SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 2008

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 6:35

6:35a

By now the hour was already late: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as By now the hour was already late is literally “a late hour was already coming.” It was probably mid or late afternoon, sometime after 3:00 o’clock but before sunset. According to verse 6:36, there was still time for them to go and buy food.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

When it was getting late (Good News Bible)
-or-
Late in the afternoon (New Living Translation)

If your language has an idiom for this time of day, it would be good to use it here.

6:35b

So: The word So is not in Greek. The Berean Standard Bible has added this word to connect 6:35a and 6:35b. Connect these verse parts in a way that is natural in your language.

the disciples came to Jesus: In this context, the words came to Jesus mean that the disciples approached Jesus to speak to him. The disciples were already with Jesus. They were probably sitting or standing close to Jesus as he taught. They did not come to him from a distance.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

his disciples came near to him
-or-
his disciples approached him

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. In the New Testament disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

See how you translated this term at 2:15b and 6:1c. See also disciple in the Glossary.

6:35c–36c

For an example of how to translate this text as indirect speech, see the General Comment on 6:35c–36c at the end of 6:36c.

6:35c

and said: In Greek, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as said occurs before “This is a remote place.” The Berean Standard Bible has placed it before these words. The New International Version has placed said after these words. You should put the word said where it is most natural in your language.

This is a desolate place: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a desolate place indicates a place where few people lived. It was a place that was far from any town or village. The Berean Standard Bible translates this same word as “a solitary place” in 6:32.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

This is a lonely place
-or-
No one lives around here (God’s Word)

6:35d

and the hour is already late: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the hour is already late is almost the same Greek phrase as in 6:35a. You should translate it in a similar way here.

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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 Mark 7:12

7:12

Here Jesus gives the effect or result of the condition stated in 7:11b–d. You should connect 7:11 with 7:12 in the way that is natural in your language. For example, the New International Version says:

then you no longer let him do anything

he is no longer permitted to: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he is no longer permitted to means:

you no longer allow/permit him
-or-
he is forbidden from that moment (New Jerusalem Bible)

Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He told them that they were responsible for people disobeying God’s commands. They did not allow people to do what God had told them to do.

do anything: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do anything refers to any practical help the person might give his parents. This included money or food to make their lives easier.

General Comment on 7:11–12

In many languages it may be necessary to break up this sentence into two or more shorter sentences. For example:

11aBut this is your teaching: 11bSuppose a man says to his father or mother, 11c–d“I have dedicated my belongings to God and cannot use it to help you.” 12Then you do not permit him to use those things to help them.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 8:8

8:8a

The people ate: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The people ate is literally “they ate.” Use a natural subject in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Everybody ate (Good News Bible)
-or-
They all ate (New English Bible)
-or-
All the people ate (New Century Version)

ate and were satisfied: The word satisfied indicates that the people ate all the food they wanted to eat.

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase ate and were satisfied:

ate and had enough (Good News Bible)
-or-
ate as much as they wanted (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
ate until they were full (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

8:8b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces what happened next in the story. The New Century Version translates it as “Then” and the New International Version translates it as “Afterward.” Connect 8:8b to 8:8a in a way that is natural in your language.

the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over is literally “there was an abundance of pieces, seven baskets.” This clause refers to the pieces of bread and fish that were left after the crowd ate. It emphasizes how much food Jesus had provided for the people.

The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the phrase the disciples picked up to indicate how the baskets were filled.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the leftovers filled seven large baskets (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
when the scraps were picked up, there were seven large baskets of food left over (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

basketfuls: The type of basket that the Greek text refers to here is larger than the baskets that are mentioned in 6:43. Use an expression here that refers to large baskets. For example:

seven large baskets (Contemporary English Version)

of broken pieces that were left over: The broken pieces refer to pieces of bread and fish that the people did not eat. They were not crumbs. See how you translated broken pieces in 6:43.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:4

9:4a–b

And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus: The Greek clauses here indicate that Elijah and Moses were already talking with Jesus when the disciples saw them. The context also implies that Elijah, Moses, and Jesus were still talking when Peter interrupted them in 9:5a. Try to translate in a way that allows for either of these two meanings.

Elijah and Moses: Elijah and Moses were both Old Testament prophets who lived many years before Jesus. But God brought them to the mountain to talk with Jesus.

If people in your area will not know that Elijah and Moses lived long before Jesus, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Elijah and Moses, prophets of long ago

appeared: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appeared is literally “was seen.” This form of the verb is often used to describe beings who appear in a supernatural manner. Here, this verb indicates that the disciples suddenly saw Elijah and Moses. The disciples did not see them coming from a distance. For this reason, it is possible to translate this as:

Elijah and Moses suddenly appeared to them
-or-
They suddenly saw Elijah and Moses

them: The pronoun them refers to the three disciples. However, your translation should not imply that Elijah and Moses suddenly became visible to the three disciples but not to Jesus. Clearly, Jesus saw them as well as the three disciples. In some languages you may be able to leave the word them implicit. For example, the New Living Translation says:

Then Elijah and Moses appeared

9:4b

talking with Jesus: The Greek grammar probably indicates that Elijah and Moses were already talking with Jesus when the disciples saw them. The grammar could also indicate that Elijah, Moses, and Jesus were still talking when Peter interrupted them (9:5a). Try to translate in a way that allows for either of those two meanings.

Paragraph 9:5–8

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:36

9:36a

Then He had a little child stand among them: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He had a little child stand literally means “taking a little child, he made him stand.” These words indicate that Jesus led a nearby child into the group of disciples. He did this perhaps by placing his hands on the child’s shoulders or by taking the child by the hand. For example:

He went and led a child among them

The child probably lived in that house. According to Matthew 18:2, Jesus called the child. Your translation should not imply that Jesus went somewhere else to find a child.

had…stand among them: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had…stand here indicates that Jesus told the child to stay standing in one place. Jesus may have done this with words or gestures.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

put him in the midst of them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
placed him standing among them

a little child: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a little child refers to a young child, one probably under the age of ten years. Try to use a general term that can refer to either a young boy or a young girl. If you must choose between a boy or girl, you should probably use a word that refers to a young boy.

General Comment on 9:36a

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the ideas in the phrase “He took a little child” and the phrase “and had him stand among them,” as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Then Jesus had a child stand near him.

9:36b

Taking the child in His arms: The phrase Taking the child in His arms probably means that Jesus hugged the boy or put his arm or arms around him. This was a way of showing that Jesus loved and valued him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

He put his arms around the child (God’s Word)
-or-
and embraced (New Jerusalem Bible)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:19

10:19a

the commandments: The phrase the commandments here refers to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and more generally to the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the commands/laws of God
-or-
what God commanded

10:19b

murder: The word murder refers to the deliberate, wrongful killing of a human being.

See how you translated this word in 7:21b.

commit adultery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commit adultery refers to a specific type of sexual sin. It refers to sexual relations between a man and a woman, when at least one of them is married to another person.

See how you translated this expression in 10:11a–b.

10:19c

steal: The word steal refers to taking something that belongs to someone else without permission.

bear false witness: The expression bear false witness refers to telling a lie in a law court. This command forbids anyone to tell a lie in order to help a guilty person to avoid punishment. It also forbids anyone to tell a lie in order to cause an innocent person to receive punishment. The expression can also refer to telling lies in any situation.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

testify falsely (New Living Translation)
-or-
tell lies about others (Contemporary English Version)

10:19d

cheat others: The phrase cheat others means “deceive others in order to obtain their possessions.”

Here are some other ways to translate this:

defraud (New International Version)
-or-
gain someone’s things deceitfully
-or-
get things dishonestly

honor your father and mother: The word honor means “respect” or “revere.” This expression includes obeying your parents when you are young and helping your parents when they are old. The Good News Bible has:

respect your father and your mother

See how you translated this expression in 7:10a.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:51

10:51a

What do you want Me to do for you?: In Greek, the question that Jesus asked Bartimaeus here is similar to the one that he asked James and John in 10:36. If it is natural in your language, you may translate in a similar way here.

Jesus asked: In Greek the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus asked occurs at the beginning of this verse. It introduces Jesus’ words. Place this phrase where it is natural in your language.

In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech for this part of the verse. For example:

Jesus asked Bartimaeus what his request was.

10:51b

Rabboni: The word Rabboni is a Hebrew word that is used several times in Mark. (The literal meaning of “Rabbi” in Hebrew is “my great one.”) Here in 10:51b the text uses a slightly different form. Both forms refer to a person who taught people about God and his ways. People often used the word as a title to show respect when they spoke to such a religious teacher. See how you translated this word in 9:5a.

said the blind man: This phrase indicates that Bartimaeus was answering Jesus. In some languages it may be more natural to use a verb like “answered” or “replied.”

In the Greek text the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as said the blind man occurs at the beginning of this sentence. Place it where it is natural in your language.

let me see again: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let me see again is literally “so that I may see.” The man was politely requesting Jesus to do something for him. He was begging Jesus to make him able to see. Translate this in an appropriate way in your language. For example, the New International Version says:

I want to see

see again: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as see again can imply either “be able to see for the first time” or “be able to see again.” The text does not say whether this man had been able to see and then became blind or whether he was born blind. It is good not to specify this in your translation.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 12:4

12:4a

Then he sent them another servant: There is implied information here. It is implied that the first servant returned to the owner of the grape farm and told him what had happened. After that the owner sent another servant to the grape farmers to try to get his share of the harvest.

12:4b

and they struck him over the head:

There is a textual issue in 12:4b. Some Greek manuscripts have the phrase “having stoned him” at the beginning of this clause. (1) Some Greek manuscripts do not have this phrase. For example, the Revised Standard Version says: “they wounded him in the head” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version). (2) Other Greek manuscripts have the phrase
they cast stones. For example, the King James Version says: “and at him they cast stones, and wounded [him] in the head” (King James Version). It is recommended that you follow option (1).) The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as struck…over the head implies that the grape farmers hit the servant repeatedly on the head. It may also mean that they wounded him in the head. Some languages use different words for hitting with the fist and hitting with a hard object. If that is true in your language, you may use a word that means “hit/beat with a cane or stick.”

and treated him shamefully: The phrase treated him shamefully indicates that the grape farmers mistreated the owner’s servant and insulted him. They acted and spoke in a way that humiliated the servant. By doing this, the grape farmers showed that they also did not respect his master, the owner of the grape farm.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2008

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 6:35

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 7:12

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 8:8

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:4

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:36

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:19

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:51

SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 12:4

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