complete verse (Luke 21:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 21:9:

  • Noongar: “You must not fear when you hear of fighting and wars. These things must happen first; but these things do not show the last days are coming.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Also do not be afraid hearing news that says many people are fighting and opposing the government. Because all that must happen first. But the time has not yet really come for the end of the world.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And if you hear about fighting and trouble do not be afraid. All this has to happen first, but this is not yet the world’s end.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when you hear nearby you the commotion because of war, and you hear also the news about wars in a far country, don’t be afraid because it’s necessary that things like this come to pass, but this is not the sign of the end of this time.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If moreover you hear that there are wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things must happen, but the end of the world is not yet.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And if/when you hear news of troubles and wars, don’t panic. Because these really will come, but it’s not yet the end of the world.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 21:9

Exegesis:

hotan de akousēte polemous kai akatastasias ‘but when you hear of wars and insurrections.’ de contrasts v. 9 with v. 8; the clause takes up the question of the sign in v. 7.

akatastasia ‘disorder,’ ‘insurrection,’ ‘revolution.’

me ptoēthēte ‘do not be frightened, or, startled.’

ptoeomai (also 24.37) ‘to be terrified,’ ‘to be frightened,’ indicating a strong feeling of terror.

dei gar tauta genesthai prōton ‘for it is necessary that these things happen first.’ For dei cf. on 2.49 and 9.22. prōton (not occurring in the parallel text Mk. 13.7) is added by Luke to stress the thought of the next clause.

all’ ouk eutheōs to telos ‘but the end will not come immediately,’ i.e. will not immediately follow the wars and insurrections, with hēxei or a similar verb understood. eutheōs is emphatic by position. For to telos ‘the end,’ i.e. the end of this age.

Translation:

War, probably referring to external strife; Toraja-Sa’dan uses a reciprocal derivation of ‘to fight.’

Tumults, probably referring to internal riots, cf. also, ‘disdain for one’s chief’ (Tae’ 1933).

Do not be terrified, or, ‘do not let people make you afraid, or, cause you to fear’ (for which see on 1.12).

The end will not be at once, or, ‘the end will not follow them at once,’ ‘they do not indicate that the end is near’ (cf. Good News Translation), ‘it is not immediately so that it-is-finished’ (Sranan Tongo). The end, or more specifically, ‘the final hour’ (Tzeltal), ‘that this age (or, everything) comes to an end.’ The use of adjustments as discussed may lead to further changes in the sentence structure, e.g. ‘these things must happen before this age ends, but they do not indicate that this will happen (or, that it will end) at once.’ At once, or, ‘immediately,’ ‘at the very moment,’ ‘right then.’

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 21:9

21:9a

When you hear of wars and rebellions: The clause When you hear of wars and rebellions implies that people will tell Jesus’ disciples about wars and rebellions that are happening. The disciples will hear reports that nations and people groups are fighting each other. They will also hear that groups of people are rebelling against their governments. Some other ways to translate this are:

When you(plur) hear ⌊reports⌋ about wars and revolutions
-or-
At times you will/may hear news that nations are fighting and that people are rebelling ⌊against their governments⌋
-or-
When you hear about wars and riots (New Century Version)

This verse implies that the wars and revolutions are really happening. So you should not use a word that refers only to false reports.

wars and rebellions: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wars and rebellions can refer to different types of conflicts and fighting. The word wars often refers to armed conflict in which different countries fight each other. The word rebellions often refers to civil wars that involve revolting against governments and other authorities. See the note above for translation examples.

21:9b

do not be alarmed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be alarmed means “to be terrified or alarmed.” It refers to a feeling of fear or terror. A person is often frightened or terrified by wars and riots. Jesus did not want his disciples to be overwhelmed with fear. Here is another way to translate this:

do not panic (Revised English Bible)

You may have an idiom in your language that expresses this kind of fear. For example:

Do not give way to terror/fear
-or-
Do not let fear fill your heart/liver

General Comment on 21:9a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of 21:9a and 21:9b. For example:

9bDo not be afraid 9awhen you(plur) hear of various wars and rebellions.
-or-

9bDo not be terrified 9aat rumors/reports of wars and insurrections.

21:9c

In Greek 21:9c tells a reason why the disciples should not be afraid that the end of the age has come. Here is another way to translate this:

for this is something that must happen first (New Jerusalem Bible)

Translate the reason in a way that is natural in your language.

These things must happen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as These things must happen is literally “It is necessary for these things to occur.” It implies that it is necessary because God has determined that these wars and rebellions will happen before the age/world ends.

These things: The phrase These things refers to the “wars and revolutions” mentioned in 21:9a. Other ways to translate it are:

These wars
-or-
Such fighting/battles

first: The word first emphasizes the phrase “the end” in 21:9d. It implies that the wars must happen before the end of the age. In some languages it is more natural to leave the meaning first implied or to translate it in a different way. See the General Comment on 21:9c–d below for translation examples.

21:9d

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a statement that contrasts with what people expect. People may expect that wars and revolutions will show that the end of the world/age has come, but that it not true. Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language.

the end is not imminent: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the end is not imminent is more literally “not immediately ⌊is⌋ the end.” Some ways to translate this are:

⌊this does not show/mean that the world/age⌋ will end at that time
-or-
it is not the end ⌊of the world/age⌋ yet

the end: The phrase the end can refer here either to the destruction of the temple or to the end of the world/age. This phrase implies that the people were expecting this end to come. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate that. For example:

the end ⌊that you are expecting⌋

The phrase the end occurs in a prophecy. It is common for prophetic phrases to apply to more than one event. Some scholars believe that the end of the temple will show in a small way what the end of the world will be like. In a sense, the end of the temple was the end of an age.

If you must specify what will end, use a term that can refer either to the end of the world/age or of the temple. However, if you must be specific, you may refer to the end of the world or age. For example:

⌊the age⌋ will end
-or-
the end ⌊of the world⌋

General Comment on 21:9c–d

In some languages the word “first” in 21:9c may be confusing. Some other ways to translate the meaning in 21:9c–d are:

These things must happen, but the end of the world is not yet.
-or-
It is necessary for such things to occur before the world/age ends, but the end will not follow immediately.

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