SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 76

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:22

13:22a

The seed sown among the thorns: This clause refers to what happened when some seed fell among thorns. Be careful not to imply that the seed is being compared to a person. The comparison is to the entire situation.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

⌊The meaning of what happened to⌋ the seeds that were planted among thorns is this:

• Use an active verb. For example:

As for the seeds that ⌊the farmer⌋ planted among thorns, that is like

• Use another type of verb. For example:

As for the thorns where some seeds fell, that is like

This clause is similar to 13:20a, so translate it in a similar way.

thorns: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as thorns refers to any kind of thorny plant. This same word occurs in 13:7a.

13:22b

is the one who hears the word: This clause is exactly the same as 13:20b. You should translate both clauses in the same way.

is: The word is indicates a comparison. It means “the situation in 13:22a represents….” In other words, sowing among thorns “is like” or “represents” someone who hears the word, but…it proves unfruitful. For example:

represents (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
stand for (Good News Translation)

the one who hears the word: The word one refers to a certain type of person. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a plural word here. For example:

people who hear the message (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who hear God’s word (New Living Translation (2004))

13:22c

the worries of this life: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worries means “anxieties, worries, concerns.”

The phrase of this life refers to living in this world. It is contrasted with life in heaven.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the cares of the life on earth
-or-
the worries of life (God’s Word)
-or-
the worries/concerns of daily living

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a verb here rather than the noun worries. For example:

but worrying about life,
-or-
but they are so worried about daily life

13:22d

the deceitfulness of wealth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deceitfulness describes something that deceives, tricks, or fools someone. The word riches refers to wealth/money. Money deceives people into thinking that it will make them happy, but it does not. Money also deceives people so that they seek riches more than they seek ways to follow God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

lure of riches (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
seduction/enticement of money
-or-
the lie that wealth ⌊will make one happy⌋

In some languages, it is more natural to use a verb here rather than the noun deceitfulness. For example:

wealth lead him astray
-or-
they…are fooled by the desire to get rich (Contemporary English Version)

choke the word: The verb choke refers to the way that weeds and thorns crowd other plants and prevent them from growing normally. This same word occurs in 13:7b.

Here, this word is used metaphorically. It refers to the way that “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth” keep a person’s mind too busy to think about the message of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

prevent the word ⌊of God⌋ from growing
-or-
crowd/press the message out ⌊of his mind⌋
-or-
cause him not to think about the message
-or-
overpower the word ⌊of God⌋ ⌊in their mind/thinking⌋

13:22e

and it becomes unfruitful: The word it refers back to “the word.” When the word of God is choked, it is made unfruitful. Like the grain plants that were crowded and did not produce a crop, the word of God was crowded out of this person’s mind/heart and did not “bear fruit.”

unfruitful: The word unfruitful means “not producing fruit.” In the New Testament, fruit is a metaphor for “doing good deeds/actions.” Here the word unfruitful refers to the word of God having no effect on the person’s life.

Here are some other ways you could translate this:

• Keep the metaphor of being unfruitful. For example:

the word becomes unfruitful
-or-
the word produces no fruit ⌊in that person’s life⌋

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

there is no response ⌊in that person’s life⌋

-or-

and so they do not act and think according to God’s message

© 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 13:54

13:54a

Coming to His hometown: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hometown refers to the town/place where a person lived with his parents while he was growing up. Jesus’ hometown was Nazareth.

Capernaum is in a valley, and Nazareth is on a large hill. The walk from Capernaum to Nazareth is a one or two day journey of about forty kilometers to the west. It is a rise in elevation of about 550 meters.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and went ⌊over⌋ to his hometown
-or-
and went ⌊up⌋ to the town where he grew up
-or-
and went back to his hometown (Good News Translation)

13:54b

their synagogue: This phrase refers to the synagogue of the Jews of that area. (This same phrase occurs in 4:23b, 9:35b, and 12:9.) In many languages, it is natural to simply say that Jesus went to “a synagogue.” For example:

a synagogue (Good News Translation)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

their worship place
-or-
their prayer house
-or-
a ⌊local⌋ house of worship

13:54c

and they were astonished: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and indicates a connection. When Jesus taught, the result was that:

(a) people were astonished, and

(b) they asked themselves a number of rhetorical questions (in 13:54d–56b).

Here are some other ways to begin this clause:

• Use the conjunction “and.” For example:

and those who heard him were amazed (Good News Translation)

• Begin a new sentence here. For example:

They were astonished (NET Bible)

they were astonished: The people were astonished at Jesus’ wisdom and teaching. Jesus had more wisdom than anything he learned at school as a child. The Holy Spirit gave this wisdom to him. The people of Nazareth knew Jesus from when he was a child, and so they were not expecting such great wisdom.

Here are some other examples:

everyone was amazed
-or-
they were very surprised ⌊at his wisdom⌋

13:54d

Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise. The people were surprised that Jesus had such wisdom and could do miracles. They asked themselves about the source of these things.

Here are some other ways to translate this surprise:

• As a rhetorical question or questions. For example:

Where did this man get this wisdom and this power to do miracles? (New Century Version)
-or-
Who taught this man? Who gave him the power to do these miracles?

• As a statement. For example:

We wonder where this man got his wisdom and the power to do these miracles. It is very surprising.

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

this man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this man is more literally “this (one).” The people referred to Jesus like this even though they knew his name. They did not say “our brother” or “our son.” This probably implies a lack of respect. If there is a way to show a lack of respect in your language when addressing someone, translate in that way.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

this fellow/guy

such wisdom: The phrase such wisdom refers to the wise teachings of Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

this knowledge/learning
-or-
these wise teachings

In some languages, it may be natural to translate the noun wisdom as an adjective. For example:

become smart/clever/wise

miraculous powers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as miraculous powers refers to the miracles that Jesus did.

In some languages, it may not be natural to say “where did he get these miracles.” It may be necessary to say:

the power to do these miracles (God’s Word)

they asked: The people asked themselves these questions. They did not ask Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

and ⌊they⌋ said to ⌊each other⌋

-or-

and ⌊they⌋ asked ⌊themselves⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:28

Paragraph 14:28–33

14:28a–b

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”: Peter wanted Jesus to confirm that the person on the water was really him. It was dark and stormy, and the disciples could not clearly see. But they had heard Jesus’ voice. Peter believed that if it was really Jesus, he would enable Peter to walk on the water.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you (Good News Translation)
-or-
Lord, if it is ⌊truly⌋ you, tell me to come to you ⌊walking⌋ on the water

14:28a

Peter replied: Peter did not answer a question. So, in many languages, it will be better to say:

Peter said to him
-or-
Then Peter called to him (New Living Translation (2004))

14:28b

on the water: Peter wanted to walk on the surface of the water just as Jesus was doing.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

on top of the water

-or-

on the surface of the water

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:24

15:24

He answered: There are several ways to interpret these words:

(1) Jesus was talking to both his disciples and the woman. He was answering the disciples and intended the woman to also hear what he said.

(2) Jesus was talking to his disciples. He agreed with them that the woman should be sent away. He thought that because he was sent to Israelites, not to Canaanites like her.

(3) Jesus was talking to the woman. He was telling her that he would not help her because he had been sent only to Israel. For example:

Then Jesus said to the woman (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you not say who Jesus was talking to. You should leave it vague as most English versions do. For example:

Jesus said (Contemporary English Version)

I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: In Greek, this sentence is more literally “I was not sent ⌊to anyone⌋ except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Also, the phrase to the lost sheep of the house of Israel is emphasized in the Greek.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

I was sent to no one except the lost sheep of the nation of Israel
-or-
It is only to the lost sheep of Israel that I was sent

I was sent: This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive clause like in the Berean Standard Bible.

• As an active clause. For example:

God sent me (New Century Version)

to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: This is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Jesus compared the Israelites/Jews to lost sheep. They are like lost sheep in the sense that they need to be saved or rescued.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel. (God’s Word)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

I was sent only to the people of Israel! They are like a flock of lost sheep. (Contemporary English Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

I was sent only to the nation of Israel. ⌊They are like⌋ lost sheep ⌊who need to be saved/rescued⌋.
-or-
I was sent only to ⌊help⌋ the people of Israel. ⌊They are like⌋ lost sheep.

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor without using a figure of speech. For example:

I was sent only to the people of Israel. They are lost and need to be saved/rescued.

the house of Israel: This phrase refers to “the nation of Israel,” “the people of Israel” or more simply “the Jews.” For example:

the nation of Israel (God’s Word)

-or-

the people of Israel (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:17

Paragraph 16:17–20

16:17a

Jesus replied: Jesus responded to Simon Peter’s answer. He did not answer a question. So in some languages, it will be more natural to use a different verb here. For example:

Jesus answered him (English Standard Version)
-or-
Jesus said to him

Blessed are you: The word Blessed here refers to God doing good to someone or putting that person in a good position. Use the same word for Blessed here as you used in 5:3–11, 11:6 and 13:16a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

⌊God has⌋ blessed you
-or-
You are favored
-or-

⌊God has⌋ favored you
-or-

⌊God has⌋ done good to you

Simon son of Jonah: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as son of Jonah is transliterated in some English versions. For example:

Simon Bar-Jonah (English Standard Version)

Most English versions translate this word as son of Jonah or “Bar-Jonah.” But the Good News Translation and New Living Translation (2004) translate this word as “son of John.” This is probably based on John 1:42. (The names Jonah and John are spelled similarly in the Greek.) It is recommended that you use the name Jonah.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this name first in the quote in 16:17a. For example:

Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed

16:17b

For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For indicates that 16:17b is the reason that Simon is blessed. The result is in 16:17a. In some languages, it may be more natural to put the reason before the result. For example:

17bFlesh and blood has not revealed this to you. 17a⌊That is why⌋ you are blessed.

this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood: The phrase flesh and blood is a figurative way of speaking about human beings. It implies that a spirit being like God revealed to Simon Peter that Jesus is the Christ. Human beings did not reveal it to him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

No human revealed this to you (God’s Word)
-or-
no one of this earth showed that to you
-or-
no person taught you that (New Century Version)

this: The word this refers to Simon Peter’s words in 16:16a–b, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

this truth (Good News Translation)
-or-
this understanding/knowledge
-or-
that I am the Christ

16:17c

but: There is a contrast between who did not reveal this to Peter, and who did reveal it to him. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

Here are some other ways to indicate this contrast:

instead
-or-
rather

In some languages, a conjunction is not needed to indicate this contrast.

by My Father in heaven: The words “revealed to you” from 16:17b are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be more natural to repeat some or all of the words. For example:

my Father who is in heaven ⌊revealed this to you⌋
-or-
it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven (Good News Translation)
-or-
my heavenly Father ⌊showed you that I am the Christ⌋

My Father in heaven: This phrase refers to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

my Father ⌊God⌋ in heaven
-or-
my heavenly Father

-or-

my Father who ⌊lives⌋ in heaven

General Comment on 16:17a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to state the positive clause (16:17c) first and the negative clause (16:17b) second. For example:

17c My Father who is in heaven revealed this to you. 17bFlesh and blood did not.

In some languages, it may also be natural to put part of 16:17a (the result) at the end of the verse after 16:17b–c (the reason). For example:

17a Simon son of Jonah, 17cmy heavenly Father showed that to you. 17b No one of this earth showed it to you. 17a ⌊So⌋ you are blessed.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:21

17:21

There is a textual issue here. The best Greek manuscripts do not have the words in 17:21. Most English versions do not include these words in the text. They include this verse only as a footnote. This verse was probably added later to make this story in the book of Matthew be like the story in the book of Mark.

It is good to include this verse only as a footnote, as many English versions do. Here is an example footnote:

Only some of the later Greek manuscripts include 17:21, which says: “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

(See below for help in translating this verse.)

If the major language version in your area includes this verse in the text, you may want to include it in brackets. For example:

[But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”] (New American Standard Bible)

If you put 17:21 in a footnote, here are several ways to number the verses:

• At the beginning of 17:20, put the verse numbers 20–21. Put the footnote marker at the end. For example:

20–21Jesus replied: (Contemporary English Version)

It is because you don’t have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you. ‡

• Put in the number 21 after the last word of 17:20, and have the footnote marker after it. For example:

20Jesus answered, “Because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. All things will be possible for you.” 21‡ (New Century Version)

• Do not include verse number 21. Put the footnote marker after verse 20. For example:

20He told them, “Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ‡ (God’s Word)

(New American Standard Bible) But this kind: The phrase this kind refers to “this kind of demon.” For example, the God’s Word footnote says:

However, this kind ⌊of demon⌋ (God’s Word)

(New American Standard Bible) does not go out: These words refer to “casting out” the demon. For example, the Contemporary English Version footnote says:

to force out (Contemporary English Version)

(New American Standard Bible) except by prayer and fasting: These words means that “only prayer and fasting” will force that type of demon out of a person. For example, the New Century Version footnote says:

only if you use prayer and give up eating (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:26

Paragraph 18:26–27

18:26a

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then indicates that 18:26 is the result of what the master said in 18:25.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

When this happened
-or-
As a result

Some English versions do not translate this word. They allow the context to suggest the connection. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary here either.

the servant fell on his knees before him: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fell on his knees is more literally “fell and prostrated himself before him.” This indicates that the servant wanted to show the king great respect and honor. A person usually did that by bending over with his face toward the ground, or actually lying face down on the ground. This does not mean that he tripped and fell.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

got down on his knees (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
knelt/bowed down before him
-or-
threw himself to the ground before him (New International Version)

18:26b

Have patience with me: There is a textual issue here. Some Greek manuscripts include the word “Lord” at the beginning of the servant’s plea. Other Greek manuscripts do not include this word.

(1) Most English versions follow the Greek manuscripts that do not include this word. For example:

Have patience with me (New Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, God’s Word)

(2) Many Greek manuscripts do include the word “Lord,” but only a few English translations follow them. For example:

Lord, have patience with me (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (1996))

The word “Lord” was probably not in the original Greek text. However, remember that the servant spoke very politely to his master as he pleaded for patience. In some languages, this way of speaking includes the use of a title. In other languages, there are other ways to show respect with words. For example:

Please, be patient with me (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
My master, be patient with me

Have patience: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Have patience is a command. But because of whom the servant said this to, it is really a plea or a request for patience.

The servant pleaded with the master not to act quickly on his decision to sell him. Rather, he should wait a bit, even though the master had the right to do what he threatened.

Here are some other ways to translate this plea:

Sir, please, allow me to have some more time.
-or-
My king, have pity and wait a while.

he begged: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as begged is the common Greek verb that means “saying.” In this context, the servant’s speech implies that he pleaded with the master. So, many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, translate it as begged.

You can translate this word as begged or “said” or another word that is natural for this context.

18:26c

and I will pay back everything: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pay is the same word that the master used in 18:25a. It means to “give back” or “return” something.

The word everything refers to everything that the servant owed.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will pay you everything I owe. (New Century Version)
-or-
I will reimburse you for everything.

-or-

I will return all your money.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:23

Paragraph 19:23–26

19:23a

Then Jesus said to His disciples: Verse 19:23 begins a new paragraph. In this paragraph, Jesus stopped talking with the young man. He started talking with his disciples. To show this change, many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, begin this paragraph with the word Then.

Truly I tell you: Jesus often used these words to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. When he began a statement with these words, he was asking people to listen with extra attention.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

I assure you that
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here. See how you translated this clause in 18:13a.

19:23b

it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it is hard can also be translated as “with difficulty.” For example:

only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven (New International Version)

rich man: The word man is general and refers to people, both men and women.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

rich person (English Standard Version)
-or-
someone who is rich (New International Version)

In Greek, the term rich man is singular. And the verb to enter is future. However, this clause is a general principle. So, in some languages, it will be more natural make the term rich man plural and/or to use a present tense verb. For example:

it will be very hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of heaven (Good News Translation)
-or-
It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
To enter into the kingdom of heaven is very hard for rich people

to enter the kingdom of heaven: In this context, the phrase to enter refers to “become a citizen of.” When people believe in Jesus, they become citizens/members of the kingdom of heaven.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven
-or-
become one of those who are in the kingdom of ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven

-or-

be added to the people over whom God rules

This same expression occurs in 5:20b and 18:3c. You should translate it the same way in all these places.

See how you translated the phrase kingdom of heaven in 19:12c and 19:14c. See also kingdom of heaven in Key Biblical Terms 1 (d) for more information.

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 13:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:54

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 16:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 17:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:23

Search

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

American Bible Society