SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 2008 – Page 5

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 13:23

13:23a

So: This verse concludes Jesus’ statement in 13:21–22. The Berean Standard Bible introduces it with the word So. Use a natural way in your language to connect this conclusion to the context.

be on your guard: In the Greek, this sentence begins with an emphatic form of the word “you,(plur)” which the Berean Standard Bible and the other versions do not translate. Here is the meaning:

as for you,
(plur) be on your guard

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be on your guard means “be/remain watching.” This word also occurs in 13:5, 13:9a, and 13:33a. See how you translated it in 13:9a. Jesus was telling his disciples to be aware of future hardships and dangers. In some languages you may need to specify what to guard yourselves from. For example:

be(plur) on your guard about what will happen

13:23b

I have told you everything in advance: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as told…in advance means “warned” or “forewarned.” For example, the New Century Version says:

I have warned you about all this before it happens.

Some readers may wrongly think that Jesus was reminding the disciples of an earlier time when he warned them. However, he was referring to the warnings that he has just given. Try to make this clear in your language. For example:

I have just now told you everything ahead of time.
-or-
With these words I am telling you everything ahead of time.

General Comment on 13:23a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to place the conclusion of 13:23a after 13:23b. For example:

23bI have told you about all these events before they happen. 23aSo you, my disciples, must be on your guard.

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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 14:19

14:19a

In this verse Mark told how the disciples responded to what Jesus said in 14:18. They were sad. The Greek text does not have a connector here, but in some languages it may be natural to make the connection explicit.

Here are some other ways to express the connection between 14:18 and 14:19:

Then they were sad.
-or-
When Jesus’ disciples heard that, they were sad.
-or-
This word grieved them.

They began to be grieved: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They began to be grieved is literally “They began to be sad.” Mark’s use of the verb “began” is complex. In this context it does not imply that the disciples began to be sad but then soon lost their sadness. If it is confusing in your language to use a verb like “begin” here, you may leave this idea implicit.

grieved: The word grieved can also be translated as “sorrowful,” “distressed,” or “sad.” This word was also used in 10:22.

14:19b–c

and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?”: The disciples were grieved and horrified by what Jesus had just said. They did not know to which one of them Jesus was referring. Each of them asked him, “Surely I am not the one who will betray you, am I?” This is a question that hopes for the answer, “No, you are not the one.”

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Surely, not I? (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You don’t mean me, do you?

one after another: Each disciple asked in turn and not all together at one time.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:51

14:51a

One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body: This part of the verse introduces One young man into the story for the first time. Mark does not say who he was. In some languages, there may be a special way to introduce him here. For example:

There was a young man wearing a linen cloth who was also following Jesus.

Notice that the example above introduces the facts about the young man in a different order. Introduce the young man in a way that is natural in your language.

One young man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as young man normally refers to a young, unmarried male person. This young man would probably have been about twenty years old.

who had been following Jesus: This young man was following along with Jesus that night, but he probably was not one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He was not part of the crowd that arrived with Judas to arrest Jesus.

was wearing a linen cloth around his body: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was wearing a linen cloth around his body is literally “having been clothed with linen over his naked body.” He was wearing only a linen cloth or garment.

The Greek word for “linen” specifies only the type of cloth, not the shape or style of his clothes. Most scholars think that in this context it refers to a linen sheet/cloth or outer garment.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with nothing on but a linen cloth (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
wearing only a linen cloth (Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible)
-or-
wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
wrapped in a linen cloth/sheet and that’s all

Some languages have a specific verb for wrapping a blanket or other piece of cloth around one’s body. Other languages may have a specific noun for a wrap-around garment. If that is true in your language, you may use either of these here.

linen cloth: The Greek word that the translates as linen cloth is literally “linen.” Linen is a certain type of expensive, good quality cloth. If linen is unknown in your language, you may use a descriptive term. For example:

fine/good/expensive cloth

In translating this phrase, be careful not to imply that the young man was wearing a full set of clothes. It is clear from the context that he was not fully dressed.

14:51b

They caught hold of him: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They caught hold of him indicates that some people in the crowd grabbed the young man. They were trying to arrest him too, but he escaped.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

and the people also grabbed him (New Century Version)
-or-
They tried to arrest him (Good News Bible)

It is implied that the people grabbed the young man by the cloth that he had wrapped around his body. That explains why he ran away naked. In some languages it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

When they grabbed onto his garment

General Comment on 14:51a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to move 14:51b to the beginning of the verse. For example:

51bThey seized a young man 51awho was following Jesus wearing only a linen cloth/garment.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:12

15:12

So Pilate asked them again: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as So Pilate asked them occurs at the beginning of 15:12. Some versions place the words Pilate asked them at the end of this verse instead, after quoting his words. Place these words where it is most natural in your language.

What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?: There is a textual issue in this verse. Some Greek manuscripts include a word that means “you wish”:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts do not include this word. They have only “What should I do…?” For example:

Then what shall I do with the man…? (Revised Standard Version)

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

(2) Other Greek manuscripts include this word, as the Berean Standard Bible does. They have “What do you wish/want I should do…?” For example:

What do you want me to do with this man…? (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, NET Bible)

Option (1) has the strongest manuscript support. However, there is no significant difference in meaning between the two options. So you may follow whatever option is more natural in your language.

Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus if he released Barabbas. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:

If I release Barabbas, what shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is literally “therefore” or “so.” For example, the New Century Version says:

So what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews? (New Century Version)

It does not mean “next.”

In Greek, this word occurs after the word “what,” as the Berean Standard Bible translates it. You should place it where it is natural in your language.

the One you call the King of the Jews:

There is a textual issue in this part of the verse. Many major Greek manuscripts (and the UBS4 page 185 and Majority Text) include the phrase “the one you call” here. However, many others do not include it. Of the versions consulted, only the God’s Word omits this phrase.
Pilate used the phrase the One you call the King of the Jews to indicate that he was using the same title for Jesus that the Jews used. (However, the leaders of the Jews did not call Jesus that.)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

this man you call the king of the Jews (New Living Translation)
-or-
this man you say is the king of the Jews (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:44

15:44a

Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead is literally “Pilate was surprised that he was already dead.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the phrase to hear to make the clause natural English.

was surprised: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was surprised expresses surprise or amazement. Here it includes an element of doubt. Pilate was surprised or amazed to hear that Jesus had already died, and he sent for the centurion to confirm the report.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

was astonished/amazed that
-or-
wondered/marveled that

15:44b

so: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as so introduces what Pilate did as a result of what he heard from Joseph. He summoned the centurion to investigate. Connect 15:44b to 15:44a in a way that is natural in your language for this context.

he summoned the centurion: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as summoned here means “commanded to come.” The centurion was still by the cross, so Pilate sent someone to tell the centurion to come to him. The Revised English Bible translates this as:

sent for the centurion (Revised English Bible)

15:44c

to ask if this was so: In some languages, it may be natural to use direct speech for this question. For example:

…he/Pilate asked him, “Has Jesus already died?”
-or-
…he asked him, “Is it true that Jesus is already dead?”

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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 13:23

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:19

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 14:51

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:12

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 15:44

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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