SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 18:16

18:16a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces what Jesus did when the people brought the children to him. What Jesus did contrasted with what the disciples said to the people, so many English versions have “but” here. The New Living Translation (2004) has “Then.” Connect this verse to 18:15 in a natural way in your language.

Jesus called the children to Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the children is a pronoun, “them.” It refers back to the “babies” in 18:15a. Here is another way to translate this:

Jesus called the infants to him (God’s Word)

However, 18:16c uses the more general word for “children.” Many English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, use the word children here as well. Refer to them in a natural way in your language.

Many of the children were too young to walk, so the phrase called the children to Him implies that Jesus was inviting the parents to bring them. Here is another way to translate this:

Jesus called for the children (NET Bible)

18:16b

and said: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and said is literally “saying.” It introduces what Jesus said to the disciples. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

and said ⌊to the disciples⌋

18:16c–d

Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them: These clauses are two commands: Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them. These commands have similar meanings. Jesus repeated his meaning in two different ways to emphasize what he said.

In some languages it may be more natural to give the negative command first. For example:

Do not forbid the children to come to me. Allow them to come….

In other languages it may be more natural to combine the two commands. For example:

Don’t stop the children from coming to me! (God’s Word)

Translate these two commands in a natural way in your language.

18:16c

Let the little children come to Me: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let means “allow” or “permit.” Here is another way to translate this:

Permit the children to come to Me (New American Standard Bible)

little children: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as little children is a general word for children of any age.

18:16d

do not hinder them: The phrase do not hinder them indicates that the disciples should not prevent the children from coming to Jesus. Other ways to translate this command are:

do not stop them (Good News Translation)
-or-
do not forbid their coming to me

18:16e

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason or explanation for Jesus’ commands to his disciples in 18:16c–d. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

because (Good News Translation)

Express the reason or explanation in a natural way in your language. See the General Comment on 18:16c–e below for a suggestion about changing the order of clauses in this verse.

the kingdom of God belongs to such as these: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the kingdom of God belongs to such as these indicates that people who are like those children have the right/privilege to be included in the group of people whom God rules. It does not mean that such people own the kingdom of God.

Some other ways to translate this are:

the citizens of the kingdom of God are people like these children
-or-
it is people like these children who live/belong in God’s chieftaincy
-or-
the people whom God cares for as king are like these ⌊little⌋ children

the kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. See kingdom of God, Context 2, in the Glossary.

such as these: The phrase such as these means “people like these children.” Here Jesus compared people who are included in his kingdom to children. He did not make explicit how they should be like children. However, many scholars refer to the fact that children must humbly depend on other people to care for them. In a similar way, a person in God’s kingdom must humbly depend on God.

In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

because the kingdom of God belongs to people ⌊who depend on God⌋ like these children ⌊depend on those who care for them⌋.
-or-
for it is people who are ⌊trusting/humble⌋ like these children who will live in the kingdom of God.

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