SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 75

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:31

Paragraph 6:31–34

6:31

Verse 6:31 repeats the examples that are in 6:25–30: Jesus’ disciples should not worry about the material things which they need to live. See the notes above on 6:25–30 for more information.

6:31a

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces a conclusion based on God’s abundant and kind care.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

So (New International Version)
-or-
In conclusion
-or-
For this/that reason
-or-
Because God so wonderfully provides,

do not worry: This same phrase occurs in 6:25b.

6:31b

saying: The word saying introduces three questions that people may ask themselves. People do not necessarily ask these questions out loud.

Here are some other ways to introduce these questions:

and say (God’s Word)
-or-
and ask yourselves (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Do not ask

What shall we eat?: This is a real question. It is implied that food is scarce and not easily acquired.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

What are we going to eat? (God’s Word)
-or-
Will we have anything to eat? (Contemporary English Version)

6:31c

What shall we drink?: This too is a real question. The verb means “to drink anything.” It refers especially to water but also refers to anything else people drink with their meals. You will want to translate this clause similarly to the way you did the previous one. For example:

What are we going to drink? (God’s Word)
-or-
Will we have anything to drink? (Contemporary English Version)

6:31d

What shall we wear?: This also is a real question. You will want to translate this clause similarly to the way you did the two previous ones. For example:

What are we going to wear? (God’s Word)
-or-
Will we have any clothes to wear? (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 6:31a–d

In some languages it is more natural to use an indirect quotation for people’s thoughts. For instance:

Do not worry about what you will eat, drink or wear.

-or-

So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. (New Living Translation (1996))

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:29

7:29a

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason why the crowds were amazed at what he taught.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

for (English Standard Version)
-or-
the reason ⌊they were amazed⌋ is that

He taught as one who had authority: The words had authority refers to having the right and the power to do something. Jesus taught with confidence. He did not quote what other experts had to say about the Bible.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he taught with real authority (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he taught as someone with the right to teach
-or-
he taught with power

7:29b

and not as their scribes: The phrase not as their scribes indicates that Jesus did not teach in the same way that the scribes taught. When the scribes explained something, they always quoted other scholars to support their views. But Jesus did not quote other Jewish teachers to support the truth of what he said.

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

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

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

-or-

experts in the law

This word also occurs in 5:20. You should translate it here as you did there. See also scribe in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:32

Paragraph 8:32–34

8:32a

“Go!” He told them: The Berean Standard Bible places the words He told them after what Jesus said. In some languages, it may be more natural to place these words at the beginning of 8:32. For example:

And he said to them, “Go.” (English Standard Version)

Go!: The Greek word translated as Go! means “Go away” or “Depart.” By saying Go!, Jesus ordered the demons to leave the men. It is implied that he also gave them permission to enter the pigs.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

All right, go! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then go! (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages, it will be natural to translate this as indirect speech. For example:

He told them to go.

8:32b

they came out: This clause means that the demons came out of the two men. It refers to the demons no longer controlling the men.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the demons came out of the men (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they abandoned the men
-or-
they stopped controlling them and left

went into the pigs: This clause indicates that the demons entered into the pigs and began controlling them as they had been controlling the two men.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

entered the pigs (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
went and began controlling the pigs
-or-
went into the pigs and possessed them

8:32c

The Greek of 8:32c begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. It indicates that something extraordinary will happen. Here, the amazing event is that the pigs ran into the water and drowned.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

suddenly (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Unexpectedly

This word also occurs in 8:29a–b.

the whole herd rushed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rushed refers to running with no regard to safety.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

all the pigs ran recklessly
-or-
the whole herd charged (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the whole herd rushed madly (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

the steep bank: This phrase indicates that the place where the pigs were feeding was on the side of a hill. The hill was very sloped. The pigs rushed down the steep slope directly into the water. They did not fall or jump off a cliff.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the steep slope (NET Bible)
-or-
the steep hillside (New Living Translation (2004))

8:32d

died in the waters: This phrase indicates that all the pigs died in the lake. The demons did not die.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:30

9:30a

And their eyes were opened: This clause is an idiom. It means that the two men’s eyes were healed, and they were able to see. It does not mean that their eyes had been closed, and now they were open.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They were able to see (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then the men were able to see. (New Century Version)

The men were immediately healed when Jesus spoke the words of 9:29. The New International Version indicates that with a semi-colon (;) at the end of 9:29, and the Good News Translation indicates that with a long dash (—). If people in your area will not think that the healing was immediate, you may want to use punctuation, grammar, or another way to indicate so. Here are some examples:

and ⌊immediately⌋ they could see
-or-
and ⌊at the very moment⌋ ⌊he said that,⌋ they could see

9:30b

warned them sternly: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as warned them sternly is a strong warning, but it is not an angry warning.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

strongly cautioned them
-or-
insisted thoroughly
-or-
severely commanded/ordered
-or-
said emphatically

See that: In this context, the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See that is a warning that means “Be careful” or “Do not” It is a word of warning not to do something. Here it does not mean “look” at something.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

Don’t tell (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t let (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

no one finds out about this: This clause means that the two men should not tell anyone that Jesus had healed them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Let no one know about this/that
-or-
do not tell that/this to anyone

-or-

do not tell anyone ⌊that I healed you⌋

General Comment on 9:30b

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate 9:30b as indirect speech. For example:

Jesus strongly warned them not to tell anyone what had happened.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:24

Paragraph 10:24–25

10:24a

A disciple is not above his teacher: Here the word disciple refers to disciples or students in general. It does not refer only to Jesus’ disciples. Some English versions translate this word as “student” or “pupil.”

The word above is used in this context to refer to something greater in importance. Students are not more important than their teachers.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

No pupil is greater than his teacher (Good News Translation)
-or-
A student is not better than his teacher (New Century Version)
-or-
A student is not more important/honored than his teacher.

10:24b

nor a servant above his master: This clause means that a servant/slave is not more important than his master. This clause is similar in meaning to the clause in 10:24a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

no slave is greater than his master (Good News Translation)
-or-
and a servant is not better than his master (New Century Version)

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant is often translated as “slave.” But the difference between a “slave” and a “servant” is not important here. It refers to someone who serves or works for another person. For example:

worker/laborer
-or-
one who serves

master: This word refers to the person who owns the slave, or the person who rules the servant.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

boss/owner

-or-

one who rules

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:14

11:14a

And if you are willing to accept it: In Greek, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accept does not have an object. Something must be accepted/believed, and there are two ways to interpret what that something might be:

(1) It is the second half of the verse: he is the Elijah who was to come. For example:

if you will believe me (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It is the prophets in 11:13. For example:

if you believe them (Contemporary English Version)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This fits the context best and is the interpretation that most English versions follow.

if you are willing to accept it: This is an if clause, but it is not a normal if clause. The second part of this verse (he is the Elijah who was to come) is true even if people were not willing to accept it.

Many people in the time of Jesus mistakenly believed that Elijah would literally come back to earth. Jesus probably used this if clause to draw attention to their mistaken belief and to emphasize the truth of what he was about to say.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if you are willing to accept/believe what I say, ⌊you will understand that⌋
-or-
whether you are willing to accept/believe this ⌊or not⌋
-or-
Even though you may find it hard to accept/believe, ⌊I tell you the truth.⌋

This clause does not imply that if the people are not willing to accept it, then John is not the Elijah who is to come.

11:14b

he is the Elijah who was to come: This clause indicates that John was the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5. In that verse, God said that he would send the prophet Elijah. This prophecy took place after Elijah had already gone to heaven. Because of this verse, the Jews were expecting Elijah to come back down among them.

In Luke 1:17, God told John’s father that John would go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah.” John was not the actual Elijah reborn, rather God gave him power just like he had given power to Elijah. So when the prophet Malachi said that Elijah would come, he was actually talking about a man who would be like Elijah. That man was John.

If you translate this clause literally and people think that John and Elijah are the same person, you may want to:

• Add some implied information about the prophecy. For example:

John ⌊fulfilled the prophecy⌋ about Elijah coming
-or-
John is ⌊the man whom the prophet was talking about when he said that⌋ Elijah would return

• Use “like” or “as” to show that John was not Elijah reborn. For example:

John is ⌊the one who came as⌋ Elijah ⌊whom the Scriptures said⌋ was to come

who was to come: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who was to come indicates that Elijah’s coming was prophesied. The prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah would come.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

whose coming was predicted (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one the prophets said would come (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

whom ⌊the prophet foretold⌋ would come

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:16

12:16

warning them: The pronoun them probably refers to the people whom Jesus healed. It does not refer to everyone who followed him. In 8:4a and 9:30b, Jesus also commanded people whom he healed not to tell anyone what had happened.

not to make Him known: This phrase refers:

(a) generally to spreading the news of his activities. Jesus did not want the people whom he healed to talk about his miracles and so make him famous. He did not want to encourage the Pharisees to try to kill him before it was time.

(b) specifically to spreading the news of his identity. The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would deliver them from Rome. They did not yet understand what type of Messiah he really was. Jesus did not want them to spread false information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

not to tell others about him (Good News Translation)
-or-
not to tell anyone what he had done

-or-

not to tell who he was (New International Version)

In some languages, it may be natural to translate this phrase as direct speech. For example:

“Do not tell anyone about me!”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:48

12:48a

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But simply indicates a change from one speaker to another. In this context, it does not indicate a contrast. Many English versions do not translate this word. In many languages, it will not be necessary to translate this word either.

Jesus replied: This clause introduces Jesus’ rhetorical question. In some languages, it may be natural to shorten this clause. For example:

Jesus said to this person
-or-
Jesus asked (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate this clause in a way that indicates that Jesus spoke to the man who told him about his mother and brothers.

12:48b

Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used it to introduce a new idea. The new idea is that people who do the will of God are Jesus’ true family. Since Jesus and the crowd knew that the people waiting outside were his biological mother and brothers, Jesus said this to make them think. He wanted them to think about what kinds of people should be treated as brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers. His answer in 12:49–50 shows that we should treat our fellow Christians as brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers.

Here are some other ways to introduce this new idea:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

Let me tell you who my mother and my brothers are.

-or-

I will tell you who my mother and my brothers are.

Use a natural way in your language to introduce this new idea. Be careful to translate this in a way that does not imply that Jesus did not know who his family was. Also, be careful to translate this in a way that does not imply that Jesus was saying that the people waiting for him were not his mother and brothers.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:31

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:48

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