Matthew

Matthew front

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: Christ, Messiah)

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: How to 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 God’s 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: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and disciple and 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: Son of Man, son of man)

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 Matthew’s Gospel. (See: Textual Variants)

Matthew 1

Matthew 1 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 person’s 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 1:1

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

Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυεὶδ, υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ

Here, son means “descendant.” If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Descendant of King David, who was a descendent of Abraham” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 1:3

Unless stated otherwise, all of the names in this genealogy are men’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 1:5

Ῥαχάβ…Ῥούθ

Rahab and Ruth were the names of women. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 1:11

ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος

Alternate translation: See the UST

Βαβυλῶνος

Here, Babylonian refers to the country of Babylonia, not just the city of Babylon.

Matthew 1:12

μετὰ…τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος

Use the same wording you used in 1:11 for Babylonian.

Matthew 1:16

Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη Ἰησοῦς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Mary, who gave birth to Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Μαρίας

Mary is the name of a woman. (See: How to Translate Names)

ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom people call Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 1:17

τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος

Use the same wording you used in 1:11.

Matthew 1:18

τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γένεσις οὕτως ἦν

This begins a new part of the story in which the author describes the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. (See: Introduction of a New Event)

μνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ἰωσήφ

Mary was given by her parents to Joseph to marry him. This was common in their culture. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Mary’s parents promised to Jospeh that Mary, Jesus’ mother, would marry him” (See: Active or Passive)

πρὶν…συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς

This may refer to Mary and Joseph sleeping together. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a different polite way of referring to this or you could state this plainly. Alternate translation: “before they had slept together” or “before they got married” (See: Euphemism)

εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they realized that she was going to have a baby” or “it happened that she was pregnant” (See: Active or Passive)

εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα

This is an idiom meaning people discovered that she was pregnant. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: (1) “Joseph found out that she was pregnant” or (2), more generally “Some people discovered that she was pregnant” (See: Idiom)

ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου

The power of the Holy Spirit had enabled Mary to have a baby before she had slept with a man. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “through the Holy Spirit allowing her to be pregnant without sleeping with a man” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 1:19

ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν

Mark is providing this background information to help readers understand who Joseph was and what his motives were. Use a natural way in your language for introducing background information. Alternate translation: “Joseph her husband was a righteous man who did not want to embarrass her publicly.” (See: Connect — Background Information)

Matthew 1:20

ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ, ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ’ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ

The angel appeared to Joseph at the same time he was considering divorcing Mary. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “During the time when Jospeh was considering divorcing Mary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream” (See: Connect — Simultaneous Time Relationship)

υἱὸς Δαυείδ

Here, son means “descendant.” If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Descendant of King David” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ…ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν Ἁγίου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant with this child” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 1:21

αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν

for he will save his people from their sins is explaining the meaning of the nameJesus. In Hebrew, Jesus comes from the word meaning “to save”. Use a natural way in your language for introducing this background information. Alternate translation: “For, just like his name means, he will save his people from their sins” (See: Connect — Background Information)

τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ

Here, his refers to the those people who love the Lord. Alternate translation: “the people whom the Lord loves”

Matthew 1:22

τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “what the Lord told the prophet to write long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

τοῦ προφήτου

There were many prophets. Matthew was speaking specifically of Isaiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “the prophet Isaiah” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

λέγοντος

In Paul’s culture, saying is a normal way to introduce a quotation from an important text, in this case, the Old Testament book written by Isaiah the prophet. If your readers would not understand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Paul is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “He wrote” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

Matthew 1:23

Ἐμμανουήλ

Immanuel is a male name. (See: How to Translate Names)

ἰδοὺ

The term behold focuses the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. Though it literally means “look” or “see,” in this case seeing figuratively means giving notice and attention. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am saying to you!” (See: Metaphor)

ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον, μεθ’ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός

Matthew is providing this background information to help readers understand what the name Immanuel means. Use a natural way in your language for introducing background information. Alternate translation: “This name means, ‘God with us’” (See: Connect — Background Information)

Matthew 1:24

ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, καὶ παρέλαβεν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Jospeh took Mary as his wife, just as the angel of the Lord commanded Him to” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

Matthew 1:25

οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν

Mark uses a polite expression to say that they had not engaged in sexual activity. Alternate translation: “He did not have sexual with her” (See: Euphemism)

Matthew 2

Matthew 2 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: sign, proof, reminder)

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.”

Matthew 2:1

τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ, μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα

learned men from the east arrived in Jerusalem comes after Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could show this relationship by using a fuller phrase. Alternate translation: “Now after Jesus had been born in the city of Bethlehem, which is in Judea, men who studied the stars came to Jerusalem from an eastern country” (See: Connect — Sequential Time Relationship)

Ἡρῴδου

There was more than one man named Herod. This refers to Herod the Great. (See: How to Translate Names)

μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν

These men were men who studied the stars in the sky to try to learn what the gods were communicating to them. If your readers would not be familiar with this, you can state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “men who studied the stars” (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 2:2

εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase is the result of the first phrase. Alternate translation: “We have come to worship him, for we saw his star in the sky in the east” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα

They were not saying that the baby was the owner of the star, but rather that this star was directing them to where the child was. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “the star that tells about him” or “the star that is associated with his birth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

προσκυνῆσαι

This could mean: (1) they intended to worship the baby as divine. (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.

Matthew 2:3

πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα

Here, Jerusalem refers to the people who live in Jerusalem. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “all the people in Jerusalem” (See: Metonymy)

καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ’ αὐτοῦ

Matthew left out some words in this phrase that might be needed in certain languages to make a full sentence. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “And many in Jerusalem were troubled along with him” (See: Ellipsis)

πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα

Here, all means “many.” Matthew is exaggerating to emphasize how many people were worried. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language. Alternate translation: “many of the people in Jerusalem” (See: Hyperbole)

Matthew 2:4

ἐπυνθάνετο παρ’ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται

If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “He was asking them where the Messiah was supposed to have been born” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Matthew 2:5

ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας

Matthew is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “He is supposed to have been born in Bethlehem, which is in the region of Judea” (See: Ellipsis)

οὕτως…γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this is what the prophet wrote long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

In Matthew’s culture, for thus it has been written through the prophet is a normal way to introduce a quotation from an important text, in this case, the Old Testament book written by Micah the prophet. If your readers would not understand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Matthew is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “according to Micah the prophet, who wrote” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

Matthew 2:6

καὶ σύ Βηθλέεμ, γῆ Ἰούδα, οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα; ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ἰσραήλ

Micah was speaking to Bethlehem as if it was a person. If this is confusing in your language, consider referring to Bethlehem in the third person. Alternate translation: “Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, is by no means the least among the leaders of Judah. For from this region a ruler will come who will shepherd my people Israel” (See: Apostrophe)

οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα

If are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah is confusing in your language, you can express the meaning positively. Alternate translation: “your town is among the most important towns in Judah” (See: Litotes)

ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος

When Matthew says for from you will come out a ruler, he is talking about from the people who live in Bethlehem. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “from your people a leader will come” (See: Metonymy)

ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ἰσραήλ

Micah speaks of this ruler as one who will shepherd…Israel. This means he will lead and care for the people just like a shepherd cares for their animals. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “who will lead my people Israel and take care of them” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 2:8

προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ

Herod first says Having gone, search carefully for the young child, and after you have found him, report to me so that I also, having come, might worship him. and then he sent them to Bethlehem. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “Herod said to the men who study the stars, “After you leave, search carefully for the young child, and after you have found him, report to me so that I also, having come, might worship him.” Then he sent them to Bethlehem” (See: Information Structure)

Matthew 2:11

πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ

In their culture, falling down, they worshipped him was something that was done to a king. This shows that they saw Jesus as the true king of the Jews. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They bowed down and honored the child as they would a king” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν

Here, their treasures refers to the boxes or bags they used to carry their treasures. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the containers that held their treasures” (See: Metonymy)

προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα

In some cultures, gifts are brought when you are meeting someone important to show that you honor them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They offered him gifts to honor him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 2:13

ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι

If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you can make the full meaning of this statement explicit. Alternate translation: “until I tell you it is safe to come back” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 2:15

ἦν ἐκεῖ

It is implied that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remained in Egypt. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jospeh, Mary and Jesus were there” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “in order that God might prove true that which he spoke through the prophet Hosea” (See: Active or Passive)

λέγοντος

See how you translated saying in 1:23(See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

Matthew 2:16

ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the learned men had embarrassed him by tricking him” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀποστείλας, ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας

Herod sent other people to kill the children. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 2:17

ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν

See how your translated this in 2:15 (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 2:18

φωνὴ…ἠκούσθη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People heard a voice” or “People heard a sound” (See: Active or Passive)

κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that the sound of weeping was very loud. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “much weeping” (See: Doublet)

Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι

Rachel lived many years before this time. This prophecy depicts Rachel, who is represented by her descendants weeping over their children. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Rachel are weeping over their children, and no one can comfort them” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one could comfort her” (See: Active or Passive)

ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν

Here, they are no more is a polite way of saying they are dead. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a different polite way of referring to this or you could state this plainly. Alternate translation: “because they were dead” or “because the children were gone and would never return” (See: Euphemism)

Matthew 2:20

οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου

Here, seeking the life of the child is a way of saying they wanted to kill the child. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a different polite way of referring to this or you could state this plainly. Alternate translation: “those who were looking for the child in order to kill him” (See: Euphemism)

Matthew 2:22

Ἀρχέλαος

Archelaus is the name of Herod’s son. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 2:23

πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν

See how you translated this in 2:15 (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 3

Matthew 3 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: fruit, fruitful, unfruitful)

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.”

Matthew 3:1

δὲ

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Matthew tells of the ministry of John the Baptist. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “Some time while Jesus was still in Galilee” (See: Introduction of a New Event)

Ἰωάννης ὁ Βαπτιστὴς

This introduces John as a new character in the story. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new character. The expression “the Baptizer” identifies him as someone who baptized people in water after they were sorry for their sins. Since he is a new participant, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could call him something like “a man named John, who baptized people” (See: Introduction of New and Old Participants)

Matthew 3:2

ἤγγικεν…ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

The phrase the kingdom of the heavens refers to God ruling as king. heavens refers to the place where God rules from. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “our God in heaven will soon show himself to be king” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 3:3

οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ῥηθεὶς διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “For John was the one who Isaiah spoke about when he said” (See: Active or Passive)

ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου; εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ

Here there is a direct quotation inside a direct quotation, as Mark quotes Isaiah who quotes the messenger. If this would be confusing in your language, you could translate the second direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “a voice crying out in the wilderness, telling people to make ready the way of the Lord and to make his paths straight” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “The voice of someone crying out in the wilderness is heard, saying:” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

φωνὴ βοῶντος

Here, a voice figuratively refers to the messenger who uses his voice to cry out. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “people will hear the messenger’s voice as he cries out” (See: Synecdoche)

ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου; εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ

Make ready the way of the Lord and make his paths straight mean the same thing. If this would be confusing in your language, you could combine the two. “Prepare to hear and obey the Lord’s message when he comes”. (See: Parallelism)

ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου

Isaiah uses a metaphor here of preparing paths or the way that someone will travel on. If someone prepares a path for another, they make the path walkable. If someone in high authority were coming, they would make sure the roads were clear from any hazards. So this metaphor means that the people should prepare themselves to receive the Lord’s message when he comes. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture or use plain speech. Alternate translation: “Prepare to hear and obey the Lord’s message when he comes” (See: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md)

Matthew 3:4

αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Ἰωάννης εἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, ἡ δὲ τροφὴ ἦν αὐτοῦ ἀκρίδες καὶ μέλι ἄγριον

The word Now is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Matthew gives the reader some background information about what John the Baptist ate, and what he looked like. Use the natural form in your language for expressing background information. (See: Background Information)

εἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου

had his clothing from the hair of a camel means that he wore clothes made from camels’ hair. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “wore clothing made from the hair of a camel” (See: Idiom)

καμήλου

If your readers would not know what a camel is, you could include a description in a footnote or use a more general term. Alternate translation: “animal” (See: Translate Unknowns)

ἀκρίδες

If your readers would not know what locusts are, you could include a description in a footnote or use a more general term. Alternate translation: “grasshoppers” or “insects” (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 3:5

Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ Ἰουδαία, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ περίχωρος τοῦ Ἰορδάνου

The words Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan are metonyms for the people from those areas. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “people from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region near the Jordan river” (See: Metonymy)

Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ Ἰουδαία, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ περίχωρος

The word all is an exaggeration to emphasize that very many people went out. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that depicts many people. Alternate translation: “very many people from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region near the Jordan river” (See: Hyperbole)

Matthew 3:6

ἐβαπτίζοντο…ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “John baptized them” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 3:7

γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν

Here, offspring of vipers means having the characteristic of vipers, which are poisonous snakes. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “You evil poisonous snakes!” or “You are evil like poisonous snakes!” (See: Metaphor)

τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς?

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. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “you cannot flee from God’s wrath like this.” or “do not think that you can escape God’s wrath just because I baptize you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς

The phrase coming wrath is being used to refer to God’s punishment. Wrath itself cannot come, but God is the one who causes it to happen. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “to flee from God’s wrath which he is bringing against you” (See: Personification)

Matthew 3:8

ποιήσατε οὖν καρπὸν ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας

The phrase produce fruit is a metaphor referring to a person’s actions. Just as a healthy tree bears good fruit, so should someone who love God do good. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Let your actions show that you have truly repented” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 3:9

πατέρα ἔχομεν τὸν Ἀβραάμ

They would say We have Abraham {as} father because they thought being Abraham’s descendants would protect them from God’s judgement. Alternate translation: “Abraham is our ancestor, so God would not punish us” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πατέρα

Here, the word father figuratively means “ancestor.” If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “Abraham is our ancestor” (See: Metaphor)

δύναται ὁ Θεὸς ἐκ τῶν λίθων τούτων ἐγεῖραι τέκνα τῷ Ἀβραάμ

John uses an exaggeration here to show that God does not need these Pharisees and Sadducees to fulfill his promises which he made to Abraham. If our readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that portrays this exaggeration. Alternate translation: “God could make children of Abraham even out of these rocks!” (See: Hyperbole)

τέκνα τῷ Ἀβραάμ

Here, the word children figuratively means “descendants.” If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “descendants for Abraham” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 3:10

ἤδη δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the person who is going to cut down the tree has already placed his ax against the roots. So, he will cut down every tree which does not bear good fruit and throw it into the fire” (See: Active or Passive)

πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

every tree not producing good fruit is chopped down and is thrown into the fire is a figurative way of describing punishment. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “God will certainly punish every person who does not repent of their sins and do good deeds to show it” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 3:11

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι

carrying…sandals was a duty of a slave. John is saying implicitly that the one who is coming will be so great that he is not even worthy to be his slave. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I am not even worthy to be his slave” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί

John is using literal baptism, which puts a person under water, to speak figuratively of spiritual baptism, which cleanses people from their sin. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: See the UST (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 3:12

οὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ

John is saying figuratively that the Messiah will come prepared to judge people right away. You could express this metaphor as a simile in your translation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here in your translation. Alternate translation: “He will already be prepared to judge people, just like a farmer who is ready to thresh grain” (See: Metaphor)

οὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ

Here, in his hand means the person is ready to act. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “and Christ is holding a winnowing fork because he is ready” (See: Idiom)

τὸ πτύον

A winnowing fork is a tool for tossing wheat into the air to separate the wheat grain from the chaff. The heavier grain falls back down, and the wind blows away the unwanted chaff. This tool is similar to a pitchfork. If you have a similar tool in your culture, you can use the word for it here. Otherwise, you can use a phrase that would express the meaning. Alternate translation: “tool for threshing grain” (See: Translate Unknowns)

τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ

The threshing floor was the place where wheat was stacked in preparation for threshing. To clear off the floor is to finish threshing all the grain. If your readers would not be familiar with this place, you could use the name of a place of similar use in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “The place where food is prepared” (See: Translate Unknowns)

συνάξει τὸν σῖτον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην…τὸ…ἄχυρον κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ

John continues to speak figuratively to describe how the coming Messiah will judge people. The wheat is the part of the crop that is useful. It represents people who are obedient to God, who will be welcomed into his presence. The chaff is the husk that surrounds the grain. It is not useful for anything, so people burn it up.You could express this metaphor as a simile in your translation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “He will welcome those who are obedient to God, just as a farmer stores good grain in his barn. But he will punish those who are disobedient to God, just as a farmer burns up the useless chaff” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 3:13

τότε

This introduces a new event that happened some time after the events the story has just related. The story does not say how long after those events this new event happened. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “Some time later” (See: Introduction of a New Event)

βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so John could baptize him” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 3:14

ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με?

John uses a question to show his surprise at Jesus’ request. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “You are more important than I am. I should not baptize you. You should baptize me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 3:15

ἡμῖν

Here, us refers to Jesus and John. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην

To fulfill all righteousness means to do everything which God requires someone to do. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “to do everything which God has told us to do” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 3:16

βαπτισθεὶς

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “After John baptized Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sky opened up” (See: Active or Passive)

καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν

The phrase like a dove could mean: (1) the Spirit looked like a dove as he descended upon Jesus. Alternate translation: “The Spirit came down from heaven, looking like a dove” (2) the Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove descends from the sky toward the ground. Alternate translation: “The Spirit of God came down from heaven as a dove comes down” (See: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-simile/01.md)

Matthew 3:17

φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα

Mark speaks figuratively of this voice as if it were a living thing that could come from heaven to earth. The voice is God’s voice. Alternate translation: “God spoke from heaven and said” (See: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-personification/01.md)

ὁ Υἱός μου

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 4

Matthew 4 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: Satan, devil, evil one and Son of God, the Son)

Matthew 4:1

τότε

This introduces a new event that happened some time after the events the story has just related. The story does not say how long after those events this new event happened. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “After this” (See: Introduction of a New Event)

ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνήχθη…ὑπὸ τοῦ Πνεύματος

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Spirit led Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

πειρασθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so the devil could tempt Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 4:2

ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα καὶ νύκτας τεσσεράκοντα

This means he fasted continually with no breaks for a period of 40 days. (See: Numbers)

ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα καὶ νύκτας τεσσεράκοντα

Matthew uses 40 days and 40 nights to express that Jesus fasted for 40 entire days without stoping. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “for 40 whole days” (See: Merism)

Matthew 4:3

εἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, εἰπὲ ἵνα οἱ λίθοι οὗτοι ἄρτοι γένωνται

The devil is suggesting that this is a hypothetical condition, and that the stone will only become bread if Jesus speaks to them as the Son of God. The devil is speaking as if it is uncertain who Jesus is in order to challenge him to do this miracle to prove that he really is the Son of God. If this would be unclear in your language, you can clarify. Alternate translation: “Prove that you are the Son of God by commanding these stones to become bread” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

Υἱὸς…τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 4:4

γέγραπται

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Moses wrote this in the scriptures long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

γέγραπται

In Matthew’s culture, it is written is a normal way to introduce a quotation from an important text, in this case, the Old Testament book written by Moses. If your readers would not understand this, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Jesus is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: “as it can be read in the Old Testament” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος

This can either be (1) a command. Alternate translation: “Man shall not live on bread alone” or (2) a general statement: Alternate translation: “Man does not live on bread alone”

ὁ ἄνθρωπος

This verse is not speaking about a specific person, but about people in general. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “A person” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ἀλλ’

What follows the word but here is in contrast to what came before it. People should not only live on food, but also must hear what the Lord is teaching them. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “But also” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

παντὶ ῥήματι ἐκπορευομένῳ διὰ στόματος Θεοῦ

coming from the mouth of God is figurative meaning everything which God has spoken. God does not actually have a mouth for words to come from. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “every word which God has spoken” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 4:6

Υἱὸς…τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

βάλε σεαυτὸν κάτω

When Satan tells Jesus to throw yourself down, he means from on top of the temple. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “throw yourself down from on top of the high point of the temple” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

γέγραπται γὰρ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “For God has written in his word” (See: Active or Passive)

γέγραπται

Satan is quoting from the book of Psalms. See note on 4:4 for how you translated this phrase (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ἐπὶ χειρῶν ἀροῦσίν σε

This verse is saying that God’s angels would catch Jesus if he were to throw himself down. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The angels would catch you if you fell” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 4:7

πάλιν γέγραπται

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Again, I will tell you what Moses wrote in the scriptures” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐκ ἐκπειράσεις

Here, You refers to people in general, and not to a specific person. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “No one shall” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Matthew 4:8

καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν

their glory is referring to the riches that these nations have. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and the riches which they possessed” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 4:9

ταῦτά σοι πάντα δώσω

Satan is using a hypothetical statement to tempt Jesus. Make sure to make this hypothetical statement explicit in your language. Alternate translation: “If you bow down and worship me, I will give you all of these things” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

ἐὰν πεσὼν

This was a common action to show that a person was worshiping. If there is a gesture with similar meaning in your culture, you could consider using it here in your translation. Alternate translation: “if you show reverence to me” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 4:10

γέγραπται γάρ

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “For Moses also wrote in the scriptures” (See: Active or Passive)

προσκυνήσεις…λατρεύσεις

Here, You refers to people in general and not to a specific person. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “Each person shall” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Matthew 4:12

δὲ

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: Background Information)

Ἰωάννης παρεδόθη

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the king had arrested John” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 4:13

ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 4:14

τὸ ῥηθὲν

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “what God said” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 4:15

γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ…Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν

Jesus refers figuratively to these places, when he is really referring to the people who live in them. If our readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “You who live in Zebulun and Naphtali” (See: Synecdoche)

ὁδὸν θαλάσσης

the way of the sea could also be a title referring to a road which ran along the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew 4:16

ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκοτίᾳ

the people being referred to here are the Jews. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Jews, who are sitting in darkness” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκοτίᾳ φῶς εἶδεν μέγα…ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου, φῶς

Here, darkness and region and shadow of death are metaphors for not knowing the truth about God. And light is a metaphor for God’s true message that saves people from their sin. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “The people sitting in sin have heard the message that God saves” (See: Metaphor)

ὁ καθήμενος…τοῖς καθημένοις

sitting is a metaphor for living. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “who are living…to those living” (See: Metaphor)

τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου, φῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς

and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death, upon them has a light arisen has the same meaning as the first part of the sentence. If saying the same thing twice might be confusing for your readers, you can combine the phrases into one. Alternate translation: “Those who are sitting in darkness have seen a great light” (See: Parallelism)

Matthew 4:17

ἤγγικεν…ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

See how you translated this in 3:2 (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 4:18

δὲ

This begins a new story about Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Here he begins to gather men to be his disciples. The story does not say how long after those events this new event happened. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “Some time later” (See: Introduction of a New Event)

βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν

They were casting a net in order to catch fish. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “throwing a net into the water to catch fish” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον

Some cultures use a net to catch fish. A net is something which is thrown into the water to trap fish in it. If this would not be understood in your culture, you can use a general phrase. Alternate translation: “fishing in the sea” (See: Translate Unknowns)

ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλιεῖς

Mark is providing this background information to help readers understand why they were casting fishing nets. Use a natural way in your language for introducing background information. Alternate translation: “They were doing this because they worked as fishermen” (See: Connect — Background Information)

Matthew 4:19

δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου

Come after me is an idiom meaning to follow someone and be their student. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “Follow me” (See: Idiom)

ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων

I will make you fishers of men means Simon and Andrew will teach people God’s true message, so others will also follow Jesus. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way.Alternate translation: “I will teach you to gather men to me like you used to gather fish” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 4:21

ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς

he called them is an idiom meaning that he told them to follow him. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “he told them to follow him” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 4:23

κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας

Here, kingdom refers to God’s reign as king. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “preaching the good news that God will soon show himself as king” (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν

The words disease and sickness are used here to cover every form of sickness which someone might have. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “every form of sickness” (See: Merism)

πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν

every here is an exaggeration, and does not mean that he healed every single disease among the people, but rather that he healed many different kinds of diseases. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language. Alternate translation: “many diseases and many sicknesses” (See: Hyperbole)

Matthew 4:24

δαιμονιζομένους

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom demons controlled” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπῆλθεν ἡ ἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὅλην τὴν Συρίαν

News itself can not go out, but rather, people spread the news about what Jesus was doing. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “people were spreading the news of what Jesus was doing into all of Syria” (See: Personification)

προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ πάντας τοὺς κακῶς

all those having sickness here is an exaggeration and does not mean that every single person who was sick was brought to him, but rather that many were brought. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language. Alternate translation: “Those who lived there brought many sick people to him” (See: Hyperbole)

σεληνιαζομένους

This refers to someone who goes unconscious and their body moves uncontrollably. If your readers would not be familiar with this disease, you could use the name of something like this from your language, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “those who sometimes become unconscious and move uncontrollably” (See: Translate Unknowns)

καὶ παραλυτικούς

A person who is a paralytic is someone who is not able to use a large portion of their body due to injury or sickness. If your readers would not be familiar with this sickness, you could use the name of something like this in your language, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “someone who is paralyzed” or “someone who is not able to use a large portion of their body” (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 4:25

Δεκαπόλεως

This name means “the Ten Towns.” This is the name of a region to the southeast of the Sea of Galilee. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 5

Matthew 5 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.

Generic Noun Phrases

In this chapter, because Jesus is talking to a very large crowd, he often uses words such as “you”, “those”, “a person”, “someone” or other ways of speaking about people in general. He is not speaking about any particular person. This is a common practice when giving important universal teachers as Jesus is doing here. Express these phrases in a way that is natural in your language for speaking about people in general. (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

The Law

Many times in this chapter, it sounds like Jesus contrasts what the law says with “but I say”. Jesus is not actually contrasting what he says with the law, but is just expanding on the meaning of the law for his listeners, to apply it to their lives. Make sure this is clear to your readers.

Matthew 5:1

δὲ

This introduces a new event that happened some time after the events the story has just related. The story does not say how long after those events this new event happened. Use the natural form in your language for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “Some time later” (See: Introduction of a New Event)

Matthew 5:2

ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ

Here, having opened his mouth is an idiom meaning to speak. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “when Jesus began to speak” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 5:3

μακάριοι

The phrase Blessed {are} indicates that God is giving favor to people and that their situation is positive or good. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “How good it is for” (See: Idiom)

οἱ πτωχοὶ

Jesus is using the adjective poor as a noun in order to indicate a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are poor” or “you who are poor” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι

Jesus is referring to people in general in this phrase, not of any particular person. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a more natural phrase. See the note in the chapter introduction for a longer explanation. Alternate translation: “The people who are poor in spirit” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι

The phrase poor in spirit refers to someone who is in need of God. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “those who know they need God” (See: Idiom)

ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

See how you translated kingdom of the heavens in 3:2 (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:4

μακάριοι

See the note in the previous verse. Idiom)

οἱ πενθοῦντες

See how you handled this type of phrase in the previous verse. (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

αὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will comfort them” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:5

οἱ πραεῖς

Jesus is using the adjective meek as a noun in order to indicate a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are humble” or “you who are humble” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 5:6

οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην

hungering and thirsting for righteousness describes people who strongly desire to do what is right. Hunger and thirst are the strongest desire a person can have. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “those who desire to live right as much as they desire food and drink” (See: Metaphor)

αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will fill them” or “God will satisfy them” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:8

οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ

Here, pure in heart is an idiom for a person’s intentions. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “those who have good intentions” (See: Idiom)

οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ

See the note in 5:3. Alternate translation: “people whose intentions please God” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

αὐτοὶ τὸν Θεὸν ὄψονται

Here, they will see God means they will be able to live in God’s presence, which a person cannot do unless they are in right relationship with him. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “they will live in God’s presence” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 5:9

ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ κληθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for God will call them his children” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:10

οἱ δεδιωγμένοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those people whom others treat unfairly” (See: Active or Passive)

αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

See how you translated this in 5:3 (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:11

μακάριοί ἐστε…ὑμᾶς…ὑμῶν

The word you here, and in the remainder of the chapter, unless otherwise notified, is plural. Jesus is talking to the people in the crowd. (See: Forms of You)

ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ

When Jesus says because of me, he means because they are following him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “because you follow me” or “because you believe in me” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 5:12

χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε

Here, Rejoice and be very glad mean almost the same thing. Jesus said this to be emphatic. If your language does not use repetition to do this, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Be very glad!” (See: Doublet)

ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

Here, in the heavens means with God. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “which you will receive when you are with God” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:13

ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς; ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται

This could mean: (1) just as salt makes food taste 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” (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: Metaphor)

ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται?

Jesus uses a question to teach the disciples that God does not use people who don’t care about what he wants. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “A person who stops following God becomes useless to him” (See: Rhetorical Question)

εἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω, καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “except for people to throw it out into the road and walk on it” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς οὐδὲν ἰσχύει ἔτι, εἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω

Jesus is saying that the only use for the salt is to be trampled upon. If it would appear in your language that Jesus was making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: “The salt only useful for being thrown out” (See: Connect — Exception Clauses)

Matthew 5:14

ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου

Just like a light shines in a dark place, Jesus is saying that his disciples will shine with his message in the world. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “You are like a light for the people of the world to see God” (See: Metaphor)

οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη

At night when it is dark, people can see the lights of a city shining from far away, as the city is not blocked by anything being on top of the hill. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “At night, when the lights are most visible, a city on a hill cannot be hidden” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language.. Alternate translation: “Everyone can see the lights from a city which is up on a hill” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:15

οὐδὲ καίουσιν λύχνον

See the note in the chapter introduction. Alternate translation: “People do not light a lamp” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ἀλλ’

What follows the words but rather here is in contrast to what came before it. Instead of foolishly putting a lamp in a basket, you should put it out to light up the room. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “But” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

Matthew 5:16

λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων

Let your light shine before men means a disciple of Jesus should live in such a way that others can learn about God’s truth because of how they live. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Let your lives be like a light that shines before people” (See: Metaphor)

τὸν Πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

God is referred to as our Father. He is not our father in that same way as our biological father. That detail is not normally translated, but if your language has a specific word for a man’s father, it would be appropriate to use it here. (See: Kinship)

ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

See how you translated in the heavens in 5:12(See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:17

τοὺς προφήτας

This refers to what the prophets wrote in the scriptures. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. “the writings of the prophets” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι, ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “I did not come to nullify the law and the prophets, but I came to fulfill them” (See: Ellipsis)

ἀλλὰ

What follows the word but here is in contrast to what came before it. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “But rather” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

Matthew 5:18

ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κερέα οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου

The phrase until the heaven and the earth may pass away, one jot or one tittle may certainly not pass away from the law exaggerates the fact that no part of God’s word will ever pass away. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows honor. Alternate translation: “Not even the smallest part of God’s word will ever pass away” (See: Hyperbole)

ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κερέα

The jot was the smallest Hebrew letter, and the tittle was a small mark that was the difference between two Hebrew letters. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “the smallest written letter or the smallest part of a letter” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 5:19

ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων…ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν…ὃς δ’ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν.

Jesus is using a hypothetical situation to teach the crowd of his disciples the importance of God’s law. Alternate translation: “If one were to nullify even the smallest of these commandments, God would call him the least important in his kingdom…If one were to do and teach the commandments, God would call him great in his kingdom” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ…ὃς δ’ ἂν ποιήσῃ

See the note in the chapter introduction. Alternate translation: “If anyone therefore breaks…if anyone does” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους…κληθήσεται

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “teaches others to do so, God will call that person” (See: Active or Passive)

τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

See how you translated this in 3:2 (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:20

ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη…οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε

If your readers would misunderstand this double negative, you can state it in a positive form. Alternate translation: “that your righteousness must exceed … Pharisees in order to enter” (See: Double Negatives)

ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον…οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Jesus is using a hypothetical situation to teach the disciples about how holy they need to be to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Alternate translation: “If your righteousness does not become much greater…you will never be a part of God’s people” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

Matthew 5:21

ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God said through Moses to your ancestors long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

ὃς…ἂν φονεύσῃ, ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει

Here, the judgment implies that a judge will condemn the person to die. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “A judge will condemn anyone who kills another person” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 5:22

τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ…τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ

Here, his brother refers to a fellow disciple of Jesus, not to a literal brother or a neighbor. If your reader would not understand this, you can make it explicit. Alternate translation: “with another one of my followers” (See: Kinship)

ῥακά

This is an Aramaic word. Matthew spelled it out using Greek letters so his readers would know how it sounded. In your translation you can spell it the way it sounds in your language. (See: Copy or Borrow Words)

ὃς δ’ ἂν εἴπῃ

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “Whoever might say to his brother” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 5:23

ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον

It is implied that this is God’s altar at the temple in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to God at the altar in the temple” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 5:24

πρῶτον διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “first, make peace with that person” (See: Active or Passive)

τότε

The word then indicates that only after the two are reconciled can this person offer something upon the altar. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could show this relationship by using a fuller phrase. Alternate translation: “then, once you are brought together again” (See: Connect — Sequential Time Relationship)

Matthew 5:25

ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ, ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All occurrences of you and your in this verse are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of You)

τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου

An accuser is a person who blames someone for doing something wrong. He takes the wrongdoer to court to accuse him before a judge. If your readers would not understand this, you can state it explicitly. Alternate translation: “one who accuses another of doing wrong” (See: Translate Unknowns)

σε παραδῷ…τῷ κριτῇ

Here, hand you over means to give someone into the control of someone else. Alternate translation: “will let the judge deal with you” (See: Idiom)

ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

Here, on the way is referring to the time when they are walking to the place where the judge is. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “while you are walking with him on the road to the court house” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ

Here, hand you over means to bring someone to the judge to have the judge deal with them. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “lest your accuser might bring you to the judge and give you to him so that he can judge you” (See: Idiom)

ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ

Here, “hand you over” is implied from the previous phrase. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “and the judge might hand you over to the officer” (See: Ellipsis)

τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ

Here, the officer is a person who has authority to carry out the decisions of a judge. Usually this involves bringing people to jail if they have been declared guilty by the judge. Alternate translation: “one who carries out the judge’s orders” (See: Translate Unknowns)

εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the officer will put you in prison” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:27

ὅτι ἐρρέθη

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God said” or “that Moses said” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:28

αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

Here, heart Is referring to the inner thoughts and desires of a person. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “with her in his thoughts” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:29

εἰ δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔξελε αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ; συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου, καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου βληθῇ εἰς Γέενναν

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All instances of you and your here are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of You)

εἰ…ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε

Here, right eye refers to both eyes. It was common in Jesus’ time to think the right eye was more important. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “if one of your eyes causes you to sin” (See: Synecdoche)

εἰ…ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε

Here, to stumble is a metaphor meaning “to sin.” If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “if you want to sin because of what you see” (See: Metaphor)

ἔξελε αὐτὸν

This is an exaggerated command for a person to do whatever he needs to do to stop sinning, even if that means removing an eye. If you mention both eyes in this verse, it will be necessary to say “pluck them out” here. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language. (See: Hyperbole)

καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου βληθῇ εἰς Γέενναν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “than for God to throw your whole body into hell” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου

Here, a member is referring to an individual part of the body. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “one individual part of your body perish” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 5:30

καὶ εἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὴν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ; συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου, καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου εἰς Γέενναν ἀπέλθῃ

This verse has the same meaning as the previous verse. If saying the same thing twice might be confusing for your readers, you can combine the verses into one. Alternate translation: “If a part of your body causes you to sin against God, you should destroy it. For it is better that one part of your body be destroyed than for God to throw your entire body into Gehenna” (See: Parallelism)

εἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε

Here, the hand stands for the actions of the whole person. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation “If you do something that causes you to sin, cut it off” (See: Metonymy)

ἔκκοψον αὐτὴν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ

This is an exaggerated command for a person to do whatever he needs to do to stop sinning. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your language (See: Hyperbole)

ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου

See how you translated this word in the previous verse. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 5:31

ἐρρέθη

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God also said” or “Moses also said” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:32

πᾶς ὁ ἀπολύων τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας, ποιεῖ αὐτὴν μοιχευθῆναι

If it would appear in your language that Luke was making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: “A man is only allow to divorce a woman if she has been unfaithful to him with another man. Otherwise, he will cause her to be adulterous ” (See: Connect — Exception Clauses)

ἀπολελυμένην

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “her after her husband has divorced her” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 5:33

ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God said to those who lived long ago” or “Moses said to your ancestors long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

δὲ

What follows the word but here is in contrast to what came before it. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “But rather” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

Matthew 5:34

μήτε ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὅτι θρόνος ἐστὶν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here, heaven is spoken of as the throne of God in a figurative way. Heaven is the place where God rules from. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “not by the heavens, where God rules from as a throne” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 5:35

ὑποπόδιόν ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ

Here, footstool is used to refer to the earth. If your readers would not know what a footstool is, you can use a general expression. Alternate translation: “something on which God can rest his feet” (See: Translate Unknowns)

ὅτι ὑποπόδιόν ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ

God does not need a footstool for his feet, for he does not have feet. This language is metaphorical, telling the reader that the earth belongs to God. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “no longer belong to Jesus” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 5:36

μήτε ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ σου ὀμόσῃς, ὅτι οὐ δύνασαι μίαν τρίχα λευκὴν ποιῆσαι ἢ μέλαιναν

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. All occurrences of the words you and your are singular, but you may have to translate them as plural. (See: Forms of You)

μήτε ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ σου ὀμόσῃς

To swear by your head figuratively means to swear by your own authority. If your readers would not understand what it means, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “Neither should you swear by your own authority” or “Neither should you swear by your own knowledge” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 5:38

ὅτι ἐρρέθη

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God said” or “that Moses said” (See: Active or Passive)

ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος

This passages is speaking of the punishment of injuring someone’s eye or tooth. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation, as expressed in the UST. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 5:39

τῷ πονηρῷ

Jesus is using the adjective evil as a noun in order to describe a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “someone who is evil” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 5:40

σοι…σου…τὸ ἱμάτιον

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. In some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of You)

τὸν χιτῶνά…ἱμάτιον

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. If your readers would not be familiar with these, you can state what these things are explicitly. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 5:41

ὅστις

The context implies that he is speaking about a Roman soldier. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express that explicitly. Alternate translation: “If a soldier of the Roman army” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μίλιον ἕν

Here, one mile refers to the Roman mile, which was 1,000 paces, This was the distance a Roman soldier could legally force someone to carry something for him. If mile is confusing, it can be translated literally. Alternate translation: “1000 paces” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὕπαγε μετ’ αὐτοῦ δύο

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “go with him two miles” or “go with him 2000 paces” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 5:43

ἠκούσατε…σου…σου

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. The verb Love and both instances of your are singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of You)

ὅτι ἐρρέθη

See how you translated this in 5:27. (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν πλησίον σου

Here the word neighbor does not refer to a specific neighbor, but to any members of one’s 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: Generic Noun Phrases)

Matthew 5:45

γένησθε υἱοὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

We are not God’s physical children, but his spiritual children. It is best to translate sons with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to human sons or children. (See: Kinship)

Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἐν οὐρανοῖς

See how you translated in the heavens in 5:12(See: Metonymy)

τὸν ἥλιον αὐτοῦ ἀνατέλλει ἐπὶ πονηροὺς καὶ ἀγαθοὺς, καὶ βρέχει ἐπὶ δικαίους καὶ ἀδίκους

Here, he makes his sun to rise and he sends rain on are figurative for sending blessings, as sun and rain help crops to grow. If your readers would not understand this, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “God gives blessing to both those who are right with him and those who are not right with him” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 5:46

τίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε?

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 is because it is easy to love those who love you back. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “you will get no reward.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ τελῶναι τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν?

Jesus asks this question to show that even people who are considered to be the most evil do this. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Even the tax collectors do the same thing.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 5:47

τί περισσὸν ποιεῖτε? οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ ἐθνικοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν

Jesus asks these questions to teach his followers that they are no better than the Gentiles if they do not welcome people who are not like them. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “you do not do anything better than those who do not know God. For the Gentiles do this very thing” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 5:48

Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 6

Matthew 6 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.

Matthew 6:1

ὑμῶν…μὴ ποιεῖν…οὐκ ἔχετε…ὑμῶν

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: Forms of You)

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

ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς

It is implied that those who see this person will honor him. Alternate translation: “in front of people to be seen by them so they will give you honor for what you have done” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “in front of people just so that they can see you and honor you” (See: Active or Passive)

τῷ Πατρὶ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 6:2

μὴ σαλπίσῃς ἔμπροσθέν σου

This metaphor means to do something that purposefully gets people’s attention. Alternate translation: “do not draw attention to yourself like someone who plays a loud trumpet in a crowd” (See: Metaphor)

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 6:3

σοῦ…σου…σου

All occurrences of you and your are singular in this verse. (See: Forms of ‘You’ — Singular)

μὴ γνώτω ἡ ἀριστερά σου τί ποιεῖ ἡ δεξιά σου

This phrase 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 6:4

ᾖ σου ἡ ἐλεημοσύνη ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “you can give to the poor without other people knowing” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 6:5

Jesus begins to teach about prayer.

προσεύχῃ…ὑμῖν

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The first occurrence of you is singular and second is plural. In some languages they both may need to be plural. (See: Forms of You)

ὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις

It is implied that those who see them will give them honor. Alternate translation: “so that they will be seen and people will honor them for what they do” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “so that people will see them and give them honor” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 6:6

εἴσελθε εἰς τὸ ταμεῖόν σου

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

τῷ Πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ

This could mean: (1) no one can see God. Alternate translation: “to your Father, who is invisible” (2) God is in that private place with the praying person. Alternate translation: “to your Father, who is with you in private”

τῷ Πατρί σου

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ὁ Πατήρ σου, ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ

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

Matthew 6:7

μὴ βατταλογήσητε

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

εἰσακουσθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “their false gods will hear them” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 6:8

μὴ…ὁμοιωθῆτε…ὑμῶν…ὑμᾶς

Jesus is talking to a group of people about how they as individuals should pray. The first you in this verse is singular. The second word your and the second you are plural. (See: Forms of You)

ὁ Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 6:9

Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου

This is the beginning of the prayer.

ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου

Here, your name refers to God himself. Alternate translation: “make everyone honor you” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 6:10

ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “May you rule over everyone and everything completely” (See: Metonymy)

γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “May everything on earth happen in accordance with your will just as everything in heaven does” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 6:11

τὸν ἄρτον…τὸν ἐπιούσιον

Here, bread refers to food in general. (See: Synecdoche)

Matthew 6:12

τὰ ὀφειλήματα

A debt is what one person owes another. This is a metaphor for sins. (See: Metaphor)

τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν

A debtor is a person who owes a debt to another person. This is a metaphor for those who have sinned against us. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 6:13

μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun temptation, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “do not let anything tempt us” or “do not let anything cause us to desire to sin” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 6:14

ἀφῆτε…ὑμῖν…ὑμῶν

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: Forms of You)

τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun trespasses, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “when they trespass against you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὁ Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 6:15

τοῖς ἀνθρώποις…τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun trespasses, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “men when they trespass against you … when you trespass against God” or “men when they do things that harm you … when you do things that make your Father angry” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 6:16

Jesus begins to teach about fasting.

νηστεύητε…ὑμῖν

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. All occurrences of you are plural. (See: Forms of You)

ἀφανίζουσιν…τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν

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.

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 6:17

σὺ…σου…σου

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. (See: Forms of ‘You’ — Singular)

ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν

To anoint the head here is to take normal care of one’s 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. Alternate translation: “put oil in your hair” or “groom your hair”

Matthew 6:18

τῷ Πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ

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

τῷ Πατρί σου

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυφαίῳ

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

Matthew 6:19

Jesus begins to teach about money and possessions.

θησαυροὺς

Here, treasures refers to riches, the things to which a person gives the most value.

ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει

Alternate translation: “where moth and rust ruin treasures”

σὴς

A moth is a small, flying insect that destroys cloth by eating it.

βρῶσις

a brown substance that forms on metals

Matthew 6:20

θησαυρίζετε…ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ

This is a metaphor that means do good things on earth so God will reward you in heaven. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 6:21

ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία σου

Here, heart means a person’s thoughts and interests. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 6:22

σου…σου

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. Both instances of your are all singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of ‘You’ — Singular)

ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός…φωτεινὸν ἔσται

This compares a healthy eye that allow a person to see to a diseased eye 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: Metaphor)

ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός

This metaphor means that an eye allows 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: Metaphor)

ὀφθαλμός

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

Matthew 6:23

ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου…τὸ σκότος πόσον

This compares a healthy eye that allow a person to see to a diseased eye 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: Metaphor)

ἐὰν…ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρὸς ᾖ

This does not refer to magic. Jewish people often used this as a metaphor for someone who is greedy. (See: Metaphor)

εἰ…τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ σκότος, ἐστίν τὸ σκότος πόσον

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

Matthew 6:24

ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει

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: Parallelism)

οὐ δύνασθε Θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ

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

Matthew 6:25

ὑμῖν…ὑμῶν…φάγητε…πίητε…ὑμῶν…ἐνδύσησθε

Here the instances of you and your are all plural. (See: Forms of You)

λέγω ὑμῖν

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

οὐχὶ ἡ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστι τῆς τροφῆς, καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος?

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 important than food, and there are things concerning the body that are more important than clothes.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 6:26

ἀποθήκας

places to store crops

ὁ Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

οὐχ ὑμεῖς μᾶλλον διαφέρετε αὐτῶν?

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: “Obviously you are more valuable than birds.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 6:27

ὑμῶν

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should or should not do. Here, youis plural. (See: Forms of You)

τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα?

Here to add one cubit to his lifespan is a metaphor for adding time to how long a person will live. (See: Metaphor)

τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα?

Jesus uses this question to emphasize that they cannot lengthen their lives. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you could express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

πῆχυν ἕνα

A cubit is a measure of a little less than half a meter. (See: Biblical Distance)

Matthew 6:28

περὶ ἐνδύματος τί μεριμνᾶτε?

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you could express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “you should not be worried about what you will wear.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὰ κρίνα τοῦ ἀγροῦ πῶς αὐξάνουσιν; οὐ κοπιῶσιν οὐδὲ νήθουσιν

Jesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. (See: Personification)

τὰ κρίνα τοῦ ἀγροῦ πῶς αὐξάνουσιν; οὐ κοπιῶσιν οὐδὲ νήθουσιν

The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: Metaphor)

κρίνα

A lily is a kind of wild flower. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 6:29

οὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων

Jesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. (See: Personification)

οὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων

The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: Metaphor)

λέγω…ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “did not wear clothes that are as beautiful as these lilies” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 6:30

τὸν χόρτον τοῦ ἀγροῦ…οὕτως ἀμφιέννυσιν

Jesus continues to speak about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. (See: Personification)

τὸν χόρτον τοῦ ἀγροῦ…οὕτως ἀμφιέννυσιν

The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers. (See: Metaphor)

χόρτον

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.

εἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον

The Jews at that time used grass in their fires to cook their food. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “someone throws it into a fire” or “someone burns it” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον

The verb clothe is implied from earlier in the sentence. (See: Ellipsis)

οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι?

Jesus uses this question to teach the people that God will provide what they need.If your readers would misunderstand this question, you could express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “he will certainly clothe you even better, you of little faith.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι

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

Matthew 6:31

οὖν

Alternate translation: “Because of all of this”

τί περιβαλώμεθα

In this sentence, what people wear is a synecdoche for material possessions. Alternate translation: “What possessions will we have” (See: Synecdoche)

Matthew 6:32

πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα τὰ ἔθνη ἐπιζητοῦσιν

Alternate translation: “For the Gentiles are concerned about what they will eat, drink, and wear”

οἶδεν…ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ὅτι χρῄζετε τούτων ἁπάντων

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

ὁ Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 6:33

ζητεῖτε…πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “concern yourselves with serving God, who is your king, and doing what is right” (See: Metonymy)

ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will provide all these things for you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 6:34

οὖν

Alternate translation: “Because of all this”

ἡ…αὔριον μεριμνήσει ἑαυτῆς

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: Personification)

Matthew 7

Matthew 7 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: fruit, fruitful, unfruitful)

Matthew 7:1

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

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. Here, you is plural. (See: Forms of You)

μὴ κρίνετε

It is implied here that judge has the strong meaning of “condemn harshly” or “declare guilty.” Alternate translation: “Do not condemn people harshly” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μὴ κριθῆτε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not condemn you harshly” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 7:2

γὰρ

For indicates that the statement in 7:2 is based on what Jesus said in 7:1.

ἐν ᾧ…κρίματι κρίνετε, κριθήσεσθε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will condemn you in the same way you condemn others” (See: Active or Passive)

ᾧ μέτρῳ

This could refer to: (1) the amount of punishment given. (2) the standard used for judgment.

μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will measure it out to you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 7:3

βλέπεις…σου…τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ…οὐ κατανοεῖς

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 all singular, but in some languages they may need to be plural. (See: Forms of ‘You’ — Singular)

τί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκὸν οὐ κατανοεῖς?

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the people for paying attention to other people’s sins and ignoring their own. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You look at the speck … but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye.” or “Do not look at the speck … and ignore the log that is in your own eye.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου

This is a metaphor that refers to the less important faults of a fellow believer. (See: Metaphor)

κάρφος

To translate speck, use a word for the smallest thing that commonly falls into a person’s eyes. Alternate translation: “splinter” or “bit of dust”

τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου

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

τὴν…ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκὸν

This is a metaphor for a person’s most important faults. A log could not literally go into a person’s eye. (See: Metaphor)

τὴν…ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκὸν

Jesus is exaggerating to emphasize that a person should pay attention to his own more important faults before he deals with another person’s less important faults. (See: Hyperbole)

δοκὸν

A log is the largest part of a tree that someone has cut down.

Matthew 7:4

ἢ πῶς ἐρεῖς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, ἄφες ἐκβάλω τὸ κάρφος ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου, καὶ ἰδοὺ, ἡ δοκὸς ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ σοῦ?

Jesus asks this question to challenge the people to pay attention to their own sins before they pay attention to another person’s sins. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not say to your brother, ‘Let me take out the speck from your eye,’ while behold, the log is in your own eye.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 7:6

μὴ δῶτε…ὑμῶν…ὑμᾶς

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 all plural. (See: Forms of You)

τοῖς κυσίν…τῶν χοίρων

Jews considered dogs and pigs to be 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: Metaphor)

τοὺς μαργαρίτας

A pearl is similar to a round, valuable stone or bead. Here, pearls are a metaphor for the knowledge of God or precious things in general. (See: Metaphor)

καταπατήσουσιν

Alternate translation: “the pigs will trample”

στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς

Alternate translation: “the dogs may then turn and tear you apart”

Matthew 7:7

ὑμῖν…εὑρήσετε…ὑμῖν

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 all plural. (See: Forms of You)

αἰτεῖτε…ζητεῖτε…κρούετε

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: Metaphor)

αἰτεῖτε

Here, “Ask” means to request things from someone, in this case God.

δοθήσεται ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will give you what you need” (See: Active or Passive)

ζητεῖτε

Here, “seek” means to look for someone, in this case God.

κρούετε

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”

ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will open it for you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 7:9

ἢ τίς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν ἄνθρωπος, ὃν αἰτήσει ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἄρτον, μὴ λίθον ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ?

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is not one person among you, of whom his son will ask for bread, and he will give him a stone.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἄρτον

Here, bread refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “for some food” (See: Synecdoche)

λίθον

Here, stone should be translated literally.

Matthew 7:10

ἰχθὺν…ὄφιν

Here, fish and snake should be translated literally.

ἢ καὶ ἰχθὺν αἰτήσει, μὴ ὄφιν ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ?

It is understood that Jesus is still referring to a man and his son. (See: Ellipsis)

ἢ καὶ ἰχθὺν αἰτήσει, μὴ ὄφιν ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ?

Jesus asks another question to teach the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “And there is not one person among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 7:11

ὑμεῖς…ὑμῶν…ὑμῶν

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: Forms of You)

πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς δώσει ἀγαθὰ τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν?

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “then your Father in heaven will most certainly give good things to those who ask him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 7:12

ὅσα ἐὰν θέλητε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι

Alternate translation: “whatever way you want others to act toward you”

οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ νόμος καὶ οἱ προφῆται

Here, the law and the prophets refer to what Moses and the prophets wrote. Alternate translation: “for this is what Moses and the prophets teach in the scriptures” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 7:13

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.

εἰσέλθατε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης…πολλοί εἰσιν οἱ εἰσερχόμενοι δι’ αὐτῆς

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: Metaphor)

εἰσέλθατε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης

It may be helpful to your readers to move this statement to the end of verse 14: “Therefore, enter through the narrow gate.”

τῆς στενῆς πύλης…ἡ ὁδὸς

This could mean: (1) the way refers to the road that leads to the gate of a kingdom. (2) the gate and way both refer to the entrance to the kingdom.

εἰς τὴν ἀπώλειαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “to the place where people die” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 7:14

εἰς τὴν ζωήν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun life, you can express it with the verb “live.” Alternate translation: “to the place where people live” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 7:15

προσέχετε ἀπὸ

Alternate translation: “Be on guard against”

οἵτινες ἔρχονται πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ἐνδύμασι προβάτων, ἔσωθεν δέ εἰσιν λύκοι ἅρπαγες

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 7:16

ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς

This metaphor refers to a person’s actions as their fruits. 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: Metaphor)

μήτι συλλέγουσιν ἀπὸ ἀκανθῶν σταφυλὰς, ἢ ἀπὸ τριβόλων σῦκα?

Jesus uses a question to teach the people. The people would have known that the answer is no. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “People do not gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 7:17

πᾶν δένδρον ἀγαθὸν καρποὺς καλοὺς ποιεῖ

Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to good prophets who produce good works or words. (See: Metaphor)

τὸ…σαπρὸν δένδρον καρποὺς πονηροὺς ποιεῖ

Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to bad prophets who produce evil works. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 7:19

πᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

Jesus continues to use fruit trees as a metaphor to refer to false prophets. (See: Metaphor)

πᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

Here, Jesus only states what will happen to the bad trees. It is implied that the same thing will happen to the false prophets. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “people cut down and burn” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 7:20

ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 7:21

εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heavens” in your translation. Alternate translation: “will live with God in the heavens when he shows himself to be king” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

Alternate translation: “whoever does what my Father in the heavens desires”

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 7:22

ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι ἐπροφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν?

The people use a question to emphasize that they did these things. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “we prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name did many mighty deeds.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οὐ…ἐπροφητεύσαμεν

This we does not include Jesus. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι

This could mean: (1) this refers to his authority or power. (2) they were doing what he wanted them to do. (3) they were asking him for the power to do it. (See: Metonymy)

δυνάμεις

Alternate translation: “miracles”

Matthew 7:23

οὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς

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: Idiom)

Matthew 7:24

μου τοὺς λόγους τούτους

Here, words refers to what Jesus says. (See: Metonymy)

ὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν

Jesus compares those who obey his words to a person who builds his house where nothing can harm it. (See: Simile)

πέτραν

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

Matthew 7:25

τεθεμελίωτο

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “he had built it” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 7:26

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

ὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ μωρῷ, ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν ἄμμον

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: Simile)

Matthew 7:27

ἔπεσεν

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

ἦν ἡ πτῶσις αὐτῆς μεγάλη

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

Matthew 7:28

These verses describe how the people in the crowds reacted to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. (See: End of Story)

καὶ ἐγένετο, ὅτε

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus’ teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “And when” or “Now after”

ἐξεπλήσσοντο…ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ

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”

Matthew 8

Matthew 8 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: authority)

Matthew 8:1

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that contains several accounts of Jesus healing people. This theme continues through 9:35. (See: Introduction of a New Event)

καταβάντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους, ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί

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

Matthew 8:2

ἰδοὺ

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

λεπρὸς

Alternate translation: “a man who had leprosy” or “a man who had a skin disease”

προσεκύνει αὐτῷ

This is a sign of humble respect before Jesus. (See: Symbolic Action)

ἐὰν θέλῃς

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

δύνασαί με καθαρίσαι

Here, to be 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: Idiom)

Matthew 8:3

καθαρίσθητι

By saying this, Jesus healed the man. (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

εὐθέως ἐκαθαρίσθη

Alternate translation: “at that moment he was cleansed”

ἐκαθαρίσθη αὐτοῦ ἡ λέπρα

The result of Jesus saying “Be clean” was that the man was healed. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “he was well” or “the leprosy left him” or “the leprosy ended” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 8:4

αὐτῷ

Here, him refers to the man that Jesus just healed.

ὅρα μηδενὶ εἴπῃς

Alternate translation: “Do not say anything to anyone” or “Do not tell anyone I healed you”

σεαυτὸν, δεῖξον τῷ ἱερεῖ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

προσένεγκον τὸ δῶρον ὃ προσέταξεν Μωϋσῆς, εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αὐτοῖς

This could refer to: (1) the priests. (2) all the people. (3) the critics of Jesus. If possible, use a pronoun that could refer to any of these groups. (See: Pronouns)

Matthew 8:5

Here the scene shifts to a different time and place and tells of Jesus healing another person.

αὐτῷ…αὐτὸν

Here both instances of him refer to Jesus.

Matthew 8:6

παραλυτικός

unable to move because of disease or stroke

Matthew 8:7

λέγει αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “Jesus said to the centurion”

ἐγὼ ἐλθὼν, θεραπεύσω αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “I will come to your house and make your servant well”

Matthew 8:8

μου ὑπὸ τὴν στέγην

This is an idiom that refers to inside the house. Alternate translation: “into my house” (See: Idiom)

εἰπὲ λόγῳ

Here, word represents a command. Alternate translation: “give the command” (See: Metonymy)

ἰαθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “will become well” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 8:9

ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπός εἰμι ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν, τασσόμενος ἔχων ὑπ’ ἐμαυτὸν στρατιώτας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I … am a man who is under the authority of someone else, and I have been given authority over a group of soldiers” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν…ὑπ’ ἐμαυτὸν

To be under someone means to be less important and to obey the commands of someone more important. (See: Idiom)

Matthew 8:10

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

παρ’ οὐδενὶ τοσαύτην πίστιν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ εὗρον

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 centurion’s faith was greater. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 8:11

ὑμῖν

Here, you is plural and refers to “those who were following him” in 8:10. (See: Forms of You)

ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ δυσμῶν

Using the opposites east and west is a way of saying “everywhere.” Alternate translation: “from everywhere” or “from far away in every direction” (See: Merism)

ἀνακλιθήσονται

People in that culture would lie down beside a table while eating. This phrase indicates that all those who will recline 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: Metonymy)

ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in the book of Matthew. If possible, keep “heavens” in your translation. Alternate translation: “when our God in the heavens shows that he is king” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 8:12

οἱ…υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας ἐκβληθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will throw out the sons of the kingdom” (See: Active or Passive)

οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας

The phrase sons of is a metonym, referring to the unbelieving Jews of the kingdom of Judea. (See: Metonymy)

οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας

There is 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: Irony)

τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον

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: Metonymy)

ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, grinding of the teeth is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. Alternate translation: “weeping and showing their extreme suffering” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 8:13

γενηθήτω σοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “so I will do it for you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἰάθη ὁ παῖς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed the servant” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐκείνῃ

Alternate translation: “at the exact time Jesus said he would heal the servant”

Matthew 8:14

Here the scene shifts to a different time and place and tells of Jesus healing another person.

ἐλθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς

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.

τὴν πενθερὰν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the mother of Peter’s wife”

Matthew 8:15

ἀφῆκεν αὐτὴν ὁ πυρετός

If your language would understand this personification to mean that the fever could think and act on its own, you can translate this as “she became better” or “Jesus healed her.” (See: Personification)

ἠγέρθη

Alternate translation: “she got out of bed”

Matthew 8:16

Here the scene shifts to later that evening and tells of Jesus healing more people and casting out demons.

ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης

Because Jews did not work or travel on the Sabbath, evening may imply that this was 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

δαιμονιζομένους πολλούς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “many people whom demons possessed” or “many people whom demons controlled” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξέβαλεν τὰ πνεύματα λόγῳ

Here, word stands for a command. Alternate translation: “he commanded the spirits to leave” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 8:17

In this verse, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus’ healing ministry was a fulfillment of prophecy.

πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that the prophet Isaiah had spoken to the people of Israel” (See: Active or Passive)

αὐτὸς τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν ἔλαβεν καὶ τὰς νόσους ἐβάστασεν

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: “He healed those who were sick and made them well” (See: Parallelism)

Matthew 8:18

Here the scene shifts and tells about Jesus’ response to some people who wanted to follow him.

δὲ

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

ἐκέλευσεν

Alternate translation: “told his disciples”

Matthew 8:20

αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις

Jesus answers the scribe with this proverb. The proverb means even wild animals have somewhere to rest. (See: Proverbs)

αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις

Jesus assumes that his hearers know what foxes are and what they use the holes for. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could make this information explicit. Alternate translation: “Foxes have their holes in the ground to sleep in, and flying birds have their nests to sleep in” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αἱ ἀλώπεκες

Foxes are animals like wild dogs. They eat nesting birds and other small animals. If foxes are unknown in your area, use a general term for wild dog-like creatures that burrow in the ground. (See: Translate Unknowns)

φωλεοὺς

Foxes make holes in the ground to live in. Use the appropriate word for the place where the animal you use for “foxes” lives.

τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις

Jesus leaves out the verb “have” in this sentence. You can supply it. Alternate translation: “the birds of the sky have nests” (See: Ellipsis)

ὁ…Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

οὐκ ἔχει ποῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνῃ

This refers to a place to sleep. Alternate translation: “has no place of his own to sleep” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 8:21

ἐπίτρεψόν μοι πρῶτον ἀπελθεῖν καὶ θάψαι τὸν πατέρα μου

It is unclear whether the man’s 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.

Matthew 8:22

ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς

Jesus does not mean literally that dead people will bury other dead people. Here, the dead could be: (1) a metaphor for those who will soon die. (2) 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 8:23

Here the scene shifts to the account of Jesus calming a storm as he and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee.

καὶ ἐμβάντι αὐτῷ εἰς πλοῖον

Alternate translation: “And when he got into a boat”

ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ

Try to use the same words for disciples and followed that you used in (8:21-22).

Matthew 8:24

ἰδοὺ

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”

σεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “a powerful storm arose on the sea” (See: Active or Passive)

ὥστε τὸ πλοῖον καλύπτεσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “so that the waves covered the boat” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 8:25

ἤγειραν αὐτὸν λέγοντες, Κύριε, σῶσον, ἀπολλύμεθα!

This could mean: (1) they first woke Jesus and then they said, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” (2) as they were waking Jesus up, they were saying “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”

Κύριε, σῶσον, ἀπολλύμεθα!

If you need to translate us and we as inclusive or exclusive, then inclusive is best. The disciples probably meant they wanted Jesus to save the disciples and himself from drowning. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἀπολλύμεθα

Alternate translation: “we are about to die”

Matthew 8:26

αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “to the disciples”

τί δειλοί ἐστε, ὀλιγόπιστοι

Jesus was rebuking the disciples with this rhetorical question. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not be cowardly, you of little faith!” or “There is nothing for you to be afraid of, you who have little faith!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὀλιγόπιστοι

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 6:30. Alternate translation: “you who have such little faith”

Matthew 8:27

ποταπός ἐστιν οὗτος, ὅτι καὶ οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ ἡ θάλασσα αὐτῷ ὑπακούουσιν?

This rhetorical question shows that the disciples were surprised. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “This man is unlike any man we have ever seen! Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

καὶ οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ ἡ θάλασσα αὐτῷ ὑπακούουσιν

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: Personification)

Matthew 8:28

Here the author returns to the theme of Jesus healing people. This begins an account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men.

εἰς τὸ πέραν

Alternate translation: “to the other side of the Sea of Galilee”

τὴν χώραν τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν

The Gadarenes were named after the town of Gadara. (See: How to Translate Names)

δύο δαιμονιζόμενοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “two men … whom demons possessed” or “two men … whom demons were controlling” (See: Active or Passive)

χαλεποὶ λείαν ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης

The demons that were controlling these two men were so dangerous that no one could go through that area.

Matthew 8:29

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of showing this.

τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ?

The demons use a question but they are being hostile toward Jesus. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not bother us, Son of God!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God is an important title for Jesus, which describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἦλθες ὧδε πρὸ καιροῦ βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς

Again, the demons use a question in a hostile way. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not disobey God by punishing us before the specific time God has set when he will punish us!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 8:30

δὲ

Now 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: Background Information)

Matthew 8:31

εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἡμᾶς

Here, us is exclusive, referring only to the demons. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Matthew 8:32

αὐτοῖς

Here, them refers to the demons inside the men.

οἱ…ἐξελθόντες ἀπῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους

Alternate translation: “the demons left the man and entered the pigs”

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

ὥρμησεν…κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ

Alternate translation: “ran quickly down the steep slope”

ἀπέθανον ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν

Alternate translation: “they fell into the water and drowned”

Matthew 8:33

This concludes the account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men.

οἱ…βόσκοντες

Alternate translation: “those who had been taking care of the pigs”

τὰ τῶν δαιμονιζομένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “what Jesus did to help the men whom demons had controlled” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 8:34

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold 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.

πᾶσα ἡ πόλις

The word city is a metonym for the people of the city. Alternate translation: “all the people of the city” (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσα ἡ πόλις

The word whole is probably an exaggeration to emphasize how very many people came out. Not necessarily every person came out. (See: Hyperbole)

τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “their region”

Matthew 9

Matthew 9 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: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

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: Active or Passive)

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: Rhetorical Question)

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: Proverbs)

Matthew 9:1

Matthew returns to the theme, which he began in 8:1, of Jesus healing people. This begins an account of Jesus healing a paralyzed man.

πλοῖον

This is probably the same boat as in 8:23. You only need to specify this if needed to avoid confusion.

εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν

This refers to Capernaum. Alternate translation: “to the town where he lived”

Matthew 9:2

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold 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.

προσέφερον

Alternate translation: “some men from the city were bringing”

τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν

This refers to the faith of the men and may also include the faith of the paralyzed man.

τέκνον

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.

ἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I have forgiven your sins” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:3

ἰδού

Here, behold 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.

ἐν ἑαυτοῖς

This could mean: (1) each one was thinking to himself. (2) they were speaking among themselves.

βλασφημεῖ

Jesus was claiming to be able to do things the scribes thought only God can do.

Matthew 9:4

ἰδὼν…τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν

Jesus knew what they were thinking either supernaturally or because he could see them talking to each other.

ἵνα τί ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν?

Jesus used this question to rebuke the scribes. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not be thinking this evil in your hearts!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

πονηρὰ

This is moral evil or wickedness, not simply error in fact.

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

Here, hearts refers to their minds or their thoughts. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 9:5

τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει?

Jesus uses this question to make the scribes think about what might prove whether or not he could really forgive sins. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

τί…ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει?

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: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι

Here, Your is singular. (See: Forms of You)

ἀφέωνται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I have forgiven your sins” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:6

ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε

The you is plural. (See: Forms of You)

εἰδῆτε…σου…σου

Here, the you is plural and is addressed to the scribes, but both instances of your are singular and addressed to the paralytic. (See: Forms of You)

ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου

Jesus is not forbidding the man to go elsewhere. He is giving the man the opportunity to go home.

Matthew 9:7

This concludes the account of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. Jesus then calls a tax collector to be one of his disciples.

Matthew 9:8

τὸν δόντα

Alternate translation: “because he had given”

ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην

This refers to the authority to declare sins forgiven.

Matthew 9:9

καὶ παράγων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκεῖθεν

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.

παράγων ὁ Ἰησοῦς

Alternate translation: “as Jesus was leaving” or “as Jesus was going”

Μαθθαῖον…αὐτῷ…ἠκολούθησεν

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.”

λέγει αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “Jesus says to Matthew”

ἀναστὰς, ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ

This means Matthew became Jesus’ disciple. Alternate translation: “Matthew got up and followed Jesus”

Matthew 9:10

These events occur at the house of Matthew the tax collector.

τῇ οἰκίᾳ

This is probably Matthew’s house, but it could also be Jesus’ house. Specify only if needed to avoid confusion.

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold 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.

ἁμαρτωλοὶ

Here, sinners refers to people who did not obey the law of Moses but committed what others thought were very bad sins.

Matthew 9:11

καὶ ἰδόντες, οἱ Φαρισαῖοι

Alternate translation: “And the Pharisees, when they saw that Jesus was eating with the tax collectors and sinful people”

διὰ τί μετὰ τῶν τελωνῶν καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐσθίει ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν?

The Pharisees use this question to criticize what Jesus is doing. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Your teacher should not eat with tax collectors and sinners!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 9:12

These events occur at the house of Matthew the tax collector.

ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας

Here, this refers to the question the Pharisees asked about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners.

οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ, ἀλλὰ οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες

Jesus answers the Pharisees with a proverb. He means that he eats with these kinds of people because he has come to help sinners. (See: Proverbs)

οἱ ἰσχύοντες

Alternate translation: “People who are healthy”

ἰατροῦ

Alternate translation: “of a doctor”

οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες

The phrase “need a physician” is understood. Alternate translation: “people who are sick need a physician” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 9:13

πορευθέντες δὲ, μάθετε τί ἐστιν

Jesus is about to quote the scriptures. Alternate translation: “You should go and learn the meaning of what God said in the scriptures”

ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν

Jesus is quoting what the prophet Hosea wrote in the scriptures. Here, I refers to God.

οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον

Here, I refers to Jesus.

δικαίους

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: Irony)

Matthew 9:14

The disciples of John the Baptist question the fact that Jesus’ disciples do not fast.

οὐ νηστεύουσιν

Alternate translation: “continue to eat regularly”

Matthew 9:15

μὴ δύνανται οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος πενθεῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὁ νυμφίος?

Jesus uses a question to answer John’s disciples. They all knew that people do not mourn and fast at a wedding celebration. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The sons of the bridal chamber are not able to mourn while the bridegroom is still with them.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

μὴ δύνανται οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος πενθεῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὁ νυμφίος?

Jesus uses this proverb to show that his disciples do not mourn because he is still there with them. (See: Proverbs)

ἐλεύσονται δὲ ἡμέραι ὅταν

This is a way of referring to some time in the future. Alternate translation: “But the time will come when” or “But someday”

ἀπαρθῇ ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ὁ νυμφίος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

ἀπαρθῇ

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.

Matthew 9:16

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.

οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐπιβάλλει ἐπίβλημα ῥάκους ἀγνάφου ἐπὶ ἱματίῳ παλαιῷ

Alternate translation: “But no one sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment” or “But people do not sew a piece of new cloth as a patch on an old garment”

ἱματίῳ παλαιῷ…τοῦ ἱματίου

Alternate translation: “old clothing … the clothing”

αἴρει…τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱματίου

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.

τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτοῦ

This is the piece of cloth used to cover a hole in the old garment. Alternate translation: “the piece of new cloth”

χεῖρον σχίσμα γίνεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this will make the tear worse” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:17

οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς

Jesus uses another proverb to answer John’s disciples. This means the same as the proverb in 9:16.

οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν

Alternate translation: “Neither does anyone pour” or “People never put”

οἶνον νέον

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: Translate Unknowns)

ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς

This refers to wineskins that have stretched and dried out because they were already used for fermenting wine.

ἀσκοὺς

These were bags made out of animal skins. Alternate translation: “wine bags” or “skin bags”

ὁ οἶνος ἐκχεῖται καὶ οἱ ἀσκοὶ ἀπόλλυνται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this will ruin the wineskins and spill the wine” (See: Active or Passive)

ῥήγνυνται οἱ ἀσκοί

When the new wine ferments and expands, the skins tear open because they can no longer stretch out.

ἀσκοὺς καινούς

This refers to wineskins that no one has used. Alternate translation: “new wineskins” or “new wine bags”

ἀμφότεροι συντηροῦνται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this will keep safe both the wineskins and the wine” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:18

This begins an account of Jesus bringing to life the daughter of a Jewish official after she had died.

ταῦτα

Here, these things refers back to the answer Jesus gave John’s disciples about fasting.

ἰδοὺ

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

προσεκύνει αὐτῷ

This is a way someone would show respect in Jewish culture. (See: Symbolic Action)

ἐλθὼν ἐπίθες τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπ’ αὐτήν καὶ ζήσεται

This shows that the Jewish official believed Jesus had the power to bring his daughter back to life.

Matthew 9:19

οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “Jesus’ disciples”

Matthew 9:20

This describes how Jesus healed another woman while he was on the way to the Jewish official’s house.

ἰδοὺ

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

αἱμορροοῦσα

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. Alternate translation: “who had been bleeding” or “who frequently had a flow of blood” (See: Euphemism)

τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “of his robe” or “of what he was wearing”

Matthew 9:21

ἔλεγεν γὰρ ἐν ἑαυτῇ, ἐὰν μόνον ἅψωμαι τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, σωθήσομαι.

She said this to herself before she touched Jesus’ garments. This tells why she touched Jesus’ garment. (See: Order of Events)

ἐὰν μόνον ἅψωμαι τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 9:22

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς

Alternate translation: “The woman was hoping she could touch him secretly, but Jesus”

θύγατερ

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.

ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε

Alternate translation: “because you believed in me, I will heal you”

ἐσώθη ἡ γυνὴ ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed her at that moment” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:23

This returns to the account of Jesus bringing the daughter of the Jewish official back to life.

τοὺς αὐλητὰς καὶ τὸν ὄχλον θορυβούμενον

This was a common way to mourn for someone who has died.

τοὺς αὐλητὰς

Alternate translation: “people playing flutes”

Matthew 9:24

ἀναχωρεῖτε

Jesus was speaking to many people, so use the plural command form if your language has one.

οὐ…ἀπέθανεν τὸ κοράσιον, ἀλλὰ καθεύδει

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: Euphemism)

Matthew 9:25

This completes the account of Jesus bringing the daughter of the Jewish official back to life.

ὅτε δὲ ἐξεβλήθη ὁ ὄχλος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “But after Jesus had sent the crowd outside” or “But after the family had sent the people outside” (See: Active or Passive)

ἠγέρθη

This is the same meaning as in 8:15.

Matthew 9:26

Verse 26 is a summary statement that describes the result of Jesus raising this girl from the dead.

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἡ φήμη αὕτη εἰς ὅλην τὴν γῆν ἐκείνην

Alternate translation: “And the people of that whole region heard about it” or “And the people who saw that the girl was alive started telling everyone in the whole area about it”

Matthew 9:27

This begins the account of Jesus healing two blind men.

καὶ παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ Ἰησοῦ

Alternate translation: “And as Jesus was leaving the region”

ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ

This means they were walking behind Jesus, not necessarily that they had become his disciples.

ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς

It is implied that they wanted Jesus to heal them. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Υἱὲ Δαυείδ

Jesus was not David’s 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.

Matthew 9:28

ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν

This could be either Jesus’ own house or the house in 9:10.

ναί, Κύριε

The full content of their answer is not stated, but it is understood. Alternate translation: “Yes, Lord, we believe you can heal us” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 9:29

ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων

It is not clear whether he touched both men’s 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.

κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I will do as you have believed” or “Because you believe, I will heal you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:30

ἠνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί

This is an idiom that means they were able to see. (See: Idiom)

ἠνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God healed their eyes” or “the two blind men were able to see” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω

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: Idiom)

Matthew 9:31

οἱ δὲ

Alternate translation: “But the two men did not do what Jesus told them to do. They”

διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “told many people what had happened to them”

Matthew 9:32

This is the account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man who could not speak and how people responded.

ἰδοὺ

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

κωφὸν

not able to talk

ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “a man who was mute and whom a demon had possessed” or “a man whom a demon was controlling and making him mute” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:33

ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “after Jesus had forced the demon out” or “after Jesus had commanded the demon to leave” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός

Alternate translation: “the mute man began to speak” or “the man who had been mute spoke” or “the man, who was no longer mute, spoke”

ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι

Alternate translation: “the people were amazed”

οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “This has never happened before” or “No one has ever done anything like this before” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 9:34

ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια

Alternate translation: “he forces demons to leave”

ἐκβάλλει

The pronoun he refers to Jesus.

Matthew 9:35

Verse 35 is the end of the part of the story that began in 8:1 about Jesus’ healing ministry in Galilee. (See: End of Story)

τὰς πόλεις πάσας

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: Hyperbole)

πόλεις…κώμας

Alternate translation: “large villages … small villages” or “large towns … small towns”

τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας

Here the abstract noun kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. See how you translated this in 4:23. Alternate translation: “preaching the good news that God will show himself as king” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν

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.

Matthew 9:36

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.

ὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα

This simile means they did not have a leader to take care of them. Alternate translation: “as people without a leader” (See: Simile)

Matthew 9:37

ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι

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 God’s truth. (See: Proverbs)

ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς

Alternate translation: “There is plenty of ripe food for someone to collect”

ἐργάται

Alternate translation: “workers”

Matthew 9:38

δεήθητε…τοῦ Κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ

Alternate translation: “pray to God, because he is in charge of the harvest”

Matthew 10

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.”

Matthew 10:1

This begins an account of Jesus sending out his twelve disciples to do his work.

ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν

Be sure that the text clearly communicates meaning of this authority: (1) Jesus gave it to them to drive out unclean spirits. (2) Jesus gave it to them to heal disease and sickness.

ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτὰ

Alternate translation: “in order to make the unclean spirits leave”

πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν

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.

Matthew 10:2

δὲ

Now is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Matthew begins to give background information about the twelve apostles. (See: Background Information)

τῶν…δώδεκα ἀποστόλων

This is the same group as the “12 disciples” in 10:1.

πρῶτος

This is first in order, not in rank. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Matthew 10:3

Μαθθαῖος ὁ τελώνης

Alternate translation: “Matthew, who was a tax collector”

Matthew 10:4

ὁ Καναναῖος

The word Zealot could be: (1) 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” (2) a description that shows that he was zealous for God to be honored. Alternate translation: “the zealous one” or “the passionate one”

ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “who would betray Jesus”

Matthew 10:5

Although this verse begins by saying that Jesus sent out the twelve, he gives these instructions before sending them out. (See: Order of Events)

τούτους τοὺς δώδεκα ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς

Alternate translation: “Jesus sent out these twelve men” or “It was these twelve men whom Jesus sent out”

ἀπέστειλεν

Jesus sent them out for a particular purpose.

παραγγείλας αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “having told them what they needed to do” or “having commanded them”

Matthew 10:6

τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ

This is a metaphor comparing the entire nation of Israel to lost sheep who have strayed from their shepherd. (See: Metaphor)

οἴκου Ἰσραήλ

This refers to the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “of the people of Israel” or “of the descendants of Israel” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:7

πορευόμενοι

Here, you is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

ἤγγικεν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

The phrase kingdom of the heavens refers to God ruling as king. This phrase is only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use the word heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 3:2. Alternate translation: “Our God in the heavens will soon show himself to be king” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:8

θεραπεύετε…ἐγείρετε…καθαρίζετε…ἐκβάλλετε…ἐλάβετε…δότε

These verbs and pronouns are plural and addressed to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

νεκροὺς ἐγείρετε

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “cause the dead to live again” (See: Idiom)

δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε

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: Ellipsis)

δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 10:9

ὑμῶν

Here, your refers to the twelve apostles and so is plural. (See: Forms of You)

χρυσὸν, μηδὲ ἄργυρον, μηδὲ χαλκὸν

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: Metonymy)

τὰς ζώνας

People at that time carried money in their belts. 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. lf your readers would not use a belt for this purpose, you can express this with the word for whatever they use to carry money.

Matthew 10:10

πήραν

This could either be any bag used to carry things on a journey, or a bag used by someone to collect food or money.

δύο χιτῶνας

Use the same word you used for tunic in 5:40.

τῆς τροφῆς αὐτοῦ

Here, food refers to anything a person needs. Alternate translation: “of what he needs” (See: Synecdoche)

Matthew 10:11

εἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν πόλιν ἢ κώμην εἰσέλθητε

Alternate translation: “But whenever you enter a city or village” or “But when you go into any city or village”

πόλιν…κώμην

See how you translated city and village in 9:35.

εἰσέλθητε

Here, you is plural and refers to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

ἄξιός

A worthy person is a person who is willing to welcome the disciples.

κἀκεῖ μείνατε ἕως ἂν ἐξέλθητε

The full meaning of the statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and stay in that person’s house until you leave the town or village” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 10:12

εἰσερχόμενοι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, ἀσπάσασθε αὐτήν

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:13

ὑμῶν…ὑμῶν

Both instances of your are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

μὲν ᾖ ἡ οἰκία ἀξία…μὴ ᾖ ἀξία

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: Metonymy)

ἐλθάτω ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν ἐπ’ αὐτήν

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: Metonymy)

ἐὰν…μὴ ᾖ ἀξία

The word it means the house, and “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: Metonymy)

ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω

This could mean: (1) if the household was not worthy, then God would hold back peace or blessings from that household. (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.

Matthew 10:14

καὶ ὃς ἂν μὴ δέξηται ὑμᾶς, μηδὲ ἀκούσῃ

Alternate translation: “And if no people in that house or city will receive you or listen to”

ὑμᾶς…ὑμῶν

Here, you and your are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

ἀκούσῃ τοὺς λόγους ὑμῶν

Here, words refers to what the disciples say. Alternate translation: “listen to your message” or “listen to what you have to say” (See: Metonymy)

πόλεως

You should translate city the same way you did in 10:11.

ἐκτινάξατε τὸν κονιορτὸν τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν

This action is a sign that God has rejected the people of that house or city. Alternate translation: “shake the dust off your feet as you leave” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 10:15

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται

Alternate translation: “the suffering will be less”

γῇ Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρων

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: Metonymy)

τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ

This refers to the people in the city that does not receive the apostles or listen to their message. Alternate translation: “for the people of the city that does not receive you” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:16

ἰδοὺ

The word Behold here adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς

Jesus is sending them out for a particular purpose.

ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων

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: Simile)

γίνεσθε…φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί

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: Simile)

Matthew 10:17

προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων; παραδώσουσιν γὰρ ὑμᾶς

You can translate for with “because” to show how these two statements relate. Alternate translation: “But watch out for people because they will deliver you up” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

παραδώσουσιν…ὑμᾶς εἰς

Alternate translation: “they will put you under the control of”

συνέδρια

The councils were the groups of local religious leaders or elders who together kept peace in their communities.

Matthew 10:18

καὶ…ἀχθήσεσθε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “they will even bring you” or “they will even drag you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ

Alternate translation: “because you belong to me” or “because you follow me”

αὐτοῖς καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν

The pronoun them refers either to the “governors and kings” or to the Jewish accusers.

Matthew 10:19

ὅταν δὲ παραδῶσιν ὑμᾶς

Here, they are the same people as in 10:17. Alternate translation: “But when people take you to the councils”

ὑμᾶς…μὴ μεριμνήσητε…λαλήσητε…δοθήσεται…ὑμῖν…λαλήσητε

All instances of you are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

μὴ μεριμνήσητε

Alternate translation: “you should not worry about”

πῶς ἢ τί λαλήσητε

The two ideas how and what may be combined: “what you are to say” (See: Hendiadys)

δοθήσεται γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τί λαλήσητε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “for at that time, the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ

Here, in that hour means “right then.” Alternate translation: “right then” or “at that time” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:20

ὑμεῖς…ὑμῶν…ὑμῖν

All instances of you and your are plural and refer to the twelve apostles. (See: Forms of You)

τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

If necessary, you can translate this 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.

τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἐν ὑμῖν

Alternate translation: “through you”

Matthew 10:21

παραδώσει δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον

Jesus speaks of something that will happen many times. Alternate translation: “But a brother will deliver up his own brother to death” or “But brothers will deliver up their brothers to death”

παραδώσει…ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun death, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “will hand brother over to the authorities who will execute him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πατὴρ τέκνον

These words can be translated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “a father will deliver up his child to death” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐπαναστήσονται…ἐπὶ

Alternate translation: “will rebel against” or “will turn against”

θανατώσουσιν αὐτούς

Alternate translation: “have them put to death” or “have the authorities execute them”

Matthew 10:22

ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “everyone will hate you” or “all people will hate you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔσεσθε

Here, you is plural and refers to the twelve disciples. (See: Forms of You)

διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου

Here, name refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because you trust in me” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ…ὑπομείνας

Alternate translation: “whoever stays faithful”

εἰς τέλος

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.

οὗτος σωθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will deliver that person” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 10:23

ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ

Here, this does not refer to a specific city. Alternate translation: “in one city”

φεύγετε εἰς τὴν ἑτέραν

Alternate translation: “flee to the next city”

ἀμὴν…λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἔλθῃ

Alternate translation: “arrives”

Matthew 10:24

οὐκ ἔστιν μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ τὸν διδάσκαλον, οὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ

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: Proverbs)

οὐκ ἔστιν μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ τὸν διδάσκαλον

Alternate translation: “A disciple is always less important than his teacher” or “A teacher is always more important than his disciple”

οὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “and a slave is always less important than his master” or “and a master is always more important than his slave”

Matthew 10:25

ἀρκετὸν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “The disciple should be satisfied to become like his teacher”

γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ

If necessary, you can make explicit how the disciple becomes like the teacher. Alternate translation: “he might know as much as his teacher knows” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ

If necessary, you can make explicit how the slave becomes like his master. Alternate translation: “the slave should be satisfied to become only as important as his master” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰ τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐπεκάλεσαν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ

Again Jesus is emphasizing that since people have mistreated him, his disciples should expect people to treat them the same or worse.

πόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “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”

εἰ…ἐπεκάλεσαν

Alternate translation: “Since people have called”

τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην

Jesus is using this as a metaphor for himself. (See: Metaphor)

Βεελζεβοὺλ

The name Beelzebul could be translated: (1) as “Beelzebul.” (2) with its original, intended meaning of “Satan.”

τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ

This is a metaphor for Jesus’ disciples. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 10:26

μὴ…φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς

Here, them refers to the people who mistreat followers of Jesus.

οὐδὲν…ἐστιν κεκαλυμμένον ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται

Both of these statements mean the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

οὐδὲν…ἐστιν κεκαλυμμένον ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται

Being concealed or hidden represents being kept secret, and being revealed represents being made known. (See: Metaphor)

οὐδὲν…ἐστιν κεκαλυμμένον ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται

Jesus is emphasizing that God will make all things known. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will reveal the things that people hide” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 10:27

ὃ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, εἴπατε ἐν τῷ φωτί; καὶ ὃ εἰς τὸ οὖς ἀκούετε, κηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων

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: Parallelism)

ὃ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, εἴπατε ἐν τῷ φωτί

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: Metonymy)

ὃ εἰς τὸ οὖς ἀκούετε

This is a way of referring to whispering. Alternate translation: “what I whisper to you” (See: Idiom)

κηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων

The 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: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:28

Here Jesus also begins to give reasons why his disciples should not be afraid of the persecution they might experience.

μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν μὴ δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι

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: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα

This means to cause physical death. If these words are awkward, they can be translated as “those who kill you” or “those who kill people.”

τὸ σῶμα

The body is the part of a person that can be touched, as opposed to the soul or spirit.

τὴν…ψυχὴν…ἀποκτεῖναι

This means to harm people after they have physically died.

φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον τὸν δυνάμενον

You can add “because” to clarify why people should fear God. Alternate translation: “But instead, fear God because he is able” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

Matthew 10:29

οὐχὶ δύο στρουθία ἀσσαρίου πωλεῖται? καὶ ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ πεσεῖται ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἄνευ τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

Jesus states this proverb to express that even though sparrows are worth very little money, God watched over them. (See: Proverbs)

οὐχὶ δύο στρουθία ἀσσαρίου πωλεῖται?

Jesus uses this question to teach his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Think about the sparrows. They have so little value that you can buy two of them for only one small coin.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

στρουθία

These sparrows are very small, seed-eating birds. Alternate translation: “small birds” (See: Translate Unknowns)

ἀσσαρίου

An assarion refers to a copper coin worth about one-sixteenth of a day’s wage for a laborer. This is often translated as the least valuable coin available in your country. Alternate translation: “very little money”

ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ πεσεῖται ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἄνευ τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

You can state this in a positive form. Alternate translation: “your Father knows when even one sparrow dies and falls to the ground” (See: Double Negatives)

τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 10:30

ὑμῶν…καὶ αἱ τρίχες τῆς κεφαλῆς πᾶσαι ἠριθμημέναι εἰσίν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God knows even how many hairs are on your head” (See: Active or Passive)

ἠριθμημέναι

Alternate translation: “counted”

Matthew 10:31

πολλῶν στρουθίων διαφέρετε ὑμεῖς

Alternate translation: “God values you more than many sparrows”

Matthew 10:32

πᾶς…ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ…ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “whoever confesses me … I will also confess” or “if anyone confesses me … I will also confess him”

ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων

Alternate translation: “tells others that he is my disciple” or “acknowledges before other people that he is loyal to me”

ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς

You can make explicit the information that is understood. Alternate translation: “I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in the heavens that that person belongs to me” (See: Ellipsis)

τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς

Alternate translation: “my heavenly Father”

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 10:33

ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων

Alternate translation: “denies to other people that he is loyal to me” or “refuses to acknowledge to others that he is my disciple”

ἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς

You can make explicit the information that is understood. Alternate translation: “I will deny before my Father who is in the heavens that this person belongs to me” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 10:34

ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

This refers to the people who live on the earth. Alternate translation: “to the people of the earth” or “to people” (See: Metonymy)

μάχαιραν

The sword refers to division, fighting, and killing among people. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 10:35

διχάσαι ἄνθρωπον κατὰ

Alternate translation: “to cause a man to fight against”

ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “a son against his father”

Matthew 10:36

ἐχθροὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου

Alternate translation: “a person’s enemies” or “a person’s worst enemies”

οἱ οἰκιακοὶ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “will be the members of his own family”

Matthew 10:37

ὁ φιλῶν

The word loving here refers to “brotherly love” or “love from a friend.” Alternate translation: “The one caring for” or “The one who is devoted to” or “The one who is fond of”

οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος

Alternate translation: “does not deserve to belong to me” or “is not worthy to be my disciple”

Matthew 10:38

οὐ λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου

The cross represents suffering and death. (See: Metonymy)

οὐ λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου

To take up the cross represents being willing to suffer and die. Alternate translation: “obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” (See: Metaphor)

οὐ λαμβάνει

Alternate translation: “does not pick up and carry”

Matthew 10:39

ὁ εὑρὼν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολέσει αὐτήν; καὶ ὁ ἀπολέσας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εὑρήσει αὐτήν

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 for my sake will find them” or “If you find your life you will lose it. But if you lose your life because of me, you will find it” (See: Proverbs)

ὁ εὑρὼν

Here, found is a metaphor for “keeps” or “saves.” Alternate translation: “The one who tried to keep” or “The one who tried to save” (See: Metaphor)

ἀπολέσει αὐτήν

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: Metaphor)

ὁ ἀπολέσας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ

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: “the one who denied himself” (See: Metaphor)

ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ

This is the same idea as “for my sake” in 10:18. Alternate translation: “because he trusts me” or “on my account” or “because of me”

εὑρήσει αὐτήν

This metaphor means the person will experience spiritual life with God. Alternate translation: “will find true life” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 10:40

ὁ δεχόμενος

Alternate translation: “Whoever receives” or “Anyone who receives” or “The one who welcomes”

ὁ δεχόμενος

This revers to receiving someone as a guest.

ὑμᾶς

Here, you is plural and refers to the twelve apostles to whom Jesus is speaking. (See: Forms of You)

ὁ δεχόμενος ὑμᾶς ἐμὲ δέχεται

Jesus means that when someone receives you, it is like receiving him. Alternate translation: “When someone receives you, it is like he is receiving me” or “If someone welcomes you, it is as if he were welcoming me”

ὁ ἐμὲ δεχόμενος δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με

This means that when someone receives Jesus, it is like receiving God. Alternate translation: “when someone receives me, it is like he is receiving God the Father who sent me” or “if someone welcomes me, it is as if he were welcoming God the Father who sent me”

Matthew 10:41

εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου

Alternate translation: “because he is a prophet”

μισθὸν προφήτου

This refers to the reward that God gives the prophet, not to the reward that a prophet gives to another person.

εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου

Alternate translation: “because he is a righteous man”

μισθὸν δικαίου

This refers to the reward God gives to a righteous person, not a reward that a righteous person gives to another person.

Matthew 10:42

ὃς ἐὰν ποτίσῃ

Alternate translation: “anyone who gives … to drink”

ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων

The phrase one of these here refers to one of Jesus’ disciples. Alternate translation: “to one of these lowly ones” or “to the least important of these”

εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ

Alternate translation: “because he is my disciple”

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ

Here, he and his refer to the one who is giving.

οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ

This has nothing to do with having a possession taken away. You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “God will certainly give him”

Matthew 11

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 Israel’s 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.”

Matthew 11:1

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: Introduction of a New Event)

καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε

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

ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν

Here, their refers to all the Jews in general.

Matthew 11:2

δὲ

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

ὁ…Ἰωάννης, ἀκούσας ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ

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. Alternate translation: “John, who was in prison, heard about” or “someone told John, who was in prison, about”

πέμψας διὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ

John the Baptist sent his own disciples with a message to Jesus.

Matthew 11:3

εἶπεν αὐτῷ

The pronoun him refers to Jesus.

ὁ ἐρχόμενος

This is another way to refer to the Messiah or Christ.

ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν?

The pronoun we refers to all Jews, not only John’s disciples.

Matthew 11:4

ἀπαγγείλατε Ἰωάννῃ

Alternate translation: “tell John”

Matthew 11:5

λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I am healing lepers” (See: Active or Passive)

νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται

Here to raise is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. Alternate translation: “people who have died are being caused to live again” (See: Idiom)

νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I am causing those who have died to become alive again” (See: Active or Passive)

πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I am preaching good news to the poor” (See: Active or Passive)

πτωχοὶ

This nominalized adjective poor can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “poor people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 11:7

Jesus begins to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.

τί ἐξήλθατε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον θεάσασθαι? κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον?

Jesus uses a question to cause the people to think about what kind of person John the Baptist is. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you did not go out to the wilderness to see a reed being shaken by the wind!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον

This could mean: (1) Jesus be referring the literal plants by the Jordan River. (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: Metaphor)

ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “swaying in the wind” or “blowing in the wind” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 11:8

ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν? ἄνθρωπον ἐν μαλακοῖς ἠμφιεσμένον?

Jesus uses a question to cause the people to think about what kind of person John the Baptist is. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “And, surely you did not go out to the desert to see a man dressed in soft clothing!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐν μαλακοῖς ἠμφιεσμένον

Rich people wore this kind of clothing. Alternate translation: “wearing expensive clothing”

ἰδοὺ

Here, behold adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Indeed”

τοῖς οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων

Alternate translation: “kings’ palaces”

Matthew 11:9

ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε? προφήτην ἰδεῖν

Jesus uses a question to make the people think about what kind of man John the Baptist is. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “But surely you went out to the desert to see a prophet!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

περισσότερον προφήτου

You can translate this as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “he is not an ordinary prophet” or “he is more important than a normal prophet” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 11:10

ἰδοὺ, ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου

Here, Jesus quotes the prophet Malachi to show that the life and ministry of John the Baptist fulfilled prophecy.

οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “This is what the prophet Malachi wrote long ago about John the Baptist” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου

The pronouns I and my refer to God. Malachi is quoting what God said.

πρὸ προσώπου σου

Here, your is singular, because God was speaking to the Messiah in the quotation. (See: Forms of You)

πρὸ προσώπου σου

Here, face refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “in front of you” or “to go ahead of you” (See: Synecdoche)

κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου

This is a metaphor that means the messenger will prepare the people to receive the Messiah’s message. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 11:11

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν

Even though Adam was not born of a woman, this is a way of referring to all humans. Alternate translation: “out of all people who have ever lived” (See: Idiom)

οὐκ ἐγήγερται…μείζων Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “John the Baptist is the greatest” or “John the Baptist is the most important”

ὁ…μικρότερος ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. If possible, try to keep “heavens” in your translation. Alternate translation: “the least important person under the rule of our God in the heavens” (See: Metonymy)

μείζων αὐτοῦ ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “is more important than John is”

Matthew 11:12

ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ

The word days probably refers here to a period of months or even years. Alternate translation: “But from the time John began preaching his message”

ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν

Possible interpretations of this verse are: (1) some people want to use God’s kingdom for their own selfish purposes, and that they are willing to use force against other people to accomplish this. (2) 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. (3) violent people are harming God’s people and trying to stop God from ruling.

Matthew 11:13

πάντες…οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν

Here, the prophets and the law refer to the things that the prophets and Moses wrote in scripture. Alternate translation: “these are the things that the prophets and Moses have prophesied through the scriptures until the time of John the Baptist” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 11:14

εἰ θέλετε

Here, you is plural and refers to the crowd. (See: Forms of You)

αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλείας, ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι

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 about to come” or the next Elijah. Alternate translation: “when the prophet Malachi said that Elijah would return, he was speaking about John the Baptist”

Matthew 11:15

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν, ἀκουέτω

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: Metonymy)

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν, ἀκουέτω

Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here in place of The one and him. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 11:16

τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην?

Jesus uses a question to introduce a comparison between the people of that day and what children might say in the marketplace. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “But I will tell you what this generation is like.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην

Alternate translation: “the people living now” or “these people” or “you people of this generation”

ταῖς ἀγοραῖς

A marketplace is a large, open-air area where people buy and sell items.

Matthew 11:17

λέγουσιν, ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε; ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε

Jesus continues the parable from the previous verse, describing 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. (See: Parables)

λέγουσιν, ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε; ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε

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 God’s truth. (See: Simile)

ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν

We refers to the children sitting in the marketplace. Here, you is plural and refers to the other group of children. (See: Forms of You)

καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε

Alternate translation: “but you did not dance to the happy music”

ἐθρηνήσαμεν

This means they sang sad songs like women did at funerals. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε

Alternate translation: “but you did not cry with us”

Matthew 11:18

μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων

This does not mean that John never ate food. It means he fasted often, and when he ate, he did not eat good, expensive food or drink. Alternate translation: “frequently fasting and not drinking alcohol” or “not eating fancy food and not drinking wine” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

λέγουσιν, δαιμόνιον ἔχει.

You can translate this as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “they say that he has a demon” or “they accuse him of having a demon” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

λέγουσιν

All occurrences of they refer to the people of that generation, and most specifically to the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Matthew 11:19

ἦλθεν ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of Man, came” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἦλθεν…ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων

This is the opposite of John’s 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.

λέγουσιν, ἰδοὺ, ἄνθρωπος, φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν!

You can translate this as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “they say that he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” or “they accuse him of eating and drinking too much and of being a friends of tax collectors and sinners.” Alternate translation: “they say that I am a gluttonous man and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

λέγουσιν, ἰδοὺ, ἄνθρωπος, φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν!

If you translated “The Son of Man” as “I, the Son of man” earlier in this verse, you can state this portion of the text as an indirect statement and use the first person. Alternate translation: “they say that I am a gluttonous man and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἄνθρωπος, φάγος

Alternate translation: “he is a greedy eater” or “he continually eats too much food”

οἰνοπότης

Alternate translation: “a drunk” or “someone who continually drinks too much alcohol”

καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς

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: Proverbs)

ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς

Here, wisdom is described as a woman who is proven to be right by what she does. (See: Personification)

ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς

Jesus means that the results of a wise person’s actions prove that he is truly wise. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the results of a wise person’s deeds prove that he is wise” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 11:20

ὀνειδίζειν τὰς πόλεις

Here, the cities refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “rebuke the people of the cities” (See: Metonymy)

πόλεις

Alternate translation: “towns”

ἐν αἷς ἐγένοντο αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “in which he did most of his miracles” (See: Active or Passive)

αἱ…δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “his mighty works” or “his works of power”

Matthew 11:21

οὐαί σοι, Χοραζείν! οὐαί σοι, Βηθσαϊδάν!

Jesus speaks as if the people of the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida were there listening to him, but they were not. (See: Apostrophe)

οὐαί σοι

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. Alternate translation: “How terrible it will be for you.” (See: Forms of You)

Χοραζείν…Βηθσαϊδάν…Τύρῳ…Σιδῶνι

The names of these cities are used as metonyms for the people living in these cities. (See: Metonymy)

εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν, πάλαι ἂν ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ μετενόησαν

Jesus is describing a hypothetical situation that could have happened in the past, but it did not. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “if I had done the mighty deeds among the people of Tyre and Sidon that I have done among you” (See: Active or Passive)

αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν

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: Forms of You)

πάλαι…μετενόησαν

The pronoun they refers to the people of Tyre and Sidon.

μετενόησαν

Alternate translation: “they would have shown they were sorry for their sins”

Matthew 11:22

Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ ὑμῖν

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: Metonymy)

ἢ ὑμῖν

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: Forms of You)

ἢ ὑμῖν

The implied 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 11:23

καὶ σύ, Καφαρναούμ, μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ? ἕως ᾍδου καταβήσῃ; ὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον

The pronoun you is singular and refers to Capernaum throughout this verse and the next. If it is more natural to refer to the people of the city, you could translate with a plural you. (See: Forms of You)

σύ, Καφαρναούμ

Jesus now speaks to the people in the city of Capernaum as if they were listening to him, but they were not. (See: Apostrophe)

Καφαρναούμ…Σοδόμοις

The names of these cities refer to the people living in Capernaum and in Sodom. (See: Metonymy)

μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ?

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not raise you up to heaven, will he?” or “the praise of other people will not raise you up to heaven, will it?” (See: Active or Passive)

μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ?

Jesus uses a rhetorical question to rebuke the people of Capernaum for their pride. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “God will not bring you up to heaven like you think he will!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἕως ᾍδου καταβήσῃ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will send you down to Hades” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον

Jesus is describing a hypothetical situation that could have happened in the past, but it did not. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “if I had done the miracles among the people of Sodom that I have done among you” (See: Active or Passive)

δυνάμεις

Alternate translation: “mighty works” or “works of power”

ἔμεινεν

The pronoun it refers to the city of Sodom.

Matthew 11:24

λέγω ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

γῇ Σοδόμων ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ σοί

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: Metonymy)

ἢ σοί

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 11:25

In verses 25 and 26, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father while still in the presence of the crowd.

Πάτερ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Κύριε τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς

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: Merism)

ἔκρυψας ταῦτα…καὶ ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ

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”

ἔκρυψας ταῦτα ἀπὸ

Alternate translation: “you hid these things from” or “you have not made these things known to.” The verb concealed is the opposite of “revealed.”

ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν

The nominal adjectives wise and discerning can be translated with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “from people who are wise and who discern” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν

Jesus is using irony. He does not think these people are really wise and discerning. Alternate translation: “people who think they are wise and discerning” (See: Irony)

ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ

The pronoun them refers to “these things” earlier in this verse.

νηπίοις

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 11:26

ὅτι οὕτως εὐδοκία ἐγένετο ἔμπροσθέν σου

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 11:27

πάντα μοι παρεδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατρός μου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “My Father has entrusted all things to me” or “My Father has given everything over to me” (See: Active or Passive)

πάντα

This could mean: (1) God the Father has revealed everything about himself and his kingdom to Jesus. (2) God has given all authority to Jesus.

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

οὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει τὸν Υἱὸν, εἰ μὴ ὁ Πατήρ

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “only the Father knows the Son”

οὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει

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.

τὸν Υἱὸν

Jesus was referring to himself as he Son in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

τὸν Υἱὸν

Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

οὐδὲ τὸν Πατέρα τις ἐπιγινώσκει, εἰ μὴ ὁ Υἱὸς

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “only the Son knows the Father”

Matthew 11:28

πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς

Here, you is plural. (See: Forms of You)

οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι

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: Metaphor)

κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς

Alternate translation: “and I will allow you to rest from your labor and burden”

Matthew 11:29

ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς

Jesus continues the metaphor. Jesus is inviting the people to become his disciples and follow him. (See: Metaphor)

πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ

Here, gentle and humble 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: Doublet)

ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ

Here, heart is a metonym for a person’s inner being. (See: Metonymy)

ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ

The phrase humble in heart is an idiom that means “humble.” Alternate translation: “humble” (See: Idiom)

εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν

Here, souls refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “you will find rest for yourselves” or “you will be able to rest” (See: Synecdoche)

Matthew 11:30

ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν

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: Parallelism)

τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν

The word light here is the opposite of heavy, not the opposite of dark.

Matthew 12

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 God’s 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: 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 Spirit’s 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: blasphemy, blaspheme, blasphemous and Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit)

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: brother)

Matthew 12:1

ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ

This phrase marks 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. Alternate translation: “A little later”

τῶν σπορίμων

A grainfield is 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: Translate Unknowns)

τίλλειν στάχυας καὶ ἐσθίειν

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.

τίλλειν στάχυας καὶ ἐσθίειν

Alternate translation: “to pick some of the wheat and to eat it” or “to pick some of the grain and to eat it”

στάχυας

The heads are the topmost part of the wheat plant. They holds the mature grain or seeds of the plant.

Matthew 12:2

ποιοῦσιν ὃ οὐκ ἔξεστιν ποιεῖν ἐν Σαββάτῳ

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.

οἱ…Φαρισαῖοι

This does not mean all of the Pharisees. Alternate translation: “some Pharisees”

ἰδοὺ, οἱ μαθηταί σου

The Pharisees use the word Behold to draw attention to what the disciples are doing. Alternate translation: “Look, your disciples”

Matthew 12:3

αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “to the Pharisees”

οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε τί ἐποίησεν Δαυεὶδ, ὅτε ἐπείνασεν καὶ οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ

This begins a question that continues into the next verse. Jesus uses the question to respond to the criticism of the Pharisees. Jesus is challenging them to think about the meaning of the scriptures they have read. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know you have read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him—” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 12:4

τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ

During the time of David there was no temple yet. Alternate translation: “the tabernacle” or “the place for worshiping God”

τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς Προθέσεως

This refers to the sacred bread that priests placed before God in the tabernacle. Alternate translation: “the bread that the priest placed before God” or “the sacred bread” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοῖς μετ’ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “for the men who were with David”

εἰ μὴ τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν μόνοις

Alternate translation: “but, according to the law, only the priests could eat it”

Matthew 12:5

οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῷ νόμῳ, ὅτι τοῖς Σάββασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τὸ Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν, καὶ ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you have read in the law of Moses that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, but are innocent.” or “You should know that the law teaches that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, but are innocent.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ Σάββατον βεβηλοῦσιν

Alternate translation: “do on the Sabbath what they would do on any other day”

ἀναίτιοί εἰσιν

Alternate translation: “God will not punish them” or “God does not consider them guilty”

Matthew 12:6

λέγω…ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

τοῦ ἱεροῦ μεῖζόν

Jesus was referring to himself as the one who is greater. (See: First, Second or Third Person) Alternate translation: “I am someone who is more important than the temple”

Matthew 12:7

εἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε τί ἐστιν, ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν, οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε τοὺς ἀναιτίους

In this verse, Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea to rebuke the Pharisees. 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 innocent” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν

In the law of Moses, God did command the Israelites to offer sacrifices. This means God considers mercy more important than the sacrifice.

θέλω

The pronoun I refers to God.

τοὺς ἀναιτίους

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word innocent, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “those who are not guilty” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 12:8

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Κύριος…ἐστιν τοῦ Σαββάτου

Alternate translation: “rules over the Sabbath” or “makes the laws about what people can do on the Sabbath”

Matthew 12:9

Here the scene shifts to a later time when the Pharisees criticize Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath.

καὶ μεταβὰς ἐκεῖθεν

Alternate translation: “After Jesus left the grain fields” or “When Jesus left from there”

τὴν συναγωγὴν αὐτῶν

The word their could refer to: (1) the Jews of that town. Alternate translation: “the synogogue” (2) 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”

Matthew 12:10

ἰδοὺ

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

ἄνθρωπος χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν

Alternate translation: “there was a man who had a paralyzed hand” or “there was a man with a crippled hand”

ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες, εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς Σάββασιν θεραπεύειν? ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the Pharisees wanted to accuse Jesus of sinning, so they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’”

εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς Σάββασιν θεραπεύειν?

Alternate translation: “According to the law of Moses, may a person heal another person on the Sabbaths?”

ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 12:11

τίς ἔσται ἐξ ὑμῶν ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἕξει πρόβατον ἕν, καὶ ἐὰν ἐμπέσῃ τοῦτο τοῖς Σάββασιν εἰς βόθυνον, οὐχὶ κρατήσει αὐτὸ καὶ ἐγερεῖ?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Every one of you, if you only had one sheep, and if it might fall into a pit on the Sabbaths, would grab the sheep and lift it out.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 12:12

πόσῳ οὖν διαφέρει ἄνθρωπος προβάτου?

The phrase How much more adds emphasis to the statement. The implied answer is “very much more!” If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a 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.”

ἔξεστιν τοῖς Σάββασιν καλῶς ποιεῖν

Alternate translation: “those who do good on the Sabbaths are obeying the law”

Matthew 12:13

τότε λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ἔκτεινόν σου τὴν χεῖρα.

You can translate this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus commanded the man to stretch out his hand” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ

Alternate translation: “to the man with the paralyzed hand” or “to the man with the crippled hand”

ἐξέτεινεν

Alternate translation: “the man stretched it out”

ἀπεκατεστάθη, ὑγιὴς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “it was healthy again” or “it became well again” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 12:14

συμβούλιον ἔλαβον κατ’ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “planned to harm Jesus”

ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν

Alternate translation: “in order to find a way to kill Jesus”

Matthew 12:15

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς γνοὺς, ἀνεχώρησεν

Alternate translation: “But Jesus was aware of what the Pharisees were planning, so he withdrew”

ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν

Alternate translation: “departed from there” or “left that place”

Matthew 12:16

μὴ φανερὸν αὐτὸν ποιήσωσιν

Alternate translation: “they would not to tell anyone else about him”

Matthew 12:17

ἵνα…τὸ ῥηθὲν

You could start a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “This was so that what had been said”

τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “what God had said long ago through the prophet Isaiah”

Matthew 12:18

In verses 18-21, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus’ ministry fulfilled scripture.

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

μου…ᾑρέτισα…μου…μου…θήσω…μου

All occurrences of I and my refer to God. Isaiah is quoting what God said to him.

ὁ ἀγαπητός μου εἰς ὃν εὐδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου

Alternate translation: “he is my beloved one, and I am very pleased with him”

εἰς ὃν εὐδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου

Here, soul refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “with whom I am very pleased” (See: Synecdoche)

κρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπαγγελεῖ

The means that God’s servant will tell the Gentiles that there will be justice. You can state clearly that God is the one who will bring about justice. Alternate translation: “he will announce to the nations that God give them justice” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

κρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπαγγελεῖ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun justice, you can express it as “what is right.” Alternate translation: “he will announce to the nations that God will do for them what is right” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 12:19

οὐδὲ ἀκούσει τις…τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ

Here people not hearing his voice represents him not speaking loudly. Alternate translation: “he will not speak loudly” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἐρίσει…αὐτοῦ

Both He and his refer to God’s chosen servant.

ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις

This is an idiom that means “publicly.” Alternate translation: “in the cities and towns” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 12:20

οὐ κατεάξει…οὐ σβέσει…ἂν ἐκβάλῃ

All occurrences of He and he refer to God’s chosen servant.

κάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ κατεάξει, καὶ λίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει

Both of these statements mean the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

κάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ κατεάξει, καὶ λίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει

Both of these statements are metaphors emphasizing that God’s 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: Metaphor)

κάλαμον συντετριμμένον

Alternate translation: “a damaged plant”

λίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει

Alternate translation: “he will not put out any smoking flax” or “he will not stop any smoking flax from burning”

λίνον τυφόμενον

This refers to a lamp wick after the flame has gone out and when it is only smoking.

ἂν ἐκβάλῃ εἰς νῖκος τὴν κρίσιν

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: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 12:21

τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ

Here, name refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “in him” (See: Synecdoche)

Matthew 12:22

Here the scene shifts to a later time when the Pharisees accuse Jesus of healing a man by the power of Satan.

τότε προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ δαιμονιζόμενος, τυφλὸς καὶ κωφός

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Then someone brought to Jesus a man who was blind and mute because a demon was controlling him” (See: Active or Passive)

προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ…τυφλὸς καὶ κωφός

Alternate translation: “a person was brought to him who could not see and could not talk”

Matthew 12:23

ἐξίσταντο πάντες οἱ ὄχλοι

Alternate translation: “all the people who had seen Jesus heal the man were greatly surprised”

ὁ υἱὸς Δαυείδ

Son of David is a title for the Christ or Messiah.

υἱὸς

Here, Son means “descendant.”

Matthew 12:24

ἀκούσαντες

The word this refers to the miracle of the healing of a blind, deaf, and demon-possessed man.

οὗτος οὐκ ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ Βεελζεβοὺλ

If your readers would misunderstand double negative not … except, you could express it in a positive form. “He is only able to cast out the demon because he is a servant of Beelzebul” (See: Double Negatives)

οὗτος

The Pharisees avoid calling Jesus by name to show they reject him.

ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων

Alternate translation: “the chief of the demons”

Matthew 12:25

πᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται, καὶ πᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται

Jesus uses a proverb to respond to the Pharisees. (See: Proverbs)

πᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται, καὶ πᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται

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: Parallelism)

πᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται

Here, kingdom refers to those who live in the kingdom. (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσα βασιλεία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς ἐρημοῦται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “A kingdom will not last when its people fight among themselves” (See: Active or Passive)

πᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται

Here, city refers to the people who live there, and house refers to a family. (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσα πόλις ἢ οἰκία μερισθεῖσα καθ’ ἑαυτῆς οὐ σταθήσεται

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 12:26

εἰ ὁ Σατανᾶς τὸν Σατανᾶν ἐκβάλλει

The second use of Satan refers to the demons that serve Satan. Alternate translation: “If Satan works against his own demons” (See: Metonymy)

πῶς οὖν σταθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ?

Jesus uses this question to show the Pharisees that what they were saying was illogical. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 12:27

Βεελζεβοὺλ

Beelzebul refers to the same person as “Satan” (verse 26).

οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν ἐν τίνι ἐκβάλλουσιν?

Jesus uses another question to challenge the Pharisees. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “then you must say your followers also cast out demons by the power of Beelzebul. But, you know this is not true.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν

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: Metaphor)

διὰ τοῦτο, αὐτοὶ κριταὶ ἔσονται ὑμῶν

Alternate translation: “Because your followers cast out demons by the power of God, they prove that you are wrong about me.”

Matthew 12:28

εἰ δὲ…ἐγὼ

Here, if does not mean Jesus is questioning how he casts out demons. Here Jesus uses the word to introduce a true statement. Alternate translation: “But because I”

ἄρα ἔφθασεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “this means God is establishing his rule among you” (See: Metonymy)

ἔφθασεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς

Here, you is plural and refers to the people of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 12:29

πῶς δύναταί τις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ καὶ τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἁρπάσαι, ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν? καὶ τότε τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει

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: Parables)

πῶς δύναταί τις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ ἰσχυροῦ καὶ τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἁρπάσαι, ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν?

Jesus uses a question to teach the Pharisees and the crowd. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can enter into the house of the strong man and steal his belongings without tying up the strong man first.” or “If a person wants to enter into the house of the strong man and steal his belongings, he must first tie up the strong man.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον δήσῃ τὸν ἰσχυρόν?

Alternate translation: “without taking control of the strong man first”

τότε τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ διαρπάσει

Alternate translation: “then he can steal his possessions”

Matthew 12:30

ὁ μὴ ὢν μετ’ ἐμοῦ

Alternate translation: “The one who does not support me” or “The one who does not work with me”

κατ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “opposes me” or “works against me”

ὁ μὴ συνάγων μετ’ ἐμοῦ σκορπίζει

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 12:31

λέγω ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

λέγω ὑμῖν

Here, you is plural. Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, but he is also teaching the crowd. (See: Forms of You)

πᾶσα ἁμαρτία καὶ βλασφημία ἀφεθήσεται τοῖς ἀνθρώποις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

ἡ…τοῦ Πνεύματος, βλασφημία οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not forgive the person who speaks evil things about the Holy Spirit” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 12:32

ὃς ἐὰν εἴπῃ λόγον κατὰ τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Here, word refers to what someone says. Alternate translation: “If a person says anything bad about the Son of Man” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will forgive a person for that” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will not forgive that person”

οὔτε ἐν τούτῳ τῷ αἰῶνι οὔτε ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι

Here, this age and the one coming refer to the present life and the next life. Alternate translation: “in this life or in the next life” or “now or ever” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 12:33

ἢ ποιήσατε τὸ δένδρον καλὸν καὶ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ καλόν, ἢ ποιήσατε τὸ δένδρον σαπρὸν καὶ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ σαπρόν

This could mean: (1) if you make a tree good, its fruit will be good, and if you make the tree bad, its fruit will be bad. (2) this is a proverb that means 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. People were to apply its truth to how they can know whether a person is good or bad. (See: Proverbs)

καλὸν…σαπρὸν

Alternate translation: “healthy … diseased”

ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ καρποῦ, τὸ δένδρον γινώσκεται

Here, fruit is a metaphor for what a person does. Alternate translation: “people know whether a person is good or bad by looking at the results of that person’s activities” (See: Metaphor)

ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ καρποῦ, τὸ δένδρον γινώσκεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “people know whether a tree is good or bad by looking at its fruit” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 12:34

γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν

Here, offspring means “having the characteristic of.” The vipers are poisonous snakes that are dangerous and represent evil. See how you translated a similar phrase in 3:7. (See: Metaphor)

γεννήματα…δύνασθε

Both You and you are plural and refer to the Pharisees. (See: Forms of You)

πῶς δύνασθε ἀγαθὰ λαλεῖν, πονηροὶ ὄντες?

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the Pharisees. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “you cannot say good things because you are evil” or “you can only say evil things because you are evil” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐκ…τοῦ περισσεύματος τῆς καρδίας, τὸ στόμα λαλεῖ

Here, mouth is a synecdoche that represents a person as a whole. Alternate translation: “what a person says comes from his heart” (See: Synecdoche)

ἐκ…τοῦ περισσεύματος τῆς καρδίας, τὸ στόμα λαλεῖ

Here, heart is a metonym for the thoughts in a person’s mind. Alternate translation: “what a person says with his mouth reveals what is in his mind” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 12:35

ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει ἀγαθά; καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει πονηρά

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 12:36

λέγω…ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν

Here, word refers to something that someone says. Alternate translation: “every harmful thing they will have said” (See: Metonymy)

οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ λόγον

Alternate translation: “God will ask those people about it” or “those people will have to explain it to God”

Matthew 12:37

δικαιωθήσῃ…καταδικασθήσῃ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will justify you … God will condemn you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 12:38

The dialogue in verses 38-45 happens immediately after Jesus responded to the Pharisees’ accusation that he healed a man by the power of Satan.

θέλομεν

Alternate translation: “we want”

ἀπὸ σοῦ σημεῖον ἰδεῖν

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 12:39

γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ, καὶ σημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ

Jesus is speaking to his present generation. Alternate translation: “You are an evil and adulterous generation who demands signs from me, but no sign will be given to you” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς

Here, adulterous is a metaphor for people who are not faithful to God. Alternate translation: “An evil and unfaithful generation” or “An evil and godless generation” (See: Metaphor)

σημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ

Jesus would not give them a sign because, though he had already performed many miracles, they refused to believe him. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I will not give it a sign” or “God will not give you a sign” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ τοῦ προφήτου

Alternate translation: “except the same sign God gave to Jonah the prophet”

Matthew 12:40

τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ τρεῖς νύκτας

Here, days and nights mean complete 24-hour periods. Alternate translation: “three complete days” (See: Merism)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς γῆς

This phrase refers to the inside a physical grave. (See: Idiom)

Matthew 12:41

ἄνδρες Νινευεῖται

Alternate translation: “The citizens of Nineveh”

ἐν τῇ κρίσει

Alternate translation: “on the judgment day” or “when God judges people”

τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης

Here, this generation refers to the people living during the time Jesus was preaching.

κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν

The word condemn could: (1) here represent accusing. Alternate translation: “will accuse this generation of people” (2) mean God will condemn this generation of people because they did not repent as the people of Nineveh had. Alternate translation: “God will condemn this generation” (See: Metonymy)

καὶ ἰδοὺ

The word behold emphasizes what Jesus says next.

πλεῖον

Alternate translation: “someone more important”

πλεῖον

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 12:42

βασίλισσα νότου

This refers to the Queen of Sheba. Sheba is a land south of Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

ἐγερθήσεται ἐν τῇ κρίσει

Alternate translation: “will stand up at the judgment”

ἐν τῇ κρίσει

See how you translated this phrase in 12:41.

τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης

Here, this generation refers to the people living during the time Jesus was preaching.

κατακρινεῖ αὐτήν

See how you translated a similar statement in 12:41. The word condemn could: (1) here represent accusing. Alternate translation: “will accuse this generation of people” (2) mean God will condemn this generation of people because they did not listen to wisdom as the Queen of the South had. Alternate translation: “God will condemn this generation” (See: Metonymy)

ἦλθεν ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς

Here, the ends of the earth is an idiom that means “very far away.” Alternate translation: “she came from very far away” (See: Idiom)

ὅτι ἦλθεν ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς ἀκοῦσαι τὴν σοφίαν Σολομῶνος

This statement explains why the Queen of the South will condemn the people of Jesus’ generation. (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

καὶ ἰδοὺ

The word behold adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

πλεῖον

Alternate translation: “someone more important”

πλεῖον

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Σολομῶνος ὧδε

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 12:43

ἀνύδρων τόπων

Alternate translation: “dry places” or “places where no people live”

οὐχ εὑρίσκει

Here, it refers to rest.

Matthew 12:44

τότε λέγει, εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ἐπιστρέψω ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον.

You can translate this as a statement rather than a quotation. Alternate translation: “So, the unclean spirit decides to return to the house from which it departed”

εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου…ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον

Here, my house is a metaphor for the person in whom the unclean spirit was living. Alternate translation: “to the person I left” (See: Metaphor)

εὑρίσκει σχολάζοντα σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

σχολάζοντα σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 12:45

τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ’ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ; καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ

Jesus tells a parable to warn the people of the danger of not believing him. (See: Parables)

οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ

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.

Matthew 12:46

The arrival of Jesus’ mother and brothers becomes an opportunity for him to describe his spiritual family.

ἰδοὺ

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

ἡ μήτηρ

This is Mary, Jesus’ human mother.

οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ

Most people understand his brothers to refer to other sons born to Mary after Jesus—his younger brothers. Some people believe the word brothers here refers to Jesus’ cousins.

ζητοῦντες…λαλῆσαι

Alternate translation: “wanting to speak”

Matthew 12:47

εἶπεν δέ τις αὐτῷ, ἰδοὺ, ἡ μήτηρ σου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου ἔξω ἑστήκασιν ζητοῦντές σοι λαλῆσαι.

You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers were outside and wanted to speak to him” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Matthew 12:48

τῷ λέγοντι αὐτῷ

The details of the message the person told Jesus are understood and not repeated here. Alternate translation: “to the one who told Jesus that his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him” (See: Ellipsis)

τίς ἐστιν ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ τίνες εἰσὶν οἱ ἀδελφοί μου?

Jesus uses this question to teach the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will tell you who are really my mother and brothers.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 12:49

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου

This is a metaphor that means Jesus’ disciples belong to Jesus’ spiritual family. This is more important than belonging to his physical family. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 12:50

ὅστις…ἂν ποιήσῃ

Alternate translation: “anyone who does”

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

αὐτός μου ἀδελφὸς, καὶ ἀδελφὴ, καὶ μήτηρ ἐστίν

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 13

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 (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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

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 (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” (13:6). You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: Active or Passive)

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 (13:11-13).

Matthew 13:1

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.

ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ

These events happened on the same day as those in the previous chapter.

ἐξελθὼν…τῆς οἰκίας

It is not mentioned at whose house Jesus was staying.

ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν

It is implied that the reason he sat down was to teach the people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 13:2

ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς πλοῖον ἐμβάντα καθῆσθαι

It is implied that Jesus got into a boat because it would make it easier to teach the people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πλοῖον

This boat was probably an open, wooden fishing boat with a sail. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 13:3

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a person who sows seeds.

καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς πολλὰ ἐν παραβολαῖς

Alternate translation: “And Jesus told them many things in parables”

αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “to the people in the crowd”

ἰδοὺ

The word Behold calls attention to what is to be said next. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you” or “Look” or “Listen”

ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπείρειν

Alternate translation: “a farmer went out to scatter seeds in a field”

Matthew 13:4

καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “And as the farmer scattered the seed”

παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν

Here, road may refer to a path next to the field. The ground there would have been hard from people walking on it.

κατέφαγεν αὐτά

Alternate translation: “ate all the seeds”

Matthew 13:5

τὰ πετρώδη

This is ground full of rocks with just a thin layer of soil on top of the rocks.

καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλεν

Alternate translation: “And the seeds quickly sprouted and grew”

Matthew 13:6

ἐκαυματίσθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the sun scorched the plants, and they became too hot” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξηράνθη

Alternate translation: “the plants became dry and died”

Matthew 13:7

ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκάνθας

Alternate translation: “fell where plants with thorns grew”

ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτά

Translate choked with a word your language uses for the way weeds prevent other plants from growing well. Alternate translation: “choked the new sprouts” or “crowded around the new plants and prevented them from growing”

Matthew 13:8

ἐδίδου καρπόν

Alternate translation: “grew more seeds” or “gave more grain”

ὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν, ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα, ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα

The words “seeds,” “produced,” and “crop” are understood from the previous phrase. These can be expressed clearly. Alternate translation: “some seeds produced 100 times as much crop, some seeds produced 60 times as much crop, and some seeds produced 30 times as much crop” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 13:9

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω

Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase having ears here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated a similar phrase in 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: Metonymy)

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω

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 11:15. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 13:10

Jesus explains to his disciples why he teaches with parables.

Matthew 13:11

ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν, ἐκείνοις δὲ οὐ δέδοται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God has given to you to understand mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but God has not given it to these people” or “God has made you able to understand mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but he has not enabled these people to understand” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν, ἐκείνοις δὲ οὐ δέδοται

You can state the implied information clearly. Alternate translation: “God has given you the privilege of understanding mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but God has not given it to these people” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὑμῖν

The word you is plural here and refers to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

τὰ μυστήρια τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule. The phrase kingdom of the heavens 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: Metonymy)

Matthew 13:12

ὅστις…ἔχει

Alternate translation: “whoever has understanding” or “whoever receives what I teach”

δοθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will give him more understanding” (See: Active or Passive)

ὅστις…οὐκ ἔχει

Alternate translation: “whoever does not have understanding” or “whoever does not receive what I teach”

καὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take away even what he has” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 13:13

αὐτοῖς…οὐ βλέπουσιν…οὐκ ἀκούουσιν

All occurrences of them and they refer to the people in the crowd.

ὅτι βλέποντες οὐ βλέπουσιν, καὶ ἀκούοντες οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδὲ συνίουσιν

Jesus uses this parallelism to tell and emphasize to the disciples that the crowd refuses to understand God’s truth. (See: Parallelism)

βλέποντες

This could refer to: (1) them seeing what Jesus does. Alternate translation: “though they see what I do” (2) their ability to see. Alternate translation: “though they are able to see”

οὐ βλέπουσιν

Here, see represents understanding. Alternate translation: “they do not understand” (See: Metaphor)

ἀκούοντες

This could refer to: (1) them hearing what Jesus teaches. Alternate translation: “though they hear what I say” (2) their ability to hear. Alternate translation: “though they are able to hear”

οὐκ ἀκούουσιν

Here, hear represents listening well. Alternate translation: “they do not listen well” or “they do not pay attention” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 13:14

καὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ προφητεία Ἠσαΐου ἡ λέγουσα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “And they are fulfilling what God said long ago through the prophet Isaiah”

ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε; καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε

This begins a quote from the prophet Isaiah about the unbelieving people of Isaiah’s 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 God’s truth. (See: Parallelism)

ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 13:15

ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν, καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν; μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν, καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς

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 people’s spiritual condition. It means the people are stubborn and refuse to receive and understand God’s 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: Metaphor)

ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου

Here, heart refers to the mind. Alternate translation: “For these people’s minds are slow to learn” or “For these people can no longer learn” (See: Metonymy)

τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν

They are not physically deaf. Here, heard with difficulty means they refuse to listen and learn God’s truth. Alternate translation: “they refuse to use their ears to listen” (See: Metonymy)

τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν

They have not literally closed their eyes. This means they refuse to understand. Alternate translation: “they refuse to use their eyes to see” (See: Metonymy)

μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν, καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν

Alternate translation: “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”

τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν

The word hearts here is a metonym for people’s innermost being. You may need to use the word in your language for the source of people’s thinking and feelings. Alternate translation: “understand with their minds” (See: Metonymy)

ἐπιστρέψωσιν

Alternate translation: “they might turn back to me” or “they might repent”

ἰάσομαι αὐτούς

Here, to heal them means God would restore them spiritually by forgiving their sins and receiving them again as his people. Alternate translation: “have me receive them again” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 13:16

ὑμῶν δὲ μακάριοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὅτι βλέπουσιν, καὶ τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν ὅτι ἀκούουσιν

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: Parallelism)

ὑμῶν δὲ μακάριοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὅτι βλέπουσιν

Here, eyes refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “You are blessed because your eyes are able to see” (See: Synecdoche)

ὑμῶν…ὑμῶν

Both occurrences of your are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν ὅτι ἀκούουσιν

Here, ears refer to the whole person. Alternate translation: “you, for you hear” (See: Synecdoche)

τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν ὅτι ἀκούουσιν

You can clearly explicitly the implied information. Alternate translation: “you are blessed because your ears are able to hear” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 13:17

ἀμὴν, γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ὑμῖν…βλέπετε…ἀκούετε

All occurrences of you are plural and refer to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

ἃ βλέπετε

You can state explicitly what they have seen. Alternate translation: “the things you have seen me do” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἃ ἀκούετε

You can state explicitly what they have heard. Alternate translation: “the things you have heard me say” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 13:18

Here Jesus begins to explain to his disciples the parable about a person who sows seeds, which he began in 13:3.

Matthew 13:19

τὸν λόγον τῆς βασιλείας

Alternate translation: “the message about God’s rule as king”

ἔρχεται ὁ πονηρὸς καὶ ἁρπάζει τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

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: Metaphor)

ὁ πονηρὸς

Here, the evil one refers to Satan. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἁρπάζει

Translate snatches with a word in your language that means to grab something away from someone who is the rightful owner.

τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the message that God sowed in his heart” or “the message that he heard” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

Here, heart refers to the mind of the hearer. (See: Metonymy)

οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν σπαρείς

Alternate translation: “This is the meaning of the seed that was sown beside the road” or “The road where seed was sown represents this person”

παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν

See how you translated this in 13:4.

Matthew 13:20

ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς

The phrase that sown refers to seed that fell. Alternate translation: “Now the seed that fell on rocky ground” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “Now the rocky ground where seed was sown represents” or “Now the rocky ground where seed fell represents”

ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων

In the parable, the seed represents the word.

τὸν λόγον

Here, the word represents God’s message. Alternate translation: “the message” or “God’s teaching” (See: Metonymy)

μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν

Believing the word is spoken of as receiving it. Alternate translation: “joyfully believing it” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 13:21

οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν

The root represents what makes a person continue to believe God’s message. Alternate translation: “But like a plant that does not grow deep roots, he only endures for a little while” (See: Metaphor)

εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται

Here, is caused to stumble means stops believing. Alternate translation: “he quickly stops believing the message” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 13:22

ὁ…σπαρείς

This refers to seed that was sown or that fell. Alternate translation: “the seed that was sown” or “the seed that fell” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὁ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπαρείς

Alternate translation: “Now the ground with the thorn plants where seed was sown”

οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ

Alternate translation: “this represents the person”

τὸν λόγον

Alternate translation: “the message” or “God’s teaching”

ἡ μέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου συνπνίγει τὸν λόγον

Jesus speaks about the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches distracting a person from obeying God’s 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 God’s word” (See: Metaphor)

ἡ μέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου

Alternate translation: “the things in this world that people worry about”

ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου

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: Personification)

ἄκαρπος γίνεται

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 13:23

ὁ…ἐπὶ τὴν καλὴν γῆν σπαρείς

Alternate translation: “the good soil where seeds were sown”

ὃς δὴ καρποφορεῖ καὶ ποιεῖ, ὃ

The person is spoken of as if he were a plant. Alternate translation: “like a healthy plant that is productive, some bear a crop that yields” (See: Metaphor)

ποιεῖ, ὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν, ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα, ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα

The phrase “as much as was planted” is understood following each of these numbers. See how you translated this in 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: Ellipsis)

Matthew 13:24

Here Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a field with both wheat and weeds growing in it. (See: Parables)

ὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν, ἀνθρώπῳ

The translation should not equate the kingdom of the heavens to a man, but rather the kingdom of the heavens is like the situation described in the parable. (See: Simile)

ὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

καλὸν σπέρμα

The audience probably thought that Jesus was talking about wheat. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information) Alternate translation: “good food seeds” or “good grain seeds”

Matthew 13:25

ἦλθεν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς

Alternate translation: “his enemy came to the field”

ζιζάνια

The darnel that was sown looks like food plants when it is young, but its grain is poison. Alternate translation: “bad seed” or “weed seeds”

Matthew 13:26

ὅτε δὲ ἐβλάστησεν ὁ χόρτος

Alternate translation: “But when the wheat seeds sprouted” or “But after the plants came up”

καρπὸν ἐποίησεν

Alternate translation: “produced grain” or “produced the wheat crop”

τότε ἐφάνη καὶ τὰ ζιζάνια

Alternate translation: “then people could see there were weeds in the field also”

Matthew 13:27

τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου

The landowner is the same person who sowed good seed in his field.

οὐχὶ καλὸν σπέρμα ἔσπειρας ἐν τῷ σῷ ἀγρῷ?

The servants used a question to emphasize their surprise. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “you sowed good seed in your field!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οὐχὶ…ἔσπειρας

The landowner probably had his servants plant the seeds. Alternate translation: “did we not sow” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 13:28

ὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “But the landowner said to the servants”

θέλεις οὖν

The word us refers to the servants.

Matthew 13:29

ὁ δέ φησιν

Alternate translation: “But the landowner said to his servants”

Matthew 13:30

ἐρῶ τοῖς θερισταῖς, συλλέξατε πρῶτον τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ δήσατε αὐτὰ εἰς δέσμας πρὸς τὸ κατακαῦσαι αὐτά; τὸν δὲ σῖτον συναγάγετε εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην μου.

You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “I will tell the reapers to first gather up the darnel and tie them in bundles to burn them, and then gather the wheat into my barn” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

τὴν ἀποθήκην

A barn is a farm building that can be used for storing grain, animals, and other farm items.

Matthew 13:31

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about a very small seed that grows into a very big plant. (See: Parables)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

κόκκῳ σινάπεως

A mustard seed is a very small seed that grows into a large plant. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 13:32

ὃ μικρότερον μέν ἐστιν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων

Mustard seeds were the smallest seeds known to the original hearers. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὅταν δὲ αὐξηθῇ

Alternate translation: “But when the plant has grown”

μεῖζον…ἐστὶν

Alternate translation: “it is larger than”

γίνεται δένδρον

A mustard plant can grow about 2 to 4 meters tall—the height of a small tree.

τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ

Alternate translation: “the birds”

Matthew 13:33

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about the effect that yeast has on flour. (See: Parables)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν ζύμῃ

The kingdom is not like the yeast, but the spread of the kingdom is like the spreading of the yeast. (See: Simile)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

ἀλεύρου σάτα τρία

You can translate this phrase as “a large amount of flour” or use a term that your culture uses for measuring large amounts of flour. (See: Biblical Volume)

γυνὴ ἐνέκρυψεν εἰς ἀλεύρου σάτα τρία, ἕως οὗ ἐζυμώθη ὅλον

The implied information is that the yeast and the three measures of flour were made into dough for baking. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 13:34

ταῦτα πάντα ἐλάλησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν παραβολαῖς τοῖς ὄχλοις, καὶ χωρὶς παραβολῆς οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς

Both sentences mean the same thing. They are combined to emphasize that Jesus taught the crowds only with parables. (See: Parallelism)

ταῦτα πάντα

Here, All these things refers to what Jesus taught beginning at 13:1.

χωρὶς παραβολῆς οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς

If your readers would misunderstand the double-negative nothing … without, you can express it in a positive way. Alternate translation: “everything he taught them he said in parables” (See: Double Negatives)

Matthew 13:35

πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “what God told one of the prophets to write long ago might come true” (See: Active or Passive)

λέγοντος

Alternate translation: “when the prophet said”

ἀνοίξω ἐν παραβολαῖς τὸ στόμα μου; ἐρεύξομαι κεκρυμμένα ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

Here the author quotes from the Psalms to show that Jesus’ teaching in parables fulfilled prophecy.

ἀνοίξω…τὸ στόμα μου

This is an idiom that means “to speak.” Alternate translation: “I will speak” (See: Idiom)

κεκρυμμένα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “things that God has kept hidden” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

Alternate translation: “since the beginning of the world” or “since God created the world”

Matthew 13:36

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 13:24.

ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν

Alternate translation: “he went indoors” or “he went into the house where he was staying”

Matthew 13:37

ὁ σπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα

Alternate translation: “The one who sows the good seed” or “The sower of the good seed”

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 13:38

οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας

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: Idiom)

τῆς βασιλείας

Here, kingdom refers to God the king. Alternate translation: “of God” (See: Metonymy)

οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πονηροῦ

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: Idiom)

Matthew 13:39

ὁ…ἐχθρὸς, ὁ σπείρας αὐτά

Alternate translation: “the enemy who sowed the weeds”

Matthew 13:40

ὥσπερ οὖν συλλέγεται τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ πυρὶ κατακαίεται

You can translate this in active form. Alternate translation: “Therefore, as people gather up weeds and burn them in the fire” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 13:41

ἀποστελεῖ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ

Here Jesus is speaking of himself as the Son of Man. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of Man, will send out my angels” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν

Alternate translation: “those who are lawless” or “evil people”

Matthew 13:42

τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός

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: Metaphor)

ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, grinding of teeth is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and showing that they are suffering very much” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 13:43

ἐκλάμψουσιν ὡς ὁ ἥλιος

If this simile is not understandable in your language, you can use: “will be as easy to see as the sun.” (See: Simile)

τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτῶν

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω

Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase having ears here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated a similar phrase in 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: Metonymy)

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα, ἀκουέτω

Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. See how you translated this in 11:15. Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 13:44

In verses 44-46, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling two parables about people who sold their possessions to purchase something of great value. (See: Parables)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν…θησαυρῷ κεκρυμμένῳ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “is like a treasure that someone had hidden in a field” (See: Active or Passive)

θησαυρῷ

A treasure is a very valuable and precious thing or collection of things.

ἔκρυψεν

Alternate translation: “covered it up”

πωλεῖ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει, καὶ ἀγοράζει τὸν ἀγρὸν ἐκεῖνον

The implied information is that the person buys the field to take possession of the hidden treasure. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 13:45

ὁμοία…ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ ζητοῦντι καλοὺς μαργαρίτας

The implied information is that the man was looking for valuable pearls that he could buy. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ

A merchant is a trader or wholesale dealer who often obtains merchandise from distant places.

καλοὺς μαργαρίτας

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 valuable” or “beautiful pearls” (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 13:47

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven by telling a parable about fishermen who use a large net to catch fish. (See: Parables)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν σαγήνῃ

The kingdom is not like the net, but the kingdom draws all kinds of people like a net catches all kinds of fish. (See: Simile)

ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 13:24. Alternate translation: “When our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

ὁμοία…σαγήνῃ βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “like a net that some fishermen cast into the sea” (See: Active or Passive)

βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν

Alternate translation: “that was thrown into the sea”

ἐκ παντὸς γένους συναγαγούσῃ

Alternate translation: “having caught all kinds of fish”

Matthew 13:48

ἀναβιβάσαντες ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν

Alternate translation: “they pulled the net up onto the beach” or “they pulled the net ashore”

τὰ καλὰ

Alternate translation: “the good fish”

τὰ…σαπρὰ

Alternate translation: “the bad fish” or “the inedible fish”

ἔξω ἔβαλον

Alternate translation: “they did not keep”

Matthew 13:49

ἐξελεύσονται

Alternate translation: “will come out” or “will go out” or “will come from heaven”

τοὺς πονηροὺς ἐκ μέσου τῶν δικαίων

If your language does not use the nominal adjectives wicked and righteous, you can express them as adjectives. Alternate translation: “the wicked people from the righteous people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 13:50

βαλοῦσιν αὐτοὺς

Alternate translation: “the angels will throw the wicked people”

τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός

This is a metaphor for the fires of hell. If the term furnace is not known, you can translate it as “oven.” See how you translated this in 13:42. Alternate translation: “the fiery furnace” (See: Metaphor)

ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, grinding of teeth is a symbolic act, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and expressing their extreme suffering.” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 13:51

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.

συνήκατε ταῦτα πάντα? λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, ναί.

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: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Matthew 13:52

μαθητευθεὶς τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens 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 God’s rule” (See: Metonymy)

ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ, ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά

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: Parables)

τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ

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.”

Matthew 13:53

καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus’ teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “And then” or “And after”

Matthew 13:54

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through 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.

τὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ

Here, his hometown refers to the town of Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν

The pronoun their is referring to the people of the region.

ἐκπλήσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς

Alternate translation: “they were amazed”

πόθεν τούτῳ ἡ σοφία αὕτη καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις?

The people believed that Jesus was just an ordinary man. Alternate translation: “How can an ordinary man like this be so wise and do such great miracles?” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πόθεν τούτῳ ἡ σοφία αὕτη καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις?

The people use this question to express their amazement that he was so wise and was able to do miracles. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is strange that he is able to speak with such wisdom and do these miracles!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 13:55

οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱός? οὐχ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ λέγεται Μαριὰμ, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, Ἰάκωβος, καὶ Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ Σίμων, καὶ Ἰούδας?

The crowd uses these questions to express their belief that they know who Jesus is and that he is just an ordinary man. If your readers would misunderstand these questions, you can express them as statements. Alternate translation: “He is just the son of a carpenter. We know his mother Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱός

A carpenter is someone who makes things with wood or stone. If carpenter is not known, “builder” can be used.

Matthew 13:56

αἱ ἀδελφαὶ αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ πᾶσαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς εἰσιν?

The crowd uses this question to express their belief that they know who Jesus is and that he is just an ordinary man. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “all his sisters are with us, too.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

πόθεν οὖν τούτῳ ταῦτα πάντα?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

ταῦτα πάντα

Here, all these things refers to Jesus’ wisdom and ability to do miracles.

Matthew 13:57

ἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the people of Jesus’ hometown took offense at him” or “the people rejected Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐκ ἔστιν προφήτης ἄτιμος

You can state this double-negative not … without in positive form. Alternate translation: “A prophet receives honor everywhere” or “People everywhere honor a prophet” (See: Double Negatives)

τῇ πατρίδι

Alternate translation: “his own region”

ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “in his own home”

Matthew 13:58

οὐκ ἐποίησεν ἐκεῖ δυνάμεις πολλὰς

Alternate translation: “Jesus did not do many miracles in his own hometown”

Matthew 14

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 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: Background Information)

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 John’s head to Herodias’s daughter (14:11). You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 14:1

These verses explain Herod’s reaction when he heard about Jesus. This event happens some time after the events that follow in the narrative. (See: Order of Events)

ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ

Alternate translation: “In those days” or “While Jesus was ministering in Galilee”

Matthew 14:2

εἶπεν

Alternate translation: “Herod said”

ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν

The words from the dead speak of all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from the dead speaks of coming alive again.

διὰ τοῦτο αἱ δυνάμεις ἐνεργοῦσιν ἐν αὐτῷ

Some Jews at that time believed if a person came back from the dead he would have powers to do mighty things.

Matthew 14:3

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: Order of Events)

If needed, you can present the events of 14:3-4 in the order that they happened, as in the UST. (See: Order of Events)

ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης κρατήσας τὸν Ἰωάννην, ἔδησεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ ἀπέθετο

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: Metonymy)

τὴν γυναῖκα Φιλίππου

Philip was Herod’s brother. Herod had taken Philip’s wife to be his own wife. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 14:4

ἔλεγεν γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης, οὐκ ἔξεστίν σοι ἔχειν αὐτήν.

This direct quotation 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: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἔλεγεν γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης

Alternate translation: “For John had kept saying to Herod”

οὐκ ἔξεστίν

Philip was still alive when Herod married Herodias. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 14:5

ἐφοβήθη

Alternate translation: “Herod feared”

αὐτὸν εἶχον

Alternate translation: “they regarded John”

Matthew 14:6

ἐν τῷ μέσῳ

You can make explicit the implicit information. Alternate translation: “in the midst of the guests attending the birthday celebration” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 14:8

ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “But after her mother instructed her” (See: Active or Passive)

ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα

Alternate translation: “But having been coached beforehand”

φησίν

Alternate translation: “the daughter of Herodias said to Herod”

πίνακι

A platter is a very large plate used for serving food.

Matthew 14:9

καὶ ἐλυπήθη ὁ βασιλεὺς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “And although her request made the king very upset” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ βασιλεὺς

Alternate translation: “King Herod”

ἐκέλευσεν δοθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “ordered his men to do what she said” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 14:11

ἠνέχθη ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πίνακι, καὶ ἐδόθη τῷ κορασίῳ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “someone brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl” (See: Active or Passive)

πίνακι

A platter is a very large plate used for serving food. See how you translated this in verse 8.

τῷ κορασίῳ

Translate girl with the word for a young, unmarried girl.

Matthew 14:12

οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the disciples of John”

τὸ πτῶμα

Alternate translation: “the dead body”

ἐλθόντες, ἀπήγγειλαν τῷ Ἰησοῦ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 14:13

Verses 13-14 give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform by feeding five thousand people in verses 15-21. (See: Background Information)

δὲ

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

ἀκούσας

Alternate translation: “having heard what happened to John” or “having heard the news about John”

ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν

It is implied that Jesus’ disciples went with him. Alternate translation: “Jesus and his disciples left” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐκεῖθεν

Alternate translation: “from that place”

καὶ ἀκούσαντες, οἱ ὄχλοι

Alternate translation: “And when the crowds heard where Jesus had gone, they” or “And when the crowds heard that he had left, they”

οἱ ὄχλοι

Alternate translation: “the crowds of people” or “the huge group of people” or “the people”

πεζῇ

Here, on foot means that the people in the crowd were walking. (See: Idiom)

Matthew 14:14

καὶ ἐξελθὼν

Alternate translation: “And when Jesus came ashore”

Matthew 14:15

This begins the account of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only five small loaves of bread and two small fish.

προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ

Alternate translation: “Jesus’ disciples came to him”

Matthew 14:16

οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν

Alternate translation: “It is not necessary for the people in the crowd”

δότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς

The word You is plural, referring to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 14:17

οἱ δὲ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “But the disciples said to Jesus”

πέντε ἄρτους

A loaf of bread is a lump of dough that is shaped and baked.

Matthew 14:18

φέρετέ μοι ὧδε αὐτούς

Alternate translation: “Bring the loaves and fish to me”

Matthew 14:19

ἀνακλιθῆναι

Use the verb for the position people in your culture usually are in when they eat. Alternate translation: “lie down” or “sit down”

λαβὼν

This does not mean that he stole them. Alternate translation: “he held in his hands” (See: Idiom)

κλάσας, ἔδωκεν…τοὺς ἄρτους

Alternate translation: “after tearing the loaves into pieces, he gave them”

τοὺς ἄρτους

Alternate translation: “the pieces of the loaves of bread”

ἀναβλέψας

This could refer to: (1) while they were looking up. (2) after they looked up.

Matthew 14:20

καὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “until they were full” or “until they were no longer hungry” (See: Active or Passive)

ἦραν

Alternate translation: “the disciples gathered up” or “some people gathered up”

Matthew 14:21

οἱ δὲ ἐσθίοντες

Alternate translation: “Now those who ate the bread and the fish”

ἄνδρες…πεντακισχίλιοι

Alternate translation: “five thousand men” (See: Numbers)

Matthew 14:22

Verses 22-24 give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform of walking on water.

καὶ εὐθέως ἠνάγκασεν

Alternate translation: “And as soon as Jesus had finished feeding all the people, he made”

Matthew 14:23

ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης

Alternate translation: “Now late in the evening” or “Now when it became dark”

Matthew 14:24

ἦν βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων

Alternate translation: “and the disciples could not control the boat because of the large waves”

Matthew 14:25

τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς

The fourth watch is between 3 AM and sunrise. Alternate translation: “Now just before dawn”

περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν

Alternate translation: “walking on top of the water”

Matthew 14:26

ἐταράχθησαν

Alternate translation: “were very afraid”

φάντασμά

The people of that time believes that a ghost was a spirit that has left the body of a person who had died.

Matthew 14:28

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ, ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν

Alternate translation: “but Peter answered Jesus and said”

Matthew 14:30

βλέπων…τὸν ἄνεμον ἰσχυρὸν

Here, seeing 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: Idiom)

Matthew 14:31

ὀλιγόπιστε, εἰς τί

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”

εἰς τί ἐδίστασας?

You can make explicit what Peter doubted. Alternate translation: “why did you doubt that I could keep you from sinking?” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς τί ἐδίστασας

Jesus uses a question to tell Peter that he should not have doubted. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “you should not have doubted!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 14:33

Θεοῦ Υἱὸς

Son of God is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 14:34

καὶ διαπεράσαντες

Alternate translation: “And when Jesus and his disciples had crossed over the lake”

Γεννησαρέτ

Gennesaret is a small town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 14:35

ἀπέστειλαν

Alternate translation: “sent messages”

Matthew 14:36

καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “And the sick people were begging him”

τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “of his robe” or “of what he was wearing”

διεσώθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “became well” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 15

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: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)

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 woman’s 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 15:1

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: Introduction of a New Event)

Matthew 15:2

διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταί σου παραβαίνουσιν τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων?

The Pharisees and scribes use this question to criticize Jesus and his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Your disciples do not respect the rules that our ancestors have given us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων

These traditions of the elders are not the same as the law of Moses. This refers to later teachings and interpretations of the law given by religious leaders after Moses.

οὐ…νίπτονται τὰς χεῖρας

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 15:3

διὰ τί καὶ ὑμεῖς παραβαίνετε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ διὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν?

Jesus answers with a question to criticize what the religious leaders do. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “And I see that you refuse to obey God’s commands just so that you can follow what your ancestors taught you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 15:4

In verse 4, Jesus quotes twice from Exodus to show how God expects people to treat their parents.

θανάτῳ τελευτάτω

Alternate translation: “the people must surely execute him”

Matthew 15:5

ὑμεῖς

Here, you is plural and refers to the Pharisees and scribes. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 15:6

οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ

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: Quotes within Quotes)

οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἠκυρώσατε τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ

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 God’s commands”

διὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν

Alternate translation: “because you want to follow your traditions”

Matthew 15:7

In verses 8 and 9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to rebuke the Pharisees and scribes.

καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν περὶ ὑμῶν Ἠσαΐας

Alternate translation: “Isaiah told the truth in this prophecy about you”

λέγων

It is implied that Isaiah is speaking what God told him. Alternate translation: “when he told what God said” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 15:8

ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ

Here, lips refers to speaking. Alternate translation: “These people say all the right things to me” (See: Metonymy)

με…ἐμοῦ

Both occurrences of me refer to God.

ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ

Here, heart refers to a person’s thoughts or emotions. (See: Metonymy)

ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ

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: Idiom)

Matthew 15:9

μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με

Alternate translation: “But their worship means nothing to me” or “But they only pretend to worship me”

ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων

Alternate translation: “the rules that people make up”

Matthew 15:11

εἰσερχόμενον εἰς τὸ στόμα…ἐκπορευόμενον ἐκ τοῦ στόματος

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 15:12

οἱ Φαρισαῖοι ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this statement made the Pharisees angry” or “this statement offended the Pharisees” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 15:13

πᾶσα φυτεία ἣν οὐκ ἐφύτευσεν ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ἐκριζωθήσεται

Jesus speaks of the Pharisees as if they were worthless plants that his Father would uproot. This means the Pharisees do not actually belong to God, so God will remove them. (See: Metaphor)

ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἐκριζωθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “my Father will uproot” or “he will take out of the ground” or “he will remove” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 15:14

ἄφετε αὐτούς

The word them refers to the Pharisees.

ὁδηγοί εἰσιν τυφλοί τυφλὸς, δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται

Jesus speaks of the Pharisees as if they were blind people trying to guide other blind people. Jesus means that the Pharisees do not understand God’s commands or how to please him. Therefore, they cannot teach others how to please God. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 15:15

Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable that Jesus told in verses13-14.

ἡμῖν

Alternate translation: “to us disciples”

Matthew 15:16

ἀκμὴν καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀσύνετοί ἐστε?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you, my disciples, still do not understand what I teach!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 15:17

οὔπω νοεῖτε ὅτι πᾶν τὸ εἰσπορευόμενον εἰς τὸ στόμα, εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν χωρεῖ, καὶ εἰς ἀφεδρῶνα ἐκβάλλεται?

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the disciples for not understanding the parable. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you that everything that enters into the mouth passes into the stomach and is passed out into the latrine.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν χωρεῖ

Alternate translation: “goes into the stomach”

ἀφεδρῶνα

A latrine a polite term for the place where people bury body waste.

Matthew 15:18

τὰ…ἐκπορευόμενα ἐκ τοῦ στόματος

This phrase refers to what a person says. Alternate translation: “the words that a person says” (See: Metonymy)

ἐκ τῆς καρδίας

Here, heart refers to a person’s mind or innermost being. Alternate translation: “from inside the person” or “from a person’s mind” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 15:19

φόνοι

Murder is the act of killing innocent people.

Matthew 15:20

ἀνίπτοις χερσὶν φαγεῖν

This refers to eating without first ceremonially washing one’s hands according to the traditions of the elders. Alternate translation: “eating without first washing one’s hands”

Matthew 15:21

This begins an account of Jesus healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman.

ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν

It is implied that the disciples went with Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus and his disciples went away” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 15:22

ἰδοὺ, γυνὴ Χαναναία…ἐξελθοῦσα

The word behold alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this. Alternate translation: “Now there was a Canaanite woman who came”

γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα, ἔκραζεν

The country of Canaan no longer existed by this time. This woman was a part of a people group that lived near the cities of Tyre and Sidon. Alternate translation: “a woman who was from that region and who belonged to the group of people called Canaanites came and cried out”

ἐλέησόν με

This phrase implies that the woman is asking Jesus to heal her daughter. Alternate translation: “Have mercy and heal my daughter” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Υἱὸς Δαυείδ

Jesus was not David’s 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.

ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “A demon is controlling my daughter terribly” or “A demon is tormenting my daughter severely” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 15:23

οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον

Here, word refers to what a person says. Alternate translation: “said nothing” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 15:24

οὐκ ἀπεστάλην

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God did not send me to anyone” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ

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 10:6. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 15:25

ἡ

Alternate translation: “the Canaanite woman”

προσεκύνει αὐτῷ

This action shows that the woman humbled herself before Jesus. (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 15:26

οὐκ ἔστιν καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις

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: Proverbs)

τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων

Here, bread refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “the children’s food” (See: Synecdoche)

τοῖς κυναρίοις

The Jews considered dogs to be unclean animals. Here they are used as an image for non-Jews.

Matthew 15:27

καὶ…τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν

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: Metaphor)

τὰ κυνάρια

Use words here for dogs of any size that people keep as pets. See how you translated this in 15:26.

Matthew 15:28

γενηθήτω

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I will do” (See: Active or Passive)

ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus healed her daughter” or “her daughter became well” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “at exactly the same time” or “immediately” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 15:29

Verses 29-31 give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform by feeding four thousand people. (See: Background Information)

Matthew 15:30

χωλούς, τυφλούς, κυλλούς, κωφούς

Alternate translation: “those who could not walk, those who could not see, those whose arms or legs did not function, those who could not talk”

ἔρριψαν αὐτοὺς παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ

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”

Matthew 15:31

κυλλοὺς ὑγιεῖς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the crippled become well” (See: Active or Passive)

κυλλοὺς…χωλοὺς…τυφλοὺς

If your readers would misunderstand these nominal adjectives, you could express them as adjectives. Alternate translation: “people who were crippled … people who were lame … people who were blind” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 15:32

This begins the account of Jesus feeding 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

νήστεις…μήποτε ἐκλυθῶσιν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

Alternate translation: “without eating because they might faint on the way”

Matthew 15:33

πόθεν ἡμῖν ἐν ἐρημίᾳ, ἄρτοι τοσοῦτοι ὥστε χορτάσαι ὄχλον τοσοῦτον?

The disciples use a question to state that there is nowhere to get food for the crowd. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nowhere in this wilderness where we can get enough bread for such a large crowd.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 15:34

ἑπτά, καὶ ὀλίγα ἰχθύδια

The understood information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Seven loaves of bread, and a few small fish” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 15:35

ἀναπεσεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν

Use your language’s word for how people customarily eat when there is no table, whether sitting or lying down.

Matthew 15:36

ἔλαβεν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς ἰχθύας

Alternate translation: “Jesus held the seven loaves and the fish in his hands”

ἔκλασεν

Alternate translation: “he broke the loaves”

ἐδίδου

Alternate translation: “continued giving the bread and the fish”

Matthew 15:37

ἦραν

Alternate translation: “the disciples gathered up” or “some people gathered up”

Matthew 15:38

οἱ…ἐσθίοντες

Alternate translation: “the people who ate”

τετρακισχίλιοι ἄνδρες

Alternate translation: “four thousand men” (See: Numbers)

Matthew 15:39

τὰ ὅρια

Alternate translation: “the area”

Μαγαδάν

This region is sometimes called “Magdala.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 16

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: 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: 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).

Matthew 16:1

πειράζοντες

Here, testing is used in a negative sense. Alternate translation: “challenging him” or “wanting to trap him”

Matthew 16:4

γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς

Jesus is speaking to his present generation. Alternate translation: “You are an evil and adulterous generation” See how you translated this in 12:39. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς

Here, adulterous is a metaphor for people who are not faithful to God. See how you translated this in 12:39. Alternate translation: “An unfaithful generation” or “A godless generation” (See: Metaphor)

σημεῖον…οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ

Jesus would not give them a sign because, though he had already performed many miracles, they refused to believe him. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. See how you translated this in 12:39. Alternate translation: “I will not give it a sign” or “God will not give you a sign” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ

See how you translated this in 12:39. Alternate translation: “except the same sign God gave to Jonah the prophet”

Matthew 16:5

Here the scene shifts to a later time. Jesus uses an opportunity to warn his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

τὸ πέραν

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: Ellipsis)

Matthew 16:6

τῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 16:7

διελογίζοντο ἐν ἑαυτοῖς

Alternate translation: “were discussing this with each other” or “were thinking about this”

Matthew 16:8

ὀλιγόπιστοι

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 6:30. Alternate translation: “You who have such little faith”

τί διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ὀλιγόπιστοι, ὅτι ἄρτους οὐκ ἔχετε?

Jesus uses this question to rebuke his disciples for not understanding what he just said. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 16:9

οὔπω νοεῖτε, οὐδὲ μνημονεύετε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους τῶν πεντακισχιλίων, καὶ πόσους κοφίνους ἐλάβετε?

Jesus uses a question to rebuke the disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you remember the five loaves of the 5,000, and how many baskets you gathered up!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τῶν πεντακισχιλίων

Alternate translation: “of the five thousand” (See: Numbers)

Matthew 16:10

οὐδὲ τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους τῶν τετρακισχιλίων, καὶ πόσας σπυρίδας ἐλάβετε?

Jesus uses a question to rebuke his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you also remember the seven loaves of the 4,000, and how many baskets you took up!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τῶν τετρακισχιλίων

Alternate translation: “of the four thousand” (See: Numbers)

Matthew 16:11

πῶς οὐ νοεῖτε, ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον ὑμῖν?

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have understood that I was not really speaking about bread.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 16:12

συνῆκαν

Here, they refer to the disciples.

Matthew 16:13

Here the scene shifts to a later time. Jesus asks his disciples if they understand who he is.

δὲ

Now 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.

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 16:16

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος

Son is an important title for Jesus that shows his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος

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.

Matthew 16:17

Σίμων Βαριωνᾶ

Alternate translation: “Simon son of Jonah” (See: How to Translate Names)

σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν

Here, flesh and blood refers to a human being. Alternate translation: “a human did not reveal this” (See: Synecdoche)

οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν

Here, this refers to Peter’s statement that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the Living God.

ἀλλ’ ὁ Πατήρ μου, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

You can make the understood information explicit. Alternate translation: “but it was my Father in the heavens who revealed this to you” (See: Ellipsis)

ὁ Πατήρ μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 16:18

κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

σὺ εἶ Πέτρος

The name Peter means “rock.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν

Here, build my church is a metaphor for uniting the people who believe in Jesus into a community. The phrase this rock could represent: (1) Peter. (2) the truth that Peter had just said in 16:16. (See: Metaphor)

πύλαι ᾍδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς

Here, Hades represents death, and its gates represent its power. (See: Metonymy)

πύλαι ᾍδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς

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. This could mean: (1) Jesus is saying the powers of death will not overcome his church. (2) Jesus is saying his church will break down the power of death the way an army breaks into a city. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 16:19

δώσω σοι

Here, you is singular and refers to Peter. (See: Forms of You)

τὰς κλεῖδας τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Keys are objects that are used to lock or unlock doors. Here they represent authority. (See: Metaphor)

τῆς Βασιλείας τῶν Οὐρανῶν

This refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in the book of Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. (See: Metonymy)

ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς; καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

Here, bound is a metaphor meaning to forbid something, and loosed is a metaphor meaning to allow something. (See: Metaphor)

ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς; καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

Here, in the heavens is a metonym that represents God himself. Alternate translation: “God in heaven will approve whatever you forbid or allow on earth” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 16:21

Jesus tells his disciples for the first time that he will die soon.

γραμματέων, καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆναι

Here, to be raised is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. (See: Idiom)

γραμματέων, καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ

The word third is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Matthew 16:22

καὶ προσλαβόμενος αὐτὸν, ὁ Πέτρος

Jesus tells them for the first time that he will die soon in 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: Background Information)

προσλαβόμενος αὐτὸν, ὁ Πέτρος

Alternate translation: “Peter spoke to Jesus when no one else could hear them and”

ἵλεώς σοι

This is an idiom that means “May God be merciful to you.” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 16:23

ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ! σκάνδαλον εἶ ἐμοῦ

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: Metaphor)

ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου

Alternate translation: “Get away from me”

Matthew 16:24

ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν

To come after Jesus here represents being one of his disciples. Alternate translation: “be my disciple” or “be one of my disciples” (See: Metaphor)

ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν

Alternate translation: “he must not give in to his own desires” or “he must forsake his own desires”

ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι

To take up a cross represents being willing to suffer and die. Alternate translation: “obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” or “he must obey me even to the point of suffering and dying” (See: Metaphor)

ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι

The cross represents suffering and death. (See: Metonymy)

καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι

To follow Jesus here represents obeying him. Alternate translation: “and obey me” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 16:25

ἀπολέσει αὐτήν

This does not mean the person must necessarily die. It is a metaphor that means the person who considers his own life as being more important than obeying Jesus will not attain spiritual life. (See: Metaphor)

ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ

Alternate translation: “because he trusts me” or “on my account” or “because of me”

εὑρήσει αὐτήν

This metaphor means the person will experience spiritual life with God. Alternate translation: “will find true life” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 16:26

τί γὰρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος, ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ?

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “It does not profit a man to gain the whole world if he forfeits his life.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ

The words the whole world are an exaggeration for great riches. Alternate translation: “if he would gain everything he desires” (See: Hyperbole)

τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ

Alternate translation: “but he would lose his life”

ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ?

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing that a person can give to regain his life.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 16:27

μέλλει…ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου…αὐτοῦ…ἀποδώσει

Here Jesus refers to himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “I, the Son of man, am about … my … I will repay” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

μέλλει…ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “will come, having the same glory as his Father,”

μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ

If you translate the first part of the sentence with Jesus speaking in the first person, you can translate this as “and my Father’s angels will be with me.” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and the Son of Man, Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

κατὰ τὴν πρᾶξιν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “according to what each person has done”

Matthew 16:28

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ὑμῖν

Here, you is plural and refers to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου

Here, tasted means to experience. Alternate translation: “will not have experienced death” or “will still be alive” (See: Idiom)

ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 17

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: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Christ, Messiah)

“transfigured”

Scripture often speaks of God’s 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 God’s Son. At the same time, God told them that Jesus was his Son. (See: glory, glorious, glorify and fear, afraid, frighten)

Matthew 17:1

This begins the account of Jesus’ transfiguration.

τὸν Πέτρον, καὶ Ἰάκωβον, καὶ Ἰωάννην, τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “Peter, James, and James’s brother John”

Matthew 17:2

μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν

When they looked at him, his appearance was different from what it had been.

μετεμορφώθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “his appearance had changed” or “he appeared very different” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “in front of them” or “so they could clearly him”

ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς

These are similes that emphasize how bright Jesus’ appearance became. (See: Simile)

τὰ…ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “what he was wearing”

Matthew 17:3

ἰδοὺ

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

αὐτοῖς

Here, them refers to Peter, James, and John.

μετ’ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “with Jesus”

Matthew 17:4

ἀποκριθεὶς…ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν

Peter is not responding to a question. Alternate translation: “Peter said”

καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι

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: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Matthew 17:5

ἰδοὺ

The word behold alerts the reader to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς

Alternate translation: “came over them”

φωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης

Here, voice refers to God speaking. Alternate translation: “God spoke to them from the cloud” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 17:6

καὶ ἀκούσαντες, οἱ μαθηταὶ

Alternate translation: “And when the disciples heard God speak, they”

ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “fell forward, with their faces to the ground” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 17:9

καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “And as Jesus and the disciples were coming down”

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 17:10

τί οὖν οἱ γραμματεῖς λέγουσιν ὅτι Ἠλείαν δεῖ ἐλθεῖν πρῶτον?

(See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 17:11

ἀποκαταστήσει πάντα

Alternate translation: “will put things in order” or “will get the people ready to receive the Messiah”

Matthew 17:12

λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

ἐποίησαν…αὐτῶν

Here, they and them could refer to: (1) the Jewish leaders. (2) all the Jewish people.

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 17:14

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.

Matthew 17:15

ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν

It is implied that the man wants Jesus to heal his son. You can state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “have mercy on my son and heal him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

σεληνιάζεται

The phrase he is epileptic means that he sometimes had seizures. He would become unconscious and move uncontrollably. Alternate translation: “he has seizures”

Matthew 17:17

ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη, ἕως πότε

Alternate translation: “O you generation that does not believe in God and does not know what is right or wrong. How long”

ἕως πότε μεθ’ ὑμῶν ἔσομαι? ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν?

These questions show Jesus is unhappy with the people. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am tired of being with you! I am tired of your unbelief and corruption!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 17:18

ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the boy became well” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “immediately” or “at that moment” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 17:19

ἡμεῖς

Here, we refers to the speakers but not the hearers and so is exclusive. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

διὰ τί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό?

Alternate translation: “Why could we not make the demon come out of the boy?”

Matthew 17:20

ἀμὴν, γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν

This adds emphasis to what Jesus says next. Alternate translation: “For I tell you the truth”

ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως

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: Simile)

οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν

If your readers would misunderstand the double-negative nothing … impossible, you could state this in a positive form. Alternate translation: “you will be able to do anything” (See: Double Negatives)

Matthew 17:22

Here the scene shifts momentarily, and Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a second time.

συστρεφομένων…αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “as Jesus and his disciples were gathered together”

μέλλει ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone will deliver the Son of Man” (See: Active or Passive)

παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων

The word hands here is a metonym for the power that people use hands to exercise. Alternate translation: “to be taken and put under the power of people” or “to be taken and given to people who will control him” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 17:23

αὐτόν…ἐγερθήσεται

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ

The word third is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἐγερθήσεται

Here to be raised up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. (See: Idiom)

ἐγερθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will raise him up” or “God will cause him to become alive again” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 17:24

Here the scene shifts again to a later time when Jesus teaches Peter about paying the temple tax.

ἐλθόντων…αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “when Jesus and his disciples had come”

τὰ δίδραχμα

This was a tax that Jewish men paid to support the temple in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the temple tax” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὰ δίδραχμα

The drachma was equivalent to the “denarius,” which was worth about one day’s wage. (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 17:25

τὴν οἰκίαν

Alternate translation: “the place where Jesus was staying”

τί σοι δοκεῖ, Σίμων? οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, ἀπὸ τίνων λαμβάνουσιν τέλη ἢ κῆνσον? ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῶν ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων?

Jesus asks these questions to teach Simon, not to gain information for himself. If your readers would misunderstand these questions, you can express them as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 17:26

εἰπόντος δέ, ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων, ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς

If you translated Jesus’ questions as statements in 17:25, you may need to give an alternate response here. You could also state it as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “But when Peter said, ‘Yes, that is true. Kings collect taxes from people who are not their family,’ Jesus said” or “But after Peter agreed with Jesus, Jesus said” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

οἱ υἱοί

Here, the sons refers to people who are not part of the ruler’s family.

Matthew 17:27

ἵνα δὲ μὴ σκανδαλίσωμεν αὐτούς, πορευθεὶς

Alternate translation: “But we do not want to make the tax collectors angry. So, go”

βάλε ἄγκιστρον

Fishermen tied a fishhook to the end of a line, then threw it in the water to catch fish. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the fish’s mouth”

στατῆρα

A shekel was a silver coin worth four days’ wages. (See: Biblical Money)

ἐκεῖνον λαβὼν, δὸς

Alternate translation: “Take the shekel and give it”

ἀντὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ

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: Forms of You)

Matthew 18

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: repent, repentance and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Matthew 18:1

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through 18:35, where Jesus teaches about life in the kingdom of heaven. Here, Jesus uses a little child to teach the disciples.

τίς ἄρα μείζων ἐστὶν

Alternate translation: “Who therefore is the most important” or “Who then among us will be the most important”

ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

The phrase kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “in God’s kingdom” or “when our God in heaven establishes his rule on earth” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 18:3

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ἐὰν μὴ στραφῆτε καὶ γένησθε ὡς τὰ παιδία, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “you must change and become like little children in order to enter” (See: Double Negatives)

γένησθε ὡς τὰ παιδία

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: Simile)

οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

The phrase kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “you will certainly not enter God’s kingdom” or “you will never belong to our God in heaven when he establishes his rule on earth” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 18:4

Jesus continues teaching the disciples that they need to be humble like a child if they want to be important in God’s kingdom. (See: Simile)

ἐστιν ὁ μείζων

Alternate translation: “is the most important” or “will be the most important”

ἐν τῇ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

The phrase kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “in God’s kingdom” or “when our God in heaven establishes his rule on earth” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 18:5

ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου

Here, my name refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because he is my disciple” (See: Metonymy)

ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ἐμὲ δέχεται

Jesus means that receiving the child is the same as welcoming Jesus himself. Alternate translation: “in my name, it is like he is welcoming me” or “in my name, it is as if he were welcoming me”

Matthew 18:6

ἵνα κρεμασθῇ μύλος ὀνικὸς περὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταποντισθῇ ἐν τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “if someone put a great millstone around his neck and threw him into the deep sea” (See: Active or Passive)

μύλος

A millstone is a large, heavy, circular stone used for grinding wheat grain into flour. Alternate translation: “a very heavy stone”

Matthew 18:7

τῷ κόσμῳ

Here, world refers to people. Alternate translation: “to the people of the world” (See: Metonymy)

τῶν σκανδάλων…ἐλθεῖν τὰ σκάνδαλα…τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ δι’ οὗ τὸ σκάνδαλον ἔρχεται

Here, stumbling is a metaphor for sin. Alternate translation: “things that cause people to sin … that things come that cause people to sin … to any person who causes others to sin” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 18:8

εἰ δὲ ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ

Jesus exaggerates here to emphasize that people must do anything necessary to remove from their lives what causes them to sin. (See: Hyperbole)

σου…σε…σοῦ…σοί

All occurrences of your and you 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: Forms of You)

εἰς τὴν ζωὴν

Alternate translation: “into eternal life”

ἢ δύο χεῖρας ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα, βληθῆναι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “than to have both hands and feet when God throws you into the eternal fire” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 18:9

καὶ εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔξελε αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ

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: Hyperbole)

σκανδαλίζει σε

Here, stumble is a metaphor for sin. Alternate translation: “causes you to sin” (See: Metaphor)

σου…σε…σοῦ…σοί

All occurrences of your and you 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: Forms of You)

εἰς τὴν ζωὴν

Alternate translation: “into eternal life”

ἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν Γέενναν τοῦ πυρός

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “than to have both eyes when God throws you into the eternal fire” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 18:10

ὁρᾶτε

Alternate translation: “Be careful that” or “Be sure that”

μὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν μικρῶν τούτων

If your readers would misunderstand the double-negative not despise, you can express it in positive form. Alternate translation: “you show respect to these little ones” or “you do not think of these little ones as being unimportant”

λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν

This phrase add emphasis to what Jesus says next.

οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτῶν ἐν οὐρανοῖς, διὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Πατρός μου, τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς

Jewish teachers taught that only the most important angels could be in God’s presence. Jesus means that the most important angels speak to God about these little ones. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

διὰ παντὸς βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Πατρός μου

This is an idiom that means they are in God’s presence. Alternate translation: “are always close to my Father” or “are always in the presence of my Father” (See: Idiom)

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 18:12

τί ὑμῖν δοκεῖ?

Jesus uses this question to get people’s attention. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Think about how people act.” or “Think about this.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὑμῖν

Here, you is plural. (See: Forms of You)

οὐχὶ ἀφείς τὰ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη, καὶ πορευθεὶς ζητεῖ τὸ πλανώμενον?

Jesus uses a question to teach his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “he will always leave the 99 where they are and go out so seek the one that has gone astray.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 18:13

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next. The word you is plural. Alternate translation: “I tell you the truth” (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 18:14

οὐκ ἔστιν θέλημα ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρὸς ὑμῶν, τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς, ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μικρῶν τούτων

Alternate translation: “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”

ὑμῶν

Here, your is plural. (See: Forms of You)

τοῦ Πατρὸς

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 18:15

Jesus begins to teach his disciples about forgiveness and reconciliation.

ὁ ἀδελφός σου

Here, your brother refers to a fellow believer in God, not a physical brother. Alternate translation: “your fellow believer”

ἐκέρδησας τὸν ἀδελφόν σου

Alternate translation: “you will have made your relationship with your brother good again”

Matthew 18:16

ἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν, σταθῇ πᾶν ῥῆμα

Here, mouth and word refer to what a person says. (See: Metonymy)

ἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν, σταθῇ πᾶν ῥῆμα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “so that two or three witnesses may verify that what you say about your brother is true” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 18:17

ἐὰν…παρακούσῃ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “if your fellow believer refuses to listen to the witnesses who came with you”

τῆς ἐκκλησίας

Alternate translation: “the whole community of believers”

ἔστω σοι ὥσπερ ὁ ἐθνικὸς καὶ ὁ τελώνης

This implies that they should remove him from the community of believers. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 18:18

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ὑμῖν…δήσητε…λύσητε

All occurrences of you are plural. (See: Forms of You)

ὅσα ἐὰν δήσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν λύσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ

Here, in heaven is a metonym that represents God himself. (See: Metonymy)

ὅσα ἐὰν δήσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν λύσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ

Here, bind is a metaphor meaning to forbid something, and release is a metaphor meaning to allow something. See how you translated similar phrases in 16:19. Alternate translation: “God in heaven will approve whatever you forbid or allow on earth” (See: Metaphor)

λέγω ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

Matthew 18:19

ἐὰν δύο…ἐξ ὑμῶν

It is implied that Jesus means “if at least two of you” or “if two or more of you.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐὰν αἰτήσωνται…αὐτοῖς

These refer to the “two of you.” Alternate translation: “you might ask … for you”

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 18:20

δύο ἢ τρεῖς

It is implied that Jesus means “two or more” or “at least two.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

συνηγμένοι

Alternate translation: “meeting together”

εἰς τὸ ἐμὸν ὄνομα

Here, name refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because they are my disciples” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 18:22

ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά

This could mean: (1) 70 times 7. (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: Numbers)

Matthew 18:23

ὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

This introduces a parable. See how you translated a similar parable introduction in 13:24. (See: Parables)

συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “his slaves to pay him what they owed”

Matthew 18:24

προσηνέχθη εἷς αὐτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “someone brought one of the king’s servants to him” (See: Active or Passive)

μυρίων ταλάντων

Alternate translation: “of ten thousand talents” or “more money than the servant could ever repay” (See: Numbers)

μυρίων ταλάντων

A “talent” was equal to one day’s wage. (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 18:25

ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι, καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα, καὶ τὰ τέκνα, καὶ πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the king commanded his servants to sell the man along with his wife and children and everything that he had, and to pay the debt with the money from the sale” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 18:26

πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει

This shows that the slave approached the king in the most humble way possible. (See: Symbolic Action)

προσεκύνει αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “was bowing down before the king”

Matthew 18:27

σπλαγχνισθεὶς

Alternate translation: “feeling compassion for the slave”

ἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “let him go”

Matthew 18:28

ἑκατὸν δηνάρια

Alternate translation: “one hundred days’ wages” (See: Biblical Money)

κρατήσας αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “when first slave had grasped his fellow slave”

κρατήσας

Alternate translation: “having taken hold of” or “having seized”

Matthew 18:29

πεσὼν

This shows that the fellow slave approached the first slave in the most humble way possible. See how you translated this in 18:26. (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 18:30

ἀπελθὼν, ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν

Alternate translation: “the first slave went and threw his fellow slave into prison”

Matthew 18:31

οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the other slaves”

διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν

Alternate translation: “they told the king”

Matthew 18:32

τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “Then the king called the first slave and”

Matthew 18:33

οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς κἀγὼ σὲ ἠλέησα?

The king uses a question to scold the first servant. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have had mercy on your fellow slave, just as I also had mercy on you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 18:34

ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the king”

παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν

Most likely the king himself did not take the first slave to the torturers. Alternate translation: “he ordered his slaves to give him over” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοῖς βασανισταῖς

Alternate translation: “to those who would torture him”

τὸ ὀφειλόμενον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that the first slave owed the king” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 18:35

ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ὑμῖν…ἕκαστος…ὑμῶν

All occurrences of you and your are plural. Jesus is speaking to his disciples, but this parable teaches a general truth that applies to all believers. (See: Forms of You)

ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν

Here, heart is a metonym for a person’s inner being. (See: Metonymy)

ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν

The phrase from your heart is an idiom that means “sincerely.” Alternate translation: “sincerely” or “completely” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 19

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 (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 (1:12).

Matthew 19:1

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that runs through 22:46, which tells of Jesus ministering in Judea. These verses provide background information of how Jesus came to be in Judea. (See: Background Information)

ἐτέλεσεν…τοὺς λόγους τούτους

Here, these words refers to what Jesus taught starting in 18:1. Alternate translation: “had finished teaching these things” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 19:3

Jesus begins to teach about marriage and divorce.

προσῆλθον αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “came to Jesus”

πειράζοντες αὐτὸν καὶ λέγοντες

Here, testing is used in a negative sense. Alternate translation: “and challenged him by asking him” or “and wanted to trap him by asking him”

Matthew 19:4

οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε, ὅτι ὁ ποιήσας ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ, ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς

This rhetorical question continues to the end of the next verse. Jesus uses this question to remind the Pharisees of what the scripture says about men, women, and marriage. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you have read that in the beginning when God created people he made them male and female,” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 19:5

ἕνεκα τούτου καταλείψει ἄνθρωπος τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν?

In this verse, Jesus quotes from Genesis to show that a husband and wife should not divorce.

καὶ εἶπεν, ἕνεκα τούτου καταλείψει ἄνθρωπος τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν?

This verse is the second part of the rhetorical question that Jesus began in the previous verse. (See: Rhetorical Question)

καὶ εἶπεν, ἕνεκα τούτου καταλείψει ἄνθρωπος τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν?

The direct quotation can be expressed as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “and said that this is the reason that a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’?” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἕνεκα τούτου

This phrase 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 man’s companion.

κολληθήσεται τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “will stay close to his wife” or “will live with his wife”

ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν

This is a metaphor that emphasizes the unity of a husband and a wife. Alternate translation: “they will become like one person” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 19:6

ὥστε οὐκέτι εἰσὶν δύο, ἀλλὰ σὰρξ μία

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 19:7

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “The Pharisees said to Jesus”

Μωϋσῆς ἐνετείλατο

Alternate translation: “has Moses command us Jews”

βιβλίον ἀποστασίου

A certificate of divorce is a document that legally ends a marriage.

Matthew 19:8

πρὸς τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν

The phrase hardness of heart is a metaphor that means “stubbornness.” Alternate translation: “Because of your stubbornness” or “Because you are stubborn” (See: Metaphor)

τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν…ἐπέτρεψεν ὑμῖν…τὰς γυναῖκας ὑμῶν

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: Forms of You)

ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς δὲ

Here, the beginning refers to when God first created man and woman. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 19:9

λέγω…ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

γαμήσῃ ἄλλην

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “may marry another woman” (See: Ellipsis)

καὶ ὁ ἀπολελυμένην γαμήσας μοιχᾶται

Many early texts do not include these words. (See: Textual Variants)

Matthew 19:11

οἷς δέδοται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God allows” or “those whom God enables” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 19:12

εἰσὶν γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι, οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτως

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “there are men whom other men have made eunuchs” (See: Active or Passive)

εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς

This could mean: (1) Jesus is referring to men who have made themselves eunuchs by removing their private parts. (2) Jesus is referring to men who choose to remain unmarried and sexually pure. (See: Metaphor)

διὰ τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “so they can better serve our God in heaven” (See: Metonymy)

χωρεῖν, χωρείτω

Alternate translation: “to accept this teaching, let him accept it”

Matthew 19:13

Jesus receives and blesses little children.

προσηνέχθησαν αὐτῷ παιδία

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “some people brought little children to Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 19:14

μὴ κωλύετε αὐτὰ ἐλθεῖν πρός με

Alternate translation: “do not stop them from coming to me”

τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use heavens 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: Metonymy)

τῶν…τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

This is a simile that means those who are humble like children will enter God’s kingdom. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of the heavens belongs to those who are like children” (See: Simile)

Matthew 19:16

Here the scene shifts to a different time when Jesus explains to a rich man what it will cost to follow him.

ἰδοὺ, εἷς

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

ἀγαθὸν

Here, good thing means a thing that pleases God.

Matthew 19:17

τί με ἐρωτᾷς περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ?

Jesus uses this rhetorical question to encourage the man to think about his reason for asking Jesus about what is good. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You ask me about what is good” or “Think about why you ask me about what is good.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

εἷς ἐστιν ὁ ἀγαθός

Alternate translation: “God alone is completely good”

εἰς τὴν ζωὴν εἰσελθεῖν

Alternate translation: “to receive eternal life”

Matthew 19:19

ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου

The Jewish people believed that their neighbors were only other Jews. Jesus is extending that definition to include all people.

Matthew 19:21

πτωχοῖς

If your readers would misunderstand the nominal adjective poor, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “to those who are poor” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανοῖς

The phrase treasure in the heavens is a metaphor that refers to a reward from God. Alternate translation: “God will reward you in the heavens” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 19:23

Jesus explains to his disciples the rewards of giving up material possessions and relationships to follow him.

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

δυσκόλως εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. This phrase is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “to accept with difficulty our God in heaven as their king” or “to enter with difficulty into God’s kingdom” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 19:24

εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστιν κάμηλον διὰ τρήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν Θεοῦ

Jesus uses an exaggeration to illustrate how very difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. (See: Hyperbole)

τρήματος ῥαφίδος

The eye is the hole near one end of a needle, through which thread is passed.

Matthew 19:25

ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα

It is implied that they were astonished because they believed having riches was proof that God approved of someone. Alternate translation: “the disciples were amazed” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι?

The disciples use a question to emphasize their surprise. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. (See: Rhetorical Question)

τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι?

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 19:27

ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα

Alternate translation: “we have left all our wealth” or “we have given up all our possessions”

τί ἄρα ἔσται ἡμῖν?

Alternate translation: “What good thing will God give us?”

Matthew 19:28

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ἐν τῇ παλιγγενεσίᾳ

This refers to when God restores all things. Alternate translation: “at the time when God makes all things new” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

καθίσῃ…ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ

Sitting on his throne represents ruling as a king. His throne being glorious represents his rule being glorious. Alternate translation: “may sit as king on his glorious throne” or “will rule gloriously as king” (See: Metonymy)

καθήσεσθε καὶ…ἐπὶ δώδεκα θρόνους

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: “will also sit as kings on 12 thrones” (See: Metonymy)

τὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ

Here, tribes refers to people from those tribes. Alternate translation: “the people of the 12 tribes of Israel” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 19:29

ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἐμοῦ ὀνόματός

Here, name refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because he believes in me” (See: Metonymy)

ἑκατονταπλασίονα λήμψεται

Alternate translation: “will receive from God one hundred times as many good things as they gave up”

ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσει

This is an idiom that means “God will bless them with eternal life” or “God will cause them to live forever.” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 19:30

πολλοὶ δὲ ἔσονται πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι, καὶ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι

Here, first and last refer to people’s status or importance. Jesus is contrasting people’s 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”

Matthew 20

Matthew 20 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The parable of the landowner and his vineyard

Jesus tells this parable (20:1-16) to teach his disciples that what God says is right is different from what people say is right.

Matthew 20:1

Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who hires workers, to illustrate how God will reward those who belong to the kingdom of heaven.

ὁμοία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

This is the beginning of a parable. See how you translated the introduction to the parable in 13:24. (See: Parables)

Matthew 20:2

συμφωνήσας

Alternate translation: “after the landowner had agreed”

δηναρίου

A denarius was a coin equal to the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “one day’s wages” (See: Biblical Money)

ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “he sent them to work in his vineyard”

Matthew 20:3

καὶ ἐξελθὼν

Alternate translation: “The landowner went out again”

τρίτην ὥραν

The third hour is around 9 AM. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούς

Alternate translation: “standing in the marketplace not doing anything” or “standing in the marketplace with no work to do”

τῇ ἀγορᾷ

A marketplace a large, open-air area where people buy and sell food and other items.

Matthew 20:5

πάλιν ἐξελθὼν

Alternate translation: “Again the landowner went out”

περὶ ἕκτην καὶ ἐνάτην ὥραν

The sixth hour is around noon. The ninth hour is around 3 PM. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως

This means the landowner went to the marketplace and hired workers.

Matthew 20:6

τὴν ἑνδεκάτην

The eleventh hour is about 5 PM. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἑστῶτας

Alternate translation: “not doing anything” or “not having any work”

Matthew 20:8

ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων

You can make explicit 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”

Matthew 20:10

δηνάριον

A denarius was a coin equal to the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “one day’s wages” (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 20:11

λαβόντες

Alternate translation: “when the workers who had worked the longest had received a denarius”

τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου

Alternate translation: “the vineyard owner”

Matthew 20:12

ἴσους ἡμῖν αὐτοὺς ἐποίησας

Alternate translation: “you have paid them the same amount of money as you paid us”

τοῖς βαστάσασι τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα

The phrase borne the burden of the day is an idiom that means “worked the entire day.” Alternate translation: “who have worked the entire day, even during the hottest part” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 20:13

ἑνὶ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “to one of the workers who had worked the longest”

ἑταῖρε

Translate Friend a word that one man would use to address another man whom he is politely rebuking.

οὐχὶ δηναρίου συνεφώνησάς μοι

The landowner uses a question to rebuke the workers who were complaining. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We already agreed that I would give you one denarius.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

δηναρίου

A denarius was a coin equal to the daily wage at that time. Alternate translation: “for one day’s wages” (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 20:15

ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι, ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς?

The landowner uses a question to correct the workers who were complaining. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I can do what I want with my own possessions.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι?

The landowner uses a question to rebuke the workers who were complaining. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not be jealous when I am generous to other people.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 20:16

οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι, καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι

Here, first and last refer to people’s status or importance. Jesus is contrasting people’s status now with their status in the kingdom of heaven. See how you translated a similar statement in 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”

οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι

Here the parable has ended and Jesus is speaking. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus said, ‘In the same way, the last will be first’”

Matthew 20:17

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a third time as he and his disciples travel to Jerusalem.

ἀναβαίνων ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα

Jerusalem was on top of a hill, so people had to travel up to get there.

Matthew 20:18

ἰδοὺ, ἀναβαίνομεν

Jesus uses the word Behold to tell the disciples the must pay attention to what he is about to tell them.

ἀναβαίνομεν

Here, we refers to Jesus and the disciples. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “someone will deliver the Son of Man” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου…αὐτὸν

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate these in the first person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

κατακρινοῦσιν

The chief priests and scribes will condemn Jesus.

Matthew 20:19

καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εἰς τὸ ἐμπαῖξαι

The chief priests and scribes will deliver Jesus to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles will mock him.

μαστιγῶσαι

Alternate translation: “to whip him” or “to beat him with whips”

τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ

The word third is the ordinal form of “three.” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

αὐτὸν…σταυρῶσαι…ἀναστήσεται

Jesus is referring to himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate these in the first person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἀναστήσεται

The words be raised up are an idiom for “be made alive again.” If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will raise him up” or “God will make him alive again” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 20:20

τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου

The sons of Zebedee were James and John.

Matthew 20:21

ἐκ δεξιῶν…ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου

These phrases refer to having positions of power, authority, and honor. (See: Metonymy)

ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου

Here, kingdom refers to Jesus ruling as king. Alternate translation: “when you are king” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 20:22

οὐκ οἴδατε

You is plural and refers to the mother and the sons. (See: Forms of You)

δύνασθε

Here, you is plural, but Jesus is only talking to the two sons. (See: Forms of You)

πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ μέλλω πίνειν

To drink the cup or “drink from the cup” is an idiom that means to experience suffering. Alternate translation: “to suffer what I am about to suffer” (See: Idiom)

λέγουσιν

Alternate translation: “The sons of Zebedee said” or “James and John said”

Matthew 20:23

τὸ μὲν ποτήριόν μου πίεσθε

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: Idiom)

δεξιῶν…εὐωνύμων

These phrases refer to having positions of power, authority, and honor. See how you translated this in 20:21. (See: Metonymy)

οἷς ἡτοίμασται ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατρός μου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “my Father has prepared those places, and he will give them to whom he chooses” (See: Active or Passive)

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 20:24

ἀκούσαντες

Alternate translation: “having heard what James and John had asked Jesus”

ἠγανάκτησαν περὶ τῶν δύο ἀδελφῶν

If necessary, you can make explicit why the ten disciples were angry. Alternate translation: “were very angry with the two brothers because each of them also wanted to sit in a place of honor next to Jesus” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 20:25

προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς

Alternate translation: “having called the 12 disciples”

οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “the Gentile kings forcefully rule over their people”

οἱ μεγάλοι

Alternate translation: “the important men among the Gentiles”

κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “have control over the people”

Matthew 20:26

ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ

Alternate translation: “whoever wants”

Matthew 20:27

εἶναι πρῶτος

Alternate translation: “to be most important”

Matthew 20:28

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου…τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. If necessary, you can translate this in the first person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

οὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “but to serve other people” (See: Ellipsis)

καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν

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: Metaphor)

καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ

To give one’s life is an idiom meaning to die voluntarily, usually in order to help others. Alternate translation: “and to die” (See: Idiom)

ἀντὶ πολλῶν

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “in exchange for many people” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 20:29

This begins an account of Jesus healing two blind men.

ἐκπορευομένων αὐτῶν

Here, they refers to the disciples and Jesus.

ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “followed Jesus”

Matthew 20:30

ἀκούσαντες

Alternate translation: “When the two blind men heard”

παράγει

Alternate translation: “was walking by them”

Υἱὸς Δαυείδ

Jesus was not David’s 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.

Matthew 20:32

ἐφώνησεν αὐτοὺς

Alternate translation: “called to the blind men”

Matthew 20:33

ἵνα ἀνοιγῶσιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν

The men speak of becoming able to see as if their eyes were to be opened. (See: Metaphor)

ἵνα ἀνοιγῶσιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν

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: Ellipsis)

Matthew 20:34

σπλαγχνισθεὶς

Alternate translation: “having compassion on them” or “feeling compassion for them”

Matthew 21

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.

Matthew 21:1

This begins the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Here he gives his disciples instructions about what they are to do.

Βηθφαγὴ

Bethphage was a village near Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 21:2

ὄνον δεδεμένην

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “a donkey that someone has tied up” (See: Active or Passive)

δεδεμένην

You can make explicit how the donkey is tied up. Alternate translation: “tied up to a post” or “tied up to a tree” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πῶλον

This colt was a young male donkey.

Matthew 21:4

Here the author quotes the prophet Zechariah to show that Jesus fulfilled prophecy by riding a donkey into Jerusalem.

δὲ

The word Now is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew explains how Jesus’ actions fulfill scripture.

τοῦτο…γέγονεν, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “this happened so that Jesus would fulfill what God spoke through the prophet long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

διὰ τοῦ προφήτου

There were many prophets. Matthew was speaking of Zechariah. Alternate translation: “the prophet Zechariah” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 21:5

τῇ θυγατρὶ Σιών

The daughter of a city means the people of the city. Alternate translation: “the people of Zion” or “the people who live in Zion”

Σιών

Zion is another name for Jerusalem.

ἐπὶ ὄνον καὶ ἐπὶ πῶλον, υἱὸν ὑποζυγίου

The phrase on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden is explaining that the donkey is a young animal. Alternate translation: “on a young, male donkey”

Matthew 21:7

τὰ ἱμάτια

These cloaks were outer clothing or long coats.

Matthew 21:8

ὄχλος ἔστρωσαν ἑαυτῶν τὰ ἱμάτια ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; ἄλλοι δὲ ἔκοπτον κλάδους ἀπὸ τῶν δένδρων, καὶ ἐστρώννυον ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

The crowd did these acts to show honor to Jesus as he was entering Jerusalem. (See: Symbolic Action)

ὄχλος ἔστρωσαν ἑαυτῶν τὰ ἱμάτια ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; ἄλλοι δὲ ἔκοπτον κλάδους ἀπὸ τῶν δένδρων, καὶ ἐστρώννυον ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

You can state clearly that they did this to honor Jesus. Alternate translation: “the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and were spreading them in the road in order to show honor to Jesus” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 21:9

ὡσαννὰ

Hosanna means “Save us,” but it can also mean “Praise God!”

τῷ Υἱῷ Δαυείδ

Jesus was not David’s 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.

ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου

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: Metonymy)

ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 21:10

ἐσείσθη πᾶσα ἡ πόλις

Here, city refers to the people living there. Alternate translation: “many people from all over the city were stirred” (See: Metonymy)

ἐσείσθη

Alternate translation: “was excited”

Matthew 21:12

This begins the account of Jesus entering into the temple.

εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὸ ἱερόν

Jesus did not enter the actual temple. He entered the courtyard around the temple. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοὺς πωλοῦντας καὶ ἀγοράζοντας

Merchants were selling animals and other items that travelers bought to offer the proper sacrifices at the temple.

Matthew 21:13

ὁ οἶκός μου οἶκος προσευχῆς κληθήσεται; ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτὸν ποιεῖτε σπήλαιον λῃστῶν

In this verse, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to rebuke the vendors and money changers.

λέγει αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “Jesus said to those who were changing money and buying and selling things”

γέγραπται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “The prophets wrote long ago” or “God said long ago” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ οἶκός μου…κληθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “People should call my house” or “My house will be” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ οἶκός μου

Here, My refers to God and house refers to the temple.

οἶκος προσευχῆς

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “a place where people pray” (See: Idiom)

σπήλαιον λῃστῶν

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 21:14

τυφλοὶ καὶ χωλοὶ

If your language does not use the nominal adjectives blind and lame, you can express them as adjectives. Alternate translation: “those who were blind and those who were lame” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

χωλοὶ

To be lame is to have an injured foot or leg that makes walking difficult.

Matthew 21:15

τὰ θαυμάσια

This phrase refers to Jesus healing the blind and lame people in 21:14. Alternate translation: “the wonderful things” or “the miracles”

ὡσαννὰ

Hosanna means “Save us” but can also mean “Praise God!” See how you translated this in 21:9.

τῷ Υἱῷ Δαυείδ

Jesus was not David’s 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 21:9.

ἠγανάκτησαν

It is implied that they were very 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 21:16

ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων, κατηρτίσω αἶνον

In verse 16, Jesus quotes from the Psalms to justify how the people had responded to him.

ἀκούεις τί οὗτοι λέγουσιν?

The chief priests and scribes ask this question to rebuke Jesus because they are angry with him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not allow them to say these things about you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε, ὅτι ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων, κατηρτίσω αἶνον?

Jesus asks this question to remind the chief priests and scribes of what they had studied in the scriptures. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I hear them, but you should remember what you read in the scriptures, ‘From the mouths of little children and nursing infants you have prepared praise’?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων, κατηρτίσω αἶνον

From the mouths refers to speaking. Alternate translation: “You caused little children and nursing infants to prepare to give praise to God” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 21:17

καταλιπὼν αὐτοὺς

Alternate translation: “after Jesus left the chief priests and scribes”

Matthew 21:18

δὲ

Th word when 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.

Matthew 21:19

Jesus uses a fig tree to teach his disciples about faith and prayer.

ἐξηράνθη

Alternate translation: “died and dried up”

Matthew 21:20

πῶς παραχρῆμα ἐξηράνθη ἡ συκῆ?

The disciples use a question to emphasize how surprised they are. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We are astonished that the fig tree has dried up so quickly!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐξηράνθη

Alternate translation: “did … dry up and die”

Matthew 21:21

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν καὶ μὴ διακριθῆτε

Jesus expresses the same idea both positively and negatively to emphasize that this faith must be genuine. Alternate translation: “if you truly believe” (See: Doublet)

κἂν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ εἴπητε, ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν,

You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “you will even be able to tell this mountain to be taken up and be thrown into the sea,” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

κἂν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ εἴπητε, ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν,

You can translate this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “you will even be able to tell this mountain to get up and throw itself into the sea,” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 21:23

This begins the account of the religious leaders questioning Jesus’ authority.

ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν

It is implied that Jesus did not enter the actual temple. He entered the courtyard around the temple. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ταῦτα

Here, these things refers to Jesus teaching and healing in the temple. It probably also refers to Jesus driving out the buyers and sellers the previous day.

Matthew 21:25

πόθεν ἦν?

Alternate translation: “where did he get the authority to do that?”

ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν, διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ?

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: Quotes within Quotes)

ἐξ οὐρανοῦ

Here, heaven refers to God. Alternate translation: “from God in heaven” (See: Metonymy)

διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ?

The religious leaders know that Jesus could scold them with this rhetorical question. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Then you should have believed John the Baptist” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 21:26

ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων,

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: Quotes within Quotes)

φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον

Alternate translation: “we fear what the crowd would think or even do to us”

πάντες…ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην

Alternate translation: “they believe John is a prophet”

Matthew 21:28

Jesus tells a parable about two sons to rebuke the religious leaders and to illustrate their unbelief. (See: Parables)

τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ?

Jesus uses a question to challenge the religious leaders to think deeply about the parable he will tell them. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me what you think about what I am about to tell you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 21:29

μεταμεληθεὶς

This refers to the son reconsidering his thoughts and deciding to act differently from how he had said he would act. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 21:31

λέγουσιν

Alternate translation: “The chief priests and elders said”

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς

Alternate translation: “Jesus said to the chief priests and elders”

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν Θεοῦ

Here, kingdom of God refers to God’s 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: Metonymy)

προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς

This could mean: (1) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes sooner than he will accept the Jewish religious leaders. (2) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes instead of the Jewish religious leaders.

Matthew 21:32

ἦλθεν…Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς

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: Forms of You)

ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης

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: Idiom)

οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ

Here, you is plural and refers to the religious leaders. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 21:33

To rebuke the religious leaders and illustrate their unbelief, Jesus tells a parable about rebellious servants. (See: Parables)

οἰκοδεσπότης

Alternate translation: “a person who owned a piece of property”

φραγμὸν

Alternate translation: “a wall” or “a fence made of bushes”

ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν

Alternate translation: “dug a hole in the vineyard in which to press the grapes”

ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς

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.

γεωργοῖς

These vine growers were people who knew how to take care of vines and grapes.

Matthew 21:35

τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the landowner’s servants”

Matthew 21:40

οὖν

The word Therefore indicates that what follows is the result of what has happened in the previous verse. (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

Matthew 21:41

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ

Matthew does not make clear who answered Jesus. If you need to specify an audience you can translate as “The people said to Jesus.”

Matthew 21:42

λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας; παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that God will honor the one whom the religious leaders reject.

Here Jesus begins to explain the parable of the rebellious servants.

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς

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 21:41.

οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς Γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας; παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν?

Jesus uses a question to make his audience think deeply about what this scripture means. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Think about what you have read in the scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner. This was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας

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: Metaphor)

ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “is now the cornerstone” (See: Active or Passive)

παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη

Alternate translation: “The Lord has caused this great change”

ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν

Here, in our eyes refers to seeing. Alternate translation: “it is wonderful to see” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 21:43

λέγω ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

ὑμῖν

Here, you is plural. Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders who had rejected him. (See: Forms of You)

ἀρθήσεται ἀφ’ ὑμῶν ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ δοθήσεται ἔθνει

Here, kingdom of God refers to God’s rule as king. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will reject you and he will be king over people from other nations” (See: Metonymy)

ἀρθήσεται ἀφ’ ὑμῶν ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ δοθήσεται ἔθνει

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take his kingdom away from you and will give it to a nation” (See: Active or Passive)

ποιοῦντι τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς

Here, fruits is a metaphor for “results” or “outcomes.” Alternate translation: “that produces good results” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 21:44

ὁ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν λίθον τοῦτον, συνθλασθήσεται

Here, this stone is the same stone as in 21:42. This is a metaphor that means the Christ will destroy anyone who rebels against him. (See: Metaphor)

ὁ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν λίθον τοῦτον, συνθλασθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the stone will break into pieces anyone who falls on it” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐφ’ ὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν

This means basically the same thing as the previous sentence. (See: Parallelism)

ἐφ’ ὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν

This is a metaphor that means the Christ will have the final judgment and will destroy everyone who rebels against him. (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 21:45

The religious leaders react to the parable that Jesus told.

τὰς παραβολὰς αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “Jesus’ parables”

Matthew 22

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 David’s son?” (Matthew 22:45).

Matthew 22:1

To rebuke the religious leaders and to illustrate their unbelief, Jesus tells a parable about a marriage feast. (See: Parables)

αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “to the people”

Matthew 22:2

ὡμοιώθη ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

This is the beginning of a parable. See how you translated this in 13:24.

Matthew 22:3

τοὺς κεκλημένους

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the people the king had invited” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 22:4

δούλους λέγων, εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “servants, saying, ‘Tell those whom I have invited” (See: Active or Passive)

δούλους λέγων, εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις

You can state this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “servants, ordering them to tell those whom he invited” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “My servants have killed my oxen and my fattened calves” (See: Active or Passive)

οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα

It is implied that the animals are cooked and ready to eat. Alternate translation: “My servants have killed and cooked my oxen and my fattened calves” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ

Alternate translation: “My best oxen and calves for eating”

Matthew 22:5

οἱ δὲ ἀμελήσαντες

Alternate translation: “But the guests the king invited, ignoring the invitation”

Matthew 22:7

ἀπώλεσεν τοὺς φονεῖς ἐκείνους

It is implied that it was the king’s soldiers who killed the murderers. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 22:8

οἱ…κεκλημένοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom I invited” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 22:9

τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὁδῶν

The king is sending the servants to the place where they are most likely to find people. Alternate translation: “the crossroads” or “where the main roads of the city cross”

Matthew 22:10

πονηρούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς

Alternate translation: “both the good people and the bad people”

καὶ ἐπλήσθη ὁ γάμος ἀνακειμένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “So the guests filled the wedding hall” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ γάμος

A wedding hall was a large room where weddings were performed.

Matthew 22:12

πῶς εἰσῆλθες ὧδε μὴ ἔχων ἔνδυμα γάμου?

The king uses a question to scold the guest. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “you are not wearing proper clothes for a wedding. You should not be here.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ…ἐφιμώθη

Alternate translation: “the man was silent”

Matthew 22:13

δήσαντες αὐτοῦ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας

Alternate translation: “After you have tied him up so that he cannot move his hands or feet”

τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον

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 8:12. Alternate translation: “the dark place away from God” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, the grinding of teeth is symbolic action, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and expressing their extreme suffering” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 22:14

πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσιν κλητοὶ, ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For God invites many people, but he only chooses a few” (See: Active or Passive)

γάρ

Here, For marks a transition. Jesus has ended the parable and will now explain the point of the parable.

Matthew 22:15

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.

ὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν ἐν λόγῳ

Alternate translation: “how they could cause Jesus to say something wrong so they could arrest him”

Matthew 22:16

τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν…τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Ἡρῳδιανῶν

The Herodians were officials and followers of the Jewish king Herod. He was friends with Roman authorities. (See: How to Translate Names)

οὐ…βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων

Alternate translation: “you do not show special honor to anyone” or “you do not consider anyone more important than anyone else”

Matthew 22:17

δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 22:18

τί με πειράζετε, ὑποκριταί?

Jesus uses a question to scold those who were trying to trap him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not test me, you hypocrites!” or “I know that you hypocrites are only trying to test me!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 22:19

δηνάριον

The denarius was a Roman coin worth one day’s wages. (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 22:20

αὐτοῖς

Here, them refers to the Herodians and the disciples of the Pharisees.

τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή?

Jesus uses a question to get the people to think deeply about what he is saying. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me whose image and name you see on this coin.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 22:21

Καίσαρος

You can make clear the understood information in their response. Alternate translation: “The coin has Caesar’s image and name on it” (See: Ellipsis)

τὰ Καίσαρος

Alternate translation: “the things that belong to Caesar”

τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Alternate translation: “the things that belong to God”

Matthew 22:23

The Sadducees try to trap Jesus by asking him a difficult question about marriage and the resurrection of the dead.

Matthew 22:24

Διδάσκαλε, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν, ἐάν τις ἀποθάνῃ

The religious leaders were asking Jesus about what Moses had written in the Scriptures. If your language does not allow quotes within quotes, you could state this as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ…τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ…τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ

Here, his refers to the dead man.

Matthew 22:25

ὁ πρῶτος

Alternate translation: “the oldest” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Matthew 22:26

ὁ δεύτερος…ὁ τρίτος…τῶν ἑπτά

Alternate translation: “the next oldest … the next oldest … the youngest” or “his oldest younger brother … that brother’s oldest younger brother … the youngest” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Matthew 22:27

ὕστερον…πάντων

Alternate translation: “after every brother had died”

Matthew 22:28

οὖν

The Sadducees use the word Therefore to shift from the story about the seven brothers to their actual question.

ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει

Alternate translation: “when dead people come back to life”

Matthew 22:29

πλανᾶσθε

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πλανᾶσθε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “You are mistaken” (See: Active or Passive)

τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Alternate translation: “what God is able to do”

Matthew 22:30

ἐν…τῇ ἀναστάσει

Alternate translation: “when dead people rise back to life”

οὔτε γαμοῦσιν

Alternate translation: “people do not marry”

οὔτε γαμίζονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “nor will people give their children in marriage” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 22:31

Jesus begins asking a question to show that people who have died will live again.

οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ λέγοντος

This is the first part of a rhetorical question that continues into the next verse. Jesus scolds the Sadducees by asking a question. He is not looking for an answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know you have read what was spoken to you by God. You know that he said,” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “what God spoke to you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 22:32

ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know you have read it, but you do not seem to understand what God meant when he said he was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ?

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: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

νεκρῶν, ἀλλὰ ζώντων

If your language does not use the nominal adjectives dead and living, you can express them as adjectives. Alternate translation: “of dead people, but he is the God of living people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 22:34

A Pharisee who was an expert in the law tries to trap Jesus by asking him a difficult question about the greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:35

νομικὸς

This is a Pharisee who had special skill in understanding the law of Moses. Alternate translation: “an expert in the law”

Matthew 22:37

ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου

Jesus quotes a verse from Deuteronomy as the greatest commandment.

ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου

These three phrases are used together to mean “completely” or “earnestly.” (See: Doublet)

ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου

Here, heart and soul are metonyms for a person’s inner being. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 22:38

ἡ μεγάλη καὶ πρώτη ἐντολή

Here, great and first mean the same thing. They emphasize that this is the most important commandment. (See: Doublet)

Matthew 22:39

ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν

Jesus quotes a verse from Leviticus as the second greatest commandment.

τὸν πλησίον σου

Here, neighbor means more than just those who live nearby. Jesus means a person must love all people.

Matthew 22:40

ἐν ταύταις ταῖς δυσὶν ἐντολαῖς, ὅλος ὁ νόμος κρέμαται καὶ οἱ προφῆται

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 22:41

Jesus asks the Pharisees a difficult question in order to stop their attempts to trap him.

δὲ

The word Now 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.

Matthew 22:42

υἱός

Here, son means “descendant.”

τοῦ Δαυείδ

In this reply, it is understood that they are saying whose son the Christ will be. Alternate translation: “He is the son of David” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 22:43

In verses 43-44, Jesus quotes from the Psalms to show that the Christ is more than just “the son of David.”

πῶς οὖν Δαυεὶδ ἐν Πνεύματι καλεῖ Κύριον αὐτὸν

Jesus begins to ask a question to make the religious leaders think deeply about the Psalm he is about to quote. The question continues into the next verse. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Then, tell me why David in the Spirit calls him Lord, saying” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Δαυεὶδ ἐν Πνεύματι

This means the Holy Spirit is influencing what David says. Alternate translation: “David, whom the Holy Spirit is inspiring”

καλεῖ…αὐτὸν

Here, him refers to the Christ, who is also the descendant of David.

Matthew 22:44

εἶπεν Κύριος

Here, Lord refers to God the Father.

τῷ Κυρίῳ μου

Here, Lord refers to the Christ. Also, my refers to David. This means the Christ is superior to David, because he is David’s “Lord.”

κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου

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: Symbolic Action)

ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “until I conquer your enemies” or “until I make your enemies bow down before you” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 22:45

εἰ οὖν Δαυεὶδ καλεῖ αὐτὸν, Κύριον, πῶς υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἐστιν?

Jesus uses a question to make the religious leaders think deeply about what he is saying. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “David calls him ‘Lord,’ so the Christ has to be more than just a descendant of David.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

εἰ οὖν Δαυεὶδ καλεῖ αὐτὸν, Κύριον,

David referred to Jesus as Lord because Jesus was not only a descendant of David, but he was also superior to him.

Matthew 22:46

ἀποκριθῆναι αὐτῷ λόγον

Here, word refers to what people say. Alternate translation: “to answer him anything” or “to answer him” (See: Metonymy)

ἐπερωτῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐκέτι

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 23

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 God’s 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).

Matthew 23:1

This is the beginning of a new part of the story that continues to 25:46, where Jesus teaches about salvation and the final judgment. Here he begins to warn the people about the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 23:2

ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 23:3

πάντα…ὅσα ἐὰν…ποιήσατε, καὶ τηρεῖτε

Alternate translation: “all the things … do them and observe them” or “everything … do it and observe it”

Matthew 23:4

δεσμεύουσιν δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ δυσβάστακτα, καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων; αὐτοὶ δὲ τῷ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσιν κινῆσαι αὐτά

Here, bind heavy burdens … put them on people’s shoulders is a metaphor for the religious leaders making many difficult rules and making the people obey them. Alternate translation: “they make you obey many rules that are difficult to follow, but they do not lift a finger to help” (See: Metaphor)

δεσμεύουσιν δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ δυσβάστακτα, καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων; αὐτοὶ δὲ τῷ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσιν κινῆσαι αὐτά

Here, 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: Idiom)

Matthew 23:5

πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν, ποιοῦσιν πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “They do all their deeds so that people can see what they do” (See: Active or Passive)

πλατύνουσι γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα

Both of these actions are things the Pharisees do to appear as if they honor God more than other people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

φυλακτήρια

The phylacteries were small leather boxes containing paper with scripture written on it.

μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα

The Pharisees made the tassels on the bottom of their robes especially long to show their devotion to God.

Matthew 23:6

τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν…τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας

Both of these places are the places where the most important people sit.

Matthew 23:7

ταῖς ἀγοραῖς

The marketplace was a large, open-air area where people bought and sold items.

καλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, Ῥαββεί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “for people to call them ‘Rabbi.’” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 23:8

ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ κληθῆτε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “But you must not let anyone call you” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑμεῖς…ὑμῶν…ὑμεῖς

All occurrences of you and your are plural and refer to all of Jesus’ followers. (See: Forms of You)

ὑμεῖς ἀδελφοί ἐστε

Here, brothers means “fellow believers.”

Matthew 23:9

Πατέρα μὴ καλέσητε ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς;

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: Hyperbole)

ὁ Πατὴρ ὁ οὐράνιος

Father here is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 23:10

μηδὲ κληθῆτε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Also, do not let anyone call you” (See: Active or Passive)

ὅτι καθηγητὴς ὑμῶν ἐστιν εἷς, ὁ Χριστός

When Jesus said the Christ, he was speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “for I, the Christ, am your only teacher” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 23:11

ὁ…μείζων ὑμῶν

Alternate translation: “the person who is most important among you”

ὑμῶν

Here, you is plural and refers to Jesus’ followers. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 23:12

ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν

Alternate translation: “makes himself important”

ταπεινωθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will humble” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑψωθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will make important” or “God will honor” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 23:13

Jesus speaks of the kingdom of the heavens 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.” (See: Metaphor)

The words kingdom of the heavens, which refer to God, who lives in heaven, occur only in Matthew, try to use your language’s word for “heaven” in your translation. (See: Metonymy)

Jesus begins to rebuke the religious leaders because of their hypocrisy.

οὐαὶ δὲ ὑμῖν

See how you translated this in 11:21. Alternate translation: “But how terrible it will be for you”

κλείετε τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων; ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε, οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν

The phrase the kingdom of the heavens refers to God ruling over his people. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is found only in the book of Matthew. If possible, use heavens in your translation. Alternate translation: “You prevent people from accepting God, who lives in heaven, as king, but you do not accept him as king, and you make it impossible for those about to accept him as king to do so” (See: Metonymy)

κλείετε τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων; ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε, οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν

Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of the heavens 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. Alternate translation: “You make it impossible for people to enter the kingdom of heaven, but you do not enter it, and neither do you allow those about to enter to do so” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 23:15

περιάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν

This is an idiom that means they go to distant places. Alternate translation: “you travel great distances” (See: Idiom)

τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν

The sea and the dry land represent the two extremes where people can go on earth. Alternate translation: “everywhere” (See: Merism)

ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον

Alternate translation: “to make one person accept your religion”

υἱὸν Γεέννης

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: Idiom)

Matthew 23:16

ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοὶ

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand God’s truth. See how you translated “blind guides” in 15:14. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ ναῷ, οὐδέν ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “by the temple does not have to keep his oath”

ὀφείλει

Alternate translation: “he is obligated by his oath”

Matthew 23:17

μωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί!

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand God’s truth. (See: Metaphor)

τίς γὰρ μείζων ἐστίν, ὁ χρυσὸς ἢ ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν?

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the Pharisees because they treated the gold as if it were more important than the temple. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The temple that has dedicated the gold to God is more important than the gold!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν

Alternate translation: “the temple that makes the gold belong to God alone”

Matthew 23:18

καί

You can make the understood information explicit. Alternate translation: “And you also say” (See: Ellipsis)

οὐδέν ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “He does not have to do what he has sworn to do” or “He does not have to keep his oath”

τῷ δώρῳ

This gift was an animal or grain that a person would bring to God by putting it on God’s altar.

ὀφείλει

Alternate translation: “he is obligated by his oath”

Matthew 23:19

τυφλοί

The Jewish leaders were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand God’s truth. (See: Metaphor)

τί γὰρ μεῖζον, τὸ δῶρον, ἢ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον?

Jesus uses this question to rebuke the Pharisees for treating the gift as if it were more important than the altar. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The altar that makes the gift holy is greater than the gift!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον

Alternate translation: “the altar that makes the gift special to God”

Matthew 23:20

ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “by all the gifts that people have placed on it”

Matthew 23:21

τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν

This refers to God the Father.

Matthew 23:22

τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ

As in the previous verse, this refers to God the Father.

Matthew 23:23

οὐαὶ ὑμῖν…ὑποκριταί!

See how you translated this in 11:21. Alternate translation: “How terrible it will be for you”

τὸ ἡδύοσμον, καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον, καὶ τὸ κύμινον

These are various leaves and seeds people used to make food taste good. (See: Translate Unknowns)

ἀφήκατε

Alternate translation: “you have not obeyed”

τὰ βαρύτερα

Alternate translation: “the more important matters”

ταῦτα δὲ ἔδει ποιῆσαι

Alternate translation: “But you ought to have obeyed these more important laws”

κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι

If your readers would misunderstand the double-negative not … neglect, you can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “while also obeying the less important laws” (See: Double Negatives)

Matthew 23:24

ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοί!

Jesus uses this metaphor to describe the Pharisees. Jesus means that the Pharisees do not understand God’s commands or how to please him. Therefore, they cannot teach others how to please God. See how you translated this metaphor in 15:14. (See: Metaphor)

οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες!

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: Metaphor)

οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες

Jesus understands that it is impossible for a man to swallow a camel. He is exaggerating in order to emphasize how foolish the scribes and Pharisees are to ignore the most important laws. (See: Hyperbole)

οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες!

It is not possible for a person to swallow a camel. Jesus is exaggerating to emphasize how the Pharisees and scribes are ignoring thing that should be obvious to them. (See: Hyperbole)

οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα

This means to pour a liquid through a cloth to remove a gnat from a drink.

κώνωπα

A gnat is a small flying insect.

Matthew 23:25

οὐαὶ ὑμῖν…ὑποκριταί!

See how you translated this in 11:21. Alternate translation: “How terrible it will be for you”

ὅτι καθαρίζετε τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας

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: Metaphor)

γέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας

Alternate translation: “they want what others have, and they act in the interest of the self”

Matthew 23:26

Φαρισαῖε τυφλέ!

The Pharisees were spiritually blind. Although they thought of themselves as teachers, they were unable to understand God’s truth. (See: Metaphor)

καθάρισον πρῶτον τὸ ἐντὸς τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἵνα γένηται καὶ τὸ ἐκτὸς αὐτῶν καθαρόν

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 23:27

παρομοιάζετε τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις…ἀκαθαρσίας

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: Simile)

τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις

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. Alternate translation: “tombs that someone has painted white” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 23:29

τῶν δικαίων

If your language does not use the nominal adjective righteous, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “of the righteous people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 23:30

ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν

Alternate translation: “during the time of our forefathers”

οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα κοινωνοὶ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “we would not have joined with them”

ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν

Here, blood is associated with the killing of the prophets. Alternate translation: “in the killing of the prophets” or “in the murder of the prophets” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 23:31

υἱοί ἐστε

Here, sons means “descendants.”

Matthew 23:32

καὶ ὑμεῖς πληρώσατε τὸ μέτρον τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν

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: “And you finish the sins your ancestors began” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 23:33

ὄφεις, γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν

Here, serpents and vipers both refer to poisonous snakes. (See: Doublet)

ὄφεις, γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν

Here, serpents and vipers are dangerous creatures and often symbols of evil. Alternate translation: “You are as evil as dangerous and poisonous snakes” (See: Metaphor)

γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν

Here, offspring means “having the characteristic of.” See how you translated a similar phrase in 3:7.

πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς Γεέννης?

Jesus uses this question as a rebuke. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “there is no way for you to escape the judgment of hell!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 23:34

ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς προφήτας, καὶ σοφοὺς, καὶ γραμματεῖς

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”

Matthew 23:35

ἔλθῃ ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

The phrase come upon you is an idiom that means to receive punishment. Alternate translation: “God will punish you for all the righteous blood being shed on the earth” (See: Idiom)

ἔλθῃ ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

To shed blood is a metonym meaning to kill people, so “righteous blood that being shed on the earth” represents righteous people who are being killed. Alternate translation: “God will punish you for the murders of all the righteous people” (See: Metonymy)

ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος…ἕως τοῦ αἵματος

Here the word blood represents a person being killed. Alternate translation: “from the murder … to the murder” (See: Metonymy)

Ἂβελ…Ζαχαρίου

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: Merism)

Ζαχαρίου

This Zechariah was not the father of John the Baptist.

ὃν ἐφονεύσατε

Jesus does not mean the people to whom he is speaking actually killed Zechariah. He means their ancestors did.

Matthew 23:36

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 23:37

Jesus mourns over the people of Jerusalem because they reject every messenger that God sends to them.

Ἰερουσαλὴμ, Ἰερουσαλήμ

Jesus speaks as if he were talking only to the city of Jerusalem. (See: Apostrophe)

Ἰερουσαλὴμ, Ἰερουσαλήμ

Jesus speaks to the people of Jerusalem as though they were the city itself. (See: Metonymy)

τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God sends to you” (See: Active or Passive)

τὰ τέκνα σου

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: Metaphor)

ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις ἐπισυνάγει τὰ νοσσία αὐτῆς ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας

This is a simile that emphasizes Jesus’ love for the people and how he wanted to take care of them. (See: Simile)

ὄρνις

A hen is a female chicken. You can translate this with any bird that protects her children under her wing. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Matthew 23:38

ἀφίεται ὑμῖν ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν ἔρημος

Alternate translation: “God will leave your house, and it will be empty”

ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν

This could refer to: (1) the city of Jerusalem. (2) the temple. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 23:39

λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου!

Here, in the name means “in the power” or “as a representative.” See how you translated this in 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: Metonymy)

Matthew 24

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: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

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: Symbolic Prophecy)

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: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

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.

Matthew 24:1

Jesus begins to describe events that will happen before he comes again during the end times.

ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ

It is implied that Jesus was not in the temple itself. He was in the courtyard around the temple. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 24:2

οὐ βλέπετε ταῦτα πάντα?

Jesus uses a question to make the disciples think deeply about what he will tell them. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Let me tell you something about all these buildings.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον, ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται

It is implied that enemy soldiers will tear down the stones. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον, ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when the enemy soldiers come, they will tear down every stone in these buildings” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:3

τί τὸ σημεῖον τῆς σῆς παρουσίας, καὶ συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος?

Here, your coming refers to when Jesus will come in power, establishing God’s 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 24:4

βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ

Here, might lead 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:5

πολλοὶ…ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου

Here, in my name refers to “in my authority” or “as my representative.” Alternate translation: “many will claim that they have come as my representative” or “many will say they speak for me” (See: Metonymy)

πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν

Here, will lead many astray is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “will deceive many people” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:6

ὁρᾶτε, μὴ θροεῖσθε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not let these things trouble you” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:7

ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

Both of these mean the same thing. Jesus is emphasizing that people everywhere will fight each other. (See: Parallelism)

ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

Here, nation and kingdom represent the people within them. (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 24:8

ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων

Here, birth pains 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:9

παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς θλῖψιν, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν ὑμᾶς

Alternate translation: “people will give you over to the authorities, who will make you suffer and will kill you.”

ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν

Here, nations is a metonym, referring to the people of nations. (See: Metonymy)

ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “People from every nation will hate you” (See: Active or Passive)

διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου

Here, name refers to the complete person. Alternate translation: “because you believe in me” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 24:11

ἐγερθήσονται

Here, be raised up is an idiom for “become established.” Alternate translation: “will come” (See: Idiom)

καὶ πλανήσουσιν πολλούς

Here, will lead many astray is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. Alternate translation: “and will deceive many people” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:12

τὸ πληθυνθῆναι τὴν ἀνομίαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun lawlessness, you can express it with the phrase “disobeying the law.” Alternate translation: “disobeying the law will increase” or “people will disobey God’s law more and more” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν

This could mean: (1) many people will no longer love other people. (2) many people will no longer love God. (See: Idiom)

Matthew 24:13

ὁ…ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος, οὗτος σωθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will save the person who endures to the end” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας

Alternate translation: “But the person who stays faithful”

εἰς τέλος

It is not clear whether the 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.

τέλος

Alternate translation: “the end of the world” or “the end of the age”

Matthew 24:14

κηρυχθήσεται τοῦτο τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “people will tell the good news of the kingdom” (See: Active or Passive)

κηρυχθήσεται τοῦτο τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “people will tell the good news that God will rule” (See: Metonymy)

πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν

Here, nations stands for people. Alternate translation: “to all people in all places” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 24:15

τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως, τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the shameful one who defiles the things of God, about whom Daniel the prophet wrote” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω

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.

Matthew 24:17

ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος

A typical housetop where Jesus lived was flat, and people could stand on it.

Matthew 24:19

ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις

This is a polite way to say “pregnant women.” (See: Euphemism)

ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις

Alternate translation: “at that time”

Matthew 24:20

ἵνα μὴ γένηται ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν

Alternate translation: “so that you will not have to flee” or “so that you will not have to run away”

χειμῶνος

Alternate translation: “in the cold season”

Matthew 24:22

εἰ μὴ ἐκολοβώθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι, οὐκ ἂν ἐσώθη πᾶσα σάρξ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “If God does not shorten that time of suffering, everyone will die” (See: Double Negatives)

σάρξ

Here, “flesh” is poetic way of referring to human beings. Alternate translation: “people” (See: Synecdoche)

κολοβωθήσονται αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will shorten the time of suffering” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:23

μὴ πιστεύσητε

Alternate translation: “do not believe the false things they have said to you”

Matthew 24:24

ὥστε πλανῆσαι εἰ δυνατὸν καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς

Here, lead astray is a metaphor for persuading someone to believe something that is not true. You can translate this 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:26

ἐὰν…εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν, ἰδοὺ, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐστίν, μὴ ἐξέλθητε

You can state this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “if someone tells you that the Christ is in the wilderness, do not go out there” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἰδοὺ, ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις

You can state this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Or, if someone tells you that the Christ is in the inner rooms,” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις

Alternate translation: “he is in a secret room” or “he is in secret places”

Matthew 24:27

ὥσπερ…ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἐξέρχεται ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ φαίνεται ἕως δυσμῶν, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία

This means that the Son of Man will come very quickly and will be easy to see. (See: Simile)

τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 24:28

ὅπου ἐὰν ᾖ τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ συναχθήσονται οἱ ἀετοί

This is probably a proverb that the people of Jesus’ time understood. This could mean: (1) when the Son of Man comes, everyone will see him and know that he has come. (2) wherever spiritually dead people are, false prophets will be there to tell them lies. (See: Proverbs)

οἱ ἀετοί

A vulture is a large bird that eats the bodies of dead or dying creatures.

Matthew 24:29

εὐθέως…μετὰ τὴν θλῖψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων, ὁ ἥλιος

Alternate translation: “as soon as the tribulation of those days has finished, the sun”

τὴν θλῖψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων

Alternate translation: “that time of suffering”

ὁ ἥλιος σκοτισθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will make the sun dark” (See: Active or Passive)

αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν σαλευθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will shake things in the sky and above the sky” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:30

τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ

Here, tribes refers to people of different ethic groups. Alternate translation: “every people group” or “all the people” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 24:31

ἀποστελεῖ τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ μετὰ σάλπιγγος μεγάλης

Alternate translation: “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”

ἀποστελεῖ…αὐτοῦ

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐπισυνάξουσιν

Alternate translation: “his angels will gather up”

τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ

The elect are the people whom the Son of Man has chosen.

ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ἀνέμων, ἀπ’ ἄκρων οὐρανῶν ἕως ἄκρων αὐτῶν

Both of these mean the same thing, and emphasize how far the angels will go to gather the elect. (See: Parallelism)

ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ἀνέμων, ἀπ’ ἄκρων οὐρανῶν ἕως ἄκρων αὐτῶν

These phrases are idioms that mean “from everywhere.” Alternate translation: “from all over the world” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 24:33

ἐγγύς ἐστιν

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “the time for me to come is near” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐπὶ θύραις

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. Alternate translation: “close to the gates” (See: Metaphor)

Matthew 24:34

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη

Here, pass away is a polite way of saying “die.” Alternate translation: “this generation will not all die” (See: Euphemism)

ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη

This could refer to: (1) the people alive when Jesus was speaking. (2) all people alive when these things Jesus has just described happen. Try to translate so that both interpretations are possible.

ἕως ἂν πάντα ταῦτα γένηται

Alternate translation: “until God causes all these things to happen”

οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ

Alternate translation: “will certainly not disappear” or “will certainly remain alive”

Matthew 24:35

ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσεται

The phrase the heaven and the earth is 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 the heaven and the earth will pass away” (See: Synecdoche)

οἱ…λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν

Here, words refers to what Jesus has said. Alternate translation: “what I say will always be true” (See: Metonymy)

Matthew 24:36

τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ὥρας

Here, day and hour refer to the exact time that the Son of Man will return. (See: Metonymy)

οὐδὲ ὁ Υἱός

Alternate translation: “not even the Son”

Υἱός

Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Πατὴρ

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 24:37

ὥσπερ γὰρ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ Νῶε, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Alternate translation: “For at the time when the Son of Man comes, it will be like the time of Noah.”

τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 24:39

καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν

You can translate this as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “and the people did not realize anything was happening”

ἦρεν ἅπαντας; οὕτως ἔσται καὶ ἡ παρουσία τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

You can translate this as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “too them all away. This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes”

Matthew 24:40

Jesus begins to tell his disciples to be ready for his return.

τότε

This refers to the time when the Son of Man comes.

εἷς παραλαμβάνεται, καὶ εἷς ἀφίεται

This could mean: (1) the Son of Man will take one away to heaven and will leave the other on earth for punishment. (2) the angels will take one away for punishment and leave the other for blessing. (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:42

οὖν

Alternate translation: “Because what I have just said is true,”

γρηγορεῖτε

Alternate translation: “pay attention”

Matthew 24:43

εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης, ποίᾳ φυλακῇ ὁ κλέπτης ἔρχεται, ἐγρηγόρησεν ἂν, καὶ οὐκ ἂν εἴασεν διορυχθῆναι τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ

Jesus uses a parable of a master and a thief to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return. (See: Parables)

ὁ κλέπτης

Jesus is saying he will come when people are not expecting him, not that he will come to steal. (See: Metaphor)

ἐγρηγόρησεν ἂν

Alternate translation: “he would have guarded his house”

οὐκ ἂν εἴασεν διορυχθῆναι τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “would not have allowed anyone to get into his house to steal things” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:44

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 24:45

τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ πιστὸς δοῦλος καὶ φρόνιμος, ὃν κατέστησεν ὁ κύριος ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκετείας αὐτοῦ, τοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς τὴν τροφὴν ἐν καιρῷ?

Jesus uses this question to make his disciples think. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “So who is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one whom his has appointed over his household to give them their food at the proper time.” or “Be like the faithful and wise servant, whom his has appointed over his household to give them their food at the proper time.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς τὴν τροφὴν

Alternate translation: “to give the people in the master’s home their food”

Matthew 24:47

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 24:48

εἴπῃ…ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

Here, heart refers to the mind. Alternate translation: “might think in his mind” (See: Metonymy)

χρονίζει μου ὁ κύριος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “My master is slow to return” or “My master will not return for a long time” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 24:50

ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ, καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει

Both of these statements mean the same thing. They emphasize that the master will come when the servant is not expecting him. (See: Parallelism)

Matthew 24:51

διχοτομήσει αὐτὸν

This is an idiom that means to make the person suffer terribly. (See: Idiom)

τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ὑποκριτῶν θήσει

Alternate translation: “will put him with the hypocrites” or “will send him to the place where hypocrites are sent”

ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, the grinding of the teeth is a symbolic act, representing extreme suffering. See how you translated this in 8:12. Alternate translation: “people will weep and grind their teeth because of their suffering” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 25

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 bride’s 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: Symbolic Prophecy)

Matthew 25:1

Jesus tells a parable about wise and foolish virgins to illustrate that his disciples should be prepared for his return. (See: Parables)

ὁμοιωθήσεται ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

Here, kingdom of the heavens refers to God’s rule as king. The phrase kingdom of the heavens is used only in Matthew. if possible, use heavens in your translation. See how you translated this in 13:24. Alternate translation: “when our God in heaven shows himself to be king, it will be like” (See: Metonymy)

λαμπάδας

This could refer to: (1) oil lamps. (2) torches made by putting cloth around the end of a stick and wetting the cloth with oil.

Matthew 25:2

πέντε…ἐξ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “five of the virgins”

Matthew 25:3

οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον

Alternate translation: “took with them only the oil in their lamps”

Matthew 25:5

δὲ

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

χρονίζοντος…τοῦ νυμφίου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “while the bridegroom was taking a long time to arrive” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐνύσταξαν πᾶσαι

Alternate translation: “all ten virgins became sleepy”

Matthew 25:6

κραυγὴ γέγονεν

Alternate translation: “someone shouted”

Matthew 25:7

ἐκόσμησαν τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν

Alternate translation: “adjusted their lamps so they would burn brightly”

Matthew 25:8

αἱ…μωραὶ ταῖς φρονίμοις εἶπον

If your language does not use the nominal adjectives foolish and wise, you can express them as adjectives. Alternate translation: “the foolish virgins said to the wise virgins” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

αἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the fire in our lamps is about to burn out” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 25:10

ἀπερχομένων δὲ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “But while the five foolish virgins went away”

ἀγοράσαι

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “to buy more oil” (See: Ellipsis)

αἱ ἕτοιμοι

This phrase refers to the virgins who had extra oil.

ἐκλείσθη ἡ θύρα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the servants shut the door” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 25:11

ἄνοιξον ἡμῖν

You can state this implicit information explicitly. Alternate translation: “open the door for us so we can come inside” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 25:12

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

This adds emphasis to what the master says next. Alternate translation: “I tell you the truth”

οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς

Alternate translation: “I do not know who you are”

Matthew 25:13

οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἡμέραν, οὐδὲ τὴν ὥραν

Here, day and hour refer to an exact time. Alternate translation: “you do not know the exact time” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ οἴδατε τὴν ἡμέραν, οὐδὲ τὴν ὥραν

You can state the implied information explicitly. Alternate translation: “you do not know the exact time when the Son of Man will return” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 25:14

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: Parables)

ὥσπερ

The word it here refers to the kingdom of heaven (13:24).

ἀποδημῶν

Alternate translation: “was ready to go to another country” or “was to go soon to another country”

παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “put them in charge of his wealth”

τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “his property” or “his wealth”

Matthew 25:15

πέντε τάλαντα

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: Biblical Money)

ᾧ δὲ δύο, ᾧ δὲ ἕν

The word talents is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “and to another he gave two talents of gold, and to another he gave one talent of gold” or “and to another he gave two bags of gold, and to another he gave one bag of gold” (See: Ellipsis)

κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν

You can state the implicit information explicitly. Alternate translation: “according to each servant’s skill in managing wealth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 25:16

ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα

Alternate translation: “out of his investments, he earned another five talents”

Matthew 25:17

ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα δύο

Alternate translation: “earned another two talents”

Matthew 25:19

δὲ

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

Matthew 25:20

πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα

Alternate translation: “I have earned five more talents”

τάλαντα

A “talent” was worth twenty years’ wages. Avoid translating this into modern money. See how you translated this in 25:15. (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 25:21

εὖ

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. Alternate translation: “You have done well” or “You have done right”

εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου

The phrase Enter into the joy is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Come and be happy with me” (See: Idiom)

εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου

The master is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 25:22

δύο τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα

Alternate translation: “I have earned two more talents”

Matthew 25:23

εὖ

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 25:21. Alternate translation: “You have done well” or “You have done right”

εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου

The phrase Enter into the joy is an idiom. See how you translated this in 25:21. Alternate translation: “Come and be happy with me” (See: Idiom)

εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου

The master is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 25:24

θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας, καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας

The words reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter mean the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας, καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας

This refers 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: Metaphor)

οὐ διεσκόρπισας

This refers to sowing seed by gently throwing handfuls of it onto the soil. Alternate translation: “you did not scatter seed”

Matthew 25:25

ἴδε, ἔχεις τὸ σόν

Alternate translation: “Look, here is what is yours”

Matthew 25:26

πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ! ᾔδεις

Alternate translation: “You are a wicked slave who does not want to work. You knew”

θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα, καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα

The words reap where I did not sow and harvest where I did not scatter mean the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα, καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα

This refers to a farmer who gathers crops that people who work for him have planted. See how you translated this in 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: Metaphor)

Matthew 25:27

ἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “I would have received back my own money” (See: Ellipsis)

τόκῳ

This interest was a payment from the banker for the temporary use of the master’s money.

Matthew 25:28

ἄρατε…τὸ τάλαντον

The master is speaking to other servants.

τὸ τάλαντον

A talent was worth twenty years’ wages. Avoid translating this into modern money. See how you translated this in 25:15. (See: Biblical Money)

Matthew 25:29

τῷ…ἔχοντι

It is implied that the person who has something also uses it wisely. Alternate translation: “to the one who uses well what he has” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καὶ περισσευθήσεται

Alternate translation: “even much more”

τοῦ δὲ μὴ ἔχοντος

It is implied that the person does have something but he does not use it wisely. Alternate translation: “But from the one does not use well what he has” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀρθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will take away” or “I will take away” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 25:30

τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον

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 8:12. Alternate translation: “the dark place away from God” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων

Here, grinding of teeth is symbolic action, representing extreme sadness and suffering. See how you translated this in 8:12. Alternate translation: “weeping and expressing their extreme suffering” (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 25:31

Jesus begins to tell his disciples how he will judge people when he returns at the end time.

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 25:32

καὶ συναχθήσονται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “And he will gather all the nations before himself” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “in front of him”

πάντα τὰ ἔθνη

Here, nations refers to people. Alternate translation: “all people from every country” (See: Metonymy)

ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων

Jesus uses a simile to describe how he will separate the people. (See: Simile)

Matthew 25:33

καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων

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: Metaphor)

Matthew 25:34

ὁ Βασιλεὺς…αὐτοῦ

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: First, Second or Third Person)

δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ Πατρός μου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Come, you whom my Father has blessed” (See: Active or Passive)

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “inherit the kingdom that God has made ready for you” (See: Active or Passive)

κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “receive the blessings of God’s rule that he has planned to give you” (See: Metonymy)

ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

Alternate translation: “since he first created the world”

Matthew 25:37

οἱ δίκαιοι

If your language does not use the nominal adjective righteous, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the righteous people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

ἢ διψῶντα

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “Or when did we see you thirsty” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 25:38

ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν?

This is the end of a series of questions that begins in verse 37. You can state the understood information clearly. Alternate translation: “Or when did we see you naked and give you clothing?” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 25:40

ὁ Βασιλεὺς

Here, the King is another title for the Son of Man. Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “will say to those at his right hand”

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

This emphasizes what the King says next. Alternate translation: “I tell you the truth”

ἑνὶ…τῶν ἐλαχίστων

Alternate translation: “for one of the least important”

τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου

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: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε

Alternate translation: “I consider that you did it for me”

Matthew 25:41

τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “Then the King also will” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

κατηραμένοι

Alternate translation: “you people whom God has cursed”

τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον, τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the everlasting fire that God has prepared” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 25:43

γυμνὸς καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με

The words I was preceding naked are understood. Alternate translation: “I was naked, but you did not give me clothes” (See: Ellipsis)

ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ

The words “I was” preceding sick are understood. Alternate translation: “I was sick and in prison” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 25:44

ἀποκριθήσονται καὶ αὐτοὶ

Alternate translation: “those on his left will also answer”

Matthew 25:45

ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων

Alternate translation: “for any of the least important ones of my people”

οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.

Alternate translation: “I consider that you did not do it for me” or “I was really the one whom you did not help”

Matthew 25:46

καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον

Alternate translation: “And the King will send these to a place where they will receive punishment that never ends”

οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον

You can state the understood information explicitly. Alternate translation: “but the King will send the righteous to the place where they will live forever with God” (See: Ellipsis)

οἱ…δίκαιοι

If your language does not use nominative adjective righteous, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the righteous people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 26

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 Lord’s 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).

Matthew 26:1

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.

καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus’ teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: “And after” or “Then, after”

πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους

The phrase these words refers to all that Jesus taught starting in 24:3.

Matthew 26:2

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς τὸ σταυρωθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “some men will take the Son of Man to other people who will crucify him” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Matthew 26:3

Verses 3-5 give background information about the Jewish leaders’ plot to arrest and kill Jesus. (See: Background Information)

συνήχθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “came together” or “met together” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:4

δόλῳ

Alternate translation: “secretly”

Matthew 26:5

μὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ

It may be helpful to your readers to state what the leaders did not want to do during the festival. Alternate translation: “We should not kill Jesus during the festival” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ

Here, festival refers to the yearly Passover festival.

Matthew 26:6

This begins the account of a woman pouring expensive oil on Jesus before his death.

δὲ

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

Σίμωνος τοῦ λεπροῦ

It is implied that this Simon is a man whom Jesus had healed from leprosy. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 26:7

ἀνακειμένου

You can use your language’s word for the position people usually are in when they eat. Alternate translation: “and Jesus was lying on his side”

προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ γυνὴ

Alternate translation: “a woman came to Jesus”

ἀλάβαστρον

This alabaster jar was a costly container made of soft stone. (See: Translate Unknowns)

μύρου βαρυτίμου

This refers to oil that has a pleasing smell.

κατέχεεν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ

The woman did this to honor Jesus.

Matthew 26:8

εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη?

The disciples ask this question out of their anger over the woman’s actions. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “This woman has done a bad thing by wasting this ointment!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 26:9

ἐδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο πραθῆναι πολλοῦ καὶ δοθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For she could have sold this for a large amount of money and given the money” (See: Active or Passive)

πτωχοῖς

If your language does not use the nominal adjective the poor, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “to poor people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 26:10

τί κόπους παρέχετε τῇ γυναικί?

Jesus asks this question as a rebuke of his disciples. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not be troubling this woman!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

παρέχετε

Here, you is plural and refers to the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 26:11

τοὺς πτωχοὺς

If your language does not use the nominal adjective poor, you can express it as an adjective. Alternate translation: “poor people” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

Matthew 26:12

τὸ μύρον

This ointment was oil that had a pleasing smell. See how you translated this in 26:7.

Matthew 26:13

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

ὅπου ἐὰν κηρυχθῇ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦτο

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “wherever people preach this good news” (See: Active or Passive)

λαληθήσεται καὶ ὃ ἐποίησεν αὕτη εἰς μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:14

Judas Iscariot agrees to help the Jewish leaders arrest and kill Jesus.

Matthew 26:15

κἀγὼ ὑμῖν παραδώσω αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “and I will bring Jesus to you”

τριάκοντα ἀργύρια

Since these words are the same as those in an Old Testament prophecy, keep this form instead of changing it to modern money. Alternate translation: “thirty pieces of silver”

Matthew 26:16

ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ

Alternate translation: “so that he would give him over to them”

Matthew 26:17

This begins the account of Jesus celebrating the Passover with his disciples.

δὲ

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

Matthew 26:18

ὁ 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.

This has quotations within quotations. You can state some of the direct quotations as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “But 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 “But he told his disciples to go into the city to a certain man and say to him that the Teacher’s time is at hand and he will keep the Passover with his disciples at that man’s house.” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

ὁ καιρός μου

This could refer to: (1) the time that Jesus told them about. (2) the time God has set for Jesus.

ἐγγύς ἐστιν

This could mean: (1) it “is near.” (2) it “has come.” (See: Idiom)

ποιῶ τὸ Πάσχα

Alternate translation: “I am eat the Passover meal” or “I am celebrating the Passover by eating the special meal”

Matthew 26:20

ἀνέκειτο

Translate reclining with the word for the position people in your culture usually are in when they eat.

Matthew 26:21

ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν

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

Matthew 26:22

μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, Κύριε?

This could be: (1) a rhetorical question since the apostles were sure they would not betray Jesus. Alternate translation: “Lord, I would never betray you!” (2) a sincere question since Jesus’ statement probably troubled and confused them. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 26:24

ὁ μὲν Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

ὑπάγει

Here, depart is a polite way to refer to dying. Alternate translation: “will go to his death” or “will die” (See: Euphemism)

καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “just as the prophets wrote about him in the scriptures” (See: Active or Passive)

τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι’ οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “to the man who betrays the Son of Man” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:25

μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, Ῥαββεί?

Judas may be using a rhetorical question to deny that he is the one who will betray Jesus. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Rabbi, surely I am not the one who will betray you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

σὺ εἶπας

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: Idiom)

Matthew 26:26

Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper as he celebrates the Passover with his disciples.

λαβὼν…εὐλογήσας ἔκλασεν

See how you translated these words in 14:19.

Matthew 26:27

ποτήριον

Here, cup refers to both the cup and the wine in it. (See: Metonymy)

ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “he gave it to the disciples”

πίετε ἐξ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “Drink the wine from this cup”

Matthew 26:28

τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου

Alternate translation: “For this wine is my blood”

τὸ αἷμά…τῆς διαθήκης

Alternate translation: “blood that shows that the covenant is in effect” or “blood that makes the covenant possible”

ἐκχυννόμενον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “will soon flow out of my body” or “will flow out of my wounds when I die” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:29

λέγω…ὑμῖν

This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

τοῦ γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλου

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “wine” (See: Idiom)

ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ Πατρός μου

Here, kingdom refers to God’s rule as king. Alternate translation: “when my Father establishes his rule on earth” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ Πατρός μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 26:30

καὶ ὑμνήσαντες

A hymn is a song of praise to God.

Matthew 26:31

σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ

Alternate translation: “will leave me”

πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα, καὶ διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης

In this verse, Jesus quotes the prophet Zechariah to show that in order to fulfill prophecy, all of his disciples will leave him.

γέγραπται γάρ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “for the prophet Zechariah wrote long ago in the scriptures” (See: Active or Passive)

πατάξω

Here, I refers to God. It is implied that God will cause or allow people to harm and kill Jesus. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸν ποιμένα…τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης

These are metaphors that refer to Jesus and the disciples. (See: Metaphor)

διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:32

μετὰ…τὸ ἐγερθῆναί με

Here to be raised up is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. (See: Idiom)

μετὰ…τὸ ἐγερθῆναί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “after God raises me up” or “after God brings me back to life” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:33

σκανδαλισθήσονται

See how you translated this phrase in 26:31.

Matthew 26:34

ἀμὴν, λέγω σοι

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

πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι

A rooster often crows 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: Metonymy)

ἀλέκτορα

A rooster is a male chicken, a bird that calls out loudly around the time the sun comes up.

φωνῆσαι

Here, crows is the common English word for what a rooster does when it calls out loudly.

τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με

Alternate translation: “you will say three times that you are not my follower”

Matthew 26:36

This begins the account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:37

ἤρξατο λυπεῖσθαι

Alternate translation: “he became very sad”

Matthew 26:38

περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου

Here, soul refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “I am very sad” (See: Synecdoche)

ἕως θανάτου

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “and I feel as if I could even die” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 26:39

ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ

He purposely lay face down on the ground to pray. (See: Idiom)

Πάτερ μου

Father is an important title for God that shows the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

παρελθέτω ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο

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: Metaphor)

τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο

Here, cup is a metonym that stands for the cup and the contents within it. (See: Metonymy)

τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο

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: Metaphor)

πλὴν οὐχ ὡς ἐγὼ θέλω, ἀλλ’ ὡς σύ

This can be expressed as a full sentence. Alternate translation: “But do not do what I want; instead, do what you want” (See: Ellipsis)

Matthew 26:40

λέγει τῷ Πέτρῳ, οὕτως οὐκ ἰσχύσατε…γρηγορῆσαι

Jesus is speaking to Peter, but the you is plural, referring to Peter, James, and John. (See: Forms of You)

οὕτως οὐκ ἰσχύσατε μίαν ὥραν γρηγορῆσαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ?

Jesus uses a question to scold Peter, James, and John. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you could not stay awake with me for one hour!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 26:41

μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς πειρασμόν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun temptation, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “no one tempts you to sin” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον, ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής

Here, spirit is a metonym that stands for a person’s desires to do good. (See: Metonymy)

τὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον, ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής

Flesh stands for the needs and desires of a person’s 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: Synecdoche)

Matthew 26:42

ἀπελθὼν

Alternate translation: “after Jesus went away”

ἐκ δευτέρου

The first time is described in 26:39. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Πάτερ μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν, ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω

Jesus speaks of the work that he must do as if it were a bitter liquid that God has commanded him to drink. Alternate translation: “if the only way this can pass away is if I drink it” (See: Metaphor)

εἰ…τοῦτο

Here, this refers to the cup and the contents within it, a metaphor for suffering, as in 26:39. (See: Metaphor)

ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω

Here, it refers to the cup and the contents within it, a metaphor for suffering, as in 26:39. Alternate translation: “unless I drink from it” or “unless I drink from this cup of suffering” (See: Metaphor)

γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “may what you want happen” or “do what you want to do” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:43

ἦσαν…αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ βεβαρημένοι

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “they were very sleepy” (See: Idiom)

Matthew 26:44

ἐκ τρίτου

The first time is described in 26:39. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Matthew 26:45

καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε?

Jesus uses a question to scold the disciples for going to sleep. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am disappointed that you are still sleeping and resting!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἤγγικεν ἡ ὥρα

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the time has come” (See: Idiom)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “someone is betraying the Son of Man” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν

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: Metonymy)

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Matthew 26:47

This begins the account of when Judas betrayed Jesus and the religious leaders arrested him.

καὶ ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος

Alternate translation: “And while Jesus was still speaking”

ξύλων

A club is a large piece of hard wood for hitting people.

Matthew 26:48

δὲ

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: Background Information)

λέγων, ὃν ἂν φιλήσω, αὐτός ἐστιν; κρατήσατε αὐτόν.

You can state this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “saying that whomever he kissed was the one they should seize.” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

ὃν ἂν φιλήσω

Alternate translation: “The one I kiss” or “The man whom I kiss”

φιλήσω

This action was a respectful way to greet one’s teacher.

Matthew 26:49

προσελθὼν τῷ Ἰησοῦ

Alternate translation: “when Judas came up to Jesus”

κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν

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. Alternate translation: “he met him with a kiss”

Matthew 26:50

ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας

Here, they refers to the people with clubs and swords that came with Judas and the religious leaders.

ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰησοῦν, καὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “they grabbed Jesus, and arrested him”

Matthew 26:51

καὶ ἰδοὺ

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

Matthew 26:52

οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν

The word sword is a metonym for the act of killing someone with a sword. (See: Metonymy)

οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν

You can state the implied information explicitly. Alternate translation: “who pick up a sword to kill others” or “who want to kill other people” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μάχαιραν, ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται

Alternate translation: “a sword will die by means of the sword” or “a sword—it is with the sword that someone will kill them”

Matthew 26:53

ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν Πατέρα μου, καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων?

Jesus uses a question to remind the person with the sword that Jesus could stop those who are arresting him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely you know that I could upon my Father, and he would send me more than 12 legions of angels at once.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

δοκεῖς

Here, you is singular and refers to the person with the sword. (See: Forms of You)

τὸν Πατέρα μου

Father is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

πλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων

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: Numbers)

Matthew 26:54

πῶς οὖν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ Γραφαὶ, ὅτι οὕτως δεῖ γενέσθαι?

Jesus uses a question to explain why he is letting these people arrest him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “This must happen so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

πῶς οὖν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ Γραφαὶ, ὅτι οὕτως δεῖ γενέσθαι?

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 26:55

ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συνλαβεῖν με?

Jesus is using this question to point out the wrong actions of those arresting him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. 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: Rhetorical Question)

ξύλων

A club is a large piece of hard wood for hitting people.

ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ

It is implied that Jesus was not in the actual temple. He was in the courtyard around the temple. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 26:56

πληρωθῶσιν αἱ Γραφαὶ τῶν προφητῶν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I would fulfill all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀφέντες αὐτὸν

If your language has a word that means they left him when they should have stayed with him, use it here.

Matthew 26:57

This begins the account of Jesus’ trial before the council of Jewish religious leaders.

Matthew 26:58

ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ

Alternate translation: “But Peter followed Jesus”

τῆς αὐλῆς τοῦ ἀρχιερέως

This courtyard was an open area near the high priest’s house.

καὶ εἰσελθὼν ἔσω

Alternate translation: “And after Peter went inside”

Matthew 26:59

δὲ

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

αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν

Here, they refers to the chief priests and the members of the council.

αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν

Alternate translation: “they might have a reason to execute him”

Matthew 26:60

προσελθόντες δύο

Alternate translation: “two men who had come forward” or “two witnesses who came forward”

Matthew 26:61

εἶπον, οὗτος ἔφη, δύναμαι καταλῦσαι τὸν ναὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν οἰκοδομῆσαι.

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 the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

οὗτος ἔφη

Alternate translation: “This man Jesus said”

διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν

This phrase means “within three days,” before the sun goes down three times, not “after three days,” after the sun has gone down the third time.

Matthew 26:62

τί οὗτοί σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν?

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?”

Matthew 26:63

ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God is an important title that describes the relationship between the Christ and God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος

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 16:16.

Matthew 26:64

σὺ εἶπας

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: Idiom)

πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ’ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε

Here, you is plural. Jesus is speaking to the high priest and to the other persons there. (See: Forms of You)

ἀπ’ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

The phrase from now on could: (1) be an idiom that means they will see the Son of Man in his power at some time in the future. (2) means that from the time of Jesus’ trial and onward, Jesus is showing himself to be the Messiah who is powerful and victorious.

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου

Jesus is speaking about himself in third person. (See: First, Second or Third Person)

καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως

Here, Power is metonym that represents God. (See: Metonymy)

καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεως

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: Symbolic Action)

ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ

Alternate translation: “riding to earth on the clouds of heaven”

Matthew 26:65

ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ

Tearing clothing was a sign of anger and sadness. (See: Symbolic Action)

ἐβλασφήμησεν

The reason the high priest called Jesus’ statement blasphemy is probably that he understood Jesus’ words in 26:64 as a claim to be equal with God. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων?

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. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We do not need to hear from any more witnesses!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

νῦν ἠκούσατε

Here, you is plural and refers to the members of the council. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 26:67

τότε ἐνέπτυσαν

This could mean: (1) some of the men spit. (2) the soldiers spit.

ἐνέπτυσαν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ

This action was done as an insult.

Matthew 26:68

προφήτευσον ἡμῖν

Here, Prophesy to us means to tell by means of God’s power. It does not mean to tell what will happen in the future.

Χριστέ

Those hitting Jesus do not really think he is the Christ. They call him this to mock him. (See: Irony)

Matthew 26:69

These events happen at the same time as Jesus’ trial before the religious leaders.

This begins the account of how Peter denies three times that he knows Jesus, as Jesus said he would do.

δὲ

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

Matthew 26:70

οὐκ οἶδα τί λέγεις

Peter was able to understand what the servant girl was saying. He used these words to deny that he had been with Jesus.

Matthew 26:71

ἐξελθόντα δὲ

Alternate translation: “But when Peter went out”

τὸν πυλῶνα

This gateway was an opening in the wall around a courtyard.

λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ

Alternate translation: “said to the people who were sitting there”

Matthew 26:72

καὶ πάλιν ἠρνήσατο μετὰ ὅρκου, ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον.

Alternate translation: “And he denied it again by swearing, ‘I do not know the man!’”

Matthew 26:73

ἐξ αὐτῶν

Alternate translation: “one of those who were with Jesus”

καὶ γὰρ ἡ λαλιά σου δῆλόν σε ποιεῖ

You can translate this as a new sentence. Alternate translation: “We can tell you are from Galilee because you speak like a Galilean”

Matthew 26:74

καταθεματίζειν

Alternate translation: “to call down a curse on himself”

ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν

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 26:34.

Matthew 26:75

καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ῥήματος Ἰησοῦ εἰρηκότος, ὅτι πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι, τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με

You can state this direct quotation as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Peter remembered that Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Jesus three times.” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Matthew 27

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: Irony)

Matthew 27:1

This begins the account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate.

δὲ

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

συμβούλιον ἔλαβον…κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὥστε θανατῶσαι αὐτόν

The Jewish leaders were planning how they could convince the Roman leaders to kill Jesus. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 27:3

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: Order of Events)

τότε ἰδὼν Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν

The author has stopped telling the story of Jesus’ trial so he can tell the story of how Judas killed himself. If your language has a way of showing that a new story is starting, you may want to use that here.

ὅτι κατεκρίθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that the Jewish leaders had condemned Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

τὰ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια

This was the money that the chief priests had given Judas to betray Jesus. See how you translated it in 26:15.

Matthew 27:4

αἷμα ἀθῷον

This is an idiom that refers to the death of an innocent person. Alternate translation: “a person who does not deserve to die” (See: Idiom)

τί πρὸς ἡμᾶς?

The Jewish leaders use this question to emphasize that they do not care about what Judas said. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “That is not our problem!” or “That is your problem!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 27:5

ῥίψας τὰ ἀργύρια εἰς τὸν ναὸν

This could mean: (1) he threw the pieces of silver while in the temple courtyard. (2) he was standing in the temple courtyard, and he threw the pieces of silver into the temple.

Matthew 27:6

οὐκ ἔξεστιν βαλεῖν αὐτὰ

Alternate translation: “Our laws do not allow us to put this”

βαλεῖν αὐτὰ

Alternate translation: “to put this silver”

τὸν κορβανᾶν

The treasury was the place they kept the money they used to provide for things needed for the temple and the priests. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τιμὴ αἵματός

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: Idiom)

Matthew 27:7

τὸν Ἀγρὸν τοῦ Κεραμέως

This was a field that was bought to bury strangers who died in Jerusalem.

Matthew 27:8

ἐκλήθη ὁ ἀγρὸς ἐκεῖνος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “people call that field” (See: Active or Passive)

ἕως τῆς σήμερον

Here, this day refers to the time when Matthew is writing this book.

Matthew 27:9

καὶ ἔλαβον τὰ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια, τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ τετιμημένου, ὃν ἐτιμήσαντο ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ

The author quotes Old Testament scripture to show that Judas’ suicide was a fulfillment of prophecy.

τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “This fulfilled what the prophet Jeremiah spoke” (See: Active or Passive)

τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ τετιμημένου, ὃν ἐτιμήσαντο ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the price the people of Israel set on him” (See: Active or Passive)

υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ

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: Metonymy)

Matthew 27:10

συνέταξέν μοι

Here, me refers to Jeremiah.

Matthew 27:11

δὲ

This continues the story of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, which began in 27:2. 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.

τοῦ ἡγεμόνος

Alternate translation: “Pilate”

αὐτῷ σὺ λέγεις

This could mean: (1) 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” (2) 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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 27:12

καὶ ἐν τῷ κατηγορεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “And when the chief priests and elders accused him” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:13

οὐκ ἀκούεις πόσα σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν?

Pilate asks this question because he is surprised that Jesus remains silent. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am surprised that you do not answer these people who accuse you of doing bad things!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Matthew 27:14

οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ πρὸς οὐδὲ ἓν ῥῆμα, ὥστε θαυμάζειν τὸν ἡγεμόνα λίαν

This is an emphatic way of saying that Jesus was completely silent. Alternate translation: “he did not say even one word; this greatly amazed the governor”

Matthew 27:15

δὲ

The word Now 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 27:17. (See: Background Information)

ἑορτὴν

This is the festival of the Passover celebration.

ἕνα τῷ ὄχλῳ δέσμιον, ὃν ἤθελον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “one prisoner whom the crowd would choose” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:16

εἶχον…δέσμιον ἐπίσημον

Alternate translation: “there was a notorious prisoner”

ἐπίσημον

A notorious person is someone who is well known for doing something bad.

Matthew 27:17

συνηγμένων…αὐτῶν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when the crowd gathered” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom some people call the Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:18

παρέδωκαν αὐτόν

They had done this so that Pilate would judge Jesus. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders had brought Jesus to him”

Matthew 27:19

καθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “But while Pilate was sitting”

καθημένου…αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος

The judgment seat was the place where a judge would sit while making a decision. Alternate translation: “while he was sitting on the judge’s seat”

ἀπέστειλεν

Alternate translation: “sent a message”

πολλὰ…ἔπαθον σήμερον

Alternate translation: “I have been very upset today”

Matthew 27:20

δὲ

Here, now is used to mark a break in the main story line. Matthew tells background information about why the crowd chose Barabbas. (See: Background Information)

τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν ἀπολέσωσιν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “but have the Roman soldiers kill Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:21

εἶπεν αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “asked the crowd”

Matthew 27:22

τὸν λεγόμενον Χριστόν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom some people call the Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:23

ἐποίησεν

Alternate translation: “has Jesus done”

οἱ…ἔκραζον

Alternate translation: “the crowd cried out”

Matthew 27:24

ἀπενίψατο τὰς χεῖρας ἀπέναντι τοῦ ὄχλου

Pilate does this action as a sign that he is not responsible for Jesus’ death. (See: Symbolic Action)

τοῦ αἵματος

Here, blood refers to a person’s death. Alternate translation: “the death” (See: Metonymy)

ὑμεῖς ὄψεσθε

Alternate translation: “This is your responsibility”

Matthew 27:25

τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ἡμῶν

Here, blood is a metonym that stands for a person’s death. (See: Metonymy)

τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ἡμῶν

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: Idiom)

Matthew 27:26

τότε ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν

Alternate translation: “Then Pilate released Barabbas to the crowd”

τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας, παρέδωκεν ἵνα σταυρωθῇ

It is implied that Pilate ordered his soldiers to scourge Jesus. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸν δὲ Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας, παρέδωκεν ἵνα σταυρωθῇ

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: Metaphor)

τὸν…Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας

Alternate translation: “having beaten Jesus with a whip” or “having whipped Jesus”

Matthew 27:27

This begins the account of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

ὅλην τὴν σπεῖραν

Alternate translation: “the entire group of soldiers”

Matthew 27:28

καὶ ἐκδύσαντες αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “And having pulled off his clothes”

Matthew 27:29

στέφανον ἐξ ἀκανθῶν

Alternate translation: “a crown made of thorny branches” or “a crown made of branches with thorns on them”

κάλαμον ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ

They gave Jesus a stick to hold to represent a scepter that a king holds. They did this to mock Jesus.

χαῖρε, ὁ Βασιλεῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων

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: Irony)

χαῖρε

Alternate translation: “We honor you” or “May you live a long time”

Matthew 27:30

καὶ ἐμπτύσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “And using their spit, the soldiers spat on Jesus”

Matthew 27:32

ἐξερχόμενοι

This means Jesus and the soldiers came out of the city. Alternate translation: “as they came out of Jerusalem” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εὗρον ἄνθρωπον

Alternate translation: “the soldiers saw a man”

τοῦτον ἠγγάρευσαν ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “whom the soldiers forced to go with them so that he could carry Jesus’ cross”

Matthew 27:33

τόπον λεγόμενον Γολγοθᾶ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “a place that people called Golgotha” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:34

πιεῖν οἶνον μετὰ χολῆς μεμιγμένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “wine, which they had mixed with gall” (See: Active or Passive)

χολῆς

This gall was a bitter, yellow liquid that bodies use in digestion.

Matthew 27:37

τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “a written explanation of why he was being crucified”

Matthew 27:38

τότε σταυροῦνται σὺν αὐτῷ δύο λῃσταί

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Then the soldiers crucified two robbers with Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:39

κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν

They did this to make fun of Jesus. (See: Symbolic Action)

Matthew 27:40

εἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ κατάβηθι ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

υἱὸς…τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God is an important title for the Christ that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 27:42

ἄλλους ἔσωσεν, ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται σῶσαι

This could mean: (1) the Jewish leaders do not believe that Jesus saved others or that he can save himself. (2) they believe he did save others but are laughing at him because now he cannot save himself. (See: Irony)

Βασιλεὺς Ἰσραήλ ἐστιν,

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: Irony)

Matthew 27:43

εἶπεν γὰρ, ὅτι Θεοῦ εἰμι Υἱός.

This is a quotation within a quotation. You can state this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “For Jesus even said that he is the Son of God.” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

Θεοῦ…Υἱός

Son of God is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 27:44

οἱ λῃσταὶ, οἱ συνσταυρωθέντες σὺν αὐτῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the robbers that the soldiers crucified with Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:45

δὲ

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

ἀπὸ…ἕκτης ὥρας…ἕως ὥρας ἐνάτης

Alternate translation: “from about noon … for three hours” or “from about twelve o’clock midday … until about three o’clock in the afternoon”

σκότος ἐγένετο ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun darkness, you can express it as a verb. Alternate translation: “it became dark over the whole land” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Matthew 27:46

ἀνεβόησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς

Alternate translation: “Jesus called out” or “Jesus shouted”

Ἐλωῒ, Ἐλωῒ, λεμὰ σαβαχθάνει

These words are what Jesus cried out in his own language. Translators usually leave these words as is. (See: Copy or Borrow Words)

Matthew 27:48

εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν

This could refer to: (1) one of the soldiers. (2) one of those who stood by and watched.

σπόγγον

A sponge is a sea animal that is harvested and used to take up and hold liquids. These liquids can later be pushed out.

ἐπότιζεν αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “gave it to Jesus”

Matthew 27:50

ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα

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: Euphemism)

Matthew 27:51

This begins the account of the events that happened when Jesus died.

ἰδοὺ

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

τὸ καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ ἐσχίσθη εἰς δύο

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:52

καὶ τὰ μνημεῖα ἀνεῴχθησαν, καὶ πολλὰ σώματα τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων ἠγέρθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “And God opened the tombs and raised the bodies of many godly people who had died” (See: Active or Passive)

πολλὰ σώματα τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων ἠγέρθη

Here to be raised is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. You can translate this in active form. Alternate translation: “God put life back into the dead bodies of many godly people who had fallen asleep” (See: Idiom)

κεκοιμημένων

This is a polite way of referring to dying. Alternate translation: “who had died” (See: Euphemism)

Matthew 27:53

καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐκ τῶν μνημείων μετὰ τὴν ἔγερσιν αὐτοῦ, εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν πόλιν καὶ ἐνεφανίσθησαν πολλοῖς

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 saints came back to life, and then, after Jesus came back to life, the saints entered Jerusalem, where many people saw them. (2) Jesus came back to life, and then the saints came back to life and entered the city, where many people saw them.

Matthew 27:54

δὲ

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

οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ τηροῦντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν

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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Θεοῦ Υἱὸς

Son of God is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 27:56

ἡ μήτηρ τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου

Alternate translation: “the mother of James and John” or “the wife of Zebedee”

Matthew 27:57

This begins the account of Jesus’ burial.

Ἁριμαθαίας

Arimathea is the name of a city in Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

Matthew 27:58

τότε ὁ Πειλᾶτος ἐκέλευσεν ἀποδοθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Then Pilate ordered the soldiers to give the body of Jesus to Joseph” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 27:59

σινδόνι καθαρᾷ

in a clean, fine, costly cloth

Matthew 27:60

ὃ ἐλατόμησεν ἐν τῇ πέτρᾳ

It is implied that Joseph had workers who cut the tomb into the rock. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καὶ προσκυλίσας λίθον μέγαν

Most likely Joseph had other people there to help him roll the stone. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 27:61

ἀπέναντι τοῦ τάφου

Alternate translation: “across from the tomb”

Matthew 27:62

τὴν παρασκευήν

The Preparation is the day that people got everything ready for the Sabbath.

συνήχθησαν…πρὸς Πειλᾶτον

Alternate translation: “met with Pilate”

Matthew 27:63

ἐκεῖνος ὁ πλάνος…ἔτι ζῶν

Alternate translation: “Jesus, the deceiver, when he was alive”

εἶπεν…μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐγείρομαι.

This has a quotation within a quotation. You can state this 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: Quotes within Quotes)

Matthew 27:64

κέλευσον…ἀσφαλισθῆναι τὸν τάφον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “command your soldiers to guard the tomb” (See: Active or Passive)

τῆς τρίτης ἡμέρας

The word third is the ordinal form of three. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἐλθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, κλέψωσιν αὐτὸν

Alternate translation: “his disciples may come and steal his body”

εἴπωσιν τῷ λαῷ, ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν; καὶ

This has a quotation within a quotation. You can state this as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “might tell the people that he has been raised from the dead, and” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν

This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from among them speaks of becoming alive again. Alternate translation: “from among all those who have died”

καὶ ἔσται ἡ ἐσχάτη πλάνη χείρων τῆς πρώτης

You can state the understood information explicitly. 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: Ellipsis)

Matthew 27:65

κουστωδίαν

This guard consisted of four to sixteen Roman soldiers.

Matthew 27:66

σφραγίσαντες τὸν λίθον

This could mean: (1) they put a cord around the stone and attached it to the rock wall on either side of the entrance to the tomb. (2) they put seals between the stone and the wall.

μετὰ τῆς κουστωδίας

Alternate translation: “and having told the soldiers to stand where they could keep people from tampering with the tomb”

Matthew 28

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)

Matthew 28:1

This begins the account of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

ὀψὲ δὲ Σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων

Alternate translation: “Now after the Sabbath ended, as the sun came up on Sunday morning”

δὲ

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

ἡ ἄλλη Μαρία

This is Mary the mother of James and Joseph (27:56). Alternate translation: “the other woman named Mary”

Matthew 28:2

ἰδοὺ

The word behold here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. Your language may have a way of doing this.

σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας; ἄγγελος γὰρ Κυρίου καταβὰς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ καὶ προσελθὼν, ἀπεκύλισε τὸν λίθον

This could mean: (1) the earthquake happened because the angel came down and rolled away the stone. (2) all these events happened at the same time.

σεισμὸς…μέγας

An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground.

Matthew 28:3

ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: “the angel’s appearance”

ἦν…ὡς ἀστραπὴ

This is a simile that emphasizes how bright in appearance the angel was. Alternate translation: “was bright like lightning” (See: Simile)

τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών

The verb “was” from the previous phrase can be repeated. Alternate translation: “his clothing was white like snow” (See: Ellipsis)

τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών

This is a simile that emphasizes how bright and white the angel’s clothes were. Alternate translation: “his clothing was very white, like snow” (See: Simile)

Matthew 28:4

ἐγενήθησαν ὡς νεκροί

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: Simile)

Matthew 28:5

ταῖς γυναιξίν

Alternate translation: “to Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary”

τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom the people and the soldiers crucified” or “whom they had crucified” (See: Active or Passive)

Matthew 28:7

εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν; καὶ ἰδοὺ, προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν; ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε.

This is a quotation within a quotation. You can state this 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: Quotes within Quotes)

ἠγέρθη

Alternate translation: “He has come back to life”

ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν

This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld.

ὑμᾶς…ὄψεσθε…ὑμῖν

Here, all occurrences of you are plural. It refers to the women and the disciples. (See: Forms of You)

Matthew 28:8

καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ταχὺ

Alternate translation: “And after Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary quickly left”

Matthew 28:9

ἰδοὺ

The word behold here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. Your language may have a way of doing this.

χαίρετε

This is an ordinary greeting, much like “Hello” in English.

ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας

Alternate translation: “got down on their knees and held onto his feet”

Matthew 28:10

τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου

Here, my brothers refers to Jesus’ disciples.

Matthew 28:11

This begins the account of the reaction of the Jewish religious leaders when they heard of Jesus’ resurrection.

δὲ

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

αὐτῶν

Here, they refers to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.

ἰδού

Here, behold 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.

Matthew 28:12

συμβούλιόν τε λαβόντες

The priests and elders decided to give the money to the soldiers. Alternate translation: “decided on a plan among themselves”

Matthew 28:13

εἴπατε ὅτι, οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ…ἐλθόντες…ἡμῶν κοιμωμένων.

If your language does not use quotations within quotations you may translate this as a single quote. Alternate translation: “Tell others that Jesus’ disciples came … while you were sleeping” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

Matthew 28:14

καὶ ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος

Alternate translation: “If the governor hears that you were asleep when Jesus’ disciples took his body”

τοῦ ἡγεμόνος

Alternate translation: “Pilate” (27:2)

ἡμεῖς πείσομεν καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν

Alternate translation: “do not worry. We will talk to him so that he does not punish you.”

Matthew 28:15

ἐποίησαν ὡς ἐδιδάχθησαν

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “did what the priests had told them to do” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ λόγος οὗτος παρὰ Ἰουδαίοις μέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας

Alternate translation: “Many Jews heard this report and continue to tell others about it even today”

μέχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας

This refers to the time Matthew wrote the book.

Matthew 28:16

This begins the account of Jesus meeting with his disciples after his resurrection.

Matthew 28:17

προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν

This could mean: (1) they all worshiped Jesus even though some of them doubted. (2) some of them worshiped Jesus, but others did not worship him because they doubted.

οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν

You can state this explicitly what the disciples doubted. Alternate translation: “some doubted that he was really Jesus and that he had become alive again” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Matthew 28:18

ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “My Father has given me all authority” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

Here, heaven and earth are used together to mean everyone and everything in heaven and earth. (See: Merism)

Matthew 28:19

πάντα τὰ ἔθνη

Here, nations refers to the people. Alternate translation: “of all the people in every nation” (See: Metonymy)

εἰς τὸ ὄνομα

Here, name refers to authority. Alternate translation: “by the authority” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ Πατρὸς…τοῦ Υἱοῦ

Father and Son are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Matthew 28:20

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος

Alternate translation: “until the end of this age” or “until the end of the world”