Translation commentary on Matthew 13:52

Therefore usually introduces a result or a conclusion, but here the logical link between the previous verse and this one is not obvious. The verse is a more general conclusion to the passage, and a transition such as “So then,” “Well then,” or even “It follows, therefore” may be more appropriate.

Scribe (see comments at 2.4) is translated “teacher of the Law” by Good News Translation (New English Bible “teacher of the law”). Barclay has “an expert in the Law” and Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition “every expert of the sacred Scriptures.” Although scribe is frequently used in this Gospel (23 times), this is the only place where it is used of a believer. Most scholars see here a reference to believers in general, though some few see a veiled reference to Matthew himself, since the word translated who has been trained sounds something like Matthew in Greek.

Has been trained for (a participle in Greek) is variously translated: “becomes a disciple in” (Good News Translation), “has become a learner in” (New English Bible), and “has been instructed in the meaning of” (Barclay). Matthew also uses this verb in 27.57; 28.19, though elsewhere in the New Testament it is found only in Acts 14.21. A major question concerns how the participle is to be related to the phrase the kingdom of heaven; and there are at least two possibilities: (1) one may follow Malay common language version (“Every teacher of the Scriptures who has learned how God establishes his rule in the world…”) or (2) one may go the route of Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition (“Every expert in the sacred Scriptures who has submitted himself to God’s rule…”). Translators who follow the first interpretation can also say “Every teacher of the Law who has learned about God’s rule (or, reign),” “… learned the truth about God’s rule,” or “… the meaning of God’s rule.” Those who follow the second may have “Every teacher of the law who has learned what it means for God to rule over him” or “… learned to put himself under God’s rule.”

It is worth noting that most of these examples use active sentences with the verb “learn” instead of the passive one, has been trained. Translators thus avoid the question of who trained these teachers of the Law for the Kingdom of heaven.

Householder (so also New English Bible) is “homeowner” in Good News Translation. The problem is that for American speakers of English householder is not in current usage; New American Bible has “the head of a household,” which is satisfactory. Elsewhere Matthew uses this noun in 10.25; 13.27; 20.11; 21.33; 24.43. The noun itself can mean either one who owns the house or one who is the head of a household, and quite often the two are not closely distinguished.

There is also a question regarding the meaning of what is new and what is old. Some scholars believe that Matthew here intends a contrast between the new (Jesus’ interpretation of the Law) and what is old (Judaism’s interpretation of the Law). But both what is new and what is old are here spoken of favorably, which leads to the conclusion that an alternative interpretation must be sought. At least two options present themselves: (1) Matthew may be thinking of the Old Testament together with Jesus’ interpretation and application of it, or (2) he may have in mind the Church’s application of the Law (what is new) in light of Jesus’ interpretation of it (what is old). Fortunately this is not the sort of information that should or may be placed in a translation. Translators should leave it quite general, as in “old things” and “new things.”

Brings out may need to be “takes out” in some languages. The text does not specify to where the householder takes these things or why, and the translation should be suitably general also. It is assumed that these are things to be used in the household.

Treasure (see 2.11; 6.19, 20, 21; 12.35) is translated “storage room” in Good News Translation and “storeroom” in New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible. As the translations indicate, the noun may refer either to the treasure or to the place where the treasure is stored, which seems to be the meaning here. “Place where he stores his things” is thus an acceptable rendering.

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 13:52

13:52a

Then: In this verse, Jesus responded to the disciples’ answer.

Here are some other ways to begin this verse:

And… (English Standard Version)
-or-
So… (Good News Translation)

For this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For this reason usually indicates a conclusion. However, in this context, 13:52 is more a result of the disciples’ understanding. They understood what Jesus was teaching, so they are teachers who are like the master of a house.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

So (New Century Version)
-or-
That is why (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊Since/Because you understand,⌋ then

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate it either.

every scribe: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribe probably refers to a person who is a disciple/follower of Jesus. He is also a person who has received some training in the things of God.

In the book of Matthew, the word scribe normally refers to the teachers of the law whom Jesus criticized. But in this context, Jesus probably used this term in the more general sense of “religious scholar” or “learned one.”

Jesus’ twelve disciples were some of this group of “scribes.” As Jewish men, they had some education in God’s law. Jesus had also taught them many additional things about God and his rule.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

• Use your normal term for scribe. This word last occurred in 12:38a. For example:

teacher of the law (New International Version)

• Translate the term scribe in a more general way. For example:

one who knows the Law (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
person learned in the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
person who knows ⌊God’s⌋ law

13:52b

who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven: This clause describes the particular type of scribe (teacher of the law) who is like the master of a house. He is a scribe who:

(a) has received training about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom through the parables in this chapter.

(b) has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. This is the basic meaning of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discipled. This verb has the same root as “disciple.”

In addition, this clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

who is made a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven (New Century Version)

• Use an active or reflexive verb. For example:

who has submitted himself to the kingdom of heaven
-or-
who has committed himself to God’s rule/chieftaincy

• Use another type of verb. For example:

who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of heaven (Good News Translation)

13:52c

is like a homeowner: This is a simile. In this simile, a scribe is compared to a homeowner. The way that they are similar is that both people share things. The owner of a house shares his possessions. The scribe shares what he has learned about the kingdom.

homeowner: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as homeowner refers to a man who owns and manages his own house and land. This includes his own family, slaves, and other workers. The fact that he brings things out of his treasure (13:52d) indicates that he is probably rich.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

owner of a household
-or-
a rich man

13:52d

This part of 13:52 contains the second relative (who) clause in this verse. In many languages, it will be natural to divide this verse into several sentences and begin a new sentence here.

who brings out of: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brings out implies that the man takes/removes some of his possessions to share them or give them away. He brings them out to help his family and others. He does not bring out his possessions simply to look at them. This is like the teacher sharing his knowledge with others.

In some languages, it will be natural to make this explicit. For example:

brings out ⌊to share⌋
-or-
takes out ⌊to help others⌋

his storeroom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his storeroom can refer to the place where treasure is stored, or to the treasure itself (as in 13:44a). Here it refers to the place where the treasure is stored.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

his treasure chest (God’s Word)
-or-
the place where he stores/keeps his valuable things

new treasures as well as old: The phrase new treasures refers to the man’s new possessions/things. The phrase as well as old refers to the man’s old possessions/things. For example:

new and old things (Good News Translation)

-or-

new things and old things (New Century Version)

In the context of the parable, the word new represents the teachings of Jesus (13:51a). The word old represents the teachings in the Old Testament. Both are good. As a translator, you should not put this information into the text. You may put it in a footnote.

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