22:36a

“Now, however,” He told them: In the Greek text, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He told them occurs before the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples. In some languages, it may be necessary to place these words at the beginning of 22:36a. For example:

He said to them, “But now…” (New International Version)

Place this phrase where it is most natural in your language. See the note below on the phrase He told them for more guidance.

Now, however: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now, however introduces a contrast to 22:35. During the time that began that night, the situation would be different. So Jesus gave different instructions in 22:36.

There is implied information here. Verse 35 implied that people took care of the apostles when they preached about Jesus. At that time they welcomed the message about Jesus. However, in 22:37 Jesus explained that people will now treat him as a criminal. He implied that they will also treat the apostles as criminals and persecute them.

In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

But now ⌊people will not help you. So⌋
-or-
However, starting now, ⌊people are against us(excl)⌋.

You may want to include some of the information in a footnote. For example:

When Jesus sent the disciples out before (9:1–6, 10:1–16), people welcomed them into their homes and listened to their message about Jesus. Now they would treat Jesus like a criminal, and they would also mistreat his disciples.

He told them: In Greek the clause He told them introduces Jesus’ response to the apostles after they answered his question. It includes a conjunction that some English versions translate as “Then.” Introduce Jesus’ response in a natural way in your language.

22:36b

the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag: Here Jesus told the disciples to take a purse and a bag with them when they travel.

Some other ways to translate these instructions are:

the person who has a wallet and a traveling bag should take them along (God’s Word)
-or-
take your money and a traveler’s bag (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whoever has a purse had better take it with him, and his pack too (Revised English Bible)

purse: Jesus implied that the purse was for money and that it contained money. For example:

the one who has a money bag must take it (NET Bible)

If you translated purse as “money” in 22:35a–b, you should do so again here. For example:

take money with you

a bag: The phrase a bag implies here that each apostle will fill a traveling bag or pack with things that he will need, such as extra clothes. Use the same word here as you used in 22:35b.

22:36c–d

the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one: This command is more literally “the one not having should sell his outer-garment and buy a sword.” It refers to a disciple who does not have a sword and also does not have enough money to buy one. Then he should sell his cloak and take the money to buy a sword.

Some other ways to translate this command are:

he who has no sword should sell his shirt and buy one
-or-
the one who has no sword, he must go buy, even if it is necessary for him to sell his outer garment so that he will have something-to-pay-with

Here Jesus implied that his disciples will soon be in serious danger. They will need protection even more than they will need a cloak. This is an emphatic way to tell his disciples to be ready for hardship and persecution.

Many Bible scholars believe that Jesus spoke figuratively here. He may not have referred to a literal sword but to being prepared for danger. This view fits with 22:49–51. You may want to include a footnote in your translation about this. For example:

Jesus may have used a figure of speech here. He may not have wanted his disciples to buy real swords. (See 22:49–51.) Instead, he wanted them to prepare for a dangerous time when people will persecute them. His disciples thought that he referred to real swords. (See 22:38.)

sword: The word sword also occurred in 21:24. See how you translated it there.

cloak: A cloak is a long coat or robe that people use to keep warm. It was an important item of clothing that people needed during the cold time of the year.

In some areas people may not wear cloaks. If that is true in your area, some other ways to translate it are:

• Use a more general expression. For example:

outer garment

• Use an item of clothing that is common in your culture. For example:

shirt

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