SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 77

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:25

19:25a

When the disciples heard this: The word this refers to Jesus’ words of 19:23–24.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Hearing these/those words, the disciples
-or-
The disciples heard that and

they were greatly astonished: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as astonished means “amazed to the point of being overwhelmed.” In this context it is made even stronger by the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greatly.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they were completely amazed (Good News Translation)
-or-
they were greatly surprised (Contemporary English Version)

The Jews of that time thought that riches were an extra blessing from God. So the disciples were surprised that Jesus taught that riches made it hard for someone to enter the kingdom of God.

19:25b

Who then can be saved?: This is a rhetorical question. It has two functions: surprise and emphasis. The disciples used this question to express how surprised/astonished they were at Jesus’ comment in 19:26a. And Jesus’ response in 19:26b–c shows that he understood the disciples to emphatically imply “Then no one can be saved!”

Here are some other ways to translate this surprise and emphasis:

• As one or two rhetorical questions. For example:

Then who in the world can be saved? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
What!? Then can anyone be saved?

• As an expression of surprise followed by an emphatic statement. For example:

What!? Then no one can be saved!

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

Then no one can be saved!

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

Who…can be saved: The word saved means “rescued from danger or trouble.” In this context, it refers to being saved from punishment and destruction. It means the same as “enter the kingdom of heaven/God” in 19:23–24 and “obtain eternal life” in 19:16b.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Who…can be saved ⌊from punishment⌋?
-or-
Who…can enter the kingdom of God?
-or-
Who…can get eternal life?

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Who…can be saved?

• Use an active verb. For example:

Who…are the people who will get/receive salvation?
-or-
Who…can enter the kingdom?

See how you translated the word saved in 1:21c and 10:22b.

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a conclusion based on what Jesus just said. Here it is not a time word.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

In that case
-or-
If that’s true

-or-

If it’s like that

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:27

20:27a

whoever wants to be: As in 20:26b, the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wants to be is more literally “might want to be.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

whoever would be (English Standard Version)
-or-
if one of you desires/wishes

first among you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as first refers to the most important person in a group. This word is parallel to the word “great” in 20:26. But it is more intense. The word “great” refers to an important person. But the word first refers to the most important person.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

most important among you (God’s Word)
-or-
the most important person among you

20:27b

must be your slave: As in 20:26c, the tense of must be is future in Greek. But it functions as a command. Here the command is a bit unusual in that it is a third person command.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he must become the slave of the rest of you
-or-
it is necessary that he become your slave

your slave: A slave was a person who was not free to do what he wanted. He had to follow the will of his owner. A slave was the lowest status and least important person in society. He was at the very bottom of the social order.

This word is parallel to the word “servant” in 20:26c. But it is more intense. The word “servant” refers to a person who had very low status in society. But the word slave refers to the person who was the lowest.

If your language does not have a separate word for slave, you should translate it in a similar way to “servant” but with a strengthening word. For example:

must serve ⌊all the rest of⌋ you in complete submission

-or-

must be like a common servant

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:25

22:25a

Verse 22:25a introduces a story which could possibly be true. But it was more likely a story made up by the Sadducees to show how the idea of resurrection was absurd. If you have a way of translating which shows this is not a true story, you may use that here.

Now: In this context, this conjunction begins a story. It is not the time word “Now.” Use a word or phrase which is natural in your language for beginning a story.

Here are some other ways to begin this story:

Once (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
One time
-or-
It happened that

there were seven brothers among us: This phrase refers to a family of seven brothers who probably lived in the general vicinity. It implies that they were Jews, and so they were required to follow this custom. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

there were seven brothers who used to live here (Good News Translation)
-or-
there were seven brothers who lived here with us

22:25b

The first married: The Greek phrase that the English Standard Version translates as The first refers to the oldest of these seven brothers. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The first brother got married
-or-
The oldest one married (New Living Translation (2004))

and died: There is no time element here. At some point after his marriage this man died. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and later died

22:25c

and having no offspring: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as offspring is the same word as in 22:24d. Translate it the same way here. This phrase expresses the reason why he left his wife to his brother. So another way to translate it is:

since he had no children (NET Bible)

left his wife to his brother: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as left indicates that the oldest brother gave his wife into the care of his younger brother. In this case, the younger brother must follow the custom and marry her. Here is another way to translate this clause:

his brother married the widow (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:11

1:11a

Josiah the father of Jeconiah: According to 1 Chronicles 3:16–17, Josiah was actually the grandfather of Jeconiah. If your word for father means only the actual biological father, you may want to use another word here. For example:

Josiah was the grandfather of (New Century Version)
-or-
Josiah was the ancestor of

Jeconiah: Most English versions spell this name Jechoniah or Jeconiah. A few English versions spell this name Jehoiachin. You should follow the spelling of the national language version, but spell it according to the rules of your language.

and his brothers: Jeconiah was the oldest brother. If your language has different words for older-brothers and younger-brothers, you should use the word for younger-brothers here. For example:

and his younger-brothers

1:11b

at the time of the exile to Babylon: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at the time of the exile to Babylon means that Jeconiah and his brothers were born before the deportation to Babylon.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

They lived at the time when the people were exiled to Babylon. (God’s Word)
-or-
Then the deportation to Babylon took place. (New Jerusalem Bible)

exile to Babylon: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exile refers to forcefully moving people away from their homeland and causing them to live somewhere else. People who are deported are not permitted to return to their homeland.

In this case, the king of Babylon conquered Israel and forced many of the people of Israel to live in his country. They lived there for seventy years.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

forced to move to Babylon and live there
-or-
the king of Babylon forced the people of Israel to go live in his country

Babylon: The word Babylon can refer either to the capital city or to the country. Here it refers to the country. In some languages, it may be natural to include some of this information. For example:

⌊the country/land of⌋ Babylon

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:21

2:21a

So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother: The phrase His mother refers to Jesus’ mother Mary. It does not refer to Joseph’s mother.

Here are some ways to make this clearer:

took the child and the child’s mother

-or-

went with Mary and Jesus

This clause is identical to 2:14. You should translate this clause in the same way.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:13

4:13a

Leaving Nazareth: The noun Nazareth is the name of Jesus’ hometown. It was a small town in the district of Galilee. It is implied that Jesus first went there. Then he left that town. You may want to include some of the implied information. For example:

⌊He went to the town of⌋ Nazareth, ⌊and later⌋ he left
-or-

⌊He first went and stayed in his hometown of⌋ Nazareth. ⌊Then⌋ he left

went and lived in Capernaum: The noun Capernaum is the name of another town in the district of Galilee. Jesus moved to Capernaum and it became his home.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

moved to Capernaum (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
went and settled in Capernaum (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
went to stay in ⌊the town of⌋ Capernaum

4:13b

which is by the sea: The phrase by the sea is the first of two phrases that describe where the town of Capernaum was located. Capernaum was by/beside the Sea of Galilee.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

This town was beside Lake Galilee (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (God’s Word)

the sea: The phrase the sea refers to the largest freshwater lake in Israel. It is the Sea of Galilee. This lake is about 21 kilometers long and 11 kilometers wide. If your language has different words for “lake/sea” based on its size, this information may help you decide which word to use.

The Sea of Galilee is a body of freshwater, not saltwater. The word “sea” is often associated with saltwater. But it can also refer to a lake of freshwater, as is the case in this passage. Several other versions, such as the New International Version, say “lake.”

If your language has a separate word or phrase for a freshwater lake, you will want to use it here. In languages that do not have a word for “sea/lake,” you may be able to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the big pond/water
-or-
large water
-or-
wide/large river

4:13c

in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali: The phrase in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali is the second of two phrases that describe where the town of Capernaum was located. Capernaum was in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.

The nouns Zebulun and Naphtali are the names of two of the tribes/clans of Israel. The land that belonged to these two clans covered some of the same area as the district of Galilee.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in the region/area of Zebulun and Naphtali

-or-

⌊It/Capernaum was⌋ in the land that belonged to the descendants/clans of Zebulun and Naphtali

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:20

5:20

The Jews considered the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to be the most righteous people because they closely followed the commandments. So what Jesus said here would have shocked his hearers. He did not consider most of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees to be truly righteous.

5:20a–b

unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven: The Greek text has a negative in each clause:

if your righteousness does not surpass…, you will certainly not enter…

In some languages, it may be necessary to adjust the way the negatives are used in order for the correct meaning between the clauses to be clear.

Here are some other ways to translate these clauses:

you will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires. (Good News Translation)
-or-
your goodness must be a far better thing than the goodness of the scribes and Pharisees before you can set foot in the kingdom of Heaven at all! (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
You must obey God’s commands better than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don’t, I promise you that you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. (Contemporary English Version)

5:20a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For indicates that the words in 5:20 are a further explanation of the ideas in 5:17–19.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

then (Good News Translation)
-or-
So
-or-
Therefore

Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate it either.

I tell you: The words I tell you emphasize the importance of the words that follow. This phrase is similar to “For I tell you truly” (in 5:18a) except that it does not have the word translated as “truly.”

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

I assure you
-or-
listen

unless your righteousness: The word righteousness refers here to doing what is right and good in God’s sight. A righteous person has good morals and is honest.

Here are some other ways to translate righteousness:

you do what is right
-or-
you do what God wills/desires
-or-
doing what God requires (Good News Translation)
-or-
you do what God considers right

This same word occurs in 5:6a.

exceeds: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exceeds also means “surpasses” or “is better/greater than.”

Here are some other ways to translate exceeds:

is greater/more/better than
-or-
goes beyond (NET Bible)

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⌋
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
experts in the law (NET Bible)

This word also occurs in 2:4. You should translate it here as you did there.

Pharisees: The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group or party known for teaching a very strict obedience to the law of Moses. See how you translated this term in 3:7.

5:20b

never: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as never is a stronger way to say “not.”

Here are some ways to translate these words:

certainly not (New International Version)
-or-
never (Revised Standard Version)

enter the kingdom of heaven: In this context, the word enter refers to “becoming 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 those over whom God rules

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:4

6:4a

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose of not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing (in 6:3b).

3bDo not let one hand know what the other is doing, 4ain order that your giving may be in secret.

Another way to translate this conjunction is as the introduction of a result clause. For example:

Then (Good News Translation)

your giving: In some languages it is more natural to translate the phrase your giving with a clause. For example:

what you give
-or-

⌊the alms/help⌋ you give ⌊to the needy⌋

may be in secret: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as secret refers to something “hidden” or “unseen.” By not letting others know that you are helping the poor (6:3b), your “giving” is in secret. Other people do not see or know what you give because you are “giving” in a private way.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it will be a private matter (Good News Translation)
-or-
no one will know/see what you have done

Use an expression that can be used both here and in 6:4b.

6:4b

And your Father: The phrase your Father refers to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

And your Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
Then your ⌊heavenly⌋ Father
-or-
Our(incl.) Father ⌊God⌋

The phrase your Father also occurs in 6:1c. See how you translated it there.

who sees what is done in secret, will reward you: The phrase in secret is the same phrase as in 6:4a, and refers to the same thing.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

who sees all that is done in secret will reward you (New Jerusalem Bible)

-or-

knows the deed that you have done when no one can see you, and he will reward you.

Be careful to translate the clause in a way that does not imply that you have two Fathers: one who sees in secret and another who does not see in secret. In some languages, it is more natural to translate this as two sentences. For example:

Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:4

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