SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 51

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:27

14:27a

But: In this verse, Jesus corrected the disciples’ thinking. They thought that they were seeing a ghost. Here he told them that they were wrong. He was not a ghost. The thing that they were seeing was Jesus himself. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this correction with the conjunction But.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate it either.

14:27b

Take courage: This phrase is an idiom. Jesus used this idiom to calm the disciples and encourage them. You should use an expression in your language that people commonly use when trying to calm someone. Some languages use a different idiom for this.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Calm yourselves
-or-
It’s okay
-or-
Do not worry

See how you translated this phrase in 9:2c–d or 9:22a.

It is I: In this clause Jesus was identifying himself. The pronoun I is emphasized in the Greek.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I am here (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

I am Jesus (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:23

15:23a

But: We would expect Jesus to respond to the woman’s request, but he did not.

Here is another way to introduce this unexpected response:

However

In some languages, it is not necessary to have a conjunction here. For example:

Jesus did not say a word. (Contemporary English Version)

Jesus did not answer a word: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as answer indicates that Jesus did not respond to the woman. She did not ask Jesus a question. So, in some languages, a verb like “respond” is more natural here. For example:

he did not reply
-or-
Jesus gave her no reply (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus did not say a word to her. (Good News Translation)

Jesus did respond to her later in 15:28. So here he was probably testing her faith or persistence. In some languages, it may be natural to say:

⌊At first,⌋ Jesus did not reply

15:23b

There is some implied information here. The disciples’ request indicates that the woman continued begging Jesus to have pity on her. In some languages, it may be natural to make this more explicit. For example:

But the woman kept following along and shouting (Contemporary English Version)

His disciples came: The disciples were already with Jesus. They did not come to him from a distance. In this context, the word came means that they approached Jesus to speak to him. Your translation should not imply that they came from a distance.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

his disciples came ⌊near⌋ to him
-or-
they approached him

and urged Him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as urged also means “asked” or “begged.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

and asked him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
pleaded with him (New Jerusalem Bible)

15:23c

Send her away: The disciples used these words to politely ask Jesus to tell the woman to leave.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Tell her to go away (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊Please⌋ send her away
-or-

⌊Lord,⌋ dismiss her

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that the disciples want Jesus to send the woman away.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

because
-or-
The reason is that

In some languages, it is more natural to begin a new sentence without using a conjunction. For example:

She keeps shouting behind us. (God’s Word)

she keeps crying out after us: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as keeps crying out means “keeps shouting” or “keeps calling out with a loud voice.” (This same word occurs in 15:22b). It does not mean “was weeping.”

The word after implies that the woman was following Jesus and his disciples on the road. She continued to follow them and shout for Jesus to pity her. In some languages, it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

She is following us and shouting (New Century Version)

General Comment on 15:23c

In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of the two clauses in 15:23c. For example:

She is following us and shouting, ⌊so⌋ send her away!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:16

16:16a

Simon Peter answered: Peter was named Simon at birth. When Jesus first met Simon (John 1:42), he gave him the new name of Peter.

In some languages, it may not be clear that Simon Peter refers to one person who uses two names. In those languages, you may need to make that clear in the translation. For example:

Simon ⌊also called⌋ Peter

You are the Christ: The word Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” “Messiah” refers to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The words Christ and Messiah have the same meaning.

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:

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

Some of you will not include the meaning of Christ in the text. In that case, 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 promised to send.

The word Christ first occurs in 1:1a. It also occurs in 11:2a. You should translate it here as you did there.

16:16b

the Son of the living God: The phrase “the Son of God” was a title that Jews often used to refer to a coming savior who would be a descendant of King David. This person was also called the “Messiah” or “Christ.” This title also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God.

See how you translated the phrase “the Son of God” at 4:3b. For further information on translating this title, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.

the living God: Jews used this phrase to refer to the true God. It showed that they were not talking about false gods and idols who do not have life. It was a common way to refer to God in the Old Testament.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the alive God
-or-
God, the living one

-or-

the God who is alive

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:20

17:20a

Because you have so little faith: Some words from 17:19b are implied here but not repeated. The complete sentence would be:

⌊You could not cast it out⌋ because you have so little faith.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as little faith describes the kind of faith the disciples had. They did not believe very strongly or with confidence.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

It is because you don’t have enough faith! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Because your faith is too small. (New Century Version)
-or-
Because your faith/trust is lacking.
-or-
Because you do not believe/trust ⌊in God⌋ enough.

Jesus also used the expression “little faith” in 14:31b. You should translate these two expressions in a similar way.

He answered: In 17:20a, Jesus began to answer the disciples’ question. So, in some languages, it may be more natural to use the verb “said” instead of answered. For example:

He said to them (English Standard Version)

17:20b

For: In 17:20b–c, Jesus explained why he said that the disciples had little faith. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For. Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. They let the context indicate the connection instead. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

truly I tell you: Jesus often used these words to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. When he began a statement with these words, he was asking people to listen with extra attention.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

I assure you (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.

This clause first occurs in 5:18a. You should translate it here as you did there.

17:20c

if you have faith the size of a mustard seed: This is a type of comparison called a simile. In this simile, Jesus compared effective faith to a mustard seed. They are similar in that both can be small, and both can do mighty things. Even a small amount of true faith can move mountains. (For help in translating the term mustard seed, see the note below.)

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

• Make explicit the way faith and mustard seed are similar. For example:

if you have faith as small as a mustard seed (New International Version)
-or-
if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a generic word for mustard seed. For example:

if you have faith, even if it is as small as the smallest seed

a mustard seed: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a mustard seed can also be translated simply as “a grain of mustard seed” (as in the English Standard Version). To Jewish people, the mustard seed was a symbol of smallness.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use your word for seed and transliterate the word mustard according to the sounds of your language. For example:

a musutarade seed
-or-
a seed of ⌊the plant/tree called⌋ mutar

• Use a generic phrase. For example:

a tiny seed

• Use the name of a local seed that is known to be very small, but grows into a tree. If you use this option, you may want to indicate the literal name in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The Greek text is literally “a mustard seed.”

The phrase mustard seed also occurs in 13:31b–c. You should translate it the same way in both places.

17:20d

you can say to this mountain: This is an example of the small (but effective) faith of 17:20c. In Greek, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as can say is future. It is as if Jesus were predicting that the disciples were going to say this at some time. But the context indicates that Jesus was implying that the disciples could move the mountain if they needed to. Use words which show that moving a mountain is an example. For example:

you can say to this mountain (New International Version)
-or-
you might ⌊for example⌋ say to this mountain
-or-
you could ⌊possibly⌋ tell this mountain

this mountain: This phrase probably refers to the mountain where Jesus had just been with his disciples. It is the mountain where his appearance had changed in front of them.

So you should translate this phrase as “this/that mountain.” You should not translate this phrase as “a mountain.”

17:20e

Move from here to there: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Move means to change position from one place to another. This word does not imply repeated movement back and forth.

The words from here to there indicate movement from a near place to a far place.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Leave from here and go over there.
-or-
Leave this place and go there.

In some languages, it will be more natural to use indirect speech here. For example:

to move from here to there

and it will move: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and it will do it
-or-
and it would obey you

17:20f

Nothing will be impossible for you: This clause indicates that, if the disciples have even a tiny bit of faith, there is nothing that they cannot do. They will be able to do anything.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

There is nothing that you will not be able to do.
-or-
There is nothing that you cannot do.

-or-

All things will be possible for you. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:25

18:25a

Since the man was unable to pay: This clause is the reason for the result in the next clause. Because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Because he was not able to repay it (NET Bible)
-or-
He couldn’t pay, so… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He was not able to reimburse the money

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this clause after the result clause in 18:25b. For example:

25bHis master ordered him to be sold 25abecause he could not pay what he owed.

was unable to pay: The verb was unable to pay implies that he did not pay because he did not have enough money.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

the servant did not have enough money to pay (New Century Version)

18:25b

the master: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as master refers to someone who has authority. It is the same word that English versions usually translate as “lord.” Here it refers to the king.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

his master (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the king (Good News Translation)
-or-
the chief

ordered that he be sold: This clause means that the king ordered the man to be sold as a slave. This was common practice in Jesus’ time. Often this happened after people were captured in war. Sometimes a person sold himself as a slave in order to provide money for his family. Here, the king apparently intended to sell the servant both to get some of his money back and to punish the servant.

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

ordered him to be sold as a slave (Good News Translation)

The verb be sold is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

ordered that he should be sold

• Use an active verb. For example:

ordered his officials to sell him

In some languages, it may also be natural to use direct speech here. For example:

The master said, “Sell him as a slave.”

Selling people as slaves may be strange or unknown to your readers. So you may wish to add a footnote to explain it. Here is a sample footnote:

The king intended to sell the servant to someone else as a slave. This would punish the servant and also bring in some money to pay off his debt.

to pay his debt: This phrase means that the money from the sale of the servant, his family and all his possessions would be given to the king to pay his debt.

In Greek the verb is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

and payment to be made (King James Version)
-or-
so that his debt would be paid
-or-
so that the money would be reimbursed

• Use an active verb as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

to pay the debt (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then the money would be used to pay the king what the servant owed. (New Century Version)

18:25c

along with his wife and children: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as along with is the same conjunction that is often translated as “and.” It is used to join all the items in this list. This indicates that even his family would be sold to pay the debt.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

and his wife and children

and everything he owned: This phrase refers to all the things that he owned.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

and all his possessions

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:22

19:22a

When the young man heard this: The word this refers to Jesus’ words in 19:21.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When the young man heard these/those words
-or-
When he heard this/that

he went away in sorrow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in sorrow refers to an ongoing, deep grieving.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he went away grieving (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
he left and he was very sad

19:22b

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason why the young man went away sad.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

for (English Standard Version)
-or-
The reason was that

he had great wealth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as great wealth refers to a large number of things that the young man owned. Possessions are things like money, land, houses, clothing, etc.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he had many possessions (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he was very rich (Good News Translation)

-or-

he owned many things

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:24

Paragraph 20:24–28

20:24a

When the ten heard about this: Somehow, the other ten disciples heard/learned that James’ and John’s mother had asked Jesus to give them places of special honor. The text does not indicate who told them, or how they heard about it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When the ten heard it (English Standard Version)
-or-
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked (New Living Translation (2004))

the ten: This phrase refers to the other ten disciples. In some languages, it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

the other ten disciples (Good News Translation)

20:24b

they were indignant: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as indignant means “angry.” Matthew uses it in two other places to describe inappropriate anger (21:15 and 26:8). The other disciples were upset that James and John were trying to get ahead of them. They were angry because they were jealous.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

became angry (Good News Translation)

-or-

very upset/annoyed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:22

Paragraph 22:22

22:22a

When they heard it: The pronoun they refers to the Herodians and the disciples of the Pharisees. These men had come to try and trap Jesus (22:16). The pronoun it refers to Jesus’ answer. It is possible to make both these explicit. For example:

when the people questioning him heard his answer

they marveled: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as marveled also means “amazed” or “surprised.” It indicates that they were impressed with his answer. They had tried to trap him, but he successfully avoided the trap. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

they were amazed (New Century Version)
-or-
They were were surprised (God’s Word)

22:22b

And they left him and went away: The two verbs left and went away mean much the same thing. It could perhaps be understood as first stopping their conversation (“they left him”) and then leaving the area (“and went away”). If using both verbs together is not natural, you may combine them. For example:

And they went away (New Living Translation (2004))

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:22

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