SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 84

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:17

10:17a

beware of men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beware of also means “be careful of, be alert about, or watch out for.” The disciples should realize that some people are enemies of the good news of Jesus, and so they must be prepared for opposition.

In this context, the word men refers generally to “people.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Be on your guard against men (New International Version)
-or-
Watch out for people (God’s Word)
-or-
Be careful of people (New Century Version)

10:17b

for: Verse 10:17b gives the basis for the command to beware of men (in 10:17a). The Greek introduces this basis with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for. Beware of men (17a) for/because they will hand you over to the local councils. (17b)

Here are some other ways to introduce this basis:

because (New Century Version)
-or-
The reason is that

In some languages, it will be more natural to put the basis before the command. For example:

17bMen will deliver you over to courts 17cand flog you in their synagogues. 17a⌊So⌋ beware of them.

they: The word they refers to the “men” in 10:17a. They are the people who are opposed to the message of Jesus as the Messiah. They are likened to wolves in 10:16a.

If it is not natural to simply translate the pronoun they, you may want to add some information to clarify who these people are. For example:

those ⌊who oppose/reject your message about me⌋
-or-
The people ⌊who are like wolves⌋

will hand you over: This phrase refers to handing someone over for trial and judgment. These enemies will set the disciples before the local councils, and these councils will decide how to punish them for preaching about Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

will arrest you and take you (Good News Translation)
-or-
will hand you over (New International Version)

to their councils: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as councils refers to local courts. Such courts in Israel decided religious, civic, and criminal matters. Every Jewish town or village that had a synagogue would likely also have councils.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

to their courts (English Standard Version)
-or-
to the judges
-or-
to trial

10:17c

flog you: The word flog means whip or strike someone with a whip of leather. The usual Jewish punishment was to flog thirty-nine times. They struck twenty-six times on the back and thirteen times on the chest.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whip (Good News Translation)
-or-
hit/strike with a whip ⌊of leather⌋

It is implied that the courts would decide that the disciples were guilty and therefore give them the punishment of flogging. In some languages, it may be necessary to include this information. For example:

⌊who will condemn you and⌋ whip you
-or-

⌊who will declare that you are guilty and⌋ whip you

in their synagogues: The word synagogues refers to buildings where Jews gathered to pray, read Scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship God. The Jews also gathered in synagogues for cultural activities. There was only one temple, but each Jewish community had a synagogue.

The pronoun their refers to the Jews in each town.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in the prayer-houses of the Jews
-or-
in the meeting-places of the Jews
-or-
in their buildings for worship

-or-

in each of the houses for gathering together

This word also occurs in 4:23b and 9:35b.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:7

Paragraph 11:7–15

11:7a

As John’s disciples were leaving: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as John’s disciples is the pronoun “they.” They turned around and started to leave Jesus to return to John.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

While they were going away (NET Bible)
-or-
As they went away (New Revised Standard Version)

11:7b

Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: Jesus changed from speaking to John’s disciples to speaking to the crowd. John’s disciples had probably walked a small distance away when Jesus began to speak to the crowd. The text does not say whether they heard Jesus when he spoke the words of 11:7c–15.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

Jesus turned to the crowd and began to talk with them about John

11:7c

What did you go out into the wilderness to see?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus repeated a shortened form of this same rhetorical question in 11:8a and 11:9a. In each case, this rhetorical question introduces another rhetorical question. Jesus used the first two pairs of rhetorical questions to state who John obviously was not. Then he used the last pair to emphasize who John actually was.

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that indicates that Jesus knew the kind of person John was but wanted the people to think about what kind of person John was. Jesus was not asking these rhetorical questions to criticize the people for going out to see John.

Here are some other ways to translate this introductory question:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
When you went out into the wilderness ⌊to see John⌋, what ⌊kind of man⌋ did you expect to see?

• As the introductory clause in a rhetorical question or statement. For example:

When you went into the wilderness, did you go to see…
-or-
When you went into the wilderness, you certainly did not go to see…

Use a natural way in your language to translate this type of expression.

wilderness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wilderness refers to a wild, desolate area where few people lived. Some versions like the New International Version translates this word as “desert.” It was often a dry area, but it was not just sand and barren. Some wild grasses and bushes grew there. The focus here is that few people lived there, not that it was dry.

Some languages have a special word to refer to such an area, such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia). It may be appropriate to use such a word here.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

desert (New International Version)
-or-
empty land
-or-
region where no one lives

11:7d

A reed swaying in the wind?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reed refers to tall grass that grows beside the Jordan river.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use a general term. For example:

tall grass (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a specific term in your language for a type of reeds/grass that grows beside rivers and lakes.

There are four issues to consider when translating this clause: implied information, passive, metaphor, and rhetorical question.

Issue 1: Implied information

Some words from the previous rhetorical question are implied but not repeated here. It may be more natural in your language to include some or all of the implied words. For example:

⌊Did you go out into the wilderness to see⌋ a reed shaken by the wind?

Issue 2: Passive

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

A reed swayed by the wind? (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

A reed that the wind sways?

Issue 3: Rhetorical question

This clause is also a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that the people did not go out to see a reed shaken by the wind.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

⌊Was he⌋ ⌊anything like⌋ a reed swayed by the wind?
-or-
A reed swayed by the wind? ⌊Certainly not!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

⌊You certainly did not go out to see⌋ a reed swayed by the wind.
-or-

⌊You certainly did not go out to see a man who is like⌋ a reed swayed by the wind.

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

Issue 4: Metaphor

Also, this clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Jesus asked whether John was like a reed. A reed represents a man who has a weak character. He often changes his opinions because he is influenced by what other people think of him.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Tall grass swaying in the wind? (God’s Word)

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

Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind? (Contemporary English Version)

• Make the topic and point of similarity explicit. For example:

Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊Did you go out to see⌋ ⌊a man who is weak/wavering like⌋ a reed blowing in the wind?

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

A man who always changes his mind?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:9

Paragraph 12:9–14

12:9

Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue: After the discussion with the Pharisees (12:1–7), Jesus and his disciples left the grainfields and went to a synagogue. They went to the synagogue on that same Sabbath day.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Then Jesus left that place and entered their synagogue. (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus left that place and went to a synagogue (Good News Translation)

-or-

⌊Then⌋ Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ exited the grainfields and went to the synagogue.

entered: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as entered is more literally “went/came into.” In some languages, it is natural to say that Jesus entered a synagogue. In other languages, it is natural to simply say that Jesus went to a synagogue. You should use the most natural expression in your language.

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

a synagogue (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:41

12:41a

The men of Nineveh: This phrase refers to the people/inhabitants of the city of Nineveh.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The people of ⌊the city of⌋ Nineveh
-or-
The Ninevites

will stand: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will stand:

(1) It means will stand up, or will appear. According to this interpretation, this verb refers to court proceedings when a person or people stand to give testimony. For example:

the people of Nineveh will stand up (Good News Translation)

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

(2) It means will rise from the dead, or will live again. This view is supported by some commentators.

The English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, and King James Version translate the verb literally as “rise” or “arise,” which can be understood either way. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

When translating this verb, you should use a verb that is appropriate for appearing in court to condemn someone. It may not be the verb rise or stand. For example:

The men of Nineveh will appear in court when this generation is on trial (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The people of Nineveh will give testimony

at the judgment: This phrase refers to the day when God judges everyone.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

On the Judgment Day (Good News Translation)
-or-
On the day of judgment (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
on the ⌊day when⌋ ⌊God⌋ judges people

12:41b

with this generation: This phrase means “together with the people who are living now (that is, at Jesus’ time).” This means that the people of Nineveh will be standing at the same time as these people. It does not mean that they will stand in support of them. In fact, the people of Nineveh will stand to condemn them. To make this clear, the New Living Translation (2004) says:

against this generation (New Living Translation (2004))

and condemn it: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as condemn means “say that someone is guilty of sin.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

testify against it
-or-
show that you are guilty (New Century Version)
-or-
accuse you of sin

it: This pronoun refers to “this generation” (12:41b).

Here are some other ways to translate this:

them
-or-
that generation

12:41c

for: Verse 12:41c is the reason that the people of Nineveh will condemn this generation. The Greek introduces this reason with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for.

Here are some other ways to introduce this reason:

because
-or-

⌊They will accuse them⌋ because

they repented at the preaching of Jonah: This clause means that the people of Nineveh changed their minds about sin when they heard Jonah preach to them. They felt sorry for their sins and turned to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the people ⌊of Nineveh⌋ repented when Jonah preached
-or-
they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach (Good News Translation)
-or-
When Jonah preached to them, they were sorry and changed their lives. (New Century Version)

12:41d

There is some important, implied information in this part of the verse. Jesus implied here “but you did not repent.” Jonah preached, and the people of Nineveh repented. Jesus is greater than Jonah. But when Jesus preached, the people did not repent.

Here are some other ways to include this implied information:

• Put it after 12:41d. For example:

and something greater than Jonah is here, ⌊but you did not repent when he preached⌋.

• Put it before 12:41d. For example:

But ⌊you did not repent even though⌋ something greater than Jonah is here.

and: Verse 12:41d is also part of the reason for the people of Nineveh to condemn this generation (12:41b).

There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the reaction of the people of Nineveh and the implied reaction of the people of this generation. In some languages, it may be natural to introduce this contrast with a conjunction. For example:

But (God’s Word)

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now literally means “look” or “see.” It focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. Here this word indicates that the words that follow are important and amazing: something greater than Jonah is here.

Here are some other ways to show that the words that follow are important:

look (God’s Word)
-or-
I tell you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Listen ⌊to what I am about to say⌋

One greater than Jonah is here: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as One probably refers to Jesus. In some languages, it is possible for Jesus to refer to himself as One. In other languages, it will be more natural to say:

someone more important than Jonah is here

A similar expression (“something greater than the temple is here”) occurs in 12:6.

greater: In this context, the word greater refers to higher in status and not to bigger in size. Jesus was more important than Jonah.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

more important

-or-

more valuable

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:23

13:23a

But the seed sown on good soil: This clause refers to what happened when some seed fell on good ground. 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 on good soil is this:

• Use an active verb. For example:

As for the seeds that ⌊the farmer⌋ planted on good soil, that is like

• Use another type of verb. For example:

As for the good soil where some seeds fell, that is like

This clause is similar to 13:20a and 13:22a. You should translate it in a similar way.

sown: This same word occurs in 13:19d, 13:20a and 13:22a. But here the seed was sown on the good soil on purpose. You may want to:

• Be consistent and use the same term here as in 13:19d, 13:20a and 13:22a.

• Indicate that the seed was sown here on purpose, and so use the term for “sow” that you used in 13:4a.

good soil: This phrase refers to the kind of soil in which plants grow well.

Here is another way to translate this:

fertile soil

This same phrase occurs in 13:8a.

13:23b

is the one who hears the word and understands it: This clause is very similar to 13:20b and 13:22b. The only difference is the added phrase and understands it.

is: The word is indicates a comparison. It means “the situation in 13:23a represents….” In other words, sowing in good soil “is like” or “represents” someone who hears the word and understands it. For example:

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

the one who hears the word and understands it: 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:

those who hear the message and understand it (Good News Translation)
-or-
those who truly hear and understand God’s word (New Living Translation (2004))

13:23c

He indeed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as indeed is a weak marker of emphasis. Here it emphasizes that among all the soils on which seed fell, the good soil is the only one that bears fruit.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

He is the one who
-or-
he does bear fruit

Most English versions do not translate this word.

bears fruit: The verb bears describes what a plant or tree does when it develops grain or fruit. Notice that here Jesus kept the metaphor in his explanation.

This verb has the opposite meaning of “unfruitful” in 13:22e. Also see how you translated the similar phrase “produced a crop” in 13:8a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Translate the metaphor in a natural way in your language. For example:

produces crops (God’s Word)

• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:

⌊the message has results in their lives like a plant⌋ producing a crop

13:23d

and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold: The Greek text is more literally “this one produces a hundred, and another sixty and another thirty.” This phrase continues the metaphor of the plants producing a harvest. This phrase is similar to 13:8b.

Here the singular “one” represents a group of people. Some people do many good deeds and they are like a plant that produces one hundred seeds of grain. Other people’s good deeds are like sixty seeds of grain. Still other people’s good deeds are like thirty seeds of grain.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Translate the metaphor in a natural way in your language. For example:

produces ⌊fruit/grain⌋, some produce a hundred ⌊grains⌋, some sixty ⌊grains⌋, and some thirty

• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:

⌊some people’s good deeds are like a plant⌋ bearing a hundred ⌊seeds⌋, other ⌊people are like a plant that bears⌋ sixty ⌊seeds⌋ other ⌊people are like a plant that bears⌋ thirty ⌊seeds⌋

a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold: For advice on translating these numbers, see the note at 13:8b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:55

13:55–56a

All the questions about Jesus’ family (in 13:55–56a) are rhetorical questions. The people of Nazareth knew Jesus’ father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Using rhetorical questions implies that they believed that Jesus was an ordinary person like them and his family. Therefore, they doubted that Jesus could become someone important. The way you translate these rhetorical questions should not indicate that the people were unsure who Jesus’ family was.

13:55a

Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and emphasizes that the people of Nazareth knew that Jesus was the son of a carpenter. The people doubted that Jesus could become someone important, because he was only the son of a carpenter.

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

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Isn’t this ⌊person⌋ ⌊only⌋ the carpenter’s son?
-or-
This man is ⌊only⌋ the carpenter’s son, isn’t he?

• As a statement. For example:

He is just the son of a carpenter. (New Century Version)

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

carpenter’s son: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carpenter’s also can mean “builder’s.” Jesus’ father probably worked with wood, but he may have also made things with stone.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the son of a woodworker
-or-
the son of a builder

13:55b

Isn’t His mother’s name Mary…?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and emphasizes that the people of Nazareth knew that Jesus was the son of Mary. The people doubted that Jesus could become someone important, because he was only the son of Mary. They did not see Mary as someone important, so they thought that her son could not be important either.

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

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Isn’t his mother’s name Mary (New International Version)
-or-
His mother is ⌊only⌋ Mary, isn’t she?

• As a statement. For example:

His mother is ⌊only/just⌋ Mary!
-or-
His mother is Mary (New Century Version)

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

Isn’t His mother’s name Mary: This clause means that Jesus’ mother is the woman whose name is Mary. For example:

Isn’t his mother named Mary? (NET Bible)
-or-
Is not his mother called Mary? (English Standard Version)

13:55c

and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and emphasizes that the people of Nazareth knew that Jesus was a brother to James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. The people doubted that Jesus could become someone important, because his brothers were not important people. So they thought that their brother Jesus could not become an important person either.

Here are some ways to translate this surprise, doubt, and emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Isn’t he ⌊only/just⌋ the ⌊older⌋ brother of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

• As a statement. For example:

his brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (New Century Version)

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

His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas: Jesus was the first-born and so he was the older brother of these four men. If your language has separate words for older brother and younger brother, you should use the word for younger brothers to refer to James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:29

14:29a

Peter got down out of the boat: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as got down out of the boat probably indicates that Peter stepped down from the boat onto the water. If the direction is important in your language, you may want to follow the Berean Standard Bible which says got down out of the boat. If the direction down is not usual in this context, you should use your normal verb for getting out of a boat.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Peter left the boat (New Century Version)
-or-
Peter went over the side of the boat (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Peter stepped over the side of the boat

14:29b

walked on the water, and came toward Jesus: This phrase indicates that Peter started walking on top of the water towards Jesus. He got near Jesus, but he did not arrive at the place where Jesus was. Verse 14:31a mentions that Jesus reached out and grabbed him, so Peter probably had walked far enough to be within arm’s reach of Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

walked on the water toward Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
started walking on the water toward him (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

walked on ⌊the surface of⌋ the water to/toward Jesus

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:25

15:25a

We might expect the woman to accept what Jesus said and go away. But she did not. Many English versions introduce what the woman did with the conjunction “But.”

Here are some other ways to introduce this unexpected behavior:

However
-or-
Then (New Living Translation (2004))

Some English versions like the Berean Standard Bible do not have a conjunction here. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary either.

The woman came and knelt before Him: The woman was following behind Jesus. But now she moved around and got in front of him.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as knelt before means “prostrate oneself.” To prostrate oneself means to kneel and then put one’s face down on the ground with hands outstretched. This shows submission to a greater person.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

she came ⌊around⌋ before him and got on her knees in front of Jesus
-or-
the woman approached him and kneeled with her face to the ground ⌊in humility⌋

15:25b

Lord, help me: The woman used these words to respectfully, but urgently, ask Jesus to help her. You should translate this request in your language in a way that shows respect. For example:

Lord/Sir, ⌊please⌋ help me.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 12:41

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:55

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 14:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 15:25

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