Translation commentary on Luke 5:22

Exegesis:

epignous de ho Iēsous tous dialogismous auton ‘but Jesus perceiving their questionings.’ For epiginōskō cf. on 1.4; it implies thorough knowledge but does not indicate in what way this knowledge is gained. tous dialogismous autōn refers to dialogizesthai in v. 21 and hence is to be interpreted along the same lines. For dialogismos cf. on 9.46.

apokritheis ‘answering,’ cf. on 1.60.

ti dialogizesthe en tais kardiais humōn ‘what, or why, are you questioning in your hearts,’ preferably the former. Since dialogizesthe refers to discussion the addition of en tais kardiais humōn suggests that the scribes and the Pharisees do not raise objections for the sake of argument but that Jesus’ word of forgiveness is against their deepest convictions.

Translation:

Perceived their questionings, or ‘perceived that they were in discussion, or, were speaking with each other.’ Perceived, or, ‘noticed,’ ‘became aware,’ ‘observed,’ ‘came to know’ (some Indonesian languages).

Why do you question in your hearts, preferably, ‘what (matters) are you questioning in your hearts’ (cf. Exegesis). The interpretation advocated in Exegesis will require adjustments of the phrase in your hearts, leading to renderings such as, ‘what are you discussing with (all) your heart (or, so fervently)?,’ or even, ‘what are you opposing so indignantly?.’ The plural hearts is distributive, ‘(each) in/with your heart.’

The translation of vv. 21f will be different if dialogizesthai in v. 21 is rendered in accordance with interpretation (2). This may lead to a rendering of the verb “to question” by words referring to inward questioning, e.g. ‘to ponder,’ and cf. on “considered in her mind” in 1.29; of “perceived” by such words as ‘guessed’ (Sranan Tongo, lit. ‘Jesus went into their head’); and of “in your heart(s)” by ‘in your mind(s),’ ‘inwardly,’ cf. ‘why do you murmur-inside’ (Pohnpeian).

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 5:22

5:22a

Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied: In Greek, this clause begins with a conjunction that indicates a contrast. This contrast is between what the teachers of the law thought about Jesus and what Jesus knew about himself and his authority.

Some English versions translate this conjunction as “but.” For example:

But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said (New Century Version)

Other English versions do not use a conjunction here (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation). Connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

5:22b

Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to rebuke the religious leaders. Jesus did have authority to forgive sins. So he told them that they were wrong to think that he was blaspheming.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you thinking these things? (New Century Version)
-or-
Why do you think this is blasphemy? (New Living Translation (1996))

• As a statement or command. For example:

You are mistaken/wrong to think these things.
-or-
Do not think like that!

thinking these things in your hearts: In some languages it may sound unnatural to say that people are thinking in their hearts. You may have a different body part or expression to describe where someone thinks. Or the word you use for thinking may already imply that this takes place within a person. In this case you could just say:

Why are you thinking these things? (New Century Version)

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