Translation commentary on Matthew 13:39

The enemy: see comments on verses 25, 28.

Devil is first used in 4.1; then in 4.5, 8, 11; and once again in 25.41. It is the term used in the Septuagint to translate Satan, which is a Hebrew word.

Harvest must be understood as the gathering in of the crops rather than of the gathered crop itself. One may translate “the gathering of the crop stands for…” or “the time of the harvest stands for….”

The close of the age represents a Jewish and early Christian thought that time is divided into two ages: the present evil age and the future glorious age. Therefore “the end of the age” (Good News Translation) is equivalent to “the end of the world” (New Jerusalem Bible, Barclay, New American Bible) or “the end of time.” Closely allied to this thought is the belief that the world is proceeding in a direction determined by God, and the real understanding of the present may be known only as one understands the future. Matthew is the only New Testament writer to use this expression (13.39-40, 49; 24.3; 28.20).

Reapers (Good News Translation “harvest workers”): many languages, especially where life is based upon an agricultural economy, will have specialized terms that will be immediately understood. New American Bible renders “harvesters,” which itself is not widely used in American English. Most translators of modern English Bibles have subconsciously limited themselves to a single-word translation. “The workers who do the harvesting” or “… who gather in the crops when they’re ready” may in fact be the simplest renderings.

It may be advisable to translate angels as “God’s angels” (Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition); this should not cause confusion when in verse 41 the Son of Man sends out “his angels.” Angels itself was discussed at 1.20. “God’s messengers,” “God’s heavenly messengers,” or “God’s servants from heaven” may be appropriate here.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:39

13:39a

the enemy who sows them is the devil: The pronoun them refers to the weeds. The man’s enemy who planted the weeds represents the devil. His name is Satan.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the enemy who planted the weeds is ⌊like⌋ the devil
-or-
the ⌊man’s⌋ enemy who planted the weeds represents the devil

the devil: This word refers to Satan. If people in your area will think that “the devil” and “the evil one” (in 13:38c) are different beings, you should consider using the same term in both places. For example:

the evil one
-or-
Satan

13:39b

The harvest: The noun harvest refers to the time when mature crops are cut and gathered.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

harvest time
-or-
harvest season

The word harvest also occurs in 13:30a.

the end of the age: This phrase refers to the end of the world. At that time, God will judge the people of the world (13:40–42). The current way of living on earth will end.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the end of the world (God’s Word)
-or-
the end of this time ⌊on earth⌋

13:39c

the harvesters: The harvesters are the people who cut down the wheat and gather it.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

reapers (English Standard Version)
-or-
the harvest workers (Good News Translation)
-or-
those who cut the ⌊ripened⌋ wheat/grain

This word also occurs in 13:30b.

are angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” Here it refers to supernatural, spiritual beings who serve God.

Here are some ways to translate this term:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messengers ⌊from God⌋
-or-

⌊holy⌋ spirit-beings

• Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angels.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:

angelos messengers ⌊from God⌋

-or-

sacred ⌊angelos⌋ spirits

See angel, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

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