SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 63

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)

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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

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)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:39

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:23

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