14:9a–b
In 14:9a–b Jesus quoted what the host might say to a person who chose an important seat. In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech for this quotation. For example:
If that happens, the one who invited the two of you ⌊to join in the feast⌋ will go to you and ask you to let the other man sit in your place.
In this verse Jesus continued to use a singular form of “you” to refer to any of his listeners. You should continue to use the appropriate form in your language for this type of context. You may want to refer back to the note on “you” in 14:8a.
14:9a
Then: In Greek this verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “and.” It introduces what might happen if a more important guest arrived in 14:8. The Berean Standard Bible has translated this conjunction as Then as one natural way in English to express this connection. Use a natural way in your language to express this. See the note on 14:8c–9 for other suggestions.
the host who invited: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as host is literally “(one) having-invited.” It refers to the man who decided to give the feast and invite all the guests. The Berean Standard Bible has used the word host because that is an appropriate term in English. In other languages there may be different expressions to refer to this person. For example:
your host (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one who invited you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the house owner
-or-
the one who gave the feast
both of you: The phrase both of you means “you(sing) and the more distinguished guest.” Notice that these were not the only two guests. They were just two guests among many others.
will come and tell you: Languages use the verbs “come” and “go” in different ways. Consider whether it may be more natural in this context to say “will go to you.”
14:9b
Give this man your seat: In this context the clause Give this man your seat means “Let this man sit where you are sitting.” It indicates that the host will tell the person to move to a different seat so that the more distinguished guest can sit in the seat of honor.
Consider what a host in your language area would say in this situation. It may be necessary to use special polite expressions so that the host will not sound rude. For example:
Please move to a different place so that this man may sit in your chair.
-or-
Excuse me, please. You seem to be sitting in this gentleman’s seat. Would you sit in another place?
14:9c
And: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is more literally “and then.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. This phrase introduces the next thing that will happen to the less important guest as a result of what the host told him in 14:9b.
in humiliation: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in humiliation is more literally “with shame.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. In this context it implies that the first guest will feel embarrassed when he has to leave his good seat and take the least important one.
In some languages it may be more natural to translate the word humiliation as a noun or a verb in a separate sentence. Consider whether it will be more natural to place it at the beginning or the end of the verse. For example:
You will be embarrassed and will have to sit in the worst place. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So you will have to transfer to the least important seat. This will make you feel very ashamed.
-or-
You will have to move to the lowest place. How shameful!
-or-
This will cause/give you much shame. You will have to get up and go sit in the seat where no one else wanted to sit.
you will have to take: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will have to take is more literally “you will begin to take.” Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, translate it that way. The man will have to get out of the best seat and start to move down the table to the worst seat.
you: Here Jesus continued to refer to any of his listeners. Use an appropriate form to do this in your language. You may want to refer again to the note on 14:8a.
the last place: The phrase the last place probably refers to the seat farthest from the host. It implies that people were already seated in all the other places. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
• Use a similar descriptive phrase. For example:
the worst place (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the last place (New Century Version)
-or-
the lowest place (Good News Translation)
If you cannot use a phrase such as the last place here in your language, you may be able to use a phrase such as “a very unimportant/low place.”
• Use a phrase in your language that refers to a seat where a person of low status would sit. For example:
whatever seat is left at the foot of the table (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
at the back/edge of the room
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