SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 83

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:11

2:11c

fell down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as fell down means “quickly lowered themselves to the ground to show great respect.” They did not fall down accidentally.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

knelt down (Good News Translation)
-or-
quickly lowered themselves
-or-
bowed down (New International Version)

and worshiped Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worshiped also occurs in 2:2c and 2:8d. This word usually includes the idea of kneeling or bowing down and putting one’s face to the ground to show great honor and submission. But in 2:11c, a separate Greek verb occurs first which indicates that the men “bowed down.” So you can translate this word as:

to honor him
-or-
to adore him

2:11d

Then they opened their treasures: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasures refers to a strong box used for keeping valuable things. For example:

treasure chests (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
treasure boxes (NET Bible)

If people in your area do not keep valuable things in boxes, you may want to translate this passage using another word. For example:

They opened their containers/bags
-or-
They unpacked their loads

2:11e

presented Him with gifts: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as presented means “brought, offered.” The wise men may have placed the gifts in front of or near Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

offered to him gifts
-or-
brought gifts to him
-or-
gave gifts…to him

gold: The word gold refers to a shiny, yellow metal that is very valuable. The wise men’s gold may have been in its unworked or unshaped state. Or it may have been formed into a shape or made into coins.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

⌊valuable/yellow⌋ metal

• Use a borrowed word.

• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:

⌊valuable⌋ metal called gold

frankincense: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as frankincense is a type of incense. It comes from the sap of several similar kinds of trees. People made the sap into a dry powder. Then they burned the powder to make a sweet-smelling smoke. They often did this as a part of worship.

Here are some other ways to translate frankincense:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

⌊tree⌋ resin/sap burned for a sweet smell

• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:

sweet smelling ⌊tree⌋ resin/sap called incense

myrrh: The word myrrh also refers to a product made from the sap of a tree in Arabia. People made it into medicine and expensive perfumes.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

an expensive perfume
-or-
a sweet smelling oil

• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:

an expensive perfume called myrrh
-or-
myrrh ⌊tree⌋ sap ⌊made into perfume⌋

-or-

sweet smelling thing called myrrh

General Comment on 2:11e

You may want to explain “gold,” “frankincense,” and “myrrh” in a footnote instead of in the text. A sample footnote is:

gold: is a very expensive yellow metal. It is used as money and also in making jewelry.

frankincense: is an expensive product which is burned to give a sweet smell. It is made from the resin of several similar kinds of trees.

myrrh: is an expensive perfume made from the sap of a tree.

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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 4:3

Paragraph 4:3–4

In this paragraph, Matthew reported the first way that the devil tempted Jesus. The devil tempted Jesus to perform a miracle by turning stones into bread to feed himself. The devil wanted Jesus to disobey God by not trusting God. If Jesus had turned the stones into bread at this time when he was fasting, it would have proved that Jesus did not trust his Father to take care of him and meet his most basic needs.

4:3a

The Greek of 4:3 begins with a word that is often translated as “And” (English Standard Version). This word indicates that the events in this paragraph occur after the events in 4:1–2. However, the Berean Standard Bible omits this word. In some languages, it may be natural to begin this paragraph with a time word or phrase. For example:

Then (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
After this

The tempter: The phrase The tempter refers to the devil (4:1b). Tempting people is one of his main activities. He is always trying to make people sin.

There are at least three ways to translate this phrase:

• Literally. For example:

The tempter
-or-
The one who tempts

If you choose this option, you may want to include a footnote indicating that The tempter refers to the devil. For example:

The phrase The tempter refers to the devil, the chief of demons. Tempting people is one of his main activities. He is always trying to make people sin.

• Literally, but with a word or phrase that makes clear that The tempter is “the devil.” For example:

The tempter (the devil)
-or-
The devil, the one who tries to make people sin

• Translate as your term for “the devil.” For example:

the devil (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Satan
-or-
The chief of demons

4:3b

If You are the Son of God: Satan said this clause to challenge Jesus to prove that he really was the Son of God. Satan knew that Jesus was the Son of God. He was not expressing doubt here. He was saying this to tempt Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If you really are the Son of God (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
If it’s true that you are the Son of God
-or-
Prove that you are the Son of God

the Son of God: The phrase the Son of God is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus.

For further information, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.

4:3c

tell these stones to become bread: There is some implied information here. The devil wanted Jesus not simply to command the stones to become bread, but actually to turn them into bread. Then he wanted Jesus to eat the bread.

Here are some other ways to make this information explicit:

speak to these stones and cause them to become bread ⌊for you⌋.
-or-
change these stones into loaves of bread ⌊that you can eat⌋.

tell: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tell is the same verb that usually means “say” or “speak/tell.” Here it is used in the sense of “order” or “command.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

order (Good News Translation)
-or-
command (English Standard Version)

these stones: The phrase these stones probably refers to some stones that were near Jesus. The devil probably pointed at some of the stones, or perhaps picked up some of them, as he was talking with Jesus.

bread: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bread refers to pieces or units of bread. Loaves of bread were baked in a round shape and were flat.

In Jesus’ time, bread was the main food of the Jewish people. The bread that the Jews ate was made of wheat or barley flour.

If you do not already have a word for bread in your language, here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use a generic term such as “food.” For example:

food
-or-
something to eat
-or-
that which you may eat

• Borrow the word for bread from the national language or major language in your area.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:10

5:10a

Blessed are: For help in translating the word Blessed, see the note at 5:3a.

those who are persecuted because of righteousness: This clause refers to people who do what God says is right, and for that reason other people persecute them.

persecuted: The word persecuted means “deliberately harm someone,” “mistreat someone” or “cause someone to suffer.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

mistreated
-or-
caused to suffer
-or-
oppressed
-or-
harmed on purpose

because of righteousness: The phrase because of righteousness indicates the reason for the persecution. It is because God’s people do what is good or right.

Here are some other ways to translate because of righteousness:

for doing good (New Century Version)
-or-
because they do what is right
-or-
for doing what God approves of (God’s Word)
-or-
because they do what God requires (Good News Translation)

The word righteousness also occurs in 5:6a. You should translate it in a similar way here.

Here is another way to translate this verse part:

God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right (Contemporary English Version)

5:10b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that the “those who are persecuted because of righteousness” are blessed. They are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. For example:

because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (New Century Version)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. (God’s Word)

In other languages, it will be more natural to put 5:10b before 5:10a. For example:

Those who are persecuted because of righteousness have the kingdom of heaven, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.
-or-
The kingdom of heaven is for those who are persecuted because of righteousness, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

theirs is the kingdom of heaven: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as theirs is the kingdom of heaven is exactly the same clause as in 5:3b. You should translate this clause here as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:42

5:42a

Give to the one who asks you: In this example, Jesus did not say explicitly what the person is begging for. It may be more natural in your language to include an object for the verb Give or the verb asks. For example:

When someone asks you for something, give it to him (Good News Translation)
-or-
Be ready to give something to a person who asks for it

5:42b

and do not turn away from the one: This clause refers to denying the request of the one who wants to borrow.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

do not reject the one (NET Bible)

It may be more natural in your language to translate do not turn away from in a positive way. For example:

lend it to them (Contemporary English Version)

who wants to borrow from you: The word borrow refers to receiving something temporarily and promising to return it. The person who gives the object, lends it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when someone wants to borrow something (Good News Translation)

-or-

a person who wants you to lend ⌊something⌋ to him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:26

6:26a

Look at the birds of the air: This clause begins an example of why his disciples should not worry. In some languages, it may be necessary to include some implied information to indicate that this is an example. Here is one way to do this:

⌊For example,⌋ look at the birds of the air

Look at: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look at in this context means “Think about carefully.” If people in your area will think this command is only to literally Look, you may want to use another verb. For example:

Consider
-or-
Think about

birds of the air: The phrase birds of the air is a Jewish way of saying simply “birds.” In many languages it will not be necessary to translate the words of the air. For example:

birds (Good News Translation)

6:26b

They do not sow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sow means to “plant by throwing.” The particular method of planting is unimportant here. You will want to use a general verb for planting seeds or cultivating crops. For example:

they do not plant seeds (Good News Translation)
-or-
They don’t plant (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They do not make fields

or reap: The word reap means “harvest a crop.” The particular method of “reaping” is unimportant here. You will want to use a general verb for harvesting crops.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

gather a harvest (Good News Translation)
-or-
or harvest (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
harvest/cut grain

or gather into barns: The word barns refers to buildings used for storing food for later use. It is implied that Jesus was referring to the harvest or grain that is gathered into the barns.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

gather ⌊the grain⌋ ⌊and put⌋ in storerooms
-or-
put ⌊the crops/seed⌋ in storage places/bins
-or-
place ⌊the grain⌋ in a granary

6:26c

and yet: Verse 6:26c is an unexpected outcome of the statements about birds. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word yet to indicate this unexpected result. Birds do not plant, harvest, or store grain. In spite of that, they have enough food to eat.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

but (New Century Version)
-or-
nevertheless
-or-
but even so

your heavenly Father: The phrase your heavenly Father refers to God who lives in heaven. If the use of your implies that God is not also Jesus’ Father, it may be more natural to say “our” father.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your Father ⌊who is/lives⌋ in heaven
-or-

⌊God,⌋ your/our(incl.) Father in heaven

feeds them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as feeds them refers to providing food for the birds.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

provides food for them
-or-
takes care of them (Good News Translation)

Implied in this statement is ⌊they do not starve because⌋ your heavenly Father feeds them.

6:26d

Are you not much more valuable than they?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that you are truly more valuable to God than birds are. Jesus was using a method that is called arguing from the lesser to the greater. If God takes care of the less important birds, he will take care of you because you are more important. The pronoun you is emphasized in the Greek. Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

You are much more valuable than they are, are you not?
-or-
Are you not worth more than the birds? (Revised English Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. (New Century Version)

-or-

And of course, you are more valuable to God than mere birds are.

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

The implied conclusion of this verse is that God will provide food for people too. If people in your area will not come to that conclusion, you may want to include it in the text or in a footnote.

Here is an example of including it in the text:

You are certainly much more valuable ⌊to God⌋ than the birds. ⌊So God will certainly provide the food you need.⌋

Here is an example footnote:

Jesus expected the disciples to understand that God will provide the food they need.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:24

Section 7:24–29

The wise house builder and the foolish house builder

In this section, Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount. He told a parable about a wise builder and a foolish builder. These two people represent two kinds of people: those who follow Jesus by doing what he tells them, and those who do not.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The parable about two house builders
-or-
Build your life on a solid foundation

Paragraph 7:24–27

7:24a

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the final part of the Sermon on the Mount (5:3–7:27). This final part is a parable. In this parable, Jesus encouraged people to obey what he has said.

Here are some other ways to introduce this final section:

So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
In conclusion
-or-
then (English Standard Version)

everyone who hears these words of Mine: The phrase these words of Mine refers to the teaching in 5:3–7:23.

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to those who physically heard Jesus speak. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a more general expression for these words of Mine. For example:

everyone who hears my teachings
-or-
all those who hear what I have said

7:24b

acts on them: The phrase acts on them refers to obeying Jesus’ teachings.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

puts them into practice (New International Version)
-or-
obeys them (Good News Translation)

7:24c

is like a wise man: The phrase a wise man refers to a man who has good sense and is thoughtful. It refers to a man who makes good decisions in day-to-day living. It is the opposite of a stupid man.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

sensible man (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
thinking man
-or-
intelligent man

who built his house on the rock: In this context, the word rock refers to bedrock. It is rock that is often level with the ground or just under the ground and covers a wide area. It does not refer to a boulder.

In some areas of the world, bedrock does not exist. Or people do not build their houses on bedrock. If that is true in your area, you may want to explain what Jesus meant. For example:

who built his house on rock ⌊to make it strong⌋

-or-

who built his house on a strong foundation stone

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:27

8:27a

The men: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as The men refers to the men in the boat. In other words, it refers to the disciples.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The men in the boat (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The disciples (New Living Translation (2004))

were amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were amazed also means “marveled.” The disciples were genuinely surprised that Jesus had this kind of authority.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

were amazed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
were astonished at what had happened (Revised English Bible)

This same word occurs in 8:10a.

asked: The disciples were speaking to one another, not to Jesus. For example:

saying ⌊to one another⌋
-or-
and said ⌊to each other⌋

8:27b–c

What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and amazement. The disciples expressed amazement that Jesus had such great power.

There are several ways to translate this amazement:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? (New Revised Standard Version)

• As a question and an exclamation. For example:

What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him! (New International Version)
-or-
Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him. (Contemporary English Version)

• As one or two exclamations:

This man is amazing! Even the wind and water obey him!

obey Him!: The verb obey indicates that the winds and the seas did as Jesus commanded. In some languages, the verb obey can only be used with people or animals, not wind and water. So another verb must be used. For example:

He even controls the wind and the waves
-or-
He has power over even the wind and the waves.

-or-

Even the winds and the waves do as he says!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:25

9:25a

There is a contrast here. The Greek of 9:25a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “but.” At first, the people did not obey Jesus’ order to leave. They only laughed at him. But he did not give up. He still made them leave the house. Some English versions introduce this verse with a “But.” For example:

But as soon as the people had been put out (Good News Translation)

The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not begin this verse with any conjunction. You should begin this verse in a way that is natural in your language.

After the crowd had been put outside: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had been put outside is literally “thrown out” (as in the New Century Version). Here this word refers to forcing the crowd out of the house. Jesus had already told the crowd to leave, so he probably again ordered them to leave. The family may have also helped him make the crowd leave. The crowd was probably not literally grabbed and thrown out.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

after the crowd had been sent out of the house (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊Jesus again⌋ ordered/commanded them to go outside ⌊and they went⌋

Jesus went in: This clause implies that Jesus entered the room of the dead girl. He was already in the house.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus went into the girl’s room (New Century Version)
-or-
he entered ⌊the room⌋ ⌊where the dead girl was lying⌋

9:25b

and took the girl by the hand: In this context, the verb took means “held.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

took hold of her hand (New Century Version)
-or-
held her hand

and she got up: This clause indicates that the girl either sat up or stood up. The clause implies that she returned to life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

she sat/stood up

-or-

she ⌊became alive again and⌋ got up

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:42

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:25

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