12:24

In this verse Jesus gave another reason why the disciples should not worry about food and clothes. He explained that God takes care of the physical needs of birds, so he will certainly care for the disciples. They are much more important to God than birds.

12:24a

Consider the ravens: The clause Consider the ravens indicates that Jesus was introducing an example or illustration. He wanted people to think about ravens and learn something from what he said. Think about how someone would introduce such an illustration in your language. Also consider if you would naturally use the article (the ravens) or omit it. Some other ways to introduce this example are:

Think about ravens, ⌊for example⌋.
-or-

⌊Let me illustrate by⌋ reminding you about the ravens.

ravens: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ravens refers to any birds of the crow family, including ravens, rooks, and jackdaws. These are all large, black birds that the Jews considered to be of no value, since they could not be eaten. According to Leviticus 11:15, they were unclean birds. You may want to include this information in a footnote.

If your language has no word for ravens or “crows” or similar birds, you may use a more general term. For example:

Look at the birds. (New Century Version)

12:24b

They do not sow or reap: Here Jesus was stating something that was obviously true. In some languages it may be natural to indicate this by saying something like:

⌊You/We know that⌋ they do not sow or reap

sow or reap: To sow is to plant seed by scattering it on the ground by hand. To reap is to cut ripe grain and bring it in from the field. In this verse the focus is not on the type of crop or on the method of planting or harvesting. So you may use general terms that refer to any crop. For example:

They don’t plant or harvest (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They don’t plant seeds or gather a harvest (Good News Translation)

12:24c

they have no storehouse or barn: Jesus was again saying what everyone knew. Crows do not have barns or storehouses for storing extra food. In some languages it may be clearer to refer to the purpose of the storerooms or barns rather than the buildings themselves. For example:

they do not store away their extra food

storehouse or barn: A storehouse is a place in which people keep grain and other food. A barn refers to a structure built for holding grain. It is the same word that was used in 12:18b. See how you translated the word there.

12:24d

yet: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as yet here introduces something that happens in spite of what was recorded in the previous verse parts. Another way to introduce 12:24d is:

but ⌊nevertheless/still⌋

God feeds them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as feeds in this context means “provides food for.”

12:24e

Some English versions, such as the New International Version, begin this verse part with the word “and” in order to connect the following exclamation to the preceding context. There is no conjunction in the Greek text, and some other English versions do not supply a conjunction here. You may do whatever is natural in your language.

much more valuable you are than the birds!: This is an exclamation. Jesus was emphasizing the fact that his disciples were much more important than birds were. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate who valued the disciples so highly. If this is true in your language, you should supply “God.” For example:

And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊God⌋ values you much more than he values birds!

In some languages it may be more natural to express this emphatic exclamation as a rhetorical question. For example:

Aren’t you far more valuable ⌊to God⌋ than birds?
-or-
You certainly have more value ⌊in God’s sight⌋ than birds, ⌊don’t you?⌋

valuable: In this context the disciples were valuable in the sense of being of great worth and importance to God.

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