SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 52

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:44

22:44

Verse 22:44 is a quote from Psalm 110:1.

22:44a

The Lord said to my Lord: In this quotation, the first Lord refers to the Lord God. The second Lord refers to the Christ, the son/descendant of David.

Some English versions try to show the difference by:

• Capitalizing all letters in the first Lord. For example:

The Lord said to my Lord (New Living Translation (2004))

• Using a small letter “l” in the second Lord. For example:

The Lord said to my lord (NET Bible)

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

The Lord ⌊God⌋ said to my Lord

22:44b

Sit at my right hand: The Greek phrase that the English Standard Version translates as at your right hand means “on my right side.” It refers to the most important position next to the king.

Here are some another ways to translate this phrase:

Sit at my right side (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand (NLT04)

This is the same concept as in 20:23b. However, here it is a command. Translate it in a similar way.

22:44c

until I put your enemies under your feet: There is a textual issue here:

Some Greek manuscripts have the phrase under your feet. For example:

until I put your enemies under your feet (New International Version)

(New International Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible)

Other Greek manuscripts have the phrase footstool of/for your feet. For example:

until I make your enemies into a footstool for you (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option #1. The UBS Handbook Greek New Testament does not even list option #2.

until I put your enemies under your feet: This is figurative language. When an enemy was defeated but not killed, he was brought to the conqueror. The defeated enemy was then forced to bow down, and the victor placed his foot on the enemy’s neck. This showed that the enemy was now subject to the victor (see Joshua 10:24). Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

until I put your enemies under your control (New Century Version)

-or-

until I humble your enemies beneath your feet (New Living Translation (2004))

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:8

2:8a

And: This verse begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And. In some languages, it may be natural to begin 2:8 with a conjunction to show that this was the next thing that Herod did. For example:

Then (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Next

sending them to Bethlehem, he said: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sending them to Bethlehem, he said indicates that the sending and saying occurred at the same time.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

As he sent them to Bethlehem, he said (God’s Word)
-or-
Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions (Good News Translation)

Another way to translate sending them is to put it at the end of 2:8. For example:

8aHe said ⌊to them⌋, 8b“Go ⌊to Bethlehem⌋ and make a careful search for the child. 8cAs soon as you find him, report to me, 8dso that I too may go and worship him.” 8aThen he sent them away.

2:8b

search carefully: The phrase search carefully indicates that Herod wanted them to make sure that they had found the right child.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Look carefully (New Century Version)
-or-
search diligently (English Standard Version)

Child: This word Child refers to a young child, but in this context probably not a baby. Use a term for a child around two years old or younger.

2:8c

report to me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as report to me refers to telling someone about something or someone. Also, it is implied Herod wanted the wise men to return to him and then tell him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

come back and tell me (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊return here and⌋ inform me
-or-
bring me word (English Standard Version)

2:8d

so that I too may go and worship Him: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that indicates the purpose for the wise men to tell Herod where the child was. Herod wanted them to report to him in order that he too could go and worship the child. This was what he said.

Herod lied about wanting to worship the child. He really wanted to find him so that he could kill him. If people in your area will think that Herod was truthful about going and worshiping the child, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

“…so that I too may go and worship him.” ⌊He said this deceitfully/lying.⌋

-or-

⌊Then he lied saying,⌋ “⌊Then⌋ I too will go and worship him.”

worship: See the note on 2:2c and translate this word as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:17

3:17a

The Greek of 3:17a begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It is the same Greek word that occurs in 3:16b. This word indicates another unexpected and extraordinary event: a voice from heaven spoke. The Berean Standard Bible omits this word.

Here are some ways to translate this word:

behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
Suddenly
-or-

⌊And just as⌋ unexpectedly

In some languages, it is not necessary to translate this word.

a voice from heaven said: The word voice is used figuratively here. It stands for the words that were spoken or the person who spoke the words. In this case, the voice was the voice of God. God spoke from heaven. The words that follow in 3:17b are what God said about Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Someone spoke from heaven and said
-or-

⌊God⌋ spoke from heaven and said
-or-

⌊God⌋ who was in heaven spoke. He said

heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives. See how you translated this word in 3:2.

3:17b

This is My beloved Son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as This is My beloved Son is literally “This is my son the beloved.” The words “the beloved” indicate here that Jesus was God the Father’s one and only dear son. This phrase does not imply that God has other sons whom he did not love.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

This is my own dear Son (Good News Translation)
-or-
This is my dearly-loved Son (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
This ⌊person⌋ is my son. I love him.

My…Son: The phrase My…Son describes the relationship that Jesus had with God the Father. “The Son of God” or “God’s Son” is a title that was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title “the Son of God” also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title “the Son of God” in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

my Child

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “my male child,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

in whom I am well pleased!: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I am well pleased means, “I am delighted” or “I am very pleased/satisfied.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He makes me very happy/pleased.
-or-
in him I take great delight (NET Bible)

-or-

he makes my heart glad

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:7

5:7a

Blessed are: For help in translating the word Blessed, see the note at 5:3a.

the merciful: The phrase the merciful refers to people who have or show “mercy” or “pity” toward other people. Here “mercy” means:

(a) to show compassion to those who suffer or are in physical need

(b) to refrain from punishing someone for the wrong he has done

This phrase includes both compassionate feelings and compassionate actions.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who show mercy (God’s Word)
-or-
those who are merciful to others (Good News Translation)
-or-
the people who show pity/love/sympathy to other people
-or-
those who are kind to others

5:7b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that “the merciful” are blessed. They are blessed because they will receive mercy. For example:

because God will show mercy to them (New Century Version)

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

They will be treated mercifully. (God’s Word)

In other languages, it will be more natural to put 5:7b before 5:7a. For example:

Those who are merciful will receive mercy, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.
-or-

⌊God⌋ will be merciful to those who are merciful ⌊to others⌋, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

they will be shown mercy: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as will be shown mercy means that people who are merciful to others will receive mercy from God. He is the one who will show mercy to them. He will pity them and help them in their suffering and physical needs.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

because God will show mercy to them (New Century Version)
-or-
God will be merciful to them! (Good News Translation)

-or-

God will show pity/love/sympathy to them

Here this phrase does not mean that if someone is merciful to people, those people will show mercy to him in return.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:39

5:39–42

As mentioned above, Jesus’ teaching went beyond forbidding retaliation. Jesus taught that a disciple must show love to a person who mistreats him by doing good to him. Verses 5:39–42 talk about four different situations in which to do this. In the first three cases, a disciple is to show love by doing even more than the unjust person demands.

5:39a

But I tell you: The clause But I tell you also occurs in 5:22a, 5:28a, 5:32a, and 5:34a. Translate it here as you did there.

not to resist an evil person: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resist:

(1) It means resist or oppose. According to this interpretation, Jesus’ teaching went beyond forbidding retaliation. Jesus taught that his followers must even be willing to accept mistreatment from evil people. For example:

not to oppose an evil person (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It means retaliate or take revenge. According to this interpretation, Jesus was saying that his followers must not retaliate or seek revenge. For example:

do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

5:39b–c and 5:40a–b are two examples of not to resist an evil person.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not resist those who wrong you (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Do not fight those who do evil things to you

5:39b

The Greek of 5:39b begins with a word that is often translated as “but” or “and.” For example:

But if anyone slaps you (English Standard Version)

There is a contrast between 5:39a and 5:39b–42b. The contrast is between the idea of opposing an evil person and Jesus’ commands to allow such a person to do what he wants. Most English versions like the Berean Standard Bible do not translate this conjunction here, possibly because we are told not to oppose an evil person. So the contrast is not obvious. In many languages, it will not be necessary to have a conjunction here either.

If someone slaps you on your right cheek: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as slaps also means “hits” or “strikes.” Here it implies using the hand. Such an action was a serious insult.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek (Good News Translation)
-or-
If someone ⌊insults⌋ you with a slap on the right cheek
-or-
If a person hits you on your right cheek with his hand

5:39c

turn to him the other also: The purpose of turn to him the other also is implied here. It is also “to be slapped,” as in the previous clause. The one who has received the slap is to offer the other (left) cheek to be slapped as well. It may be more natural in your language to include the implied purpose. For example:

turn to him the other ⌊cheek⌋ ⌊to be slapped⌋ as well

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:23

6:23a

But if your eyes are bad: This clause means that the person’s eyes have something wrong with them, so they cannot see well. Figuratively, it means that the person has bad spiritual eyesight. He does not see/understand the truth about God and does not focus his thoughts on the truth. He has a bad attitude toward Jesus and is not willing to receive Jesus’ teaching. In the context of not storing up earthly wealth, it probably also implies that the person is selfish and is not willing to share with others.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

But if your eyes are diseased
-or-
but if you cannot see clearly/well

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the figurative meaning of bad eyes explicit. For example:

but ⌊a person who rejects my teaching is like⌋ someone with bad eyes. If your ⌊thinking⌋ is like that,

In some languages, it will be good to explain the figurative meaning of bad eyes in a footnote. A sample footnote is:

A bad eye represents a bad attitude. It represents the thinking of a person who is not willing to receive Jesus’ teaching. When such a person thinks about money, he will be selfish. He will not want to share his money with others.

6:23b

your whole body will be full of darkness: This clause means that light cannot enter the body from the eye, so the inside of the person is completely dark. Here, the meaning of this figure of speech is that the person will not understand the truth at all. He will be filled with sinfulness and evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the inside of your body will be dark
-or-
there will be darkness in the whole body
-or-

⌊it is as if⌋ your entire mind/being will be dark

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the figurative meaning of darkness explicit. For example:

⌊you will not understand the truth at all. It will be as if⌋ your whole body is full of darkness.

6:23c

then: In Greek, this clause begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then. This conjunction introduces the results of darkness where there should be light.

Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

So if the light in you is darkness (Good News Translation)

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction.

If…the light within you is darkness: This clause refers to the situation where the eye is supposed to bring light into the body. But if the eye is bad, then the person will be in darkness. So in the place where there should be light, there was instead darkness. This means that a person who thought that he was filled with goodness is actually filled with evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if the only light you have is really darkness (New Century Version)
-or-
And if the light you think you have is actually darkness (New Living Translation (2004))

6:23d

how great is that darkness!: This clause indicates that the darkness is very great. This means that you completely fail to understand the truth and that there is a lot of sin/evil in you.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

how terribly dark it will be (Good News Translation)

-or-

then you have the worst darkness (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:21

Paragraph 7:21–23

7:21a

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter: The clause who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ means “who calls me their Lord/Master.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Among those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ not all of them will enter
-or-
Some people who say to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will not enter

In some languages, it may be more natural to make Lord, Lord indirect speech. For example:

Not everyone who calls me his Lord/Master will enter

Lord, Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “master,” “owner” or “a person who has great authority.” It is used to refer to someone greater in status or power. People used it to address God the Father and Jesus. See how you translated this word in 3:3 and 5:33.

The double address of Lord, Lord probably indicates honor, respect, and deep emotion. The speakers were insisting that Jesus is their Lord. But as 7:23 indicates, the people who said this were not true followers of Jesus.

In some languages this double address will indicate a different meaning. If that is true in your language, indicate the honor and respect in another way. For example:

my Lord
-or-
dear/beloved Lord

will enter the kingdom of heaven: In this context, the word enter refers to “becoming a citizen of.” When people believe in Jesus, they become citizens/members of the kingdom of heaven.

The phrase the kingdom of heaven refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

Here Matthew used the word heaven as a Hebrew idiom to humbly refer to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven
-or-
become one of those who are in the kingdom of ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven
-or-
be added to those over whom God rules
-or-
will God make part of his reign

This clause also occurs in 5:20.

7:21b

but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven: The verb and object from 7:21a are implied but are not repeated. The complete sentence would be: but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven ⌊will enter the kingdom of heaven⌋.

It may be more natural in your language to include some of the implied words. For example:

but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven ⌊will become one of the people whom God rules⌋
-or-
but ⌊the person whom God will make part of his reign is⌋ the person who does my heavenly Father’s will

does the will of My Father in heaven: This clause means “does what God desires.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

does what my Father in heaven wants (God’s Word)
-or-
obey my Father in heaven (Contemporary English Version)

My Father in heaven: The clause in heaven further describes Jesus’ Father, namely, God. It does not imply that there are other fathers of Jesus and only this one is in heaven. In some languages, it will be necessary to translate the correct meaning in a different way. For example:

my Father in heaven (Good News Translation)

-or-

my heavenly Father

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:24

8:24a

The storm probably occurred while Jesus and the disciples were far from shore. In some languages, the danger will be made clearer by including some implied information. For example:

⌊When they were far from shore, then⌋
-or-

⌊In the middle of crossing the lake,⌋
-or-

⌊While crossing the lake⌋

Suddenly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly indicates that something extraordinary is going to happen. Here, it is a storm that is unexpected.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
Unexpectedly
-or-
Without warning (New International Version)

a violent storm: In this context, the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a violent storm refers to a storm with very strong winds. This storm quickly blew the water into big waves.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a severe storm (God’s Word)
-or-
a big/strong wind

came up: The expression came up is a figurative way of saying that the storm began.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

came/arrived
-or-
blew
-or-
occurred/happened

on the sea: The phrase on the sea refers to lake Galilee.

8:24b

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces a result of 8:24a. The storm was so great that, as a result, waves were entering the boat.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with the result that
-or-
and so

In some languages, it is more natural to leave this conjunction untranslated. See the examples below.

the boat was engulfed by the waves: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was engulfed means “covered.” Here, this phrase indicates that the waves were higher than the boat. The waves were coming over the top of the boat and filling it with water.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The waves were covering the boat (God’s Word)
-or-
and waves started splashing into their boat (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and the boat was in danger of sinking (Good News Translation)

8:24c

but: It is surprising and unexpected that Jesus was sleeping in the boat during the furious storm. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this unexpected event with the conjunction but.

Here are some other ways to indicate that the following event is unexpected:

Yet (God’s Word)

-or-

However

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:44

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:39

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:24

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