In the German Gute Nachricht (Good News) translation of 1982, this occurrence of the Greek term which is translated in most English versions of “kingdom (of God or heaven)” is translated with a form of “God establishes his rule” (Gott richtet seine Herrschaft auf) or “God’s rule” (Herrschaft). For an explanation of the differentiated translation in German as well as translation choices in a number of languages, see Kingdom (of God / heaven).
complete verse (Matthew 13:38)
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 13:38:
- Uma: “The garden stands-for this world. The good seed stands-for people who become God’s people in his Kingdom. The grass stands-for people who follow the King of Evil-ones.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “The field is the world. The meaning of the good seed is the people who follow the ruling of God. The weeds are the people who follow the leader of demons.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for the field, now this is the world. And the good plants, these are the people who allow themselves to be ruled over by God. The bad plants, now these are the subjects of Satan.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “and the rice-field is this earth. The good rice seeds, they are the people who are added/joined to God’s kingdom, and the weeds for-their-part are Satanas’ people.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “The field is this world. The good seed is the people who are under the control of God and the poisonous weeds are the people under the control of Satanas.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “The field means here on earth. The good seed means people who are in the hand of God. The seed which appears like wheat means the people who are in the hand of the devil.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)