tyre and Sidon.

If it is not clear to your readers that the comparison is between Jews and Gentiles, you may want to:

• Include some implied information in the text. For example:

in ⌊the non-Jewish towns of⌋ Tyre and Sidon
-or-
in ⌊the Gentile/foreign towns of⌋ Tyre and Sidon

• Include a footnote. For example:

Chorazin and Bethsaida were Jewish towns. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile towns. Jesus was showing that the Gentiles were more likely to repent and believe in him than the Jews were.

11:21c

they would have repented long ago: This clause is another part of the hypothetical statement. The Gentile people in the towns of Tyre and Sidon would have repented long ago if they had seen Jesus’ miracles. They would not have waited to repent. But Jesus did not do miracles there, and the people did not repent.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they would have quickly repented
-or-
they would not have waited to turn from their sins

in sackcloth and ashes: This phrase indicates two ways that people at that time showed that they had repented. They wore an itchy cloth called sackcloth, and they put ashes on their heads.

The word sackcloth refers to a rough cloth made of animal hair and then made into clothing. Wearing such clothing was not comfortable because the cloth was scratchy. To add to their misery, people also either sat in ashes or they poured ashes on their heads.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Explain in the text that sackcloth and ashes were ways of showing they had sincerely repented. For example:

They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show they had changed. (New Century Version)
-or-
put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins! (Good News Translation)

• Explain this custom in a footnote. A sample footnote is:

The custom of those people at that time was to put on rough cloth and to sprinkle ashes on themselves. This showed that they had turned from their sins.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:23

12:23a

The crowds were astounded: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as astounded is an idiom. Its literal meaning is “stood outside ⌊themselves⌋.” The people were often surprised at Jesus’ miracles (as in 9:33b). This idiom indicates that they were even more surprised than normal.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

were astonished (New International Version)
-or-
were very surprised

In some languages, it may be natural to say what amazed the people. For example:

were very amazed ⌊by what Jesus did⌋
-or-

⌊This miracle⌋ really surprised the people

asked: The people probably spoke the following words to each other and not directly to Jesus. But they probably spoke them publicly because the Pharisees heard them (12:24a).

In some languages, it may be natural to make some of this information explicit For example:

said ⌊to one another⌋

12:23b

Could this be the Son of David?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and uncertainty. Jesus was not the type of Messiah that the people were expecting. However, he did things that only the Messiah could do. So the people were confused. They were not certain that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, but they were beginning to think that maybe he was. It was a surprising thought.

Here are some other ways to translate this surprise and uncertainty:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Is it possible that this man is the Son of David?

• As a statement. For example:

Perhaps this man is the Son of David! (New Century Version)

this: The word this refers to Jesus. Some languages may need a noun to go with the word this. For example:

this man (God’s Word)

the Son of David: This phrase is a title that the Jews used to refer to the Messiah. God had promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

the Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

-or-

the ⌊promised⌋ Son/Descendant of ⌊King⌋ David

In some languages, it may be helpful to add a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

God promised that one of King David’s descendants would be the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7, 11:1–5, Jeremiah 23:5). The Jews were expecting this promised person to come, and they referred to him by the title “Son of David.”

This phrase also occurs in 9:27b. You should translate it here as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:5

13:5a

Some: The word Some refers to another group of seeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Other seeds (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Some of the seeds

fell: Translate this verb as you did in 13:4b.

rocky ground, where it did not have much soil: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rocky ground refers to ground that has a layer of solid rock underneath. This kind of ground did not have much soil over the solid rock. It was shallow ground. This clause does not refer to soil and rocks mixed together.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

shallow soil with underlying rock (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊solid⌋ rock with a thin layer of soil
-or-
bedrock where there is only a little soil on top

it: The pronoun it refers to the seeds. In some translations, a pronoun here is not necessary. For example:

where there was little soil (God’s Word)

did not have much soil: The word soil refers to the kind of ground/earth where plants grow. In this situation, there was very little soil on top of the layer of rock.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

there wasn’t much dirt (New Century Version)

13:5b

It sprang up quickly: This clause refers to the seeds quickly sprouting and becoming plants.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The seeds soon sprouted (Good News Translation)
-or-
The plants came up quickly

It: As in 13:5a, the pronoun It refers to the seeds.

because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason why the seeds sprang up quickly.

Here is another way to translate this word:

because

the soil was shallow: The clause the soil was shallow has a similar meaning to “it did not have much soil” in 13:5a. It means that they (the seeds) did not have much soil in which to grow.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

the soil was not deep

General Comment on 13:5b

The clause “It sprang up quickly” is the result clause, and the clause “because the soil was shallow” is the reason clause here. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

Since the soil was shallow, the seeds sprang up quickly

-or-

The soil was shallow, so the seeds sprang up quickly

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:37

13:37

The One who sows: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as One is masculine. It refers to the man of 13:24c.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The man who sowed (Good News Translation)
-or-
The one who scattered (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The man who planted (New Century Version)

the good seed: You should translate this phrase in the same way as you did in 13:24c.

is: In this context, the word is indicates that the man in the parable represents Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

represents
-or-
is ⌊like⌋
-or-
is ⌊compared to⌋

the Son of Man: Here Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man. In some languages, it may be necessary to add the pronoun “I” to make it clear that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

⌊I,⌋ the Son of Man

This phrase also occurs in 12:40b. You should translate it here as you did there. For help in translating this phrase, see the note under 8:20b. See also Son of Man in Key Biblical Terms for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:11

14:11a

John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl: These clauses are passive. Here are some ways to translate them:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

The head was brought in on a plate and given to the girl (Good News Translation)

• Use active verbs. For example:

they brought it on a platter and gave it to the girl (New Century Version)

the girl: This refers to Herodias’ daughter. She was probably thirteen to eighteen years old. Use an expression in your language that applies to a young woman of that age.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

young lady
-or-
Herodias’ daughter

14:11b

who carried it to her mother: The daughter took the severed head to her mother, who was in another room, and gave it to her. Your translation should not imply that the mother was in the same room as the men. And your translation should not imply that the daughter kept the head. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

she went with ⌊the head⌋ to her mother ⌊and gave it to her⌋

-or-

she took ⌊the platter⌋ and went with it to her mother

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:7

15:7a

You hypocrites: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hypocrites literally refers to actors (in the theater). Figuratively it refers to people who pretend to be people that they are not. They say that they believe one thing, but they do something different from what they say. Or they appear religious or spiritual on the outside, but they do not have hearts that desire to please God.

In this context, Jesus was referring to Pharisees who said that they carefully followed the word of God. But in reality, they broke certain commandments.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

You who act like you obey God!
-or-
You pretend to be good.

This word first occurs in 6:2. It also occurs in 7:5.

15:7b

Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: In Greek, this clause is more literally: “Isaiah prophesied correctly concerning you saying…” Isaiah’s prophecy was God’s words to the religious hypocrites of that time. But the prophecy was also fitting for the religious hypocrites of Jesus’ time.

God gave the words in 15:8–9 to Isaiah, and Isaiah spoke them to the people. You may want to make it clear that God is speaking in 15:8–9. For example:

Isaiah’s prophecy really applies to you ⌊in which God⌋ said
-or-
Isaiah prophesied correctly about you. ⌊God’s words were:⌋

Isaiah: Isaiah is the name of a prophet. He lived many years before the time of Jesus.

prophesied: This verb means “spoke a message from God.” God told Isaiah something that only God knew, and Isaiah then told the people.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

spoke God’s message

-or-

proclaimed God’s words

In some languages, it may be more natural to change this verb to the noun “prophet” and a verb such as “spoke.” For example:

the prophet Isaiah spoke/said

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:39

15:39a

After Jesus had dismissed the crowds: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dismissed refers to telling the crowd go home. After the people ate as much as they wanted, Jesus told them to return to their homes. Your translation should not imply that Jesus was being rude or hostile toward the people.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

After he dismissed the crowd
-or-
Then Jesus sent the people ⌊home⌋
-or-
Then Jesus told the crowd of people to go home

This same word occurs in 15:32d.

15:39b

He got into the boat: The disciples probably got into the boat with Jesus. But they are not mentioned because Jesus is in focus here. In some languages, it may be necessary to make the disciples explicit. For example:

he got into the boat ⌊together with the disciples⌋
-or-
he ⌊and his disciples⌋ entered into a boat

the boat: The phrase the boat would normally refer to a boat that had previously been mentioned. This boat may be the same boat as in 14:33a. Or, it is possible that the boat belonged to one of the disciples.

Since no boat is mentioned in the immediate context, it is possible to simply say:

a boat (Good News Translation)

and went to the region of Magadan: The word Magadan probably refers to a small village. This clause indicates that Jesus entered the area that belonged to the people of Magadan.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

went to the area of Magadan (New Century Version)
-or-
came to shore near the town of Magadan (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

arrived at the land of ⌊the people of⌋ ⌊the town of⌋ Magadan

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:4

17:4a

Peter said to Jesus: In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that sometimes indicates a change of participants. Here the change is from the prophets to Peter. Some English versions translate this conjunction as “And.” The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions do not translate this conjunction.

Verse 17:4 is the next event in the story. So here are some other ways to begin this verse:

Then Peter said to Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
So Peter said to Jesus (NET Bible)

Lord: For help in translating the term Lord, see the note at 15:22c.

it is good for us to be here: There are at least three ways to interpret Peter’s words:

(1) Peter meant that he and the other disciples were happy to be there. They were happy to see the glory of Jesus. They were also happy to see the prophets Moses and Elijah. It was a privilege for them to be there. The New Living Translation (2004) probably follows this interpretation. It says:

it’s wonderful for us to be here

(2) Peter meant that it was good that he and the other disciples were there so that they could help Jesus and the prophets. The New Century Version probably follow this interpretation. It says:

it is good that we are here

(3) Peter meant that it was wonderful for all six men to be there together.

Many English versions are ambiguous and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Peter naturally thought about himself first and what he was experiencing. He first talked about what he thought and felt based on what he saw in front of him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we(excl.) are happy to be here
-or-
it is a privilege for us(excl.) to be here

us to be here: The pronoun us probably refers to Peter and the other two disciples. In other words, it probably excludes Jesus, Moses and Elijah. If your language has inclusive and exclusive pronouns, you should use the exclusive us here.

17:4b–c

If You wish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wish could also be translated “want” or “desire.” Peter used this phrase to offer his services to Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If you want (New Century Version)
-or-
If you desire

I will put up three shelters: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shelters refers to temporary shelters. These shelters were often made of cloth or animal skins. They were held up by poles and tied down with ropes. These shelters were traditionally used by herders. They could put them up and take them down quickly as they followed their wandering herds. They could sleep in them at night or use them for shade during the day.

These shelters could also be made from sticks and branches. This must have been what Peter meant since he would not have had cloth or skins with him on the mountain.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will make three tents here (English Standard Version)

-or-

I will erect three shelters/huts

put up: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put up is a general verb used to refer to building or constructing something. You should a verb in your language that goes with building/making temporary shelters.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

build

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:37

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:39

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:4

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