3:23a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as So is a simple connector. It is often translated as “and” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This word connects 3:22 to 3:23–39. It introduces what Jesus said and did in response to what his enemies accused him of doing.

The Berean Standard Bible shows this connection with the word So. Some English versions do not translate this word. You should connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus called them together: Jesus told the people to come nearer before he confronted them. The Contemporary English Version says:

Jesus told the people to gather around him.

them: The pronoun them refers to both the teachers of the law and the crowd.

3:23b

speak to them in parables: The phrase speak to them in parables describes what Jesus said to the people in 3:23–27. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as parables is used to describe different types of wise speech like proverbs, illustrations, and metaphors.

In this context there are two different parables: 3:23c–26c and 3:27. You will need to read these two parables carefully. Then consider how you would describe this type of speech in your language. See parable, Type 2, in the Glossary.

3:23c–26c

Jesus’ first parable is in 3:23c–26c. In this parable, Jesus proved that what the teachers of the law were saying could not be right. If Satan controlled Jesus, he would not want to send his own helpers away. If he did, then Satan would be fighting against himself.

3:23c

How can Satan drive out Satan?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to rebuke the Jewish religious leaders. He did this by emphasizing a fact that everyone should know is true: Surely, Satan would not do something against himself. There are at least two ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

How can Satan be the one who forces his own evil spirits to leave?
-or-
Will Satan force his own demons out of people? Of course not!

• As a statement. For example:

Surely, Satan will not want to force his own evil spirits to leave.
-or-
Satan does not work against himself by forcing/causing his own demons to come out of people.
-or-
Satan will not force himself out of people. (New Century Version)

Use whichever form is most natural in your language to emphasize a fact that is obviously true and that expresses a rebuke.

Satan drive out Satan: Here, the word Satan occurs two times. The first Satan refers to Satan himself. The second Satan represents the demons over which Satan rules.

In some languages, it may be clearer to translate the second Satan as “his demons.” For example:

Why would Satan force out his own demons?

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. Here are some ways to translate Satan:

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.

• Use a descriptive phrase such as:

the chief/leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God

• Transliterate the name Satan. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Satanas, the ruler of demons
-or-
Shaitan

If you transliterate Satan or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.

Try to use a term that will be acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who Satan is. For example:

Satan is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Here are other names for Satan that are used in the Bible: “Beelzebul,” “the Devil,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

See how you translated this word in 1:13a.

drive out: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drive out is literally “cast/throw out.” It refers to causing evil spirits to stop controlling someone. See the notes on 3:15 and 3:22d, where the same term is used.

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