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Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Matthew

  1. The birth of Jesus Christ and the beginning of his ministry (1:1-4:25)
  2. Jesus Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:28)
  3. Jesus illustrates the kingdom of God through acts of healing (8:1-9:34)
  4. Jesus teaching about mission and the kingdom (9:35-10:42)
  5. Jesus teaching about the gospel of the kingdom of God. The beginning of opposition to Jesus. (11:1-12:50)
  6. Jesus parables about the kingdom of God (13:1-52)
  7. Further opposition to Jesus and misunderstanding of the kingdom of God (13:53-17:57)
  8. Jesus teaching about life in the kingdom of God (18:1-35)
  9. Jesus ministers in Judea (19:1-22:46)
  10. Jesus teaching about the final judgment and salvation (23:1-25:46)
  11. The crucifixion of Jesus, his death and resurrection (26:1-28:19)

What is the book of Matthew about?

The Gospel of Matthew is one of four books in the New Testament that describe some of the life of Jesus Christ. The authors of the gospels wrote about different aspects of who Jesus was and what he did. Matthew showed that Jesus was the Messiah, and God would save Israel through him. Matthew often explained that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This may indicate that he expected most of his first readers to be Jewish. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “The Gospel of Matthew,” or “The Gospel according to Matthew.” Or they may choose a title that may be clearer, such as, “The Good News about Jesus that Matthew wrote.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

Who wrote the Book of Matthew?

The book does not give the name of the author. However, since early Christian times, most Christians have thought that the author was the Apostle Matthew.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What is the “kingdom of heaven?”

Matthew spoke of the kingdom of heaven in the same way that other gospel writers spoke of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven represents God ruling over all people and all creation everywhere. Those whom God accepts into his kingdom will be blessed. They will live with God forever.

What were Jesus teaching methods?

The people regarded Jesus as a rabbi. A rabbi is a teacher of Gods law. Jesus taught in similar ways as other religious teachers in Israel. He had students who followed him wherever he went. These students were called disciples. He often told parables. Parables are stories that teach moral lessons. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/disciple]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/parable]])

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What are the Synoptic Gospels?

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they have many similar passages. The word “synoptic” means to “see together.”

The texts are considered “parallel” when they are the same or almost the same among two or three gospels. When translating parallel passages, translators should use the same wording and make them as similar as possible.

Why does Jesus refer to himself as the “Son of Man”?

In the gospels, Jesus calls himself the “Son of Man.” It is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14. In this passage there is a person described as a “son of man.” That means the person was someone who looked like a human being. God gave authority to the son of man to rule over the nations forever. And all the people will worship him forever.

Jews of Jesus time did not use “Son of Man” as a title for anyone. Therefore, Jesus used it for himself to help them understand who he truly was. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofman]])

Translating the title “Son of Man” can be difficult in many languages. Readers may misunderstand a literal translation. Translators can consider alternatives, such as “The Human One.” It may also be helpful to include a footnote to explain the title.

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Matthew?

The following verses are found in older versions of the Bible but are not included in most modern versions:

  • “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you” (5:44)
  • “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (6:13)
  • “But this kind of demon does not go out except with prayer and fasting” (17:21)
  • “For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost” (18:11)
  • “Many are called, but few are chosen” (20:16)
  • “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows houses, while you make a show of long prayers. You will therefore receive greater condemnation.” (23:14)

Translators are advised not to include these passages. However, if in the translators region, there are older versions of the Bible that include one or more of these passages, the translators can include them. If they are included, they should be put inside square brackets ([]) to indicate that they were probably not original to Matthews Gospel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])

31:introy7kk0

Matthew 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set a quotation from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this for the quoted material in 1:23.

Special concepts in this chapter

Genealogy

A genealogy is a list that records a persons ancestors or descendants. Jews used genealogies to choose the right man to become king. They did this because only a son of a king could become king. Most important people had records of their genealogies.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Use of the passive voice

Matthew uses the passive voice very purposefully in this chapter to indicate that Mary did not have a sexual relationship with anyone. She became pregnant with Jesus because the Holy Spirit performed a miracle. Many languages do not have a passive voice, so translators in those languages must find other ways to present the same truths. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

41:1ava10

The author begins with Jesus genealogy in order to show that he is a descendant of King David and of Abraham. The genealogy continues through Matthew 1:17.

51:1y31wβίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

You could translate this as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “This is the list of the ancestors of Jesus Christ”

61:1vpg1Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυεὶδ, υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ1

There were many generations between Jesus, David, and Abraham. Here “son” means “descendant.” Alternate translation: “Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, who was a descendant of Abraham”

71:1tka3υἱοῦ Δαυεὶδ1

Sometimes the phrase “son of David” is used as a title, but here it seems to be used only to identify Jesus ancestry.

81:2ejp6Ἀβραὰμ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰσαάκ1

“Abraham became the father of Isaac” or “Abraham had a son Isaac” or “Abraham had a son named Isaac.” There are different ways you could translate this. Whichever way you translate it here, it would be best to translate it the same way throughout the list of Jesus ancestors.

91:2mxm2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἸσαὰκ & ἐγέννησεν & Ἰακὼβ & ἐγέννησεν1

Here the word “was” is understood. Alternate translation: “Isaac was the father … Jacob was the father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

101:3g8y6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΦαρὲς & Ζάρα & Ἑσρώμ & Ἀράμ1

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

111:3t7jgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisΦαρὲς & ἐγέννησεν & Ἑσρὼμ & ἐγέννησεν1

Here the word “was” is understood. Alternate translation: “Perez was the father … Hezron was the father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

121:4fe3urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἈμιναδὰβ & ἐγέννησεν & Ναασσὼν & ἐγέννησεν1

Here the word “was” is understood. Alternate translation: “Amminadab was the father … Nahshon was the father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

131:5yr52Σαλμὼν & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Βόες ἐκ τῆς Ῥαχάβ1

“Salmon was the father of Boaz, and Boazs mother was Rahab” or “Salmon and Rahab were the parents of Boaz”

141:5lj86rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisΒόες & ἐγέννησεν & Ἰωβὴδ & ἐγέννησεν1

Here the word “was” is understood. Alternate translation: “Boaz was the father … Obed was the father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

151:5q5bdΒόες & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς Ῥούθ1

“Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obeds mother was Ruth” or “Boaz and Ruth were the parents of Obed”

161:6r84mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisΔαυεὶδ & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου1

Here the word “was” is understood. “David was the father of Solomon, and Solomons mother was Uriahs wife” or “David and the wife of Uriah were the parents of Solomon” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

171:6bp35τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου1

“the widow of Uriah.” Solomon was born after Uriah died.

181:7r881rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisῬοβοὰμ & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀβιά, Ἀβιὰ & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀσάφ1

The word “was” is understood in both of these phrases. Alternate translation: “Rehoboam was the father of Abijah, and Abijah was the father of Asa” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

191:10bh7rτὸν Ἀμώς1

Sometimes this is translated “Amos.”

201:11dk1jἸωσίας & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰεχονίαν1

A more specific term for “ancestor” can also be used, particularly if the word “ancestor” would only be used for someone who lived before ones grandparents. Alternate translation: “Josiah was a grandfather of Jechoniah”

211:11rj7pἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος1

“when they were forced to move to Babylon” or “when the Babylonians conquered them and made them go live in Babylon.” If your language needs to specify who went to Babylon, you could say “the Israelites” or “the Israelites who lived in Judah.”

221:11v2imΒαβυλῶνος1

Here this means the country of Babylon, not just the city of Babylon.

231:12y7cxμετὰ & τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος1

Use the same wording you used in Matthew 1:11.

241:12tx6gΣαλαθιὴλ & ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ζοροβαβέλ1

Shealtiel was Zerubbabels grandfather.

251:15lqk90

The author concludes Jesus genealogy, which began in Matthew 1:1.

261:16b3bmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveΜαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη Ἰησοῦς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Mary, who gave birth to Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

271:16z2rgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom people call Christ” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

281:17jzq4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδεκατέσσαρες1

“14” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

291:17z5xwτῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος1

Use the same wording you used in Matthew 1:11.

301:18gnl60

This begins a new part of the story in which the author describes the events leading up to the birth of Jesus.

311:18cqt1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ἰωσήφ1

“His mother, Mary, was going to marry Joseph.” Parents normally arranged the marriages of their children. Alternate translation: “The parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus, had promised her in marriage to Joseph” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

321:18e4urrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας1

Translate in a way that makes it clear that Jesus was not already born when Mary was engaged to Joseph. Alternate translation: “Mary, who would be the mother of Jesus, was engaged” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

331:18xvk1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismπρὶν & συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς1

“before they got married.” This may refer to Mary and Joseph sleeping together. Alternate translation: “before they had slept together” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

341:18in4arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they realized that she was going to have a baby” or “it happened that she was pregnant” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

351:18a71dἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου1

The power of the Holy Spirit had enabled Mary to have a baby before she had slept with a man.

361:19j8ebrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἸωσὴφ & ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς1

Joseph had not married Mary yet, but when a man and woman promised to marry each other, Jews considered them husband and wife though they did not live together. Alternate translation: “Joseph, who was supposed to marry Mary” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

371:19pu3pἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν1

“cancel their plans to get married”

381:20iip4αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος1

“As Joseph thought”

391:20fb7eκατ’ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ1

“came to him while Joseph was dreaming”

401:20lc8rυἱὸς Δαυείδ1

Here “son” means “descendant.”

411:20va5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ & ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν Ἁγίου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant with this child” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

421:21j38fτέξεται & υἱὸν1

Because God sent the angel, the angel knew the baby was a boy.

431:21glq8καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

“you must name him” or “you must give him the name.” This is a command.

441:21bf5zαὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει1

Translator may add a footnote that says “The name Jesus means the Lord saves.’”

451:21em9qτὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ1

This refers to the Jews.

461:22p47irc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

The author quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus birth was according to scripture. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

471:22p9laτοῦτο & ὅλον γέγονεν1

The angel is no longer speaking. Matthew is now explaining the importance of what the angel said.

481:22c1vwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what the Lord told the prophet to write long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

491:22p39krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῦ προφήτου1

There were many prophets. Matthew was speaking of Isaiah. Alternate translation: “the prophet Isaiah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

501:23q19hἰδοὺ & Ἐμμανουήλ1

Here Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah.

511:23dw7zἰδοὺ, ἡ παρθένος1

“Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: the virgin”

521:23sln1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἘμμανουήλ1

This is a male name. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

531:23lm6tὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον, μεθ’ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός1

This is not in the book of Isaiah. Matthew is explaining the meaning of the name “Immanuel.” You could translate it as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “This name means God with us.’”

541:24iue30

The author concludes his description of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus.

551:24iz4rὡς προσέταξεν & ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου1

The angel had told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus.

561:24nr5eπαρέλαβεν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ1

“he married Mary”

571:25i7p5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismοὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν1

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “he did not have sexual relations with her” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

581:25dlm9υἱόν1

“to a male baby” or “to her son.” Make sure it is clear that Joseph is not portrayed as the actual father.

591:25jtz8καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, Ἰησοῦν1

“Joseph named the child Jesus”

602:introdz1c0

Matthew 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in verses 6 and 18, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

“His star”

These words probably refer to a star that the learned men believed to be the sign of a new king of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sign]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Learned men”

English translations use many different words to translate this phrase. These words include “magi” and “wise men.” These men could have been scientists or astrologers. If you can, you should translate this with the general word “learned men.”

612:1j9yn0

A new part of the story begins here and continues through the end of the chapter. Matthew tells about Herods attempt to kill the new King of the Jews.

622:1k518Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας1

“the town of Bethlehem in the province of Judea”

632:1id55ἐν & ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως1

“when Herod was king there”

642:1kf5gἩρῴδου1

This refers to Herod the Great.

652:1p6gcμάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν1

“men from the east who studied the stars”

662:1ft22ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν1

“from a country far east of Judea”

672:2v5t4ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς Βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων?1

The men knew from studying the stars that the one who would become king had been born. They were trying to learn where he was. Alternate translation: “A baby who will become the king of the Jews has been born. Where is he?”

682:2zj7cαὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα1

They were not saying that the baby was the rightful owner of the star. Alternate translation: “the star that tells about him” or “the star that is associated with his birth”

692:2a7y9ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ1

“as it came up in the east” or “while we were in our country”

702:2v248προσκυνῆσαι1

Possible meanings are (1) they intended to worship the baby as divine, or (2) they wanted to honor him as a human king. If your language has a word that includes both meanings, you should consider using it here.

712:3p5rwἐταράχθη1

“he was worried.” Herod was worried that this baby would replace him as king.

722:3qu3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα1

Here “Jerusalem” refers to the people. Also, “all” means “many.” Matthew is exaggerating to emphasize how many people were worried. Alternate translation: “many of the people in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

732:4ne4v0

In verse 6, the chief priests and scribes of the people quote the prophet Micah to show that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

742:5w68nἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας1

“In the town of Bethlehem in the province of Judea”

752:5z2i4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὕτως & γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “this is what the prophet wrote long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

762:6kmw7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheσύ Βηθλέεμ & οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα1

Micah was speaking to the people of Bethlehem as if they were with him but they were not. Also, “are not the least” can be translated with a positive phrase. Alternate translation: “you, people of Bethlehem, … your town is among the most important towns in Judah” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])

772:6tg5drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ἰσραήλ1

Micah speaks of this ruler as a shepherd. This means he will lead and care for the people. Alternate translation: “who will lead my people Israel as a shepherd leads his sheep” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

782:7b487Ἡρῴδης λάθρᾳ καλέσας τοὺς μάγους1

This means that Herod talked to the learned men without other people knowing.

792:7tax3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἠκρίβωσεν παρ’ αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος1

This can be translated as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “men, and he asked them, When exactly did this star appear?’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

802:7vng3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος1

It is implied that the learned men told him when the star appeared. Alternate translation: “what time the star had appeared. The learned men told Herod when the star first appeared” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

812:8v7y2τοῦ παιδίου1

This refers to Jesus.

822:8t4u1ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι1

“let me know” or “tell me” or “report back to me”

832:8jtw7προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ1

See how you translated this in Matthew 2:2.

842:9h1zxοἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες1

“After the learned men”

852:9wl4rεἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ1

“they had seen come up in the east” or “they had seen in their country”

862:9hy1iπροῆγεν αὐτούς1

“guided them” or “led them”

872:9jp2jἐστάθη ἐπάνω1

“stopped over”

882:9w3v1οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον1

“the place where the young child was staying”

892:11pv3r0

Here the scene shifts to the house where Mary, Joseph, and the young Jesus were living.

902:11tu5sἐλθόντες1

“The learned men went”

912:11d41drc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ1

“They knelt down and put their faces close to the ground.” They did this to honor Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

922:11r452rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν1

Here “treasures” refers to the boxes or bags they used to carry their treasures. Alternate translation: “the containers that held their treasures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

932:12zyq6χρηματισθέντες1

“Afterwards, God warned the learned men.” God knew that Herod wanted to harm the child.

942:12dr1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsκατ’ ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς Ἡρῴδην1

This can be translated as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “dream, saying, Do not go back to King Herod, so” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

952:13brp50

In verse 15, Matthew quotes the prophet Hosea to show that the Christ would spend time in Egypt.

962:13iw8pἀναχωρησάντων & αὐτῶν1

“the learned men had departed”

972:13zwj5φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ1

“came to Joseph while he was dreaming”

982:13u4a4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἐγερθεὶς, παράλαβε & φεῦγε & ἴσθι & σοι1

God is speaking to Joseph, so these should all be singular forms. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

992:13v88frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι1

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “until I tell you it is safe to come back” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1002:13g3t7εἴπω σοι1

Here “I” refers to God. The angel is speaking for God.

1012:15ft3arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἦν1

It is implied that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remained in Egypt. Alternate translation: “They remained” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1022:15d11gἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου1

Herod does not die until Matthew 2:19. This statement describes the length of their stay in Egypt, and it does not say that Herod died at this time.

1032:15d5wlἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν Υἱόν μου1

“I have called my son out of Egypt”

1042:15dr9bτὸν Υἱόν μου1

In Hosea this refers to the people of Israel. Matthew quoted it to say that this was true of Gods Son, Jesus. Translate it using a word for son that could refer to the only son or the first son.

1052:16s2larc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events0

These events happen before Herods death, which Matthew mentioned in Matthew 2:15. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

1062:16yq7p0

Here the scene shifts back to Herod and tells what he did when he learned that the learned men had deceived him.

1072:16g513rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the learned men had embarrassed him by tricking him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1082:16d8d5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀποστείλας, ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας1

Herod did not kill the children himself. Alternate translation: “He gave orders for his soldiers to kill all the boys” or “He sent soldiers there to kill all the boy babies” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1092:16nkr1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδιετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω1

“2 years old and younger” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

1102:16dr3rκατὰ τὸν χρόνον1

“based on the time”

1112:17q1y90

Matthew quotes the prophet Jeremiah to show that the death of all of the male children in the region of Bethlehem was according to scripture.

1122:17l8g5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτότε ἐπληρώθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This fulfilled” or “Herods actions fulfilled” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1132:17v6a1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what the Lord spoke long ago through the prophet Jeremiah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1142:18p9gkφωνὴ & ἠκούσθη & οὐκ εἰσίν1

Matthew is quoting the prophet Jeremiah.

1152:18k91trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveφωνὴ & ἠκούσθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People heard a voice” or “There was a loud sound” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1162:18zm17Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς1

Rachel lived many years before this time. This prophecy shows Rachel, who has died, weeping for her descendants.

1172:18rgg1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one could comfort her” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1182:18p9rirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν1

“because the children were gone and would never return.” Here “were no more” is a mild way of saying they are dead. Alternate translation: “because they were dead” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

1192:19kt2i0

Here the scene shifts to Egypt, where Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus are living.

1202:19r4yuἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.

1212:20hz2mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismοἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου1

Here “sought the childs life” is a way of saying they wanted to kill the child. “Alternate translation: “those who were looking for the child in order to kill him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

1222:20y6r6οἱ ζητοῦντες1

This refers to King Herod and his advisors.

1232:22kg7u0

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 2:1 about Herods attempt to kill the new King of the Jews.

1242:22uq8pἀκούσας δὲ1

“But when Joseph heard”

1252:22h4cqrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἈρχέλαος1

This is the name of Herods son. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

1262:22zk37ἐφοβήθη1

“Joseph was afraid”

1272:23dx5irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what the Lord spoke long ago through the prophets” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1282:23hc8grc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΝαζωραῖος κληθήσεται1

Here “he” refers to Jesus. The prophets before the time of Jesus would have referred to him as the Messiah or the Christ. Alternate translation: “people would say that the Christ is a Nazarene” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

1293:introa6h30

Matthew 03 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the quoted material in verse 3.

Special concepts in this chapter

“Bear fruit worthy of repentance”

Fruit is a common picture word in the scriptures. Writers use it to describe the results of either good or bad behavior. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“The kingdom of heaven is near”

No one knows for sure whether the “kingdom of heaven” was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase “at hand,” but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases “is coming near” and “has come near.”

1303:1xp3z0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Matthew tells of the ministry of John the Baptist. In verse 3, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that John the Baptist was Gods appointed messenger to prepare for Jesus ministry.

1313:1d74mἐν & ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις1

This is many years after Joseph and his family left Egypt and went to Nazareth. This is probably near the time that Jesus begins his ministry. Alternate translation: “Some time later” or “Some years later”

1323:2w7e9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youμετανοεῖτε1

This is plural in form. John is speaking to the crowds. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

1333:2hvx8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤγγικεν & ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to God ruling as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use the word “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “our God in heaven will soon show himself to be king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

1343:3fl4vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ῥηθεὶς διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For Isaiah the prophet was speaking of John the Baptist when he said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1353:3hxb6φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ1

This can be expressed as a sentence. Alternate translation: “The voice of one calling out in the wilderness is heard” or “They hear the sound of someone calling out in the wilderness”

1363:3yhe7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου; εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ1

These two phrases mean the same thing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

1373:3y8b5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου1

“Get the road ready for the Lord.” Doing this represents being prepared to hear the Lords message when he comes. People do this by repenting of their sins. Alternate translation: “Prepare to hear the Lords message when he comes” or “Repent and be ready for the Lord to come” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1383:4j647rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ & μέλι ἄγριον1

The word “Now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew tells background information about John the Baptist. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

1393:4x7f3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionεἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ1

This clothing symbolizes that John is a prophet like the prophets from long ago, especially the prophet Elijah. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1403:5j8kerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτότε & Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ Ἰουδαία, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ περίχωρος1

The words “Jerusalem,” “Judea,” and “the region” are metonyms for the people from those areas. The word “all” is an exaggeration to emphasize that very many people went out. Alternate translation: Then very may people from Jerusalem, Judea, and that region” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

1413:6v5xnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβαπτίζοντο & ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “John baptized them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1423:6gi4rἐβαπτίζοντο1

This refers to the people coming from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan River.

1433:7b2br0

John the Baptist begins to rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees.

1443:7fjl3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorγεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, τίς1

This is a metaphor. Here “offspring” means “having the characteristic of.” Vipers are a kind of dangerous snakes and represent evil. This can be stated as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “You evil poisonous snakes! Who” or “You are evil like poisonous snakes! Who” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

1453:7c4clrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς?1

John uses a question to rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees because they were asking him to baptize them so that God would not punish them, but they did not want to stop sinning. Alternate translation: “you cannot flee from Gods wrath like this.” or “do not think that you can flee from Gods wrath just because I baptize you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

1463:7h7acrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyφυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς1

The word “wrath” is being used to refer to Gods punishment because his wrath precedes it. Alternate translation: “run away from the punishment that is coming” or “escape because God is about to punish you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

1473:8s8acrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorποιήσατε οὖν καρπὸν ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας1

The phrase “bear fruit” is a metaphor referring to a persons actions. Alternate translation: “Let your actions show that you have truly repented” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

1483:9q7b1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπατέρα ἔχομεν τὸν Ἀβραάμ1

“Abraham is our ancestor” or “We are descendants of Abraham.” The Jewish leaders thought that God would not punish them since they were descendants of Abraham. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

1493:9r29pλέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what John is about to say.

1503:9k843ὁ Θεὸς ἐκ τῶν λίθων τούτων ἐγεῖραι τέκνα τῷ Ἀβραάμ1

“God is able to make physical descendants out of even these stones and give them to Abraham”

1513:10ls7m0

John the Baptist continues to rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees.

1523:10ke4src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἤδη δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται1

This metaphor means God is ready to punish sinners. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has his axe and he is ready to cut down and burn any tree that grows bad fruit” or “As a person gets his axe ready to cut down and burn a tree that grows bad fruit, God is ready to punish you for your sins” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1533:11lx69εἰς μετάνοιαν1

“to show that you have repented”

1543:11mc2rὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος1

Jesus is the person who comes after John.

1553:11c1xfἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν1

“is more important than I am”

1563:11gtm7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorαὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί1

This metaphor compares Johns baptism with water to the future baptism with fire. This means Johns baptism only symbolically cleanses people of their sins. The baptism by Holy Spirit and fire will truly cleanse people of their sins. If possible, use the word “baptize” in your translation to keep the comparison to Johns baptism. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

1573:12gcq8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ; καὶ διακαθαριεῖ τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ1

This metaphor compares the way Christ will separate the righteous people from the unrighteous people to the way a man separates wheat grain from chaff. Alternate translation: “Christ is like a man whose winnowing fork is in his hand” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

1583:12sq4prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ1

Here “in his hand” means the person is ready to act. Alternate translation: “Christ is holding a winnowing fork because he is ready” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

1593:12b5m4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownτὸ πτύον1

This is a tool for tossing wheat up into the air to separate the wheat grain from the chaff. The heavier grain falls back down and the unwanted chaff is blown away by the wind. It is similar in shape to a pitchfork but with wide tines made of wood. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

1603:12yw29διακαθαριεῖ τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ1

Christ is like a man with a winnowing fork who is ready to clear off his threshing floor.

1613:12r2uaτὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ1

“his ground” or “the ground where he separates the grain from the chaff”

1623:12av8lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσυνάξει τὸν σῖτον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην & τὸ & ἄχυρον κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ1

This is a metaphor showing how God will separate righteous people from evil people. The righteous will go to heaven like wheat into a farmers storehouse, and God will burn the people who are like chaff with a fire that will never be put out. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

1633:12bdb7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀσβέστῳ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will never burn out” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1643:13vl930

Here the scene shifts to a later time when John the Baptist baptizes Jesus.

1653:13zbj9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so John could baptize him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1663:14cl7trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με?1

John uses a question to show his surprise at Jesus request. Alternate translation: “You are more important than I am. I should not baptize you. You should baptize me.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

1673:15h6carc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμῖν1

Here “us” refers to Jesus and John. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

1683:16n8bk0

This is the end of the part of the story about John the Baptist. It describes what happened after he baptized Jesus.

1693:16inf6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβαπτισθεὶς δὲ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “After John baptized Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1703:16sf5wἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

1713:16jh1vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus saw the sky open” or “God opened the heavens to Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1723:16e3narc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileκαταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν1

Possible meanings are (1) this is simply a statement that the Spirit was in the form of a dove or (2) this is a simile that compares the Spirit coming down upon Jesus gently, the way a dove would. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

1733:17m2wkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyφωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα1

“Jesus heard a voice from heaven.” Here “voice” refers to God speaking. Alternate translation: “God spoke from heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

1743:17myz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱός μου1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

1754:introhgw20

Matthew 04 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in verses 6, 15 and 16, which are words from the Old Testament.

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the quotation in verse 10.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“the kingdom of heaven has come near”

No one knows for use whether the “kingdom of heaven” was present or still coming when Jesus spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase “at hand,” but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phase “is coming near” and “has come near.”

“If you are the Son of God”

The reader should not understand these words in verses 3 and 6 to mean that Satan did not know whether Jesus was the Son of God. God had already said that Jesus was his Son (Matthew 3:17), so Satan knew who Jesus was. He also knew that Jesus could make stones become bread and could throw himself off of high places and not be hurt. He was trying to make Jesus do these things and so disobey God and obey Satan. These words can be translated as “Because you are the Son of God” or “You are the Son of God. Show me what you can do.” (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/satan]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofgod]])

1764:1k51m0

Here Matthew begins a new part of the story in which Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness, where Satan tempts him. In verse 4, Jesus rebukes Satan with a quotation from Deuteronomy.

1774:1aq3src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνήχθη & ὑπὸ τοῦ Πνεύματος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Spirit led Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1784:1wy4brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπειρασθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so the devil could tempt Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1794:2iw2iνηστεύσας & ἐπείνασεν1

These refer to Jesus.

1804:2cft7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα καὶ νύκτας τεσσεράκοντα1

“40 days and 40 nights.” This refers to 24-hour periods. Alternate translation: “40 days” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

1814:3vl86ὁ πειράζων1

These words refer to the same being as “the devil” (verse 1). You may have to use the same word to translate both.

1824:3l1lkεἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, εἰπὲ1

It is best to assume that Satan knew that Jesus is the Son of God. Possible meanings are (1) this is a temptation to do miracles for Jesus own benefit. Alternate translation: “You are the Son of God, so you can command” or (2) this is a challenge or accusation. Alternate translation: “Prove that you are the Son of God by commanding”

1834:3c1acrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΥἱὸς & τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

1844:3m1varc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsεἰπὲ ἵνα οἱ λίθοι οὗτοι ἄρτοι γένωνται1

You could translate this with a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “say to these stones, Become bread.’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

1854:3t3xmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἄρτοι1

Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “food” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

1864:4fd67rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγέγραπται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Moses wrote this in the scriptures long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1874:4rld7οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος1

This implies that there is something more important to life than food.

1884:4jl6frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀλλ’ ἐπὶ παντὶ ῥήματι ἐκπορευομένῳ διὰ στόματος Θεοῦ1

Here “word” and “mouth” refer to what God says. Alternate translation: “but by listening to everything that God says” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

1894:5r4a50

In verse 6, Satan quotes from the Psalms in order to tempt Jesus.

1904:6fa8lεἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, βάλε σεαυτὸν κάτω1

It is best to assume that Satan knew that Jesus is the Son of God. Possible meanings are (1) this is a temptation to do a miracle for Jesus own benefit. Alternate translation: “Since you are truly the Son of God, you can throw yourself down” or (2) this is a challenge or accusation. Alternate translation: “Prove that you are truly the Son of God by throwing yourself down”

1914:6x2vgrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΥἱὸς & τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

1924:6c5krβάλε σεαυτὸν κάτω1

“let yourself fall to the ground” or “jump down”

1934:6a5h2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγέγραπται γὰρ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the writer wrote in the scriptures” or “for it says in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

1944:6ebc9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsτοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ ἐντελεῖται περὶ σοῦ, καὶ1

“God will command his angels to take care of you, and” This can be translated with a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “God will say to his angels, Take care of him, and” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

1954:6f1mmἀροῦσίν σε1

“The angels will hold you”

1964:7j6cb0

In verse 7, Jesus rebukes Satan with another quotation from Deuteronomy.

1974:7u5jprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπάλιν γέγραπται1

It is understood that Jesus is quoting scripture again. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Again, I will tell you what Moses wrote in the scriptures” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

1984:7c7t5οὐκ ἐκπειράσεις1

Here “you” refers to anyone. Alternate translation: “One should not test” or “No person should test”

1994:8d12qπάλιν & ὁ διάβολος1

“Next, the devil”

2004:9bq1uεἶπεν αὐτῷ1

“The devil said to Jesus”

2014:9al72ταῦτά σοι πάντα δώσω1

“I will give you all these things.” The tempter is emphasizing here that he will give “all these things,” not just some of them.

2024:9eas8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπεσὼν1

“put your face near the ground.” This was a common action to show that a person was worshiping. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

2034:10s91r0

In verse 10, Jesus rebukes Satan with another quotation from Deuteronomy.

2044:10h8fd0

This is the end of the part of the story about how Satan tempted Jesus.

2054:10k49qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγέγραπται γάρ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For Moses also wrote in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2064:10rig8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπροσκυνήσεις & λατρεύσεις1

Both instances of “you” are singular, a command to everyone who hears it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

2074:11s49zἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the important new information that follows.

2084:12v7p4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story in which Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus ministry in Galilee. These verses explain how Jesus came to be in Galilee. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

2094:12wib2δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

2104:12d1virc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἸωάννης παρεδόθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the king had arrested John” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2114:13hpm4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ1

“Zebulun” and “Naphtali” are the names of the tribes that lived in these territories many years earlier before foreigners took control of the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2124:14n85z0

In verses 15 and 16, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus ministry in Galilee was a fulfillment of prophecy.

2134:14jb4pἵνα1

This refers to Jesus going to live in Capernaum.

2144:14tj7crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ῥηθὲν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2154:15egx6γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ & Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν1

These territories describe the same area.

2164:15bmz6ὁδὸν θαλάσσης1

This is the Sea of Galilee.

2174:16e278ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος1

These words can be combined with the sentence beginning with “The land of Zebulun” (verse 15). Alternate translation: “In the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali … where many Gentiles live, the people who sat”

2184:16h2xrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκοτίᾳ φῶς εἶδεν μέγα1

Here “darkness” is a metaphor for not knowing the truth about God. And “light” is a metaphor for Gods true message that saves people from their sin. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2194:16nn1rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου, φῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς1

This basically has the same meaning as the first part of the sentence. Here “those who sat in the region and shadow of death” is a metaphor. It represents those who did not know God. These people were in danger of dying and being separated from God forever. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2204:17dku3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤγγικεν & ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” refers to God ruling as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, include a word that means “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 3:2. Alternate translation: “our God in heaven will soon show himself to be king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2214:18yrx70

This begins a new scene within the part of the story about Jesus ministry in Galilee. Here he begins to gather men to be his disciples.

2224:18yfh5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitβάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν1

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “throwing a net into the water to catch fish” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2234:19y3zgδεῦτε ὀπίσω μου1

Jesus invites Simon and Andrew to follow him, live with him, and become his disciples. Alternate translation: “Be my disciples”

2244:19n9h3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων1

This metaphor means Simon and Andrew will teach people Gods true message, so others will also follow Jesus. Alternate translation: “I will teach you to gather men to me like you used to gather fish” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2254:21pcg60

Jesus calls more men to be his disciples.

2264:21utn4ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς1

“Jesus called John and James.” This phrase also means that Jesus invited them to follow him, live with him, and become his disciples.

2274:22dlk3οἱ & εὐθέως ἀφέντες1

“at that moment they left”

2284:22gr2iἀφέντες τὸ πλοῖον & ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ1

It should be clear that this is a life change. These men are no longer going to be fishermen and are leaving the family business to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives.

2294:23y3qerc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory0

This is the end of the part of the story about the beginning of Jesus ministry in Galilee. These verses summarize what he did and how the people responded. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory]])

2304:23ztr8διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν1

“teaching in the synagogues of the Galileans” or “teaching in the synagogues of those people”

2314:23jt3mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods reign as king. Alternate translation: “preaching the good news that God will show himself as king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2324:23nr8mπᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν1

The words “disease” and “sickness” are closely related but should be translated as two different words if possible. “Disease” is what causes a person to be sick.

2334:23uc55μαλακίαν1

is the physical weakness or affliction that results from having a disease.

2344:24i296rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδαιμονιζομένους1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom demons controlled” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2354:24p3nfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounσεληνιαζομένους1

This refers to anyone there who had epilepsy, not to a particular epileptic. Alternate translation: “those who sometimes had seizures” or “those who sometimes became unconscious and moved uncontrollably” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])

2364:24qk4crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounκαὶ παραλυτικούς1

This refers to anyone there who was paralyzed, not to a particular paralytic. Alternate translation: “and any who were paralyzed” or “and those who could not walk” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])

2374:25i9m7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΔεκαπόλεως1

This name means “the Ten Towns.” This is the name of a region to the southeast of the Sea of Galilee. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

2385:introawz80

Matthew 05 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Many people call the words in Matthew 5-7 the Sermon on the Mount. This is one long lesson that Jesus taught. Bibles divide this lesson into three chapters, but this can sometimes confuse the reader. If your translation divides the text into sections, be sure that the reader understands that the whole sermon is one large section.

Matthew 5:3-10, known as the Beatitudes or Blessings, has been set apart by being set farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text, with each line beginning with the word “blessed.” This way of placing the words on the page highlights the poetic form of this teaching.

Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.

Special concepts in this chapter

“His disciples”

It is possible to refer to anyone who followed Jesus as a follower or disciple. Jesus selected twelve of his followers to become his closest disciples, “the twelve disciples.” They would later become known as the apostles.

2395:1hz260

In verse 3, Jesus begins to describe the characteristics of people who are blessed.

2405:1c5rq0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story in which Jesus begins to teach his disciples. This part continues through the end of chapter 7 and is frequently called the Sermon on the Mount.

2415:2q9mmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Jesus began to speak” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

2425:2ji1pἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς1

The word “them” refers to his disciples.

2435:3j7ctrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι1

This means someone who is humble. Alternate translation: “those who know they need God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

2445:3wpi6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “for God in heaven will be their king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2455:4pgy8οἱ πενθοῦντες1

Possible reasons they are sad are (1) the sinfulness of the world or (2) their own sins or (3) the death of someone. Do not specify the reason for mourning unless your language requires it.

2465:4lie5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveαὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will comfort them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2475:5mvb1οἱ πραεῖς1

“the gentle” or “those who do not rely on their own power”

2485:5iy1yαὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὴν γῆν1

“God will give them the entire earth”

2495:6bi1jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην1

This metaphor describes people who strongly desire to do what is right. Alternate translation: “those who desire to live right as much as they desire food and drink” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2505:6hlq2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveαὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will fill them” or “God will satisfy them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2515:8s9gdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ1

“people whose hearts are pure.” Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons inner being or intentions. Alternate translation: “those who only want to serve God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2525:8t6niαὐτοὶ τὸν Θεὸν ὄψονται1

Here “see” means they will be able to live in Gods presence. Alternate translation: “God will allow them to live with him”

2535:9p1ezοἱ εἰρηνοποιοί1

These are the people who help others to have peace with one another.

2545:9tv19rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ κληθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for God will call them his children” or “they will be children of God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2555:9vcr2υἱοὶ Θεοῦ1

It is best to translate “sons” with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to a human son or child.

2565:10bqu7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ δεδιωγμένοι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those people whom others treat unfairly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2575:10xnb6ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης1

“because they do what God wants them to do”

2585:10f3lirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyαὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:3. Alternate translation: “for God in heaven will be their king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2595:11jvm40

Jesus finishes describing the characteristics of people who are blessed.

2605:11t5kbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youμακάριοί ἐστε1

The word “you” is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

2615:11rk69εἴπωσιν πᾶν πονηρὸν καθ’ ὑμῶν ψευδόμενοι1

“say all kinds of evil lies about you” or “say bad things about you that are not true”

2625:11eez3ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ1

“because you follow me” or because you believe in me”

2635:12ssk9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletχαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε1

“Rejoice” and “be very glad” mean almost the same thing. Jesus wanted his hearers not merely to rejoice but to do even more than rejoice if possible. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

2645:13qp6l0

Jesus begins to teach about how his disciples are like salt and light.

2655:13i3zprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς1

Possible meanings are (1) just as salt makes food good, disciples of Jesus influence the people of the world so that they will be good. Alternate translation: “You are like salt for the people of the world” or (2) just as salt preserves food, disciples of Jesus keep people from becoming totally corrupt. Alternate translation: “As salt is for food, you are for the world” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2665:13jv56rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐὰν & τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ1

Possible meanings are (1) “if the salt has lost its power to do things that salt does” or (2) “if the salt has lost its flavor.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2675:13wp9grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται?1

“how can it be made useful again?” Jesus uses a question to teach the disciples. Alternate translation: “there is no way for it to become useful again.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2685:13e7czrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω, καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “except for people to throw it out into the road and walk on it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2695:14wgh5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου1

This means Jesus followers bring the message of Gods truth to all the people who do not know God. Alternate translation: “You are like a light for the people of the world” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2705:14bn28rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη1

At night when it is dark, people can see the city lights shining. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “During the night, no one can hide the lights that shine from a city on a hill” or “Everyone sees the lights of a city on a hill” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2715:15s5sbοὐδὲ καίουσιν λύχνον1

“People do not light a lamp”

2725:15c8elτιθέασιν αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον1

“place the lamp under a basket.” This is saying it is foolish to create light only to hide it so people do not see the light of the lamp.

2735:16qhp8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorλαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

This means a disciple of Jesus should live in such a way that others can learn about Gods truth. Alternate translation: “Let your lives be like a light that shines before people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

2745:16iiu8τὸν Πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς1

It is best to translate “Father” with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to a human father.

2755:17p63n0

Jesus begins to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law.

2765:17gg3krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς προφήτας1

This refers to what the prophets wrote in the scriptures. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2775:18lky5ἀμὴν, & λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

2785:18cv3mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ1

Here “heaven” and “earth” refer to the entire universe. Alternate translation: “as long as the universe lasts” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

2795:18ylz6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κερέα οὐ μὴ1

The jot was the smallest Hebrew letter, and the tittle was a small mark that was the difference between two Hebrew letters. Alternate translation: “not even the smallest written letter or the smallest part of a letter” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2805:18m5pfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπάντα γένηται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “all things have happened” or “God causes all things to happen” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2815:18n77jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπάντα1

The phrase “all things” refers to everything in the law. Alternate translation: “everything in the law” or “all that is written in the law” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2825:19uxz2ὃς ἐὰν & λύσῃ1

“whoever disobeys” or “whoever ignores”

2835:19k9thμίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων1

“any of these commandments, even the least important one”

2845:19dv5crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὃς ἐὰν & διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους & κληθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “if anyone … teaches others to do so, God will call that person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2855:19bg2vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐλάχιστος & ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is found only in Matthew. If possible use “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “the least important in his heavenly kingdom” or “the least important under the rule of our God in heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

2865:19u5kpποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ1

“obeys all these commandments and teaches others to do the same”

2875:19nk9nμέγας1

most important

2885:20jwm9λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

2895:20vsc5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν & ὑμῶν1

These are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

2905:20l3lvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη & οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε1

This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “that your righteousness must exceed … Pharisees in order to enter” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

2915:21x5vyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The “you” is plural in “you have heard” and “I say to you.” The understood “you” is singular in “Do not kill,” but in some languages it may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

2925:21us5a0

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about murder and anger.

2935:21t6k5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις1

This can be expressed with an active verb. Alternate translation: “God said to those who lived long ago” or “Moses said to your ancestors long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

2945:21mij2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὃς & ἂν φονεύσῃ, ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει1

Here “the judgment” implies that a judge will condemn the person to die. Alternate translation: “A judge will condemn anyone who kills another person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2955:21y44xφονεύσεις & φονεύσῃ1

This word refers to murder, not to all forms of killing.

2965:21r2k4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει1

It seems here Jesus is not referring to a human judge but rather to God condemning the person who is angry with his brother. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

2975:22e9ggἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis.

2985:22d5nlτῷ ἀδελφῷ1

This refers to a fellow believer, not to a literal brother or a neighbor.

2995:22w721ῥακά & μωρέ1

These are insults for people who cannot think correctly. “Worthless person” is close to “brainless,” where “fool” adds the idea of disobedience to God.

3005:22s89dΣυνεδρίῳ1

This was likely a local council, not the main Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.

3015:23msz4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπροσφέρῃς1

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3025:23r49yπροσφέρῃς τὸ δῶρόν σου1

“giving your gift” or “bringing your gift”

3035:23chv4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον1

It is implied that this is Gods altar at the temple in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “to God at the altar in the temple” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

3045:23dz75κἀκεῖ μνησθῇς1

“while you are standing at the altar you remember”

3055:23xvf5ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔχει τι κατὰ σοῦ1

“another person is angry with you because of something you did”

3065:24z9m5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπρῶτον διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “First make peace with the person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3075:25x4tarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου1

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3085:25sr9dτῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου1

This is a person who blames someone for doing something wrong. He takes the wrongdoer to court to accuse him before a judge.

3095:25x1tkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσε παραδῷ & τῷ κριτῇ1

Here “hand you over” means to give someone into the control of someone else. Alternate translation: “will let the judge deal with you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

3105:25pq6drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ1

Here “hand you over” means to give someone into the control of someone else. Alternate translation: “the judge will give you over to the officer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

3115:25gcm5τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ1

a person who has authority to carry out the decisions of a judge

3125:25pzh4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the officer might put you in prison” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3135:26gec9ἀμὴν, λέγω σοι1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

3145:26eem5ἐκεῖθεν1

“from prison”

3155:27c8dnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The “you” is plural in “you have heard” and “I say to you.” The understood “you” is singular in “Do not commit adultery,” but in some languages it may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3165:27mj3g0

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about adultery and lust.

3175:27jxg5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτι ἐρρέθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God said” or “that Moses said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3185:27yn7mμοιχεύσεις1

This word means to act out or do something.

3195:28qfl6ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:22.

3205:28glg9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπᾶς ὁ βλέπων γυναῖκα πρὸς τὸ ἐπιθυμῆσαι αὐτὴν, ἤδη ἐμοίχευσεν αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

This metaphor indicates that a man who lusts after a woman is as guilty of adultery as a man who actually commits the act of adultery. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3215:28k7scπρὸς τὸ ἐπιθυμῆσαι αὐτὴν1

“and lusts after her” or “and desires to sleep with her”

3225:28eqs8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons thoughts. Alternate translation: “in his mind” or “in his thoughts” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

3235:29et3nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youεἰ & σου1

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All instances of “you” and “your” are singular, but in some langugaes they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3245:29ikp5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰ & ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε1

Here “eye” refers to what a person sees. And, “stumble” is a metaphor for “sin.” Alternate translation: “if what you see causes you to stumble” or “if you want to sin because of what you see” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3255:29mb58rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὁ ὀφθαλμός & ὁ δεξιὸς1

This means the most important eye, as opposed to the left eye. You may need to translate “right” as “better” or “stronger.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

3265:29v6jrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleἔξελε αὐτὸν1

This is an exaggerated command for a person to do whatever he needs to do to stop sinning. It means “forcefully remove it” or “destroy it.” If the right eye is not specifically mentioned, you may need to translate this “destroy your eyes.” If eyes have been mentioned, you may need to translate this “destroy them.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

3275:29zg1vβάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ1

“get rid of it”

3285:29im6uἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου1

“you should lose one part of your body”

3295:29v1cnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου βληθῇ εἰς Γέενναν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “than for God to throw your whole body into hell” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3305:30zx8xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε1

In this metonymy, the hand stands for the actions of the whole person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

3315:30hk9zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ1

This means the most important hand, as opposed to the left hand. You may need to translate “right” as “better” or “stronger.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

3325:30qs74rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleἔκκοψον αὐτὴν1

This is an exaggerated command for a person to do whatever he needs to do to stop sinning. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

3335:31fdr80

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about divorce.

3345:31dh23rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐρρέθη δέ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God also said” or “Moses also said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3355:31quq9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismἀπολύσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ1

This is a euphemism for divorce. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

3365:31tp9lδότω1

“he must give”

3375:32q6aqἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:22.

3385:32j2aqποιεῖ αὐτὴν μοιχευθῆναι1

It is the man who divorces the woman improperly who “causes her to commit adultery.” In many cultures it would be normal for her to remarry, but if the divorce is improper, such a remarriage is adultery.

3395:32zai7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀπολελυμένην1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “her after her husband has divorced her” or “the divorced woman” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3405:33i5akrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The “you” is plural in “you have heard” and “I say to you.” The “you” and “your” are singular in “Do not swear” and “carry out your oaths,” but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3415:33dg2a0

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about swearing oaths.

3425:33vv1eπάλιν ἠκούσατε1

“Also, you” or “Here is another example. You”

3435:33fk86rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις1

This can be expressed with an active verb. Alternate translation: “God said to those who lived long ago” or “Moses said to your ancestors long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3445:33tk9yοὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις, ἀποδώσεις δὲ τῷ Κυρίῳ τοὺς ὅρκους σου1

“Do not swear that you will do something and then not do it. Instead do whatever you have sworn to the Lord that you will do”

3455:34mpk1ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:22.

3465:34m2n6μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως1

“Do not swear at all” or “Do not swear by anything”

3475:34u7surc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorθρόνος ἐστὶν τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Because God reigns from heaven, Jesus speaks of heaven as if it were a throne. Alternate translation: “it is from here that God rules” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3485:35c8lx0

Jesus finishes his words from verse 34, telling the people not to swear.

3495:35v2hfμήτε ἐν τῇ γῇ & πόλις ἐστὶν τοῦ μεγάλου Βασιλέως1

Here Jesus means that when people make a promise or when they say that something is true, they must not swear by anything. Some people were teaching that if a person swears by God that he will do something, then he must do it, but if he swears by something else, such as by heaven or earth, then it is less offensive if he does not do what he swore to do. Jesus says that swearing by heaven or earth or Jerusalem is just as serious as swearing by God because those things all belong to God.

3505:35e7z8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὑποπόδιόν ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ1

This metaphor means the earth also belongs to God. Alternate translation: “it is like a footstool where a king rests his feet” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3515:35e6znὅτι πόλις ἐστὶν τοῦ μεγάλου Βασιλέως1

“for it is the city that belongs to God, the great King”

3525:36kr2d0

Previously Jesus told his hearers that Gods throne, footstool, and earthly home are not theirs to swear by. Here he says that they may not swear even by their own heads.

3535:36l9c8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youσου1

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of these words are singular, but you may have to translate them as plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3545:36z5vuὀμόσῃς1

This refers to taking an oath. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:34.

3555:37tke6ἔστω & ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν, ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ1

“if you mean yes, say yes, and if you mean no, say no.’”

3565:38quy6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The “you” is plural in “you have heard” and “I say to you.” The “you” in “whoever strikes you” and the understood “you” in “turn to him” are both singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3575:38s39u0

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about retaliating against an enemy.

3585:38zar1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτι ἐρρέθη1

This can be stated in active form. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:27. Alternate translation: “that God said” or “that Moses said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3595:38w53lὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος1

The law of Moses allowed a person to harm a person in the same way he had harmed him, but he could not harm him worse.

3605:39x2y9ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis.

3615:39qrx1τῷ πονηρῷ1

“an evil person” or “someone who harms you”

3625:39ec5yῥαπίζει & τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα1

To strike the side of a mans face was an insult in Jesus culture. As with the eye and the hand, the right cheek is the more important one, and striking that cheek was a terrible insult.

3635:39d5xgῥαπίζει1

hits with the back of an open hand

3645:39wz54στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην1

“let him hit your other cheek also”

3655:40gr2xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are singular, including the understood “you” in the commands “let,” “go,” “give,” and “do not turn away.” In some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3665:40t9f4τὸν χιτῶνά & ἱμάτιον1

The “coat” was worn close to the body, like a heavy shirt or a sweater. The “cloak,” the more valuable of the two, was worn over the “coat” for warmth and also used as a blanket for warmth at night.

3675:40p5m2ἄφες αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ἱμάτιον1

“give also to that person”

3685:41i867rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὅστις1

“Anyone who.” The context implies that he is speaking about a Roman soldier. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

3695:41i86sμίλιον ἕν1

This is one thousand paces, which is the distance a Roman soldier could legally force someone to carry something for him. If “mile” is confusing, it can be translated as “one kilometer” or “a distance.”

3705:41n8r4μετ’ αὐτοῦ1

This refers to the one who compels you to go.

3715:41zv6iὕπαγε μετ’ αὐτοῦ δύο1

“go the mile he forces you to go, and then go another mile.” If “mile” is confusing, you can translate it as “two kilometers” or “twice as far.”

3725:42pe6xμὴ ἀποστραφῇς1

“do not refuse to lend to.” This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “lend to”

3735:43cyz3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The “you” is plural in “you have heard” and “I say to you.” The “you” and “your” are singular in “You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy,” but in some languages they may need to be plural. All occurrences of “you” and “your” after that are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3745:43xf8l0

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about loving enemies.

3755:43fp6xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτι ἐρρέθη1

This can be stated in active form. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:27. Alternate translation: “that God said” or “that Moses said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3765:43tqj3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounτὸν πλησίον σου1

Here the word “neighbor” does not refer to a specific neighbor, but to any members of ones community or people group. These are people whom one usually desires to treat kindly or at least believes he ought to treat kindly. Alternate translation: “your countrymen” or “those who belong to your people group” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])

3775:44f9lpἐγὼ δὲ λέγω1

Jesus agrees with God and his word, but he does not agree with the way the religious leaders have applied Gods word. The “I” is emphatic. This indicates that what Jesus says is equally important to the original commands from God. Try to translate this phrase in a way that shows that emphasis. See how you translated this in Matthew 5:22.

3785:45my3dγένησθε υἱοὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν1

It is best to translate “sons” with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to human sons or children.

3795:45jzu9rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρὸς1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

3805:46g5t7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All instances of “you” and “your” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3815:46sf7k0

Jesus finishes teaching about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. This section began in Matthew 5:17.

3825:46se4krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε?1

Jesus uses this question to teach the people that loving those who love them is not something special that God will reward them for. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternative translation: “you will get no reward.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

3835:46cb77rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ καὶ οἱ τελῶναι τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν?1

This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternative translation: “Even the tax collectors do the same thing.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

3845:47ba6erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί περισσὸν ποιεῖτε?1

This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “you do nothing more than others.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

3855:47ben5ἀσπάσησθε1

This is a general term for showing a desire for the well-being of the hearer.

3865:47elw9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ καὶ οἱ ἐθνικοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν?1

This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Even the Gentiles do the same thing.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

3875:48l6parc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

3886:introjrj20

Matthew 06 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Matthew 6 continues Jesus extended teaching known as “The Sermon on the Mount.”

You may wish to set apart the prayer in 6:9-11 by placing it farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.

Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.

3896:1zvn1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3906:1at4q0

Jesus continues to teach his disciples in his Sermon on the Mount, which began in Matthew 5:3. In this section, Jesus addresses the “acts of righteousness” of alms, prayer, and fasting.

3916:1bgc7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς1

It is implied that those who see the person will honor him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “in front of people just so that they can see you and give you honor for what you have done” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3926:1juj5rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Πατρὶ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

3936:2d8kwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμὴ σαλπίσῃς ἔμπροσθέν σου1

This metaphor means to do something that purposefully gets peoples attention. Alternate translation: “do not draw attention to yourself like someone who plays a loud trumpet in a crowd” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3946:2dk6uἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

3956:3z4c1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3966:3te4n0

Jesus continues to teach his disciples about alms.

3976:3vca2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμὴ γνώτω ἡ ἀριστερά σου τί ποιεῖ ἡ δεξιά σου1

This is a metaphor for total secrecy. Just as hands usually work together and each can be said to “know” what the other is doing at all times, you should not let even those closest to you know when you are giving to the poor. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

3986:4h4werc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσου ἡ ἐλεημοσύνη ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you can give to the poor without other people knowing” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

3996:5m54urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” in verses 5 and 7 are plural; in verse 6 they are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4006:5a7z40

Jesus begins to teach about prayer.

4016:5e12vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις1

It is implied that those who see them will give them honor. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that people will see them and give them honor” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4026:5z3h6ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

4036:6dqv4εἴσελθε εἰς τὸ ταμεῖόν σου καὶ κλείσας τὴν θύραν σου1

“go to a private place” or “go where you can be alone”

4046:6vdr7τῷ Πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ1

Possible meanings are (1) no one can see God. Alternate translation: “Father, who is invisible” or (2) God is in that private place with the praying person. Alternate translation: “Father, who is with you in private”

4056:6kkn7rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Πατρί1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4066:6eb6rὁ Πατήρ σου, ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ1

“your Father will see what you do in private and”

4076:7d1t2μὴ βατταλογήσητε1

Possible meanings are (1) the repetitions are useless. Alternate translation: “do not keep uselessly saying things over and over again” or (2) the words or sentences are meaningless. Alternate translation: “do not keeping repeating meaningless words”

4086:7a8airc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰσακουσθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “their false gods will hear them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4096:8fr1drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about how they as individuals should pray. The words “you” and “your” are plural in the first sentence. Within the prayer, the words “you” and “your” are singular and refer to God, “Our Father in heaven.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4106:8nv9irc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4116:9ad6lΠάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς1

This is the beginning of the prayer and how Jesus teaches the people to address God.

4126:9mq4xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου1

Here “your name” refers to God himself. Alternate translation: “make everyone honor you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

4136:10n67crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “May you rule over everyone and everything completely” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

4146:10pdc5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “May everything on earth happen in accordance with your will as everything in heaven does” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4156:11njr9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive0

This is part of a prayer that Jesus was teaching the people. All instances of “we,” “us,” and “our” refer only to those who would pray this prayer. Those words do not also refer to God, to whom they would be praying. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

4166:11dft8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτὸν ἄρτον & τὸν ἐπιούσιον1

Here “bread” refers to food in general. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

4176:12yi9src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ ὀφειλήματα1

A debt is what one person owes another. This is a metaphor for sins. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4186:12i8fqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν1

A debtor is a person who owes a debt to another person. This is a metaphor for those who have sinned against us. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4196:13l8u6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsμὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν1

The word “temptation,” an abstract noun, can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “Do not let anything tempt us” or “Do not let anything cause us to desire to sin” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

4206:14ns3mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

All instances of “you” and “your” are plural. However, Jesus is telling them what will happen to them as individuals if each person does not forgive others. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4216:14z79arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν1

The abstract noun “trespasses” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “when they trespass against you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

4226:14v7nerc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4236:15pi3zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτοῖς ἀνθρώποις & τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν1

The abstract noun “trespasses” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “when they trespass against you … when you trespass against God” or “when they do things that harm you … when you do things that make your Father angry” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

4246:16j7xgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. In verse 16 all occurences of “you” are plural. In verses 17 and 18 where Jesus teaches them how to behave when they fast, all occurrences of “you” and “your” are singular. In some languages those occurences of “you” may also need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4256:16q19r0

Jesus begins to teach about fasting.

4266:16xv6bἀφανίζουσιν & τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν1

The hypocrites would not wash their faces or comb their hair. They did this purposely to draw attention to themselves so that people would see them and give them honor for fasting.

4276:16ix6hἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

4286:17k283ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν1

“put oil in your hair” or “groom your hair.” To “anoint” the head here is to take normal care of ones hair. It has nothing to do with “Christ” meaning “anointed one.” Jesus means that people should look the same whether they are fasting or not.

4296:18d27sτῷ Πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ1

Possible meanings are (1) no one can see God. Alternate translation: “Father, who is invisible” or (2) God is with that person who fasts secretly. Alternate translation: “Father, who is with you in private” See how you translated this in Matthew 6:6.

4306:18m56arc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτῷ Πατρί1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4316:18tby8ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ1

“who sees what you do in private.” See how you translated this in Matthew 6:6.

4326:19afg9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All occurrences of “you” and “your” are plural, except in verse 21, where they are singular. In some languages these occurrences of “you” and “your” may also need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4336:19z3jx0

Jesus begins to teach about money and possessions.

4346:19tqp1θησαυροὺς1

riches, the things to which a person gives the most value

4356:19z9wdὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει1

“where moth and rust ruin treasures”

4366:19tqc9σὴς1

a small, flying insect that destroys cloth

4376:19enl6βρῶσις1

a brown substance that forms on metals

4386:20v5tnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorθησαυρίζετε & ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ1

This is a metaphor that means do good things on earth so God will reward you in heaven. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4396:21b74qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία σου1

Here “heart” means a persons thoughts and interests. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

4406:22g215rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. The instances of “you” and “your” are all singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4416:22sbl1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός & φωτεινὸν ἔσται1

This compares healthy eyes that allow a person to see to diseased eyes that cause a person to be blind. This is a metaphor referring to spiritual health. Often Jewish people used the phrase “bad eye” to refer to greed. The meaning is that if a person is completely devoted to God and sees or considers things the way God does, then he is doing what is right. If a person is greedy for more, then he is doing what is evil. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4426:22r4d1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός1

This metaphor means the eyes allow a person to see just as a lamp helps a person see in the dark. Alternate translation: “Like a lamp, the eye allows you to see things clearly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4436:22u47qὀφθαλμός1

You may have to translate this as plural, “eyes.”

4446:23dl86rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐὰν δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου & ἐστίν τὸ σκότος πόσον1

This compares healthy eyes that allow a person to see to diseased eyes that cause a person to be blind. This is a metaphor referring to spiritual health. Often Jewish people used the phrase “bad eye” to refer to greed. The meaning is that if a person is completely devoted to God and sees or considers things the way God does, then he is doing what is right. If a person is greedy for more, then he is doing what is evil. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4456:23p231rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐὰν & ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρὸς ᾖ1

This does not refer to magic. Jewish people often used this as a metaphor for someone who is greedy. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4466:23n42mεἰ & τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ σκότος, ἐστίν τὸ σκότος πόσον1

“if that which is supposed to cause light in your body causes darkness, then your body is in complete darkness”

4476:24ijn3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει1

Both of these phrases mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that a person cannot love and be devoted both to God and money at the same time. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

4486:24zt2uοὐ δύνασθε Θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ1

“You cannot love God and money at the same time”

4496:25s5uyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Here the instances of “you” and “your” are all plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4506:25wcz4λέγω ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

4516:25xdu1ὑμῖν1

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do.

4526:25nt96rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ ἡ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστι τῆς τροφῆς, καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “obviously life is more than what you eat, and your body is more than what you wear.” or “clearly there are things in life that are more imortant than food, and there are things concerning the body that are more important than clothes.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4536:26p11zἀποθήκας1

places to store crops

4546:26a9w6rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4556:26nbm5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχ ὑμεῖς μᾶλλον διαφέρετε αὐτῶν?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “Obviously you are more valuable than birds.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4566:27cm6arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All instances of “you” and “your” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4576:27fr8grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Here to “add one cubit to his lifespan” is a metaphor for adding time to how long a person will live. Alternate translation: “None of you can, just by worrying, add years to your life. You cannot add even one minute to your life! So you should not worry about things you need.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4586:27kub4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistanceπῆχυν ἕνα1

A cubit is a measure of a little less than half a meter. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]])

4596:28erj8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπερὶ ἐνδύματος τί μεριμνᾶτε?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “You should not be worried about what you will wear.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4606:28cs99καταμάθετε1

“Consider”

4616:28him2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationτὰ κρίνα & αὐξάνουσιν; οὐ κοπιῶσιν οὐδὲ νήθουσιν1

Jesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4626:28t16lrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκρίνα1

A lily is a kind of wild flower. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

4636:29n75lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationοὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων1

Jesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4646:29np9eλέγω & ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

4656:29sqg8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “did not wear clothes that are as beautiful as these lilies” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4666:30z5lhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationτὸν χόρτον τοῦ ἀγροῦ & οὕτως1

Jesus continues to speak about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4676:30uf36χόρτον1

If your language has a word that includes “grass” and the word you used for “lilies” in the previous verse, you can use it here.

4686:30m23lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον1

The Jews at that time used grass in their fires to cook their food. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone throws it into a fire” or “someone burns it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4696:30cd8wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἀμφιέννυσιν, οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι?1

Jesus uses this question to teach the people that God will provide what they need. Alternate translation: “he will certainly clothe you … faith.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4706:30ic18ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι1

“you who have such little faith.” Jesus addresses the people this way because their anxiety about clothing shows they have little faith in God.

4716:31jps3οὖν1

“Because of all of this”

4726:31pd6xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτί περιβαλώμεθα1

In this sentence, “clothes” is a synecdoche for material possessions. Alternate translation: “What possessions will we have” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

4736:32j77yγὰρ ταῦτα τὰ ἔθνη ἐπιζητοῦσιν1

“for the Gentiles are concerned about what they will eat, drink, and wear”

4746:32ecb9οἶδεν & ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ὅτι χρῄζετε τούτων1

Jesus is implying that God will make sure their basic needs are met.

4756:32unz1rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

4766:33ep2crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyζητεῖτε & πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “concern yourselves with serving God, who is your king, and doing what is right” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

4776:33ak39rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will provide all these things for you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4786:34qm2aοὖν1

“Because of all this”

4796:34xdg7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἡ & αὔριον μεριμνήσει ἑαυτῆς1

Jesus speaks of “tomorrow” as if it were a person who could worry. Jesus means that a person will have enough to worry about when the next day comes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

4807:introbz7e0

Matthew 07 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.

Special concepts in this chapter

Matthew 5-7

Many people call the words in Matthew 5-7 the Sermon on the Mount. This is one long lesson that Jesus taught. Bibles divide this lesson into three chapters, but this can sometimes confuse the reader. If your translation divides the text into sections, be sure that the reader understands that the whole sermon is one large section.

“By their fruits you will know them”

Fruit is a common image in the scriptures. It is used to describe the results of either good or bad actions. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])

4817:1jav3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The instances of “you” and the commands are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4827:1f4fe0

Jesus continues to teach his disciples in his Sermon on the Mount, which began in Matthew 5:3.

4837:1xk6wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμὴ κρίνετε1

It is implied here that “judge” has the strong meaning of “condemn harshly” or “declare guilty.” Alternate translation: “Do not condemn people harshly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

4847:1bk8yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμὴ κριθῆτε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not condemn you harshly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4857:2f9nbγὰρ1

Be sure the reader understands the statement in 7:2 is based on what Jesus said in 7:1.

4867:2kj24rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐν ᾧ & κρίματι κρίνετε, κριθήσεσθε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will condemn you in the same way you condemn others” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4877:2mt3dᾧ μέτρῳ1

Possible meanings are (1) this is the amount of punishment given or (2) this is the standard used for judgment.

4887:2wgh2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will measure it out to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

4897:3hzb40

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. The instances of “you” and “your” are all singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural.

4907:3em5rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος & τὴν δὲ ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκὸν οὐ κατανοεῖς?1

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the people for paying attention to other peoples sins and ignoring their own. Alternate translation: “You look … brothers eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye.” or “Do not look … brothers eye and ignore the log that is in your own eye.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4917:3ctb3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου1

This is a metaphor that refers to the less important faults of a fellow believer. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4927:3r9jfκάρφος1

“speck” or “splinter” or “bit of dust.” Use a word for the smallest thing that commonly falls into a persons eyes.

4937:3d2qcτοῦ ἀδελφοῦ1

All occurrences of “brother” in 7:3-5 refer to a fellow believer, not to a literal brother or a neighbor.

4947:3q1z4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὴν & ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκὸν1

This is a metaphor for a persons most important faults. A log could not literally go into a persons eye. Jesus is exaggerating to emphasize that a person should pay attention to his own more important faults before he deals with another persons less important faults. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

4957:3cgc6δοκὸν1

the largest part of a tree that someone has cut down

4967:4k58hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ πῶς ἐρεῖς & τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ σοῦ?1

Jesus asks this question to challenge the people to pay attention to their own sins before they pay attention to another persons sins. Alternate translation: “You should not say … your own eye.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

4977:6av850

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. The instances of “you” and “your” are all plural.

4987:6arm9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῖς κυσίν & τῶν χοίρων1

Jews considered these animals dirty, and God told the Jews not to eat them. They are metaphors for wicked people who do not value holy things. It would be best to translate these words literally. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

4997:6xy2erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοὺς μαργαρίτας1

These are similar to round, valuable stones or beads. They are a metaphor for the knowledge of God or precious things in general. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5007:6vt72καταπατήσουσιν1

“the pigs may trample”

5017:6y5mmκαὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς1

“the dogs will then turn and tear”

5027:7j1qarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. The instances of “you” and “your” are all plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

5037:7ut6irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorαἰτεῖτε & ζητεῖτε & κρούετε1

These are metaphors for praying to God. The verb form shows that we are to keep praying until he answers. If your language has a form for continuing to do something over and over, use it here. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5047:7fh57αἰτεῖτε1

request things from someone, in this case God

5057:7tv49rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδοθήσεται ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will give you what you need” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5067:7cs5bζητεῖτε1

look for someone, in this case God

5077:7rt8gκρούετε1

To knock on a door was a polite way to request that the person inside the house or room open the door. If knocking on a door is impolite or not done in your culture, use the word that describes how people politely ask for doors to be opened. Alternate translation: “Tell God you want him to open the door”

5087:7zxs3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will open it for you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5097:9mq14rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ τίς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν ἄνθρωπος & μὴ λίθον ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “There is not one person among you … a stone.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

5107:9n5s1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἄρτον1

This refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “some food” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

5117:9cq8hλίθον1

This noun should be translated literally.

5127:10ht1mἰχθὺν & ὄφι1

These nouns should be translated literally.

5137:10y9q5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ καὶ ἰχθὺν αἰτήσει, μὴ ὄφιν ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ?1

Jesus asks another question to teach the people. It is understood that Jesus is still referring to a man and his son. Alternate translation: “And there is not one person among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

5147:11h3k6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. The instances of “you” and “your” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

5157:11pk31rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς δώσει & αὐτόν?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “then your Father in heaven will most certainly give … him.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

5167:11z8zrrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

5177:12wr93ὅσα ἐὰν θέλητε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι1

“whatever way you want others to act toward you”

5187:12b1x2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ νόμος καὶ οἱ προφῆται1

Here “law” and “prophets” refer to what Moses and the prophets wrote. Alternate translation: “for this is what Moses and the prophets teach in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5197:13uhb30

This image of walking through a wide gate to destruction or a narrow gate to life represents how people live and the results of how they live. When you translate, use appropriate words for “wide” and “broad” that are as different as possible from “narrow” in order to emphasize the differences between the two sets of gates and ways.

5207:13dgr2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἰσέλθατε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης & πολλοί εἰσιν οἱ εἰσερχόμενοι δι’ αὐτῆς1

This is an image of people traveling on a road and going through a gate into a kingdom. One kingdom is easy to enter; the other is hard to enter. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5217:13j8xnεἰσέλθατε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης1

You may need to move this to the end of verse 14: “Therefore, enter through the narrow gate.”

5227:13y9ruτῆς & πύλης & ἡ ὁδὸς1

Possible meanings are (1) “the way” refers to the road that leads to the gate of a kingdom, or (2) the “the gate” and “the way” both refer to the entrance to the kingdom.

5237:13zv24rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsεἰς τὴν ἀπώλειαν1

This abstract noun can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “to the place where people die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

5247:14x8u90

Jesus continues to speak of people choosing how they are going to live as if they are choosing whether to go on one path or another.

5257:14wlr9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsεἰς τὴν ζωήν1

The abstract noun “life” can be translated using the verb “live.” Alternate translation: “to the place where people live” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

5267:15s91cπροσέχετε ἀπὸ1

“Be on guard against”

5277:15lj5vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἵτινες ἔρχονται πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ἐνδύμασι προβάτων, ἔσωθεν δέ εἰσιν λύκοι ἅρπαγες1

This metaphor means that false prophets will pretend they are good and want to help people, but they are really evil and will do people harm. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5287:16pul5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς1

This metaphor refers to a persons actions. Alternate translation: “Just as you know a tree by the fruit that grows on it, you will know false prophets by how they act” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5297:16nve4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionμήτι συλλέγουσιν & ἢ ἀπὸ τριβόλων σῦκα?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. The people would have known that the answer is no. Alternate translation: “People do not gather … thistles.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

5307:17a9tnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπᾶν δένδρον ἀγαθὸν καρποὺς καλοὺς ποιεῖ1

Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to good prophets who produce good works or words. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5317:17f5l3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸ & σαπρὸν δένδρον καρποὺς πονηροὺς ποιεῖ1

Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to bad prophets who produce evil works. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5327:19aeg4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται1

Jesus continues to use fruit trees as a metaphor to refer to false prophets. Here, he only states what will happen to the bad trees. It is implied that the same thing will happen to the false prophets. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

5337:19g7fsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “people cut down and burn” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5347:20x87mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς1

The word “their” can refer to either the prophets or the trees. This metaphor implies that the fruit of trees and the deeds of prophets both reveal whether they are good or bad. If possible, translate this in a way so that it can refer to both trees and prophets. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

5357:21rj2vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “will live with God in heaven when he shows himself to be king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5367:21rq5hὁ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς1

“whoever does what my Father in heaven desires”

5377:21c6yzrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

5387:22mp6erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ1

Jesus said “that day” knowing his hearers would understand he was referring to the day of judgment. You should include “the day of judgment” only if your readers would not understand otherwise. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

5397:22m9pyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἐπροφητεύσαμεν & δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν & δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν?1

The people use a question to emphasize that they did these things. Alternate translation: “we prophesied … we drove out demons … we did many mighty deeds.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

5407:22t5j7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἐπροφητεύσαμεν1

This “we” does not include Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

5417:22hg17rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῷ σῷ ὀνόματι1

Possible meanings are (1) “by your authority” or “by your power” or (2) “because we were doing what you wanted us to do” or (3) “because we asked you for the power to do it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5427:22p67fδυνάμεις1

“miracles”

5437:23d4y5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς1

This means the person does not belong to Jesus. Alternate translation: “You are not my follower” or “I have nothing to do with you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

5447:24fg9kοὖν1

“For that reason”

5457:24hbd7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyμου τοὺς λόγους τούτους1

Here “words” refers to what Jesus says. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5467:24qjh9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν1

Jesus compares those who obey his words to a person who builds his house where nothing can harm it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

5477:24dy1fπέτραν1

This is the bedrock below the topsoil and clay, not a large stone or boulder above the ground.

5487:25bv81rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτεθεμελίωτο1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he built it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5497:26asf40

This is the end of Jesus Sermon on the Mount, which began in Matthew 5:3.

5507:26nw97rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ μωρῷ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν ἄμμον1

Jesus continues the simile from the previous verse. He compares those who do not obey his words to foolish house-builders. Only a fool would build a house on a sandy place where rain, floods, and wind can sweep the sand away. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

5517:27a7mjἔπεσεν1

Use the general word in your language that describes what happens when a house falls down.

5527:27k4hiἦν ἡ πτῶσις αὐτῆς μεγάλη1

The rain, floods, and wind completely destroyed the house.

5537:28jrh7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory0

These verses describe how the people in the crowds reacted to Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory]])

5547:28hu6zκαὶ ἐγένετο, ὅτε1

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “When” or “After”

5557:28b321ἐξεπλήσσοντο & ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ1

It is clear in 7:29 that they were amazed not just at what Jesus taught but also the way he taught it. Alternate translation: “were amazed by the way he taught”

5568:introf33a0

Matthew 08 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter begins a new section.

Special concepts in this chapter

Miracles

Jesus performed miracles to show that he could control things that no other people could control. He also showed that it is proper to worship him because he performed miracles. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/authority]])

5578:1qb1drc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that contains several accounts of Jesus healing people. This theme continues through Matthew 9:35. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])

5588:1clf8καταβάντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους, ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί1

“After Jesus came down from the hill, a large crowd followed him.” The crowd may have included both people who had been with him on the mountain and people who had not been with him.

5598:2vas8ἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

5608:2q4x2λεπρὸς1

“a man who had leprosy” or “a man who had a skin disease”

5618:2n77qrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπροσεκύνει αὐτῷ1

This is a sign of humble respect before Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

5628:2yc3fἐὰν θέλῃς1

“if you want to” or “if you desire.” The leper knew that Jesus had the power to heal him, but he did not know if Jesus would want to touch him.

5638:2yjn2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomδύνασαί με καθαρίσαι1

Here “clean” means to be healed and to be able to live in the community again. Alternate translation: “you can heal me” or “please heal me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

5648:3kg7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperativeκαθαρίσθητι1

By saying this, Jesus healed the man. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]])

5658:3eht7εὐθέως ἐκαθαρίσθη1

“At that moment he was cleansed”

5668:3lj1xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκαθαρίσθη αὐτοῦ ἡ λέπρα1

The result of Jesus saying “Be clean” was that the man was healed. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he was well” or “the leprosy left him” or “the leprosy ended” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5678:4gzy6αὐτῷ1

This refers to the man that Jesus just healed.

5688:4gt5sὅρα μηδενὶ εἴπῃς1

“do not say anything to anyone” or “do not tell anyone I healed you”

5698:4zi3arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitσεαυτὸν, δεῖξον τῷ ἱερεῖ1

Jewish law required that the person show his healed skin to the priest, who would then allow him or her to return to the community, to be with other people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

5708:4tq9lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπροσένεγκον τὸ δῶρον ὃ προσέταξεν Μωϋσῆς, εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς1

The law of Moses required that someone healed of leprosy give a thanksgiving offering to the priest. When the priest accepted the gift, people would know that the man had been healed. Lepers were ostracized, banned from the community, until they had proof of their healing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

5718:4rj8urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronounsαὐτοῖς1

This can possibly refer to (1) the priests or (2) all the people or (3) the critics of Jesus. If possible, use a pronoun that could refer to any of these groups. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns]])

5728:5sxz80

Here the scene shifts to a different time and place and tells of Jesus healing another person.

5738:5vzb9προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ & παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν1

Here “him” refers to Jesus.

5748:6cr8hπαραλυτικός1

unable to move because of disease or stroke

5758:7b9brλέγει αὐτῷ1

“Jesus said to the centurion”

5768:7r3sxἐγὼ ἐλθὼν, θεραπεύσω αὐτόν1

“I will come to your house and make your servant well”

5778:8p7p4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomμου ὑπὸ τὴν στέγην1

This is an idiom that refers to inside the house. Alternate translation: “into my house” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

5788:8hig7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰπὲ λόγῳ1

Here “word” represents a command. Alternate translation: “give the command” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5798:8rk1zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἰαθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will become well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5808:9ds2mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν, τασσόμενος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who is under the authority of someone else” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5818:9da25rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν & ὑπ’ ἐμαυτὸν1

To be “under” someone means to be less important and to obey the commands of someone more important. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

5828:10rc1hἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

5838:10c7y6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπαρ’ οὐδενὶ τοσαύτην πίστιν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ εὗρον1

Jesus hearers would have thought that the Jews in Israel, who claim to be children of God, would have greater faith than anyone. Jesus is saying they are wrong and that the centurions faith was greater. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

5848:11xee4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

Here “you” is plural and refers to “those who were following him” in Matthew 8:10. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

5858:11mt2irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ δυσμῶν1

Using the opposites “east” and “west” is a way of saying “everywhere.” Alternate translation: “from everywhere” or “from far away in every direction” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

5868:11u4sjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀνακλιθήσονται1

People in that culture would lie down beside the table while eating. This phrase indicates that all those at the table are family and close friends. The joy in the kingdom of God is frequently spoken of as if the people there were feasting. Alternate translation: “live as family and friends” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5878:11qmc7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “when our God in heaven shows that he is king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5888:12ks3brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ & υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας ἐκβληθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will throw the sons of the kingdom” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5898:12aug7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ δὲ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας1

The phrase “sons of” is a metonym, referring to the unbelieving Jews of the kingdom of Judea. There is also irony here because the “sons” will be thrown out while the strangers will be welcomed. Alternate translation: “those who should have allowed God to rule over them” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

5908:12liu4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον1

Here “outer darkness” is a metonym for the place where God sends those who reject them. This is a place that is completely separated from God forever. Alternate translation: “the dark place away from God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

5918:12gww4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” here is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. Alternate translation: “weeping and showing their extreme suffering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

5928:13ki92rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγενηθήτω σοι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so I will do it for you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5938:13sdn6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἰάθη ὁ παῖς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed the servant” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

5948:13ln7pἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐκείνῃ1

“at the exact time Jesus said he would heal the servant”

5958:14s6g40

Here the scene shifts to a different time and place and tells of Jesus healing another person.

5968:14ja31ἐλθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

The disciples were probably with Jesus, but the focus of the story is on what Jesus said and did, so introduce the disciples only if needed to avoid wrong meaning.

5978:14ynh8τὴν πενθερὰν αὐτοῦ1

“the mother of Peters wife”

5988:15w7nhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἀφῆκεν αὐτὴν ὁ πυρετός1

If your language would understand this personification to mean that the fever could think and act on its own, this can be translated as “she became better” or “Jesus healed her.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

5998:15r9ltἠγέρθη1

“got out of bed”

6008:16bpx70

In verse 17, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus healing ministry was a fulfillment of prophecy.

6018:16b7cx0

Here the scene shifts to later that evening and tells of Jesus healing more people and casting out demons.

6028:16yv9yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὀψίας δὲ γενομένης1

Because Jews did not work or travel on the Sabbath, “evening” may imply after the Sabbath. They waited until evening to bring people to Jesus. You do not need to mention the Sabbath unless you need to avoid wrong meaning. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

6038:16pwr4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδαιμονιζομένους πολλούς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “many people whom demons possessed” or “many people whom demons controlled” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6048:16f1cvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐξέβαλεν τὰ πνεύματα λόγῳ1

Here “word” stands for a command. Alternate translation: “He commanded the spirits to leave” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

6058:17r3dcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that the prophet Isaiah had spoken to the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6068:17eyu9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν ἔλαβεν καὶ τὰς νόσους ἐβάστασεν1

Matthew is quoting the prophet Isaiah. These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that he healed all of our diseases. Alternate translation: “healed those who were sick and made them well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

6078:18h8bx0

Here the scene shifts and tells about Jesus response to some people who wanted to follow him.

6088:18dqh1δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

6098:18a2pnἐκέλευσεν1

“he told his disciples”

6108:19g4rhκαὶ1

This means after Jesus “gave instructions” but before he could get into the boat.

6118:19e1b7ὅπου ἐὰν1

to any place

6128:20pqp6rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsαἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις1

Jesus answers with this proverb. This means even wild animals have somewhere to rest. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

6138:20tp9src://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownαἱ ἀλώπεκες1

Foxes are animals like dogs. They eat nesting birds and other small animals. If foxes are unknown in your area, use a general term for dog-like creatures or other furry animals. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

6148:20rrb5φωλεοὺς1

Foxes make holes in the ground to live in. Use the appropriate word for the place where the animal you use for “foxes” lives.

6158:20qvm5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ & Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

6168:20yl4src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐκ ἔχει ποῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνῃ1

This refers to a place to sleep. Alternate translation: “no place of his own to sleep” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

6178:21hlx9ἐπίτρεψόν μοι πρῶτον ἀπελθεῖν καὶ θάψαι τὸν πατέρα μου1

It is unclear whether the mans father has died and he will bury him immediately, or if the man wants to stay for a longer amount of time until his father dies so he can bury him then. The main point is that the man wants to do something else first before he follows Jesus.

6188:22h7fbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς1

Jesus does not mean literally that dead people will bury other dead people. Possible meanings of “the dead”: (1) it is a metaphor for those who will soon die, or (2) it is a metaphor for those who do not follow Jesus and are spiritually dead. The main point is that a disciple must not let anything delay him from following Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

6198:23us1s0

Here the scene shifts to the account of Jesus calming a storm as he and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee.

6208:23e8k1καὶ ἐμβάντι αὐτῷ εἰς πλοῖον1

“got onto a boat”

6218:23sl7vἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ1

Try to use the same words for “disciple” and “follow” that you used in (Matthew 8:21-22).

6228:24j55jἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of showing this. Alternate translation: “Suddenly” or “Without warning”

6238:24x7k1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “a powerful storm arose on the sea” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6248:24m6w8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὥστε τὸ πλοῖον καλύπτεσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that the waves covered the boat” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6258:25k2hdἤγειραν αὐτὸν λέγοντες, Κύριε, σῶσον1

Possible meanings are (1) they first woke Jesus and then they said, “Save us” or (2) as they were waking Jesus up, they were saying “Save us.”

6268:25b2whrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveσῶσον & ἀπολλύμεθα1

If you need to translate these words as inclusive or exclusive, then inclusive is best. The disciples probably meant they wanted Jesus to save the disciples and himself from drowning. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

6278:25xf5dἀπολλύμεθα1

“we are going to die”

6288:26jmt8αὐτοῖς1

“to the disciples”

6298:26g8p7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί δειλοί ἐστε, ὀλιγόπιστοι1

Jesus was rebuking the disciples with this rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “You should not be afraid … faith!” or “There is nothing for you to be afraid of … faith!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6308:26r5veὀλιγόπιστοι1

“you who have such little faith.” Jesus addresses his disciples this way because their anxiety about the storm shows they have little faith in him to control it. See how you translated this in Matthew 6:30.

6318:27u2qhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionποταπός ἐστιν οὗτος, ὅτι καὶ οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ ἡ θάλασσα αὐτῷ ὑπακούουσιν1

“Even the winds and the sea obey him! What sort of man is this?” This rhetorical question shows that the disciples were surprised. Alternate translation: “This man is unlike any man we have ever seen! Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6328:27k5mkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationκαὶ οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ ἡ θάλασσα αὐτῷ ὑπακούουσιν1

For people or animals to obey or disobey is not surprising, but for wind and water to obey is very surprising. This personification describes the natural elements as being able to hear and respond like people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

6338:28g6mr0

Here the author returns to the theme of Jesus healing people. This begins an account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men.

6348:28iy7aεἰς τὸ πέραν1

“to the other side of the Sea of Galilee”

6358:28yzi6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτὴν χώραν τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν1

The Gadarenes were named after the town of Gadara. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

6368:28hz5nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδύο δαιμονιζόμενοι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “two men whom demons possessed” or “two men whom demons were controlling” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6378:28ylu6ἐξερχόμενοι, χαλεποὶ λείαν ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης1

The demons that were controlling these two men were so dangerous that no one could go through that area.

6388:29v9mpἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of showing this.

6398:29gr2prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ?1

The demons use a question but they are being hostile toward Jesus. Alternate translation: “Do not bother us, Son of God!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6408:29jcq6rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΥἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This is an important title for Jesus, which describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

6418:29u4jrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἦλθες ὧδε πρὸ καιροῦ βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς1

Again, the demons use a question in a hostile way. Alternate translation: “You should not disobey God by punishing us before the specific time God has set when he will punish us!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6428:30v91crc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew tells background information about a herd of pigs that had been there before Jesus arrived. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

6438:31tf32rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς1

It is implied that the demons knew that Jesus was going to cast them out. Alternate translation: “Because you are going to cast us out” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

6448:31cgf7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμᾶς1

This is exclusive, meaning the demons only. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

6458:32h86eαὐτοῖς1

This refers to the demons inside the men.

6468:32gtx2οἱ & ἐξελθόντες ἀπῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους1

“The demons left the man and entered the pigs”

6478:32qa1iἰδοὺ1

This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

6488:32lhn7ὥρμησεν & κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ1

“ran quickly down the steep slope”

6498:32zk2pἀπέθανον ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν1

“they fell into the water and drowned”

6508:33qmc50

This concludes the account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men.

6518:33v39wοἱ & βόσκοντες1

“taking care of the pigs”

6528:33ev2wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ τῶν δαιμονιζομένων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what Jesus did to help the men whom demons had controlled” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6538:34b2hpἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of showing this.

6548:34j6sprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσα ἡ πόλις1

The word “city” is a metonym for the people of the city. The word “all” is probably an exaggeration to emphasize how very many people came out. Not necessarily every person came out. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

6558:34bsf4τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν1

“their area”

6569:introtg410

Matthew 09 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

“Sinners”

When the people of Jesus time spoke of “sinners,” they were talking about people who did not obey the law of Moses and instead committed sins like stealing or sexual sins. When Jesus said that he came to call “sinners,” he meant that only people who believe that they are sinners can be his followers. This is true even if they are not what most people think of as “sinners.” (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Passive voice

Many sentences in this chapter tell that a person had something happen to him without saying who caused that something to happen. You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

Rhetorical questions

Speakers in this chapter asked questions to which they already knew the answer. They asked the questions to show that they were not happy with the hearers or to teach them or to get them to think. Your language may have another way of doing this. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

Proverbs

Proverbs are very short sentences that use words that are easy to remember to tell about something that is generally true. People who understand proverbs usually have to know much about the language and culture of the speaker. When you translate the proverbs in this chapter, you may have to use many more words than the speakers used so that you can add information that the hearers knew but your reader do not know. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

6579:1nl8w0

Matthew returns to the theme, which he began in Matthew 8:1, of Jesus healing people. This begins an account of Jesus healing a paralyzed man.

6589:1ly42rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον1

It is implied that the disciples were with Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6599:1cs8lπλοῖον1

This is probably the same boat as in Matthew 8:23. You only need to specify this if needed to avoid confusion.

6609:1lje9εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν1

“to the town where he lived.” This refers to Capernaum.

6619:2i6xpἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of showing this.

6629:2szd4προσέφερον1

“some men from the city”

6639:2k5ehτὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν1

This refers to the faith of the men and may also include the faith of the paralyzed man.

6649:2k9qqτέκνον1

The man was not Jesus real son. Jesus was speaking to him politely. If this is confusing, it can also be translated “My friend” or “Young man” or even omitted.

6659:2iys2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I have forgiven your sins” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6669:3a35dἰδού1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.

6679:3f88rἐν ἑαυτοῖς1

Possible meanings are (1) each one was thinking to himself, or (2) they were speaking among themselves.

6689:3mq8vβλασφημεῖ1

Jesus was claiming to be able to do things the scribes thought only God can do.

6699:4u643ἰδὼν & τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν1

Jesus knew what they were thinking either supernaturally or because he could see them talking to each other.

6709:4n4ylrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἵνα τί ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν?1

Jesus used this question to rebuke the scribes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6719:4qg52πονηρὰ1

This is moral evil or wickedness, not simply error in fact.

6729:4d499rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν1

Here “hearts” refers to their minds or their thoughts. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

6739:5j716rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει?1

Jesus uses this question to make the scribes think about what might prove whether or not he could really forgive sins. Alternate translation: “I just said Your sins are forgiven. You may think that it is harder to say Get up and walk, because the proof of whether or not I can heal the man will be shown by whether or not he gets up and walks.” or “You may think that it is easier to say Your sins are forgiven than it is to say Get up and walk.’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6749:5mk14rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsτί & ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει?1

The quotes can be translated as indirect quotes. Alternate translation: “which is easier, to tell someone that his sins are forgiven, or to tell him to get up and walk?” or “you may think that it is easier to tell someone that his sins are forgiven than to tell him to get up and walk.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

6759:5g88prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι1

Here “your” is singular. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I have forgiven your sins” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

6769:6gk68rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε1

“I will prove to you.” The “you” is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

6779:6n5sfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youσου τὴν κλίνην & τὸν οἶκόν σου1

Here “you” is singular. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

6789:6td1zὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου1

Jesus is not forbidding the man to go elsewhere. He is giving the man the opportunity to go home.

6799:7uwq40

This concludes the account of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. Jesus then calls a tax collector to be one of his disciples.

6809:8u8quτὸν δόντα1

“because he had given”

6819:8x71sἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην1

This refers to the authority to declare sins forgiven.

6829:9fkr2καὶ παράγων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκεῖθεν1

This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

6839:9g4r4παράγων1

“was leaving” or “was going”

6849:9jc18Μαθθαῖον & αὐτῷ & αὐτῷ1

Church tradition says that this Matthew is the author of this Gospel, but the text gives no reason to change the pronouns from “him” and “He” to “me” and “I.”

6859:9t5ipλέγει αὐτῷ1

“Jesus said to Matthew”

6869:9q438ἀναστὰς, ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ1

“Matthew got up and followed Jesus.” This means Matthew became Jesus disciple.

6879:10h7u90

These events occur at the house of Matthew the tax collector.

6889:10ksr5τῇ οἰκίᾳ1

This is probably Matthews house, but it could also be Jesus house. Specify only if needed to avoid confusion.

6899:10c751ἰδοὺ1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.

6909:10f9lhἁμαρτωλοὶ1

people who did not obey the law of Moses but committed what others thought were very bad sins

6919:11ge2uκαὶ ἰδόντες, οἱ Φαρισαῖοι1

“When the Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with the tax collectors and sinful people”

6929:11z4h5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionδιὰ τί μετὰ τῶν τελωνῶν καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐσθίει ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν?1

The Pharisees use this question to criticize what Jesus is doing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

6939:12xz130

These events occur at the house of Matthew the tax collector.

6949:12m7fmὁ δὲ ἀκούσας1

Here “this” refers to the question the Pharisees asked about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners.

6959:12tl42rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsοὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ, ἀλλὰ οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες1

Jesus answers with a proverb. He means that he eats with these kinds of people because he has come to help sinners. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

6969:12uhc5οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ1

“People who are healthy”

6979:12h5pgἰατροῦ1

doctor

6989:12n33crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisοἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες1

The phrase “need a physician” is understood. Alternate translation: “people who are sick need a physician” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

6999:13fu2rπορευθέντες δὲ, μάθετε τί ἐστιν1

Jesus is about to quote the scriptures. Alternate translation: “You should learn the meaning of what God said in the scriptures”

7009:13is3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπορευθέντες1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the Pharisees. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

7019:13tqr3ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν1

Jesus is quoting what the prophet Hosea wrote in the scriptures. Here, “I” refers to God.

7029:13djt7οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον1

Here “I” refers to Jesus.

7039:13a886rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyδικαίους1

Jesus is using irony. He does not think there are any people who are righteous and do not need to repent. Alternate translation: “those who think they are righteous” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

7049:14aa3c0

The disciples of John the Baptist question the fact that Jesus disciples do not fast.

7059:14k8vcοὐ νηστεύουσιν1

“continue to eat regularly”

7069:15r8ifrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionμὴ δύνανται οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος πενθεῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὁ νυμφίος?1

Jesus uses a question to answer Johns disciples. They all knew that people do not mourn and fast at a wedding celebration. Jesus uses this proverb to show that his disciples do not mourn because he is still there with them. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

7079:15iz9sἐλεύσονται δὲ ἡμέραι ὅταν1

This is a way of referring to some time in the future. Alternate translation: “the time will come when” or “someday”

7089:15p6hzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀπαρθῇ ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ὁ νυμφίος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the bridegroom will not be able to be with them any longer” or “someone will take the bridegroom away from them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7099:15u8erἀπαρθῇ1

Jesus is probably referring to his own death, but this should not be made explicit here in the translation. To maintain the imagery of a wedding, it is best to just state that the bridegroom will not be there any longer.

7109:16v4a10

Jesus continues to answer the question that the disciples of John had asked. He did this by giving two examples of old things and new things that people do not put together.

7119:16yf98οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐπιβάλλει ἐπίβλημα ῥάκους ἀγνάφου ἐπὶ ἱματίῳ παλαιῷ1

“No one sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment” or “People do not sew a piece of new cloth as a patch an old garment”

7129:16bk47ἱματίῳ παλαιῷ & τοῦ ἱματίου1

“old clothing … the clothing””

7139:16x752αἴρει & τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱματίου1

If someone were to wash the garment, the patch of new cloth would shrink, but the old garment would not shrink. This would tear the patch off the garment and leave a bigger hole.

7149:16rem6τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτοῦ1

“the piece of new cloth.” This is the piece of cloth used to cover a hole in the old garment.

7159:16t71trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveχεῖρον σχίσμα γίνεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “this will make the tear worse” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7169:17q9wh0

Jesus continues to answer the question that disciples of John had asked.

7179:17s13yοὐδὲ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς1

Jesus uses another proverb to answer Johns disciples. This means the same as the proverb in Matthew 9:16.

7189:17fbl3οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν1

“Neither does anyone pour” or “People never put”

7199:17h26erc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownοἶνον νέον1

This refers to wine that has not fermented yet. If grapes are unknown in your area, use the general term for fruit. Alternate translation: “grape juice” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

7209:17dpv4ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς1

This refers to wineskins that have stretched and dried out because they were already used for fermenting wine.

7219:17v4x2ἀσκοὺς1

“wine bags” or “skin bags.” These were bags made out of animal skins.

7229:17hv8frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ οἶνος ἐκχεῖται καὶ οἱ ἀσκοὶ ἀπόλλυνται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “and this will ruin the wineskins and spill the wine” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7239:17tg2kῥήγνυνται οἱ ἀσκοί1

When the new wine ferments and expands, the skins tear open because they can no longer stretch out.

7249:17cid7ἀσκοὺς καινούς1

“new wineskins” or “new wine bags.” This refers to wineskins that no one has used.

7259:17i8v4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀμφότεροι συντηροῦνται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “this will keep safe both the wineskins and the wine” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7269:18a7ax0

This begins an account of Jesus bringing to life the daughter of a Jewish official after she had died.

7279:18mj4xταῦτα1

This refers to the answer Jesus gave Johns disciples about fasting.

7289:18eqp1ἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

7299:18n1i6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπροσεκύνει αὐτῷ1

This is a way someone would show respect in Jewish culture. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

7309:18in6tἐλθὼν ἐπίθες τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπ’ αὐτήν καὶ ζήσεται1

This shows that the Jewish official believed Jesus had the power to bring his daughter back to life.

7319:19z99mοἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ1

“Jesus disciples”

7329:20ai7a0

This describes how Jesus healed another woman while he was on the way to the Jewish officials house.

7339:20etd3ἰδοὺ1

The word “Behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

7349:20gv15rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismαἱμορροοῦσα1

“who had been bleeding” or “who frequently had a flow of blood.” She was probably bleeding from her womb even when it was not the normal time for it. Some cultures may have a polite way of referring to this condition. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

7359:20na37rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδώδεκα ἔτη1

“12 years” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

7369:20m9zqτοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ1

“his robe” or “what he was wearing”

7379:21eb6trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-eventsἔλεγεν γὰρ ἐν ἑαυτῇ, ἐὰν μόνον ἅψωμαι τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, σωθήσομαι.1

She said this to herself before she touched Jesus garment. This tells why she touched Jesus garment. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-events]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])

7389:21ukb8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐὰν μόνον ἅψωμαι τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ1

According to Jewish law, because she was bleeding she was not supposed to touch anyone. She touches his clothes so that Jesus power would heal her and yet (she thought) he would not know that she touched him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

7399:22vi84ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς1

“The woman was hoping she could touch him secretly, but Jesus”

7409:22x398θύγατερ1

The woman was not Jesus real daughter. Jesus was speaking to her politely. If this is confusing, it can also be translated “Young woman” or even omitted.

7419:22q6caἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε1

“because you believed in me, I will heal you”

7429:22zv2nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσώθη ἡ γυνὴ ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed her at that moment” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7439:23tu2c0

This returns to the account of Jesus bringing the daughter of the Jewish official back to life.

7449:23jae1τοὺς αὐλητὰς καὶ τὸν ὄχλον θορυβούμενον1

This was a common way to mourn for someone who has died.

7459:23gy7gτοὺς αὐλητὰς1

“people who play flutes”

7469:24v1stἀναχωρεῖτε1

Jesus was speaking to many people, so use the plural command form if your language has one.

7479:24pc1mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismοὐ & ἀπέθανεν τὸ κοράσιον, ἀλλὰ καθεύδει1

Jesus is using a play on words. It was common in Jesus day to refer to a dead person as one who “sleeps.” But here the dead girl will get up, as though she had only been sleeping. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

7489:25iy6x0

Verse 26 is a summary statement that describes the result of Jesus raising this girl from the dead.

7499:25utu30

This completes the account of Jesus bringing the daughter of the Jewish official back to life.

7509:25nqs6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτε δὲ ἐξεβλήθη ὁ ὄχλος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “After Jesus had sent the crowd outside” or “After the family had sent the people outside” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7519:25mm3qἠγέρθη1

“got out of bed.” This is the same meaning as in Matthew 8:15.

7529:26rxs4καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἡ φήμη αὕτη εἰς ὅλην τὴν γῆν ἐκείνην1

“The people of that whole region heard about it” or “The people who saw that the girl was alive started telling everyone in the whole area about it”

7539:27b1h60

This begins the account of Jesus healing two blind men.

7549:27a8nmκαὶ παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ Ἰησοῦ1

As Jesus was leaving the region

7559:27nwe9παράγοντι1

“was leaving” or “was going”

7569:27suc1ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ1

This means they were walking behind Jesus, not necessarily that they had become his disciples.

7579:27d8burc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλέησον ἡμᾶς1

It is implied that they wanted Jesus to heal them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

7589:27dh5dΥἱὲ Δαυείδ1

Jesus was not Davids literal son, so this may be translated as “Descendant of David.” However, “Son of David” is also a title for the Messiah, and the men were probably calling Jesus by this title.

7599:28yr4hἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν1

This could be either Jesus own house or the house in Matthew 9:10.

7609:28e81frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisναί, Κύριε1

The full content of their answer is not stated, but it is understood. Alternate translation: “Yes, Lord, we believe you can heal us” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

7619:29b3rlἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων1

It is not clear whether he touched both mens eyes at the same time or used only his right hand to touch one then the other. As the left hand was customarily used for unclean purposes, it is most likely that he used only his right hand. It is also not clear whether he spoke as he was touching them or touched them first and then spoke to them.

7629:29w92erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will do as you have believed” or “Because you believe, I will heal you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7639:30uk2arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἠνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί1

This means they were able to see. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God healed their eyes” or “the two blind men were able to see” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7649:30t6p8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω1

Here “See” means “be sure.” Alternate translation: “Be sure no one finds out about this” or “Do not tell anyone that I healed you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

7659:31y574οἱ δὲ1

“The two men did not do what Jesus told them to do. They”

7669:31y4b2διεφήμισαν1

“told many people what had happened to them”

7679:32tya10

This is the account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man who could not speak and how people responded.

7689:32v9trἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

7699:32kr24rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπροσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone brought a mute man … to Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7709:32sh32κωφὸν1

not able to talk

7719:32n6fsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδαιμονιζόμενον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom a demon had possessed” or “whom a demon was controlling” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7729:33d6zsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “After Jesus had forced the demon out” or “After Jesus had commanded the demon to leave” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7739:33r8ceἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός1

“the mute man began to speak” or “the man who had been mute spoke” or “the man, who was no longer mute, spoke”

7749:33d1lfκαὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι1

“The people were amazed”

7759:33y4l5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This has never happened before” or “No one has ever done anything like this before” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

7769:34z2r7ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια1

“he forces demons to leave”

7779:34q623ἐκβάλλει1

The pronoun “he” refers to Jesus.

7789:35z6ya0

Verse 36 begins a new part of the story where Jesus teaches his disciples and sends them to preach and heal as he has done.

7799:35xpp4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory0

Verse 35 is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 8:1 about Jesus healing ministry in Galilee. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory]])

7809:35x9ckrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleτὰς πόλεις πάσας1

The word “all” is an exaggeration to emphasize how very many cities Jesus went to. He did not necessarily go to every one of them. Alternate translation: “many of the cities” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

7819:35ehx5πόλεις & κώμας1

“large villages … small villages” or “large towns … small towns”

7829:35uz5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. See how you translated this in Matthew 4:23. Alternate translation: “preaching the good news that God will show himself as king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

7839:35e7atπᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν1

“every disease and every sickness.” The words “disease” and “sickness” are closely related but should be translated as two different words if possible. “Disease” is what causes a person to be sick. “Sickness” is the physical weakness or affliction that results from having a disease.

7849:36t47irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα1

This simile means they did not have a leader to take care of them. Alternate translation: “The people did not have a leader” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

7859:37q95i0

Jesus uses a proverb about harvesting to tell his disciples how they should respond to the needs of the crowds mentioned in the previous section.

7869:37mur4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι1

Jesus uses a proverb to respond to what he is seeing. Jesus means there are a lot of people who are ready to believe God but only few people to teach them Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

7879:37m6keὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς1

“There is plenty of ripe food for someone to collect”

7889:37h3a2ἐργάται1

“workers”

7899:38vz8yδεήθητε & τοῦ Κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ1

“pray to God, because he is in charge of the harvest”

79010:introm5iu0

Matthew 10 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The sending of the twelve disciples

Many verses in this chapter describe how Jesus sent the twelve disciples out. He sent them to tell his message about the kingdom of heaven. They were to tell his message only in Israel and not to share it with the Gentiles.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

The twelve disciples

The following are the lists of the twelve disciples:

In Matthew:

Simon (Peter), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.

In Mark:

Simon (Peter), Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John the son of Zebedee (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

In Luke:

Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.

Thaddaeus is probably the same person as Jude, the son of James.

“The kingdom of heaven has come near”

No one knows for sure whether the “kingdom of heaven” was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase “at hand,” but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases “is coming near” and “has come near.”

79110:1nhp20

This begins an account of Jesus sending out his twelve disciples to do his work.

79210:1gjs9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersκαὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ1

“summoned his 12 disciples” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

79310:1x1erἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν1

Be sure that the text clearly communicates that this authority was (1) to drive out unclean spirits and (2) to heal disease and sickness.

79410:1pq8kὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτὰ1

“to make the unclean spirits leave”

79510:1x29jπᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν1

“every disease and every sickness.” The words “disease” and “sickness” are closely related but should be translated as two different words if possible. “Disease” is what causes a person to be sick. “Sickness” is the physical weakness or affliction that results from having a disease.

79610:2yt7a0

Here the author provides the names of the twelve apostles as background information.

79710:2t59vrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew tells background information about the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

79810:2f1vuτῶν & δώδεκα ἀποστόλων1

This is the same group as the “twelve disciples” in Matthew 10:1.

79910:2sc7brc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalπρῶτος1

This is first in order, not in rank. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

80010:3g6egΜαθθαῖος ὁ τελώνης1

“Matthew, who was a tax collector”

80110:4n4stὁ Καναναῖος1

Possible meanings are (1) “the Zealot” is a title that shows that he was part of the group of people who wanted to free the Jewish people from Roman rule. Alternate translation: “the patriot” or “the nationalist” or (2) “the Zealot” is a description that shows that he was zealous for God to be honored. Alternate translation: “the zealous one” or “the passionate one”

80210:4kmp2ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν1

“who would betray Jesus”

80310:5sn9vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events0

Although verse 5 begins by saying that he sent out the twelve, Jesus gave these instructions before he sent them out. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

80410:5aw5h0

Here Jesus begins to give instructions to his disciples about what they should do and expect when they go to preach.

80510:5c46dτούτους τοὺς δώδεκα ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

“Jesus sent out these twelve men” or “It was these twelve men whom Jesus sent out”

80610:5yix4ἀπέστειλεν1

Jesus sent them out for a particular purpose.

80710:5ryl4παραγγείλας αὐτοῖς1

“He told them what they needed to do” or “He commanded them”

80810:6q1pbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ1

This is a metaphor comparing the entire nation of Israel to sheep who have strayed from their shepherd. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

80910:6b6i2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἴκου Ἰσραήλ1

This refers to the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “people of Israel” or “descendants of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

81010:7uff2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπορευόμενοι1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

81110:7w59irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤγγικεν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to God ruling as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use the word “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 3:2. Alternate translation: “Our God in heaven will soon show himself to be king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

81210:8e13x0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about what they should do when they go to preach.

81310:8v5sprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youθεραπεύετε & ἐγείρετε & καθαρίζετε & ἐκβάλλετε & ἐλάβετε & δότε1

These verbs and pronouns are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

81410:8bb4drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomνεκροὺς ἐγείρετε1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “cause the dead to live again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

81510:8ilj9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisδωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε1

Jesus did not state what the disciples had received or were to give. Some languages may require this information in the sentence. Here “freely” means that there was no payment. Alternate translation: “Freely you have received these things, freely give them to others” or “You received these things without paying, so give them to others without making them pay” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

81610:8ls6jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε1

Here “received” is a metaphor that represents being made able to do things, and “give” is a metaphor that represents doing things for others. Alternate translation: “Freely you have received the ability to do these things, freely do them for others” or “Freely I have made you able to do these things, freely do them for others” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

81710:9dw4irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῶν1

This refers to the twelve apostles and so is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

81810:9a4xxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyχρυσὸν, μηδὲ ἄργυρον, μηδὲ χαλκὸν1

These are metals out of which coins were made. This list is a metonym for money, so if the metals are unknown in your area, translate the list as “money.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

81910:9b4m7τὰς ζώνας1

This means “belts” or “money belts,” but it can refer to whatever might be used to carry money. A belt is a long strip of cloth or leather worn around the waist. It was often wide enough that it could be folded and used to carry money.

82010:10kia9πήραν1

This could either be any bag used to carry things on a journey, or a bag used by someone to collect food or money.

82110:10i2exδύο χιτῶνας1

Use the same word you used for “tunic” in Matthew 5:40.

82210:10ei4dὁ ἐργάτης1

worker

82310:10m97hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτῆς τροφῆς αὐτοῦ1

Here “food” refers to anything a person needs. Alternate translation: “what he needs” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

82410:11dk1r0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about what they should do when they go out to preach.

82510:11b7igεἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν πόλιν ἢ κώμην εἰσέλθητε1

“Whenever you enter a city or village” or “When you go into any city or village”

82610:11p4lnπόλιν & κώμην1

“large village … small village” or “large town … small town.” See how you translated this in Matthew 9:35.

82710:11r7kjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youεἰσέλθητε1

This is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

82810:11c3ufἄξιός1

A “worthy” person is a person who is willing to welcome the disciples.

82910:11a41drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκἀκεῖ μείνατε ἕως ἂν ἐξέλθητε1

The full meaning of the statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “stay in that persons house until you leave the town or village” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

83010:12n6cmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰσερχόμενοι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, ἀσπάσασθε αὐτήν1

The phrase “greet it” means greet the house. A common greeting in those days was “Peace be to this house!” Here “house” represents the people who live in the house. Alternate translation: “As you enter the house, greet the people who live in it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

83110:12k1xkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youεἰσερχόμενοι1

This is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

83210:13qip2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῶν & ὑμῶν1

These are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

83310:13kc9mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyμὲν ᾖ ἡ οἰκία ἀξία & μὴ ᾖ ἀξία1

Here “the house” represents those who live in the house. A “worthy” person is a person who is willing to welcome the disciples. Jesus compares this person to one who is “not worthy,” a person who does not welcome the disciples. Alternate translation: “the people who live in that house receive you well” or “the people who live in that house treat you well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

83410:13q75arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐλθάτω ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν ἐπ’ αὐτήν1

The word “it” refers to the house, which represents the people who live in the house. Alternate translation: “let them receive your peace” or “let them receive the peace that you greeted them with” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

83510:13ha8frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐὰν & μὴ ᾖ ἀξία1

The word “it” means the house. Here “house” refers to the people who live in the house. Alternate translation: “if they do not receive you well” or “if they do not treat you well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

83610:13my3yἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω1

Possible meanings are (1) if the household was not worthy, then God would hold back peace or blessings from that household or (2) if the household was not worthy, then the apostles were supposed to do something, such as asking God not to honor their greeting of peace. If your language has a similar meaning of taking back a greeting or its effects, that should be used here.

83710:14yn9k0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about what they should do when they go to preach.

83810:14m8e9καὶ ὃς ἂν μὴ δέξηται ὑμᾶς, μηδὲ ἀκούσῃ1

“If no people in that house or city will receive you or listen”

83910:14w5pyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμᾶς & ὑμῶν1

This is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

84010:14z826rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀκούσῃ τοὺς λόγους ὑμῶν1

Here “words” refers to what the disciples say. Alternate translation: “listen to your message” or “listen to what you have to say” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

84110:14hi3iπόλεως1

You should translate this the same way you did in Matthew 10:11.

84210:14i5mcrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἐκτινάξατε τὸν κονιορτὸν τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν1

“shake the dust off your feet as you leave.” This is a sign that God has rejected the people of that house or city. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

84310:15pk4fἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

84410:15d6ibἀνεκτότερον ἔσται1

“the suffering shall be less”

84510:15sg3crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyγῇ Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρων1

This refers to the people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

84610:15zmm2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ1

This refers to the people in the city that does not receive the apostles or listen to their message. Alternate translation: “the people of the city that does not receive you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

84710:16lf4i0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples. Here he begins to tell them about the persecution they will endure when they go out to preach.

84810:16ggp6ἰδοὺ, ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω1

The word “See” here adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look, I send” or “Listen, send” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you. I send”

84910:16c9biἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς1

Jesus is sending them out for a particular purpose.

85010:16b262rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων1

Sheep are defenseless animals that wolves often attack. Jesus is stating that people may harm the disciples. Alternate translation: “as sheep among people who are like dangerous wolves” or “as sheep among people who act the way dangerous animals act” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

85110:16s21arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileγίνεσθε & φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί1

Jesus is telling the disciples they must be cautious and harmless among the people. If comparing the disciples to serpents or doves is confusing, it might be better not to state the similes. Alternate translation: “act with understanding and caution, as well as with innocence and virtue” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

85210:17a55qrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrasesπροσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων; παραδώσουσιν γὰρ ὑμᾶς1

You can translate with “because” to show how these two statements relate. Alternate translation: “Watch out for people because they will” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])

85310:17csc4παραδώσουσιν & ὑμᾶς εἰς1

“will put you under the control of”

85410:17fct4συνέδρια1

local religious leaders or elders who together keep peace in the community

85510:17gs2dμαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς1

“beat you with a whip”

85610:18pe3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀχθήσεσθε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will bring you” or “they will drag you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

85710:18p74kἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ1

“because you belong to me” or “because you follow me”

85810:18u5wcαὐτοῖς καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν1

The pronoun “them” refers either to the “governors and kings” or to the Jewish accusers.

85910:19ksi40

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the persecution they will endure when they go out to preach.

86010:19e5t6ὅταν δὲ παραδῶσιν ὑμᾶς1

“When people take you to the councils.” The “people” here are the same “people” as in Matthew 10:17.

86110:19qcs3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμᾶς & ὑμῖν1

These are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

86210:19qzd2μὴ μεριμνήσητε1

“do not worry”

86310:19ien3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysπῶς ἢ τί λαλήσητε1

“how you are to speak or what you are to say.” The two ideas may be combined: “what you are to say” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])

86410:19l7rbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδοθήσεται γὰρ ὑμῖν & τί λαλήσητε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

86510:19cm7hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ1

Here “hour” means “right then.” Alternate translation: “right then” or “at that time” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

86610:20yuk1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμεῖς & ὑμῶν & ὑμῖν1

These are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

86710:20v9tmτὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν1

If necessary, this can be translated as “the Spirit of God your heavenly Father” or a footnote can be added to make it clear that this refers to God the Holy Spirit and not to the spirit of an earthly father.

86810:20k3xrrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

86910:20zxd8ἐν ὑμῖν1

“through you”

87010:21i8q50

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the persecution they will endure when they go out to preach.

87110:21p9msπαραδώσει δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον1

“One brother will deliver up his brother to death” or “Brothers will deliver up their brothers to death.” Jesus speaks of something that will happen many times.

87210:21lh6zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsπαραδώσει & ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον1

The abstract noun “death” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “hand brother over to authorties who will execute him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

87310:21p8w9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisπατὴρ τέκνον1

These words can be translated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “fathers will deliver up their children to death” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

87410:21xja9ἐπαναστήσονται & ἐπὶ1

“rebel against” or “turn against”

87510:21xf2drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveθανατώσουσιν αὐτούς1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “have them put to death” or “have the authorities execute them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

87610:22sp6prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Everyone will hate you” or “All people will hate you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

87710:22va6irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἔσεσθε1

This is plural and refers to the twelve disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

87810:22n3xnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Here “name” refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because you trust in me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

87910:22k5w9ὁ & ὑπομείνας1

“whoever stays faithful”

88010:22j71iεἰς τέλος1

It is not clear whether the “end” means when a person dies, when the persecution ends, or the end of the age when God shows himself to be king. The main point is that they endure as long as necessary.

88110:22qn7jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὗτος σωθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will deliver that person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

88210:23m42zἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ1

Here “this” does not refer to a specific city. Alternate translation: “in one city”

88310:23jjd4φεύγετε εἰς τὴν ἑτέραν1

“flee to the next city”

88410:23gk1sἀμὴν & λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

88510:23dk4urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personΥἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

88610:23tm8zἔλθῃ1

“arrives”

88710:24uv9r0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the persecution they will endure when they go out to preach.

88810:24p8mrrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsοὐκ ἔστιν μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ τὸν διδάσκαλον, οὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ1

Jesus is using a proverb to teach his disciples a general truth. Jesus is emphasizing that the disciples should not expect people to treat them any better than the people treat Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

88910:24syb2οὐκ ἔστιν μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ τὸν διδάσκαλον1

“A disciple is always less important than his teacher” or “A teacher is always more important than his disciple”

89010:24nc3eοὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ1

“and a servant is always less important than his master” or “and a master is always more important than his servant”

89110:25e2aeἀρκετὸν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ1

“The disciple should be satisfied to become like his teacher”

89210:25t7jprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitγένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ1

If necessary, you can make explicit how the disciple becomes like the teacher. Alternate translation: “know as much as his teacher knows” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

89310:25e6z3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ1

If necessary, you can make explicit how the servant becomes like the master. Alternate translation: “the servant should be satisfied to become only as important as his master” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

89410:25u355εἰ & ἐπεκάλεσαν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ1

Again Jesus is emphasizing that since people have mistreated him, his disciples should expect people to treat them the same or worse.

89510:25bg2lπόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ1

“the names that they call the members of his household will certainly be much worse” or “they will certainly call the members of his household much worse names”

89610:25cp96εἰ & ἐπεκάλεσαν1

“Since people have called”

89710:25pu5yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν οἰκοδεσπότην1

Jesus is using this as a metaphor for himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

89810:25y5mdΒεελζεβοὺλ1

This name can either be (1) transcribed directly as “Beelzebul” or (2) translated with its original, intended meaning of “Satan.”

89910:25r5llrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ1

This is a metaphor for Jesus disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

90010:26zb2j0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the persecution they will endure when they go out to preach.

90110:26twv2μὴ & φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς1

Here “them” refers to the people who mistreat followers of Jesus.

90210:26xqs4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐδὲν & ἐστιν κεκαλυμμένον ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται1

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Being concealed or hidden represents being kept secret, and being revealed represents being made known. Jesus is emphasizing that God will make all things known. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will reveal the things that people hide” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

90310:27fa1src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὃ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, εἴπατε ἐν τῷ φωτί; καὶ ὃ εἰς τὸ οὖς ἀκούετε, κηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων1

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Jesus is emphasizing that the disciples should tell everyone what he tells the disciples in private. Alternate translation: “Tell people in the daylight what I tell you in the darkness, and proclaim upon the housetops what you hear softly in your ear” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

90410:27kw75rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὃ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, εἴπατε ἐν τῷ φωτί1

Here “darkness” is a metonym for “night” which is a metonym for “private.” Here “daylight” is a metonym for “public.” Alternate translation: “What I tell you privately at night, say in public in the day light” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

90510:27fc49rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὃ εἰς τὸ οὖς ἀκούετε1

This is a way of referring to whispering. Alternate translation: “what I whisper to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

90610:27t9u9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων1

Housetops where Jesus lived were flat, and people far away could hear anyone speaking with a loud voice. Here “housetops” refers to any place where all people can hear. Alternate translation: “speak loudly in a public place for all to hear” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

90710:28s6wq0

Here Jesus also begins to give reasons why his disciples should not be afraid of the persecution they might experience.

90810:28p3fn0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the persecution they will endure when they go to preach.

90910:28fb29rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguishκαὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν μὴ δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι1

This is not distinguishing between people who cannot kill the soul and people who can kill the soul. No person can kill the soul. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid of people. They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])

91010:28lc56τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα1

This means to cause physical death. If these words are awkward, they can be translated as “kill you” or “kill other people.”

91110:28ei7yτὸ σῶμα1

the part of a person that can be touched, as opposed to the soul or spirit

91210:28e4deτὴν & ψυχὴν & ἀποκτεῖναι1

This means to harm people after they have physically died.

91310:28e76nτὴν & ψυχὴν1

the part of a person that cannot be touched and that lives on after the physical body dies

91410:28pk7krc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrasesφοβεῖσθε & τὸν δυνάμενον1

You can add “because” to clarify why people should fear God. Alternate translation: “fear God because he is able” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])

91510:29tm3src://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsοὐχὶ δύο στρουθία ἀσσαρίου πωλεῖται?1

Jesus states this proverb as a question to teach his disciples. Alternate translation: “Think about the sparrows. They have so little value that you can buy two of them for only one small coin.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

91610:29q22lrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownστρουθία1

These are very small, seed-eating birds. Alternate translation: “small birds” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

91710:29i399ἀσσαρίου1

This is often translated as the least valuable coin available in your country. It refers to a copper coin worth about one-sixteenth of a days wage for a laborer. Alternate translation: “very little money”

91810:29wxt4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ πεσεῖται ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἄνευ τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν1

This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “your Father knows when even one sparrow dies and falls to the ground” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

91910:29fe8zrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

92010:30cih3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑμῶν & καὶ αἱ τρίχες τῆς κεφαλῆς πᾶσαι ἠριθμημέναι εἰσίν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God knows even how many hairs are on your head” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

92110:30nb7bἠριθμημέναι1

“counted”

92210:31n2tzπολλῶν στρουθίων διαφέρετε ὑμεῖς1

“God values you more than many sparrows”

92310:32jtw90

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the reasons why they should not be afraid of the persecution that they might experience.

92410:32ntt9πᾶς & ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ & κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου1

“whoever confesses me … I will also confess before my Father” or “if anyone confesses me … I will also confess him before my Father”

92510:32yj44ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

“tells others that he is my disciple” or “acknowledges before other people that he is loyal to me”

92610:32j4dhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς1

You can make explicit the information that is understood. Alternate translation: “I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven that that person belongs to me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

92710:32kdd2τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς1

“my heavenly Father”

92810:32n1nbrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

92910:33sx8gὅστις & ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με & ἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου1

“whoever denies me … I will also deny before my Father” or “if anyone denies me … I will also deny him before my Father”

93010:33d15sἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

“denies to other people that he is loyal to me” or “refuses to acknowledge to others that he is my disciple”

93110:33cnu3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς1

You can make explicit the information that is understood. Alternate translation: “I will deny before my Father who is in heaven that this person belongs to me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

93210:34bx730

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the reasons why they should not be afraid of the persecution that they might experience.

93310:34rrp3μὴ νομίσητε1

“Do not suppose” or “You must not think”

93410:34l5adrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπὶ τὴν γῆν1

This refers to the people who live on the earth. Alternate translation: “to the people of the earth” or “to people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

93510:34jq6drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyμάχαιραν1

This refers to division, fighting, and killing among people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

93610:35xx5mδιχάσαι ἄνθρωπον κατὰ1

“to cause … to fight against”

93710:35k18yἄνθρωπον κατὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ1

“a son against his father”

93810:36lhc2καὶ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου1

“A persons enemies” or “A persons worst enemies”

93910:36g166οἱ οἰκιακοὶ αὐτοῦ1

“members of his own family”

94010:37ju1k0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the reasons why they should not be afraid of the persecution that they might experience.

94110:37x1xgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsὁ φιλῶν & οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος1

Here “he” means any person in general. Alternate translation: “Those who love … are not worthy” or “If you love … you are not worthy” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])

94210:37az6tὁ φιλῶν1

The word for “love” here refers to “brotherly love” or “love from a friend.” Alternate translation: “cares for” or “is devoted to” or “is fond of”

94310:37fb3pμου ἄξιος1

“deserve to belong to me” or “worthy to be my disciple”

94410:38ye95rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyλαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου1

“carry his cross and follow me.” The cross represents suffering and death. Taking up the cross represents being willing to suffer and die. Alternate translation: “obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

94510:38ai2rλαμβάνει1

“take up” or “pick up and carry”

94610:39u4jhrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsὁ εὑρὼν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολέσει αὐτήν; καὶ ὁ ἀπολέσας & εὑρήσει αὐτήν1

Jesus uses a proverb to teach his disciples. This should be translated with as few words as possible. Alternate translation: “Those who find their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives … will find them” or “If you find your life you will lose it. But if you lose your life … you will find it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

94710:39jwf2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ εὑρὼν1

This is a metaphor for “keeps” or “saves.” Alternate translation: “tries to keep” or “tries to save” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

94810:39pbf3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀπολέσει αὐτήν1

This does not mean the person will die. It is a metaphor that means the person will not experience spiritual life with God. Alternate translation: “will not have true life” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

94910:39i3x4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ἀπολέσας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ1

This does not mean to die. It is a metaphor that means a person considers obeying Jesus more important than his own life. Alternate translation: “who denies himself” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

95010:39hz7rἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ1

“because he trusts me” or “on my account” or “because of me.” This is the same idea as “for my sake” in Matthew 10:18.

95110:39g2c8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεὑρήσει αὐτήν1

This metaphor means the person will experience spiritual life with God. Alternate translation: “will find true life” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

95210:40u2wq0

Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the reasons why they should not be afraid of the persecution that they might experience.

95310:40asg3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsὁ δεχόμενος1

The word “He” refers to anyone in general. Alternate translation: “Whoever” or “Anyone who” or “The one who” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])

95410:40c77eὁ δεχόμενος1

This means to receive someone as a guest.

95510:40ir49rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμᾶς1

This is plural and refers to the twelve apostles to whom Jesus is speaking. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

95610:40pf1jὁ δεχόμενος ὑμᾶς ἐμὲ δέχεται1

Jesus means that when someone welcomes you, it is like welcoming him. Alternate translation: “When someone welcomes you, it is like he is welcoming me” or “If someone welcomes you, it is as if he were welcoming me”

95710:40y9ckὁ ἐμὲ δεχόμενος δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με1

This means that when someone welcomes Jesus, it is like welcoming God. Alternate translation: “When someone welcomes me, it is like he is welcoming God the Father who sent me” or “If someone welcomes me, it is as if he were welcoming God the Father who sent me”

95810:41g43dεἰς ὄνομα προφήτου1

Here “he” does not refer to the person who is welcoming. It refers to the person being welcomed.

95910:41yj1qμισθὸν προφήτου1

This refers to the reward that God gives the prophet, not to the reward that a prophet gives to another person.

96010:41gjf3εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου1

Here “he” does not refer to the person who is welcoming. It refers to the person being welcomed.

96110:41qfv7μισθὸν δικαίου1

This refers to the reward God gives to a righteous person, not a reward that a righteous person gives to another person.

96210:42wx4a0

Jesus finishes instructing his disciples about what they should do and expect when they go to preach.

96310:42v6jgκαὶ ὃς ἐὰν ποτίσῃ1

“Anyone who gives”

96410:42z8tkἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων1

“one of these lowly ones” or “the least important of these.” The phrase “one of these” here refers to one of Jesus disciples.

96510:42lza6εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ1

“because he is my disciple.” Here “he” does not refer to the one giving but to the unimportant one.

96610:42wx29ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

96710:42y1ieοὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ1

Here “he” and “his” refer to the one who is giving.

96810:42d61lοὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ1

“God will not deny him.” This has nothing to do with having a possession taken away. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “God will certainly give him”

96911:intropuf40

Matthew 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the quoted material in 11:10.

Some scholars believe that Matthew 11:20 begins a new stage in the ministry of Christ because of Israels rejection of him.

Special concepts in this chapter

Hidden revelation

After Matthew 11:20, Jesus begins to reveal information about himself and about the plans of God the Father, while hiding this information from those who reject him (Matthew 11:25).

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“The kingdom of heaven is near”

No one knows for sure whether the “kingdom of heaven” was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase “at hand,” but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases “is coming near” and “has come near.”

97011:1z2y7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Matthew tells of how Jesus responded to disciples of John the Baptist. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])

97111:1dr3uκαὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε1

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “Then” or “After”

97211:1ki7fἐτέλεσεν & διατάσσων1

“had finished teaching” or “had finished commanding.”

97311:1m6h5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersτοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ1

This refers to the twelve chosen apostles of Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

97411:1ju1qἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν1

Here “their” refers to all the Jews in general.

97511:2n2dcδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

97611:2f3j7ὁ & Ἰωάννης, ἀκούσας ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ1

“When John, who was in prison, heard about” or “When someone told John, who was in prison, about.” Even though Matthew has not yet told the readers that King Herod put John the Baptist in jail, the original audience would have been familiar with the story and understood the implicit information here. Matthew will give more information later about John the Baptist, so it is probably best not to make it explicit here.

97711:2xre1πέμψας διὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ1

John the Baptist sent his own disciples with a message to Jesus.

97811:3w2imεἶπεν αὐτῷ1

The pronoun “him” refers to Jesus.

97911:3q89tσὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος1

“Are you the one whom we are expecting to come.” This is another way to refer to the Messiah or Christ.

98011:3hrk5ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν?1

“should we be expecting someone else.” The pronoun “we” refers to all Jews, not only Johns disciples.

98111:4a66rἀπαγγείλατε Ἰωάννῃ1

“tell John”

98211:5sd6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveλεπροὶ καθαρίζονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I am healing lepers” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

98311:5v274rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveνεκροὶ ἐγείρονται1

Here to raise up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “people who have died are being caused to live again” or “I am causing those who have died to become alive again” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

98411:5g3k4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I am preaching good news to the poor” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

98511:5l443rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjπτωχοὶ1

This nominalized adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “poor people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

98611:7g2q80

Jesus begins to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

98711:7ysq6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί ἐξήλθατε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον θεάσασθαι? κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον?1

Jesus uses a question to cause the people to think about what kind of person John the Baptist is. Alternate translation: “Surely you did not go out to the desert to see a reed … wind!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

98811:7pc6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον1

Possible meanings are (1) Jesus mean the literal plants by the Jordan River or (2) Jesus is using a metaphor to mean a kind of person. Alternate translation: “a man who easily changes his mind and is like a reed blowing back and forth in the wind” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

98911:7w269rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “swaying in the wind” or “blowing in the wind” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

99011:8n5hxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν? ἄνθρωπον ἐν μαλακοῖς ἠμφιεσμένον?1

Jesus uses a question to cause the people to think about what kind of person John the Baptist is. Alternate translation: And, surely you did not go out to the desert to see a man … clothing!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

99111:8y24rἐν μαλακοῖς ἠμφιεσμένον1

“wearing expensive clothing.” Rich people wore this kind of clothing.

99211:8tmb9ἰδοὺ1

This word adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Indeed”

99311:8v9k2τοῖς οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων1

“kings palaces”

99411:9cgm40

In verse 10, Jesus quotes the prophet Malachi to show that the life and ministry of John the Baptist fulfilled prophecy.

99511:9w9su0

Jesus continues to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

99611:9gm97rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε? προφήτην ἰδεῖν1

Jesus uses a question to make the people think about what kind of man John the Baptist is. Alternate translation: “But surely you went out to the desert to see a prophet!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

99711:9nkd4ναί, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I say to you yes,”

99811:9fb75rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisπερισσότερον προφήτου1

This can be translated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “he is not an ordinary prophet” or “he is more important than a normal prophet” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

99911:10de17rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This is what the prophet Malachi wrote long ago about John the Baptist” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

100011:10ql5hἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου1

The pronouns “I” and “my” refer to God. Malachi is quoting what God said.

100111:10fi5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπρὸ προσώπου σου1

Here “your” is singular, because God was speaking to the Messiah in the quotation. Also, “face” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “in front of you” or “to go ahead of you” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

100211:10kva7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου1

This is a metaphor that means the messenger will prepare the people to receive the Messiahs message. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

100311:11c7pp0

Jesus continues to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

100411:11j7gwἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

100511:11z5yqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν1

Even though Adam was not born of a women, this is a way of referring to all humans. Alternate translation: “out of all people who have ever lived” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

100611:11q2kpμείζων Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ1

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “John the Baptist is the greatest” or “John the Baptist is the most important”

100711:11cag4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ & μικρότερος ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, try to keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “the least important person under the rule of our God in heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

100811:11p5irμείζων αὐτοῦ ἐστιν1

“is more important than John is”

100911:12mb4vἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ1

“From the time John began preaching his message.” The word “days” probably refers here to a period of months or even years.

101011:12inr2ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν1

There are various possible interpretations of this verse. The UST assumes that it means that some people want to use Gods kingdom for their own selfish purposes, and that they are willing to use force against other people to accomplish this. Other versions assume a positive interpretation, that the call to enter the kingdom of God has become so urgent, that people must act in an extreme manner in order to answer that call and to resist the temptation to sin further. A third interpretation is that violent people are harming Gods people and trying to stop God from ruling.

101111:13v3el0

Jesus continues to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

101211:13g1i6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπάντες & οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν1

Here “prophets and the law” refer to the things that the prophets and Moses wrote in scripture. Alternate translation: “for these are the things that the prophets and Moses have prophesied through the scriptures until the time of John the Baptist” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

101311:14yg2frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youεἰ θέλετε1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the crowd. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

101411:14e68uαὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλείας, ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι1

The word “he” refers to John the Baptist. This does not mean John the Baptist is literally Elijah. Jesus means John the Baptist fulfills the prophecy about “Elijah, who is to come” or the next Elijah. Alternate translation: “when the prophet Malachi said that Elijah would return, he was speaking about John the Baptist”

101511:15z97xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν, ἀκουέτω1

Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase “ears to hear” here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. Alternate translation: “Let the one who is willing to listen, listen” or “The one who is willing to understand, let him understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

101611:15w4ccrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ἔχων & ἀκουέτω1

Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

101711:16q1s50

Jesus continues to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

101811:16mp8grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην?1

Jesus uses a question to introduce a comparison between the people of that day and what children might say in the marketplace. Alternate translation: “This is what this generation is like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

101911:16yat1τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην1

“the people living now” or “these people” or “you people of this generation”

102011:16l7kmταῖς ἀγοραῖς1

a large, open-air area where people buy and sell items

102111:17wn370

Jesus continues the parable that begins with the words “It is like” in verse 16.

102211:17ai4erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesλέγουσιν & καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε1

Jesus uses a parable to describe the people who were alive at that time. He compares them to a group of children who are trying to get the other children to play with them. However, no matter way they do, the other children will not join them. Jesus means that it does not matter if God sends someone like John the Baptist, who lives in the desert and fasts, or someone like Jesus, who celebrates with sinners and does not fast. The people, most specifically the Pharisees and religious leaders, still remain stubborn and refuse to accept Gods truth. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

102311:17d916rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν1

“We” refers to the children sitting in the marketplace. Here “you” is plural and refers to the other group of children. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

102411:17j5jdκαὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε1

“but you did not dance to the happy music”

102511:17t723rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐθρηνήσαμεν1

This means they sang sad songs like women did at funerals. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

102611:17f87lκαὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε1

“but you did not cry with us”

102711:18svc90

Jesus concludes talking to the crowds about John the Baptist.

102811:18qe7yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheμήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων1

Here “bread” refers to food. It does not mean that John never ate food. It means he fasted often, and when he ate, he did not eat good, expensive food. Alternate translation: “frequently fasting and not drinking alcohol” or “not eating fancy food and not drinking wine” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

102911:18p4qlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsλέγουσιν, δαιμόνιον ἔχει.1

This can be translated as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “they say that he has a demon” or “they accuse him of having a demon” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

103011:18kd4qλέγουσιν1

All occurrences of “they” refer to the people of that generation, and most specifically to the Pharisees and religious leaders.

103111:19iwk8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personἦλθεν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of Man, came” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

103211:19gs6zἦλθεν & ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων1

This is the opposite of Johns behavior. This means more than just consuming the normal amount of food and drink. It means Jesus celebrated and enjoyed good food and drink like other people did.

103311:19x4ecrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsλέγουσιν, ἰδοὺ, ἄνθρωπος, φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης & ἁμαρτωλῶν!1

This can be translated as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “they say that he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard … sinners.” or “they accuse him of eating and drinking too much and of being … sinners.” If you translated “The Son of Man” as “I, the Son of man,” you can state this as an indirect statement and use the first person. Alternate translation: “they say that I am a gluttonous man and a drunkard … sinners.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

103411:19d6guἄνθρωπος, φάγος1

“he is a greedy eater” or “he continually eats too much food”

103511:19pv4nοἰνοπότης1

“a drunk” or “he continually drinks too much alcohol”

103611:19vwk4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsκαὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς1

This is a proverb that Jesus applies to this situation, because the people who rejected both him and John were not being wise. Jesus and John the Baptist are the wise ones, and the results of their deeds prove it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

103711:19dz3crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς1

Here “wisdom” is described as a woman who is proven to be right by what she does. Jesus means that the results of a wise persons actions prove that he is truly wise. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the results of a wise persons deeds prove that he is wise” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

103811:20bwq80

Jesus begins to rebuke the people of the cities where he previously did miracles.

103911:20w4g8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὀνειδίζειν τὰς πόλεις1

Here “the cities” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “rebuke the people of the cities” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

104011:20fxs4πόλεις1

“towns”

104111:20t51arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐν αἷς ἐγένοντο αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “in which he did most of his mighty deeds” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

104211:20wh1gαἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ1

“mighty works” or “works of power” or “miracles”

104311:21xxb3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheοὐαί σοι, Χοραζείν! οὐαί σοι, Βηθσαϊδάν!1

Jesus speaks as if the people of the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida were there listening to him, but they were not. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])

104411:21tv81rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youοὐαί σοι1

“How terrible it will be for you.” Here “you” is singular and refers to the city. If it is more natural to refer to the people instead of a city, you could translate with a plural “you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

104511:21y9d3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyΧοραζείν & Βηθσαϊδάν & Τύρῳ & Σιδῶνι1

The names of these cities are used as metonyms for the people living in these cities. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

104611:21lh46rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypoεἰ & αἱ δυνάμεις & ἂν ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ1

Jesus is describing a hypothetical situation that could have happened in the past, but it did not. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])

104711:21tm59rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν1

This can be translated with active forms. Alternate translation: “If I had done the mighty deeds among the people of Tyre and Sidon that I have done among you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

104811:21k3inrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youαἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν1

Here the “you” is plural and refers to Chorazin and Bethsaida. If it is more natural for your language, you could use a dual “you” to refer to the two cities, or a plural “you” to refer to the people of the cities. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

104911:21bqi8πάλαι & μετενόησαν1

The pronoun “they” refers to the people of Tyre and Sidon.

105011:21qx9mμετενόησαν1

“would have shown they were sorry for their sins”

105111:22mr18rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyΤύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ ὑμῖν1

Here “Tyre and Sidon” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than to you” or “God will punish you more severely at the day of judgment than the people of Tyre and Sidon” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

105211:22ab14rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἢ ὑμῖν1

Here the “you” is plural and refers to Chorazin and Bethsaida. If it is more natural for your language, you could use a dual “you” to refer to the two cities, or a plural “you” to refer to the people of the cities. The implied information can be made explicit. AT “than for you, because you did not repent and believe in me, even though you saw me do miracles” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

105311:23udw10

Jesus continues to rebuke the people of the cities where he previously did miracles.

105411:23vpz6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheσύ, Καφαρναούμ1

Jesus now speaks to the people in the city of Capernaum as if they were listening to him, but they were not. The pronoun “you” is singular and refers to Capernaum throughout these two verses. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])

105511:23h8avrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youσύ1

All occurrences of “you” are singular. If it is more natural to refer to the people of the city, you could translate with a plural “you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

105611:23fj7drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyΚαφαρναούμ & Σοδόμοις1

The names of these cities refer to the people living in Capernaum and in Sodom. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

105711:23aa7trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionμὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ?1

“do you think you will be raised up to heaven?” Jesus uses a rhetorical question to rebuke the people of Capernaum for their pride. It can be stated in active form: Alternate translation: “you cannot raise yourself up to heaven!” or “the praise of other people will not raise you up to heaven!” or “God will not bring you up to heaven like you think he will!” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

105811:23d54drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἕως ᾍδου καταβήσῃ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will send you down to Hades” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

105911:23vk57rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypoὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις & ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον1

Jesus is describing a hypothetical situation that could have happened in the past, but it did not. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])

106011:23z279rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “if I had done the mighty deeds among the people of Sodom that I have done among you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

106111:23e2t7δυνάμεις1

“mighty works” or “works of power” or “miracles”

106211:23yih1ἔμεινεν1

The pronoun “it” refers to the city of Sodom.

106311:24y1e3λέγω ὑμῖν1

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

106411:24e3parc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyγῇ Σοδόμων ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ σοί1

Here “land of Sodom” refer to the people who lived there. Alternate translation: “God will show more mercy to the people of Sodom in the day of judgment than to you” or “God will punish you more severely in the day of judgment than the people of Sodom” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

106511:24yk3zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἢ σοί1

The implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “than for you, because you did not repent and believe in me, even though you saw me do miracles” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

106611:25f57a0

In verses 25 and 26, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father while still in the presence of the crowd. In verse 27, he begins to address the people again.

106711:25h5x4rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠάτερ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

106811:25u9cyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismΚύριε τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς1

“Lord who rules over heaven and earth.” The phrase “heaven and earth” is a merism that refers to all people and things in the universe. Alternate translation: “Lord who rules over the whole universe” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

106911:25p1glἔκρυψας ταῦτα & καὶ ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ1

It is not clear what is meant by “these things.” If your language needs to specify what is meant, an alternative translation might be best. Alternate translation: “you concealed these truths … and revealed them”

107011:25lk8fἔκρυψας ταῦτα ἀπὸ1

“you hid these things from” or “you have not made these things known to.” This verb is the opposite of “revealed.”

107111:25qw5crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν1

These nominal adjectives can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “from people who are wise and understanding” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

107211:25las9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyσοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν1

Jesus is using irony. He does not think these people are really wise. Alternate translation: “people who think they are wise and understanding” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

107311:25uwu5ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ1

“made them known.” The pronoun “them” refers to “these things” earlier in this verse.

107411:25b6w5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorνηπίοις1

Jesus compares ignorant people to little children. Jesus is emphasizing that many of those who believe him either are not well educated or do not think of themselves as wise. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

107511:26qp7trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὅτι οὕτως εὐδοκία ἐγένετο ἔμπροσθέν σου1

The phrase “in your sight” is a metonym that stands for how a person considers something. Alternate translation: “for you considered it good to do this” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

107611:27yk5wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπάντα μοι παρεδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατρός μου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “My Father has entrusted all things to me” or “My Father has given everything over to me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

107711:27gd67πάντα1

Possible meanings are (1) God the Father has revealed everything about himself and his kingdom to Jesus or (2) God has given all authority to Jesus.

107811:27j3vkrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

107911:27s1asοὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει τὸν Υἱὸν, εἰ μὴ ὁ Πατήρ1

“only the Father knows the Son”

108011:27rt5bοὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει1

The word “knows” here means more than just being acquainted with someone. It means knowing somoene intimately because of having a special relationship with him.

108111:27esp4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτὸν Υἱὸν1

Jesus was referring to himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

108211:27l8xerc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Υἱὸν1

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

108311:27w6yqοὐδὲ τὸν Πατέρα τις ἐπιγινώσκει, εἰ μὴ ὁ Υἱὸς1

“only the Son knows the Father”

108411:28q9x10

Jesus finishes speaking to the crowd.

108511:28x978rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπάντες1

All occurrences of “you” are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

108611:28t2jjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι1

Jesus speaks of people being discouraged in their attempts to obey all the laws as if those laws were heavy burdens and the people were laboring to carry them. Alternate translation: “who are discouraged from trying so hard” or “Who are discouraged from trying so hard to obey the laws perfectly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

108711:28f1w4κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς1

“I will allow you to rest from your labor and burden”

108811:29q1yarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς1

Jesus continues the metaphor. Jesus is inviting the people to become his disciples and follow him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

108911:29t1rhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletπραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ1

Here “meek” and “lowly in heart” mean basically the same thing. Jesus combines them to emphasize that he will be much kinder than the religious leaders. Alternate translation: “I am gentle and humble” or “I am very gentle” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

109011:29i3qsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ1

Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons inner being. The phrase “lowly in heart” is an idiom that means “humble.” Alternate translation: “humble” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

109111:29i3lsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheεὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν1

Here “soul” refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “you will find rest for yourselves” or “you will be able to rest” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

109211:30ynf1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν1

Both of these phrases mean the same thing. Jesus is emphasizing that it is easier to obey him than it is the Jewish law. Alternate translation: “For what I place on you, you will be able to carry because it is light” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

109311:30tc2gτὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν1

The word “light” here is the opposite of heavy, not the opposite of dark.

109412:introy7z60

Matthew 12 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 12:18-21, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

The Sabbath

This chapter has much to say about how Gods people are to obey the Sabbath. Jesus said that the rules that the Pharisees made up did not help people obey the Sabbath the way God wanted them to. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]])

“Blasphemy against the Spirit”

No one knows for sure what actions people perform or what words they say when they commit this sin. However, they probably insult the Holy Spirit and his work. Part of the Holy Spirits work is to make people understand that they are sinners and that they need to have God forgive them. Therefore, anyone who does not try to stop sinning is probably committing blasphemy against the Spirit. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/blasphemy]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Brothers and sisters

Most people call those who have the same parents “brother” and “sister” and think of them as the most important people in their lives. Many people also call those with the same grandparents “brother” and “sister.” In this chapter Jesus says that the most important people to him are those who obey his Father in heaven. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/brother]])

109512:1u1f20

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Matthew tells of growing opposition to Jesus ministry. Here, the Pharisees criticize his disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath.

109612:1m2n1ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ1

This marks a new part of the story. Alternate translation: “A little later”

109712:1tvt9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownτῶν σπορίμων1

a place to plant grain. If wheat is unknown and “grain” is too general, then you can use “fields of the plant they made bread from.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

109812:1yrf8τίλλειν στάχυας καὶ ἐσθίειν1

Picking grain in others fields and eating it was not considered stealing. The question was whether one could do this otherwise lawful activity on the Sabbath.

109912:1zz4rτίλλειν στάχυας καὶ ἐσθίειν1

“to pick some of the wheat and eat it” or “to pick some of the grain and eat it”

110012:1y5vrστάχυας1

This is the topmost part of the wheat plant. It holds the mature grain or seeds of the plant.

110112:2swl7ποιοῦσιν ὃ οὐκ ἔξεστιν ποιεῖν ἐν Σαββάτῳ1

Picking grain in others fields and eating it was not considered stealing. The question was whether one could do this otherwise lawful activity on the Sabbath.

110212:2mch7οἱ & Φαρισαῖοι1

This does not mean all of the Pharisees. Alternate translation: “some Pharisees”

110312:2nh12ἰδοὺ, οἱ μαθηταί σου1

“Look, your disciples.” The Pharisees use this word to draw attention to what the disciples are doing.

110412:3mzn10

Jesus responds to the Pharisees criticism.

110512:3et11αὐτοῖς1

“to the Pharisees”

110612:3d712rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἀνέγνωτε & μετ’ αὐτοῦ?1

Jesus uses a question to respond to the criticism of the Pharisees. Jesus is challenging them to think about the meaning of the scriptures they have read. Alternate translation: “I know you have read about … with him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

110712:4blm5τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

During the time of David there was no temple yet. Alternate translation: “the tabernacle” or “the place for worshiping God”

110812:4ue7lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοὺς ἄρτους τῆς Προθέσεως1

This is sacred bread that priests placed before God in the tabernacle. Alternate translation: “bread that the priest placed before God” or “the sacred bread” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

110912:4c6a8τοῖς μετ’ αὐτοῦ1

“the men who were with David”

111012:4lkx9εἰ μὴ τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν μόνοις1

“but, according to the law, only the priest could eat it”

111112:5tjh30

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

111212:5f79qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ, ὅτι & ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν?1

Jesus uses a question to respond to the criticism of the Pharisees. Jesus is challenging them to think about the meaning of what they have read in the scriptures. Alternate translation: “Surely you have read in the law of Moses that … but are guiltless.” or “You should know that the law teaches that … but are guiltless.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

111312:5dqe9τὸ Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν1

“do on the Sabbath what they would do on any other day”

111412:5i6y9ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν1

“God will not punish them” or “God does not consider them guilty”

111512:6ji7aλέγω & ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

111612:6k4mnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτοῦ ἱεροῦ μεῖζόν ἐστιν1

“someone who is more important than the temple.” Jesus was referring to himself as the one greater. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

111712:7rh530

In verse 7, Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea to rebuke the Pharisees.

111812:7vye20

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

111912:7ypj7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε τί ἐστιν, ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν, οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε τοὺς ἀναιτίους1

Here Jesus quotes scripture. Alternate translation: “The prophet Hosea wrote this long ago: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. If you had understood what this meant, you would not have condemned the guiltless” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

112012:7e1juἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν1

In the law of Moses, God did command the Israelites to offer sacrifices. This means God considers mercy more important than the sacrifices.

112112:7jw57θέλω1

The pronoun “I” refers to God.

112212:7s23lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς ἀναιτίους1

This can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “those who are not guilty” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

112312:8l7g3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

112412:8jx98Κύριος & ἐστιν τοῦ Σαββάτου1

“rules over the Sabbath” or “makes the laws about what people can do on the Sabbath”

112512:9i4890

Here the scene shifts to a later time when the Pharisees criticize Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath.

112612:9hns8καὶ μεταβὰς ἐκεῖθεν1

“Jesus left the grainfields” or “Then Jesus left”

112712:9y4meτὴν συναγωγὴν αὐτῶν1

Possible meanings are (1) the word “their” refers to the Jews of that town. Alternate translation: “the synogogue” or (2) the word “their” refers to the Pharisees that Jesus had just spoken to, and this was the synagogue that they and other Jews in that town attended. The word “their” does not mean that the Pharisees owned the synagogue. Alternate translation: “the synagogue that they attended”

112812:10kjf6ἰδοὺ1

The word “Behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

112912:10xb13ἄνθρωπος χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν1

“a man who had a paralyzed hand” or “a man with a crippled hand”

113012:10t948καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες, εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς Σάββασιν θεραπεύειν? ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ1

“The Pharisees wanted to accuse Jesus of sinning, so they asked him, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’”

113112:10gdj6εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς Σάββασιν θεραπεύειν?1

“According to the law of Moses, may a person heal another person on the Sabbath”

113212:10c1ccrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ1

They did not just want to accuse Jesus in front of the people. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to give an answer that contradicted the law of Moses so they could take him before a judge and legally charge him with breaking the law. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

113312:11g98l0

Jesus responds to the Pharisees criticism.

113412:11ng4jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ἔσται ἐξ ὑμῶν ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἕξει πρόβατον ἕν & οὐχὶ κρατήσει αὐτὸ καὶ ἐγερεῖ?1

Jesus uses a question to respond to the Pharisees. He is challenging them to think about what kind of work they do on the Sabbath. Alternate translation: “Every one of you, if you only had one sheep … would grab the sheep and lift it out.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

113512:12s2tuπόσῳ οὖν διαφέρει ἄνθρωπος προβάτου?1

The phrase “how much more” adds emphasis to the statement. Alternate translation: “Obviously, a man is much more valuable than a sheep!” or “Just think about how much more important a man is than a sheep”

113612:12a9ldἔξεστιν τοῖς Σάββασιν καλῶς ποιεῖν1

“those who do good on the Sabbath are obeying the law”

113712:13be8urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsτότε λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ἔκτεινόν σου τὴν χεῖρα.1

This can be translated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus commanded the man to stretch out his hand” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

113812:13ljl6τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ1

“to the man with the paralyzed hand” or “to the man with the crippled hand”

113912:13fm9rἔκτεινόν σου τὴν χεῖρα1

“Hold out your hand” or “Extend your hand”

114012:13s5epἐξέτεινεν1

“The man stretched”

114112:13jry3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀπεκατεστάθη, ὑγιὴς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “it was healthy again” or “it became well again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

114212:14w4zlσυμβούλιον ἔλαβον κατ’ αὐτοῦ1

“planned to harm Jesus”

114312:14jdn2ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν1

“were discussing how they might kill Jesus”

114412:15d4lk0

This account explains how the actions of Jesus fulfilled one of the prophecies of Isaiah.

114512:15d5l9ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς γνοὺς, ἀνεχώρησεν1

“Jesus was aware of what the Pharisees were planning, so he”

114612:15hw22ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν1

“departed from” or “left”

114712:16bk1nμὴ φανερὸν αὐτὸν ποιήσωσιν1

“not to tell anyone else about him”

114812:17dc7zἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν1

The phrase “that it might come true” can be translated as the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: “This was to fulfill what”

114912:17mcd7τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God had said long ago through the prophet Isaiah”

115012:18zkt70

Here Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus ministry fulfilled scripture.

115112:18f5kzἰδοὺ1

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

115212:18fjw6μου & ᾑρέτισα & θήσω1

All occurrences of these words refer to God. Isaiah is quoting what God said to him.

115312:18yv4fὁ ἀγαπητός μου εἰς ὃν εὐδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου1

“he is my beloved one, and I am very pleased with him”

115412:18s6a4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheεἰς ὃν εὐδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου1

Here “soul” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “with whom I am very pleased” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

115512:18jh8prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπαγγελεῖ1

The means that Gods servant will tell the Gentiles that there will be justice. It can be stated clearly that God is the one who will bring about justice, and the abstract noun “justice” can be expressed as “what is right.” Alternate translation: “he will announce to the nations that God will do for them what is right” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

115612:19me7p0

Matthew continues to quote the prophet Isaiah.

115712:19hb2mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐδὲ ἀκούσει τις & τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ1

Here people not hearing his voice represents him not speaking loudly. Alternate translation: “he will not speak loudly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

115812:19gj1pοὐκ ἐρίσει & αὐτοῦ1

All occurrences of these words refer to Gods chosen servant.

115912:19jr87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ταῖς πλατείαις1

This is an idiom that means “publicly.” Alternate translation: “in the cities and towns” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

116012:20ii4cοὐ κατεάξει1

All occurrences of “he” refer to Gods chosen servant.

116112:20cdk2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismκάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ κατεάξει, καὶ λίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει1

Both of these statements mean the same thing. They are metaphors emphasizing that Gods servant will be gentle and kind. Both “bruised reed” and “smoking flax” represent weak and hurting people. If the metaphor is confusing, you could translate the literal meaning. Alternate translation: “He will be kind to weak people, and he will be gentle to those who are hurting” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

116212:20m4uzκάλαμον συντετριμμένον1

“damaged plant”

116312:20y8mnλίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει1

“he will not put out any smoking flax” or “he will not stop any smoking flax from burning”

116412:20bjg2λίνον τυφόμενον1

This refers to a lamp wick after the flame has gone out and when it is only smoking.

116512:20rer7λίνον & ἕως1

This can be translated with a new sentence: “flax. This is what he will do until”

116612:20b6twrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἂν ἐκβάλῃ εἰς νῖκος τὴν κρίσιν1

Leading someone to victory represents causing him to be victorious. Causing justice to be victorious represents making things right that had been wrong. Alternate translation: “he makes everything right” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

116712:21w3rqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ1

Here “name” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “in him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

116812:22nba20

Here the scene shifts to a later time when the Pharisees accuse Jesus of healing a man by the power of Satan.

116912:22e1g4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτότε προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ δαιμονιζόμενος, τυφλὸς καὶ κωφός1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then someone brought to Jesus a man who was blind and mute because a demon was controlling him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

117012:22k2vtπροσηνέχθη & τυφλὸς καὶ κωφός1

“someone who could not see and could not talk”

117112:23gy5zκαὶ ἐξίσταντο πάντες οἱ ὄχλοι1

“All the people who had seen Jesus heal the man were greatly surprised”

117212:23ink7ὁ υἱὸς Δαυείδ1

This is a title for the Christ or Messiah.

117312:23h8kfυἱὸς1

Here this means “descendant of.”

117412:24m2jr0

In verse 25, Jesus begins to respond to the Pharisees accusation that he healed the man by the power of Satan.

117512:24wmi1ἀκούσαντες1

This refers to the miracle of the healing of a blind, deaf, and demon-possessed man.

117612:24p1mirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ1

This can be stated in a positive form. “This man is only able to cast out the demon because he is a servant of Beelzebul” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

117712:24wj1yοὗτος1

The Pharisees avoid calling Jesus by name to show they reject him.

117812:24cii4ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων1

“the chief of the demons”

117912:25i1sdrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsπᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται, καὶ πᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται1

Jesus uses a proverb to respond to the Pharisees. Both of these statements mean the same thing. They emphasize that it would not make sense for Beelzebul to use his power to fight other demons. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

118012:25g9ecrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται1

Here “kingdom” refers to those who live in the kingdom. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “A kingdom will not last when its people fight among themselves” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

118112:25kn8crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται1

Here “city” refers to the people who live there, and “house” refers to a family. Being “divided against itself” represents its people fighting each other. Alternate translation: “it ruins a city or a family when the people fight each other” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

118212:26gm6j0

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees accusation that he healed the man by the power of Satan.

118312:26i42rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαὶ εἰ ὁ Σατανᾶς τὸν Σατανᾶν ἐκβάλλει1

The second use of Satan refers to the demons that serve Satan. Alternate translation: “If Satan works against his own demons” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

118412:26ah7trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς οὖν σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ?1

Jesus uses this question to show the Pharisees that what they were saying was illogical. Alternate translation: “If Satan were divided against himself, his kingdom would not be able to stand!” or “If Satan were to fight against his own demons, his kingdom would not last!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

118512:27nvv9Βεελζεβοὺλ1

This name refers to the same person as “Satan” (verse 26).

118612:27gee9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν ἐν τίνι ἐκβάλλουσιν?1

Jesus uses another question to challenge the Pharisees. Alternate translation: “then you must say your followers also drive out demons by the power of Beelzebul. But, you know this is not true.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

118712:27x9jerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν1

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. The phrase “your sons” refers to their followers. This was a common way of referring to those who follow teachers or leaders. Alternate translation: “your followers” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

118812:27jja2διὰ τοῦτο, αὐτοὶ κριταὶ ἔσονται ὑμῶν1

“Because your followers cast out demons by the power of God, they prove that you are wrong about me.”

118912:28f3n70

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

119012:28zb4dεἰ δὲ & ἐγὼ1

Here “if” does not mean Jesus is questioning how he drives out demons. Here Jesus uses the word to introduce a true statement. Alternate translation: “But because I”

119112:28r5dgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἄρα ἔφθασεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ1

“then the kingdom of God has arrived among you.” Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “this means God is establishing his rule among you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

119212:28f1wjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἔφθασεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the people of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

119312:29t4vurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesπῶς δύναταί τις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν & τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει.1

Jesus uses a parable to continue his response to the Pharisees. Jesus means he can drive out demons because he is more powerful than Satan. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

119412:29w54crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς δύναταί τις εἰσελθεῖν & ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν?1

Jesus uses a question to teach the Pharisees and the crowd. Alternate translation: “No one can enter … without tying up the strong man first.” or “If a person wants to enter … he must first tie up the strong man.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

119512:29jb6xἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν?1

“without taking control of the strong man first”

119612:29u6vuτότε τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει1

“The he can steal” or “Then he will be able to steal”

119712:30ivp9ὁ μὴ ὢν μετ’ ἐμοῦ1

“who does not support me” or “who does not work with me”

119812:30gyk8κατ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν1

“opposes me” or “works against me”

119912:30ek1hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ μὴ συνάγων μετ’ ἐμοῦ σκορπίζει1

Jesus is using a metaphor that refers to a person either gathering the flock of sheep to a shepherd or making them scatter away from the shepherd. Jesus means that a person is either helping to make people become disciples of Jesus or he is making people reject Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

120012:31qwg40

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

120112:31iy8lλέγω ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

120212:31q5hkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youλέγω ὑμῖν1

Here “you” is plural. Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, but he is also teaching the crowd. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

120312:31hy38rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπᾶσα ἁμαρτία καὶ βλασφημία ἀφεθήσεται τοῖς ἀνθρώποις1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will forgive every sin that people commit and every evil thing they say” or “God will forgive every person who sins or says evil things” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

120412:31ezx8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ & τοῦ Πνεύματος, βλασφημία οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not forgive the person who speaks evil things about the Holy Spirit” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

120512:32gwx2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαὶ ὃς ἐὰν εἴπῃ λόγον κατὰ τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Here “word” refers to what someone says. Alternate translation: “If a person says anything bad about the Son of Man” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

120612:32h79zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

120712:32z3marc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will forgive a person for that” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

120812:32hfs4οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not forgive that person”

120912:32lw5jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὔτε ἐν τούτῳ τῷ αἰῶνι οὔτε ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι1

Here “this world” and “that which is to come” refer to the present life and the next life. Alternate translation: “in this life or in the next life” or “now or ever” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

121012:33d73d0

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

121112:33bi8zἢ ποιήσατε τὸ δένδρον καλὸν καὶ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ καλόν, ἢ ποιήσατε τὸ δένδρον σαπρὸν καὶ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ σαπρόν1

Possible meanings are (1) “If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good, and if you make the tree bad, its fruit will be bad” or (2) “If you consider a tree to be good, it will be because its fruit is good, and if you consider it tree to be bad, it will be because its fruit is bad.” This was a proverb. People were to apply its truth to how they can know whether a person is good or bad.

121212:33kl16καλὸν & σαπρὸν1

“healthy … diseased”

121312:33kz12rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκ γὰρ τοῦ καρποῦ, τὸ δένδρον γινώσκεται1

“Fruit” here is a metaphor for what a person does. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “people know whether a tree is good or bad by looking at its fruit” or “people know whether a person is good or bad by looking at the results of that persons activities” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

121412:34r1uvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorγεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν1

Here “offspring” means “having the characteristic of.” Vipers are poisonous snakes that are dangerous and represent evil. See how you translated a similar phrase in Matthew 3:7. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

121512:34pl4grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youγεννήματα & λαλεῖν & ὄντες1

These are plural and refer to the Pharisees. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

121612:34e7x3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς δύνασθε ἀγαθὰ λαλεῖν1

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the Pharisees. Alternate translation: “you cannot say good things.” or “you can only say evil things.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

121712:34e9bgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκ & τοῦ περισσεύματος τῆς καρδίας, τὸ στόμα λαλεῖ1

Here “heart” is a metonym for the thoughts in a persons mind. Here “mouth” is a synecdoche that represents a person as a whole. Alternate translation: “what a person says with his mouth reveals what is in his mind” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

121812:35r3uwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει ἀγαθά; καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει πονηρά1

Jesus speaks about the “heart” as if it were a container that a person fills with good or evil things. This is a metaphor that means what a person says reveals what the person is truly like. If you want to keep this imagery, see the UST. You can also translate the literal meaning. Alternate translation: “A man who is truly good will speak good things, and the man who is truly evil will speak evil things” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

121912:36jvg60

Jesus concludes his response to the Pharisees accusation that he healed the man by the power of Satan.

122012:36era6λέγω & ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

122112:36t2pjοἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ1

“God will ask people about” or “people will have to explain to God”

122212:36f1whrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν1

Here “word” refers to something that someone says. Alternate translation: “every harmful thing they will have said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

122312:37qw5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδικαιωθήσῃ & καταδικασθήσῃ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will justify you … God will condemn you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

122412:38x4le0

In verse 39, Jesus begins to rebuke the scribes and Pharisees.

122512:38mec30

The dialogue in these verses happens immediately after Jesus responded to the Pharisees accusation that he healed a man by the power of Satan.

122612:38aiu6θέλομεν1

“we want”

122712:38ikg2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀπὸ σοῦ σημεῖον ἰδεῖν1

You can make explicit why they want to see a sign. Alternate translation: “to see a sign from you that proves what you say is true” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

122812:39d8b9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personγενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ & δοθήσεται αὐτῇ1

Jesus is speaking to his present generation. Alternate translation: “You are an evil and adulterous generation who demands signs from me … given to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

122912:39a5dirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorγενεὰ & μοιχαλὶς1

Here “adulterous” is a metaphor for people who are not faithful to God. Alternate translation: “unfaithful generation” or “godless generation” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

123012:39c6hyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ1

Jesus would not give them a sign because, though he had already performed many miracles, they refused to believe him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will not give it a sign” or “God will not give you a sign” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

123112:39j21pεἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ τοῦ προφήτου1

“except the same sign God gave to Jonah the prophet”

123212:40vh9irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ τρεῖς νύκτας1

Here “day” and “night” mean complete 24-hour periods. Alternate translation: “three complete days” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

123312:40iuv8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

123412:40gg65rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς γῆς1

This means inside a physical grave. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

123512:41k3q60

Jesus continues to rebuke the scribes and Pharisees.

123612:41gnh1ἄνδρες Νινευεῖται1

“The citizens of Nineveh”

123712:41b94iἐν τῇ κρίσει1

“on judgment day” or “when God judges people”

123812:41x8gmτῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης1

This refers to the people living during the time Jesus was preaching.

123912:41duz2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν1

Possible meanings are (1) “condemn” here represents accusing. Alternate translation: “and will accuse this generation of people” or (2) God will condemn this generation of people because they did not repent as the people of Nineveh had. Alternate translation: “and God will condemn this generation” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

124012:41qg29καὶ ἰδοὺ1

“and look.” This emphasizes what Jesus says next.

124112:41dbs3πλεῖον1

“someone more important”

124212:41zb6arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personπλεῖον1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

124312:41a5p8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἸωνᾶ ὧδε1

You can make explicit the implicit meaning of Jesus statement. Alternate translation: “than Jonah is here, yet you still have not repented, which is why God will condemn you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

124412:42q8tb0

Jesus continues to rebuke the scribes and Pharisees.

124512:42zwv7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesβασίλισσα νότου1

This refers to the Queen of Sheba. Sheba is a land south of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

124612:42kku7ἐγερθήσεται ἐν τῇ κρίσει1

“will stand up at the judgment”

124712:42z46eἐν τῇ κρίσει1

“on judgment day” or “when God judges people.” See how you translated this in Matthew 12:41.

124812:42zc72τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης1

This refers to the people living during the time Jesus was preaching.

124912:42k4lsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαὶ κατακρινεῖ αὐτήν1

See how you translated a similar statement in Matthew 12:41. Possible meanings are (1) “condemn” here represents accusing. Alternate translation: “and will accuse this generation of people” or (2) God will condemn this generation of people because they did not listen to wisdom as the Queen of the South had. Alternate translation: “and God will condemn this generation” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

125012:42q8q8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἦλθεν ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς1

Here “ends of the earth” is an idiom that means “far away.” Alternate translation: “She came from very far away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

125112:42t521rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrasesἦλθεν ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς ἀκοῦσαι τὴν σοφίαν Σολομῶνος1

This statement explains why the Queen of the South will condemn the people of Jesus generation. Alternate translation: “For she came” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])

125212:42n99zκαὶ ἰδοὺ1

“and look.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

125312:42aj1xπλεῖον1

“someone more important”

125412:42uf5krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personπλεῖον1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

125512:42yra5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitΣολομῶνος ὧδε1

You can make explicit the implicit meaning of Jesus statement. Alternate translation: “than Solomon is here, yet you do not listen. That is why God will condemn you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

125612:43ve5x0

Jesus continues to rebuke the scribes and Pharisees. He begins to tell a parable.

125712:43f5jrἀνύδρων τόπων1

“dry places” or “places where no people live”

125812:43x2urοὐχ εὑρίσκει1

Here “it” refers to rest.

125912:44gey7τότε λέγει, εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ἐπιστρέψω ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον.1

This can be translated as a statement rather than a quotation. Alternate translation: “So, the unclean spirit decides to return to the house from which it came”

126012:44ty9brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου & ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον1

This is a metaphor for the person in whom the unclean spirit was living. Alternate translation: “to the place I left” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

126112:44cd4frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεὑρίσκει σχολάζοντα σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the unclean spirit finds that someone has swept the house clean and has put everything in the house where it belongs” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

126212:44s6jfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσχολάζοντα σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον1

Again, “house” is a metaphor for the person in whom the unclean spirit was living. Here, “swept out and put in order” suggests that no one is living in the house. Jesus means when an unclean spirit leaves a person, the person must invite the Holy Spirit to live in him or else the demon will come back. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

126312:45nh6q0

Jesus finishes the parable that he began with the words “When an unclean spirit” in verse 43.

126412:45bhb4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesτότε πορεύεται & καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ1

Jesus tells a parable to warn the people of the danger of not believing him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

126512:45jw1hοὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ1

This means that if the people of Jesus generation do not believe him and become his disciples, they will be in a worse situation than they were before he came.

126612:46qj8w0

The arrival of Jesus mother and brothers becomes an opportunity for him to describe his spiritual family.

126712:46ahx7ἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new people in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

126812:46mh5fἡ μήτηρ1

This is Mary, Jesus human mother.

126912:46dq8mοἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ1

These are probably other children born to Mary, but it is possible that the word “brothers” here refers to Jesus cousins.

127012:46z97jζητοῦντες & λαλῆσαι1

“wanting to speak”

127112:47qd32rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsεἶπεν δέ τις αὐτῷ, ἰδοὺ, ἡ μήτηρ σου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου ἔξω ἑστήκασιν ζητοῦντές σοι λαλῆσαι.1

This can be translated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers were outside and wanted to speak to him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

127212:48q1cd0

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 12:1, where Matthew tells of growing opposition to Jesus ministry.

127312:48jm1yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisτῷ λέγοντι αὐτῷ1

The details of the message the person told Jesus are understood and not repeated here. Alternate translation: “who told Jesus that his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

127412:48e535rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ἐστιν ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ τίνες εἰσὶν οἱ ἀδελφοί μου?1

Jesus uses these questions to teach the people. Alternate translation: “I will tell you who are really my mother and brothers” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

127512:49gk62ἰδοὺ1

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

127612:49rxe8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου1

This is a metaphor that means Jesus disciples belong to Jesus spiritual family. This is more important than belonging to his physical family. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

127712:50e25cὅστις & ἂν ποιήσῃ1

“anyone who does”

127812:50mq9rrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

127912:50gn31rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorαὐτός μου ἀδελφὸς, καὶ ἀδελφὴ, καὶ μήτηρ ἐστίν1

This is a metaphor meaning that those who obey God belong to Jesus spiritual family. This is more important than belonging to his physical family. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

128013:intros3lu0

Matthew 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 13:14-15, which are words from the Old Testament.

This chapter begins a new section. It contains some of Jesus parables about the kingdom of heaven.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metonymy

Jesus often says the word “heaven” when he wants his hearers to think of God, who lives in heaven (Matthew 13:11).

Implicit information

Speakers usually do not say things that they think their hearers already understand. When Matthew wrote that Jesus “sat beside the sea” (Matthew 13:1), he probably expected his hearers to know that Jesus was about to teach the people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

Metaphor

Speakers often use words for things that can be touched to speak of things that cannot be touched. Jesus spoke of a bird eating a seed to describe how Satan kept people from understanding Jesus message (Matthew 13:19).

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Passive voice

Many sentences in this chapter tell that a person had something happen to him without saying who caused that something to happen. For example, “they were scorched” (Matthew 13:6). You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

Parables

The parables were short stories that Jesus told so that people would easily understand the lesson he was trying to teach them. He also told the stories so that those who did not want to believe in him would not understand the truth (Matthew 13:11-13).

128113:1r4xv0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Jesus begins to teach the crowds, using parables, about the kingdom of heaven.

128213:1vx5yἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ1

These events happened on the same day as those in the previous chapter.

128313:1cy1tἐξελθὼν & τῆς οἰκίας1

It is not mentioned at whose house Jesus was staying.

128413:1zjb3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν1

It is implied that he sat down to teach the people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

128513:2d16zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς πλοῖον ἐμβάντα1

It is implied that Jesus got into a boat because it would make it easier to teach the people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

128613:2jge7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownπλοῖον1

This was probably an open, wooden fishing boat with a sail. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

128713:3e99p0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a person who sows seeds.

128813:3f5mvκαὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς πολλὰ ἐν παραβολαῖς1

“Jesus told them many things in parables”

128913:3w5p3αὐτοῖς1

“to the people in the crowd”

129013:3m97rἰδοὺ1

“Look” or “Listen.” This word calls attention to what is to be said next. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

129113:3ur64ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπείρειν1

“a farmer went out to scatter seeds in a field”

129213:4c6g6καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν1

“As the farmer scattered the seed”

129313:4v7r8παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν1

This refers to a “path” next to the field. The ground there would have been hard from people walking on it.

129413:4qr2dκατέφαγεν αὐτά1

“ate all the seeds”

129513:5l2g6τὰ πετρώδη1

This is ground full of rocks with just a thin layer of soil on top of the rocks.

129613:5ql87καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλεν1

“The seeds quickly sprouted and grew”

129713:6qq5xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκαυματίσθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the sun scorched the plants, and they became too hot” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

129813:6az8lἐξηράνθη1

“the plants became dry and died”

129913:7dnm80

Jesus finishes telling a parable about a person who sows seeds.

130013:7ugc9ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκάνθας1

“fell where plants with thorns grew”

130113:7vt8zἀπέπνιξαν αὐτά1

“choked the new sprouts.” Use your word for the way weeds prevent other plants from growing well.

130213:8iwv2ἐδίδου καρπόν1

“grew more seeds” or “gave fruit”

130313:8e91erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν, ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα, ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα1

The words “seeds,” “produced,” and “crop” are understood from the previous phrase. These can be expressed clearly. Alternate translation: “some seeds produced one hundred times as much crop, some seeds produced sixty times as much crop, and some seeds produced thirty times as much crop” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

130413:8ph2prc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑκατὸν & ἑξήκοντα & τριάκοντα1

“100 … 60 … 30” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

130513:9q2e2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω1

Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase “has ears” here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated a similar phrase in Matthew 11:15. Alternate translation: “Let the one who is willing to listen, listen” or “The one who is willing to understand, let him understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

130613:9gkv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω1

Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. See how you translated a similar phrase in Matthew 11:15. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

130713:10p8yc0

Jesus explains to his disciples why he teaches with parables.

130813:11fc5nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν, ἐκείνοις δὲ οὐ δέδοται1

This can be translated with the active form and with implied information expressed clearly. Alternate translation: “God has given you the privilege of understanding mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but God has not given it to these people” or “God has made you able to understand mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but he has not enabled these people to understand” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

130913:11rcd3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι1

The word “You” is plural here and refers to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

131013:11ah6urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὰ μυστήρια τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” occurs only in the book of Matthew. If possible, try to keep it in your translation. Alternate translation: “the secrets about our God in heaven and his rule” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

131113:12j3rlὅστις & ἔχει1

“whoever has understanding” or “whoever receives what I teach”

131213:12v61yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδοθήσεται1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will give him more understanding” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

131313:12xsr5ὅστις & οὐκ ἔχει1

“whoever does not have understanding” or “whoever does not receive what I teach”

131413:12bl5src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take away even what he has” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

131513:13wc3u0

In verse 14, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that the peoples failure to understand Jesus teaching is a fulfillment of prophecy.

131613:13hm4t0

Jesus continues to explain to his disciples why he teaches in parables.

131713:13v6pbαὐτοῖς & βλέπουσιν1

All occurrences of “them” and “they” refer to the people in the crowd.

131813:13uk7jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism1

Jesus uses this parallelism to tell and emphasize to the disciples that the crowd refuses to understand Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

131913:13ae8kβλέποντες1

Possible meanings are (1) this refers to them seeing what Jesus does. Alternate translation: “Though they see what I do” or (2) this refers to their ability to see. Alternate translation: “Though they are able to see”

132013:13nbi3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐ βλέπουσιν1

Here “see” represents understanding. Alternate translation: “they do not understand” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

132113:13j4bgἀκούοντες1

Possible meanings are (1) this refers to them hearing what Jesus teaches. Alternate translation: “Though they hear what I say” or (2) this refers to their ability to hear. Alternate translation: “Though they are able to hear”

132213:13gq65rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐκ ἀκούουσιν1

Here “hear” represents listening well. Alternate translation: “they do not listen well” or “they do not pay attention” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

132313:14jz9nκαὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ προφητεία Ἠσαΐου ἡ λέγουσα1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “They are fulfilling what God said long ago through the prophet Isaiah”

132413:14z2esrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε; καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε1

This begins a quote from the prophet Isaiah about the unbelieving people of Isaiahs day. Jesus uses this quote to describe the very crowd that was listening to him. These statements are again parallel and emphasize that the people refused to understand Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

132513:14a1imrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε1

“You will hear things, but you will not understand them.” You can make explicit what the people will hear. Alternate translation: “You will hear what God says through the prophets, but you will not understand its true meaning” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

132613:14emu1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitβλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε1

You can make explicit what the people will see. Alternate translation: “you will see what God does through the prophets, but you will not understand it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

132713:15e8r50

Jesus finishes quoting the prophet Isaiah.

132813:15lu8urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου & ἰάσομαι αὐτούς1

In 13:15 God describes the people of Israel as if they have physical diseases that cause them to be unable to learn, to see, and to hear. God wants them to come to him so he will heal them. This is all a metaphor describing the peoples spiritual condition. It means the people are stubborn and refuse to receive and understand Gods truth. If they would, then they would repent and God would forgive them and welcome them back as his people. If the meaning is clear, keep the metaphor in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

132913:15fy7mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου1

Here “heart” refers to the mind. Alternate translation: “these peoples minds are slow to learn” or “these people can no longer learn” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

133013:15q87mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν1

They are not physically deaf. Here “hard of hearing” means they refuse to listen and learn Gods truth. Alternate translation: “they refuse to use their ears to listen” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

133113:15y7t7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν1

They have not literally closed their eyes. This means they refuse to understand. Alternate translation: “they refuse to use their eyes to see” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

133213:15fl93μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν, καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν1

“so that they are not able to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, or understand with their heart, and as a result turn again”

133313:15sr25rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν1

The word “hearts” here is a metonym for peoples innermost being. You may need to use the word in your language for the source of peoples thinking and feelings. Alternate translation: “understand with their minds” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

133413:15ps56ἐπιστρέψωσιν1

“turn back to me” or “repent”

133513:15q1h9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἰάσομαι αὐτούς1

“have me heal them.” This means God would heal them spiritually by forgiving their sins and receiving them again as his people. Alternate translation: “have me receive them again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

133613:16dc9t0

Jesus finishes explaining to his disciples why he teaches with parables.

133713:16yhe4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὑμῶν δὲ μακάριοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὅτι βλέπουσιν, καὶ τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν ὅτι ἀκούουσιν1

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Jesus is emphasizing that they have pleased God because they have believed what Jesus has said and done. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

133813:16glp8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheὑμῶν δὲ μακάριοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὅτι βλέπουσιν1

Here “eyes” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “You are blessed because your eyes are able to see” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

133913:16rlt3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῶν & ὑμῶν1

All occurrences of these words are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

134013:16jp32rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν ὅτι ἀκούουσιν1

Here “ears” refer to the whole person. You can also make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “you are blessed because your ears are able to hear” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

134113:17mg58ἀμὴν, γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

134213:17bsj7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

All occurrences of this word are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

134313:17e6circ://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἃ βλέπετε1

You can make explicit what they have seen. Alternate translation: “the things you have seen me do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

134413:17q14wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἃ ἀκούετε1

You can make explicit what they have heard. Alternate translation: “the things you have heard me say” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

134513:18w35t0

Here Jesus begins to explain to his disciples the parable about a person who sows seeds, which he began in Matthew 13:3.

134613:19v2d7τὸν λόγον τῆς βασιλείας1

“the message about Gods rule as king”

134713:19a8nurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔρχεται ὁ πονηρὸς καὶ ἁρπάζει τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

Jesus speaks of Satan causing the person to forget what he has heard as if Satan were a bird snatching the seed from the ground. Alternate translation: “The evil one causes him to forget the message that he has heard just as a bird snatches away seed from the ground” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

134813:19sb7urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ πονηρὸς1

This refers to Satan. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

134913:19pt4dἁρπάζει1

Try to use a word that means to grab something away from someone who is the rightful owner.

135013:19r9u6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

This can be translated in active form: Alternate translation: “the message that God sowed in his heart” or “the message that he heard” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

135113:19xi8frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

Here “heart” refers to the mind of the hearer. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

135213:19wfd3οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν σπαρείς1

“This is the meaning of the seed that was sown beside the road” or “The road where seed was sown represents this person”

135313:19xgz5παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν1

See how you translated this in Matthew 13:4.

135413:20q3fp0

Jesus continues to explain to his disciples the parable about a person who sows seeds.

135513:20l5ivrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς1

The phrase “what was sown” refers to seed that fell. Alternate translation: “The seed that fell on rocky ground” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

135613:20w4f9ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν1

“The rocky ground where seed was sown represents” or “The rocky ground where seed fell represents”

135713:20e3hmὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων1

In the parable, the seed represents the word.

135813:20cl6grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν λόγον1

This represents Gods message. Alternate translation: “the message” or “Gods teaching” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

135913:20z76frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν1

Believing the word is spoken of as receiving it. Alternate translation: “joyfully believes it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

136013:21zg9qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν1

“Yet he has shallow roots and only lasts for a little while.” The root represents what makes a person continue to believe Gods message. Alternate translation: “But like a plant that does not grow deep roots, he only endures for a little while” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

136113:21lim9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται1

Here “falls away” means stops believing. Alternate translation: “immediately he falls away” or “he quickly stops believing the message” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

136213:22sis70

Jesus continues to explain to his disciples the parable about a person who sows seeds.

136313:22d4h5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ & σπαρείς1

This refers to seed that was sown or that fell. Alternate translation: “The seed that was sown” or “The seed that fell” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

136413:22rcj8ὁ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπαρείς1

“The ground with the thorn plants where seed was sown”

136513:22anm5οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ1

“this represents the person”

136613:22a3u1τὸν λόγον1

“the message” or “Gods teaching”

136713:22q2nhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ μέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου συνπνίγει τὸν λόγον1

Jesus speaks about the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches distracting a person from obeying Gods word as if they were weeds that could wind around a plant and keep it from growing. Alternate translation: “as weeds prevent good plants from growing, the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches keep this person from listening to Gods word” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

136813:22xa8rμέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου1

“the things in this world that people worry about”

136913:22wwf5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου1

Jesus describes “riches” as if it were a person who could deceive someone. This means people think having more money will make them happy, but it will not. Alternate translation: “the love of money” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

137013:22gn6zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἄκαρπος γίνεται1

The person is spoken of as if he were a plant. Being unfruitful represents being unproductive. Alternate translation: “he becomes unproductive” or “he does not do what God wants” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

137113:23xw4bὁ & ἐπὶ τὴν καλὴν γῆν σπαρείς1

“The good soil where seeds were sown”

137213:23ptb8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδὴ καρποφορεῖ καὶ ποιεῖ1

The person is spoken of as if he were a plant. Alternate translation: “Like a healthy plant that bears a crop of fruit, he is productive” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

137313:23wm3prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν, ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα, ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα1

The phrase “as much as was planted” is understood following each of these numbers. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:8. Alternate translation: “Some people produce 100 times as much as was planted, some produce 60 times as much, and some produce 30 times as much” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

137413:24l5yxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Here Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a field with both wheat and weeds growing in it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

137513:24k8purc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν, ἀνθρώπῳ1

The translation should not equate the kingdom of heaven to a man, but rather the kingdom of heaven is like the situation described in the parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

137613:24f8j5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

137713:24u21krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαλὸν σπέρμα1

“good food seeds” or “good grain seeds.” The audience probably thought that Jesus was talking about wheat. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

137813:25zn8vἦλθεν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς1

“his enemy came to the field”

137913:25q4tvζιζάνια1

These weeds look like food plants when they are young, but their grain is poison. Alternate translation: “bad seed” or “weed seeds”

138013:26lea1ὅτε δὲ ἐβλάστησεν ὁ χόρτος1

“When the wheat seeds sprouted” or “When the plants came up”

138113:26jgv9καρπὸν ἐποίησεν1

“produced grain” or “produced the wheat crop”

138213:26tu4qτότε ἐφάνη καὶ τὰ ζιζάνια1

“then people could see there were weeds in the field also”

138313:27hz3q0

Jesus continues to tell a parable about a field with both wheat and weeds growing in it.

138413:27h51xτοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου1

This is the same person who sowed good seed in his field.

138513:27gr7drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ καλὸν σπέρμα ἔσπειρας ἐν τῷ σῷ ἀγρῷ?1

The servants used a question to emphasize their surprise. Alternate translation: “you sowed good seed in your field!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

138613:27fb86rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐχὶ & ἔσπειρας1

The landowner probably had his servants plant the seeds. Alternate translation: “did we not sow” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

138713:28r83zὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτοῖς1

“The landowner said to the servants”

138813:28num8θέλεις οὖν ἀπελθόντες1

The word “us” refers to the servants.

138913:29shs30

Jesus concludes the parable about a field with both wheat and weeds growing in it.

139013:29c9jcὁ δέ φησιν1

“The landowner said to his servants”

139113:30z36arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἐρῶ τοῖς θερισταῖς, συλλέξατε πρῶτον τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ δήσατε αὐτὰ εἰς δέσμας πρὸς τὸ κατακαῦσαι αὐτά; τὸν δὲ σῖτον συναγάγετε εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην μου.1

You can translate this as an indirect quote (AT): “I will tell the reapers to first gather up the weeds and tie them in bundles to burn them, and then gather the wheat into my barn” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

139213:30ll14τὴν ἀποθήκην1

a farm building that can be used for storing grain

139313:31tdf4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a very small seed that grows into a very big plant. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

139413:31jw7urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

139513:31qby8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκόκκῳ σινάπεως1

a very small seed that grows into a large plant (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

139613:32gyi1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὃ μικρότερον μέν ἐστιν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων1

Mustard seeds were the smallest seeds known to the original hearers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

139713:32x65dὅταν δὲ αὐξηθῇ1

“But when the plant has grown”

139813:32um9kμεῖζον & ἐστὶν1

“it is larger than”

139913:32g6v8γίνεται δένδρον1

A mustard plant can grow about 2 to 4 meters tall.

140013:32c9teτὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ1

“birds”

140113:33a1thrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about the effect that yeast has on flour. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

140213:33z94krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν ζύμῃ1

The kingdom is not like the yeast, but the spread of the kingdom is like the spreading of the yeast. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

140313:33w8sbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

140413:33r88grc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolumeἀλεύρου σάτα τρία1

Say “a large amount of flour” or use a term that your culture uses for measuring large amounts of flour. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume]])

140513:33c35rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἕως οὗ ἐζυμώθη ὅλον1

The implied information is that the yeast and the three measures of flour were made into dough for baking. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

140613:34f9gl0

Here the author quotes from the Psalms to show that Jesus teaching in parables fulfilled prophecy.

140713:34nt7urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismταῦτα πάντα ἐλάλησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν παραβολαῖς τοῖς ὄχλοις, καὶ χωρὶς παραβολῆς οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς1

Both sentences mean the same thing. They are combined to emphasize that Jesus taught the crowds only with parables. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

140813:34n54eταῦτα πάντα1

This refers to what Jesus taught beginning at Matthew 13:1.

140913:34a5c7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesχωρὶς παραβολῆς οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς1

“he taught them nothing except by parables.” The double negative can be expressed in a positive way. Alternate translation: “everything he taught them he said in parables” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

141013:35ybq5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God told one of the prophets to write long ago might come true” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

141113:35p3tbλέγοντος1

“when the prophet said”

141213:35n1parc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀνοίξω & τὸ στόμα μου1

This is an idiom that means to speak. Alternate translation: “I will speak” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

141313:35yx6yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκεκρυμμένα1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “things that God has kept hidden” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

141413:35th8tἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου1

“since the beginning of the world” or “since God created the world”

141513:36pq2h0

Here the scene shifts to the house where Jesus and his disciples were staying. Jesus begins to explain to them the parable of the field that had both wheat and weeds, which he told beginning in Matthew 13:24.

141613:36x5w7ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν1

“went indoors” or “went into the house where he was staying”

141713:37aj8fὁ σπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα1

“The one who sows the good seed” or “The sower of the good seed”

141813:37xj4src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

141913:38h9izrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας1

The idiom “sons of” refers to those who belong to or to have the same character as someone or something. Alternate translation: “the people who belong to the kingdom” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

142013:38eni3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῆς βασιλείας1

Here “kingdom” refers to God the king. Alternate translation: “of God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

142113:38edu7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πονηροῦ1

The idiom “sons of” refers those who belong to or to have the same character as someone or something. Alternate translation: “the people who belong to the evil one” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

142213:39sgx2ὁ & ἐχθρὸς, ὁ σπείρας αὐτά1

“the enemy who sowed the weeds”

142313:40ei3v0

Jesus finishes explaining to his disciples the parable of the field with both wheat and weeds.

142413:40rn64rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὥσπερ οὖν συλλέγεται τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ πυρὶ κατακαίεται1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Therefore, as people gather up weeds and burn them in the fire” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

142513:41fiy4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personἀποστελεῖ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ1

Here Jesus is speaking of himself. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of Man, will send out my angels” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

142613:41ptw9τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν1

“those who are lawless” or “evil people”

142713:42d9mdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός1

This is a metaphor for the fires of hell. If the term “furnace” is not known, “oven” can be used. Alternate translation: “fiery furnace” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

142813:42zu3jrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” here is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and showing that they are suffering very much” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

142913:43u6smrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἐκλάμψουσιν ὡς ὁ ἥλιος1

If this simile is not understandable in your language, you can use: “be as easy to see as the sun.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

143013:43sea2rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

143113:43zxh2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω1

Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase “has ears” here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated a similar phrase in Matthew 11:15. Alternate translation: “Let the one who is willing to listen, listen” or “The one who is willing to understand, let him understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

143213:43sak5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ & ἀκουέτω1

Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. See how you translated this in Matthew 11:15. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

143313:44n7nzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile0

In these two parables, Jesus uses two similes to teach his disciples what the kingdom of heaven is like. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

143413:44fjm1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling two parables about people who sold their possessions to purchase something of great value. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

143513:44e9cvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

143613:44u9jqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁμοία ἐστὶν & θησαυρῷ κεκρυμμένῳ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “a treasure that someone had hidden in a field” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

143713:44k9rhθησαυρῷ1

a very valuable and precious thing or collection of things

143813:44hu7fἔκρυψεν1

“covered it up”

143913:44jtv2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπωλεῖ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει, καὶ ἀγοράζει τὸν ἀγρὸν ἐκεῖνον1

The implied information is that the person buys the field to take possession of the hidden treasure. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

144013:45c633rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁμοία & ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ ζητοῦντι καλοὺς μαργαρίτας1

The implied information is that the man was looking for valuable pearls that he could buy. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-simile]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

144113:45khy6ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ1

a trader or wholesale dealer who often obtains merchandise from distant places

144213:45b88qrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκαλοὺς μαργαρίτας1

A “pearl” is a smooth, hard, shiny, white or light-colored bead formed inside mollusks in the sea and highly prized as a gem or to make into valuable jewelry. Alternate translation: “fine pearls” or “beautiful pearls” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

144313:47vw24rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about fishermen who use a large net to catch fish. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

144413:47g79nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν σαγήνῃ1

The kingdom is not like the net, but the kingdom draws all kinds of people like a net catches all kinds of fish. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

144513:47rjm4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

144613:47vrp4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁμοία & σαγήνῃ βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “like a net that some fishermen cast into the sea” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

144713:47kbz2βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν1

“was thrown into the sea”

144813:47t9v6ἐκ παντὸς γένους συναγαγούσῃ1

“caught all kinds of fish”

144913:48kf47ἀναβιβάσαντες ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν1

“pulled the net up onto the beach” or “pulled the net ashore”

145013:48cnp7τὰ καλὰ1

“the good ones”

145113:48qi2zτὰ & σαπρὰ1

“the bad fish” or “the inedible fish”

145213:48aqu2ἔβαλον1

“did not keep”

145313:49nql60

Jesus explains the parable about fishermen who use a large net to catch fish.

145413:49q1msἐξελεύσονται1

“will come out” or “will go out” or “will come from heaven”

145513:49ah2krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς πονηροὺς ἐκ μέσου τῶν δικαίων1

These nominal adjectives can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “the wicked people from the righteous people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

145613:50hwv1βαλοῦσιν αὐτοὺς1

“The angels will throw the wicked people”

145713:50j8nfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός1

This is a metaphor for the fires of hell. If the term “furnace” is not known, “oven” can be used. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:42. Alternate translation: “fiery furnace” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

145813:50mc8trc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” here is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: weeping and expressing their extreme suffering.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

145913:51d3wg0

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a person who manages a household. This is the end of the part of the story about Jesus teaching the crowds about the kingdom of heaven through using parables.

146013:51p5ejrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsσυνήκατε ταῦτα πάντα? λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, ναί.1

If necessary, both direct quotations can be translated as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “Jesus asked them if they had understood all this, and they said that they did understand.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

146113:52g4ddrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyμαθητευθεὶς τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “has learned the truth about our God in heaven, who is king” or “has submitted himself to Gods rule” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

146213:52gr36rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ, ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά1

Jesus speaks another parable. He compares scribes, who know very well the scriptures that Moses and the prophets wrote, and who also now accept Jesus teachings, to a house owner who uses both old and new treasures. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

146313:52g59cτοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ1

A treasure is a very valuable and precious thing or a collection of things. Here it may refer to the place where these things are stored, the “treasury” or “storeroom.”

146413:53jwv2καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε1

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “Then” or “After”

146513:54qnh90

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through Matthew 17:27, where Matthew tells of continued opposition to Jesus ministry and teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Here, the people of Jesus home town reject him.

146613:54q3mlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ1

“his hometown.” This refers to the town of Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

146713:54j6vbἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν1

The pronoun “their” is referring to the people of the region.

146813:54it1fἐκπλήσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς1

“they were amazed”

146913:54b3d2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπόθεν τούτῳ ἡ σοφία αὕτη καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις?1

The people believed that Jesus was just an ordinary man. They use this question to express their amazement that he was so wise and was able to do miracles. Alternate translation: “How can an ordinary man like this be so wise and do such great miracles?” or “It is strange that he is able to speak with such wisdom and do these miracles!” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

147013:55rk5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱός? οὐχ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ λέγεται Μαριὰμ, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, Ἰάκωβος, καὶ Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ Σίμων, καὶ Ἰούδας?1

The crowd uses these questions to express their belief that they know who Jesus is and that he is just an ordinary man. Alternate translation: “He is just the son of a carpenter. We know his mother Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

147113:55rpj9ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱός1

A carpenter is someone who makes things with wood or stone. If “carpenter” is not known, “builder” can be used.

147213:56m9pnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionαἱ ἀδελφαὶ αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ πᾶσαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς εἰσιν?1

The crowd uses these questions to express their belief that they know who Jesus is and that he is just an ordinary man. Alternate translation: “And all his sisters are with us, too.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

147313:56bnv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπόθεν οὖν τούτῳ ταῦτα πάντα?1

The crowd uses this question to show their understanding that Jesus must have gotten his abilities from somewhere. They were probably expressing their doubt that he got his abilities from God. Alternate translation: “He must have gotten his ability to do these things from somewhere!” or “We do not know where he got these abilities!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

147413:56pqf1ταῦτα πάντα1

This refers to Jesus wisdom and ability to do miracles.

147513:57f5mdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Jesus hometown took offense at him” or “The people rejected Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

147613:57azn4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἔστιν προφήτης ἄτιμος1

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “A prophet receives honor everywhere” or “People everywhere honor a prophet” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

147713:57sq8jτῇ πατρίδι1

“his own region” or “his own hometown”

147813:57w4x8ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

“in his own home”

147913:58e2cpοὐκ ἐποίησεν ἐκεῖ δυνάμεις πολλὰς1

“Jesus did not do many miracles in his own hometown”

148014:introg5mc0

Matthew 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Verses 1 and 2 continue the account from chapter 13. Verses 3-12 stop the account and speak of things that happened earlier, possibly soon after Satan tempted Jesus (see Matthew 4:12). Verse 13 continues the account from verse 2. Be sure to have words in verses 3-12 that tell the reader that Matthew has stopped his account to give new information before he continues. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

Possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Passive voice

Many sentences in this chapter tell that a person had something happen to him without saying who caused that something to happen. For example, the writer does not tell who brought Johns head to Herodiass daughter (Matthew 14:11). You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

148114:1zl7xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events0

These verses explain Herods reaction when he heard about Jesus. This event happens some time after the events that follow in the narrative. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

148214:1q8h5ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ1

“In those days” or “While Jesus was ministering in Galilee”

148314:1l9urἤκουσεν & τὴν ἀκοὴν Ἰησοῦ1

“heard reports about Jesus” or “heard about the fame of Jesus”

148414:2pd1bεἶπεν1

“Herod said”

148514:2nx7xἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν1

The words “from the dead” speak of all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from the dead speaks of coming alive again.

148614:2vve7διὰ τοῦτο αἱ δυνάμεις ἐνεργοῦσιν ἐν αὐτῷ1

Some Jews at that time believed if a person came back from the dead he would have powers to do mighty things.

148714:3y57m0

Matthew recounts the story of John the Baptists death in order to show why Herod reacted the way he did when he heard about Jesus.

148814:3zgp9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events0

Here the author begins to tell about how Herod had executed John the Baptist. These events occur some time before the event in the previous verses. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

148914:3h466rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης κρατήσας τὸν Ἰωάννην, ἔδησεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ ἀπέθετο1

It says that Herod did these things because he ordered others to do them for him. Alternate translation: “Herod ordered his soldiers to arrest and bind John the Baptist and put him in prison” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

149014:3lr92rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτὴν γυναῖκα Φιλίππου1

Philip was Herods brother. Herod had taken Philips wife to be his own wife. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

149114:4d3gprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-eventsἔλεγεν γὰρ & ὁ Ἰωάννης & ἔχειν αὐτήν1

If needed, you can present the events of 14:3-4 in the order that they happened, as in the UST. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

149214:4n1t6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἔλεγεν γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης, οὐκ ἔξεστίν σοι ἔχειν αὐτήν.1

This can be expressed as an indirect quote, if needed. Alternate translation: “For John had said to Herod that it was not lawful for Herod to have Herodias as his wife.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

149314:4r8lhἔλεγεν γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης1

“For John had kept saying to Herod”

149414:4nb2jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐκ ἔξεστίν1

Philip was still alive when Herod married Herodias. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

149514:5hg9fἐφοβήθη1

“Herod feared”

149614:5w7uvαὐτὸν εἶχον1

“they regarded John”

149714:6fvs5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν τῷ μέσῳ1

You can make explicit the implicit information. Alternate translation: “in the midst of the guests attending the birthday celebration” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

149814:8rhk5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “After her mother instructed her” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

149914:8wi8sἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα1

“coached” or “told”

150014:8ya5zφησίν1

“the daughter of Herodias said to Herod”

150114:8ruy4πίνακι1

a very large plate

150214:9s8zprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐλυπήθη ὁ βασιλεὺς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Her request made the king very upset” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

150314:9a1erὁ βασιλεὺς1

“King Herod”

150414:9j6nurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκέλευσεν δοθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he ordered his men to do what she said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

150514:10nes50

This concludes the account of how Herod executed John the Baptist.

150614:11nd5rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠνέχθη ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πίνακι, καὶ ἐδόθη τῷ κορασίῳ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

150714:11pba6πίνακι1

a very large plate

150814:11lqb6τῷ κορασίῳ1

Use the word for a young, unmarried girl.

150914:12fl47οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ1

“the disciples of John”

151014:12ni1qτὸ πτῶμα1

“the dead body”

151114:12mq89rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλθόντες, ἀπήγγειλαν τῷ Ἰησοῦ1

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the disciples of John went and told Jesus what had happened to John the Baptist” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

151214:13id97rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

These verses give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform by feeding five thousand people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

151314:13ql1f0

These verses describe how Jesus reacted when he heard that Herod had executed John the Baptist.

151414:13ds5wδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

151514:13dvq4ἀκούσας1

“heard what happened to John” or “heard the news about John”

151614:13ia39rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀνεχώρησεν1

“he left” or “he went away from the crowd.” It is implied that Jesus disciples went with him. Alternate translation: “Jesus and his disciples left” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

151714:13zlh8ἐκεῖθεν1

“from that place”

151814:13i7uuκαὶ ἀκούσαντες, οἱ ὄχλοι1

“When the crowds heard where Jesus had gone” or “When the crowds heard that he had left”

151914:13u6nrοἱ ὄχλοι1

“the crowds of people” or “the huge group of people” or “the people”

152014:13ipm9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπεζῇ1

This means that the people in the crowd were walking. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

152114:14d8n3καὶ ἐξελθὼν, εἶδεν πολὺν ὄχλον1

“When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd”

152214:15gcu90

This begins the account of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only five small loaves of bread and two small fish.

152314:15xa7nπροσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ1

“Jesus disciples came to him”

152414:16qwk1οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν1

“The people in the crowd have no need”

152514:16r5gdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youδότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς1

The word “You” is plural, referring to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

152614:17tm5tοἱ δὲ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ1

“The disciples said to Jesus”

152714:17ih48πέντε ἄρτους1

A loaf of bread is a lump of dough that is shaped and baked.

152814:18szx6φέρετέ μοι ὧδε αὐτούς1

“Bring the loaves and fish to me”

152914:19yne50

This concludes the account of Jesus feeding five thousand people.

153014:19vp7rἀνακλιθῆναι1

“lie down.” Use the verb for the position people in your culture usually are in when they eat.

153114:19u613rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomλαβὼν1

“He held in his hands.” He did not steal them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

153214:19i34uκλάσας & τοὺς ἄρτους1

“tore the loaves”

153314:19bf1aτοὺς ἄρτους1

“loaves of bread” or “whole breads”

153414:19t7eiἀναβλέψας1

Possible meanings are (1) “While looking up” or (2) “After looking up.”

153514:20l2h8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “until they were full” or “until they were no longer hungry” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

153614:20p73gἦραν1

“the disciples gathered up” or “some people gathered up”

153714:20czj4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδώδεκα κοφίνους πλήρεις1

“12 baskets full” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

153814:21wv59οἱ δὲ ἐσθίοντες1

“Those who ate the bread and the fish”

153914:21als7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἄνδρες & πεντακισχίλιοι1

“5,000 men” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

154014:22yp8l0

These verses give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform of walking on water.

154114:22eaa80

The following verses describe events that happened right after Jesus fed the five thousand people.

154214:22wt1tκαὶ εὐθέως ἠνάγκασεν1

“As soon as Jesus had finished feeding all the people, he”

154314:23d27uὀψίας δὲ γενομένης1

“Late in the evening” or “When it became dark”

154414:24vzd1βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων1

“and the disciples could not control the boat because of the large waves”

154514:25pmw8τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς1

The fourth watch is between 3 a.m. and sunrise. Alternate translation: “Just before dawn”

154614:25t1vpπεριπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν1

“walking on top of the water”

154714:26q9qsἐταράχθησαν1

“they were very afraid”

154814:26h7dfφάντασμά1

a spirit that has left the body of a person who has died

154914:28w2plἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ, ὁ Πέτρος1

“Peter answered Jesus”

155014:30sk3jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomβλέπων & τὸν ἄνεμον ἰσχυρὸν1

Here “saw the wind” means he became aware of the wind. Alternate translation: “when Peter saw that the wind was tossing the waves back and forth” or “when he realized how strong the wind was” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

155114:31bd2vὀλιγόπιστε, εἰς τί1

“You who have such little faith.” Jesus addressed Peter this way because Peter became afraid. It can also be translated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have so little faith! Why”

155214:31cr9irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionεἰς τί ἐδίστασας1

Jesus uses a question to tell Peter than he should not have doubted. You can make explicit what Peter should not have doubted. Alternate translation: “you should not have doubted that I could keep you from sinking.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

155314:33u8purc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΘεοῦ Υἱὸς1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

155414:34r5lm0

These verses describe what happened after Jesus walked on the water. They summarize how the people were responding to Jesus ministry.

155514:34cv3fκαὶ διαπεράσαντες1

“When Jesus and his disciples had crossed over the lake”

155614:34x9nurc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΓεννησαρέτ1

This is a small town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

155714:35xd7cἀπέστειλαν1

“the men of that area sent messages”

155814:36ql3yκαὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν1

“The sick people begged him”

155914:36x8jvτοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ1

“his robe” or “what he was wearing”

156014:36mw8nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδιεσώθησαν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “became well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

156115:introi9a50

Matthew 15 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 15:8-9, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

The “traditions of the elders”

The “traditions of the elders” were oral laws that the Jewish religious leaders developed because they wanted to make sure that everyone obeyed the law of Moses. However, they often worked harder to obey these rules than to obey the law of Moses itself. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for this, and they became angry as a result. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])

Jews and Gentiles

The Jews of Jesus time thought that only Jews could please God by the way they lived. Jesus healed a Canaanite Gentile womans daughter to show his followers that he would accept both Jews and Gentiles as his people.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Sheep

The Bible often speaks of people as if they were sheep because sheep need someone to take care of them. This is because they do not see well and they often go to where other animals can kill them easily. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

156215:1q6afrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent0

The scene shifts to events that occurred some time after events of the previous chapter. Here Jesus responds to the criticisms of the Pharisees. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])

156315:2j1b8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionδιὰ τί οἱ μαθηταί σου παραβαίνουσιν τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων?1

The Pharisees and scribes use this question to criticize Jesus and his disciples. Alternate translation: “Your disciples do not respect the rules that our ancestors have given us.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

156415:2yn6lτὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων1

This is not the same as the law of Moses. This refers to later teachings and interpretations of the law given by religious leaders after Moses.

156515:2gfn6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐ & νίπτονται τὰς χεῖρας1

This washing is not only to clean hands. This refers to a ceremonial washing according to the tradition of the elders. Alternate translation: “they do not wash their hands properly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

156615:3ia1erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionδιὰ τί καὶ ὑμεῖς παραβαίνετε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ διὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν?1

Jesus answers with a question to criticize what the religious leaders do. Alternate translation: “And I see that you refuse to obey Gods commands just so that you can follow what your ancestors taught you!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

156715:4srz60

In verse 4, Jesus quotes twice from Exodus to show how God expects people to treat their parents.

156815:4cz1q0

Jesus continues to respond to the Pharisees.

156915:4qmm7θανάτῳ τελευτάτω1

“the people will surely execute him”

157015:5ql75rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the Pharisees and scribes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

157115:6b81c0

Jesus continues to rebuke the Pharisees.

157215:6vr6yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesοὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ1

The words beginning with “But you say” (verse 5) have a quotation within a quotation. If necessary you can translate them as indirect quotations. “But you teach that a person does not need to honor his parents by giving them something that may help them if the person tells his parents that he has already given it as a gift to God” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

157315:6q3ktrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ1

It is implied that “his father” means “his parents.” This means the religious leaders taught that a person does not need to show respect to his parents by taking care of them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

157415:6znt9ἠκυρώσατε τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Here “word of God” refers specifically to his commands. Alternate translation: “you have treated the word of God as if it were invalid” or “you have ignored Gods commands”

157515:6yq5aδιὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν1

“because you want to follow your traditions”

157615:7t4fq0

In verses 8 and 9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to rebuke the Pharisees and scribes.

157715:7tn3b0

Jesus concludes his response to the Pharisees and scribes.

157815:7wv77καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν περὶ ὑμῶν Ἠσαΐας1

“Isaiah told the truth in this prophecy about you”

157915:7n4tirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitλέγων1

It is implied that Isaiah is speaking what God told him. Alternate translation: “when he told what God said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

158015:8qw69rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ1

Here “lips” refers to speaking. Alternate translation: “These people say all the right things to me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

158115:8bz91με1

All occurrences of this word refer to God.

158215:8wuw3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ1

Here “heart” refers to a persons thoughts or emotions. This phrase is a way of saying the people are not truly devoted to God. Alternate translation: “but they do not really love me” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

158315:9jf93μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με1

“Their worship means nothing to me” or “They only pretend to worship me”

158415:9vvb9ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων1

“the rules that people make up”

158515:10ti4w0

Jesus begins to teach the crowd and his disciples about what defiles a person and why the Pharisees and scribes were wrong to criticize him.

158615:11s28yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰσερχόμενον εἰς τὸ στόμα & ἐκπορευόμενον ἐκ τοῦ στόματος1

Jesus is contrasting what a person eats to what a person says. Jesus means that God is concerned with what a person says rather than what a person eats. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

158715:12l2ujrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “this statement made the Pharisees angry” or “this statement offended the Pharisees” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

158815:13n5ijrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπᾶσα φυτεία ἣν οὐκ ἐφύτευσεν ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ἐκριζωθήσεται1

This is a metaphor. Jesus means that the Pharisees do not actually belong to God, so God will remove them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

158915:13j49erc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

159015:13hs4trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκριζωθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “my Father will uproot” or “he will take out of the ground” or “he will remove” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

159115:14r167ἄφετε αὐτούς1

The word “them” refers to the Pharisees.

159215:14ai9xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁδηγοί εἰσιν τυφλοί & ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται1

Jesus uses another metaphor to describe the Pharisees. Jesus means that the Pharisees do not understand Gods commands or how to please him. Therefore, they cannot teach others how to please God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

159315:15cje40

Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 15:13-14.

159415:15shg6ἡμῖν1

“to us disciples”

159515:16xr780

Jesus explains the parable that he told in Matthew 15:13-14.

159615:16al9zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἀκμὴν καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀσύνετοί ἐστε?1

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the disciples for not understanding the parable. Also, the word “you” is emphasized. Jesus cannot believe his own disciples do not understand. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you, my disciples, still do not understand what I teach!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

159715:17l5ntrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὔπω νοεῖτε & εἰς ἀφεδρῶνα1

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the disciples for not understanding the parable. Alternate translation: “Surely you understand … into the latrine” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

159815:17s833εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν χωρεῖ1

“goes into the stomach”

159915:17s9z6ἀφεδρῶνα1

This a polite term for the place where people bury body waste.

160015:18e7mu0

Jesus continues to explain the parable that he told in Matthew 15:13-14.

160115:18ca1wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὰ & ἐκπορευόμενα ἐκ τοῦ στόματος1

This refers to what a person says. Alternate translation: “words that a person says” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

160215:18x14krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκ τῆς καρδίας1

Here “heart” refers to a persons mind or innermost being. Alternate translation: “from inside the person” or “from a persons mind” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

160315:19rg59φόνοι1

the act of killing innocent people

160415:20bme7ἀνίπτοις χερσὶν φαγεῖν1

This refers to eating without first ceremonially washing ones hands according to the traditions of the elders. Alternate translation: “eating without first washing ones hands”

160515:21e5gv0

This begins an account of Jesus healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman.

160615:21t81urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐξελθὼν & ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

It is implied that the disciples went with Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus and his disciples went away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

160715:22x1wmἰδοὺ, γυνὴ Χαναναία & ἐξελθοῦσα1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this. Alternate translation: “There was a Canaanite woman who came”

160815:22jt94γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα1

“a woman who was from that region and who belonged to the group of people called Canaanites came.” The country of Canaan no longer existed by this time. She was a part of a people group that lived near the cities of Tyre and Sidon.

160915:22f4k2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλέησόν με1

This phrase implies that she is requesting that Jesus heal her daughter. Alternate translation: “Have mercy and heal my daughter” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

161015:22xs64Υἱὸς Δαυείδ1

Jesus was not Davids literal son, so this may be translated as “Descendant of David.” However, “Son of David” is also a title for the Messiah, and the woman may have been calling Jesus by this title.

161115:22j6rtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “A demon is controlling my daughter terribly” or “A demon is tormenting my daughter severely” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

161215:23hd2irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον1

Here “word” refers to what a person says. Alternate translation: “said nothing” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

161315:24t9garc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐκ ἀπεστάλην1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God did not send me to anyone” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

161415:24u9t4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ1

This is a metaphor comparing the entire nation of Israel to sheep who have gone away from their shepherd. See how you translated this in Matthew 10:6. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

161515:25ch7cἡ & ἐλθοῦσα1

“the Canaanite woman came”

161615:25u3jjrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπροσεκύνει αὐτῷ1

This shows that the woman humbled herself before Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

161715:26ihz4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsοὐκ ἔστιν καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις1

Jesus responds to the woman with a proverb. The basic meaning is that it is not right to take what is supposed to belong to Jews and give it to non-Jews. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

161815:26a5bcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων1

Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “the childrens food” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

161915:26fe7nτοῖς κυναρίοις1

The Jews considered dogs to be unclean animals. Here they are used as an image for non-Jews.

162015:27yvw1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ & τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν1

The woman responds by using the same imagery as Jesus used in the proverb he just spoke. She means non-Jews should be able to have a small amount of the good things Jews are throwing away. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

162115:27i5ttτὰ κυνάρια1

Use words here for dogs of any size that people keep as pets. See how you translated this in Matthew 15:26.

162215:28tea2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγενηθήτω1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

162315:28n229rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed her daughter” or “Her daughter became well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

162415:28wwq3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “at exactly the same time” or “immediately” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

162515:29np6erc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

These verses give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform by feeding four thousand people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

162615:30c8tdχωλούς, τυφλούς, κυλλούς, κωφούς1

“those who could not walk, those who could not see, those who could not talk, and those whose arms or legs did not function”

162715:30yf7iἔρριψαν αὐτοὺς παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ1

Apparently some of these sick or crippled people were unable to stand up, so when their friends brought them to Jesus, they placed them on the ground in front of him. Alternate translation: “The crowds placed the sick people on the ground in front of Jesus”

162815:31pi52rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκυλλοὺς ὑγιεῖς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the crippled become well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

162915:31be52rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjκυλλοὺς & χωλοὺς & τυφλοὺς1

These nominal adjectives can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “the crippled persons … the lame persons … the blind persons” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

163015:32z28i0

This begins the account of Jesus feeding four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

163115:32efc2νήστεις & μήποτε ἐκλυθῶσιν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ1

“without eating because they might faint on the way”

163215:33uhi3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπόθεν ἡμῖν ἐν ἐρημίᾳ, ἄρτοι τοσοῦτοι ὥστε χορτάσαι ὄχλον τοσοῦτον?1

The disciples use a question to state that there is nowhere to get food for the crowd. Alternate translation: “There is nowhere nearby that we can get enough bread for such a large crowd.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

163315:34k86lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἑπτά, καὶ ὀλίγα ἰχθύδια1

The understood information can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Seven loaves of bread, and a few small fish” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

163415:35x13qἀναπεσεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν1

Use your languages word for how people customarily eat when there is no table, whether sitting or lying down.

163515:36x7kcἔλαβεν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς ἰχθύας1

“Jesus held the seven loaves and the fish in his hands”

163615:36dcr4ἔκλασεν1

“he tore the loaves”

163715:36a9s4ἐδίδου1

“gave the bread and the fish”

163815:37fc8gἦραν1

“the disciples gathered” or “some people gathered”

163915:38udk7οἱ & ἐσθίοντες1

“The people who ate”

164015:38z66mrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersτετρακισχίλιοι ἄνδρες1

“4,000 men” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

164115:39be43τὰ ὅρια1

“the area”

164215:39m8dprc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΜαγαδάν1

This region is sometimes called “Magdala.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

164316:introza2k0

Matthew 16 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Yeast

Jesus spoke of the way people thought about God as if it were bread, and he spoke of what people taught about God as if it were the yeast that makes bread dough become larger and the baked bread taste good. He did not want his followers to listen to what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught. This was because if they did listen, they would not understand who God is and how he wants his people to live. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Jesus told his people to obey his commands. He did this by telling them to “follow” him. It is as if he were walking on a path and they were walking after him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Background information

Matthew continues his account from chapter 15 in verses 1-20. The account stops in verse 21 so Matthew can tell the reader that Jesus told his disciples again and again that people would kill him after he arrived in Jerusalem. Then the account continues in verses 22-27 with what happened the first time Jesus told the disciples that he would die.

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. Jesus uses a paradox when he says, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

164416:1t2490

This begins an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees.

164516:1t7p5πειράζοντες1

Here “tested” is used in a negative sense. Alternate translation: “challenged him” or “wanted to trap him”

164616:4jl3erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personγενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ & δοθήσεται αὐτῇ1

Jesus is speaking to his present generation. Alternate translation: “You are an evil and adulterous generation who demands signs from me … given to you” See how you translated this in Matthew 12:39. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

164716:4fhx6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorγενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς1

Here “adulterous” is a metaphor for people who are not faithful to God. See how you translated this in Matthew 12:39. Alternate translation: “An unfaithful generation” or “A godless generation” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

164816:4d9eqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσημεῖον & οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ1

Jesus would not give them a sign because, though he had already performed many miracles, they refused to believe him. This can be stated in active form. See how you translated this in Matthew 12:39. Alternate translation: “I will not give it a sign” or “God will not give you a sign” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

164916:4dep2εἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ1

“except the same sign God gave to Jonah the prophet.” See how you translated this in Matthew 12:39.

165016:5ii6j0

Here the scene shifts to a later time. Jesus uses an opportunity to warn his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

165116:5si9krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisτὸ πέραν1

You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “the other side of the lake” or “the other side of the Sea of Galilee” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

165216:6hfz2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων1

Here “yeast” is a metaphor that refers to evil ideas and wrong teaching. Translate as “yeast” here and do not explain its meaning in your translation. This meaning will be made clear in 16:12. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

165316:7huw7διελογίζοντο ἐν ἑαυτοῖς1

“discussed this with each other” or “thought about this”

165416:8mg8sὀλιγόπιστοι1

“You who have such little faith.” Jesus addresses his disciples this way because their concern about not bringing bread shows they have little faith in Jesus to provide for them. See how you translated this in Matthew 6:30.

165516:8zz4irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί διαλογίζεσθε & ἄρτους οὐκ ἔχετε?1

Jesus uses a question to rebuke his disciples for not understanding what he just said. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you think it was because you forgot to bring bread that I talked about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

165616:9k8lk0

Jesus continues to warn his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

165716:9h5bgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὔπω νοεῖτε, οὐδὲ μνημονεύετε & ἐλάβετε?1

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the disciples. Alternate translation: “Surely you remember … you gathered up!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

165816:9ux51rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersτῶν πεντακισχιλίων1

“5,000” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

165916:10b11xrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersτῶν τετρακισχιλίων1

“4,000” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

166016:10ejm5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐδὲ τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους & ἐλάβετε?1

“Do you also not remember the seven loaves … you took up?” Jesus uses a question to rebuke his disciples. Alternate translation: “Surely you also remember the seven loaves … you took up!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

166116:11f42k0

Jesus continues to warn his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

166216:11mb2zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς οὐ νοεῖτε, ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον ὑμῖν?1

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the disciples. Alternate translation: “You should have understood that I was not really speaking about bread.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

166316:11i7x6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων1

Here “yeast” represents evil ideas and wrong teaching. Translate as “yeast” and do not explain the meaning in your translation. In 16:12 the disciples will understand the meaning. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

166416:12f73lσυνῆκαν1

These refer to the disciples.

166516:13e5cm0

Here the scene shifts to a later time. Jesus asks his disciples if they understand who he is.

166616:13pye3δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line or to introduce a new person. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

166716:13e1jhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

166816:16n5wirc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος1

This is an important title for Jesus that shows his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

166916:16r1h7τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος1

Here “living” contrasts the God of Israel to all the false gods and idols that people worshiped. Only the God of Israel is alive and has power to act.

167016:17le6arc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΣίμων Βαριωνᾶ1

“Simon son of Jonah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

167116:17dfw5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheσὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν1

Here “flesh and blood” refers to a human being. Alternate translation: “a human did not reveal” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

167216:17wix3σοι1

Here “this” refers to Peters statement that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the Living God.

167316:17v5lwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀλλ’ ὁ Πατήρ μου, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς1

The understood information can be made clear. Alternate translation: “but it was my Father in heaven who revealed this to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

167416:17gi3lrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατήρ μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

167516:18z897κἀγὼ & σοι λέγω1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

167616:18th3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitσὺ εἶ Πέτρος1

The name Peter means “rock.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

167716:18x43drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν1

Here “build my church” is a metaphor for uniting the people who believe in Jesus into a community. Possible meanings are (1) “this rock” represents Peter, or (2) “this rock” represents the truth that Peter had just said in Matthew 16:16. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

167816:18vu9urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπύλαι ᾍδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς1

Here “Hades” is spoken of as if it were a city surrounded by walls with gates that keep dead people in and other people out. Here “Hades” represents death, and its “gates” represent its power. Possible meanings are (1) “the powers of death will not overcome my church” or (2) “my church will break down the power of death the way an army breaks into a city.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

167916:19ysk8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youδώσω σοι1

Here “you” is singular and refers to Peter. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

168016:19pp5drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰς κλεῖδας τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Keys are objects that are used to lock or unlock doors. Here they represent authority. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

168116:19kc3krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

This refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

168216:19ef9crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς; καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς1

Here “bind” is a metaphor meaning to forbid something, and “loose” is a metaphor meaning to allow something. Also, “in heaven” is a metonym that represents God himself. Alternate translation: “God in heaven will approve whatever you forbid or allow on earth” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

168316:21wl330

Jesus tells his disciples for the first time that he will die soon.

168416:21xql7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπολλὰ παθεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, καὶ ἀρχιερέων, καὶ γραμματέων1

Here “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “where the elders, chief priests, and scribes will cause him to suffer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

168516:21es1lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγραμματέων, καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆναι1

Here to raise back to life is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. This can be stated in active form. The elders and chief priests would accuse Jesus so that others would kill him. Alternate translation: “scribes. People will then kill him , and on the third day God will make him become alive again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

168616:21jjx5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ1

“Third” is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

168716:22jie2rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundκαὶ προσλαβόμενος αὐτὸν, ὁ Πέτρος1

Jesus tells them for the first time that he will die soon (verse 21). He will tell them the same thing many times after this first time. It is after this first time that Peter takes Jesus aside. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

168816:22q31hπροσλαβόμενος αὐτὸν, ὁ Πέτρος1

“Peter spoke to Jesus when no one else could hear them”

168916:22guz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἵλεώς σοι1

This is an idiom that means “may this never happen.” Alternate translation: “No” or “Never” or “May God forbid this” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

169016:23f28irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ! σκάνδαλον εἶ ἐμοῦ1

Jesus means that Peter is acting like Satan because Peter is trying to prevent Jesus from accomplishing what God sent him to do. Alternate translation: “Get behind me, because you are acting like Satan! You are a stumbling block to me” or “Get behind me, Satan! I call you Satan because you are a stumbling block to me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

169116:23ax7xὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου1

“Get away from me”

169216:24ck1arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν1

Following Jesus here represents being one of his disciples. Alternate translation: “be my disciple” or “be one of my disciples” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

169316:24pg9hἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν1

“must not give in to his own desires” or “must forsake his own desires”

169416:24h7ugrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι1

“carry his cross, and follow me.” The cross represents suffering and death. Taking up the cross represents being willing to suffer and die. Alternate translation: “and obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” or “and he must obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

169516:24x13vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι1

Following Jesus here represents obeying him. Alternate translation: “and obey me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

169616:25pk8hὃς γὰρ ἐὰν θέλῃ1

“For anyone who wants”

169716:25y9kcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀπολέσει αὐτήν1

This does not mean the person must necessarily die. It is a metaphor that means the person will consider obeying Jesus as being more important than his own life. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

169816:25ie7tἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ1

“because he trusts me” or “on my account” or “because of me”

169916:25xz98rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεὑρήσει αὐτήν1

This metaphor means the person will experience spiritual life with God. Alternate translation: “will find true life” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

170016:26eqe8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί γὰρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος & τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ?1

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. Alternate translation: “It does not profit a person … his life.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

170116:26q7x1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ1

The words “the whole world” are an exaggeration for great riches. Alternate translation: “if he gains everything he desires” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

170216:26b34qτὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ1

“but he loses his life”

170316:26eck5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ?1

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. Alternate translation: “There is nothing that a person can give to regain his life.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

170416:27iyu1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου & τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ & τότε ἀποδώσει1

Here Jesus refers to himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of man … my Father … Then I” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

170516:27ie16μέλλει & ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ1

“will come, having the same glory as his Father”

170616:27k4q4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personμετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ1

“and the angels will be with him.” If you translate the first part of the sentence with Jesus speaking in the first person, you can translate this as “and my Fathers angels will be with me.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

170716:27vk5yrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and the Son of Man, Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

170816:27i7rsκατὰ τὴν πρᾶξιν αὐτοῦ1

“according to what each person has done”

170916:28ytr3ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

171016:28k2d1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

All occurrences of this word are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

171116:28wq13rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου1

Here “taste” means to experience. Alternate translation: “will not experience death” or” will not die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

171216:28b2pbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ1

Here “his kingdom” represents him being King. Alternate translation: “until they see the Son of Man coming as King” or “until they see the evidence that the Son of Man is King” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

171317:introyb4k0

Matthew 17 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Elijah

The Old Testament prophet Malachi lived many years before Jesus was born. Malachi had said that before the Messiah came a prophet named Elijah would return. Jesus explained that Malachi had been talking about John the Baptist. Jesus said this because John the Baptist had done what Malachi had said that Elijah would do. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])

“transfigured”

Scripture often speaks of Gods glory as a great, brilliant light. When people see this light, they are afraid. Matthew says in this chapter that Jesus body shone with this glorious light so that his followers could see that Jesus truly was Gods Son. At the same time, God told them that Jesus was his Son. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/glory]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/fear]])

171417:1u6dw0

This begins the account of Jesus transfiguration.

171517:1nva7τὸν Πέτρον, καὶ Ἰάκωβον, καὶ Ἰωάννην, τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ1

“Peter, James, and Jamess brother John”

171617:2xx8eμετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν1

When they looked at him, his appearance was different from what it had been.

171717:2kq4lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμετεμορφώθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “his appearance had changed” or “he appeared very different” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

171817:2uxg3ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν1

“in front of them” or “so they could clearly him”

171917:2i1mprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς1

These are similes that emphasize how bright Jesus appearance became. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

172017:2te1sτὰ & ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ1

“what he was wearing”

172117:3axr5ἰδοὺ1

This word alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

172217:3n63yαὐτοῖς1

This refers to Peter, James, and John.

172317:3sde3μετ’ αὐτοῦ1

“with Jesus”

172417:4r41cἀποκριθεὶς & εἶπεν1

“said.” Peter is not responding to a question.

172517:4d231rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveκαλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι1

It is not clear whether “us” refers only to Peter, James, and John, or if it refers to everyone there, including Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. If you can translate so that both options are possible, do so. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

172617:5cek4ἰδοὺ1

This alerts the reader to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

172717:5an8jἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς1

“came over them”

172817:5kc8trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyφωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης1

Here “voice” refers to God speaking. Alternate translation: “God spoke to them from out of the cloud” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

172917:6wd76καὶ ἀκούσαντες, οἱ μαθηταὶ1

“the disciples heard God speak”

173017:6a87erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν1

Here “fell on their face” here is an idiom. Alternate translation: “they fell forward, with their faces to the ground” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

173117:9w4w90

The following events happen immediately after the three disciples witness Jesus transfiguration.

173217:9jz51καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν1

“As Jesus and the disciples”

173317:9y9rqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

173417:10nwt5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτί οὖν οἱ γραμματεῖς λέγουσιν ὅτι Ἠλείαν δεῖ ἐλθεῖν πρῶτον?1

The disciples are referring to the belief that Elijah will come back to life and return to the people of Israel before the Messiah comes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

173517:11xbs2ἀποκαταστήσει πάντα1

“put things in order” or “get the people ready to receive the Messiah”

173617:12whp9λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

173717:12a4h7ἐποίησαν & αὐτῶν1

All occurrences of these words may mean either (1) the Jewish leaders or (2) all the Jewish people.

173817:12tyw4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαὶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου μέλλει πάσχειν ὑπ’ αὐτῶν1

Here “hands” refers to power. Alternate translation: “they will make the Son of Man suffer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

173917:12i74irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

174017:14t6870

This begins an account of Jesus healing a boy who had an evil spirit. These events happen immediately after Jesus and his disciples descend from the mountain.

174117:15ufb4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν1

It is implied that the man wants Jesus to heal his son. Alternate translation: “have mercy on my son and heal him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

174217:15hs55σεληνιάζεται1

This means that he sometimes had seizures. He would become unconscious and move uncontrollably. Alternate translation: “has seizures”

174317:17lyu5γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη, ἕως πότε1

“This generation does not believe in God and does not know what is right or wrong. How”

174417:17su3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἕως πότε μεθ’ ὑμῶν ἔσομαι? ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν?1

These questions show Jesus is unhappy with the people. Alternate translation: “I am tired of being with you! I am tired of your unbelief and corruption!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

174517:18i8kdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the boy became well” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

174617:18h2gcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “immediately” or “at that moment” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

174717:19pz9frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμεῖς1

Here “we” refers to the speakers but not the hearers and so is exclusive. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

174817:19r9j7διὰ τί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό?1

“Why could we not make the demon come out of the boy?”

174917:20u5llἀμὴν, γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

175017:20uy78rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως1

Jesus compares the size of a mustard seed to the amount of faith needed to do a miracle. A mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a large plant. Jesus means it only takes a small amount of faith to do a great miracle. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

175117:20x48irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotesοὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν1

This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “you will be able to do anything” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])

175217:22r2cu0

Here the scene shifts momentarily, and Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a second time.

175317:22n2xsσυστρεφομένων & αὐτῶν1

“Jesus and his disciples stayed”

175417:22ff8xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμέλλει ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone will deliver the Son of Man” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

175517:22mmk2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπαραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων1

The word “hands” here is a metonym for the power that people use hands to exercise. Alternate translation: “taken and put under the power of people” or “taken and given to people who will control him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

175617:22i5rbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

175717:22jne3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων1

Here “hands” refers to power or control. Alternate translation: “to the control of the people” or “to the people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

175817:23hl6jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personαὐτόν & ἐγερθήσεται1

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

175917:23b6g3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ1

“Third” is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

176017:23fni4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐγερθήσεται1

Here to raise up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will raise him up” or “God will cause him to become alive again” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

176117:24jli60

Here the scene shifts again to a later time when Jesus teaches Peter about paying the temple tax.

176217:24t8qtἐλθόντων & αὐτῶν1

“When Jesus and his disciples”

176317:24b953rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyτὰ δίδραχμα1

This was a tax that Jewish men paid to support the temple in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the temple tax” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

176417:25y26nτὴν οἰκίαν1

“the place where Jesus was staying”

176517:25yp5hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί σοι δοκεῖ, Σίμων? οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, ἀπὸ τίνων λαμβάνουσιν τέλη ἢ κῆνσον? ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῶν ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων?1

Jesus asks these questions to teach Simon, not to gain information for himself. Alternate translation: “Listen, Simon. We know that when kings collect taxes, they collect it from people who are not members of their own family” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

176617:26fb1c0

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 13:54, where Matthew tells of continued opposition to Jesus ministry and teaching about the kingdom of heaven.

176717:26j3g40

Jesus continues to teach Peter about paying the temple tax.

176817:26w75wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsεἰπόντος δέ, ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων, ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

If you translated Jesus questions as statements in Matthew 17:25, you may need to give an alternate response here. You could also state it as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “When Peter said, Yes, that is true. Kings collect taxes from foreigners, Jesus said” or “After Peter agreed with Jesus, Jesus said” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

176917:26uh6yἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων1

In modern times, leaders usually tax their own citizens. But, in ancient times, the leaders often taxed the people they had conquered rather than their own citizens.

177017:26u6xxοἱ υἱοί1

people over whom a ruler or king rules

177117:27mwa6ἵνα δὲ μὴ σκανδαλίσωμεν αὐτούς, πορευθεὶς1

“But we do not want to make the tax collectors angry. So, go.”

177217:27uhk5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitβάλε ἄγκιστρον1

Fishermen tied hooks to the end of a line, then threw it in the water to catch fish. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

177317:27ebj4τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ1

“the fishs mouth”

177417:27t9t8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyστατῆρα1

a silver coin worth four days wages (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

177517:27ej3lἐκεῖνον λαβὼν1

“Take the shekel”

177617:27km3vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἀντὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ1

Here “you” is singular and refers to Peter. Each man had to pay a half shekel tax. So one shekel would be enough for Jesus and Peter to pay their taxes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

177718:introm4y60

Matthew 18 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

What should Jesus followers do when other followers sin against them?

Jesus taught that his followers must treat each other well and not be angry with each other. They should forgive anyone who is sorry for his sin, even if he has committed the same sin before. If he is not sorry for his sin, Jesus followers should speak with him alone or in a small group. If he is still not sorry after that, then Jesus followers can treat him as guilty. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])

177818:1f7zv0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through Matthew 18:35, where Jesus teaches about life in the kingdom of heaven. Here, Jesus uses a little child to teach the disciples.

177918:1iri5τίς ἄρα μείζων ἐστὶν1

“Who is the most important” or “Who among us will be the most important”

178018:1pp31rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “in Gods kingdom” or “when our God in heaven establishes his rule on earth” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

178118:3qb44ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

178218:3fs1erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesἐὰν μὴ στραφῆτε & τὰ παιδία, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε1

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “you must change … children in order to enter” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

178318:3ewj5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileγένησθε ὡς τὰ παιδία1

Jesus uses a simile to teach the disciples that they should not be concerned with who is most important. They should be concerned with becoming humble like a child. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

178418:3ch9prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “enter Gods kingdom” or “belong to our God in heaven when he establishes his rule on earth” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

178518:4ta7zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile0

Jesus continues teaching the disciples that they need to be humble like a child if they want to be important in Gods kingdom. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

178618:4f9t5ἐστιν ὁ μείζων1

“is the most important” or “will be the most important”

178718:4gf8lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “in Gods kingdom” or “when our God in heaven establishes his rule on earth” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

178818:5dz1irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου1

Here “my name” refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because he is my disciple” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

178918:5ik3rκαὶ ὃς ἐὰν & ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ἐμὲ δέχεται1

Jesus means that it is the same as welcoming him. Alternate translation: “When someone … in my name, it is like he is welcoming me” or “When someone … in my name, it is as if he were welcoming me”

179018:6ghp3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκρεμασθῇ μύλος ὀνικὸς περὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταποντισθῇ ἐν τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “if someone put a great millstone around his neck and threw him into the deep sea” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

179118:6w3uzμύλος1

This is a large, heavy, circular stone used for grinding wheat grain into flour. Alternate translation: “a heavy stone”

179218:7cl5i0

Jesus continues to use a little child to teach the disciples and warns against the terrible consequences of causing children to sin.

179318:7ees6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῷ κόσμῳ1

Here “world” refers to people. Alternate translation: “to the people of the world” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

179418:7y7vhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῶν σκανδάλων & ἐλθεῖν τὰ σκάνδαλα & τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ δι’ οὗ τὸ σκάνδαλον ἔρχεται1

Here “stumbling” is a metaphor for sin. Alternate translation: “things that cause people to sin … things come that cause people to sin … any person who causes others to sin” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

179518:8vad7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleεἰ δὲ ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ1

Jesus exaggerates here to emphasize that people must do anything necessary to remove from their lives what causes them to sin. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

179618:8gqi3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youσου & σε1

All occurrences of these words are singular. Jesus is speaking to all people in general. It may be more natural for your language to translate with a plural “you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

179718:8pc4dεἰς τὴν ζωὴν1

“into eternal life”

179818:8lhk9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἢ δύο χεῖρας ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα, βληθῆναι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “than to have both hands and feet when God throws you into the eternal fire” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

179918:9xad4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleκαὶ εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔξελε αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ1

The command to destroy the eye, perhaps the most important part of the body, is probably an exaggeration for his hearers to do anything necessary to remove from their lives anything that causes them to sin. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

180018:9q7twrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσκανδαλίζει σε1

Here “stumble” is a metaphor for sin. Alternate translation: “causes you to sin” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

180118:9eii2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youσου & σοῦ1

All occurrences of these words are singular. Jesus is speaking to all people in general. It may be more natural for your language to translate with a plural “you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

180218:9m8asεἰς τὴν ζωὴν1

“into eternal life”

180318:9r1ierc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν Γέενναν τοῦ πυρός1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “than to have both eyes when God throws you into the eternal fire” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

180418:10qnc6ὁρᾶτε1

“Be careful that” or “Be sure that”

180518:10e9ufμὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν μικρῶν τούτων1

“you do not think of these little ones as being unimportant.” This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “you show respect to these little ones”

180618:10j4l5λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν1

This add emphasis to what Jesus says next.

180718:10xdl9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὅτι οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτῶν ἐν οὐρανοῖς, διὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Πατρός μου, τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς1

Jewish teachers taught that only the most important angels could be in Gods presence. Jesus means that the most important angels speak to God about these little ones. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

180818:10y6n9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomδιὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an idiom that means they are in Gods presence. Alternate translation: “are always close to my Father” or “are always in the presence of my Father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

180918:10iq8jrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

181018:12xhq20

Jesus continues to use a little child to teach the disciples and tells a parable to explain Gods care for people.

181118:12idl5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί ὑμῖν δοκεῖ?1

Jesus uses this question to get peoples attention. Alternate translation: “Think about how people act.” or “Think about this.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

181218:12dm8urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

This word is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

181318:12cv92rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑκατὸν & ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα1

“100 … 99” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

181418:12t5h4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ ἀφείς & τὸ πλανώμενον?1

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. Alternate translation: “he will always leave … astray.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

181518:13j5d8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesκαὶ ἐὰν γένηται εὑρεῖν αὐτό & τοῖς μὴ πεπλανημένοις1

This is the end of the parable that begins with the words “If anyone” in verse 12. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

181618:13at4src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youαὐτό, ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next. The word “you” is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

181718:14kcy2οὐκ ἔστιν θέλημα ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν, τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς, ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μικρῶν τούτων1

“your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to die” or “your Father in heaven does not want even one of these little ones to die”

181818:14usa4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῶν1

This word is plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

181918:14fmm2rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

182018:15k6t70

Jesus begins to teach his disciples about forgiveness and reconciliation.

182118:15kpe2ὁ ἀδελφός σου1

This refers to a fellow believer in God, not a physical brother. Alternate translation: “your fellow believer”

182218:15yh3tἐκέρδησας τὸν ἀδελφόν σου1

“you will have made your relationship with your brother good again”

182318:16i25xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν, σταθῇ πᾶν ῥῆμα1

Here “mouth” and “word” refer to what a person says. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that two or three witnesses may verify that what you say about your brother is true” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

182418:17g3ajἐὰν & παρακούσῃ αὐτῶν1

“if your fellow believer refuses to listen to the witnesses who came with you”

182518:17kx28τῆς ἐκκλησίας1

“to the whole community of believers”

182618:17xf1arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔστω σοι ὥσπερ ὁ ἐθνικὸς καὶ ὁ τελώνης1

“treat him as you would treat a Gentile or tax collector.” This implies that they should remove him from the community of believers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

182718:18u2klἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

182818:18qzq7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

All occurrences of this word are plural. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

182918:18bu6irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅσα ἐὰν δήσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν λύσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ1

Here “bind” is a metaphor meaning to forbid something, and “release” is a metaphor meaning to allow something. Also, “in heaven” is a metonym that represents God himself. See how you translated similar phrases in Matthew 16:19. Alternate translation: “God in heaven will approve whatever you forbid or allow on earth” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

183018:18l7naλέγω ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

183118:19cal4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐὰν δύο & ἐξ ὑμῶν1

It is implied that Jesus means “if at least two of you” or “if two or more of you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

183218:19c3lfἐὰν αἰτήσωνται & αὐτοῖς1

These refer to the “two of you.” Alternate translation: “you … you”

183318:19gs8wrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

183418:20kv9zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitδύο ἢ τρεῖς1

It is implied that Jesus means “two or more” or “at least two.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

183518:20s5rxσυνηγμένοι1

“meet”

183618:20l7vurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰς τὸ ἐμὸν ὄνομα1

Here “name” refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because they are my disciples” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

183718:21cys4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑπτάκις1

“7 times” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

183818:22b19xrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά1

Possible meanings are (1) “70 times 7” or (2) “77 times.” If using a number would be confusing, you can translate it as “more times than you can count” or “you must always forgive him.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

183918:23n44s0

Jesus uses a parable to teach about forgiveness and reconciliation.

184018:23rqp1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

This introduces a parable. See how you translated a similar parable introduction in Matthew 13:24. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

184118:23bp72συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ1

“his servants to pay him what they owed”

184218:24d6nerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπροσηνέχθη εἷς αὐτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone brought one of the kings servant” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

184318:24w3nrrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyμυρίων ταλάντων1

“10,000 talents” or “more money than the servant could ever repay” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

184418:25nmz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι & καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the king commanded his servants to sell the man … and to pay the debt with the money from the sale” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

184518:26thl3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπεσὼν οὖν & προσεκύνει1

This shows that the servant approached the king in the most humble way possible. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

184618:26cx5zπροσεκύνει αὐτῷ1

“before the king”

184718:27j5vpσπλαγχνισθεὶς1

“he felt compassion for the servant”

184818:27vn7lἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν1

“let him go”

184918:28d2tbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable to his disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

185018:28a7jbrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyἑκατὸν δηνάρια1

“100 denarii” or “one hundred days wages” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

185118:28uy32κρατήσας αὐτὸν1

“The first servant grasped his fellow servant”

185218:28b7u9κρατήσας1

“took hold of” or “grabbed”

185318:29i21crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπεσὼν1

This shows that the fellow servant approached the first servant in the most humble way possible. See how you translated this in Matthew 18:26. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

185418:29iv8yπαρεκάλει αὐτὸν1

“and begged him”

185518:30fn3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable to his disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

185618:30t8wbἀπελθὼν, ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν1

“the first servant went and threw his fellow servant into prison”

185718:31w9n2οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ1

“other servants”

185818:31nx9kδιεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν1

“told the king”

185918:32pfc2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable to his disciple. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

186018:32txr7τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ1

“Then the king called the first servant”

186118:32wgs1παρεκάλεσάς με1

“you begged me”

186218:33jw37rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι & σὲ ἠλέησα?1

The king uses a question to scold the first servant. Alternate translation: “You should have … you!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

186318:34l7ks0

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 18:1, where Jesus teaches about life in the kingdom of heaven.

186418:34mkm70

Jesus concludes his parable about forgiveness and reconciliation.

186518:34big9ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ1

“The king”

186618:34e95urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπαρέδωκεν αὐτὸν1

“gave him over.” Most likely the king himself did not take the first servant to the torturers. Alternate translation: “he ordered his servants to give him over” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

186718:34j7s3τοῖς βασανισταῖς1

“to those who would torture him”

186818:34e14mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ὀφειλόμενον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the first servant owed the king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

186918:35pm1drc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

187018:35q8p9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν & ὑμῶν1

All occurrences of these words are plural. Jesus is speaking to his disciples, but this parable teaches a general truth that applies to all believers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

187118:35c4fwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν1

Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons inner being. The phrase “from your heart” is an idiom that means “sincerely.” Alternate translation: “sincerely” or “completely” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

187219:introewl50

Matthew 19 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Divorce

Jesus taught about divorce because the Pharisees wanted people to think Jesus teachings about divorce were wrong (Matthew 19:3-12). Jesus talked about what God had first said about marriage when he created it.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metonymy

Jesus often says the word “heaven” when he wants his hearers to think of God, who lives in heaven (Matthew 1:12).

187319:1nj6trc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through Matthew 22:46, which tells of Jesus ministering in Judea. These verses provide background information of how Jesus came to be in Judea. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

187419:1ap4gἐγένετο, ὅτε1

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “When” or “After”

187519:1c5j9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐτέλεσεν & τοὺς λόγους τούτους1

Here “words” refers to what Jesus taught starting in Matthew 18:1. Alternate translation: “had finished teaching these things” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

187619:1d83mἀπὸ1

“walked away from” or “left”

187719:3kg120

Jesus begins to teach about marriage and divorce.

187819:3gl85προσῆλθον αὐτῷ1

“came to Jesus”

187919:3s8jqπειράζοντες αὐτὸν καὶ λέγοντες1

Here “tested” is used in a negative sense. Alternate translation: “and challenged him by asking him” or “and wanted to trap him by asking him”

188019:4ncb6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἀνέγνωτε, ὅτι ὁ ποιήσας ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ, ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς?1

Jesus uses this question to remind the Pharisees of what the scripture says about men, women, and marriage. Alternate translation: “Surely you have read that in the beginning when God created people he made them male and female.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

188119:5n8zn0

In verse 5, Jesus quotes from Genesis to show that a husband and wife should not divorce.

188219:5q71wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ εἶπεν, ἕνεκα τούτου & εἰς σάρκα μίαν?1

This is part of what Jesus expected the Pharisees to have understood from the scripture. The direct quotation can be expressed as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “And surely you know that God also said that for this reason … flesh” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

188319:5phz3ἕνεκα τούτου1

This is a part of the quotation from Genesis story about Adam and Eve. In that context the reason a man will leave his father and mother is because God created a woman to be the mans companion.

188419:5af1rκολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ1

“stay close to his wife” or “live with his wife”

188519:5m83jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν1

This is a metaphor that emphasizes the unity of a husband and a wife. Alternate translation: “they will become like one person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

188619:6m4b7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὥστε οὐκέτι εἰσὶν δύο, ἀλλὰ σὰρξ μία1

This is a metaphor that emphasizes the unity of a husband and a wife. Alternate translation: “So a husband and wife are no longer like two persons, but they are like one person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

188719:7jxs2λέγουσιν αὐτῷ1

“The Pharisees said to Jesus”

188819:7ugf4ἐνετείλατο1

“command us Jews”

188919:7xml9βιβλίον ἀποστασίου1

This is a document that legally ends the marriage.

189019:8zu87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπρὸς τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν1

The phrase “hardness of heart” is a metaphor that means “stubbornness.” Alternate translation: “Because of your stubbornness” or “Because you are stubborn” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

189119:8ve9erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youτὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν & ἐπέτρεψεν ὑμῖν & τὰς γυναῖκας ὑμῶν1

Here “you” and “your” are plural. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, but Moses gave this command many years earlier to their ancestors. Moses command applied to all Jewish men in general. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

189219:8mgx9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀπ’ ἀρχῆς δὲ1

Here “beginning” refers to when God first created man and woman. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

189319:9eq8zλέγω & ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

189419:9yl3xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisγαμήσῃ ἄλλην1

You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “marries another woman” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

189519:9ps45rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsκαὶ ὁ ἀπολελυμένην γαμήσας μοιχᾶται1

Many early texts do not include these words. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])

189619:11h3a3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδέδοται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God allows” or “whom God enables” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

189719:12yvb8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεἰσὶν γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι, οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτως1

You can make explicit the implicit information. Alternate translation: “For there are different reasons that men do not marry. For instance, there are men who were born eunuchs” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

189819:12m1r9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “there are men whom other men have made eunuchs” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

189919:12g4bwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς1

Possible meanings are (1) “men who have made themselves eunuchs by removing their private parts” or (2) “men who choose to remain unmarried and sexually pure.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

190019:12r78nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “so they can better serve our God in heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

190119:12hqu1χωρεῖν, χωρείτω1

“accept this teaching … accept it”

190219:13wjb50

Jesus receives and blesses little children.

190319:13wu52rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπροσηνέχθησαν αὐτῷ παιδία1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “some people brought little children to Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

190419:14t6cmἄφετε1

allow

190519:14m219μὴ κωλύετε αὐτὰ ἐλθεῖν πρός με1

“do not stop them from coming to me”

190619:14l1bqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “for when our God in heaven establishes his rule on earth, he will be king over such as these” or “for God will allow such as these into his kingdom” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

190719:14za2grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileτῶν & τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

“belongs to those who are like children.” This is a simile that means those who are humble like children will enter Gods kingdom. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

190819:16g9us0

Here the scene shifts to a different time when Jesus explains to a rich man what it will cost to follow him.

190919:16vj7tἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

191019:16bw9nἀγαθὸν1

This means a thing that pleases God.

191119:17sce3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί με ἐρωτᾷς περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ?1

Jesus uses this rhetorical question to encourage the man to think about his reason for asking Jesus about what is good. Alternate translation: “You ask me about what is good” or “Think about why you ask me about what is good.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

191219:17d4shεἷς ἐστιν ὁ ἀγαθός1

“God alone is completely good”

191319:17d7fdεἰς τὴν ζωὴν εἰσελθεῖν1

“to receive eternal life”

191419:19zv5nἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου1

The Jewish people believed that their neighbors were only other Jews. Jesus is extending that definition to include all people.

191519:21m57cεἰ θέλεις1

“If you want”

191619:21zic9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjπτωχοῖς1

This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “to those who are poor” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

191719:21e4vsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανοῖς1

The phrase “treasure in heaven” is a metaphor that refers to a reward from God. Alternate translation: “God will reward you in heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

191819:23ass20

Jesus explains to his disciples the rewards of giving up material possessions and relationships to follow him.

191919:23r93jἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

192019:23ean2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “to accept our God in heaven as their king” or “to enter Gods kingdom” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

192119:24c8l5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleὐκοπώτερόν ἐστιν & τὴν Βασιλείαν Θεοῦ1

Jesus uses an exaggeration to illustrate how very difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

192219:24dip3τρήματος ῥαφίδος1

the hole near one end of a needle, through which thread is passed

192319:25sl38rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐξεπλήσσοντο1

“the disciples were amazed.” It is implied that they were astonished because they believed having riches was proof that God approved of someone. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

192419:25d389rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι?1

The disciples use a question to emphasize their surprise. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then there is no one whom God will save!” or “Then there is no one who will receive eternal life!” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

192519:27yp3hἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα1

“we have left all our wealth” or “we have given up all our possessions”

192619:27sp61τί ἄρα ἔσται ἡμῖν?1

“What good thing will God give us?”

192719:28pm6vἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

192819:28j89crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ παλιγγενεσίᾳ1

“in the new time.” This refers to when God restores all things. Alternate translation: “at the time when God makes all things new” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

192919:28gey2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

193019:28sx2jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαθίσῃ & ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ1

Sitting on his throne represents ruling as a king. His throne being glorious represents his rule being glorious. Alternate translation: “sits as king on his glorious throne” or “rules gloriously as king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

193119:28rx2urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαθήσεσθε & ἐπὶ δώδεκα θρόνους1

Here sitting on thrones refers to ruling as kings. The disciples will not be equal to Jesus who is also on a throne. They will receive authority from him. Alternate translation: “sit as kings on 12 thrones” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

193219:28ci3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ1

Here “tribes” refers to people from those tribes. Alternate translation: “the people of the 12 tribes of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

193319:29gq8prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἕνεκεν τοῦ ἐμοῦ ὀνόματός1

Here “name” refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because he believes in me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

193419:29bzt3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑκατονταπλασίονα λήμψεται1

“receive from God 100 times as many good things as they gave up” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

193519:29z8wbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσει1

This is an idiom that means “God will bless them with eternal life” or “God will cause them to live forever.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

193619:30u8p3πολλοὶ δὲ ἔσονται πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι, καὶ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι1

Here “first” and “last” refer to peoples status or importance. Jesus is contrasting peoples status now with their status in the kingdom of heaven. Alternate translation: “But many who seem to be important now will be the least important, and many who seem to be unimportant now will be very important”

193720:introz39h0

Matthew 20 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The parable of the landowner and his vineyard

Jesus tells this parable (Matthew 20:1-16) to teach his disciples that what God says is right is different from what people say is right.

193820:1k7sw0

Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who hires workers, to illustrate how God will reward those who belong to the kingdom of heaven.

193920:1q9qcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesὁμοία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

This is the beginning of a parable. See how you translated the introduction to the parable in Matthew 13:24. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

194020:2wd43συμφωνήσας1

“After the landowner had agreed”

194120:2iwk5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyδηναρίου1

This was the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “one days wages” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

194220:2w9hqἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ1

“he sent them to work in his vineyard”

194320:3w9m2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

194420:3s8haκαὶ ἐξελθὼν1

“The landowner went out again”

194520:3bki1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτρίτην ὥραν1

The third hour is around nine in the morning. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

194620:3xk4iἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούς1

“standing in the marketplace not doing anything” or “standing in the marketplace with no work to do”

194720:3q3b7τῇ ἀγορᾷ1

a large, open-air area where people buy and sell food and other items

194820:5g1s7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

194920:5j3zhπάλιν ἐξελθὼν1

“Again the landowner went out”

195020:5pip4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalπερὶ ἕκτην καὶ ἐνάτην ὥραν1

The sixth hour is around noon. The ninth hour is around three in the afternoon. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

195120:5y513ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως1

This means the landowner went to the marketplace and hired workers.

195220:6t8uurc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτὴν ἑνδεκάτην1

This is about five in the afternoon. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

195320:6up1wἑστῶτας1

“not doing anything” or “not having any work”

195420:8hg2prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

195520:8x6ivἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων1

You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “beginning with the workers who started working last, then the workers who started working earlier, and finally the workers who started working first” or “first paying the workers I hired last, then paying the workers I hired earlier in the day, and finally paying the workers I hired first”

195620:9p7q1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom the landowner hired” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

195720:10d2bnrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyδηνάριον1

This was the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “one days wages” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

195820:11z2h5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

195920:11z9szλαβόντες1

“When the workers who had worked the longest received”

196020:11d6syτοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου1

“the vineyard owner”

196120:12qpz4ἴσους ἡμῖν αὐτοὺς ἐποίησας1

“you have paid them the same amount of money as you paid us”

196220:12vy87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτοῖς βαστάσασι τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα1

The phrase “borne the burden of the day” is an idiom that means “worked the entire day.” Alternate translation: “we who have worked the entire day, even during the hottest part” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

196320:13w17crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

196420:13r9f3ἑνὶ αὐτῶν1

“one of the workers who had worked the longest”

196520:13f5mbἑταῖρε1

Use a word that one man would use to address another man whom he is politely rebuking.

196620:13qbu1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐχὶ δηναρίου συνεφώνησάς μοι1

The landowner uses a question to rebuke the workers who were complaining. Alternate translation: “We already agreed that I would give you one denarius.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

196720:13qxn3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyδηναρίου1

This was the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “one days wages” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

196820:15g5iirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus concludes his parable about a landowner who hires workers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

196920:15h3uhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι, ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς?1

The landowner uses a question to correct the workers who were complaining. Alternate translation: “I can do what I want with my own possessions.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

197020:15dus3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι?1

The landowner uses a question to rebuke the workers who were complaining. Alternate translation: “Do not be jealous when I am generous to other people.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

197120:16k5feοὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι, καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι1

Here “first” and “last” refer to peoples status or importance. Jesus is contrasting peoples status now with their status in the kingdom of heaven. See how you translated a similar statement in Matthew 19:30. Alternate translation: “So those who seem to be unimportant now will be the most important, and those who seem to be the most important now will be the least important”

197220:16bhr5οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι1

Here the parable has ended and Jesus is speaking. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus said, So the last will be first

197320:17iu9d0

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a third time as he and his disciples travel to Jerusalem.

197420:17b6iaἀναβαίνων ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα1

Jerusalem was on top of a hill, so people had to travel up to get there.

197520:18d3igἰδοὺ, ἀναβαίνομεν1

Jesus uses the word “See” to tell the disciples the must pay attention to what he is about to tell them.

197620:18nf34rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἀναβαίνομεν1

Here “we” refers to Jesus and the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

197720:18b2f2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone will deliver the Son of Man” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

197820:18rbl4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου & αὐτὸν1

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate these in the first person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

197920:18s8uhκατακρινοῦσιν1

The chief priests and scribes will condemn Jesus.

198020:19rjq7καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εἰς τὸ ἐμπαῖξαι1

The chief priests and scribes will deliver Jesus to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles will mock him.

198120:19a9k5μαστιγῶσαι1

“to whip him” or “to beat him with whips”

198220:19pn84rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ1

“Third” is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

198320:19c6q1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personαὐτὸν & σταυρῶσαι & ἀναστήσεται1

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate these in the first person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

198420:19kr7arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀναστήσεται1

The words “be raised up” are an idiom for “be made alive again.” This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will raise him up” or “God will make him alive again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

198520:20u67i0

In response to the question that the mother of two of the disciples asks, Jesus teaches his disciples about authority and serving others in the kingdom of heaven.

198620:20sx75τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου1

This refers James and John.

198720:21b8xsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκ δεξιῶν & ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου1

These refer to having positions of power, authority, and honor. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

198820:21i9n6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου1

Here “kingdom” refers to Jesus ruling as king. Alternate translation: “when you are king” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

198920:22gx17rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youοὐκ οἴδατε1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the mother and the sons. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

199020:22i8nxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youδύνασθε1

Here “you” is plural, but Jesus is only talking to the two sons. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

199120:22f9cyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ μέλλω πίνειν1

To “drink the cup” or “drink from the cup” is an idiom that means to experience suffering. Alternate translation: “suffer what I am about to suffer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

199220:22d4rfλέγουσιν1

“The sons of Zebedee said” or “James and John said”

199320:23m4d2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτὸ μὲν ποτήριόν μου πίεσθε1

To “drink a cup” or “drink from a cup” is an idiom that means to experience suffering. Alternate translation: “You will indeed suffer as I will suffer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

199420:23aq1vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδεξιῶν & εὐωνύμων1

These refer to having positions of power, authority, and honor. See how you translated this in Matthew 20:21. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

199520:23sj51rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἷς ἡτοίμασται ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατρός μου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “my Father has prepared those places, and he will give them to whom he chooses” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

199620:23x5f4rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

199720:24qxl4ἀκούσαντες1

“heard what James and John had asked Jesus”

199820:24la38rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἠγανάκτησαν περὶ τῶν δύο ἀδελφῶν1

If necessary, you can make explicit why the ten disciples were angry. Alternate translation: “they were very angry with the two brothers because each of them also wanted to sit in a place of honor next to Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

199920:25uu670

Jesus finishes teaching his disciples about authority and serving others.

200020:25v2xqπροσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς1

“called the twelve disciples”

200120:25x2ulοἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν1

“the Gentile kings forcefully rule over their people”

200220:25gu83οἱ μεγάλοι1

“the important men among the Gentiles”

200320:25nb3rκατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν1

“have control over the people”

200420:26y4qwὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ1

“whoever wants” or “whoever desires”

200520:27j3msεἶναι πρῶτος1

“to be important”

200620:28m27drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου & τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate this in the first person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

200720:28iz71rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “did not come so that other people would serve him” or “did not come so that other people would serve me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

200820:28c7r9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι1

You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “but to serve other people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

200920:28zh3krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν1

Jesus life being a “ransom” is a metaphor for his being punished in order to set people free from being punished for their own sins. Alternate translation: “to give his life as a substitute for many” or “to give his life as a substitute to set many free” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

201020:28zv1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomκαὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ1

To give ones live is an idiom meaning to die voluntarily, usually in order to help others. Alternate translation: “to die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

201120:28hgv7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀντὶ πολλῶν1

You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “for many people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

201220:29u6ad0

This begins an account of Jesus healing two blind men.

201320:29ev2tἐκπορευομένων αὐτῶν1

This refers to the disciples and Jesus.

201420:29b4trἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ1

“followed Jesus”

201520:30zz5fἀκούσαντες1

“When the two blind men heard”

201620:30stz8παράγει1

“was walking by them”

201720:30t577Υἱὸς Δαυείδ1

Jesus was not Davids literal son, so this may be translated as “Descendant of King David.” However, “Son of David” is also a title for the Messiah, and the men were probably calling Jesus by this title.

201820:32f5mwἐφώνησεν αὐτοὺς1

“called to the blind men”

201920:32fd9xτί θέλετε1

“do you want”

202020:33yb39rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἵνα ἀνοιγῶσιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν1

The men speak of becoming able to see as if there eyes were to be opened. Because of Jesus previous question, we understand that they were expressing their desire. Alternate translation: “we want you to open our eyes” or “we want to be able to see” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

202120:34q9iqσπλαγχνισθεὶς1

“having compassion” or “feeling compassion for them”

202221:introni1x0

Matthew 21 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 21:5,16 and 42, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

The donkey and the colt

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an animal. In this way he was like a king who came into a city after he had won an important battle. Also, the kings of Israel in the Old Testament rode on a donkeys. Other kings rode on horses. So Jesus was showing that he was the king of Israel and that he was not like other kings.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all wrote about this event. Matthew and Mark wrote that the disciples brought Jesus a donkey. John wrote that Jesus found a donkey. Luke wrote that they brought him a colt. Only Matthew wrote that there were both a donkey had a colt. No one knows for sure whether Jesus rode the donkey or the colt. It is best to translate each of these accounts as it appears in the ULT without trying to make them all say exactly the same thing. (See: Matthew 21:1-7 and Mark 11:1-7 and Luke 19:29-36 and John 12:14-15)

Hosanna

This is what the people shouted to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. This word meant “Save us,” but people used it to praise God.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“The kingdom of God will be taken away from you”

No one knows for sure what this phrase means. No one knows if Jesus meant that God would someday give the kingdom back or not.

202321:1f8fs0

This begins the account of Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Here he gives his disciples instructions about what they are to do.

202421:1p3g6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΒηθφαγὴ1

This is a village near Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

202521:2wen2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὄνον δεδεμένην1

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “a donkey that someone has tied up” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

202621:2pq2erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitδεδεμένην1

You can make explicit how the donkey is tied. Alternate translation: “tied up there to a post” or “tied up there to a tree” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

202721:2ure7πῶλον1

young male donkey

202821:4lk670

Here the author quotes the prophet Zechariah to show that Jesus fulfilled prophecy by riding a donkey into Jerusalem.

202921:4irw1δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew explains how Jesus actions fulfill scripture.

203021:4n979rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοῦτο & γέγονεν, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “this happened so that Jesus would fulfill what God spoke through the prophet long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

203121:4x3uprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitδιὰ τοῦ προφήτου1

There were many prophets. Matthew was speaking of Zechariah. Alternate translation: “the prophet Zechariah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

203221:5whn7τῇ θυγατρὶ Σιών1

The “daughter” of a city means the people of the city. Alternate translation: “the people of Zion” or “the people who live in Zion”

203321:5jzz6Σιών1

This is another name for Jerusalem.

203421:5fx3vἐπὶ ὄνον καὶ ἐπὶ πῶλον, υἱὸν ὑποζυγίου1

The phrase “on a colt, the foal of a donkey” is explaining that the donkey is a young animal. Alternate translation: “on a young, male donkey”

203521:7y6enτὰ ἱμάτια1

These were outer clothing or long coats.

203621:8t29src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὄχλος ἔστρωσαν ἑαυτῶν τὰ ἱμάτια ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; ἄλλοι δὲ ἔκοπτον κλάδους ἀπὸ τῶν δένδρων, καὶ ἐστρώννυον ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ1

These are ways to show honor to Jesus as he was entering Jerusalem. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

203721:9ky4cὡσαννὰ1

This word means “save us,” but it can also mean “praise God!”

203821:9ysb9τῷ Υἱῷ Δαυείδ1

Jesus was not Davids literal son, so this may be translated as “descendant of king David.” However, “Son of David” is also a title for the Messiah, and the crowd was probably calling Jesus by this title.

203921:9q52trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου1

Here “in the name” means “in the power” or “as a representative.” Alternate translation: “in the power of the Lord” or “as the representative of the Lord” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

204021:9g73zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις1

Here “highest” refers to God who rules from the highest heaven. Alternate translation: “Praise God, who is in the highest heaven” or “Praise be to God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

204121:10cb4hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐσείσθη πᾶσα ἡ πόλις1

Here “city” refers to the people living there. Alternate translation: “many people from all over the city were stirred” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

204221:10nqb2ἐσείσθη1

“excited”

204321:12q41c0

In verse 13, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to rebuke the vendors and money changers.

204421:12mc5v0

This begins the account of Jesus entering into the temple.

204521:12y9j4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὸ ἱερόν1

Jesus did not enter the actual temple. He entered the courtyard around the temple. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

204621:12w7acτοὺς πωλοῦντας καὶ ἀγοράζοντας1

Merchants were selling animals and other items that travelers bought to offer the proper sacrifices at the temple.

204721:13guy7λέγει αὐτοῖς1

“Jesus said to those who were changing money and buying and selling things”

204821:13m1jlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγέγραπται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The prophets wrote long ago” or “God said long ago” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

204921:13z8grrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ οἶκός μου & κληθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “My house will be” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

205021:13n9v8ὁ οἶκός μου1

Here “My” refers to God and “house” refers to the temple.

205121:13bd8xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἶκος προσευχῆς1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “a place where people pray” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

205221:13c7l3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσπήλαιον λῃστῶν1

Jesus uses a metaphor to scold the people for buying and selling items in the temple. Alternate translation: “like a place where robbers hide” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

205321:14rpp3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτυφλοὶ καὶ χωλοὶ1

These nominal adjectives can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “those who were blind and those who were lame” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

205421:14aku3χωλοὶ1

those who have an injured foot or leg that makes walking difficult

205521:15p7x20

In verse 16, Jesus quotes from the Psalms to justify how the people had responded to him.

205621:15hft8τὰ θαυμάσια1

“the wonderful things” or “the miracles.” This refers to Jesus healing the blind and lame people in Matthew 21:14.

205721:15fqr9ὡσαννὰ1

This word means “save us” but can also mean “praise God!” See how you translated this in Matthew 21:9.

205821:15c6k8τῷ Υἱῷ Δαυείδ1

Jesus was not Davids literal son, so this may be translated as “descendant of king David.” However, “Son of David” is also a title for the Messiah, and the children were probably calling Jesus by this title. See how you translated this in Matthew 21:9.

205921:15r3bsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἠγανάκτησαν1

It is implied that they were angry because they did not believe Jesus was the Christ and they did not want other people praising him. Alternate translation: “they became very angry because people were praising him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

206021:16zx4arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἀκούεις τί οὗτοι λέγουσιν?1

The chief priests and scribes ask this question to rebuke Jesus because they are angry with him. Alternate translation: “You should not allow them to say these things about you!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

206121:16luy1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε & αἶνον?1

Jesus asks this question to remind the chief priests and scribes of what they have studied in the scriptures. Alternate translation: “Yes, I hear them, but you should remember what you read in the scriptures … praise.’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

206221:16qa9urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων, κατηρτίσω αἶνον1

The phrase “out of the mouths” refers to speaking. Alternate translation: “You caused little children and nursing infants to prepare to give praise to God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

206321:17kag5καταλιπὼν αὐτοὺς1

“Jesus left the chief priests and scribes”

206421:18l3bi0

Jesus uses a fig tree to teach his disciples about faith and prayer.

206521:18q488δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew explains that Jesus is hungry and that is why he stops at the fig tree.

206621:19h2laἐξηράνθη1

died and dried up

206721:20q81grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς παραχρῆμα ἐξηράνθη ἡ συκῆ?1

The disciples use a question to emphasize how surprised they are. Alternate translation: “We are astonished that the fig tree has dried up so quickly!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

206821:20sk1gἐξηράνθη1

“dry up and die”

206921:21nd3yἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

207021:21mwl5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν καὶ μὴ διακριθῆτε1

Jesus expresses the same idea both positively and negatively to emphasize that this faith must be genuine. Alternate translation: “if you truly believe” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

207121:21jf9hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsκἂν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ εἴπητε, ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν1

You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you will even be able to tell this mountain to get up and throw itself into the sea” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

207221:21nxi3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγενήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “it will happen” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

207321:23yi7j0

This begins the account of the religious leaders questioning Jesus authority.

207421:23uge9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν1

It is implied that Jesus did not enter the actual temple. He entered the courtyard around the temple. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

207521:23s1w6ταῦτα1

This refers to Jesus teaching and healing in the temple. It probably also refers to Jesus driving out the buyers and sellers the previous day.

207621:25dau40

Jesus continues to respond to the religious leaders.

207721:25k1a7πόθεν ἦν?1

“where did he get the authority to do that?”

207821:25vvt5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesἐὰν εἴπωμεν, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν, διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ?1

This has quotes within a quote. You could translate the direct quotations as an indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “If we say that we believe John received his authority from heaven, then Jesus will ask us why we did not believe John.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

207921:25xx3brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐξ οὐρανοῦ1

Here “heaven” refers to God. Alternate translation: “from God in heaven” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

208021:25jmg7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionδιὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ?1

The religious leaders know that Jesus could scold them with this rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “Then you should have believed John the Baptist” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

208121:26zxn4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων,1

This is a quote within a quote. You could translate the direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “But if we say that we believe John received his authority from men” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

208221:26vn6jφοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον1

“we fear what the crowd would think or even do to us”

208321:26q1r1πάντες & ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην1

“they believe John is a prophet”

208421:28u56nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus tells a parable about two sons to rebuke the religious leaders and to illustrate their unbelief. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

208521:28iem2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ1

Jesus uses a question to challenge the religious leaders to think deeply about the parable he will tell them. Alternate translation: “Tell me what you think about what I am about to tell you.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

208621:29b96zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμεταμεληθεὶς1

This refers to the son reconsidering his thoughts and deciding to act differently from how he had said he would act. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

208721:31hl72λέγουσιν1

“The chief priests and elders said”

208821:31au13λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

“Jesus said to the chief priests and elders”

208921:31er5sἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

209021:31ec9frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν Θεοῦ1

Here “kingdom of God” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “when God establishes his rule on earth, he will agree to bless the tax collectors and prostitutes by ruling over them before he agrees to do that for you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

209121:31pd34προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς1

Possible meanings are (1) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes sooner than he will accept the Jewish religious leaders, or (2) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes instead of the Jewish religious leaders.

209221:32a8z8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἦλθεν & Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς1

Here “you” is plural and refers to all the people of Israel not just the religious leaders. Alternate translation: “John came to the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

209321:32n2verc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης1

This is an idiom that means John showed the people the right way to live. Alternate translation: “and told you the way God wants you to live” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

209421:32c5t4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youοὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the religious leaders. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

209521:33nn9yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

To rebuke the religious leaders and illustrate their unbelief, Jesus tells a parable about rebellious servants. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

209621:33sx2yοἰκοδεσπότης1

“a person who owned a piece of property”

209721:33v39uφραγμὸν1

“a wall” or “a fence”

209821:33lg79ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν1

“dug a hole in the vineyard in which to press the grapes”

209921:33eu7xἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς1

The owner still owned the vineyard, but he allowed the vine growers to take care of it. When the grapes became ripe, they were to give some of them to the owner and keep the rest.

210021:33vp8kγεωργοῖς1

These were people who knew how to take care of vines and grapes.

210121:35hn3crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

210221:35n1cqτοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ1

“the landowners servants”

210321:38a55yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

210421:40x1llοὖν1

The word “now” does not mean “at this moment,” but it is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

210521:41ss2mλέγουσιν αὐτῷ1

Matthew does not make clear who answered Jesus. If you need to specify an audience you can translate as “The people said to Jesus.”

210621:42z9tm0

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that God will honor the one whom the religious leaders reject.

210721:42x8zh0

Here Jesus begins to explain the parable of the rebellious servants.

210821:42kk7eλέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

It is unclear to whom Jesus asks the following question. If you need to make “them” specific, use the same audience as you did in Matthew 21:41.

210921:42me7grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε & ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν?1

Jesus uses a question to make his audience think deeply about what this scripture means. Alternate translation: “Think about what you have read … eyes.’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

211021:42mcm8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorλίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας1

Jesus is quoting from the Psalms. This is a metaphor that means the religious leaders, like builders, will reject Jesus, but God will make him the most important in his kingdom, like the cornerstone in a building. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

211121:42uid2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “has become the cornerstone” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

211221:42b1srπαρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη1

“The Lord has caused this great change”

211321:42el83rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν1

Here “in our eyes” refers to seeing. Alternate translation: “it is wonderful to see” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

211421:43s93aλέγω ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

211521:43c7pbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῖν1

Here “you” is plural. Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders who had rejected him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

211621:43v89zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀρθήσεται ἀφ’ ὑμῶν ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ δοθήσεται ἔθνει1

Here “kingdom of God” refers to Gods rule as king. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take his kingdom away from you and will give it to a nation” or “God will reject you and he will be king over people from other nations” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

211721:43cm2irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorποιοῦντι τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς1

“Fruits” here is a metaphor for “results” or outcome.” Alternate translation: “that produces good results” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

211821:44r7uprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν λίθον τοῦτον, συνθλασθήσεται1

Here, “this stone” is the same stone as in Matthew 21:42. This is a metaphor that means the Christ will destroy anyone who rebels against him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The stone will break into pieces anyone who falls on it” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

211921:44ghz2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν1

This means basically the same thing as the previous sentence. It is a metaphor that means the Christ will have the final judgment and will destroy everyone who rebels against him. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

212021:45gh8w0

The religious leaders react to the parable that Jesus told.

212121:45qpy9τὰς παραβολὰς αὐτοῦ1

“Jesus parables”

212222:introk5ze0

Matthew 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in verse 44, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Wedding Feast

In the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus taught that when God offers to save a person, that person needs to accept the offer. Jesus spoke of life with God as a feast that a king prepares for his son, who has just gotten married. In addition, Jesus emphasized that not everyone whom God invites will properly prepare themselves to come to the feast. God will throw these people out from the feast.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Implicit information

Speakers usually do not say things that they think their hearers already understand. When the king in the parable said, “My oxen and fattened calves have been killed” (Matthew 22:4), he assumed that the hearers would understand that those who had killed the animals had also cooked them.

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. To the Jews, the ancestors were the masters of the descendants, but in one psalm David calls one of his descendants “Lord.” Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that this is a paradox, saying, “If David then calls the Christ Lord, how is he Davids son?” (Matthew 22:45).

212322:1z8vzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

To rebuke the religious leaders and to illustrate their unbelief, Jesus tells a parable about a marriage feast. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

212422:1bc6yαὐτοῖς1

“to the people”

212522:2xps3ὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

This is the beginning of a parable. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24.

212622:3wur1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοὺς κεκλημένους1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people the king had invited” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

212722:4l896rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

212822:4c7x4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsδούλους λέγων, εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις1

This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Also, this can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “servants, ordering them to tell those whom he invited” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

212922:4iq6yἰδοὺ1

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

213022:4xu4trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα1

It is implied that the animals are cooked and ready to eat. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “My servants have killed and cooked my oxen and my fattened calves” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

213122:4c48aοἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ1

“My best oxen and calves for eating”

213222:5e4flrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

213322:5zu4cοἱ δὲ ἀμελήσαντες1

“But the guests the king invited ignored the invitation”

213422:7la7src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀπώλεσεν τοὺς φονεῖς ἐκείνους1

It is implied that the kings soldiers killed the murderers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

213522:8u2axrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

213622:8k98urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ & κεκλημένοι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom I invited” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

213722:9p48sτὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὁδῶν1

“where the main roads of the city cross.” The king is sending the servants to the place where they are most likely to find people.

213822:10uva7πονηρούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς1

“both the good people and the bad people”

213922:10c6phrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐπλήσθη ὁ γάμος ἀνακειμένων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “So the guests filled the wedding hall” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

214022:10fy3aὁ γάμος1

a large room

214122:11s8garc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

214222:12c7iyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς εἰσῆλθες ὧδε μὴ ἔχων ἔνδυμα γάμου?1

The king uses a question to scold the guest. Alternate translation: “you are not wearing proper clothes for a wedding. You should not be here.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

214322:12w7vbὁ & ἐφιμώθη1

“the man was silent”

214422:13wt880

Jesus concludes his parable about a marriage feast.

214522:13jmp4διακόνοις, δήσαντες αὐτοῦ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας1

“Tie him up so that he cannot move his hands or feet”

214622:13rpy8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον1

Here “outer darkness” is a metonym for the place where God sends those who reject them. This is a place that is completely separated from God forever. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “the dark place away from God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

214722:13s9gerc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” is symbolic action, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and expressing their extreme suffering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

214822:14hy3arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπολλοὶ γάρ εἰσιν κλητοὶ, ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For God invites many people, but he only chooses a few” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

214922:14yz5fγάρ1

This marks a transition. Jesus has ended the parable and will now explain the point of the parable.

215022:15y8260

This begins an account of the religious leaders trying to trap Jesus with several difficult questions. Here the Pharisees ask him about paying taxes to Caesar.

215122:15u2mjὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν ἐν λόγῳ1

“how they could cause Jesus to say something wrong so they could arrest him”

215222:16eae4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν & τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν1

The disciples of the Pharisees supported paying taxes only to Jewish authorities. The Herodians supported paying taxes to the Roman authorities. It is implied that the Pharisees believed that no matter what Jesus said, he would offend one of these groups. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

215322:16rf66rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἩρῳδιανῶν1

These were officials and followers of the Jewish king Herod. He was friends with Roman authorities. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

215422:16t2qaοὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων1

“you do not show special honor to anyone” or “you do not consider anyone more important than anyone else”

215522:17a9byrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitδοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι1

People did not pay taxes directly to Caesar but to one of his tax collectors. Alternate translation: “to pay the taxes that Caesar requires” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

215622:18a2tirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί με πειράζετε, ὑποκριταί?1

Jesus uses a question to scold those who were trying to trap him. Alternate translation: “Do not test me, you hypocrites!” or “I know that you hypocrites are only trying to test me!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

215722:19cie7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyδηνάριον1

This was a Roman coin worth one days wages. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

215822:20ue7jαὐτοῖς1

Here “them” refers to the Herodians and the disciples of the Pharisees.

215922:20dr3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή?1

Jesus uses a question to get the people to think deeply about what he is saying. Alternate translation: “Tell me whose image and name you see on this coin.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

216022:21yd84rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisΚαίσαρος1

You can make clear the understood information in their response. Alternate translation: “The coin has Caesars image and name on it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

216122:21i6g5τὰ Καίσαρος1

“things that belong to Caesar”

216222:21l3dhτὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

“things that belong to God”

216322:23wqg20

The Sadducees try to trap Jesus by asking him a difficult question about marriage and the resurrection of the dead.

216422:24xl5frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesΔιδάσκαλε, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν, ἐάν τις ἀποθάνῃ1

The religious leaders were asking Jesus about what Moses had written in the scriptures. If your language does not allow quotes within quotes, this could be stated as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

216522:24u7dmτῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ & τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ & τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ1

Here “his” refers to the dead man.

216622:25kjf50

The Sadducees continue asking Jesus a question.

216722:25ag5zrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ πρῶτος1

“The oldest” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

216822:26r6bqrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ δεύτερος & ὁ τρίτος & τῶν ἑπτά1

“the next oldest … the next oldest … the youngest” or “his oldest younger brother … that brothers oldest younger brother … the youngest” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

216922:27t7mdὕστερον & πάντων1

“After every brother had died”

217022:28wbd1οὖν1

Here the Sadducees shift from the story about the seven brothers to their actual question.

217122:28s743ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει1

“when dead people come back to life”

217222:29p1aerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπλανᾶσθε1

It is implied that Jesus means that they are mistaken about what they think about the resurrection. Alternate translation: “You are mistaken about the resurrection” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

217322:29dax6τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ1

“what God is able to do”

217422:30ygr1ἐν & τῇ ἀναστάσει1

“when dead people rise back to life”

217522:30uaj9οὔτε γαμοῦσιν1

“people will not marry”

217622:30qkv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὔτε γαμίζονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “nor will people give their children in marriage” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

217722:31nx660

Jesus begins asking a question to show that people who have died will live again.

217822:31b9syrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἀνέγνωτε & τοῦ Θεοῦ λέγοντος1

Jesus scolds the Sadducees by asking a question. He is not looking for an answer. Alternate translation: “I know you have read … God. You know that he said,” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

217922:31ljj7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ῥηθὲν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God spoke to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

218022:32zb7a0

Jesus finishes asking the question he began in verse 31.

218122:32qcq3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς & Ἰακώβ?1

This is the end of the question that begins with the words “have you not read” in verse 31. Jesus asks this question to remind the religious leaders of what they know from scripture. “I know you have read it, but you do not seem to understand what … Jacob.’” You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. “God, who said to Moses that he is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

218222:32t7lvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjνεκρῶν, ἀλλὰ ζώντων1

These nominal adjectives can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “of dead people, but he is the God of living people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

218322:34jnd70

A Pharisee who was an expert in the law tries to trap Jesus by asking him a difficult question about the greatest commandment.

218422:35ud5rνομικὸς1

“an expert in the law.” This is a Pharisee who had special skill in understanding the law of Moses.

218522:37vng80

Jesus quotes a verse from Deuteronomy as the greatest commandment.

218622:37xl3erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ὅλῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου1

These three phrases are used together to mean “completely” or “earnestly.” Here “heart” and “soul” are metonyms for a persons inner being. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

218722:38q8j3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἡ μεγάλη καὶ πρώτη ἐντολή1

Here “great” and “first” mean the same thing. They emphasize that this is the most important commandment. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

218822:39xk1k0

Jesus quotes a verse from Leviticus as the second greatest commandment.

218922:39yx7vτὸν πλησίον σου1

Here “neighbor” means more than just those who live nearby. Jesus means a person must love all people.

219022:40wpr8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ταύταις ταῖς δυσὶν ἐντολαῖς, ὅλος ὁ νόμος κρέμαται καὶ οἱ προφῆται1

Here the phrase “the whole law and the prophets” refers to all of scripture. Alternate translation: “Everything that Moses and the prophets wrote in the scriptures is based on these two commandments” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

219122:41r9ca0

Jesus asks the Pharisees a difficult question in order to stop their attempts to trap him.

219222:41pj4aδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story when Jesus asks the religious leaders a question.

219322:42xlf8υἱός & τοῦ Δαυείδ1

In both of these “son” means “descendant.”

219422:43dpp50

Jesus quotes from the Psalms to show that the Christ is more than just “the son of David.”

219522:43cu3hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς οὖν Δαυεὶδ ἐν Πνεύματι καλεῖ Κύριον αὐτὸν1

Jesus uses a question to make the religious leaders think deeply about the Psalm he is about to quote. Alternate translation: “Then, tell me why David in the Spirit calls him Lord” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

219622:43yu5mΔαυεὶδ ἐν Πνεύματι1

“David, whom the Holy Spirit is inspiring.” This means the Holy Spirit is influencing what David says.

219722:43dn9yκαλεῖ & αὐτὸν1

Here “him” refers to the Christ, who is also the descendant of David.

219822:44wy85εἶπεν Κύριος1

Here “Lord” refers to God the Father.

219922:44k3f7τῷ Κυρίῳ μου1

Here “Lord” refers to the Christ. Also, “my” refers to David. This means the Christ is superior to David.

220022:44dz2arc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionκάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου1

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: “Sit in the place of honor beside me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

220122:44e59nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “until I conquer your enemies” or “until I make your enemies bow down before you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

220222:45l9620

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 19:1, that tells of Jesus ministering in Judea.

220322:45e2wd0

This is the end of the account of the religious leaders trying to trap Jesus with several difficult questions.

220422:45d8glrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionεἰ οὖν Δαυεὶδ καλεῖ αὐτὸν, Κύριον, πῶς υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἐστιν?1

Jesus uses a question to make the religious leaders think deeply about what he is saying. Alternate translation: “David calls him Lord, so the Christ has to be more than just a descendant of David.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

220522:45x9uhεἰ οὖν Δαυεὶδ καλεῖ αὐτὸν, Κύριον, πῶς υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἐστιν?1

David referred to Jesus as “Lord” because Jesus was not only a descendant of David, but he was also superior to him.

220622:46n3hwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀποκριθῆναι αὐτῷ λόγον1

Here “word” refers to what people say. Alternate translation: “to answer him anything” or “to answer him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

220722:46c1f2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐπερωτῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐκέτι1

It is implied that no one asked him the kind of questions that were intended to make him say something wrong so the religious leaders could arrest him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

220823:introm99i0

Matthew 23 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Hypocrites

Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites many times (Matthew 23:13) and carefully tells what he means by doing that. The Pharisees made rules that no one could actually obey, and then they persuaded the ordinary people that they were guilty because they could not obey the rules. Also, the Pharisees obeyed their own rules instead of obeying Gods original commands in the law of Moses.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Name calling

In most cultures, it is wrong to insult people. The Pharisees took many of the words in this chapter as insults. Jesus called them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “fools,” and “serpents” (Matthew 23:16-17). Jesus uses these words say that God would surely punish them because they were doing wrong.

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. Jesus uses a paradox when he says, “He who is greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11-12).

220923:1skq40

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through Matthew 25:46, where Jesus teaches about salvation and the final judgment. Here he begins to warn the people about the scribes and Pharisees.

221023:2dnu3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν1

Here “seat” represents the authority to rule and make judgments. Alternate translation: “have authority as Moses had” or “have authority to say what the law of Moses means” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

221123:3q336πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν & ποιήσατε, καὶ τηρεῖτε1

“all the things … do them and observe them” or “everything … do it and observe it”

221223:4xce6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδεσμεύουσιν δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ δυσβάστακτα, καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων; αὐτοὶ δὲ τῷ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσιν κινῆσαι αὐτά1

Here “bind heavy burdens … put them on peoples shoulders” is a metaphor for the religious leaders making many difficult rules and making the people obey them. And “will not move a finger” is an idiom that means the religious leaders will not help the people. Alternate translation: “they make you obey many rules that are difficult to follow. But they do nothing at all to help the people follow the rules” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

221323:5nw4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν, ποιοῦσιν πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “They do all their deeds so that people can see what they do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

221423:5ln6jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπλατύνουσι γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα1

Both of these are things the Pharisees do to appear as if they honor God more than other people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

221523:5gcv7φυλακτήρια1

small leather boxes containing paper with scripture written on it

221623:5h2qjμεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα1

The Pharisees made the tassels on the bottom of their robes especially long to show their devotion to God.

221723:6i6ec0

Jesus continues speaking to the crowds and disciples about the Pharisees.

221823:6arf1τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν & τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας1

Both of these are the places where the most important people sit.

221923:7cp2mταῖς ἀγοραῖς1

large, open-air areas where people buy and sell items

222023:7cbe8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, Ῥαββεί1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for people to call them Rabbi.’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

222123:8uk5vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ κληθῆτε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But you must not let anyone call you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

222223:8ru2brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμεῖς1

All occurrences of “you” are plural and refer to all of Jesus followers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

222323:8s5duὑμεῖς ἀδελφοί ἐστε1

Here “brothers” means “fellow believers.”

222423:9l33frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleΠατέρα μὴ καλέσητε ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

Jesus is using hyperbole to tell his hearers that they must not allow even the most important people to be more important to them than God is. Alternate translation: “do not call any man on earth your father” or “do not say that any man on earth is your father” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

222523:9any8rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesεἷς γάρ ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ Πατὴρ1

“Father” here is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

222623:10b8uarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμηδὲ κληθῆτε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Also, do not let anyone call you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

222723:10lp5frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὅτι καθηγητὴς ὑμῶν ἐστιν εἷς, ὁ Χριστός1

When Jesus said “the Christ,” he was speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “I, the Christ, am your only teacher” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

222823:11d62bὁ & μείζων ὑμῶν1

“the person who is most important among you”

222923:11d9xwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youὑμῶν1

Here “you” is plural and refers to Jesus followers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

223023:12x187ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν1

“makes himself important”

223123:12e81rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveταπεινωθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will humble” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

223223:12uz88rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑψωθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will make important” or “God will honor” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

223323:13ts6zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor0

Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven as if it were a house, the door into which the Pharisees have shut from the outside so that neither they nor anyone else can enter the house. If you do not keep the metaphor of the house, be sure to change all instances of “shut” and “enter.” Also, since the words “kingdom of heaven,” which refer to God, who lives in heaven, occur only in Matthew, try to use your languages word for “heaven” in your translation. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

223423:13aw490

Jesus begins to rebuke the religious leaders because of their hypocrisy.

223523:13i9dqοὐαὶ δὲ ὑμῖν1

“How terrible it will be for you!” See how you translated this in Matthew 11:21.

223623:13j4sdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκλείετε τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων; ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε, οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν1

Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of heaven, which is God ruling over his people, as if it were a house, the door into which the Pharisees have shut from the outside so that neither they nor anyone else can enter the house. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use your languages word for “heaven” in your translation. Alternate translation: “You make it impossible for people to enter the kingdom of heaven … you do not enter it … neither do you allow those about to enter to do so” or “You prevent people from accepting God, who lives in heaven, as king … you do not accept him as king … and you make it impossible for those about to accept him as king to do so” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

223723:15e4a8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπεριάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν1

This is an idiom that means they go to distant places. Alternate translation: “you travel great distances” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

223823:15iyl7ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον1

“to make one person accept your religion”

223923:15bq91rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomυἱὸν Γεέννης1

Here “son of” is an idiom that means “one belonging to.” Alternate translation: “person who belongs in hell” or “person who should go to hell” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

224023:16r5k3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁδηγοὶ τυφλοὶ1

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand Gods truth. See how you translated “blind guides” in Matthew 15:14. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

224123:16qgh8ἐν τῷ ναῷ, οὐδέν ἐστιν1

“by the temple does not have to keep his oath”

224223:16lni3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὀφείλει1

“is tied to his oath.” The phrase “bound to his oath” is a metaphor for being required to do what one has said he would do in an oath. Alternate translation: “must do what he promised to do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

224323:17s7a8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί!1

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

224423:17f9zdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς γὰρ μείζων ἐστίν, ὁ χρυσὸς ἢ ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν?1

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the Pharisees because they treated the gold as if it were more important than the temple. Alternate translation: “The temple that has dedicated the gold to God is more important than the gold!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

224523:17j6d5ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν1

“the temple that makes the gold belong to God alone”

224623:18lr61rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisκαί1

The understood information can be made clear. Alternate translation: “And you also say” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

224723:18d331οὐδέν ἐστιν1

“he does not have to do what he has sworn to do” or “he does not have to keep his oath”

224823:18ngd2τῷ δώρῳ1

This is an animal or grain that a person would bring to God by putting it on Gods altar.

224923:18zg72rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὀφείλει1

“is tied to his oath.” Being required to do what one has said he would do in an oath is spoken of as if he is tied to the oath. Alternate translation: “must do what he promised to do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

225023:19y6hkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτυφλοί1

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

225123:19g7qrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί γὰρ μεῖζον, τὸ δῶρον, ἢ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον?1

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the Pharisees for treating the gift as if it were more important than the altar. Alternate translation: “The altar that makes the gift holy is greater than the gift!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

225223:19gt4dτὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον1

“the altar that makes the gift special to God”

225323:20x4q4ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ1

“by all the gifts that people have placed on it”

225423:21m21bτῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν1

God the Father

225523:22ejw9τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ1

God the Father

225623:23lg3rοὐαὶ ὑμῖν & ὑποκριταί!1

“How terrible it will be for you … hypocrites!” See how you translated this in Matthew 11:21.

225723:23n94yrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownτὸ ἡδύοσμον, καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον, καὶ τὸ κύμινον1

These are various leaves and seeds people used to make food taste good. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

225823:23hga6ἀφήκατε1

“you have not obeyed”

225923:23c8bbτὰ βαρύτερα1

“the more important matters”

226023:23m32jταῦτα δὲ ἔδει ποιῆσαι1

“You ought to have obeyed these more important laws”

226123:23nn6qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesκἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι1

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “while also obeying the less important laws” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

226223:24y84yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁδηγοὶ τυφλοί!1

Jesus uses this metaphor to describe the Pharisees. Jesus means that the Pharisees do not understand Gods commands or how to please him. Therefore, they cannot teach others how to please God. See how you translated this metaphor in Matthew 15:14. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

226323:24l7fhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες!1

Being careful to follow the less important laws and ignoring the more important laws is as foolish as being careful not to swallow the smallest unclean animal but eating the meat of the largest unclean animal. Alternate translation: “you are as foolish as a person who strains out a gnat that falls into his drink but swallows a camel” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

226423:24sn3zοἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα1

This means to pour a liquid through a cloth to remove a gnat from a drink.

226523:24whk2κώνωπα1

a small flying insect

226623:25ns27οὐαὶ ὑμῖν & ὑποκριταί!1

“How terrible it will be for you … hypocrites!” See how you translated this in Matthew 11:21.

226723:25ru45rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅτι καθαρίζετε τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας1

This is a metaphor that means the scribes and Pharisees appear pure on the outside to others, but on the inside they are wicked. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

226823:25tz8hγέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας1

“they want what others have, and they act in the interest of the self”

226923:26lb5jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorΦαρισαῖε τυφλέ!1

The Pharisees were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand Gods truth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

227023:26f9p8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαθάρισον πρῶτον τὸ ἐντὸς τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἵνα γένηται καὶ τὸ ἐκτὸς & καθαρόν1

This is a metaphor that means that if they would become pure in their inner being, then the result is that they would be pure on the outside as well. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

227123:27kry1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileπαρομοιάζετε τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις & ἀκαθαρσίας1

This is a simile that means the scribes and Pharisees may appear to be pure on the outside, but they are wicked on the inside. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

227223:27ta1frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτάφοις κεκονιαμένοις1

“tombs that someone has painted white.” The Jews would paint tombs white so that people would easily see them and avoid touching them. Touching a tomb would make a person ceremonially unclean. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

227323:29tse6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτῶν δικαίων1

This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “of the righteous people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

227423:30kkf2ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν1

“during the time of our forefathers”

227523:30nq82οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα κοινωνοὶ αὐτῶν1

“we would not have joined with them”

227623:30x99mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν1

Here “blood” refers to life. To shed blood means to kill. Alternate translation: “killing” or “murdering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

227723:31l7rlυἱοί ἐστε1

Here “sons” means “descendants.”

227823:32bpz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ ὑμεῖς πληρώσατε τὸ μέτρον τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν1

Jesus uses this as a metaphor meaning the Pharisees will complete the wicked behavior that their forefathers started when they killed the prophets. Alternate translation: “You also finish the sins your ancestors began” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

227923:33va5crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὄφεις, γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν1

Serpents are snakes, and vipers are poisonous snakes. They are dangerous and often symbols of evil. Alternate translation: “You are as evil as dangerous and poisonous snakes” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

228023:33blv6γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν1

Here “offspring” means “having the characteristic of.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Matthew 3:7.

228123:33vi6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς Γεέννης?1

Jesus uses this question as a rebuke. Alternate translation: “there is no way for you to escape the judgment of hell!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

228223:34an970

Jesus continues to rebuke the religious leaders because of their hypocrisy.

228323:34rq8cἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς προφήτας, καὶ σοφοὺς, καὶ γραμματεῖς1

Sometimes the present tense is used to show that someone will do something very soon. Alternate translation: “I will send prophets, wise men, and scribes to you”

228423:35l7yarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔλθῃ ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

The phrase “upon you will come” is an idiom that means to receive punishment. To shed blood is a metonym meaning to kill people, so “righteous blood that has been shed on the earth” represents righteous people who have been killed. Alternate translation: “God will punish you for the murders of all the righteous people” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

228523:35b3a7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος & ἕως τοῦ αἵματος1

Here the word “blood” represents a person being killed. Alternate translation: “from the murder … to the murder” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

228623:35z95grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἊβελ & Ζαχαρίου1

Abel was the first righteous victim of murder, and Zechariah, who was murdered by Jews in the temple, was probably thought to be the last. These two men represent all the righteous people who have been murdered. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

228723:35cbq9Ζαχαρίου1

This Zechariah was not the father of John the Baptist.

228823:35s11lὃν ἐφονεύσατε1

Jesus does not mean the people to whom he is speaking actually killed Zechariah. He means their ancestors did.

228923:36ut4lἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

229023:37w23t0

Jesus mourns over the people of Jerusalem because they reject every messenger that God sends to them.

229123:37vne9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheἸερουσαλὴμ, Ἰερουσαλήμ1

Jesus speaks to the people of Jerusalem as though they were the city itself. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

229223:37tz4rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God sends to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

229323:37t9y7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ τέκνα σου1

Jesus is speaking to Jerusalem as if it is a woman and the people are her children. Alternate translation: “your people” or “your inhabitants” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

229423:37xv4trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὃν τρόπον ὄρνις ἐπισυνάγει τὰ νοσσία αὐτῆς ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας1

This is a simile that emphasizes Jesus love for the people and how he wanted to take care of them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

229523:37as8prc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὄρνις1

a female chicken. You can translate with any bird that protects her children under her wing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

229623:38r6ssἀφίεται ὑμῖν ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν ἔρημος1

“God will leave your house, and it will be empty”

229723:38ck2zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν1

Possible meanings are (1) “the city of Jerusalem” or (2) “the temple.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

229823:39i14nλέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

229923:39ig61rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου!1

Here “in the name” means “in the power” or “as a representative.” See how you translated this in Matthew 21:9. Alternate translation: “He who comes in the power of the Lord is blessed” or “He who comes as the representative of the Lord will be blessed” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

230024:introh2a20

Matthew 24 General Notes

Structure and formatting

In this chapter, Jesus begins to prophesy about the future from that time until he returns as king of everything. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])

Special concepts in this chapter

“The end of the age”

In this chapter, Jesus gives an answer to his disciples when they ask how they will know when he will come again. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])

The example of Noah

In the time of Noah, God sent a great flood to punish people for their sins. He warned them many times about this coming flood, but it actually began suddenly. In this chapter, Jesus draws a comparison between that flood and the last days. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Let”

The ULT uses this word to begin several commands of Jesus, such as “let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (24:16), “let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house” (24:17), and “let him who is in the field not return to take his cloak” (24:18). There are many different ways to form a command. Translators must select the most natural ways in their own languages.

230124:1dh7u0

Jesus begins to describe events that will happen before he comes again during the end times.

230224:1ke79rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ1

It is implied that Jesus was not in the temple itself. He was in the courtyard around the temple. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

230324:2mh5yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐ βλέπετε ταῦτα πάντα?1

Jesus uses a question to make the disciples think deeply about what he will tell them. Alternate translation: “Let me tell you something about all these buildings.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

230424:2fnv8ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

230524:2l45qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον, ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται1

It is implied that enemy soldiers will tear down the stones. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when the enemy soldiers come, they will tear down every stone in these buildings” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

230624:3e1isrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτί τὸ σημεῖον τῆς σῆς παρουσίας, καὶ συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος?1

Here “your coming” refers to when Jesus will come in power, establishing Gods reign on earth and bringing this age to an end. Alternate translation: “What will be the sign that you are about to come and that the world is about to end” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

230724:4s64src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorβλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ1

Here “leads you astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “Be careful that no one deceives you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

230824:5lq71rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπολλοὶ & ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου1

Here “name” refers to “in the authority” or “as the representative” of someone. Alternate translation: “many will claim that they have come as my representative” or “many will say they speak for me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

230924:5twh8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν1

Here “leads you astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “will deceive many people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

231024:6hdz3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁρᾶτε, μὴ θροεῖσθε1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not let these things trouble you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

231124:7ygf2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν1

Both of these mean the same thing. Jesus is emphasizing that people everywhere will fight each other. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

231224:8q4glrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀρχὴ ὠδίνων1

This refers to the pains a woman feels before giving birth to a child. This metaphor means these wars, famines, and earthquakes are just the beginning of the events that will lead to the end of the age. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

231324:9u5e6παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς θλῖψιν, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν ὑμᾶς1

“people will give you over to the authorities, who will make you suffer and will kill you.”

231424:9uw1irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν1

Here “nations” is a metonym, referring to the people of nations. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People from every nation will hate you” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

231524:9u2bdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Here “name” refers to the complete person. Alternate translation: “because you believe in me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

231624:11mi2erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐγερθήσονται1

“Rise” here is an idiom for “become established.” Alternate translation: “will come” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

231724:11tjb3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ πλανήσουσιν πολλούς1

Here “lead … astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “and deceive many people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

231824:12w4afrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸ πληθυνθῆναι τὴν ἀνομίαν1

The abstract noun “lawlessness” can be translated with the phrase “disobeying the law.” Alternate translation: “disobeying the law will increase” or “people will disobey Gods law more and more” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

231924:12bu9brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν1

Possible meanings are (1) “many people will no longer love other people” or (2) “many people will no longer love God.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

232024:13v3exrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ & ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος, οὗτος σωθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will save the person who endures to the end” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

232124:13l1ppὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας1

“the person who stays faithful”

232224:13ht34εἰς τέλος1

It is not clear whether the word “end” refers to when a person dies or when the persecution ends or the end of the age when God shows himself to be king. The main point is that they endure as long as necessary.

232324:13lra5τέλος1

“the end of the world” or “the end of the age”

232424:14x3e6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκηρυχθήσεται τοῦτο τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People will tell the good news that God will rule” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

232524:14y65src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν1

Here, “nations” stands for people. Alternate translation: “all people in all places” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

232624:15mf1brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως, τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the shameful one who defiles the things of God, about whom Daniel the prophet wrote” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

232724:15lz9pὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω1

This is not Jesus speaking. Matthew added this to alert the reader that Jesus was using words that they would need to think about and interpret.

232824:17iv2jὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος1

Housetops where Jesus lived were flat, and people could stand on them.

232924:19kq12rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις1

This is a polite way to say “pregnant women.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

233024:19f533ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις1

“at that time”

233124:20u4jbἵνα μὴ γένηται ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν1

“that you will not have to flee” or “that you will not have to run away”

233224:20m6mxχειμῶνος1

“the cold season”

233324:22vd3zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesεἰ μὴ ἐκολοβώθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι, οὐκ ἂν ἐσώθη πᾶσα σάρξ1

This can be stated in positive and active form. Alternate translation: “If God does not shorten the time of suffering, everyone will die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

233424:22r9qwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheσάρξ1

“people.” Here, “flesh” is poetic way of saying all people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

233524:22p6m8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκολοβωθήσονται αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will shorten the time of suffering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

233624:23avv50

Jesus continues speaking to his disciples.

233724:23avm2μὴ πιστεύσητε1

“do not believe the false things they have said to you”

233824:24n744ὥστε πλανῆσαι εἰ δυνατὸν καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς1

Here “lead astray” is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. This can be translated as two sentences. Alternate translation: “so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect” or “so as to deceive people. If possible, they would even deceive the elect” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

233924:26fmx1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἐὰν & εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν, ἰδοὺ, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐστίν, μὴ1

This can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “if someone tells you that the Christ is in the wilderness, do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

234024:26zxg2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἰδοὺ, ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις1

This can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Or, if someone tells you that the Christ is in the inner room,” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

234124:26n2ptἐν τοῖς ταμείοις1

“in a secret room” or “in secret places”

234224:27j1w1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὥσπερ & ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἐξέρχεται & οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία1

This means that the Son of Man will come very quickly and will be easy to see. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

234324:27za8brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

234424:28mu35rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbsὅπου ἐὰν ᾖ τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ συναχθήσονται οἱ ἀετοί1

This is probably a proverb that the people of Jesus time understood. Possible meanings are (1) when the Son of Man comes, everyone will see him and know that he has come, or (2) wherever spiritually dead people are, false prophets will be there to tell them lies. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

234524:28ivl8οἱ ἀετοί1

birds that eat the bodies of dead or dying creatures

234624:29zmm6εὐθέως & μετὰ τὴν θλῖψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων, ὁ ἥλιος1

“as soon as the tribulation of those days has finished, the sun”

234724:29l15mτὴν θλῖψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων1

“that time of suffering”

234824:29zuk4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ ἥλιος σκοτισθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will make the sun dark” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

234924:29w1birc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveαἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν σαλευθήσονται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will shake things in the sky and above the sky” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

235024:30yc2xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

235124:30tld8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ1

Here “tribes” refers to people. Alternate translation: “all the people of the tribes” or “all the people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

235224:31fl54ἀποστελεῖ τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ μετὰ σάλπιγγος μεγάλης1

“He will have a trumpet sounded and send his angels” or “He will have an angel blow a trumpet, and he will send his angels”

235324:31rlb4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personἀποστελεῖ & αὐτοῦ1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

235424:31wi28ἐπισυνάξουσιν1

“his angels will gather”

235524:31iq8cτοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ1

These are the people whom the Son of Man has chosen.

235624:31ibw7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ἀνέμων, ἀπ’ ἄκρων οὐρανῶν ἕως ἄκρων αὐτῶν1

Both of these mean the same thing. They are idioms that mean “from everywhere.” Alternate translation: “from all over the world” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

235724:33cu5arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personἐγγύς ἐστιν1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “the time for me to come is near” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

235824:33cfz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐπὶ θύραις1

“close to the gates.” Jesus uses the imagery of a king or important official getting close to the gates of a walled city. It is a metaphor meaning the time for Jesus to come is soon. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

235924:34j8npἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

236024:34gld5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismοὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη1

Here “pass away” is a polite way of saying “die.” Alternate translation: “this generation will not all die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

236124:34y73tἡ γενεὰ αὕτη1

Possible interpretations are (1) “all people alive today,” referring to the people alive when Jesus was speaking, or (2) “all people alive when these things I have just told you about happen.” Try to translate so that both interpretations are possible.

236224:34fb4kἕως ἂν πάντα ταῦτα γένηται1

“until God causes all these things to happen”

236324:34r6skπαρέλθῃ1

“disappear” or “someday no longer exist”

236424:35i8vvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσεται1

The words “heaven” and “earth” are a synecdoche that includes everything that God has created, especially those things that seem permanent. Jesus is saying that his word, unlike these things, is permanent. Alternate translation: “Even heaven and the earth will pass away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

236524:35e6bfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ & λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν1

Here “words” refers to what Jesus has said. Alternate translation: “what I say will always be true” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

236624:36q4pjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ὥρας1

Here “day” and “hour” refer to the exact time that the Son of Man will return. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

236724:36wq5rοὐδὲ ὁ Υἱός1

“not even the Son”

236824:36p5vurc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΥἱός1

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

236924:36f4s2rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατὴρ1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

237024:37hf51ὥσπερ γὰρ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ Νῶε, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

“At the time when the Son of Man comes, it will be like the time of Noah.”

237124:37cpn8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

237224:39ffa6καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν1

This can be translated as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “The people did not realize anything was happening”

237324:39ah5vἦρεν ἅπαντας; οὕτως ἔσται καὶ ἡ παρουσία τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

This can be translated as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “away. This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes”

237424:40ksk60

Jesus begins to tell his disciples to be ready for his return.

237524:40hth3τότε1

This is when the Son of Man comes.

237624:40gt4lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἷς παραλαμβάνεται, καὶ εἷς ἀφίεται1

Possible meanings are (1) the Son of Man will take one away to heaven and will leave the other on earth for punishment or (2) the angels will take one away for punishment and leave the other for blessing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

237724:42j83iοὖν1

“Because what I have just said is true”

237824:42s6irγρηγορεῖτε1

“pay attention”

237924:43ak6arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parablesὅτι εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης, & διορυχθῆναι τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ1

Jesus uses a parable of a master and servants to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

238024:43ki5src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ κλέπτης1

Jesus is saying he will come when people are not expecting him, not that he will come to steal. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

238124:43zs23ἐγρηγόρησεν ἂν1

“he would have guarded his house”

238224:43lg7irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐκ ἂν εἴασεν διορυχθῆναι τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “would not have allowed anyone to get into his house to steal things” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

238324:44gd17rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

238424:45jua30

Jesus continues his proverb of a master and servants to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return.

238524:45f92drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ πιστὸς δοῦλος καὶ φρόνιμος, ὃν & ἐν καιρῷ?1

Jesus uses this question to make his disciples think. Alternate translation: “So who is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one whom his master … time.” or “Be like the faithful and wise servant, whom his master … time.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

238624:45lf8dτοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς τὴν τροφὴν1

“give the people in the masters home their food”

238724:47lin7ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

238824:48ek9xrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs0

Jesus concludes his proverb of a master and servants to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])

238924:48f9ftrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἴπῃ & ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ1

Here “heart” refers to the mind. Alternate translation: “thinks in his mind” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

239024:48per6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveχρονίζει μου ὁ κύριος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “My master is slow to return” or “My master will not return for a long time” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

239124:50bz5krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ, καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει1

Both of these statements mean the same thing. They emphasize that the master will come when the servant is not expecting him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

239224:51jj2zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomδιχοτομήσει αὐτὸν1

This is an idiom that means to make the person suffer terribly. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

239324:51pm18τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ὑποκριτῶν θήσει1

“put him with the hypocrites” or “send him to the place where hypocrites are sent”

239424:51rwd5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” here is a symbolic act, representing extreme suffering. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “people will weep and grind their teeth because of their suffering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

239525:introqe8a0

Matthew 25 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues the teaching of the previous chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

The parable of the ten virgins

Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) to tell his followers to be ready for him to return. His hearers could understand the parable because they knew Jewish wedding customs.

When the Jews arranged marriages, they would plan for the wedding to take place weeks or months later. At the proper time, the young man would go to his brides house, where she would be waiting for him. The wedding ceremony would take place, and then the man and his bride would travel to his home, where there would be a feast. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])

239625:1em28rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus tells a parable about wise and foolish virgins to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

239725:1pg5irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμοιωθήσεται ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν1

Here “kingdom of heaven” refers to Gods rule as king. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used only in Matthew. If possible, use “heaven” in your translation. See how you translated this in Matthew 13:24. Alternate translation: “when our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

239825:1uhj1λαμπάδας1

These could have been (1) lamps or (2) torches made by putting cloth around the end of a stick and wetting the cloth with oil.

239925:2c8nfπέντε & ἐξ αὐτῶν1

“Five of the virgins”

240025:3b37aοὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον1

“had with them only the oil in their lamps”

240125:5r458δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Jesus starts to tell a new part of the story.

240225:5pvh4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveχρονίζοντος & τοῦ νυμφίου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “while the bridegroom was taking a long time to arrive” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

240325:5qf4bἐνύσταξαν πᾶσαι1

“all ten virgins got sleepy”

240425:6ufp2κραυγὴ γέγονεν1

“someone shouted”

240525:7a3mzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

240625:7ni6uἐκόσμησαν τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν1

“adjusted their lamps so they would burn brightly”

240725:8tsh4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjαἱ & μωραὶ ταῖς φρονίμοις εἶπον1

These nominal adjectives can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “The foolish virgins said to the wise virgins” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

240825:8i1r7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomαἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the fire in our lamps is about to burn out” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

240925:10q6q9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus concludes the parable about the ten virgins. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

241025:10rfh6ἀπερχομένων δὲ αὐτῶν1

“the five foolish virgins went away”

241125:10jej8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀγοράσαι1

The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “to buy more oil” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

241225:10t229αἱ ἕτοιμοι1

These are the virgins who had extra oil.

241325:10g29irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκλείσθη ἡ θύρα1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the servants shut the door” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

241425:11e5pzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἄνοιξον ἡμῖν1

This implicit information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “open the door for us so we can come inside” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

241525:12z5u1ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what the master says next.

241625:12h4a8οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς1

“I do not know who you are.” This is the end of the parable.

241725:13hn7wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἡμέραν, οὐδὲ τὴν ὥραν1

Here “day” and “hour” refer to an exact time. The implied information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “you do not know the exact time when the Son of Man will return” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

241825:14cn21rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus tells a parable about faithful and unfaithful servants to illustrate that his disciples should remain faithful during his absence and be prepared for his return. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

241925:14zqi2ὥσπερ1

The word “it” here refers to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:24).

242025:14wv71ἀποδημῶν1

“was ready to go” or “was to go soon”

242125:14vhw1παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ1

“put them in charge of his wealth”

242225:14fmb3τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ1

“his property”

242325:15i81urc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyπέντε τάλαντα1

“five talents of gold.” Avoid translating this into modern money. A “talent” of gold was worth twenty years wages. The parable is contrasting the relative amounts of five, two, and one, as well as the large amount of wealth involved. Alternate translation: “five bags of gold” or “five bags of gold, each worth 20 years wages” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

242425:15vyj2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisᾧ δὲ δύο & ἕν1

The word “talents” is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “to another he gave two talents of gold … gave one talent of gold” or “to another he gave two bags of gold … gave one bag of gold” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

242525:15d87urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν1

The implicit information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “according to each servants skill in managing wealth” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

242625:16qkr2ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα1

“out of his investments, he earned another five talents”

242725:17m2l8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

242825:17u4vsἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα δύο1

“earned another two talents”

242925:19ik5qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling the parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

243025:19vc9pδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Jesus starts to tell a new part of the story.

243125:20adz4πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα1

“I have earned five more talents”

243225:20ttf7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyτάλαντα1

A “talent” was worth twenty years wages. Avoid translating this into modern money. See how you translated this in Matthew 25:15. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

243325:21l5mgεὖ1

“You have done well” or “You have done right.” Your culture might have an expression that a master (or someone in authority) would use to show that he approves of what his servant (or someone under him) has done.

243425:21d2s9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου1

The phrase “Enter into the joy” is an idiom. Also, the master is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “Come and be happy with me” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

243525:22yhi1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling the parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

243625:22n2xcδύο τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα1

“I have earned two more talents”

243725:23hsb6εὖ1

“You have done well” or “You have done right.” Your culture might have an expression that a master (or someone in authority) would use to show that he approves of what his servant (or someone under him) has done. See how you translated this in Matthew 25:21.

243825:23plv7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου1

The phrase “Enter into the joy” is an idiom. Also, the master is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “Come and be happy with me” See how you translated this in Matthew 25:21. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

243925:24ial6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling the parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

244025:24m8anrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismθερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας, καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας1

The words “reap where you did not sow” and “harvest where you did not scatter” mean the same thing. They refer to a farmer who gathers crops that other people have planted. The servant uses this metaphor to accuse the master of taking what rightfully belongs to others. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

244125:24au9fδιεσκόρπισας1

“scatter seed.” This refers to sowing seed by gently throwing handfuls of it onto the soil.

244225:25wl5cἴδε, ἔχεις τὸ σόν1

“Look, here is what is yours”

244325:26hj83rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus continues telling a parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])

244425:26l3jzπονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ! ᾔδεις1

“You are a wicked servant who does not want to work. You knew”

244525:26he3hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismθερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα, καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα1

The words “reap where I have not sowed” and “harvest where I have not scattered” mean the same thing. They refer to a farmer who gathers crops that people who work for him have planted. See how you translated this in Matthew 25:24, where the servant uses these words to accuse the farmer. The readers should understand that the farmer is acknowledging that he does indeed gather what others have planted but is saying that he is right to do so. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

244625:27rhg9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν1

The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “received back my own money” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

244725:27n7jdτόκῳ1

payment from the banker for the temporary use of the masters money

244825:28qm6xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables0

Jesus concludes the parable about the servants and the talents. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-parables]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

244925:28paw8ἄρατε οὖν & τὸ τάλαντον1

The master is speaking to other servants.

245025:28b1gerc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyτὸ τάλαντον1

A “talent” was worth twenty years wages. Avoid translating this into modern money. See how you translated this in Matthew 25:15. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

245125:29e5pyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῷ & ἔχοντι1

It is implied that the person who possesses something also uses it wisely. Alternate translation: “who uses well what he has” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

245225:29r7lvκαὶ περισσευθήσεται1

“even much more”

245325:29pcr5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῦ δὲ μὴ ἔχοντος1

It is implied that the person does possess something but he does not use it wisely. Alternate translation: “from anyone does not use well what he has” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

245425:29mdc1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀρθήσεται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take away” or “I will take away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

245525:30c2vbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον1

Here “outer darkness” is a metonym for the place where God sends those who reject them. This is a place that is completely separated from God forever. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “the dark place away from God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

245625:30zy3krc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων1

“Grinding of teeth” is symbolic action, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in Matthew 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and expressing their extreme suffering” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

245725:31qtg60

Jesus begins to tell his disciples how he will judge people when he returns at the end time.

245825:31e7umrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

245925:32f2w9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ συναχθήσονται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “He will gather all the nations before him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

246025:32kd14ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ1

“In front of him”

246125:32ndf5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

Here “nations” refers to people. Alternate translation: “all people from every country” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

246225:32nk18rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων1

Jesus uses a simile to describe how he will separate the people. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

246325:33pbq9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων1

This is a metaphor that means the Son of Man will separate all people. He will put the righteous people at his right side, and he will put the sinners at his left side. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

246425:34t8pprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Βασιλεὺς & δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ1

Here, “the King” is another title for the Son of Man. Jesus was referring to himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “I, the King, … my right hand” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

246525:34ze81rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ Πατρός μου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Come, you whom my Father has blessed” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

246625:34h2k9rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

246725:34b57rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “inherit the kingdom that God has made ready for you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

246825:34yj1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “receive the blessings of Gods rule that he has planned to give you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

246925:34cdi8ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου1

“since he first created the world”

247025:37yh3prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ δίκαιοι1

This can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the righteous people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

247125:37cs5drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἢ διψῶντα1

The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Or when did we see you thirsty” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

247225:38h52xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἢ γυμνὸν1

This is the end of a series of questions that begins in verse 37. The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Or when did we see you naked” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

247325:40m6mirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Βασιλεὺς1

This is another title for the Son of Man. Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

247425:40i2aqἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς1

“say to those at his right hand”

247525:40mhe2ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This emphasizes what the King says next.

247625:40acs3ἑνὶ & τῶν ἐλαχίστων1

“one of the least important”

247725:40nh4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου1

Here “brothers” refers to anyone, male or female, who obeys the King. Alternate translation: “my brothers and sisters here” or “these who are like my brothers and sisters” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])

247825:40k4hbἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε1

“I consider that you did it for me”

247925:41z1nhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτότε ἐρεῖ1

“Then the King will.” Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

248025:41pr8nκατηραμένοι1

“you people whom God has cursed”

248125:41hqf5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον, τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the eternal fire that God has prepared” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

248225:41g51uτοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ1

his helpers

248325:43g6ecrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisγυμνὸς καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με1

The words “I was” preceding “naked” are understood. Alternate translation: “I was naked, but you did not give me clothes” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

248425:43tq4xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ1

The words “I was” preceding “sick” are understood. Alternate translation: “I was sick and in prison” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

248525:44f3dc0

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 23:1, where Jesus teaches about salvation and the final judgment.

248625:44zyc50

Jesus finishes telling his disciples how he will judge people when he returns at the end time.

248725:44hiy6ἀποκριθήσονται καὶ αὐτοὶ1

“those on his left will also answer”

248825:45nm2eἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων1

“for any of the least important ones of my people”

248925:45whu5οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.1

“I consider that you did not do it for me” or “I was really the one whom you did not help”

249025:46m6meκαὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον1

“The King will send these to a place where they will receive punishment that never ends”

249125:46nj72rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisοἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν1

The understood information can be made clear. Alternate translation: “but the King will send the righteous to the place where they will live forever with God” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

249225:46kq5brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ & δίκαιοι1

This nominative adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the righteous people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

249326:intromtq80

Matthew 26 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 26:31, which is words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Sheep

Sheep are a common image used in Scripture to refer to the people of Israel. In Matthew 26:31, however, Jesus used the words “the sheep” to refer to his disciples and to say that they would run away when he was arrested.

Passover

The Passover festival was when the Jews would celebrate the day God killed the firstborn sons of the Egyptians but “passed over” the Israelites and let them live.

The eating of the body and blood

Matthew 26:26-28 describes Jesus last meal with his followers. At this time, Jesus told them that what they were eating and drinking were his body and his blood. Nearly all Christian churches celebrate “the Lords Supper,” the “Eucharist”, or “Holy Communion” to remember this meal.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Judas kiss for Jesus

Matthew 26:49 describes how Judas kissed Jesus so the soldiers would know whom to arrest. The Jews would kiss each other when they greeted each other.

“I am able to destroy the temple of God”

Two men accused Jesus of saying that he could destroy the temple in Jerusalem and then rebuild it “in three days” (Matthew 26:61). They were accusing him of insulting God by claiming that God had given him the authority to destroy the temple and the power to rebuild it. What Jesus actually said was that if the Jewish authorities were to destroy this temple, he would certainly raise it up in three days (John 2:19).

249426:1t5mz0

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that tells of Jesus crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Here he tells his disciples how he will suffer and die.

249526:1i35cκαὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε1

“After” or “Then, after.” This phrase shifts the story from Jesus teachings to what happened next.

249626:1xiv4πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους1

This refers to all that Jesus taught starting in Matthew 24:3.

249726:2g4lhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς τὸ σταυρωθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “some men will take the Son of Man to other people who will crucify him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

249826:2r9pxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

249926:3wew3rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background0

These verses give background information about the Jewish leaders plot to arrest and kill Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

250026:3eps8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσυνήχθησαν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “came together” or “met together” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

250126:4hi4xτὸν Ἰησοῦν δόλῳ1

“Jesus secretly”

250226:5u4fhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisμὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ1

What the leaders did not want to do during the feast can be made clearer. Alternate translation: “We should not kill Jesus during the feast” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

250326:5s9p7ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ1

This is the yearly Passover feast.

250426:6v2up0

This begins the account of a woman pouring expensive oil on Jesus before his death.

250526:6zq3jδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

250626:6hg3src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitΣίμωνος τοῦ λεπροῦ1

It is implied that this is a man whom Jesus had healed from leprosy. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

250726:7ukb9ἀνακειμένου1

“Jesus was lying on his side.” You can use your languages word for the position people usually are in when they eat.

250826:7yxf8προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ γυνὴ1

“a woman came to Jesus”

250926:7bhs8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownἀλάβαστρον1

This is a costly container made of soft stone. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

251026:7yu67μύρου1

oil that has a pleasing smell

251126:7ea5eκατέχεεν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ1

The woman does this to honor Jesus.

251226:8vit4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionεἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη?1

The disciples ask this question out of their anger over the womans actions. Alternate translation: “This woman has done a bad thing by wasting this ointment!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

251326:9y83erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο πραθῆναι πολλοῦ καὶ δοθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “She could have sold this for a large amount of money and given the money” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

251426:9f76hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjπτωχοῖς1

Here “the poor” can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “to poor people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

251526:10pfv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί κόπους παρέχετε τῇ γυναικί?1

Jesus asks this question as a rebuke of his disciples. Alternate translation: “You should not be troubling this woman!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

251626:10fg3vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπαρέχετε1

All occurrences of “you” are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

251726:11wsp9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς πτωχοὺς1

This can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “poor people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

251826:12vk5wτὸ μύρον1

This is oil that has a pleasing smell. See how you translated this in Matthew 26:7.

251926:13xs1wἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

252026:13g45lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅπου ἐὰν κηρυχθῇ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦτο1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “wherever people preach this good news” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

252126:13s12mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveλαληθήσεται καὶ ὃ ἐποίησεν αὕτη εἰς μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will remember what this woman has done and will tell others about her” or “people will remember what this woman has done and will tell others about her” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

252226:14i3dy0

Judas Iscariot agrees to help the Jewish leaders arrest and kill Jesus.

252326:15es4bκἀγὼ ὑμῖν παραδώσω αὐτόν1

“to bring Jesus to you”

252426:15x7zxτριάκοντα ἀργύρια1

Since these words are the same as those in an Old Testament prophecy, keep this form instead of changing it to modern money.

252526:15lyl7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersτριάκοντα ἀργύρια1

“30 pieces” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

252626:16w1e4ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ1

“to give him over to them”

252726:17e7wc0

This begins the account of Jesus celebrating the Passover with his disciples.

252826:17f3s2δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

252926:18hc78rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ὑπάγετε εἰς τὴν πόλιν πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα καὶ εἴπατε αὐτῷ, ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει, ὁ καιρός μου ἐγγύς ἐστιν; πρὸς σὲ ποιῶ τὸ Πάσχα μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν μου.1

This has quotations within quotations. You can state some of the direct quotations as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “He told his disciples to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says to him, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” or “He told his disciples to go into the city to a certain man and say to him that the Teachers time is at hand and he will keep the Passover with his disciples at that mans house.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

253026:18r4tgὁ καιρός μου1

Possible meanings are (1) “The time that I told you about” or (2) “The time God has set for me.”

253126:18a4i5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐγγύς ἐστιν1

Possible meanings are (1) “is near” or (2) “has come.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

253226:18j9pzποιῶ τὸ Πάσχα1

“eat the Passover meal” or “celebrate the Passover by eating the special meal”

253326:20bga4ἀνέκειτο1

Use the word for the position people in your culture usually are in when they eat.

253426:21ehx6ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

253526:22n12rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionμήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, Κύριε?1

“I am surely not the one, am I, Lord?” Possible meanings are (1) this is a rhetorical question since the apostles were sure they would not betray Jesus. Alternate translation: “Lord, I would never betray you!” or (2) this was a sincere question since Jesus statement probably troubled and confused them. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

253626:24n7dwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ μὲν Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

253726:24x2n9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismὑπάγει1

Here “go” is a polite way to refer to dying. Alternate translation: “will go to his death” or “will die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

253826:24vix3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “just as the prophets wrote about him in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

253926:24hai5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι’ οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the man who betrays the Son of Man” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

254026:25vpq1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionμήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, Ῥαββεί?1

“Rabbi, am I the one who will betray you?” Judas may be using a rhetorical question to deny that he is the one who will betray Jesus. Alternate translation: “Rabbi, surely I am not the one who will betray you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

254126:25y9lkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσὺ εἶπας1

This is an idiom that Jesus uses to mean “yes” without being completely clear about what he means. Alternate translation: “You are saying it” or “You are admitting it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

254226:26qh160

Jesus institutes the Lords Supper as he celebrates the Passover with his disciples.

254326:26mr5uλαβὼν & εὐλογήσας ἔκλασεν1

See how you translated these words in Matthew 14:19.

254426:27jd53καὶ λαβὼν1

Translate “took” as you did in Matthew 14:19.

254526:27tn39rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyποτήριον1

Here “cup” refers to the cup and the wine in it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

254626:27zb1iἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς1

“gave it to the disciples”

254726:27a9meπίετε ἐξ αὐτοῦ1

“Drink the wine from this cup”

254826:28l55aτοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου1

“For this wine is my blood”

254926:28ct81τὸ αἷμά & τῆς διαθήκης1

“blood that shows that the covenant is in effect” or “blood that makes the covenant possible”

255026:28bms3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκχυννόμενον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will soon flow out of my body” or “will flow out of my wounds when I die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

255126:29l556λέγω & ὑμῖν1

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

255226:29h85brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτοῦ γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλου1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “wine” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

255326:29q8zsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ Πατρός μου1

Here “kingdom” refers to Gods rule as king. Alternate translation: “when my Father establishes his rule on earth” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

255426:29m9vqrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

255526:30nzy20

In verse 31, Jesus quotes the prophet Zechariah to show that in order to fulfill prophecy, all of his disciples will leave him.

255626:30nkw20

Jesus continues to teach his disciples as they walk to the Mount of Olives.

255726:30ed5kκαὶ ὑμνήσαντες1

a song of praise to God

255826:31v8ylσκανδαλισθήσεσθε1

“leave me”

255926:31iap6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγέγραπται γάρ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the prophet Zechariah wrote long ago in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

256026:31u1t5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπατάξω1

Here “I” refers to God. It is implied that God will cause or allow people to harm and kill Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

256126:31mc1erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν ποιμένα & τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης1

These are metaphors that refer to Jesus and the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

256226:31rvk1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδιασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will scatter all the sheep of the flock” or “the sheep of the flock will run off in all directions” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

256326:32pj2urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμετὰ & τὸ ἐγερθῆναί με1

Here to raise up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “after God raises me up” or “after God brings me back to life” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

256426:33m2unσκανδαλισθήσονται1

See how you translated this in Matthew 26:31.

256526:34sf9xἀμὴν, λέγω σοι1

“I tell you the truth.” This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

256626:34ui4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι1

Roosters often crow about the time the sun comes up, so the hearers might have understood these words as a metonym for the sun coming up. However, the actual crowing of a rooster is an important part of the story later on, so keep the word “rooster” in the translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

256726:34lx5iἀλέκτορα1

a male chicken, a bird that calls out loudly around the time the sun comes up

256826:34h66wφωνῆσαι1

This is the common English word for what a rooster does to make his loud call.

256926:34b2rhτρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με1

“you will say three times that you are not my follower”

257026:36lm3n0

This begins the account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane.

257126:37ny4mἤρξατο λυπεῖσθαι1

“he became very sad”

257226:38gf7krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheπερίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου1

Here “soul” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “I am very sad” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

257326:38c43trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἕως θανάτου1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “and I feel as if I could even die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

257426:39kcz4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ1

He purposely lay face down on the ground to pray. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

257526:39nuv7rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠάτερ μου1

This is an important title for God that shows the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

257626:39f254rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπαρελθέτω ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο1

Jesus speaks of the work that he must do, including dying on the cross, as if it were a bitter liquid that God has commanded him to drink from a cup. The word “cup” is an important word in the New Testament, so try to use an equivalent for that in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

257726:39i7rrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο1

Here “cup” is a metonym that stands for the cup and the contents within it. The contents in the cup are a metaphor for the suffering that Jesus will have to endure. Jesus is asking the Father if it is possible for him not to have to experience the death and suffering that Jesus knows will soon happen. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

257826:39k5inrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisπλὴν οὐχ ὡς ἐγὼ θέλω, ἀλλ’ ὡς σύ1

This can be expressed as a full sentence. Alternate translation: “But do not do what I want; instead, do what you want” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

257926:40ev7src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youλέγει τῷ Πέτρῳ, οὕτως οὐκ ἰσχύσατε & γρηγορῆσαι1

Jesus is speaking to Peter, but the “you” is plural, referring to Peter, James, and John. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

258026:40c11arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὕτως οὐκ ἰσχύσατε μίαν ὥραν γρηγορῆσαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ?1

Jesus uses a question to scold Peter, James, and John. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you could not stay awake with me for one hour!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

258126:41buv4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsμὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς πειρασμόν1

Here the abstract noun “temptation” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “no one tempts you to sin” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

258226:41ny5wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον, ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής1

Here “spirit” is a metonym that stands for a persons desires to do good. “Flesh” stands for the needs and desires of a persons body. Jesus means that the disciples may have the desire to do what God wants, but as humans they are weak and often fail. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

258326:42pz9lἀπελθὼν1

“Jesus went away”

258426:42tqp8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalἐκ δευτέρου1

The first time is described in Matthew 26:39. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

258526:42ch7trc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠάτερ μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

258626:42b6cnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν, ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω1

“if the only way this can pass away is if I drink it.” Jesus speaks of the work that he must do as if it were a bitter liquid that God has commanded him to drink. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

258726:42td6grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἰ & τοῦτο1

Here “this” refers to the cup and the contents within it, a metaphor for suffering, as in Matthew 26:39. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

258826:42i135rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω1

“unless I drink from it” or “unless I drink from this cup of suffering.” Here “it” refers to the cup and the contents within it, a metaphor for suffering, as in Matthew 26:39. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

258926:42xsk1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “may what you want happen” or “do what you want to do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

259026:43lts9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἦσαν & αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ βεβαρημένοι1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “they were very sleepy” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

259126:44v3i9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalἐκ τρίτου1

The first time is described in Matthew 26:39. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

259226:45vvp9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionκαθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε?1

Jesus uses a question to scold the disciples for going to sleep. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you are still sleeping and resting!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

259326:45rw3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἤγγικεν ἡ ὥρα1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the time has come” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

259426:45g9hirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone is betraying the Son of Man” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

259526:45ell4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

259626:45g9ebrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπαραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν1

Here “hands” refers to power or control. Alternate translation: “betrayed into the power of sinners” or “betrayed so that sinners will have power over him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

259726:45yx8vἰδοὺ1

“Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

259826:47hsv70

This begins the account of when Judas betrayed Jesus and the religious leaders arrested him.

259926:47rlp9καὶ ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος1

“While Jesus was still speaking”

260026:47e26hξύλων1

large pieces of hard wood for hitting people

260126:48qb4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ & κρατήσατε αὐτόν1

Here “Now” is used to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew tells background information about Judas and the signal he planned to use to betray Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

260226:48gw8mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsλέγων, ὃν ἂν φιλήσω, αὐτός ἐστιν; κρατήσατε αὐτόν.1

This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “saying that whomever he kissed was the one they should seize.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

260326:48m23zὃν ἂν φιλήσω1

“The one I kiss” or “The man whom I kiss”

260426:48nr34φιλήσω1

This was a respectful way to greet ones teacher.

260526:49uig8προσελθὼν τῷ Ἰησοῦ1

“Judas came up to Jesus”

260626:49cyb7κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν1

“met him with a kiss.” Good friends would kiss each other on the cheek, but a disciple would probably kiss his master on the hand to show respect. No one knows for sure how Judas kissed Jesus.

260726:50w3d6τότε προσελθόντες1

Here “they” refers to the people with clubs and swords that came with Judas and the religious leaders.

260826:50vmd1ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰησοῦν, καὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν1

“grabbed Jesus, and arrested him”

260926:51vm6sκαὶ ἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

261026:52tj6nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν1

The word “sword” is a metonym for the act of killing someone with a sword. The implied information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “who pick up a sword to kill others” or “who want to kill other people” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

261126:52w357μάχαιραν, ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται1

“sword will die by means of the sword” or “sword—it is with the sword that someone will kill them”

261226:53kgx8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι & ἀγγέλων1

Jesus uses a question to remind the person with the sword that Jesus could stop those who are arresting him. Alternate translation: “Surely you know that I could call … angels” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

261326:53eb7irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youδοκεῖς1

Here “you” is singular and refers to the person with the sword. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

261426:53g3zqrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτὸν Πατέρα μου1

This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

261526:53tfw8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersπλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων1

The word “legion” is a military term that refers to a group of about 6,000 soldiers. Jesus means God would send enough angels to easily stop those who are arresting Jesus. The exact number of angels is not important. Alternate translation: “more than 12 really large groups of angels” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

261626:54teq5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionπῶς οὖν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ Γραφαὶ, ὅτι οὕτως δεῖ γενέσθαι?1

Jesus uses a question to explain why he is letting these people arrest him. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But if I did that, I would not be able to fulfill what God said in the scriptures must happen” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

261726:55yf4prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συνλαβεῖν με?1

Jesus is using this question to point out the wrong actions of those arresting him. Alternate translation: “You know that I am not a robber, so it is wrong for you to come out to me bringing swords and clubs” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

261826:55q9vqξύλων1

large pieces of hard wood for hitting people

261926:55e8dqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν τῷ ἱερῷ1

It is implied that Jesus was not in the actual temple. He was in the courtyard around the temple. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

262026:56ygn7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπληρωθῶσιν αἱ Γραφαὶ τῶν προφητῶν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I would fulfill all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

262126:56i2jpἀφέντες αὐτὸν1

If your language has a word that means they left him when they should have stayed with him, use it here.

262226:57f6nj0

This begins the account of Jesus trial before the council of Jewish religious leaders.

262326:58jui3ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ1

“Peter followed Jesus”

262426:58isd4τῆς αὐλῆς τοῦ ἀρχιερέως1

an open area near the high priests house

262526:58v8thκαὶ εἰσελθὼν ἔσω1

“Peter went inside”

262626:59i8jwδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

262726:59jwz5αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν1

Here “they” refers to the chief priests and the members of the council.

262826:59u6v9αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν1

“might have a reason to execute him”

262926:60m6n5προσελθόντες δύο1

“two men came forward” or “two witnesses came forward”

263026:61a8lfrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotationsεἶπον, οὗτος ἔφη, δύναμαι καταλῦσαι & διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν οἰκοδομῆσαι.1

If your language does not allow quotes within quotes you can rewrite it as a single quote. Alternate translation: “This man said that he is able to destroy … days.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

263126:61i5n4οὗτος ἔφη1

“This man Jesus said”

263226:61mbq1διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν1

“within three days,” before the sun goes down three times, not “after three days,” after the sun has gone down the third time

263326:62v6j9τί οὗτοί σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν?1

The chief priest is not asking Jesus for information about what the witnesses said. He is asking Jesus to prove what the witnesses said is wrong. Alternate translation: “What is your response to what the witnesses are testifying against you?”

263426:63mm28rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This is an important title that describes the relationship between the Christ and God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

263526:63lry9τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος1

Here “living” contrasts the God of Israel to all the false gods and idols that people worshiped. Only the God of Israel is alive and has power to act. See how you translated this in Matthew 16:16.

263626:64gi6vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσὺ εἶπας1

This is an idiom that Jesus uses to mean “yes” without being completely clear about what he means. Alternate translation: “You are saying it” or “You are admitting it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

263726:64zu47rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ’ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε1

Here “you” is plural. Jesus is speaking to the high priest and to the other persons there. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

263826:64ll8rἀπ’ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Possible meanings are (1) the phrase “from now on” is an idiom that means they will see the Son of Man in his power at some time in the future or (2) the phrase “from now on” means that from the time of Jesus trial and onward, Jesus is showing himself to be the Messiah who is powerful and victorious.

263926:64b6cbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου1

Jesus is speaking about himself in third person. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

264026:64p5pxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκαθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως1

Here “Power” is metonym that represents God. To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: “sitting in the place of honor beside the all-powerful God” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

264126:64urp9ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ1

“riding to earth on the clouds of heaven”

264226:65srg6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionὁ ἀρχιερεὺς διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ1

Tearing clothing was a sign of anger and sadness. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

264326:65qq51rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐβλασφήμησεν1

The reason the high priest called Jesus statement blasphemy is probably that he understood Jesus words in Matthew 26:64 as a claim to be equal with God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

264426:65t68trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων?1

The high priest uses this question to emphasize that he and the members of the council do not need to hear from any more witnesses. Alternate translation: “We do not need to hear from any more witnesses!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

264526:65wh4hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youνῦν ἠκούσατε1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the members of the council. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

264626:67adc2τότε ἐνέπτυσαν1

Possible meanings are (1) “Then some of the men” or (2) “Then the soldiers.”

264726:67g1c2ἐνέπτυσαν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ1

This was done as an insult.

264826:68f2bjπροφήτευσον ἡμῖν1

Here “Prophesy to us” means to tell by means of Gods power. It does not mean to tell what will happen in the future.

264926:68b5xerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyΧριστέ1

Those hitting Jesus do not really think he is the Christ. They call him this to mock him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

265026:69bsb30

These events happen at the same time as Jesus trial before the religious leaders.

265126:69h5ts0

This begins the account of how Peter denies three times that he knows Jesus, as Jesus said he would do.

265226:69y21lδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

265326:70sp1tοὐκ οἶδα τί λέγεις1

Peter was able to understand what the servant girl was saying. He used these words to deny that he had been with Jesus.

265426:71ief5ἐξελθόντα δὲ1

“When Peter went out”

265526:71gyw8τὸν πυλῶνα1

opening in the wall around a courtyard

265626:71s7c4λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ1

“said to the people who were sitting there”

265726:72e5xlκαὶ πάλιν ἠρνήσατο μετὰ ὅρκου, ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον.1

“he denied it again by swearing, I do not know the man!’”

265826:73hde3ἐξ αὐτῶν1

“one of those who were with Jesus”

265926:73w8wwγὰρ ἡ λαλιά σου δῆλόν σε ποιεῖ1

This can be translated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: “We can tell you are from Galilee because you speak like a Galilean”

266026:74edd8καταθεματίζειν1

“to call down a curse on himself”

266126:74w87bἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν1

A rooster is a bird that calls out loudly around the time the sun comes up. The sound a rooster makes is called “crowing.” See how you translated this in Matthew 26:34.

266226:75nx3jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsκαὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ῥήματος Ἰησοῦ εἰρηκότος, ὅτι πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι, τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με1

This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Peter remembered that Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Jesus three times” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

266327:introdeu40

Matthew 27 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

“Delivered him to Pilate the governor”

The Jewish leaders needed to get permission from Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, before they could kill Jesus. This was because Roman law did not allow them to kill Jesus themselves. Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, but they wanted him to free a very bad prisoner named Barabbas.

The tomb

The tomb in which Jesus was buried (Matthew 27:60) was the kind of tomb in which wealthy Jewish families buried their dead. It was an actual room cut into a rock. It had a flat place on one side where they could place the body after they had put oil and spices on it and wrapped it in cloth. Then they would roll a large rock in front of the tomb so no one could see inside or enter.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Sarcasm

The soldiers said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29) to mock Jesus. They did not think that he was the king of the Jews. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

266427:1hvr40

This begins the account of Jesus trial before Pilate.

266527:1qe1sδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

266627:1cm46rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitσυμβούλιον ἔλαβον & κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὥστε θανατῶσαι αὐτόν1

The Jewish leaders were planning how they could convince the Roman leaders to kill Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

266727:3vzf9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events0

This event happened after Jesus trial in front of the council of Jewish religious leaders, but we do not know if it happened before or during Jesus trial before Pilate. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

266827:3bk8i0

The author has stopped telling the story of Jesus trial so he can tell the story of how Judas killed himself.

266927:3qm12τότε ἰδὼν Ἰούδας1

If your language has a way of showing that a new story is starting, you may want to use that here.

267027:3v9vjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅτι κατεκρίθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the Jewish leaders had condemned Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

267127:3pe4nτὰ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια1

This was the money that the chief priests had given Judas to betray Jesus. See how you translated it in Matthew 26:15.

267227:4f6u8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomαἷμα ἀθῷον1

This is an idiom that refers to the death of an innocent person. Alternate translation: “a person who does not deserve to die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

267327:4mf6brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτί πρὸς ἡμᾶς?1

The Jewish leaders use this question to emphasize that they do not care about what Judas said. Alternate translation: “That is not our problem!” or “That is your problem!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

267427:5tuh4ῥίψας τὰ ἀργύρια εἰς τὸν ναὸν1

Possible meanings are (1) he threw the pieces of silver while in the temple courtyard, or (2) he was standing in the temple courtyard, and he threw the pieces of silver into the temple.

267527:6r5r9οὐκ ἔξεστιν βαλεῖν αὐτὰ1

“Our laws do not allow us to put this”

267627:6ce2xβαλεῖν αὐτὰ1

“put this silver”

267727:6gtp3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν κορβανᾶν1

This is the place they kept the money they used to provide for things needed for the temple and the priests. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

267827:6j2l8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτιμὴ αἵματός1

This is an idiom that means money paid to a person who helped kill someone. Alternate translation: “money paid for a man to die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

267927:7mtg6τὸν Ἀγρὸν τοῦ Κεραμέως1

This was a field that was bought to bury strangers who died in Jerusalem.

268027:8nts8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκλήθη ὁ ἀγρὸς ἐκεῖνος1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “people call that field” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

268127:8ag2nἕως τῆς σήμερον1

This means to the time that Matthew is writing this book.

268227:9g1gc0

The author quotes Old Testament scripture to show that Judas suicide was a fulfillment of prophecy.

268327:9rj3urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This fulfilled what the prophet Jeremiah spoke” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

268427:9t1djrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὴν τιμὴν τοῦ τετιμημένου, ὃν ἐτιμήσαντο ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the price the people of Israel set on him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

268527:9d7l7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyυἱῶν Ἰσραήλ1

This refers to those among the people of Israel who paid to kill Jesus. Alternate translation: “some of the people of Israel” or “the leaders of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

268627:10c2chσυνέταξέν μοι1

Here “me” refers to Jeremiah.

268727:11pjc50

This continues the story of Jesus trial before Pilate, which began in Matthew 27:2.

268827:11we3aδὲ1

If your language has a way of continuing a story after a break from the main story line, you may want to use it here.

268927:11a2e7τοῦ ἡγεμόνος1

“Pilate”

269027:11a6cmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitαὐτῷ σὺ λέγεις1

Possible meanings are (1) by saying this, Jesus implied that he is the King of the Jews. Alternate translation: “Yes, as you said, I am” or “Yes. It is as you said” or (2) by saying this, Jesus was saying that Pilate, not Jesus, was the one calling him the King of the Jews. Alternate translation: “You yourself have said so” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

269127:12vl3arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ ἐν τῷ κατηγορεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But when the chief priests and elders accused him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

269227:13wn2rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὐκ ἀκούεις πόσα σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν?1

Pilate asks this question because he is surprised that Jesus remains silent. Alternate translation: “I am surprised that you do not answer these people who accuse you of doing bad things!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

269327:14hbm8οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ πρὸς οὐδὲ ἓν ῥῆμα, ὥστε θαυμάζειν τὸν ἡγεμόνα λίαν1

“did not say even one word; this greatly amazed the governor.” This is an emphatic way of saying that Jesus was completely silent.

269427:15jjp8rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line so Matthew can give information to help the reader understand what happens beginning in Matthew 27:17. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

269527:15p1haἑορτὴν1

This is the feast for the Passover celebration.

269627:15pfk6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἕνα τῷ ὄχλῳ δέσμιον, ὃν ἤθελον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “prisoner whom the crowd would choose” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

269727:16q2iuεἶχον & δέσμιον ἐπίσημον1

“there was a notorious prisoner”

269827:16svr2ἐπίσημον1

well known for doing something bad

269927:17d8hvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσυνηγμένων & αὐτῶν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the crowd gathered” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

270027:17wrl3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἸησοῦν, τὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom some people call the Christ” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

270127:18jq3cπαρέδωκαν αὐτόν1

“the Jewish leaders had brought Jesus to him.” They had done this so that Pilate would judge Jesus.

270227:19t3mxκαθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ1

“While Pilate was sitting”

270327:19s5pcκαθημένου & ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος1

“sitting on the judges seat.” This is where a judge would sit while making a decision.

270427:19w4i8ἀπέστειλεν1

“sent a message”

270527:19an95πολλὰ & ἔπαθον σήμερον1

“I have been very upset today”

270627:20ax1irc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundδὲ & τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν ἀπολέσωσιν1

Here “now” is used to mark a break in the main story line. Matthew tells background information about why the crowd chose Barabbas. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

270727:20et2mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν ἀπολέσωσιν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “have the Roman soldiers kill Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

270827:21x6vfεἶπεν αὐτοῖς1

“asked the crowd”

270927:22zl85rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom some people call the Christ” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

271027:23m5jmἐποίησεν1

“has Jesus done”

271127:23nb7pοἱ & ἔκραζον1

“the crowd cried out”

271227:24yj8trc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἀπενίψατο τὰς χεῖρας ἀπέναντι τοῦ ὄχλου1

Pilate does this as a sign that he is not responsible for Jesus death. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

271327:24u1ferc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῦ αἵματος1

Here “blood” refers to a persons death. Alternate translation: “the death” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

271427:24de8wὑμεῖς ὄψεσθε1

“This is your responsibility”

271527:25n5k1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ἡμῶν1

Here “blood” is a metonym that stands for a persons death. The phrase “be on us and our children” is an idiom that means they accept the responsibility of what is happening. Alternate translation: “Yes! We and our descendants will be responsible for executing him” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

271627:26yb5yτότε ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν1

“Then Pilate released Barabbas to the crowd”

271727:26m63drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας, παρέδωκεν ἵνα σταυρωθῇ1

It is implied that Pilate ordered his soldiers to scourge Jesus. Handing Jesus over to be crucified is a metaphor for ordering his soldiers to crucify Jesus. Alternate translation: “he ordered his soldiers to scourge Jesus and to crucify him” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] )

271827:26y3kfτὸν & Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας1

“beat Jesus with a whip” or “whipped Jesus”

271927:27zz450

This begins the account of Jesus crucifixion and death.

272027:27bn22τὴν σπεῖραν1

“group of soldiers”

272127:28nx81καὶ ἐκδύσαντες αὐτὸν1

“pulled off his clothes”

272227:28qsz5κοκκίνην1

bright red

272327:29yw94στέφανον ἐξ ἀκανθῶν1

“a crown made of thorny branches” or “a crown made of branches with thorns on them”

272427:29dlz7κάλαμον ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ1

They gave Jesus a stick to hold to represent a scepter that a king holds. They did this to mock Jesus.

272527:29qf8jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyχαῖρε, ὁ Βασιλεῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων1

They were saying this to mock Jesus. They were calling Jesus “King of the Jews,” but they did not really believe he was a king. And yet what they were saying was true. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

272627:29gf6aχαῖρε1

“We honor you” or “May you live a long time”

272727:30ib5qκαὶ ἐμπτύσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν1

“using their spit, the soldiers spat on Jesus”

272827:32j5wqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐξερχόμενοι1

This means Jesus and the soldiers came out of the city. Alternate translation: “As they came out of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

272927:32ies4εὗρον ἄνθρωπον1

“the soldiers saw a man”

273027:32sfj2τοῦτον ἠγγάρευσαν ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ1

“whom the soldiers forced to go with them so that he could carry Jesus cross”

273127:33j6hbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτόπον λεγόμενον Γολγοθᾶ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “place that people called Golgotha” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

273227:34f11jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveαὐτῷ πιεῖν οἶνον μετὰ χολῆς μεμιγμένον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “him wine, which they had mixed with gall” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

273327:34e2ukχολῆς1

the bitter, yellow liquid that bodies use in digestion

273427:35a1y1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ1

These were the clothes Jesus had been wearing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

273527:37j4s4τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ1

“a written explanation of why he was being crucified”

273627:38zq4brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτότε σταυροῦνται σὺν αὐτῷ δύο λῃσταί1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The soldiers crucified two robbers with Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

273727:39d4fmrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionκινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν1

They did this to make fun of Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

273827:40t23irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ κατάβηθι ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ1

They did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so they wanted him to prove it if it was true. Alternate translation: “If you are the Son of God, prove it by coming down from the cross” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

273927:40b5lwrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesυἱὸς & τοῦ Θεοῦ1

This is an important title for the Christ that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

274027:42ff4drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyἄλλους ἔσωσεν, ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται σῶσαι1

Possible meanings are (1) the Jewish leaders do not believe that Jesus saved others or that he can save himself, or (2) they believe he did save others but are laughing at him because now he cannot save himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

274127:42j6l7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyΒασιλεὺς Ἰσραήλ ἐστιν,1

The leaders are mocking Jesus. They call him “King of Israel,” but they do not really believe he is king. Alternate translation: “He says that he is the King of Israel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

274227:43w46n0

The Jewish leaders continue mocking Jesus.

274327:43cl97rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesεἶπεν γὰρ, ὅτι Θεοῦ εἰμι Υἱός.1

This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “For Jesus even said that he is the Son of God.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

274427:43uw85rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΘεοῦ & Υἱός1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

274527:44e26yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ λῃσταὶ, οἱ συνσταυρωθέντες σὺν αὐτῷ1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the robbers that the soldiers crucified with Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

274627:45e7z4δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

274727:45s2l7ἀπὸ & ἕκτης ὥρας & ἕως ὥρας ἐνάτης1

“from about noon … for three hours” or “from about twelve oclock midday … until about three oclock in the afternoon”

274827:45pi8erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsσκότος ἐγένετο ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν1

The word “darkness” is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: “it became dark over the whole land” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

274927:46qyp7ἀνεβόησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς1

“Jesus called out” or “Jesus shouted”

275027:46xub2rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateἘλωῒ, Ἐλωῒ, λεμὰ σαβαχθάνει1

These words are what Jesus cried out in his own language. Translators usually leave these words as is. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])

275127:48jm37εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν1

Possible meanings are (1) one of the soldiers or (2) one of those who stood by and watched.

275227:48bsy1σπόγγον1

This is a sea animal that is harvested and used to take up and hold liquids. These liquids can later be pushed out.

275327:48ny3eἐπότιζεν αὐτόν1

“gave it to Jesus”

275427:50fj1vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα1

Here “spirit” refers to that which gives life to a person. This phrase is a way of saying that Jesus died. Alternate translation: “he died, giving his spirit over to God” or “he breathed his last breath” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

275527:51w1wq0

This begins the account of the events that happened when Jesus died.

275627:51a92gἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

275727:51m1icrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ ἐσχίσθη εἰς δύο1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the curtain of the temple tore in two” or “God caused the curtain of the temple to tear in two” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

275827:52a1curc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ τὰ μνημεῖα ἀνεῴχθησαν, καὶ πολλὰ σώματα τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων ἠγέρθη1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God opened the tombs and raised the bodies of many godly people who had died” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

275927:52kj3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσώματα τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων ἠγέρθη1

Here to raise is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “God put life back into to the dead bodies of many godly people who had fallen asleep” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

276027:52hgn1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemismκεκοιμημένων1

This is a polite way of referring to dying. Alternate translation: “died” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

276127:53q2x5καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐκ & ἐνεφανίσθησαν πολλοῖς1

The order of the events that Matthew describes (beginning with the words “The tombs were opened” in verse 52) is unclear. After the earthquake when Jesus died and the tombs were opened (1) the holy people came back to life, and then, after Jesus came back to life, the holy people entered Jerusalem, where many people saw them, or (2) Jesus came back to life, and then the holy ones came back to life and entered the city, where many people saw them.

276227:54f6rzδὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

276327:54vv2grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἱ & τηροῦντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν1

“those who were guarding Jesus.” This refers to the other soldiers who were guarding Jesus with the centurion. Alternate translation: “the other soldiers with him who were guarding Jesus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

276427:54gw6nrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΘεοῦ Υἱὸς1

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

276527:56ud33ἡ μήτηρ τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου1

“the mother of James and John” or “the wife of Zebedee”

276627:57wm5z0

This begins the account of Jesus burial.

276727:57sy9yrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἉριμαθαίας1

This is the name of a city in Israel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

276827:58c69nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτότε ὁ Πειλᾶτος ἐκέλευσεν ἀποδοθῆναι1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then Pilate ordered the soldiers to give the body of Jesus to Joseph” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

276927:59kj7uσινδόνι1

a fine, costly cloth

277027:60hvs8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὃ ἐλατόμησεν ἐν τῇ πέτρᾳ1

It is implied that Joseph had workers who cut the tomb into the rock. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

277127:60lt4krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ προσκυλίσας λίθον μέγαν1

Most likely Joseph had other people there to help him roll the stone. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

277227:61ihr8ἀπέναντι τοῦ τάφου1

“across from the tomb”

277327:62qj59τὴν παρασκευήν1

This is the day that people got everything ready for the Sabbath.

277427:62j57nσυνήχθησαν & πρὸς Πειλᾶτον1

“met with Pilate”

277527:63sc6yἐκεῖνος ὁ πλάνος & ἔτι ζῶν1

“when Jesus, the deceiver, was alive”

277627:63ri5src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesεἶπεν & μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐγείρομαι.1

This has a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “he said that after three days he will rise again.” or “he said that after three day he would rise again.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

277727:64b8n2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκέλευσον & ἀσφαλισθῆναι τὸν τάφον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “command your soldiers to guard the tomb” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

277827:64hbh8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτῆς τρίτης ἡμέρας1

(See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

277927:64pwc8ἐλθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, κλέψωσιν αὐτὸν1

“his disciples may come and steal his body”

278027:64t78src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesἐλθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ & εἴπωσιν τῷ λαῷ, ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν; καὶ1

This has a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “his disciples may … tell the people that he has risen from the dead, and” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

278127:64c7bfἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν1

From among all those who have died. This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from among them speaks of becoming alive again.

278227:64u5tgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisκαὶ ἔσται ἡ ἐσχάτη πλάνη χείρων τῆς πρώτης1

The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “and if they deceive people by saying that, it will be worse than the way he deceived people before when he said that he was the Christ” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

278327:65dkq9κουστωδίαν1

This consisted of four to sixteen Roman soldiers.

278427:66pk1qσφραγίσαντες τὸν λίθον1

Possible meanings are (1) they put a cord around the stone and attached it to the rock wall on either side of the entrance to the tomb or (2) they put seals between the stone and the wall.

278527:66e8ufμετὰ τῆς κουστωδίας1

“telling the soldiers to stand where they could keep people from tampering with the tomb”

278628:intropsw90

Matthew 28 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The tomb

The tomb in which Jesus was buried (Matthew 28:1) was the kind of tomb in which wealthy Jewish families buried their dead. It was an actual room cut into a rock. It had a flat place on one side where they could place the body after they had put oil and spices on it and wrapped it in cloth. Then they would roll a large rock in front of the tomb so no one could see inside or enter.

“Make disciples”

The last two verses (Matthew 28:19-20) are commonly known as “The Great Commission” because they contain a very important command given to all Christians. Christians are to “make disciples” by going to people, sharing the gospel with them and training them to live as Christians.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

An angel of the Lord

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all wrote about angels in white clothing with the women at Jesus tomb. Two of the authors called them men, but that is only because the angels looked human. Two of the authors wrote about two angels, but the other two authors wrote about only one of them. It is best to translate each of these passages as it appears in the ULT without trying to make the passages all say exactly the same thing. (See: Matthew 28:1-2 and Mark 16:5 and Luke 24:4 and John 20:12)

278728:1anr10

This begins the account of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

278828:1qkn8ὀψὲ δὲ Σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων1

“After the Sabbath ended, as the sun came up on Sunday morning”

278928:1gs43δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

279028:1zu2bἡ ἄλλη Μαρία1

“the other woman named Mary.” This is Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 27:56).

279128:2j25iἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. Your language may have a way of doing this.

279228:2l4s2σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας; ἄγγελος γὰρ Κυρίου καταβὰς & ἀπεκύλισε τὸν λίθον1

Possible meanings are (1) the earthquake happened because the angel came down and rolled away the stone or (2) all these events happened at the same time .

279328:2s43vσεισμὸς1

a sudden and violent shaking of the ground

279428:3vfh4ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ1

“The angels appearance”

279528:3p12yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἦν & ὡς ἀστραπὴ1

This is a simile that emphasizes how bright in appearance the angel was. Alternate translation: “was bright like lightning” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

279628:3i4hprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileτὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών1

This is a simile that emphasizes how bright and white the angels clothes were. The verb “was” from the previous phrase can be repeated. Alternate translation: “his clothing was very white, like snow” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-simile]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

279728:4b1icrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἐγενήθησαν ὡς νεκροί1

This is a simile that means the soldiers fell down and did not move. Alternate translation: “fell to the ground and lay there like dead men” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

279828:5q8ddταῖς γυναιξίν1

“Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary”

279928:5tbd8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸν ἐσταυρωμένον1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom the people and the soldiers crucified” or “whom they crucified” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

280028:7sp2arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesεἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν; καὶ ἰδοὺ, προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν; ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε1

This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and that Jesus has gone ahead of you to Galilee where you will see him.” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

280128:7r5cwἠγέρθη1

“He has come back to life”

280228:7a1irἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν1

From among all those who have died. This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from among them speaks of becoming alive again.

280328:7ljb2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youπροάγει ὑμᾶς & αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε1

Here “you” is plural. It refers to the women and the disciples. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

280428:7hf9irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youεἶπον ὑμῖν1

Here “you” is plural and refers to the women. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

280528:8j2svκαὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι1

“Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary”

280628:9s393ἰδοὺ1

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. Your language may have a way of doing this.

280728:9n5szχαίρετε1

This is an ordinary greeting, much like “Hello” in English.

280828:9nmg1ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας1

“got down on their knees and held onto his feet”

280928:10etk6τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου1

This refers to Jesus disciples.

281028:11u1ae0

This begins the account of the reaction of the Jewish religious leaders when they heard of Jesus resurrection.

281128:11ktu5δὲ1

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

281228:11mu4lαὐτῶν1

Here this refers to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.

281328:11rnr3ἰδού1

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.

281428:12ht82συμβούλιόν τε λαβόντες1

“decided on a plan among themselves.” The priests and elders decided to give the money to the soldiers.

281528:13kn8irc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotationsεἴπατε ὅτι, οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ & ἐλθόντες & ἡμῶν κοιμωμένων.1

If your language does not allow quotations within quotations you may translate this as a single quote. Alternate translation: “Tell others that Jesus disciples came … while you were sleeping” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

281628:14n8xyκαὶ ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος1

“If the governor hears that you were asleep when Jesus disciples took his body”

281728:14u13qτοῦ ἡγεμόνος1

“Pilate” (Matthew 27:2)

281828:14x57kἡμεῖς πείσομεν καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν1

“do not worry. We will talk to him so that he does not punish you.”

281928:15yu3crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐποίησαν ὡς ἐδιδάχθησαν1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “did what the priests had told them to do” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

282028:15cp7rὁ λόγος οὗτος παρὰ Ἰουδαίοις μέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας1

“Many Jews heard this report and continue to tell others about it even today”

282128:15vp3aμέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας1

This refers to the time Matthew wrote the book.

282228:16h1ln0

This begins the account of Jesus meeting with his disciples after his resurrection.

282328:17pze9προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν1

Possible meanings are (1) they all worshiped Jesus even though some of them doubted, or (2) some of them worshiped Jesus, but others did not worship him because they doubted.

282428:17xgr5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν1

It can be stated explicitly what the disciples doubted. Alternate translation: “some doubted that he was really Jesus and that he had become alive again” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

282528:18v37prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “My Father has given me all authority” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

282628:18sm35rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

Here “heaven” and “earth” are used together to mean everyone and everything in heaven and earth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

282728:19yz6qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

Here “nations” refers to the people. Alternate translation: “of all the people in every nation” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

282828:19l5b5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἰς τὸ ὄνομα1

Here “name” refers to authority. Alternate translation: “by the authority” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

282928:19kwa3rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς & τοῦ Υἱοῦ1

These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

283028:20mz6fἰδοὺ1

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

283128:20si8zἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος1

“until the end of this age” or “until the end of the world”