23:40a
But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast with the criminal’s mocking in 23:39. Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language.
the other one rebuked him: This clause indicates that the other evildoer on a nearby cross rebuked the criminal who mocked Jesus. This rebuke is quoted in 23:40b–41. The rebuke also implies a warning that God may punish the man for mocking Jesus because Jesus was innocent. Some other ways to translate the clause are:
the other criminal scolded him (God’s Word)
-or-
…the other criminal responded with a stern warning. He said
the other one: The phrase the other one refers to the other evildoer who was crucified on the other side of Jesus. He was mentioned in 23:32. Refer to him here in a clear way in your language.
rebuked him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebuked means “expressed strong disapproval” or “warned.” The other criminal near Jesus rebuked the mocking criminal. He told him why he was wrong to mock Jesus like that. The phrase rebuked him introduces and describes the quote in 23:40b–c. Introduce it in a natural way in your language.
In some languages the meaning of rebuked must be translated inside the quote itself. For example:
said to him, “You should not say that!”
23:40b–c
saying: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as saying introduces the rebuke in 40:b-c. Some English versions put the phrase in the middle of the quote. Place it where it is natural in your language.
Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses a rebuke. The other criminal rebuked the one who mocked Jesus. The way that criminal mocked Jesus showed that he did not fear God. Usually a person who was sentenced to die should think seriously about getting ready to go to God.
Some ways to translate this rebuke are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why do you(sing) not fear God, since you have received the same sentence?
-or-
Why do you speak like that? Is it that you are not afraid of God? All three of us have the same judgment.
• As a statement or exclamation. For example:
You should respect/fear God because you are condemned ⌊to die⌋ just as this man is.
Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.
fear God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear God refers here to the type of fear, respect, and reverence that is appropriate for a person to have for God. The phrase was also used in 18:4 about the judge who did not fear God. See the examples in the preceding note for translation suggestions.
since you are under the same judgment: This clause gives a reason why the mocking criminal should fear God. Like Jesus, he was sentenced to die. Therefore it is implied that he was about to go to God and be judged by him. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
You received the same sentence he did. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man? (Contemporary English Version)
The criminal who was speaking also received the same sentence. In some languages it may be necessary to make that explicit. For example:
We three are all dying, as a judge decided.
under the same judgment: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as under the same judgment is more literally “in the same judgment.” The word judgment refers here to the decision of a judge about how a person should be punished. In this context the Roman judge decided that Jesus and the two evildoers must be punished by death. Some other ways to translate it are:
being punished in the same way
-or-
enduring/getting the same punishment
General Comment on 23:40b–c
In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of 23:40b and 23:40c. For example:
40cSince you(sing) have been condemned ⌊to die⌋ just as he has been, 40byou should fear God.
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