16:17a–b
But: In the Greek text this verse connects to the previous verse with a conjunction that introduces a contrast: The good news is now being preached, but/nevertheless the Law and the Prophets remain valid. The Berean Standard Bible (like the Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation) translates this conjunction as But. Other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, and New International Version, do not translate this conjunction. You should indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.
it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law: The phrase heaven and earth refers to the universe as a whole. The universe was considered to be a symbol of permanence. So this comparison means that God’s word will not lose any of its authority. It is even more permanent than heaven and earth. In some languages it may be necessary to translate this comparison in other ways. For example:
The sky and the earth will come to an end, but even the smallest letter in God’s Law will remain unchanged.
It may be necessary to reorder the clauses of 16:17a–b. See the General Comment on 16:17a–b at the end of 16:17b for further suggestions.
In translating this verse, be careful not to imply that:
(a) it is easy for heaven and earth to disappear;
(b) heaven and earth will never disappear.
Although many people thought that the universe would last almost forever, other verses teach that it will be destroyed in the future. See Matthew 5:18, Mark 13:31, 2 Peter 3:7, 3:10.
16:17a
heaven and earth: In some languages it may be more natural to say “earth and heaven.” You may use whatever order is more natural in your language.
heaven: The word heaven in this context refers to the sky and the physical universe beyond the earth. It includes the sun, moon, and stars. See heaven, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.
pass away: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pass away means to end, to cease to exist.
16:17b
a single stroke of a pen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a single stroke of a pen is more literally “one projection/stroke.” It refers to the smallest part of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It would be like the cross on the “t” in English or one of the lines on the letter “m.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
the smallest part of a letter (New Century Version)
-or-
one letter (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the smallest detail (Good News Translation)
drop out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drop out is literally “fall.” In this context it has a figurative meaning. Some other ways to translate this are:
become void (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
cease to be valid/authoritative
-or-
lose its force (Revised English Bible)
-or-
to be changed (New Century Version)
the Law: In 16:16a, Jesus used the term “the Law and the Prophets” to refer to the Old Testament as a whole. Here the word Law alone is also used to refer to the whole Old Testament. In some languages a literal translation may imply that Jesus is excluding the writings of the prophets and the rest of the Old Testament. If that is true in your language, consider using a more general term, such as “God’s Book” or “the words of God.”
General Comment on 16:17a–b
In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the clauses of 16:17a–b. For example:
Even the smallest part of God’s Word is more permanent than the sky and the earth.
Use a natural order in your language.
In some languages it may be necessary to state the main point about the Law before giving the comparison about the heaven and earth. For example:
But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned. (New Living Translation (2004))
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