SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 72

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:25

4:25a

The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee: The phrase large crowds indicates a very great number of people. The word crowds is plural because many people came from Galilee, many others came from Decapolis, many others came from Jerusalem, and so forth.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Very many people
-or-
Large numbers of people

that followed Him: Here the phrase followed Him probably means “went with Jesus.” In other contexts, it can mean “became a disciple of Jesus.” Some people in the crowd may have followed Jesus for the purpose of being his disciples, but others followed him only to see his miracles. Here you should translate followed in a literal way. For example:

went with him
-or-
accompanied him
-or-
followed him wherever he went (New Living Translation (2004))

4:25b

the Decapolis: The word Decapolis means “the ten cities.” It refers to a region where there was a group of ten cities that had special status under Roman law.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Transliterate the term as the Berean Standard Bible and some other versions do. For example:

the Decapolis
-or-
Dekapolisi

• Translate the meaning of the term. For example:

the Ten Towns (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Ten Cities (God’s Word)

Jerusalem, Judea: The names Jerusalem and Judea are mentioned together, but Jerusalem is a city and Judea is a district. Jerusalem was the main city in Judea. You may want to make it clear that Jerusalem was in Judea. For example:

Jerusalem and ⌊other areas of the district of⌋ Judea

4:25c

and beyond the Jordan: The phrase beyond the Jordan refers to land on the east side of the Jordan River. Jerusalem was on the west side of the Jordan River. Other land was referred to as land beyond, across, or on the other side of the Jordan River.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the land across the Jordan River (New Century Version)
-or-
from east of the Jordan River (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

the land on the other side of the Jordan River

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:32

5:32

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 5:32b and 5:32c. Compare the order and structure of the clauses in the Berean Standard Bible and the New Century Version below.

32aBut I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, 32bexcept for sexual immorality, 32cbrings adultery upon her. (Berean Standard Bible)

32aBut I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife 32cforces her to be guilty of adultery. 32bThe only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if she has sexual relations with another man. (New Century Version)

5:32a

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

you: In the Greek text, the pronoun for you is plural.

anyone who divorces his wife: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anyone refers only to men.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

any man who divorces his wife (God’s Word)
-or-
if a man divorces his wife (Good News Translation)

5:32b

except for sexual immorality: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as except for sexual immorality means “except on the ground of sexual immorality” (as in the English Standard Version). This indicates that the only acceptable reason for divorce is sexual immorality.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

except for marital unfaithfulness (New International Version)
-or-
for any reason other than unfaithfulness (God’s Word)
-or-
unless she has committed some terrible sexual sin (Contemporary English Version)

sexual immorality: There are several ways to understand the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality:

(1) It refers specifically to adultery. This means that the woman has been unfaithful to her husband after the marriage. For example:

she has sexual relations with another man (New Century Version)

(2) It refers generally to any kind of sexual immorality before or after marriage.

(3) It refers to an unlawful or illegal marriage. For example:

an illicit marriage (New Jerusalem Bible)

Most English versions use a word or phrase that follows interpretation (1) or (2), but it is often not possible to tell which one. It is recommended that you also follow interpretation (1) or (2).

5:32c

brings adultery upon her: In that culture, a divorced woman almost always remarried. She remarried because there was no satisfactory way for her to support herself alone. If the first husband has divorced her even though she has been faithful, he has caused her to become unfaithful to him if she marries another man. In that sense, he brings adultery upon her.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

causes her to commit adultery (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
makes her guilty of sexual sin ⌊if she marries again⌋

5:32d

And he who marries a divorced woman: In this context, the phrase he who refers to another man who marries a divorced woman.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

if another man marries that divorced woman
-or-
if someone else marries the woman ⌊whose first husband⌋ divorced ⌊her⌋

commits adultery: In God’s view, it is as if the second husband is having sexual relations with another man’s wife. God wants a man to stay married to his first wife, and he wants the woman to remain married to her first husband. Their marriage binds them together as if the two of them were one person.

You will probably want to translate this expression the same way as in 5:32c.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:16

Section 6:16–18

Jesus taught about fasting

In this section, Jesus taught his disciples that when they fast, they should do it in a way that other people are not aware of it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Fasting
-or-
Teaching about fasting

Paragraph 6:16–18

This paragraph contains the third example of how to apply the command (in 6:1) not to do good works before people. This third example is about fasting.

6:16a

When: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When also means “whenever” or “each time.” It assumes that believers will fast.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whenever (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Every/each time
-or-
At any time

See how you translated When in 6:2 where it has the same meaning.

fast: The word fast means “choose not to eat food temporarily for a religious/spiritual reason.” Generally, when someone fasts, he does not eat any food, but he can drink water. People usually fast for a day, but the fast can be a shorter or longer period of time. People fast to humble themselves, to show sadness for their sins, or to seek God’s will or help.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

stop eating ⌊for a time⌋ for religious reasons
-or-
not eat ⌊for a day/time⌋ to seek God’s help
-or-
abstain from eating in order to pray

do not be somber: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as somber means “sad.” Jesus was referring to looking sad in order that people will realize that you are fasting and will think that you are religious. The full clause warns against making one’s face look sad or unhappy.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do not put on a sad face (Good News Translation)
-or-
do not look sad
-or-
do not let it be known by your appearance/face

the hypocrites: The word hypocrites refers to people who pretend to be something that they are not.

This word also occurs in 6:2c. Translate it here as you did there.

6:16b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces a more detailed explanation of what was said in 6:16a. Do not translate this verse as if it were the reason for 6:16a. It further explains 6:16a, but it is not a reason. Some English versions begin a new sentence here and do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary here either.

they disfigure their faces: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disfigure refers to not washing their faces and not keeping their hair and beards looking neat. They did this to look like people who were very sorrowful.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

They neglect their appearance (Good News Translation)
-or-
They make their faces look sad (New Century Version)
-or-
they act like they are suffering
-or-
they do not wash their faces nor comb their hair

6:16c

to show men they are fasting: In Greek, this clause is literally “so that fasting may be seen by men.” This clause gives the purpose for their “disfigured faces” (in 6:16b). They made their faces look sad in order to make it obvious to others that they were fasting.

Although the Berean Standard Bible uses an active phrase here (to show men), the Greek verb is passive (“may be seen”).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• As a passive. For example:

so that they may be seen by others that they are fasting

• As an active, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

so that people may see that they are fasting (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
so that everyone will see that they are fasting (Good News Translation)
-or-
to make it obvious that they’re fasting (God’s Word)

men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men refers to people in general here, both men and women.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

other people
-or-
people

6:16d

Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward: This clause is identical to the clause in 6:2. You should translate it here as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:14

7:14a

But: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts begin this verse with a word that functions as an exclamation. For example:

How narrow the gate (New American Bible)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts begin this verse with the conjunction that means “For/because.” For example:

For the gate is narrow (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

The Berean Standard Bible, along with most English versions, do not follow option (2), but neither do they clearly translate option (1). Instead, they make explicit the contrast between 7:13 and 7:14 by beginning this verse with But. It is recommended that you also indicate the contrast between these two verses.

On the other hand, here is one way to indicate both the Greek exclamation and the contrast:

But very narrow is the gate
-or-
But the gate is really narrow

small is the gate: In the Greek, the word small is the same as “narrow” in 7:13a. You should translate it here as you did there. For example:

the gate is narrow
-or-
the entrance is small

narrow the way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as narrow refers to something being pressed/squeezed from both sides. This way/path is the opposite of the “wide/easy” path in 7:13b. You should translate it in a way that contrasts with “the way is easy.” For example:

the road is narrow (New Century Version)
-or-
The road that leads there is so hard to follow (Contemporary English Version)

that leads to life: The word life refers to eternal life. In some languages a literal translation would refer only to life on earth. If that is true in your language, you may want to add some implied meaning. For example:

⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
life ⌊that never ends⌋
-or-
life ⌊in heaven⌋

Both the narrow gate and the narrow road lead to life. It is not only the narrow road. One way to make this clear is:

But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow (Contemporary English Version)

7:14b

only a few find it: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as find includes the meanings: “find from searching,” “find accidentally,” and “obtain, secure, or receive” Here it probably refers to finding after searching.

The pronoun it could refer to the gate, the path, or life. Because this clause is parallel to “enter through it” in 7:13c, this pronoun probably refers to the narrow gate. One way to translate this clause is:

few people find that gate

In some languages, the word find may not also imply entering. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information. For example:

only a few people find it ⌊and enter⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:17

8:17a

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: There are two ways to interpret the way that 8:17a is connected to 8:16b–c:

(1) It is the purpose for which Jesus healed people. According to this interpretation, Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick so that scripture would be fulfilled. For example:

He did this to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Century Version)

(2) It is the result of Jesus healing people. According to this interpretation, Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick, and as a result scripture was fulfilled. For example:

So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said (Contemporary English Version)

(God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Greek conjunction in this sentence clearly indicates purpose.

A similar clause occurs in 1:22. See how you translated that clause.

to fulfill: The word fulfill means “to make come true” or “to make happen as it was foretold/prophesied.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

He did this to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said (Good News Translation)
-or-
He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said (New Century Version)

what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as through the prophet Isaiah can also be translated as “by the prophet Isaiah” (as also in the English Standard Version). This phrase indicates that the following words did not come from Isaiah himself. They came from God through Isaiah. God spoke the following words to Isaiah, and Isaiah then spoke them to the people. Isaiah also wrote them down.

This is a passive clause. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what ⌊God⌋ spoke ⌊to the people⌋ through the prophet Isaiah

prophet: A prophet is a person who spoke on behalf of God. God spoke to the prophet Isaiah through words and visions. Then the prophet told God’s message (the prophecy) to the people or wrote it down for their use.

See how you translated prophet in 1:22 and 4:14. See also prophet in the Glossary for further information.

8:17b

Verse 8:17b is a quote from Isaiah 53:4. It is also a Hebrew form of poetry called a parallelism. In a parallelism, an idea is repeated.

In the example below, one parallel pair in 8:17b is underlined. The other parallel pair is made bold. Notice that the parts of each pair are similar in meaning.

He took on our infirmities

and carried our diseases.

In some languages, people will think that the parallel parts in 8:17b describe different events. In other words, they will think that “He took on our infirmities” and “carried our diseases” describe different events.

If that is true in your language, you should:

• Indicate that both expressions refer to the same thing. For example:

He took on our infirmities,

⌊I repeat, he⌋ carried our diseases.

• Combine the parallel parts. For example:

He took on our infirmities and diseases.
-or-
He took away all our infirmities.

He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases: Early Christians understood these words from Isaiah to refer to Jesus dealing with sin, sorrow and sickness when he died on the cross. The verb took on means that in some sense Jesus “took away” people’s sins and diseases, and he “took them on himself.” The verb carried is a synonym. He “carried away” or “removed” people’s sins and sicknesses, and he “carried/bore” them on himself on the cross. He paid for them and removed them when he died. In the passage from Isaiah, the verbs took and carried seem to have only a spiritual sense.

However, Matthew applied this verse to Jesus healing people. The way Matthew applied this verse from Isaiah, the verb took means “took away” and the verb carried mean “removed” in the sense of “healed.” These verbs have a physical sense.

Here are some other ways to translate these verbs:

• Use verbs that refer only to the spiritual sense of “bearing” people’s sickness as found in Isaiah. For example:

He took our suffering on him and carried our diseases. (New Century Version)

• Find verbs that can be used in both a spiritual and physical sense. For example:

He himself took our sickness and carried away our diseases. (Good News Translation)

• Use verbs that refer to the physical healing in the Matthew context. For example:

He healed our diseases and made us well. (Contemporary English Version)

He: The pronoun He is emphasized in the Greek. Some English versions show this emphasis. For example:

He himself (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 8:17b

Old Testament prophets sometimes used the past tense to speak a prophecy about an event that would happen in the future. The past tense views the event from God’s viewpoint after the event happened. Isaiah lived more than 600 years before Jesus. Isaiah spoke this prophecy that was fulfilled in 8:16–17. It may be more natural in your language to use something other than past tense here. For example:

He will take away our illnesses and will remove our diseases.

But to a reader of your translation, all these events are past. So using the past tense may be acceptable.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:15

9:15a–d

Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast….”: In this verse, Jesus used an illustration or extended metaphor to answer the question that John’s disciples asked. He compared himself to a bridegroom and his disciples to a bridegroom’s friends.

The people listening to Jesus would have understood this comparison. If your readers will not understand it, it may be necessary to make it explicit.

Here are some other ways to translate this extended metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor as in the Berean Standard Bible.

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make Jesus and the disciples explicit. For example:

⌊He compared himself to a bridegroom, and his disciples to the bridegroom’s guests.⌋ He said, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?…”
-or-

⌊My disciples are like⌋ guests at a wedding. Can they be sad while ⌊I,⌋ the groom, am still with them? The time will come when ⌊I,⌋ the groom, will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.
-or-
Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? ⌊No!⌋ ⌊My disciples are like that.⌋ One day, ⌊I,⌋ the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast

• Translate the meaning directly in the text and add a footnote explaining the metaphor. For example:

Can my disciples be sad while I am still with them? The time will come when I will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.

Sample footnote:

Jesus said that his disciples did not fast because he was still with them. In Greek, he illustrated this teaching by using an illustration of the friends of a bridegroom. The friends would not be sad at the wedding while the bridegroom was still with them. It is only after the bridegroom is taken away from them that they would become sad and would fast. So his disciples would be sad and fast when Jesus’ enemies would take him away from them.

9:15a

Jesus replied: The words that follow are in reply to the question in 9:14. Use a verb that is natural in your language in this context. For example:

Jesus answered (New International Version)

Jesus answered their question with a parable. Use a natural way in your language to introduce the parable. For example:

Jesus answered them ⌊with a proverb/parable⌋

9:15b

How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that the guests will/can not mourn while the bridegroom is with them. A wedding is a happy time.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

The friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. (New Century Version)

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

guests of the bridegroom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guests of the bridegroom refers to the friends of the bridegroom. They help the bridegroom organize the wedding, and they help him during the wedding.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

friends of the bridegroom (New Century Version)
-or-
the wedding guests (English Standard Version)

In some cultures, marriage customs may be so different from those of the Jews that the term guests may be difficult to translate. For example, there may be no celebration at the time of a couple’s marriage, or the bridegroom may not be involved in the celebration. If that is true in your culture, you may need to use a very general phrase. For example:

people invited to the wedding
-or-
friends who are celebrating with the man-who-has-gotten-a-wife

bridegroom: The word bridegroom refers to the man who is getting married. In modern English, this man is simply called the “groom.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

groom (God’s Word)
-or-
young man getting married

mourn: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mourn means “be sad, grieve, or weep.” It is what people do at a funeral, not a wedding.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

be sad (Good News Translation)
-or-
grieve

while He is with them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He is literally “the bridegroom.” However, since the Berean Standard Bible already used the word “bridegroom” in the expression “the guests of the bridegroom,” it uses the pronoun here.

Additionally, the Berean Standard Bible capitalizes the pronoun He to make it clear that Jesus is referring to himself. If this would be confusing in your language, consider making it clear that the pronoun refers to the “bridegroom.”

9:15c

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the current time of happiness (15a–b) and the later time of sadness and fasting (15c–d). Some English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction But. However, some English versions, like the English Standard Version, omit this conjunction.

the time will come: This clause refers to a future time when Christ, the bridegroom, will be taken away from the disciples.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the day will come (Good News Translation)
-or-
the time will come (New International Version)
-or-
someday (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
one day

when the bridegroom will be taken from them: This clause refers to the time when Jesus, the bridegroom, will be forcibly taken away from his disciples. It refers to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It does not refer to the bridegroom leaving on his own.

The verb will be taken is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

when the groom will be taken away from them (God’s Word)

• Use an active verb. For example:

when ⌊people⌋ will take away the bridegroom

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:9

10:9

Do not carry any: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carry also means “get” or “buy.” It refers to preparing for the journey. This verb applies to the “gold or silver or copper” money of this verse, and the “bag,” “tunic,” “sandals,” and “staff” of 10:10a. Instead, the disciples were to rely on the hospitality of the people they stayed with.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

Do not take along (New International Version)
-or-
Acquire no (English Standard Version)

gold or silver or copper: The words gold, silver and copper are different types of metal. Here they refer to coins made of these metals or to pieces of these metals that could be used like money.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

any gold, silver, or copper coins (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
any money with you—gold or silver or copper (New Century Version)
-or-
any money (New Living Translation (1996))

in your belts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as belts refers to cloth belts in which Jews typically carried their money. They folded money in these belts and then wrapped them around their waists.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in your money belts (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in your pockets (Good News Translation)

-or-

with you (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:41

10:41a

Whoever receives a prophet: As in the previous verse, the word receives refers to giving hospitality to someone. It refers to taking a person into one’s house and caring for him by feeding him or helping him as he needs it.

In this verse, Jesus is expanding his teaching about receiving people into one’s home. Here it includes prophets. In 10:41c, he expands it further to include righteous people who are serving Christ.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The person who receives/takes a prophet ⌊into his house⌋
-or-
The person who welcomes a prophet (God’s Word)

prophet: A prophet is a person who speaks on behalf of God.

The word prophet also occurs in 1:22 and 8:17a. You should translate it here as you did there. See also prophet in the Glossary for further information.

because he is a prophet: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because he is a prophet is literally “in the name of a prophet” (as in the NET Bible). This phrase indicates that the person knew that he was a prophet and therefore gladly received him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as a prophet (God’s Word)
-or-
because that person is a prophet (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
because he knows/recognizes that he is a messenger of God

10:41b

will receive a prophet’s reward: The word reward refers to wages or a gift given for worthy behavior. God gives a reward to prophets for serving him. God will also give the same reward to the person who welcomes a prophet.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

will be given the same reward as a prophet (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the reward that he will receive is the same reward that a prophet will receive

10:41c–d

and whoever receives a righteous man: A righteous man is a person who lives by God’s standards. He constantly does what is right and good in God’s sight.

This word also occurs in 9:13c.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good (Good News Translation)
-or-
anyone who welcomes a holy man (Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the person who welcomes a person who obeys God’s law
-or-
He who gives hospitality to a person who does what is right

In some languages there may be an idiom to describe this. For example:

If you welcome a person who follows a straight path

-or-

He who welcomes a good/straight person

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:41

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