Translation commentary on Matthew 22:18

Some languages generally render the word aware with a phrase that means to make someone conscious of something. But there is no indication here that anyone told Jesus what the plan was. “Knew” would be a better translation, as for example in “But Jesus knew what their evil intention was.”

Malice (so also New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation, Moffatt) may be more accurately phrased as “evil plan” (Good News Translation), “evil intent” (New International Version), or “evil intention” (Phillips). Barclay is rather high level: “Jesus was well aware of their malicious motives.” The noun was first used in 5.11, where Revised Standard Version translates it as “evil.”

Put … to the test (Good News Translation “trap”) is not the same verb used in verse 15. Except for the problematic verse 35 (see below), in Matthew’s Gospel the word is used only of Satan (4.1, 3) or of the Pharisees (16.1; 19.3; 22.18). Once again Barclay uses a rather sophisticated level of English, but he does dynamic restructuring of the noun of address (you hypocrites) plus the question: “You are not out for information … you are out to make trouble in your two-faced maliciousness.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch shifts to an exclamatory statement: “You hypocrites, you are only laying a trap for me!” “You are just trying to test me!” is also good.

Hypocrites was first used in 6.2 (see comment there). As with most terms of address, it will in many languages have to appear first in the sentence. But another solution is to retain it at the end of the verse, but as a separate sentence: “What hypocrites you are!”

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 22:18



Paragraph 22:18–21

22:18a

But: This conjunction indicates a bit of a contrast between what the questioners wanted and the anwer that Jesus gave them. Here is another way to translate this word:

However (Good News Translation)

Jesus, aware of: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as aware of also means “knew.” It’s possible that the author intended us to understand that Jesus knew this supernaturally. But it is more likely that he was able to discern their motives just based on who they were and the question they asked. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Jesus knew (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus realized (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus recognized (God’s Word)

their malice: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as malice is a form of the word usually translated “evil.” It describes a lack of moral or social value. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

their evil intention (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
their evil plan (Good News Translation)

22:18b

Why put me to the test…?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. Jesus asked this question to rebuke the Herodians and the disciples of the Pharisees for trying to trick him.

Here are some ways to translate this rebuke:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you trying to test me? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a command. For example:

You should not try to test/trick me!

• Use a statement. For example:

You are asking that question to cause trouble for me. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
you are just wanting me to say something for which you can accuse me. (Translation for Translators)

Why put me to the test: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as put to the test means means “try to trick/trap.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Why are you trying to test me? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Why are you trying to trap me? (New Century Version)

This same verb is in 16:1b. Translate it the same way here.

you hypocrites: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as hypocrites literally refers to actors (in the theater). Figuratively it refers to people who pretend to be something that they are not. They say that they believe one thing, but they do something different. Or they appear religious or spiritual on the outside, but they do not have true hearts that desire to please God.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

pretenders

-or-

deceivers

This word is also in 7:5a. Translate it the same way here.

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