10:33a

Look: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look introduces something that is important or unexpected and indicates that the listener should give it special attention.

This Greek word is not easy to translate into English, so some English version do not translate it here (see the New International Version). Other versions translate it as “Behold” or “Listen.” Consider whether there is an expression in your language that has a similar function.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Listen carefully.
-or-
Take note of this:

See how you translated this word in 1:2b–c, where the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “Behold.”

we are going up to Jerusalem: The pronoun we refers to Jesus and his disciples. Jesus meant, “You(plur) and I are going up to Jerusalem.”

10:33b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces what would happen after Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem.

Here are some other ways to introduce this in English:

then
-or-
where (Good News Bible)
-or-
there

the Son of Man will be delivered over: The clause the Son of Man will be delivered over is passive. In some languages it is more natural to use an active clause here. For example:

someone will deliver over the Son of Man

Jesus did not say at this time who would deliver him over, so you should use a general subject such as “they” or “someone.”

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus used this title to imply that:

(a) he was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) he came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Avoid a title that explicitly identifies Jesus as the Messiah.

Here are some other expressions that translators have used:

the Man whom God Sent
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
-or-
The Older Brother of All People

In some cases, an unusual title may correctly suggest a deeper meaning. For example:

the Child of a Person
-or-
the One who was Born as a Human

Translators have also used expressions that are more literal. These more literal expressions may be appropriate where readers are familiar with a literal title in another version.

In some languages it may be necessary to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

me, the Son of Man
-or-
who became man/human

See how you translated this phrase in 2:10a.

will be delivered over: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as delivered over here means to give someone to his enemies so that they can do whatever they want to him. One of Jesus’ disciples later betrayed Jesus by leading his enemies to him so that they could gain control over him.

The verb will be delivered over is passive. In languages that do not use passive verbs, you may change to an active verb with a general or indefinite subject. For example:

someone will deliver me, the Son of Man, over to the chief priests…

Do not specify Judas or one of the disciples, because Jesus had not yet made known who would betray him. Be careful not to use a term that implies that someone would betray Jesus by spiritual means such as magic. Also do not use an expression that would imply that Jesus was guilty.

10:33c

to the chief priests and scribes: The chief priests and scribes together were the religious leaders of the Jews.

chief priests: A Jewish priest was a man who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. He also performed other rituals for them. The phrase chief priests refers to the leaders among these priests.

Here are some other ways to translate chief priests:

the leading/ruling priests
-or-
the elders among the Jewish sacrificers
-or-
the most prominent priests

This term first occurs in Mark in 8:31c. See how you translated it there.

scribes: The scribes were the experts in the religious law. Their main task was to study, interpret, and teach the law of Moses and other Jewish laws and traditions.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation)
-or-
experts on the law

See how you translated this in 1:22c and 9:14c. See teacher of the law in the Glossary.

10:33d

They will condemn Him to death: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as condemn here means to judge someone and say that he is guilty. In the context of a trial, the court decides that the person has done something that is against the law. The phrase condemn…to death here means to declare that the guilty person should be punished by being put to death.

10:33e

and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles: In this context the verb deliver…over indicates that the Jews would transfer Jesus to a Gentile (Roman) court for punishment. They did this because the Roman rulers did not allow the Jews to execute anyone. The Jews had to ask the Romans to execute anyone whom they had condemned to death.

Him: The pronoun Him refers to “the Son of Man” (10:33b). So Jesus was referring to himself when he used the word Him. In some languages you may need to indicate this by using a form like “me” instead of Him.

Gentiles: The word Gentiles refers to any non-Jewish people. In this context it refers to the Romans, who were ruling Israel at that time.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

non Jews
-or-
foreigners (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the non-Jewish people (New Century Version)

An advantage of a term such as “foreigners” is that it may be easy to translate. A disadvantage is that the same term cannot be used to translate “Gentiles” in other contexts. For example, in Paul’s letters to churches in Gentile areas, the Gentiles were obviously not foreigners.

• Use a loan word from a major language translation in your area.

This may be an appropriate option if many people are already familiar with the term. If you choose this option, it is recommended that you also add a footnote. A sample footnote is:

All people who were not Jews were called Gentiles.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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