SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 86

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:3

Paragraph 5:3–10

There are eight “blessings” in verses 3–10. Each of the eight blessings has two parts. Each blessing starts with the words “Blessed are” and tells what kind of person is blessed. Each blessing ends with the reason why that kind of person is blessed. Each blessing is a short statement like a proverb.

Some English versions begin a new section at 5:3. One possibility is to put a general heading like “The sermon on the mountain” at 5:1 and the heading of “God blesses his people” here.

5:3a

Blessed are: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed refers to the good situation/condition that a person is in when a superior person does something good to him. When God does something good to a human being and is kind to him, that person is in a good situation. He is “blessed,” “fortunate,” and “favored.”

Here are some other ways to translate Blessed are:

Favored/fortunate
-or-

⌊God⌋ favors/approves
-or-
Joyful/desirable is the situation of
-or-
How good it is for

This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings like happiness and joy. Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health. Do not use a word that refers only to being lucky. See also bless, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

the poor in spirit: The word poor often means “lacking money or material resources.” However, here the word is used in a spiritual sense. It means “lacking spiritual resources.” People who are poor in spirit know that they are lacking spiritually. They are lacking what it takes to please God. As a result, they know that they need God’s help. They are dependent on God, and they gladly accept his rule over them.

Every person is lacking spiritually without God, but not every person recognizes it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who ⌊know that they⌋ are lacking regarding the things of God
-or-
those who ⌊recognize that they⌋ are dependent on God
-or-
those who realize their need for him (New Living Translation (2004))

5:3b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that the “poor in spirit” 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 5:3b before 5:3a. For example:

The poor in spirit have the kingdom of heaven, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.
-or-
The kingdom of heaven is for the poor in spirit, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

theirs is the kingdom of heaven: The word theirs refers to the people who are “poor in spirit.” They are the kind of people who share in the kingdom of heaven. They belong in it, and it belongs to them. These people who let God rule over them are the ones he blesses.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! (Good News Translation)
-or-
God accepts them into his kingdom
-or-
they are citizens of the kingdom of God

the kingdom of heaven: The phrase kingdom of heaven has the same meaning as the phrase “kingdom of God.” Both phrases refer to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. Both refer to the relationship that God has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. The phrase kingdom of heaven does not refer to a land or country that he rules over.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

• As a noun. For example:

the kingdom of God
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s rule over people
-or-
the rule of ⌊the one/Lord who lives in⌋ heaven

• As a verbal expression. For example:

The way God rules his people

-or-

The way God cares for his people as king.

See kingdom of heaven in the Glossary for more information.

This same phrase occurs in 3:2b and 4:17c.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:35

5:35a

or by the earth: The word or introduces the second item in the list of examples. It may be more natural in your language to repeat some of the words. For example:

or ⌊do not make an oath⌋ using the word “earth”

for: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command not to swear by earth.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Do not swear by earth, because it is God’s footstool
-or-
The earth is God’s footstool, so don’t swear by the earth. (Contemporary English Version)

it is His footstool: A footstool is a small, low seat on which someone rests his feet while sitting down. Here the word footstool represents the earth as the place where God the King figuratively rests his feet while he is sitting on his heavenly throne. Using the earth as God’s footstool implies that he subjects the “earth” and all on it to his will.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the resting place for his feet (Good News Translation)
-or-
the place where he stretches out his legs

In some language, it may be more natural to translate non-figuratively. For example:

because the earth belongs to God (New Century Version)
-or-
because it is under God’s control

5:35b

or by Jerusalem: The word or introduces the third of the list of examples. It may be more natural in your language to repeat some of the words. For example:

or ⌊do not make an oath⌋ using the word “Jerusalem”

for: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command not to swear by Jerusalem.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Do not swear by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King
-or-
Jerusalem is the city of the great king, so don’t swear by it. (Contemporary English Version)

it is the city of the great King: The phrase the great King refers to God. God’s temple was in the city of Jerusalem. So God has a special relationship with Jerusalem.

If people in your area will not understand that the words the great King refer to God, you may want to make that clear. For example:

for it is the city of ⌊God,⌋ the Great King

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:19

Section 6:19–24

Jesus taught about money

This section warns against selfishly keeping all your money for yourself. It is the same as serving money. Instead, one should be generous to others and in that way serve God. God rewards those who use their possessions to help others. In that way they “store up treasures in heaven” (6:20).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Teaching about money and possessions
-or-
True riches
-or-
Treasures in Heaven (Contemporary English Version)

There is a parallel passage in Luke 11:34–36.

Paragraph 6:19–21

In this paragraph, Jesus warned against trying to save a lot of money or things here on earth. They just disappear. Rather, be eager to increase your spiritual worth, because that is what lasts. And what you strive to have will become what you think about and desire.

6:19a

Do not store up for yourselves: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as store up refers to gathering or accumulating things.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not accumulate for yourselves (NET Bible)
-or-
Do not lay up for yourselves (English Standard Version)
-or-
You must not collect/gather

treasures on earth: The phrase treasures on earth refers generally to the earthly, physical possessions that are most important and valuable to people. They are things such as money, expensive clothing, jewels, livestock, food, houses, and lands.

Here are some other ways to translate the word treasures:

• Choose a term that can be used both here and in 6:20a. Such a term could be used to refer to (a) both physical treasure and (b) figurative or spiritual treasure. Here are some examples:

wealth
-or-
that which is worth much

• Choose a term that can only be used here, but not in 6:20a. Such a term refers specifically to physical treasure. Here are some examples:

possessions
-or-
belongings

6:19b–c

The main idea in 6:19b–c is that possessions here on earth do not last. Insects will eat some of them, rust will destroy some of them, and thieves will steal some of them. So trying to gather many possessions and put them aside will not be helpful.

6:19b

moth: A moth is a flying insect that produces worms that eat holes in clothes. If moths are not known in your area, you may want to use another insect that destroys things. For example:

termite
-or-
weevil
-or-
(boring) insect

The word moth is singular in Greek. But it represents the entire group of insects. So many English versions translate it as “moths.”

rust: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rust is literally “eating.” Here it refers to anything that eats away or corrodes another material. This includes rust spoiling iron, or gold and silver becoming tarnished. It also may include insects eating holes in clothing, and rats eating grain.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

corrosion
-or-
decay

destroy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as destroy refers to ruining something.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

spoil (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
ruin

Both the noun “moth” and the noun “rust” go with the verb destroy. In some languages, it may be necessary to use a different verb with each noun. For example:

moths eat them and rust destroys them (New Living Translation (2004))

6:19c

thieves: The word thieves refers to people who break into houses to steal things from others.

Here is another way to translate this word:

robbers (Good News Translation)

break in: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as break in is literally “dig through.” Most Jews of that time built their houses with dried mud bricks. So thieves would dig a hole through the dried mud wall to enter the house.

The Berean Standard Bible uses the usual English verb phrase break in for the way thieves enter a house. Use the usual verb in your language for a thief entering a house. For example:

thieves sneak in to steal

-or-

thieves break the door and enter

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:17

7:17a

Likewise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Likewise here refers to something being similar. For example:

In the same way (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
So (English Standard Version)

every good tree: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good tree can also be translated as “healthy tree” (as in the English Standard Version). Here the word good contrasts with “bad” in 7:17b. So some versions translate it as “healthy.” It refers to a tree that produces good or tasty fruit.

bears good fruit: The phrase good fruit refers to fruit that people eat. It is tasty fruit.

7:17b

bad tree: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bad tree means “rotten, diseased tree.” It refers to a tree that does not produce good or useful fruit. For example:

diseased tree (English Standard Version)
-or-
rotten tree (God’s Word)

bad fruit: The phrase bad fruit refers to fruit that does not taste good. It is worthless fruit. People do not eat it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:20

8:20a

In the Greek, 8:20a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” There is contrast between the desire of the teacher of the law and how Jesus responds. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction, but leaves the contrast implicit. In some languages, it may be natural to show this contrast. For example:

But (New Living Translation (2004))

Foxes: Foxes are a kind of small, wild dog. They each weighed about 7 kilograms (15 pounds), and are about 1 meter (36–40 inches) long from nose to rump (not including the tail). They have orange-red or gray fur with white markings. They live in holes.

If foxes are unknown in your language, there are several ways to translate:

• Use a general expression such as:

wild dogs

• Use a name of a wild animal known in your area that is about the size of a fox and lives in a hole.

birds of the air: This phrase is a Jewish way of referring to birds. In many languages, it is more natural to just translate this phrase as “birds.” For example:

and birds have nests (Good News Translation)

This phrase also occurs in 6:26a. You should translate it here as you did there.

nests: The word nests refers to birds’ homes.

8:20b

the Son of Man: In Greek, the phrase that English versions translate as the Son of Man is more literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus used this title as a way to refer to himself without using the pronoun “I.” He used this title to imply that:

(a) He was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) He came from God and had authority from God (because this title hints at Daniel 7:13–14).

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Here are some other expressions that translators have used:

the Man whom God Sent
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
-or-
The Older Brother of All People

In some cases, an unusual title may correctly suggest a deeper meaning. For example:

the Child of a Person
-or-
the One who was Born as a Human

Translators have also used expressions that are more literal. These more literal expressions may be appropriate where readers are familiar with a literal title in another version.

In some languages it may be necessary to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

I, the Son of Man (New Living Translation (1996))

See also Son of Man in Key Biblical Terms for more information.

no place to lay His head: The phrase lay His head refers to resting and sleeping. This whole phrase refers to not having a permanent home where Jesus could sleep.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

nowhere to sleep (God’s Word)
-or-
have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head (New Living Translation (1996))

-or-

has no ⌊permanent⌋ place where he can sleep/rest

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:18

Section 9:18–26

Jesus healed a sick woman and raised a dead girl

In this section, Matthew continued to write about the power that Jesus has to heal people. In addition, he again showed that faith is important.

There are two stories in this section. In one story Jesus healed a woman who had a bleeding problem for twelve years. This story is told in the middle of another story. In that story, he raised to life a girl who had recently died.

According to the law of Moses, a woman who had a bleeding problem was unclean. If a normal Jew came in contact with such a woman, he became impure. Also, according to the law of Moses, a dead body was unclean. If a normal Jew touched a dead body, he became unclean. But these two women did not contaminate Jesus. Instead, power went out from Jesus to heal the bleeding woman, and his supernatural power caused the girl to become alive again.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman (New International Version)
-or-
A sick woman is healed and a dead girl lives again
-or-
Jesus Heals in Response to Faith (New Living Translation (2004))

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 5:21–43 and Luke 8:40–56.

Paragraph 9:18–19

9:18a

While Jesus was saying these things: The phrase these things refers to the words that Jesus spoke in 9:14–17.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

While Jesus was still speaking (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
while he was talking to John’s disciples (God’s Word)

9:18b

The Greek of 9:18b begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It indicates that something extraordinary will happen. Here, what is unexpected is that a religious leader arrived with sad news.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

suddenly (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
unexpectedly

a synagogue leader: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as synagogue leader is literally “ruler.” This word can refer to a political or religious leader. Mark and Luke refer to this person as “a ruler in the synagogue” (Mark 5:22, Luke 8:41). So you should use a term that refers to a religious leader.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

a Jewish religious leader
-or-
the leader of a synagogue (New Living Translation (2004))

See how you translated the word “synagogues” in 4:23.

knelt before Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as knelt before is more literally “prostrated himself before.” This word refers to kneeling and putting one’s face to the ground with arms outstretched. In Jewish culture, this position showed humility and an earnest desire for one’s request to be accepted.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

bowed low in front of him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
knelt down before him (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
prostrated himself before him

9:18c

has just died: The phrase has just died indicates that the girl died very recently, probably minutes before the ruler spoke to Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has just now died (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
has died not long ago

9:18d

But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live: Verse 9:18d–e is a request. The ruler asked Jesus to make his daughter alive again.

There is also a contrast here. The contrast is between the daughter dying and the daughter living again. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

Some ways to connect 9:18d–e to the rest of the verse are:

• Make the contrast clearer by changing the order of the clauses in 9:18d–e. For example:

c“My daughter has just died,” he said, e“but you can bring her back to life again dif you just come and lay your hand on her.” (New Living Translation (2004))

• Make the request clearer and lessen the contrast. For example:

cThe man said, “My daughter has just now died! dPlease come and place your hand on her. eThen she will live again.” (Contemporary English Version)

come and place Your hand on her: This is a polite request. It is not a command. By first bowing down, the ruler showed that he respected Jesus and was politely asking him to come to his house and raise his daughter to life. In some languages, it may be necessary to add something to show that the ruler was politely asking Jesus to raise his daughter. For example:

Please come and place your hand on her. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊I beg you to⌋ come and touch her.

In some languages, it may also be necessary to indicate in 9:18c that the ruler was being polite. For example:

⌊Sir,⌋ my daughter has just died.

she will live: The daughter had died, but the father wanted her to live again.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

she will live again (Contemporary English Version)

-or-

she will return to life

The ruler believed that Jesus was able to cause his daughter to live again. So he used the future tense and not words of possibility such as “she might live.” Your translation should indicate or imply that the ruler believed that Jesus was able to cause his daughter to live again.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:12

10:12

As you enter the home, greet its occupants: The word greet refers to a blessing of peace, as 10:13 indicates. So this clause means that when a disciple enters the house of the person who has given him a place to stay, he should bless the people of that house.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When you are invited into someone’s home, give it your blessing. (New Living Translation (1996))

-or-

When you enter a house, greet the people of that house and bless them.

It is also possible to translate the greeting as direct speech. For example:

When you enter that home, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:2

Paragraph 11:2–6

11:2a

Meanwhile: Verse 11:2 begins a new paragraph. The Berean Standard Bible indicates the start of this new paragraph with the word Meanwhile.

John was already in prison in 4:12. It was while he was in prison that he heard about the teachings (chapters 5–7) and miracles of Jesus (chapters 8–9).

Here are some other ways to indicate that this new paragraph is beginning:

At that time
-or-
While these things were happening

John: The John that Matthew referred to here is John the Baptist, not the disciple named John. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

John the Baptist (Good News Translation)

heard in prison: The word prison refers to a building where the government puts people and locks them in so they cannot leave.

Here is another way to translate this word:

jail

People are usually in prison because they have broken the law. But John was in prison because King Herod was upset at his preaching. Your translation should not indicate that John had broken the law.

about the works of Christ: This clause refers to the teaching, preaching, and miracles that Jesus was doing in chapters 5–9.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

about the ⌊wonderful⌋ deeds that the Christ was doing
-or-
about the things that the Christ was doing ⌊and saying⌋

Christ: Here Matthew used the word Christ as a descriptive title for Jesus. Christ is not just a name for Jesus. It has meaning, and the meaning of the title is in focus in this context.

During the time when the New Testament was written, the Jews used the term “the Christ” or “the Messiah” to refer to the special person whom God had promised to appoint and send to them. They believed that when he came, he would save their nation from their enemies. He was to be their King, Redeemer, and Savior.

Note that Christ as a title means the same thing as “the Messiah.” Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. So when Christ is used as a title, some English versions translate it as “the Messiah” to clearly show that it is a title for Jesus, not his name.

Here are some other ways to translate Christ:

• Transliterate Christ and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:

the Kristi

• Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:

Karisiti, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the Savior whom God promised to send

• Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:

the Messiah
-or-
the Promised Deliverer
-or-
the Rescuer-King whom God sent

If you do not indicate the meaning of Christ in the text, you may want to include a footnote to explain the meaning of Christ. Or you may want to explain the meaning in a glossary. For example:

The word/title “Christ” refers to the King and Savior whom God had promised to send.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:35

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 6:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 7:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 8:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 9:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 10:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 11:2

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