Paragraph 8:49–50

In this paragraph, Luke returned to the story about Jairus and his daughter. Use a natural way in your language to focus again on the people who were introduced before the story about Jairus was interrupted in 8:43.

8:49a–b

While He was still speaking, someone arrived: Jesus was still speaking to the woman whom he healed when someone came with a message for Jairus. Express this timing in a natural way in your language.

In some languages it may be helpful to mention who Jesus was speaking to. For example:

While Jesus was still speaking to her
-or-
As Jesus was still talking to the woman

someone arrived: The person who came may have been a slave, or he may have been a friend or member of Jairus’ family. Translate this in a general way. For example:

someone came (New International Version)
-or-
a man came (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a messenger came (Good News Translation)

from the house of the synagogue leader: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from the house of the synagogue leader is literally “from the synagogue ruler.” The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions supply from the house of because Jairus himself was already with Jesus.

Consider what would be the most natural way in your language to refer to Jairus, the synagogue ruler, here. In some languages it may be enough to simply say “Jairus.” In other languages it may be more natural to avoid using Jairus’ name here and to simply say “the synagogue leader.” See the note on “a synagogue leader” at 8:41a.

8:49c

Your daughter is dead: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Your daughter is dead is literally, “Your daughter has died.” Use a natural expression in your language to tell someone that a family member has died. In many languages, there will be a euphemism for this.

he told Jairus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he told Jairus is literally “saying.” The man was talking to Jairus, who was still with Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

He said ⌊to Jairus⌋
-or-
He told ⌊the synagogue leader⌋

The Berean Standard Bible has placed the phrase he told Jairus after the words “Your daughter is dead.” In the Greek text, it comes before these words. Place it where it is most natural in your language.

8:49d

Do not bother the Teacher anymore: In this context, the words Do not bother the Teacher anymore imply that Jairus should leave Jesus. He should no longer expect Jesus to go to his house. The man said this because he did not believe that Jesus could help someone who had already died. It may be helpful to supply some of this implied information. For example:

So do not continue to bother the teacher. ⌊He cannot do anything for her now.⌋

In Greek the man used a command form to make a polite suggestion. In some languages this form may sound harsh. Use a form that is polite and natural in your language for a suggestion of this kind. Also, translate it in a way that is appropriate for someone, possibly a slave, to speak to a respected man.

A similar expression is found in 7:6c.

bother: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bother here means “to trouble (someone).” The man assumed that Jesus was a busy teacher and that Jairus had troubled Jesus by asking him to heal his daughter. In this context, bother does not mean to do something purposely to annoy someone.

In some languages, there may be another word or phrase that expresses this sense more clearly. In other languages it may be helpful to make explicit the sense of bother. For example:

do not bother the teacher any longer ⌊by urging/asking him to go to your house⌋

the Teacher: The phrase the Teacher here refers to Jesus. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Teacher was a polite title for a Jewish religious leader. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. If you have another term in your language to refer to a religious leader or teacher, it may be appropriate to use it here.

Be careful not to use a term that can refer only to a schoolteacher. This term also occurs in 7:40, where it is used as a term of address.

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