SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023 – Page 88

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:24

18:24a

As he began the settlements: This clause indicates that the king had many servants to settle accounts with. They probably came to him one by one.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When he began to do this (God’s Word)
-or-
When the king began to collect his money (New Century Version)
-or-
As began to collect his money

18:24b

a debtor was brought to him owing: The verb was brought indicates that other servants led in one by one each of the people who owed the king money. The picture is of the king perhaps on his throne with the servants who owed money waiting outside the throne room for their turn.

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

• Use a passive verb. For example:

one of them was brought in who owed him (Good News Translation)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊someone/they⌋ brought in one of the workers who owed him money

a debtor…owing: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a debtor…owing is more literally “one debtor.” It refers to one of the servants who owed him money.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

one of his debtors…who owed him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a man who owed him (New International Version)

ten thousand talents: This phrase refers to an enormous sum of money. The number ten thousand was the largest number that could be named in Greek. The word “talent” refers to the weight of metal such as silver or gold (1 talent = about 30 kilograms). It was the largest weight at that time. So the phrase ten thousand talents refers to an amount of money that was almost beyond imagination.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use the number 10,000 and borrow the word “talent” from English or a national language. Then explain the whole expression in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

The number 10,000 was the largest number you could say in Greek. A talent was the largest weight at the time. This was an enormous sum of money. It was so big you could not count it.

• Use the number 10,000 and replace “talent” with another expression. For example:

10,000 large pieces of money
-or-
ten thousand bags of gold (NIVUK)

• Use an expression that means “an enormous sum of money.” For example:

millions of coins

The last two options could also include a footnote. For example:

This was an enormous sum of money. It was so big you could not count it.

Some English versions use the American currency “dollars.” It is not recommended that you translate the term ten thousand talents using an amount of money in your national currency. The value of the currency used may change over time. In addition, using a modern currency removes this story from its historical setting.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:21

19:21a

If you want to be perfect: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be perfect also means “to be complete/whole/mature.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

If you want to be complete
-or-
If you want to lack nothing
-or-
If you want to have no faults

19:21b

go: This is a command. It does not specify where the young man should go. It just assumes that he will have to go to where he lives to take care of what Jesus told him to do. It is the opposite of the verb “come” at the end of the verse.

sell: The verb sell assumes that the young man would get money for his possessions.

your possessions: In Greek, this phrase is plural. It refers to everything that the young man owned.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

what you possess (English Standard Version)
-or-
everything you own (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all your property (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

and give to the poor: This clause implies that the young man should take the money he received for his possessions and give it to the poor. For example:

and give the money to the poor (New Century Version)

the poor: This phrase refers to people who are in poverty. They have little money and possessions.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

poor people

19:21c

and: In Greek, 19:21c is joined to the beginning of the verse with the common conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible frequently translates as and.

Here are some other ways to begin 19:21c:

If you do this (New Century Version)
-or-
As a result

you will have treasure in heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasure refers to something that is very valuable. The phrase treasure in heaven probably refers to rewards from God. (This same phrase occurs in 6:20a.) God will reward his people for “acts of righteousness” such as giving to the poor (6:2–4).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use the same word for treasures as in 6:19a. Such a word can be used to refer to figurative or spiritual treasures. For example:

you will have treasure/wealth in heaven
-or-
you will have riches in heaven (Good News Translation)

• Use a word or expression that refers to spiritual treasures. For example:

you will have rewards in heaven for doing good
-or-
you will receive that which is worth much in heaven

19:21d

Then come, follow Me: Here, Jesus used the verb follow in a figurative sense. He meant that the young man should become his disciple.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

Then come and be my follower (Contemporary English Version)

This figurative sense of the word follow first occurs in 4:19a. See the note there for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:23

20:23a

You will indeed drink My cup: In Greek, this clause includes the word indeed, a word that the some versions do not translate. In this context, this word affirms the truth of this statement. The next clause (20:23b) is matched to it and gives a contrasting idea.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

You will indeed drink from my bitter cup (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You certainly will drink from my cup! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

It is true that you will suffer like I will soon suffer

drink My cup: As in 20:22b, the word cup represents suffering. The phrase My cup refers to the suffering that Jesus was going to experience in Jerusalem.

You should translate the expression drink My cup in a similar way to 20:22b.

20:23b

But: There is a contrast between 20:23a and 20:23b–c. James and John would certainly suffer like Jesus (20:23a). But that does not mean that they will have the places of honor (20:23b–c) next to him.

The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

to sit at My right or left: As in 20:21c, the phrase right or left means “left side or right side.” The left and right sides of a king were positions of honor.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

as for who sits on my right and left
-or-
the person will sit on my right side and left side

In some languages, it is more natural to put this clause after “is not Mine to grant.” See the Display for an example.

is not Mine to grant: In Greek, this clause is more literally “this is not mine to give.” Jesus implied that he did not have the authority to give those positions of honor to anyone.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not have permission to give
-or-
I do not have the authority to say who
-or-
I have no right to say who (New Living Translation (2004))

20:23c

There is a contrast here. The contrast is between a negative clause (in 20:23b) and a positive clause here in 20:23c. The negative clause is “to sit at My right…is not Mine to grant.” The positive clause is “These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.” Languages have different ways to indicate this negative-positive type of contrast. Here are some of the ways:

• With the conjunction “but.”

• With a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of contrast. For example:

Rather (NET Bible)
-or-
on the contrary
-or-
Instead

• With no conjunction. For example:

These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father. (New International Version)

These seats belong to those: The Berean Standard Bible has added the words These seats belong. These words are not in Greek. The Berean Standard Bible has added them to make the sentence more natural in English.

The English Standard Version expresses a similar idea by adding “it is for those,” probably using the singular word “it” to refer to the role or function that the two brothers wanted to have in the kingdom. It is also possible to use a plural word. For example:

Those places belong to those (New International Version)
-or-
Those seats are for those people

for whom My Father has prepared them: This clause means that the Father has already decided who will sit on the right and left side of Jesus. He has already prepared that role/function for certain people. He has already made ready those places for people whom he has chosen.

In the Greek this clause is a passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

for whom they have been prepared by my Father (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

for whom my Father has prepared them (Good News Translation)
-or-
My Father has already prepared these positions for certain people. (God’s Word)

-or-

My Father has already decided who will sit in those places.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:21

22:21a

They said, “Caesar’s”: There are some words here that are implied but were not said. The complete response would be:

They belong to Caesar
-or-
They are the Emperor’s face and name

22:21b

Then he said to them: The Greek conjunction that the English Standard Version translates as Then introduces the next event in a sequence. Some English translations do not translate it and let the context suggest the connection.

Therefore: Jesus used the word Therefore to introduce the conclusion to his argument. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Well, then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In that case

render to Caesar: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as render means “give back.” This verb is similar to the verb in the original question (in 22:17b) which the English Standard Version translates as “pay.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

give back to Caesar (New International Version)
-or-
pay the Emperor (Good News Translation)
-or-
return to the king/chief

the things that are Caesar’s: This phrase refers to things that belong to Caesar, such as the coins he made with his face on them. However, the translation should remain general rather than naming anything in particular. For example:

what belongs to Caesar (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

22:21c

and to God: Some words from 2:22b are implied here but are not repeated. The complete clause would be:

and ⌊give back⌋ to God

the things that are God’s: It is important to translate this in the same way that 22:21b is translated. For example:

what belongs to God

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:6

1:6a

David the king: It may be more natural in your language to indicate that David became king many years after he was born. For example:

David ⌊who later became⌋ king

king: The word king refers to a ruler who has highest authority over a large region, usually a country.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

high/supreme leader
-or-
chief

Paragraph 1:6b–11

The second group of fourteen names of men in the family line of Jesus starts at 1:6b.

1:6b

Solomon by Uriah’s wife: In this verse, Solomon’s mother is identified as the Uriah’s wife. Her name was Bathsheba. But when Solomon was born, Bathsheba was married to David. This is because David caused Uriah to die in a war and then married Bathsheba. Solomon was born after David married her. (The full story is in 2 Samuel chapters 11–12.)

In some languages, it may be important to indicate that Uriah was dead when Solomon was born. For example:

whose mother had been ⌊the late⌋ Uriah’s wife
-or-
by the ⌊former⌋ wife of Uriah
-or-
by the widow of Uriah

-or-

(his mother was the woman who had been Uriah’s wife) (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:17

2:17

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces the result of Herod’s action (2:16). Herod killed the baby boys (2:16), and as a result the words of the prophet were fulfilled (2:17).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

In this way (Good News Translation)
-or-
So (Contemporary English Version)

what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: The clause what was spoken through the prophet is very similar to the clause “what the Lord had spoken through the prophet” (in 2:15b). It refers to the words/message that the Lord God told the prophet Jeremiah to tell the people. Jeremiah then spoke these words to the people. He also wrote them down.

This clause is passive.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah (God’s Word)

• Use an active verb. For example:

what God had said through the prophet Jeremiah (New Century Version)
-or-
the words that ⌊the Lord⌋ told the prophet Jeremiah to say to the people

was fulfilled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was fulfilled means “came true” or “happened.” God spoke the words of 2:18 hundreds of years before Jesus was born. And now those words came true.

The verb was fulfilled is passive. Here are some ways to translate this verb:

• As a passive verb. For example:

Then was fulfilled (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

Herod’s brutal action fulfilled (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a stative verb. For example:

Then the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah came true (God’s Word)

The same verb occurs in 2:15b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:9

4:9

“All this I will give You,” he said: The Berean Standard Bible places the words he said in the middle of what the devil said. This is good English style. However, in some languages it may be more natural to put these words at the beginning of 4:9. For example:

And he said to him, “All these I will give you…” (English Standard Version)

All this I will give You: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates All this refers to “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” (4:8b).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

All those/these ⌊countries/things⌋ I will give to you
-or-
I will give to you all that you can see

if You will fall down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fall down refers to showing great respect by getting close to the ground. This can be done by bowing or kneeling. This word does not mean to accidentally fall down.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

bow down (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
kneel down (Good News Translation)

This same word occurs in 2:11c.

and worship me: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worship is literally “prostrate before.” It usually involved kneeling and putting one’s face to the ground. This was done before God and also kings to show great honor and submission.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and/to honor me
-or-
and submit to me

-or-

and show me respect

See the note on worship in 2:2c for more information on this same word.

General Comment on 4:9

In some languages, it may be more natural to have the “if” clause first. For example:

The devil said, “If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:16

5:16a

In the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the same way indicates that 5:16 is similar to what precedes. A lamp should be put on a stand so that everyone can see the light and be helped by it (5:15b). Similarly Jesus’ disciples should do good deeds so that everyone can see them and praise God (5:16a).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Like the lamp (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Likewise
-or-
Similarly

let your light shine before men: The clause let your light shine is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Jesus compared the good deeds of his disciples to the light of a lamp. One way that they are similar is that both should be seen. Neither should be hidden.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor, but make explicit the meaning of light. For example:

let your good deeds shine out for all to see (New Living Translation (2004))

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make parts of it explicit. For example:

like a light that shines before people is visible/seen, let your good deeds be visible
-or-

⌊just as⌋ people see that light, in that same way make sure that people see the good way that you live/behave

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

do your good works/behavior openly

before men: The Greek preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as before can also be translated as “in the sight of” or “in the presence of.”

The word men is general and refers to people, both men and women as in 5:13c.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in people’s sight (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
in the presence of others

5:16b

that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that here indicates that 5:16b is the purpose for believers to shine their light before men (5:16a).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

so that (English Standard Version)
-or-
in order that
-or-
for the purpose that

they may see your good deeds: The phrase your good deeds means “the good things that you have done.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the good things you do (Good News Translation)
-or-
your good works (English Standard Version)

5:16c

and glorify: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glorify means “speak well about someone” or “honor someone.” Here it refers to giving praise to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

give honor to (NET Bible)
-or-
praise (New International Version)

your Father in heaven: In this verse, Jesus speaks of God as your Father. In some languages, that would imply that God was only the Father of those to whom Jesus was speaking, but not Jesus’ Father. If that is so in your language, you may want to translate this phrase as:

our(incl.) Father who ⌊lives⌋ in heaven

-or-

our(incl.) Father. ⌊He lives⌋ in heaven.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 18:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 19:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 20:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 1:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 4:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 5:16

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