Translation commentary on Luke 10:17

Exegesis:

hupestrepsan de hoi hebdomēkonta [duo] ‘the seventy [two] returned,’ without indication of the time elapsed since Jesus sent them out. A period of some weeks may be safely assumed to have passed.

kurie ‘lord,’ or, taking up ho kurios in v. 1, ‘Lord,’ preferably the former, cf. on 1.6 and on 5.8.

kai ta daimonia hupotassetai hēmin ‘even the demons subject themselves to us.’ kai ‘even,’ because they had not explicitly been sent to cast out demons (cf. v. 9). hupotassetai may be rendered (1) “are made obedient” (Translator’s New Testament), passive; (2) ‘subject themselves,’ or “submit” (An American Translation, New English Bible), middle; (3) “are subject” (Revised Standard Version), indicating a state of being. (2) is preferable (also in v. 20).

Translation:

The seventy returned with joy. The reference to the return has transitional force in that it serves to bridge the time that has elapsed since the departure of the seventy. This is in some cases better brought out by changing the pattern of subordination, e.g. ‘the seventy returned and rejoiced,’ ‘on the return of the seventy sent-ones they all were glad’ (Balinese). Some versions prefer to indicate the interval otherwise, e.g. ‘later the seventy (disciples) came back full of joy’ (cf. Phillips, Bahasa Indonesia 1968).

Demons, see references on 4.35.

Are subject to us, preferably, ‘submit themselves to us’ (see Exegesis), or, ‘drop themselves for us’ (Sranan Tongo), ‘bow to us’ (Balinese). The pronoun is best taken as exclusive.

In your name, see on 9.49. A verbal clause is sometimes preferable, e.g. ‘when we use/mention your name,’ ‘when we name you’ (Tboli), or a shift to a causative construction, cf. ‘your name makes even evil spirits obey us’ (Shona 1966).

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 10:17

Paragraph 10:17–20

10:17a

The seventy-two returned with joy: Here is another way to translate this:

When the seventy-two came back, they were very happy (New Century Version)

The seventy-two returned: In your translation, use the same number (seventy or seventy-two) that you used in 10:1a.

It is implied that some time passed between 10:16 and 10:17. See the General Comment on 10:16e. Some ways to indicate this are:

When the seventy-two disciples returned (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊Some time later⌋ Jesus’ seventy-two followers returned ⌊from their trip⌋
-or-

⌊After⌋ Jesus’ seventy-two disciples ⌊did what Jesus had instructed them, they⌋ returned

returned with joy The context implies that they were happy because of what they had been able to do on their trip. In some languages it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

returned, rejoicing ⌊about what had happened on their trip⌋

10:17b

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord was a polite way to address someone who had authority, such as a religious leader. It means “lord” or “master.” It is also a word that the Jews used to address God. It is not the same Greek word as the word translated as “Master” in 9:49a. But in some languages, it may be natural to use the same term of address for “Master,” “Teacher,” and “Lord.” See how you translated this term in 9:54b. See also Lord, Context 3, in the Glossary.

even the demons submit to us in Your name: In this context the clause the demons submit to us in Your name indicates that the demons recognized that Jesus had given authority to the disciples. That is why the demons obeyed them. When the disciples used the power of Jesus’ name to command the demons to leave someone, the demons obeyed and left that person. Another way to translate this is:

even the demons obeyed us when we used your name (New Century Version)

even the demons: The word even here implies that the disciples were especially surprised and pleased that demons submitted to them. They may have expected to be able to heal people, but they may not have expected to be able to cast demons out of people.

demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demons refers to spirits that are evil and can control people’s actions. The word demons refers to the same type of spirit as the Greek terms that are often translated as “evil spirits” and “unclean spirits.”

Some ways to translate demons are:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to spirits that are evil and can control people.

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. These spirits should be able to do evil things. Do not use a term that refers to spirits of dead people.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

evil/bad spirits
-or-
unclean spirits

Be sure that an expression like “unclean spirits” does not imply that the spirits are literally dirty.

See how you translated demons in 8:32b. See demon in the Glossary for more information.

submit to us: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as submit is in the present tense. This may indicate that the disciples were talking excitedly, as if the events were still happening. The disciples may also have been stating a general principle. Some English versions use the present tense, and others use the past tense. You may use whatever is natural in your language when people are telling about experiences that they have had.

in Your name: The phrase in Your name refers to invoking or using Jesus’ name to do something. It implies the power and authority that is associated with Jesus and his name. In this context the disciples were using Jesus’ name to make the demons submit to them. It is important to make this clear. Your translation should not imply that the demons were using Jesus’ name as they submitted to the disciples. Other ways to translate this are:

when we used your name (New Century Version)
-or-
when we gave them a command in your name (Good News Translation)
-or-
when we use the power and authority of your name (God’s Word)
-or-
when we command/commanded them to leave through your power

See how you translated the phrase “in Your name” in a similar context in 9:49a.

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