SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 2008 – Page 2

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 8:4

8:4a

In Greek, 8:4 begins with a common conjunction that the Revised Standard Version translates as “and.” In this context it introduces the disciples’ response to what Jesus had said. They objected to his implied suggestion that they needed to feed the people. In some languages it may be natural to use a conjunction like “but” to introduce it. Translate in a natural way in your language for this context.

His disciples replied: The word replied introduces the disciples’ response to what Jesus had just said. In some languages it may be more natural to use a different verb like “said.”

disciples: See the note on 8:1c.

8:4b–c

Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses an objection. The disciples implied that it would be impossible to find enough food in that remote place to feed that large crowd. There are at least two ways to translate this objection:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Where in this desert can anyone find enough food to feed all these people? (Good News Bible)
-or-
Can anyone possibly find enough food in this wilderness to feed all these people?
-or-
How can anyone provide these people with bread in this remote place? (Revised English Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

No one could ever find enough bread to feed all these people here in this uninhabited place!
-or-
It is impossible to find enough food in this remote place to feed all these people!

Use whichever form is most natural to express this sort of emphatic objection in your language.

in this desolate place: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as desolate place indicates a place where few people lived. It was a place that was far from any town or village.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

in this remote place (New International Version)
-or-
in this place where no one lives (God’s Word)
-or-
in the wilderness (New Living Translation)

This same word occurs in 6:35c. For more information, see the note on “wilderness” in 1:3a.

could anyone find enough bread: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bread is literally “loaves.” It refers to loaves of bread, the main food of the Jewish people. If the people for whom you are translating do not eat bread, you could use a general term here, such as “food.” For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Where can we find enough food to feed such a crowd?

However, you may need to use a more specific term in 8:6 and 8:9. See how you translated bread in 6:37.

to feed all these people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to feed can also mean “to satisfy, fill.” This same word also occurs in 8:8a where it is translated as “satisfied.” Some other versions translate to feed as “to satisfy” Here in 8:4, as well. For example:

Where can someone get enough bread in this desolate place to satisfy these people? (NET Bible)
-or-
How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness? (New King James Version)

Consider translating to feed as “to satisfy” here if it would be natural in your language.

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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 8:36

8:36a–b

In Greek, this verse begins with the same conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “For” in 8:35a. See the note there. Also see the note on Paragraph 8:34–9:1. Here in 8:36a, the conjunction introduces another reason why a person should deny himself and be ready to die as a disciple. The reason is that it is useless for a person to gain everything in this world and then forfeit eternal life with God.

Some English versions indicate this connection by using the word “For” (as in the Revised Standard Version).

Here is another way to indicate this connection:

Here is another reason

Connect this verse to 8:35 in a natural way in your language. In some languages a connector may not be needed.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to emphasize something that everyone should know to be true: It is worth nothing for someone to gain the whole world if they forfeit their true life with God. There are at least two ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example, the Revised English Bible says:

What does anyone gain by winning the whole world at the cost of his life?

• As a statement. For example, the New Century Version says:

It is worth nothing for them to have the whole world if they lose their souls.

Use whichever form is most natural in your language to emphasize the recognized fact that Jesus was teaching here.

What does it profit: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does it profit means “benefit, help, be of use to.” The expected answer to the question is “there will be no profit.”

to gain the whole world: The phrase to gain the whole world literally means to own the world and everything in it. This is a hyperbole. It refers to being very successful in earning money and obtaining material goods.

Here are some other ways to translate gain the whole world:

win the whole world (Good News Bible)
-or-
own the whole world (Contemporary English Version)

This figure of speech emphasizes that even the whole world is worthless compared to the worth of a person’s soul. If a literal translation gives a wrong meaning in your language, you may need to express the emphasis in another way. For example:

obtain immense riches
-or-
be the wealthiest person in the world

forfeit his soul: In this context the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as forfeit his soul means to fail to obtain eternal life with God.

soul: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as soul refers to the same thing as the word “it” in 8:35a and 8:35b. The word soul refers here to eternal life or true life with God.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:32

9:32a

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here indicates a contrast. The contrast is between 9:31c–e and 9:32a. Jesus told the disciples that people would betray him and kill him, and he would rise again. But the disciples still did not understand this.

they did not understand: The pronoun they refers to Jesus’ disciples. If people in your area will think that they refers to the people who will kill Jesus (9:31d), you may want to clearly indicate the disciples here. For example:

the disciples did not understand

this statement: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this statement is literally “the saying.” This expression refers back to what Jesus said in 9:31.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

what this teaching meant (Good News Bible)
-or-
what he said (New International Version)

9:32b

they were afraid to ask Him about it: The pronoun it refers to what Jesus said in 9:31. You may need to translate this to make it clear. For example:

and they were afraid to ask him what it meant
-or-
and they were afraid to ask him, “What do you mean?”

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:15

10:15a

Truly I tell you: Jesus often used the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Truly I tell you to begin a statement that he wanted to emphasize. It indicates that the statement was important and totally reliable, and that people should listen carefully to it. Jesus used this phrase eight times in Mark. Sometimes it introduces a serious warning or prediction. Here it introduces Jesus’ warning that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Jesus also used the words “I tell you.” The words “Truly I tell you” are even more emphatic than “I tell you.”)

Here are some other ways to translate this:

I tell you the truth (New International Version)
-or-
I can guarantee this truth (God’s Word)
-or-
I solemnly assure you
-or-
I promise you that (Contemporary English Version)

If you have another way in your language to emphasize an important statement that is totally reliable, consider using it here.

See how you translated this phrase in 3:28a or 9:41c. In some languages you may need to translate the phrase differently in different contexts. Do not translate in a way that implies that Jesus had not been telling the truth at other times.

10:15b

anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it: In this context, the word receive means “accept” or “submit to.” A person must be willing to accept God’s rule in his life and to be part of the community of people who accept his rule. That person must be humble and depend on God, like little children depend on their parents.

The word enter figuratively refers to belonging to God’s kingdom. If a person is not willing for God to rule over him, God will not allow that person to belong to His kingdom. See also kingdom of God, Context 1, in the Glossary.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

…whoever does not accept God’s ruling over him the way a child accepts it, he absolutely will not be included in God’s kingdom.
-or-
…people who do not submit to God like children will not become his people in his Kingdom.

not…never: In some languages, two negatives such as this may be confusing. Here are some ways you might translate this phrase without using two negatives:

…God will accept into his kingdom only those people who will accept his rule as if they were children.
-or-
…no one will be included in the kingdom of God unless he welcomes God’s rule in his life like a child does.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:47

10:47a

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth: This clause implies that Bartimaeus heard the noise of the crowd who was following Jesus. He knew that someone important was coming. Some people told him that it was Jesus who was coming. You may need to supply some of this information in your translation. For example:

When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by
-or-
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

Jesus of Nazareth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus of Nazareth is literally “Jesus the Nazarene.” There were probably many men in the country of the Jews who had the name Jesus. So in order to show which Jesus this was, people had begun to call him “Jesus the Nazarene.” This means “Jesus from the town of Nazareth.”

Nazareth: Nazareth was a town or city in Galilee. See how you wrote this word in 1:9a.

10:47b

he began to cry out: This phrase introduces the words that Bartimaeus shouted to Jesus. He shouted in order to cause Jesus to notice him. His shout was a plea to Jesus. The word began may indicate that Bartimaeus shouted his plea a number of times.

Jesus, Son of David: The phrase Son of David refers to a descendant of King David. The Jewish people used this phrase as a title for the Messiah. It does not refer to one of David’s own children. In fact, Jesus was born hundreds of years after King David died. If people may think that David was Jesus’ father or that David was still alive, you may need to add a footnote in your translation. You can base the footnote on the first sentences of this note. You could also make the meaning of Son of David clearer by translating it as follows:

descendant of King David

have mercy on me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have mercy on me means “show compassion to me.” Bartimaeus wanted Jesus to show kindness, pity, or compassion to him. He specifically wanted Jesus to heal him, but he made this specific request later (10:51b).

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Be merciful to me!
-or-
Show compassion to me!
-or-
Pity me!

mercy: The word mercy means compassion for those who suffer or are in physical need.

See how you translated the word mercy in 5:19d.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 11:32

11:32a

The Jewish leaders considered another possible answer that they could give Jesus.

But if we say: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as if we say here:

(1) It is a conditional statement. For example, the Good News Bible says:

if we say

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, King James Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It is a question. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

shall we say…?

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version)

The Greek can be interpreted either way. There is good support in commentaries and versions for both ways of expressing 11:32a. You should follow the choice that is most natural in your language. The Display follows interpretation (1).

‘From men’…: The phrase From men is a quote within another quote. The Berean Standard Bible shows this with single quotes. In some languages it may be necessary to express this as an indirect quotation. For example:

But if we say that it came from people…
-or-
But if we say that John’s authority came from people…

In the Berean Standard Bible, as in the Greek, 11:32a is not grammatically complete. In some languages you may be able to indicate an incomplete thought as the Berean Standard Bible does, with an ellipsis character (three periods). Another possibility is to supply the implicit information in what the Jewish leaders began to say. For example:

But we cannot say, “It was from men.”

From men: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as From men refers to the source of John’s right or authority to baptize people. It means that the source of his authority was only human. It came from people, not from God.

See how you translated the phrase From men in 11:30a.

11:32b–c

they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet: The New International Version and the Good News Bible put this sentence in parentheses. The parentheses make it clear that Mark was explaining why the Jewish leaders did not want to answer “From men.”

The Jewish leaders did not believe that John’s authority had come from God. But they did not want to say what they really believed, because they were afraid of the people.

You may use parentheses to set this explanation apart, if that is a clear and natural way to do it in your language. But it is not always necessary to use parentheses. See also the General Comment on 11:32a–c at the end of the notes on 11:32c.

11:32b

they were afraid of the people: The Jewish leaders were afraid that the people might kill them.

According to the Law of Moses, people who spoke against God or a prophet of God should be killed by stoning. The Jewish leaders were afraid to tell the truth about what they thought of John’s authority to baptize. They were afraid that when the ordinary people heard their opinion, they would be very angry at them and would kill them. See Luke 20:6. This information could be included in a footnote in your translation.

11:32c

for: The word for introduces background information about the reason that the Jewish leaders were afraid of the people. There is implied information in the clause. The people believed that John was a prophet, so they would be angry if the leaders said that he did not get his authority from God. In some languages a word like “for” or “because” may not communicate the right meaning without the implied information. See the General Comment on 11:32a–c below for a different way to express the connection.

they all held: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as held is used in a figurative way here. It means “to hold (or have) an opinion about something.” So to hold that John was a prophet means to “consider/believe” that John was a prophet.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

everyone was convinced (Good News Bible)
-or-
everyone thought (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
everyone believed

they all: The phrase they all is an exaggeration. Mark used this word to emphasize the fact that many people believed John was a prophet. We know that not every person believed that John was a prophet. The Jewish leaders themselves did not believe it.

John truly was a prophet: John was dead at the time the Jewish leaders had this discussion. But even after John died, the people still believed that he had been a prophet. Translate the clause John truly was a prophet in a way that is natural in your language to show that this was what people thought about John. For example:

John had really been a prophet.

prophet: A prophet is a man who speaks a message that God has told him to speak. In this context, the fact that the people believed that John was a prophet meant that they believed that his authority came from God. God had sent him to preach and to baptize people.

See how you translated this word in 1:2a. See also prophet in the Glossary.

General Comment on 11:32a–c

You may be able to express the meaning of 11:32a–c more clearly if you make the whole verse an explanation without direct quotations. For example:

But the leaders did not want to say that John’s authority was only from humans. Most/many of the people believed that John was a prophet, and the leaders were afraid of what the people might do.

Another possibility is to make 11:32a and 11:32c part of what the Jewish leaders said, as a direct quotation. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

“On the other hand, these people think that John was a prophet. So we can’t say that it was merely some human who gave John the right to baptize.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 12:35

Section 12:35–37

The Christ is greater than King David

In this section Jesus was still teaching in the courtyard of the temple. Many people listened to him there. When he taught, he asked them about the Christ (Messiah) and his relationship to King David. Jesus asked this because he wanted the people to think about two things that the Scriptures say about the Messiah:

(a) The Scriptures prophesied that the Messiah (Christ) would be a descendant of King David.

(b) In the Scriptures King David called the Messiah “Lord.” This showed that the Messiah would be much greater than King David.

To Jewish people, it was difficult to explain how these two things could agree. They thought that an ancestor must be greater than his descendant. Jesus wanted them to know that the Messiah would be much greater than the earthly ruler that they expected him to be. He would be greater than David. The Messiah would be a descendant of David and would be a great ruler, but he would also share the throne of God.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Question about the Messiah (Good News Bible)
-or-
Whose Son Is the Christ? (English Standard Version)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 22:41–46 and Luke 20:41–44.

Paragraph 12:35–37

12:35a

While: This verse is the beginning of a new section. The events of this section probably happened soon after the events of the preceding section. In 11:27 Mark mentioned that Jesus was in the temple courts. In this section he was still teaching people there. Introduce the section in a natural way in your language.

Jesus was teaching: In 12:37 Mark indicated that a large crowd was listening to Jesus. Jesus was teaching them about God. In some languages it may be necessary to say whom Jesus was teaching and what he was teaching them. For example:

Jesus was teaching God’s word to people

temple courts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple courts is literally “temple,” as in most English versions. The temple consisted of the temple building itself and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. Here “temple” refers specifically to the courtyard. People did not meet inside the temple building because only the priests could enter it.

Some English versions have made this clear by translating “temple” as temple courts (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible) or “temple courtyard” (God’s Word). You may want to do this also if your word for “temple” would imply that Jesus and the crowd were inside the temple building.

Here are some other ways to translate the term temple courts:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

courtyard of the house of God
-or-
courtyard of the house of sacrifice
-or-
holy/sacred house courtyard

• If your language has a word for “temple,” you could use it here. But you may need to modify it by saying something like:

courtyard of the temple of the Jews/Lord
-or-
big/great temple courtyard

See how you translated this word in 11:16. See temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information about the temple and how to translate it.

12:35b–c

How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?: Jesus asked this question in order to encourage the people who were listening to him to think carefully about who the Messiah was. (It was not difficult for any Jew to understand that the Messiah was (or was to be) a descendant of King David. What was difficult was to be able to understand how David could refer to his own descendant as his Lord.) He wanted them to realize that the Messiah was even greater than they thought.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

What do you understand the experts in the law to mean when they teach that the Christ is David’s son?
-or-
The teachers of the law say that the Messiah is David’s son. What do they mean when they say that?

Jesus wanted people to think about how this related to another Scripture that he quoted in 12:36b–d. Translate the question so that it will connect well with that verse also. For example:

The reason I ask this question is because David himself…

12:35b

He asked: Jesus asked the people who were listening to him. In some languages it may be necessary to make that explicit.

the scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribes refers to men who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. These men are called scribes because their original work was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, this was no longer their main task. This word is sometimes translated as “teachers of the law,” as in the New International Version.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation)
-or-
experts on the law

See teacher of the law in the Glossary.

say: In this context the verb say refers to something that the scribes taught people about the Christ. They said it often in their teaching.

12:35c

the Christ: The Jews used the title Christ to refer to the special person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the two words have the same meaning.

Here are some other ways to translate Christ:

• Transliterate it according to the sounds of your language. For example:

Krais
-or-
Karisiti

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

the Christ
-or-
the Kirisita

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

Christ, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the savior God promised
-or-
the Christ who comes from God

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

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

See how you translated the word Christ in 1:1. See also Christ in the Glossary.

Son of David: The phrase Son of David is another title for the Messiah. It refers to the Messiah as a descendant of King David. The word Son here means “descendant.” It does not mean that the Messiah would be David’s own son. David had been the king of Israel a thousand years before Jesus lived on earth. The Good News Bible makes this clear by translating the phrase as:

the descendant of David

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 13:26

13:26a

At that time: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At that time is literally “And then,” as in the Revised Standard Version. This phrase introduces a very important event in Jesus’ prophecy: the Son of Man will appear in power and glory. Introduce it in a natural way in your language.

they will see the Son of Man: The pronoun they refers to people in general, so you could say:

people will see the Son of Man

It is the Son of Man who is in focus, not the people. In some languages it may be natural to translate in a way that does not mention who will see him. For example:

the Son of Man will be seen (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Son of Man will appear (Good News Bible)

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus 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.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

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:

me, the Son of Man
-or-
who became man/human

See how you translated this term in 2:10a and 9:9c.

13:26b

coming in the clouds with great power and glory: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as coming in the clouds also occurs in Daniel 7:13 and in Mark 14:62. There is another statement about Jesus’ coming in 8:38: “when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

In the Old Testament a cloud often symbolized God’s presence, power, and glory. The verses in Daniel indicate that the clouds were near the throne of God, and Mark 14:62 indicates that Jesus comes on clouds of heaven. (Some scholars believe that the clouds refer to God’s presence in heaven. The phrase “coming in the clouds” then refers to the time when the Son of Man ascended to heaven after his work on earth was finished. Then he was enthroned with God. There is support for this view in the parallel passage in Daniel. However, most scholars believe that the passages in Mark refer to Jesus’ coming back from heaven to earth. )

Here are some other ways to translate this:

as he comes surrounded by clouds and with majestic power and glory
-or-
coming with clouds, showing his power and glory

coming: The word coming can also be translated as “arriving” or “approaching.”

If you need to supply a destination for the verb coming, you may use “toward the earth” or “downward” or a similar expression. For example:

coming downward in clouds
-or-
coming toward the earth

in the clouds: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

surrounded by clouds
-or-
on the clouds (New Living Translation)

with great power and glory: The word great describes both power and glory. The whole phrase means “with great power and great glory.” In some languages it may be necessary to use a different expression for the word great each time. For example:

his power will be very great and his glory will be very bright

with…power: In this context power refers to both the authority and the ability to judge and to rule over all people.

and glory: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory here refers to the shining radiance that often displayed God’s greatness (see Exodus 16:10, 40:34). The light and brightness of the Son of Man show that he is great in the same way that God himself is great. See how you translated the word glory in 10:37. You may need to translate it differently here, since the context is different.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2008

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 8:4

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 8:36

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:32

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:15

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 10:47

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 11:32

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 12:35

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 13:26

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