21:28a
When these things begin to happen: The phrase these things probably refers to the signs of the coming of the Son of Man described in 21:25–26. It may also include some of the other things that Jesus mentioned in 21:10–24. Some other ways to translate 21:28a are:
When all this begins to happen
-or-
When these signs/events begin to occur
21:28b
stand up and lift up your heads: Here Jesus told his disciples what they should do when the signs in 21:25–26 begin to happen. These instructions are especially for all of Jesus’ followers who will be alive on earth at that time, both men and women.
The phrases stand up and lift up your heads are symbolic actions. They symbolize courage and confident expectation. In this context Jesus implied that when his disciples see the signs, they should be courageous and confident. The signs will show that he will return to earth soon.
Some other ways to translate these symbolic actions are:
• Translate the actions and indicate the meaning. For example:
Stand ⌊courageously⌋ and lift your heads ⌊with confidence⌋.
• Use similar actions or idioms in your culture that express this same meaning. For example:
make strong your hearts and look-up
-or-
strengthen and make-happy your minds
• Use only one action to express the meaning. For example:
stand with confidence (God’s Word)
• Translate the meaning without the actions. For example:
be courageous and confident
Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.
stand up: Scholars interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stand up in two ways:
(1) It means stand up. Here is another way to translate this:
stand erect (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version)
(2) It means look up. Here is another way to translate this:
look up (Revised Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Century Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
lift up your heads: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lift up your heads means to hold your head upright as a sign of courage. In some languages a literal translation may imply a wrong meaning (like having pride rather than courage). If this is true in your language, translate the meaning in a different way. See the suggestions in the note on “stand up and lift up your heads” earlier in 21:28b.
21:28c
because your redemption is drawing near: This clause gives the reason that the disciples should gain new courage. The signs that they will see indicate that they will soon be redeemed.
In some languages it is necessary to translate redemption as a verb. Some ways to do this are:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
the time when you will be redeemed is drawing near
-or-
you will soon be redeemed
• Use an active verb and supply God as the subject. For example:
⌊God⌋ is about to redeem you.
redemption: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as redemption refers to freeing or rescuing someone. In this case it refers to God freeing his people from evil and from the suffering that evil people and powers have caused them. Some ways to translate redemption are:
the time when God will free you (New Century Version)
-or-
your salvation/deliverance
-or-
You will soon be set free (Contemporary English Version)
If you must say what the people will be freed from, use a general term like “your sufferings/troubles.” For example:
you will be freed from your suffering.
See “redeem,” sense B1(b), in Key Biblical Terms.
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