10:20a–b

do not rejoice that…but rejoice that…: In these two clauses Jesus was comparing two good things that his disciples could rejoice about. He told them which of these things should cause them more joy. He did not imply that the disciples should not rejoice at all in the first thing. Some ways to express this comparison in English are:

Do not rejoice mainly that…, but rather that…
-or-
You are happy that…, but you should be more happy that…

10:20a

Nevertheless: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as Nevertheless introduces a contrast with the figurative statement in 10:19. The implied connection is “even though I have given you authority over Satan and the evil spirits.” Some other ways to translate the connection are:

But ⌊even though that is true⌋
-or-
However (New International Version)
-or-
But (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
But although ⌊I have given you this authority⌋

do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you: See the note on 10:20a–b. Jesus indicated here that his disciples had a more important reason to rejoice. Jesus was not saying that they should not be happy that the demons obeyed them.

spirits: In this context spirits refers to evil spirits, which are also called demons. See demon in the Glossary.

10:20b

but rejoice that your names are written in heaven: Jesus was telling his disciples that they should be even happier that God had written their names in heaven. Another way to translate this clause is:

Instead, your happiness should be based on the fact that your names are written in heaven.

your names are written in heaven: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are written is a passive verb. The implied subject is God. Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

your names are registered in heaven (New Living Translation (2004))

• As an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ has written your names in heaven

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

are written: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are written means “are written/recorded.” It indicates here that the names of the disciples have been written, recorded, or listed by God in heaven. The text does not make explicit whether this list was written in a book, on a scroll, or on some other material.

In some languages, it may be natural to make explicit what the list was written on. If so, you may use an expression that is natural in your language. For example:

your names have been written ⌊in God’s book/list⌋ in heaven

Many other verses in the Bible mention that God has a list in heaven of the names of all the people who will live forever with him. This list is often referred to in English as the “Book of Life.” This is what Jesus referred to here. You may want to add a footnote that gives some of this background information. For example:

In heaven, God has written the names of everyone who will gain eternal life. This book is also mentioned in Psalm 69:28, Philippians 4:3, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27.

heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives. See heaven, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

General Comment on 10:20a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder 10:20a–b and put the positive command first. For example:

20bAlthough that is true, you should rejoice that God has written your names ⌊in His book⌋ in heaven 20amuch more than you rejoice that ⌊evil⌋ spirits obey you! (Translator’s Reference Translation)

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