SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 2008 – Page 3

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:8

14:8a

She has done what she could: The Greek statement that the Berean Standard Bible translates as She has done what she could is literally “What she had, she did.” This statement implies that the woman did what she was able to do for him. She used what she had to honor Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

This woman has done the thing that she was able to do.
-or-
This woman did the only thing she could do for me (New Century Version)

She: It may be clearer to restate the pronoun She as “This woman.”

14:8b–c

to anoint My body in advance of My burial: This woman anointed Jesus body by pouring her costly perfume on Jesus to honor him. This action was similar to what the Jews did to prepare dead bodies for burial. Jesus knew that he would die two days later, and he accepted the woman’s action as preparation for his burial. She may not have known the full meaning of what she did. In your translation you should not imply that her own purpose was to prepare Jesus for burial. See the examples in the next note.

in advance of My burial: When the Jews prepared someone’s body for burial, they often put perfume or scented oil on it. (See Mark 16:1.)

in advance: The words in advance refer here to the time before Jesus would die and be buried.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

She has already poured perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.
-or-
While I am still alive/living, she has poured perfume on me, preparing me for my burial.
-or-
Just as perfume would be put on me to honor me when I die, now while I am alive, she has put it on me.

burial: Jews were often buried in tombs that were cut from rocks. Poor Jews were buried in graves in the ground. We know that Jesus was buried in a tomb (cave) carved from rock (15:46). It is good to avoid being too specific about how Jesus thought that people would bury him. For example:

to prepare my body for burial

General Comment on 14:8a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to use a different order for the parts of this verse. For example:

8bThis woman poured perfume on my head before I died, 8cto prepare my body for being buried. 8aThat is what she was able to do for me.

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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 14:40

14:40a

And again Jesus returned: Jesus returned again to the three disciples. The action is similar to 14:37a, except that this is the second time that Jesus returned to see the disciples sleeping.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Afterwards he returned to the three disciples
-or-
After Jesus had prayed this, he came again to the three disciples

again: The context indicates that the word again applies to two different events:

(a) Jesus returned again to his disciples. For example:

Again he returned to them. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
And once more he came back (New Jerusalem Bible)

(b) He found them sleeping again. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

he found them sleeping again

The context indicates that both facts are true. Jesus came to his disciples again, and he found them sleeping again. Use a natural way in your language to indicate this.

14:40b

for their eyes were heavy: The word for here introduces the reason that the disciples were sleeping. In some languages a connector may not be needed.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

…they could not keep their eyes open. (NET Bible)
-or-
They had not been able to stay awake.

their eyes were heavy: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as their eyes were heavy is an idiom. It means that they were very sleepy. If your language has an idiomatic way to express this, you may want to use it here.

14:40c

And they did not know what to answer Him: In this part of the verse there is implied information. The text implies that Jesus woke the three disciples and rebuked them because they were asleep again. The clause They did not know what to answer Him indicates that they had no excuse to offer Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

They did not know what to say to him to excuse themselves.
-or-
When Jesus saw them sleeping, they woke up, and they did not know how to speak to Jesus about their sleeping.

Paragraph 14:41–42

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:72

14:72a

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time: Right after Peter’s third denial of Jesus, the rooster crowed a second time. The first time it crowed was in 14:68c. This happened just as Jesus said in 14:30 that it would happen.

And immediately: The word immediately here means “as soon as” or “without delay.” In this context it refers to the time immediately after Peter spoke.

14:72b

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: When the rooster crowed a second time, Peter remembered what Jesus had earlier said to him. This word is referring to what Jesus had already said in 14:30.

the word: The phrase the word refers to the words that Jesus had spoken to Peter earlier. These words are quoted in 14:72c. Although the word is a singular form, it does not refer literally to only one word but to all that Jesus had said about this as a unit.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had said to him.
-or-
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him.

14:72c

Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times: See how you translated this clause in 14:30. You should translate it in the same way here.

In some languages it may be necessary to introduce the words that Jesus had spoken in some way. For example:

Jesus had said, “Before the rooster crows twice…”

14:72d

And he broke down and wept: Peter cried because he was very sorry that he had denied Jesus three times. Peter had made a solemn promise to Jesus in 14:31, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” He knew that he had failed to be loyal to Jesus.

broke down and wept: There are two ways that the versions interpret the Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as broke down and wept:

(1) It indicates that Peter was so overcome by grief and remorse that he wept. The phrase broke down is an English idiom that expresses this meaning. For example:

Then Peter lost control of himself and began to cry. (New Century Version)
-or-
And he broke down and cried. (Good News Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible)

(2) It indicates that Peter began to weep. For example, the New American Standard Bible says:

And he began to weep.

(Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) with the majority of English versions.

Paragraph 15:1–5

15:1a

Early in the morning: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Early in the morning refers to dawn or sunrise. Your language may have a special word or phrase for this.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Early the next morning (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
As soon as it was morning (Revised Standard Version)

15:1b

the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan: This part of the verse indicates that the whole Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) met together. The Greek has a word that literally translates as “with” (as in the New International Version). Although the Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, it probably indicates that the chief priests took the main responsibility in making the decision about what to do next with Jesus. Although the chief priests took the main responsibility for the decision, the elders, scribes, and other members of the Sanhedrin were also at the meeting.

The phrase the whole Sanhedrin emphasizes that the whole Sanhedrin decided what to do about Jesus. It may be necessary to reword the phrases to make this clearer. For example:

…the chief priests met with the elders and the teachers of the law. Together, every member of the Sanhedrin reached a decision.

chief priests: A Jewish priest was a man who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. He also performed other rituals for them. The phrase chief priests refers to the leaders among these priests.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the leading/ruling priests
-or-
the elders among the Jewish sacrificers
-or-
the most prominent priests

The term chief priests first occurs in Mark in 8:31c. See how you translated it there.

elders: The elders were the civil leaders or rulers. They were generally older men. See how you translated elders in 8:31c and 11:27c.

scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as scribes is sometimes translated as “teachers of the law” (as in the New International Version). The original work of these men was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, their main task was to study, interpret, and teach the law of Moses and related Jewish laws and traditions.

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-
teachers of the law of the Jews
-or-
the experts on the law

See how you translated scribes in 14:43d and 14:53b. See also teacher of the law in the Glossary.

Sanhedrin: The word Sanhedrin is a Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible has borrowed. It means “council” and refers to the court with the highest authority over the Jews.

Here are some other ways to translate Sanhedrin:

council (Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible)
-or-
Jewish council (New Century Version)
-or-
highest group of Jewish leaders

See how you translated Sanhedrin in 14:55a.

devised a plan: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as devised a plan:

(1) It means “made a decision” or “formed a plan.” For example:

made their plans (Good News Bible)
-or-
decided what to do with Jesus (New Century Version)

(God’s Word, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Good News Bible)

(2) It means “held a council session” or “consulted together.” For example:

met together (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
called together a meeting (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, Revised Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

15:1c

They bound Jesus: The clause They bound Jesus means that the Jewish leaders tied Jesus’ hands together with ropes or chains. It was most likely the temple guards who actually tied Jesus up and not the leaders themselves.

led Him away: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as led…away also means “took away” or simply “took .” The council led Jesus away from the house of the high priest and took him to Pilate.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

…?they? led him away ?from the high priest’s house? ?and took him to where Pilate the governor was?.

15:1d

handed Him over to Pilate: The expression handed Him over to Pilate means that the Jewish leaders “delivered Jesus into the control of Pilate.” In this context it indicates that the leaders brought Jesus to Pilate so that Pilate could judge him and condemn him to death. Pilate was the Roman governor. He had the power to order that Jesus be killed.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

gave him to Pilate
-or-
turned him over to Pilate (New Century Version)

Pilate: This is Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman governor of the district of Judea. Here are some other ways to translate this:

Governor Pilate
-or-
Pilate the Roman leader

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:33

Section 15:33–41

Jesus died

Mark told the story of Jesus’ death and indicated the time certain important events happened. Jesus was nailed to the cross at the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.). Then at the sixth hour (12:00 noon) it became as dark as nighttime. It probably remained dark until Jesus died sometime during the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).

Three important events happened in this section. First, Jesus shouted, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” These are the only words that Mark recorded that Jesus spoke while on the cross. They show that God the Father rejected Jesus while he took upon himself the sins of mankind. Second, when Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two. This curtain represented the barrier between mankind and the presence of God. Third, the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. (He was the first man in the book of Mark to say this.)

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 death of Jesus
-or-
Jesus dies on the cross

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 27:45–56, Luke 23:44–49, and John 19:28–30.

Paragraph 15:33–37

15:33

From the sixth hour: The phrase the sixth hour refers to around 12:00 noon.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

At midday
-or-
When the sun was high in the sky
-or-
At 12:00/noon

until the ninth hour: The phrase the ninth hour refers to around 3:00 p.m. It was the middle of the afternoon.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

until the middle of the afternoon
-or-
until about three hours before sunset
-or-
until 3:00 p.m.

Mark does not say clearly that the darkness ended right at this point in the story and before Jesus died. (It would be somewhat strange to imagine that the darkness lifted before Jesus cried out that God had abandoned him.)

darkness came over all the land: The clause darkness came over all the land means that the whole land became dark. People could not see any light from the sun. It was as dark as it is at nighttime.

In some languages there may be an idiom expressing this. For example:

The whole land became pitch-black.

all the land: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as land can mean region, country, or earth. In this context it probably refers to Judea, the land of the Jews.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 16:19

Section 16:19–20

Jesus was lifted up into heaven

This section describes how Jesus went back to heaven. This event is often called “the Ascension of Jesus.” The concluding statement informs readers that the disciples did as Jesus instructed them to do in 16:15–18.

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

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Is Taken up to Heaven (Good News Bible)
-or-
The Ascension of Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Jesus went up to heaven

There are parallel passages for this section in Luke 24:50–53 and Acts 1:9–11.

Paragraph 16:19–20

16:19a

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them: The clause After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them introduces the final event in the Longer Ending of Mark’s Gospel. This event happened some time after Jesus said the things in 16:15–18 to his disciples. The Contemporary English Version has another way to translate this:

After the Lord Jesus had said these things to the disciples (Contemporary English Version)

After: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as After is the same word that it translates as “After” in 16:12a. See how you translated it there.

the Lord Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “master,” or “one who has authority over others.” The Greek text often uses this same word to translate the personal name of God in Hebrew.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Master Jesus
-or-
Chief Jesus
-or-
Sovereign Jesus

In some languages it may be necessary to add a word to indicate whose Lord or Chief is referred to. If that is true in your language, you can add a word like “our.” Although not everyone serves Jesus as Lord, he is master over everyone, so you can use an inclusive form. For example:

our Chief Jesus

See Lord, Context 2, in the Glossary.

had spoken: In this context the words had spoken refer specifically to the things that Jesus said in 16:15–18.

to them: The pronoun them refers to Jesus’ disciples.

16:19b

He was taken up into heaven: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was taken up means here “lifted up and carried.” The verb is passive, and God is the implied subject. God lifted the Lord Jesus and carried him into heaven. Your translation should not imply that God forcefully took Jesus against his will.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

he was carried up to heaven (New Century Version)
-or-
he was lifted up into heaven
-or-
God received him into heaven.
-or-
God raised him up to heaven.

Acts 1:9 indicates that the disciples watched the Lord Jesus go into the sky until a cloud covered him. God took him all the way into heaven to sit at God’s right hand (16:19c).

In some languages it may be necessary to use both a term for sky and a term for heaven, because Jesus was carried through the sky and also into heaven. For example:

God lifted Jesus up into the sky and carried him to heaven.

See how you translated the word heaven in 10:21d and 12:25c. See also heaven, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

See how the Berean Standard Bible translates the similar Greek clause in Luke 24:51. The Greek verbs are different in the two passages, but the meaning is the same.

16:19c

sat down at the right hand of God: The phrase at the right hand of God refers to the place of special honor next to God. In the culture at that time, the king or person having the greatest authority sat on a throne. The person with the next greatest authority and power after the king sat at the king’s right hand.

In many languages you may need to make the meaning of sat down at the right hand more explicit. For example:

sat in the place of special honor/authority at God’s right hand

See how you translated this idea in 12:36c and 14:62b.

at the right hand: The expression at the right hand means on the right side of someone, that is, to that person’s right.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:21

Section 1:21–28

Jesus expelled an evil spirit from a man

In this section Mark described the first of four events that happened in the town of Capernaum in the region of Galilee. Paragraph 1:21–26 tells how Jesus expelled an evil spirit from a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. Paragraph 1:27–28 describes the people’s amazed reaction to Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. See the note on “unclean spirit” in 1:23a for ways to translate “evil/unclean spirit.”

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

Here is another idea for this section heading:

The time when Jesus expelled an evil spirit

There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 4:31–37.

Paragraph 1:21–26

This paragraph begins with a change of location. Jesus and his four disciples walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee to the town of Capernaum.

1:21a

Jesus and His companions went: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus and His companions went is more literally “they went.” The pronoun “they” refers to Jesus and the four disciples who were mentioned in 1:16–20. Since this is the start of a new section, you may want to make explicit who “they” refers to, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

Jesus and his disciples (Good News Bible)
-or-
Jesus and his followers (New Century Version)

Capernaum: Capernaum was a small town that probably had fewer than two thousand people. It was located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate that Capernaum refers to a town. For example, the New Living Translation says:

the town of Capernaum (New Living Translation)

1:21b

and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath: This part of the verse tells when the event in this section happened. It also tells the specific place in Capernaum where it happened. Consider how your language would naturally connect this part of the verse to what precedes it. In some languages it may be more natural to begin this part of the verse with a new sentence. For example:

When the next Sabbath day arrived, Jesus went into the synagogue
-or-
Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath (Contemporary English Version)

and right away: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and right away is literally “and immediately.” Here it refers to the next Sabbath day, as the Contemporary English Version example in the preceding note indicates.

synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. There was only one temple (in Jerusalem), but each Jewish community had a synagogue.

Here are some other ways to translate synagogue:

prayer-house of the Jews
-or-
meeting-place of the Jews
-or-
worship building
-or-
house for gathering together

If you make explicit a phrase such as “of the Jews,” be sure that it does not imply that Jesus was not a Jew.

If the word synagogue is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may want to include a word or phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

sinagog house/building

Consider using a footnote that contains some of the information above. See synagogue in the Glossary.

Sabbath: The word Sabbath is the name of the seventh and last day of the week for the Jews. The Sabbath was the special day in the week when the Jews rested and worshiped God. The Law of Moses said that the Jews must not do any work on that day (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).

Here are some other ways to translate Sabbath:

the Jewish rest day
-or-
the day for resting
-or-
the day to rest and worship God

If the word Sabbath is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may also want to include a phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

the Sabat, the Jews’ day for resting

Be careful that the term you choose is not confused with Sunday, the day when Christians worship. The Sabbath for the Jews began at sundown on Friday and went until sundown on Saturday. You may want to include a footnote to give more information. For example:

The Sabbath is a name for the seventh day of the week. It is the day when the Jews rested from work and worshiped God.

1:21c

and began to teach: The Greek verb that most English versions translate as began to teach may also be translated as “taught,” as in the Revised Standard Version. Use a verb form that is natural in your language for this context.

In some languages a verb like teach may require you to tell what Jesus taught and whom he taught. In this context he taught God’s message to the people who gathered in the synagogue to worship.

Here is one way to make this information explicit:

began to teach God’s message to the people there

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2:11

2:11

I tell you: The pronoun you is singular and refers to the paralytic. The phrase I tell you emphasizes that Jesus was now speaking to the paralyzed man.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 3:16

3:16a

These are the twelve He appointed: There is a textual issue in this verse. Some Greek manuscripts include a clause that means “These are the twelve he appointed.”

(1) Nearly every major English version follows the manuscripts that include this clause. For example, the Revised English Bible says:

The Twelve he appointed were:

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) The versions that follow the manuscripts that do not include this clause have one long sentence from 3:14–19. So the verb “appointed” in 3:14a goes with 3:16. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

14aAnd he appointed twelve…: 16Simon whom he surnamed Peter…

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) since it has the best manuscript support. Also, the majority of English versions follow this option.

the twelve: The phrase the twelve refers to the twelve disciples that Jesus appointed as apostles. Mark often refers to the twelve disciples/apostles as simply “the twelve.”

He appointed: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appointed is literally “made.” Here it indicates that Jesus “chose” or “selected” the twelve. For example, the New Century Version says:

These are the twelve men he chose (New Century Version)

This same verb occurs in 3:14a.

3:16b

Simon (whom He named Peter): Jesus added the name Peter to Simon’s name. After this, people sometimes called him Simon, sometimes Peter, and sometimes Simon Peter. Simon was first mentioned in 1:16.

Peter: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible transliterates as Peter means “stone” or “rock.” You may want to put this in a footnote. For example:

The name Peter means “rock” in Greek.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2008

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:8

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:40

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:72

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:33

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 16:19

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:21

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2:11

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 3:16

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