SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 69

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:10

1:10a–b

Amon: A few English versions spell this name Amos. Most English versions spell this name Amon, as the Berean Standard Bible does. You should follow the spelling of the national language version, but spell it according to the rules of your language.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:20

2:20a

“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother: This clause is identical to the one in 2:13c where the angel told Joseph to take his family to Egypt. See how you translated it there.

and go: Since Joseph and Mary came from the land of Israel, in some languages it is more natural to say “go back” or “return.” For example:

and go back (Good News Translation)

to the land of Israel: The phrase the land of Israel included the districts of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. At that time, Israel was not its own separate country. But the Jews still called this area their homeland. Use a general term for land that refers to a large area.

2:20b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command that Joseph should go back to Israel. 20aHe should return to Israel 20bfor/because Herod is dead.

In some languages, it is more natural to put the basis for the command (in 2:20b) before the command (in 2:20a). For example:

20bThose who were trying to take the child’s life are dead. 20a⌊So⌋ get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel.

those seeking the Child’s life are now dead: Scholars are divided over the word those and who it refers to. They are divided as to who, in addition Herod, wanted to kill baby Jesus. Some say it refers to Herod’s servants. Others say it refers to the chief priests and scribes. It is suggested that you translate this to simply indicate the plural in a general way. For example:

those who tried to… (Good News Translation)

-or-

the people who were trying to…

seeking the Child’s life: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as seeking the Child’s life means “wanted to kill the child.” They wanted to kill the baby Jesus. For example:

wanted to kill him (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:12

Section 4:12–17

Jesus began preaching in Galilee

After Jesus’ temptation, he left the district of Judea and went to his home in the town of Nazareth, which is in the district of Galilee (2:22–23). Later he moved from Nazareth to the town of Capernaum (4:12–13).

In this section, Matthew again showed how Jesus’ life fulfilled the words of a prophet (4:14–16). This section shows that the main idea that Jesus preached in this early part of his work was: “Turn away from your sins, because the kingdom of heaven is near” (4:17 in the Good News Translation).

Here are some other headings for this section:

Jesus began his work in Galilee
-or-
The ministry of Jesus began

There are brief parallel passages for this section in Luke 4:14–15 and Mark 1:14–15.

Paragraph 4:12–16

In this paragraph, Matthew told his readers how Jesus fulfilled one of Isaiah’s prophecies. He returned to the province of Galilee and moved to the town of Capernaum.

4:12a

When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned: This clause tells us the setting of Jesus’ move from Judea to Galilee. Some English versions begin this clause with the word “Now.”

The Greek text does not indicate how much time passed between the events of 4:1–11 and 4:12. So you should begin this clause with a general time expression. For example:

Afterward, Jesus heard that…
-or-
Later, Jesus heard that…
-or-
At the time that Jesus heard that…

Jesus heard: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is literally “he.” The pronoun refers to Jesus. Matthew does not say how Jesus heard about John the Baptist’s situation. It is likely that someone told him that John was in prison.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

When someone told Jesus
-or-
Then Jesus learned that

John: The name John refers to John the Baptist. If this will not be clear to your readers, you may use the same name/title as you did in 3:1a.

had been imprisoned: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had been imprisoned literally means “was given/handed over.” Some versions translate this verb by focusing on the fact that he:

(a) had been arrested.

Other versions translate this verb by focusing on the fact that he:

(b) had been put in prison.

Both are true. You may use either or both expressions, depending on what is natural in your language.

This verb is also passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• As a passive. For example:

had been arrested and put in prison ⌊by the authorities⌋

• As an active. For example:

people/they arrested John and put him in prison
-or-

⌊King Herod⌋ had put John in prison
-or-

⌊Herod⌋ ordered his soldiers to arrest John

4:12b

He withdrew: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrew means “went back” or “returned.” Jesus left the district of Judea and went back to Galilee.

Jesus had been in the district of Galilee. That is where his home was. Then he went to the district of Judea where John baptized him. He was still in Judea when the devil tempted him. When he heard about John the Baptist, he went back to Galilee.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

went back (God’s Word)
-or-
went (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he left Judea and returned (New Living Translation (2004))

to Galilee: The noun Galilee is the name of a district or area in the north part of Israel. See the note on “the district of Galilee” at 2:22d for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:19

5:19a

So then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So then introduces the conclusion to 5:17–18. Some English versions do not translate this Greek word. But in some languages, it may be more natural to use a word or phrase to indicate that this is the conclusion. For example:

Therefore (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
So (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
then (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Consequently

whoever: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as whoever introduces something that is true of everyone.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

every person who
-or-
if you (New Living Translation (2004))

breaks: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as breaks in this context means “disobeys a law.” The person may disobey a law even though he recognizes that it is still valid, or he may disobey a law because he thinks that it is no longer valid. In either case, he does not do what the law says.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

disobeys (Good News Translation)
-or-
refuses to obey (New Century Version)
-or-
does not do
-or-
ignore (New Living Translation (2004))

one of the least of these commandments: The words these commandments refer to the law of Moses in the Old Testament (5:18).

The word least is used in regard to importance. The Jews considered some laws to be more important (or heavier) than others.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the least important command in the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the smallest commandment (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
the lightest of the laws of God

5:19b

teaches others to do likewise: The clause teaches others to do likewise refers to teaching other people to also disobey one of the least of these commandments (in 5:19a).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

teaches other people not to obey that command (New Century Version)
-or-
teaches other people that it is all right if they do not obey/follow that law

5:19c

will be called least: In this context, the verb called means “referred to as,” “spoken of as,” or “acknowledged as.” The word least is used in regard to importance (as in 5:19a).

The verb is passive. God will say that such a person is least or “less important.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

will be the least important (New Century Version)
-or-
will be unimportant (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊God⌋ will consider ⌊him/that person⌋ to be the smallest/lowest person

the kingdom of heaven: This same phrase occurs in 5:3b. Translate it here as you did there.

5:19d

but whoever practices: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as practices means “obeys” in this context.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

obeys (Good News Translation)
-or-
keeps (New American Standard Bible)

and teaches: In some languages, it may be natural to say who is taught. For example:

and teaches ⌊other people⌋
-or-
and teaches ⌊other people to obey⌋

them: The word them does not occur in the Greek. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied this word because it is implied from 5:19a. It refers to “these commands.”

Here are some other ways to make this information explicit:

these commands (New International Version)
-or-
the Law (Good News Translation)
-or-
God’s laws (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what the commands say (God’s Word)

By practicing and teaching the least of those commands, it is implied that this person also practices and teaches all the other commands.

5:19e

will be called great: This expression means that this person will have a higher position of honor.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

will have an important place (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
will rank high (Revised English Bible)
-or-

⌊God⌋ will highly honor

-or-

⌊God⌋ will consider ⌊that person⌋ to be ⌊one of⌋ the biggest/highest ⌊people⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:3

6:3a

But: There is a contrast between 6:2 and 6:3. The contrast is between the actions of the hypocrites and the way that Jesus wants his followers to act. The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction But.

Here are some other ways to translate this contrast:

As for you
-or-
However, you

when you give to the needy: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when you give to the needy uses the same words as the clause translated as “when you give to the needy” in 6:2a. The meaning is the same.

In this clause, the pronoun you is emphasized in the Greek text. If your language has a way to emphasize the pronoun you, you may want to do so here.

Here are some examples:

when you yourself give
-or-
as for you, when you give
-or-
you, when you give to the needy

6:3b

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing: This clause is a metaphor. Doing things without letting others know is compared to not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. One way that they are similar is that one group/side does not know what the other is doing.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
do not let one hand know what the other hand is doing

• Translate this clause as a simile and give the meaning. For example:

give privately in a way that is like your left hand not knowing what your right hand is doing
-or-
give so that even your best friend does not know what you are doing. It is like one of your hands does not know what the other hand is doing.

• Translate the meaning of this clause without the metaphor. Here are some examples:

don’t let anyone know about it (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

give in a hidden/private way so that no one will know that you gave

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:1

Section 7:1–6

Jesus taught about not condemning others

In this section, Jesus taught that his disciples must correct their own sins before correcting the sins of others. Jesus used a proverbial saying about a speck and a log to help the disciples remember the teaching. He warned his followers against being overly critical and condemning people and their actions too quickly (7:1). But he also warned against being uncritical and accepting of people who may then turn against them (7:6).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Do not judge others
-or-
Do not be too quick to condemn

Paragraph 7:1–5

Even though a new chapter begins at 7:1, Jesus continued “the Sermon on the Mount” which he began in chapter 5. In some languages, it may be natural to begin this chapter with something like:

⌊Jesus continued,⌋
-or-

⌊Jesus continued to teach and said,⌋

In other languages, no introduction is necessary here. You may want to begin this chapter as you began chapter 6.

7:1a

Do not judge: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judge means “judge or condemn harshly.” For example:

Don’t condemn others (Contemporary English Version)

In this context the word judge does not refer to rendering a judgment in a court or council. This command does not forbid leaders to make decisions or judgments. It is a command not to judge in a harsh or unfair way.

7:1b

or you will be judged: There are several ways to interpret the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or:

(1) It indicates purpose. For example:

so that you may not be judged (New Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, NET Bible, King James Version)

(2) It indicates result. For example:

and you will not be judged (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

in order that you not be judged
-or-
for the purpose that you not be condemned

you will be judged: This clause is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

you will not be judged (NET Bible)

• Use an active verb. God is the one who will judge/condemn. For example:

God will not judge you (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:4

8:4a

See that you don’t tell anyone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as See that is a command that emphasizes Jesus’ warning to the man. Jesus was not telling the man to look at something. This command warned the man not to tell people that Jesus healed him from leprosy.

Here are some other ways to translate this command:

Listen! Don’t tell anyone (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t tell anyone about this! (God’s Word)
-or-
Do not say to anyone that I healed you.

Jesus knew that the Jews were looking for a type of “messiah” who would free them from Rome. He did not want the crowds to hear about the miracle and begin to wrongly think that he was that type of “messiah.”

8:4b

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But indicates a contrast. The contrast is between what the man should not do and what he should do.

Here are some other ways to translate this contrast:

Instead (God’s Word)
-or-
But rather

go, show yourself to the priest: This clause is Jesus’ second command to the man. In this command, Jesus told the man to do what the Law of Moses commanded. According to Leviticus 14, a person healed of a skin disease must show himself to the priest. The priest would examine him to see whether his skin had really been healed. If he was healed, the priest would publicly declare him to be ritually “clean.”

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

go, show yourself to the priest ⌊so that he can see that you have been healed⌋
-or-
go and show the priest ⌊that you have been healed⌋

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

go straight to the priest and let him examine you (Good News Translation)
-or-
go to the priest and let him examine you ⌊so he can see you are cured⌋

priest: The word priest refers to a Jewish man who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. A priest also performed other rituals for the people.

Here are some other ways to translate priest:

• Use a descriptive term that focuses on the function of priests. For example:

a sacrificer
-or-
a man who offers sacrifices to God
-or-
a man who represents people to God

• Use a local word for priests. This option may be acceptable if the duties of local priests are similar to those of Jewish priests. You may need to indicate that the word refers to Jewish priests. For example:

Jewish people’s priest/sacrificer

If possible, you should choose a term that can be used in both Old Testament and New Testament contexts.

See how you translated priest in the phrase “chief priests” 2:4. See also priest in the Glossary for more information.

8:4c

and offer the gift prescribed by Moses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as offer means “bring, present.” It indicates that the man was to give the gift to the priest who then offered it as a sacrifice to God.

In some languages, these types of “gifts” are called “sacrifices” or “offerings.” And in some languages, the clause offer the gift would be “make a sacrifice” or “give an offering” or some other term.

Here are some other ways to translate this in English:

offer the sacrifice that Moses ordered (Good News Translation)
-or-
present the offering that Moses commanded (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. (New Living Translation (2004))

You should use a term that is natural in your language.

gift: According to Leviticus 14:10, the man was required to offer three lambs, some flour and oil. If he was poor, he could give one lamb, two doves, some flour and oil (Leviticus 14:21–22). The singular word gift refers to all those items as a group.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

sacrifice(s)
-or-
offering(s)
-or-
what Moses said you must present
-or-
all that Moses ordered you to give

8:4d

as a testimony to them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as a testimony to them means “to prove to the priests/people that you are healed.” After the priest had declared the man to be clean/well, and after he had offered his sacrifices, people would know and accept that he was healed and ritually clean. Then he could participate in public worship and live with his family again.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

to prove to everyone that you are cured (Good News Translation)

-or-

and everyone will know that you have been healed (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:2

9:2a

Just then: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Just then are literally “and behold” (as in the English Standard Version). They indicate that something extraordinary will happen. Here, what is unexpected is that some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, and Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
And suddenly (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Unexpectedly

some men brought to Him a paralytic: The word paralytic refers to a person who is paralyzed. He cannot move all or part of his body. The fact that this paralyzed man was lying on a mat probably indicates that it was more than his legs that were paralyzed.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

a paralyzed man (Good News Translation)
-or-
a crippled man (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a man who had part of his body dead

This same term occurs in 4:24f and 8:6a.

lying on a mat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mat can mean “sleeping mat” or even “stretcher” for carrying sick people. It probably does not refer here to a normal “bed” for sleeping, because there is a different Greek word for “bed.” Use an expression that is natural in this context for carrying a person who cannot walk.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

lying on a bed (English Standard Version)
-or-
lying on a stretcher (NET Bible)

9:2b–d

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”: The clause When Jesus saw their faith is what prompted Jesus to say to the paralytic, Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven. In some languages this may be expressed as a reason for what Jesus says. For example:

Jesus saw their faith. Therefore he said…
-or-
Jesus saw their faith and so he said…

In other languages, it is sufficient to let the context show the connection. For example:

Jesus saw their faith. He said…

In other languages it may be more natural to put the reason after what he said. For example:

2cJesus said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 2b⌊He said that⌋ because he saw their faith.

9:2b

saw their faith: In this context, the word saw means that Jesus “perceived,” “noticed” or “understood” that they had faith. In some languages, it is more natural to use a different verb. For example:

realized that they had faith
-or-
perceived how much faith they had

their: This pronoun probably refers to both the paralytic and the people bringing him. Your translation should allow that the word their refers to both the paralytic and the people bringing him.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

that they had
-or-
that all of them showed

faith: In this context, the word faith indicates that the men believed that Jesus could heal the paralyzed man. They probably had heard of Jesus healing other people, so they believed that he could heal a paralyzed man as well. If your language needs to say what they believed in, you should refer to Jesus or his power. For example:

faith ⌊in him⌋
-or-
faith ⌊that he had the power to heal⌋
-or-
they believed ⌊in him⌋
-or-
they believed ⌊that he had the power to heal⌋

Your translation should not say that they believed Jesus to be the Christ or the Savior here.

9:2d

Take courage: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the idiom Take courage means “cheer up” or “be encouraged.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

don’t worry! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Be encouraged (New Century Version)
-or-
Cheer up (God’s Word)

son: The word son shows Jesus’ love for the man. It does not mean that Jesus was his father. In some languages, it is more natural to use a different term to express love/compassion for a person in need. For example:

My friend (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
my ⌊younger⌋ brother

your sins are forgiven: In this context, the verb are forgiven indicates that as Jesus spoke, he was canceling the paralytic’s sins. The man would not be punished for them. God would treat him as though he had not offended him in any way. Jesus was not referring to a past event.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

your sins are taken away
-or-
your sins are canceled ⌊at this moment⌋
-or-
your sins are ⌊now⌋ pardoned

In many languages, there may be an idiom for this. For example:

are erased
-or-
are wiped away

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Your sins are forgiven/canceled

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊I⌋ forgive/pardon your sins

Jesus referred here to the man’s sins against God. This statement does not imply that the man had offended Jesus in some way. In some languages, it will be necessary to make this more clear. For example:

⌊all⌋ your sins are forgiven
-or-
your sins ⌊against God⌋ are forgiven

This verb also occurs in 6:12a.

sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.

Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:

(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip and greed are also sins.

(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Here are some other ways to translate sins:

wrong acts
-or-
offenses ⌊against God⌋

-or-

evil deeds

In some languages it may be natural to translate sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:

wrong things that ⌊you⌋ have done

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:2

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