SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 57

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:10

17:10a

The disciples asked Him: Here the phrase The disciples refers to the same three disciples (Peter, James and John) who were on the mountain with Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Then the disciples asked Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
And his disciples asked him (King James Version)

17:10b–c

Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?: This is a real question. It is not a rebuke. The disciples asked this question because they were confused. They knew that Jesus was the Christ, and they had just seen Elijah on the mountain. This reminded them about the prophecy that Elijah would come back to preach before the Christ came. So here the disciples asked Jesus why they had not seen the public ministry of Elijah before he, Jesus, came.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
So why do the scribes say that it is necessary that Elijah return ⌊to the earth⌋ before the Christ comes?

17:10b

the scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribes refers to men who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. These men were called scribes because their original work was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, this was no longer their main task.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
teachers of the law (New International Version)
-or-
experts in the law

Translate this term in the same way as you did in 15:1a and 16:21c.

17:10c

Elijah must come first: These words mean that the prophet Elijah must return to earth before the Messiah comes.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

Elijah must come before the Messiah does (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (New Living Translation (2004))

must: In Greek, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as must is often used to indicate something that is required because it is God’s will. The Scripture said that Elijah would come first. Therefore, it was necessary for him to come.

Here are some other ways to translate this whole clause:

it is necessary for Elijah to come first

-or-

it is required that Elijah come before ⌊the Messiah⌋

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:15

Correct a brother who sins

In this section, Jesus told his disciples what to do when a fellow believer sins against one of them. Jesus gave them some steps to follow to deal with the problem in a gentle and loving manner. The main goal of these steps is to restore the relationship between two believers.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

When a Person Sins Against You (New Century Version)
-or-
What to do if a fellow believer sins against you

Paragraph 18:15–17

18:15a

If your brother: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brother refers to any fellow believer.

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase your brother:

your Christian brother
-or-
your fellow believer (New Century Version)

If the people in your area might think that this phrase would not include females, you could translate it as:

your Christian brother or sister

your: The pronouns “your” and “you” are singular throughout 18:15–17.

sins against you: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Many Greek manuscripts have the phrase sins against you. For example:

sins against you (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) Some important, early Greek manuscripts have only the word sins. They do not have the added phrase against you here. For example:

sins (NET Bible)

(NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). Some important, early Greek manuscripts do not include these words. But the phrase “just between you and him alone” in 18:15b is one reason to include them.

You may want to include a footnote to explain that some translations omit the phrase against you. For example:

Some important, early Greek manuscripts do not have the words “against you.” Many translations do not include them either.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

wrongs you (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
does something wrong/bad to you
-or-
does evil against you

18:15b

go: This verb is a command. It includes the idea of “to him.” For example:

go to him (Good News Translation)

In other words, you should go and find the person who sinned against you.

confront him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as confront him also means “show, condemn, rebuke, or reprove him.” It means “describe to him what he has done wrong and tell him you disagree with what he has done.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

tell him what he has done wrong
-or-
show him his fault (NET Bible)

privately: This phrase indicates that you should confront your brother in private.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in private (New Century Version)
-or-
But do it privately, just between yourselves. (Good News Translation)
-or-
when the two of you are alone (NET Bible)

18:15c

If he listens to you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as listens is the general word that means “hear.” In this context, it indicates that the brother agrees with you and responds appropriately. He confesses his sin and asks for forgiveness.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If he hears you ⌊and repents⌋
-or-
If he listens to you ⌊and is sorry/regretful⌋
-or-
If the other person listens and confesses it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
If he accepts your words
-or-
If he agrees with you

you have won your brother over: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as won…over means “gotten back” or “won” your brother. It implies that the relationship is restored and the two people have reconciled.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you have won your brother back (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have restored that brother to you
-or-
you have helped that person to be your brother or sister again (New Century Version)

-or-

you and your brother are reconciled again

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:12

19:12a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces Jesus’ explanation for what he said in 19:11.

Here are some other ways to introduce this explanation:

⌊I say this⌋ because
-or-
Because ⌊there are different reasons why men do not marry:⌋ ⌊such as⌋
-or-
For example (God’s Word)

there are eunuchs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as eunuchs refers to men who do not have certain male body parts. Those body parts enable a man to have sexual relations with a woman. If you have a word or phrase for a person like this, use it here. If not, you may have to describe such a person. For example:

there are men who cannot have sexual relations with a woman
-or-
Some people are unable to marry (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Some men are unable to be with a woman

who were born that way: This phrase means that the reason why a man cannot have sexual relations with a woman is because he was born unable to.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because of birth defects (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
because they were born that way (God’s Word)

19:12b

were made that way by men: In Jesus’ time, some men had their male body parts cut off by others to make them eunuchs. This was often done by a ruler who wanted men who were “safe” to take care of his wives.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

because they were castrated (God’s Word)

• Use an active verb. For example:

because men made them that way (Good News Translation)

If people in your area will not understand why some men were made eunuchs, you may want to include a footnote. A sample footnote is:

In some non-Jewish cultures of that time, a king might choose a man and then have one of his servants remove the man’s testicles. That made him a eunuch. The king would appoint such a man to take care of his wives.

19:12c

still others live like eunuchs: This clause is figurative language. It refers to men who chose not to marry or to not have sexual relations with a woman. It does not mean that men have castrated themselves.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

some men have renounced marriage
-or-
some men have given up marriage (New Century Version)
-or-
others have decided to be celibate (God’s Word)

for the sake of the kingdom of heaven: This phrase means “because of the kingdom of heaven” or “because they want to work for the kingdom of heaven/God.” Some men renounce marriage in order to be better committed to work for God and his kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because they want to give themselves to work for God’s kingdom
-or-
because they want to better serve God as their king
-or-
in order to serve God better (Contemporary English Version)

See kingdom of heaven in Key Biblical Terms 1 (d) for more information.

19:12d

The one who can accept this should accept it: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The one is masculine. It refers to a man. The words this and it refer to the decision not to marry. The Greek word translated as accept is the same word as in 19:11a.

God gives the ability not to marry to only some people. So these people are encouraged to follow that way of life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The person who is able to agree to this ⌊way of life⌋ should live that way.
-or-
The man who can accept this ⌊way of life⌋ should accept it.
-or-
If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it. (God’s Word)

-or-

The man who is able to follow this should follow it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:14

20:14a

Take your pay: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Take your pay is more literally “what is yours.” It refers to the denarius coin that the worker had just received as pay.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Take what is yours (NET Bible)
-or-
Take your money (God’s Word)

and go: In this context, the verb go indicates that the owner dismissed the worker. He told the worker to leave with his pay.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and leave
-or-
and go ⌊home⌋

20:14b

I want: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as I want indicates that the owner acted according to his own will.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I choose (English Standard Version)
-or-
It is my wish/desire

to give: This same verb occurs in 20:4b. Translate it the same way as you did there. In some languages, it will be natural to use the word “pay.” For example:

to pay (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to give as pay

this last man: In Greek this phrase is more literally “to this last.” In 20:13a the owner responded to one man in the first group of workers. In the same way, he referred to one man in the last group. This continues the theme of “the first” and “the last” throughout this parable.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to this last man
-or-
to this last person

the same as I gave you: In Greek, this phrase is more literally “as also to you.” The owner chose to pay all the workers the same amount.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the same as I also give to you

-or-

as much as I gave you (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:12

22:12a

And he said to him: The pronoun he refers to the king. The pronoun him refers to the guest.

Also, because this clause introduces a question, it is possible to translate the verb said as “asked.” For example:

The king asked (Contemporary English Version)

Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. The king rebuked the man for coming into the wedding hall without proper clothes.

Here are some ways to translate this rebuke:

• Use a question. For example:

Friend, how did you get in here wearing clothes that are not fit for a wedding?
-or-
Friend, why didn’t you wear proper clothes for the wedding? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement of rebuke. For example:

Friend, you should not be in here without clothes that are proper for a wedding.
-or-
My friend, you should not have entered here. You are wearing clothes that are not fit for a wedding.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

Friend: The king probably addressed the man as Friend for two reasons. One was because he didn’t know the man’s name. The other is to soften the rebuke. Use a term of address in your language that could function in this way.

This same word is used in the same way in 20:13b.

how did you get in here: This question seems to assume that there were guards whose job it was to keep the wrong people out.

Here is another way to translate this question:

how were you allowed to come in here (New Century Version)

without a wedding garment: The Greek phrase that the Revised Standard Version translates as a wedding garment probably refers to clothing that was suitable to wear to a wedding. Here it probably refers to nice, clean clothes. This phrase probably does not refer to special clothes intended for weddings. This phrase is also in 22:11b.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

without proper wedding clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
in clothes that are not fit for a wedding

22:12b

And: This Greek connection can be translated “and” or “but” depending on context. Here there is something surprising about the fact that the man did not respond. For that reason many English versions translate this with an element of contrast. For example:

But (Revised English Bible)

he was speechless: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates was speechless is more literally “was muzzled.” It refers to something tied over an animal’s or person’s mouth to prevent it from opening. Here it is used in a figurative sense and means that the man “was silenced.” The man was in a place he should not have been. He knew that he was guilty, and that prevented him from making an excuse.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

had nothing to say (NET Bible)

-or-

had no excuse (Good News Translation)

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))

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

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:44

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:17

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