5:19a–b
In Greek, this verse begins with a common conjunction that is often translated as “and” in English. It connects the man’s request to Jesus’ response. Because Jesus’ response contrasted with the man’s request, some English versions translate this conjunction as “But,” as the Berean Standard Bible does. In some languages it may be more natural to express this contrast later in the verse.
But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said: The phrase Jesus would not allow him indicates that Jesus did not give the man permission to come with him. Instead, he sent him on a mission back to his own people and area. Introduce what Jesus said in 5:19b in a way that is natural in your language.
Here is another way to translate this:
But Jesus would not allow it. Instead, he told the man, “Go home to your family…” (God’s Word)
-or-
But instead Jesus told him that he wanted him to go home to his own people…
Notice that the second example uses indirect speech to express the way that Jesus did not allow the man to come with him. If you do that, use a polite expression in your language.
Go home to your own people: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Go home to your own people is literally “Go to your home, to the yours.” The first part, “Go to your home” probably means that he should go to the area where his home had been and especially to his family. The second part, “to the yours,” probably means he should go back to be among his relatives and neighbors. It is recommended that you translate this in a way that indicates a more general group than just his family. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:
Go home to your people
5:19c
and tell them how much the Lord has done for you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as how much means “what great things.” The Lord had done something great and wonderful for the man.
the Lord: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord means “master, one who has authority over others.” Jesus was referring to God here.
In some languages, people may not naturally use a word that means “master” to refer to God. If speakers of your language do not understand that your word for “Lord” refers to God in this context, here are other ways to translate it:
• Use your word for God.
• Use your word for God and indicate that he is the Lord. For example:
God the Lord
-or-
Master God
If you include the word for God in your translation of Lord here, you may want to include a footnote to give the literal Greek meaning. For example:
Here the Greek text is literally “Lord.”
See Lord in the Glossary.
5:19d
and what mercy He has shown you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shown…mercy means to have compassion on or to show kindness to those who suffer or are poor.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
how kind he has been to you (Good News Bible)
-or-
how merciful he has been (New Living Translation)
-or-
how compassionately he has treated you
General Comment on 5:19c–d
The two clauses “how much the Lord has done for you” and “how he has had mercy on you” are very similar in meaning. In some languages it may be more natural to combine them or to express them in a different order. For example:
what the Lord in his mercy has done for you (Revised English Bible)
-or-
19dhow the Lord was so merciful to you 19cand did so much for you
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