Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("come")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, ko-rare-ru (来られる) or “come” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Matthew 3:13

Most scholars assume that Matthew is dependent upon Mark for this account. However, the choice of words and the phrase and clause structure differ so much from the Marcan text that there is a strong argument in favor of its being an independent oral or written tradition.

Then (Good News Translation “At that time”) translates one of Matthew’s favorite particles; see comment at 2.7. Here a phrase such as “A short time later,” “Soon afterward,” or “About that time” will be acceptable.

As in 3.1, instead of came, many languages will have to say “went.”

Galilee refers to the region or province. Some languages will need to specify this: “region of Galilee.”

It may or may not be necessary to specify that Jordan here is the river, since that fact has already been mentioned.

Jesus went to John, that is, to where John was at that time.

Notice the way Good News Translation has restructured. Whether it is better to say “to John at the Jordan” or “to the Jordan to John” will depend on the normal structure of the language of the translator.

To be baptized by him differs from the Marcan wording “and was baptized by John.” Thus Matthew shows purpose and intent on the part of Jesus. This can be expressed by phrases such as “so that John would baptize him,” “to have John baptize him,” “to ask John to baptize him,” or “because he wanted John to baptize him.”

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 3:13

Section 3:13–17

John baptized Jesus

In this section, Jesus came to John the Baptist and asked John to baptize him. John thought that the man who was greater (Jesus) should baptize the man who was not as great (John). This is why John at first did not think that it was right for him to baptize Jesus. But Jesus said that it was the right thing at that time. So John agreed to do it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Baptism of Jesus (New International Version)
-or-
Jesus is Baptized by John (New Century Version)
-or-
John baptizes Jesus (God’s Word)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–22.

Paragraph 3:13–14

3:13a

At that time: The events in this paragraph happened after John talked to the crowds in 3:11–12.

Here are some other ways to connect this paragraph to the previous one:

Then (English Standard Version)
-or-
Shortly after that
-or-
Next

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan: This clause indicates that Jesus left his home area in the district of Galilee and went to the Jordan River. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the verb came as “went” or “left.” For example:

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River (Contemporary English Version)

Galilee: Galilee was the name of a district or area in the north part of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this name:

⌊the district of⌋ Galilee
-or-

⌊the region of⌋ Galilee

to the Jordan: The phrase the Jordan refers to the Jordan River. For example:

the Jordan River (New Living Translation (2004))

3:13b

to be baptized by John: The purpose of Jesus’ coming was for John to baptize him.

Here are some other ways to indicate this purpose:

in order to be baptized by John
-or-

for the purpose of being baptized by John

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be baptized is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

• As a passive verb. For example:

to be baptized by him (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

so that John would baptize him

baptized: See how you translated this word in 3:6.

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