SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 66

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:13

Section 2:13–15

Jesus’ family escaped to Egypt

In this section, Matthew showed how God protected Jesus by warning Joseph to take him to Egypt. Matthew also showed how the move to Egypt fulfilled scripture.

Egypt is a country to the south of Judea. 1,500 years before Jesus’ time, the people of Israel had lived in Egypt (Exodus 12:40). Then Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Many years later, God said, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). This prophecy referred back to when God brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:41–42). This prophecy also referred ahead to the time when God would call his Son Jesus out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus’ Parents Take Him to Egypt (New Century Version)
-or-
The escape to Egypt

Paragraph 2:13–15

2:13a

When the Magi had gone: This section begins with a time clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When the Magi had gone. This clause refers to the wise men leaving Mary and Joseph and Jesus to return to their own country.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

After they had left (Good News Translation)
-or-
After the wise men had gone (Contemporary English Version)

2:13b

The Greek of 2:13b begins with a words that is often translated as “behold.” It literally means “look” or “see.” This word focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this passage, an angel unexpectedly appeared to Joseph in a dream. If you have a term that gets the attention of people that is natural in this context, you should consider using it here.

Here are some ways to translate this:

behold, (English Standard Version)
-or-
Unexpectedly
-or-
Then strangely

This same word occurs in 2:1c and 2:9b.

an angel of the Lord: The phrase an angel of the Lord refers here to an angel that the Lord (God) sent.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

an angel who came from the Lord God
-or-
an angel who was sent by God

This same phrase occurs in 1:20.

angel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angel means “messenger.” It refers to a supernatural, spiritual being who serves God.

Here are some ways to translate this term:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messenger ⌊from God⌋
-or-

⌊holy⌋ spirit-being

• Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for angel. Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:

an angelos messenger ⌊from God⌋
-or-
a sacred ⌊angelos⌋ spirit

See angel, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord refers here to God.

appeared to Joseph: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appeared can also mean “became visible” or “was revealed.” The angel appeared to Joseph while he was dreaming. This indicates that in his dream, Joseph saw an angel.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

showed/revealed himself to Joseph
-or-
Joseph saw an angel

in a dream: Joseph was sleeping, and he saw the angel while he was dreaming.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in a dream ⌊while he slept⌋
-or-
He dreamed that an angel of the Lord appeared to him

2:13c

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:13c after 2:13e. See the General Comment after 2:13e for an example.

Get up!: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Get up! refers to rising from a bed or rising after being asleep. Another way to translate this word is:

Get up (New International Version)

Take the Child and His mother: The phrase His mother refers to Jesus’ mother Mary.

Here are some ways to make this clearer:

take the child and the child’s mother
-or-
take the child and your wife
-or-
take Mary and Jesus

and flee: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flee refers to moving quickly away from danger.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

escape (New International Version)
-or-
go quickly
-or-
hurry and go

to Egypt: The word Egypt is the name of a country located south and west of Judea. It was at least 240 kilometers from Bethlehem to the border of Egypt. It took more than a week to walk there.

Here is another way to translate this word:

⌊the country/land of⌋ Egypt

2:13d

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:13d after 2:13e. See the General Comment after 2:13e for an example.

Stay there until I tell you: The angel will one day tell Joseph to return. It may be more natural in your language to include that implied information. For example:

Stay there until I tell you to return (Contemporary English Version)

2:13e

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:13e before 2:13c–d. See the General Comment below for an example.

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command that they should flee to Egypt and stay there. 13c–dEscape to Egypt and stay there 13efor/because Herod wants to kill the child.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

because
-or-
The reason is

Herod is going to search for the Child: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is going to search for indicates that Herod intended to search soon for the Child. Herod would not do the actual searching, but would send his soldiers to do it for him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Herod intends to search for the child (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Herod is about ⌊to send his soldiers⌋ to search for the child

to kill Him: The phrase to kill Him means “in order to kill him.” It tells Herod’s purpose in searching for Jesus.

General Comment on 2:13c–e

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the basis (in 2:13e) before the command (in 2:13c–d). For example:

He said, 13e“Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. 13c⌊So⌋ get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. 13dStay there until I tell you.”

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:5

Paragraph 4:5–7

In this paragraph, Matthew reported the second way that the devil tempted Jesus. In this paragraph, the devil tempted Jesus to put himself in danger. If Jesus had put himself in danger, he would have been testing God to save him from danger. This would have been a sinful thing for Jesus to do.

4:5a

Then: The conjunction Then introduces a new part of the story. It also indicates that 4:5 happened after 4:4. The Greek text does not indicate how much time passed between these two stories. Use a general term that indicates that the events in this paragraph happened after the events in 4:3–4.

This same word occurs in 4:1a.

the devil took Him to the holy city: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took refers to someone taking along another person. The devil went to Jerusalem and took Jesus with him. You should not imply that the devil used physical force to take Jesus along with him.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

the devil went to the holy city and took Jesus ⌊with him⌋
-or-
the devil led Jesus to the holy city (New Century Version)
-or-
the devil went with Jesus to the holy city

the holy city: The phrase the holy city refers to Jerusalem. You may want to include this implied information. For example:

Jerusalem, the Holy City (Good News Translation)
-or-
the holy city of Jerusalem (New Century Version)

4:5b

and set Him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set Him also means “placed him.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

caused him to stand
-or-
had him stand (New International Version)
-or-
put him (New Century Version)

The Greek text does not indicate whether the devil was with Jesus on top of the temple. So it is best to leave this point vague. If you must indicate where the devil was, remember that he had a conversation with Jesus. So he was probably close.

the pinnacle of the temple: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the pinnacle of the temple probably refers to the top of one of the temple towers. Towers were built into the wall of the temple complex. If a man fell or jumped off from there, he would die when he hit the ground.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the highest part of the temple (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the roof of the temple

temple: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple refers to the temple building and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. The temple was in Jerusalem and was the most important place where Jews worshiped God.

Here are some other ways to translate the word temple:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

house/building of God
-or-
place of sacrifice
-or-
house/place of worship
-or-
holy/sacred house

• If your language has a word for “temple,” consider using it. But you may need to modify it by saying:

temple of the Jews/Lord

Be sure to use a different term from the one you have chosen for “synagogue.” There was only one temple, but there were many synagogues.

See the word temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:12

5:12

Before you translate 5:12, consider what is the most natural order in your language for the clauses in this verse. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the Berean Standard Bible. Compare the Berean Standard Bible with the other examples below.

12aRejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; 12bfor in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. (Berean Standard Bible)

12aYour reward in heaven is great. ⌊So⌋ rejoice and be glad. 12bFor/Because they persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way.
-or-

12bThey persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way. 12a⌊So⌋ rejoice and be glad. Your reward in heaven is great.

5:12a

Rejoice and be glad: The two Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Rejoice and be glad are a doublet. This means that the two words mean basically the same thing. Saying the same thing in two different ways is a Hebrew way of making the command stronger.

Your language may be able to indicate a stronger command in the same way. But it may be more natural in your language to emphasize it in some other way. For example:

Be very happy/glad
-or-
You (plur.) should be extremely glad/joyful
-or-
Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

because: The conjunction because introduces the reason why the disciples and the crowd should rejoice. They should rejoice because God will give them a big reward in heaven. For example:

because you have a great reward in heaven (God’s Word)

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

You will have a great reward in heaven. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it will be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 5:12a. For example:

Your reward is great in heaven. ⌊So⌋ rejoice and be glad.

great is your reward in heaven: The phrase great is your reward in heaven means “you will receive something of great value when you go to heaven.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

a great reward awaits you in heaven (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven (New Century Version)

-or?

⌊God⌋ will reward/honor you very much in heaven.

reward: The word reward normally refers to something good that people receive because of something that they have done. Here, the meaning of reward focuses on being honored for being faithful to Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate the word reward:

payment
-or-
gift
-or-
honor

heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the place where God is
-or-
paradise

5:12b

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 5:12b before 5:12a. See the example above under 5:12.

for: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason why people who were insulted, persecuted, and spoken against should rejoice and be glad. They should rejoice and be glad because Jesus is praising them. He is praising them by comparing them to the Old Testament prophets.

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

People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago. (Contemporary English Version)

in the same way: The phrase in the same way introduces a comparison. Jesus was saying that people would do evil to Jesus’ disciples just as people had done evil to the prophets years earlier.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

like that
-or-
so (English Standard Version)
-or-
what people do to you, that is what they did

they: The pronoun they refers to the people who persecuted the prophets many years before Jesus. The pronoun is also connected to the “people” of 5:11 because there are people in every generation who oppose God and mistreat his followers. You may be able to use the pronoun they with that connection here. But it may be more natural in your language to explain the connection. For example:

those same kind of people
-or-
people like them

persecuted: The word persecuted means to “treat someone cruelly and cause the person to suffer.” This same word occurs in 5:10a and 5:11a.

the prophets: The word prophets refers to men who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. God gave some prophets power to work miracles. These miracles helped people realize that God sent the prophets.

Here are some other ways to translate prophets:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who speak God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

When choosing a term for prophets, consider how you will distinguish prophets from other words which are similar in meaning, such as “angels,” “apostles,” and “preachers.”

The word “prophet” also occurs in 1:22 and 4:14. See also prophet in the Glossary.

before you: The words before you refer to time. These prophets lived hundreds of years before the time when the disciples lived.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

who lived before you (Good News Translation)
-or-
who lived long ago (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

These prophets lived long before your time

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:44

5:44a

But I tell you: The clause But I tell you also occurs in 5:22a, 5:28a, 5:32a, 5:34a, and 5:39a. Translate it here as you did there.

love: You should translate the word love here in the same way as in 5:43. But here the verb is plural (“all of you”).

5:44b

pray for those:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pray means “speak/talk to God.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Pray to God for those
-or-
Speak to God concerning those ⌊people⌋
-or-
Ask God ⌊to help/bless⌋ the people

Some languages may use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. Here you should use a word or expression that has a general meaning. Avoid a term that may imply magical or meaningless words.

who persecute you: The word persecute means “deliberately harm someone,” “mistreat someone” or “cause someone to suffer.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

mistreat
-or-
cause to suffer
-or-
oppress

-or-

harm on purpose

This same word occurs in 5:10a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:28

Paragraph 6:28–30

6:28a

And: In this paragraph, Jesus continued to talk about worry. But he changed the topic from worry about life to worry about clothes. Here are some ways to connect this paragraph to the previous paragraph:

And
-or-
Furthermore
-or-
In addition

In some languages, it may not be necessary to have a connecting word or phrase here.

why do you worry about clothes?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses a rebuke. Jesus was rebuking his followers for worrying about having enough clothes.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you worrying about ⌊having enough⌋ clothes?
-or-
Why do you worry about what you will wear?

• As a statement. For example:

You should not worry about clothes.
-or-
It is wrong for you to be anxious that you may not have ⌊enough⌋ clothes to wear

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

6:28b

Consider: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Consider also means “observe.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Look (Good News Translation)
-or-
Think about (NET Bible)
-or-
Notice (God’s Word)

how the lilies of the field grow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lilies could refer to any one of several varieties of wild flowers. The phrase of the field indicates that these flowers were wild. They were not planted and cared for by people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word in its context:

• Use a generic word for flowers. For example:

how the wild flowers grow (Good News Translation)
-or-
the plants that bloom/blossom and the way that they grow

• Use a word for a specific type of flower in your area. For example:

lilies/poppies and the way that they grow

6:28c

Verse 6:28c is what Jesus wanted his disciples to carefully consider.

They do not labor: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as labor means “work hard.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

toil (English Standard Version)
-or-
work hard (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
work (NET Bible)

or spin: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spin refers to twisting fibers together to make thread for weaving cloth. In this context it refers to making one’s own clothes.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

spin yarn for clothes (God’s Word)

-or-

make clothes for themselves (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:26

7:26a–b

But: Verse 7:26a–b contrasts with 7:24a–b. One way to indicate this contrast is to begin this verse with the word But. For example:

And (English Standard Version)

everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them: These clauses are almost identical to 7:24a–b, but the word not is added to the second part. You should translate this in a similar way.

7:26c

foolish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foolish refers to someone who has no sense or uses poor judgment. It means the opposite of “wise” in 7:24c.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

simple minded
-or-
unthinking
-or-
stupid (New Jerusalem Bible)

built his house on sand: The word sand refers to “sandy ground” or “pure sand” with nothing firm underneath. The foolish man did not build his house on a strong foundation.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

built his house on top of sand/gravel
-or-
built his house in an unsafe/unstable place

-or-

did not dig deep holes for the foundation

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:29

8:29a–b

The Greek of 8:29a begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It indicates that something extraordinary will happen. Here, the amazing event is that the demon-possessed men shouted at Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Suddenly (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Unexpectedly

“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted: The Berean Standard Bible places the words they shouted in the middle of what the two demon-possessed men said. In some languages, it may be more natural to put these words in the beginning of 8:29a. For example:

they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God?” (English Standard Version)

What do You want with us…?: In Greek, this sentence is literally “What to us and to you?” This is an idiom. It means “What connection/relation do we(excl.) have with you?”

This is a rhetorical question that implies “we have no connection/relation” or “we have nothing in common.” It also implies a request or rebuke, that is, “since we have nothing in common, you should not trouble us.” In this context, the demons, in fear or panic, were pleading with Jesus not to cause them to leave the men.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke and plea:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you bothering us…? (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
What business do we have with each other…? (New American Standard Bible)

• As a statement or command. For example:

Do not bother/disturb us!
-or-
We have nothing to do with one another!
-or-
leave us alone! (NET Bible)

Son of God?: The phrase Son of God is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that 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 that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus.

The phrase Son of God occurs at 4:3b. You should translate it here as you did there. For further information, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.

It may be more natural in some languages to put the phrase Son of God first in the clause. For example:

Son of God, what do you want with us?

they shouted: The pronoun they refers to the two men. These two men shouted the words that the demons wanted them to say.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they shouted (New International Version)
-or-
they screamed (Good News Translation)

8:29c

“Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses a rebuke. The demons did not want Jesus to punish them before the time that God had determined.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Have you come to torture us before the proper time? (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Why have you come here? Is it to torment us before the right time?

• As a statement or exclamation. For example:

Do not begin to torture us before the proper time!

torture: The verb torture refers to causing great pain to someone to make them suffer. For example:

torment (English Standard Version)
-or-
punish (Good News Translation)
-or-
cause to suffer severely

before the appointed time: This phrase refers to the time that God set to punish the demons. The demons knew that their time to torment humans was limited.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

before the right time (Good News Translation)
-or-
before God’s appointed time (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

before it is time (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:27

Section 9:27–34

Jesus healed two blind men and a mute man

In this section, Jesus performed two more miracles of healing. First, he healed two blind men because they had faith in him. Afterward he asked them not to tell other people about him healing them because he did not want people to try and make him an earthly king. But they were so happy that they told people anyway.

Then Jesus healed a man who was unable to talk because a demon was controlling him. The Pharisees did not believe that Jesus’ power was from God, so they said Jesus got his power from Satan, the leader of demons.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Two blind men and a mute man are healed by Jesus
-or-
Jesus healed two blind men and forced a demon out of a mute man

Paragraph 9:27–31

9:27a

The Greek of 9:27a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and.” It indicates that this is the beginning of a new story in the life of Jesus. The Berean Standard Bible omits this conjunction. Use a natural way in your language to indicate this. For example:

Then
-or-
Jesus left the ruler’s house and
-or-
After that happened, Jesus left the ruler’s house.

As Jesus went on from there: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went on indicates that Jesus left the house of the religious leader and his daughter. It also indicates that he was moving away from the house. He was walking. This same word occurs in 9:9a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus left that place, and as he walked along (Good News Translation)
-or-
As Jesus was walking along (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then Jesus left there. While he was walking

Jesus’ disciples were certainly with him. In some languages, it may be natural to mention their being with him. For example:

Then Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ left that place. As they were walking

two blind men: The word blind means “not able to see.” Another way to translate this is:

two men who could not see

followed Him: In this context, the verb followed is used in its literal sense. It indicates that the blind men were walking some distance behind Jesus. As 9:27b indicates, they wanted to speak to Jesus. Here this verb does not imply they were his disciples.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

walked behind him
-or-
followed along after him

9:27b

crying out: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crying out means that the men were “shouting.” They were shouting to be sure that Jesus would hear them. This phrase does not mean that the men were weeping loudly.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

shouting (NET Bible)
-or-
calling out (New International Version)
-or-
yelling

The blind men were shouting while they followed Jesus.

Have mercy on us, Son of David!: This clause is the blind men’s polite request for Jesus to heal them. Translate it in a way that shows that the men were being polite. For example:

⌊Please⌋ have mercy on us, Son of David.

In some languages, it may also be necessary to make explicit that the men wanted Jesus to heal them. For example:

Son of David, ⌊please⌋ have mercy on us ⌊and heal us⌋

Have mercy on us: The word mercy means “compassion” or “pity” towards someone. The blind men wanted Jesus to pity them, and therefore heal them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Show kindness to us
-or-
pity us ⌊and heal us⌋

This word also occurs in 9:13b.

Son of David: This phrase is a title that means that Jesus was a descendant of King David. The Jews used this title to refer to the Messiah (Christ), because God 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. A sample footnote is:

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.”

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:44

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:27

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

American Bible Society