4:43a

But Jesus told them: The phrase But Jesus told them introduces the reason Jesus gave for not agreeing to stay with the people of Capernaum. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit:

But he ⌊refused⌋, saying…

I must preach the good news: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I must preach the good news is literally “it is necessary for me to-preach-the-good-news.” This indicates that it was Jesus’ obligation or duty to preach the good news. This is what Jesus was supposed to do, because this is what God had sent him to do.

preach the good news: The phrase preach the good news is the translation of one Greek word. Some other ways to translate this are:

tell the good/sweet news ⌊from God⌋
-or-
announce the message/word that causes joy

Be sure that the term you choose does not refer only to a news report or to a story that is not true.

This word also occurs in 4:18b.

preach: The type of preaching Jesus did involved more than just formally preaching messages in the synagogues of the Jews. If the word for “preach” in your language is limited to giving a formal message in church, then you should consider using a more general word. For example:

proclaim (NET Bible)
-or-
tell (God’s Word)
-or-
give (Revised English Bible)
-or-
announce

of the kingdom of God: The phrase of the kingdom of God means “about/ concerning the kingdom of God.” The good news that Jesus came to preach was about God’s kingdom.

kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s rule. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. Instead, it refers to God ruling in the hearts and lives of people through faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They trust him and obey him as their king.

Some ways to translate this are:

• As a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• As a verbal expression:

the way God rules his people
-or-
the way God cares for his people as their king

See also kingdom of God, Context 4, in the Glossary.

to the other towns as well: The phrase other towns represents the people who lived in these other towns. In some languages, it may be more natural to make this explicit. For example:

to the ⌊people who live in⌋ other towns also
-or-
to the ⌊inhabitants of⌋ other towns too

Jesus had already told the people of Capernaum about God’s kingdom. He had healed their people and commanded demons to come out of people. He needed to do this in other towns as well.

4:43b

because that is why I was sent: The clause because that is why I was sent gives the reason why Jesus had to preach in other towns. In some languages, it may be more natural to put 4:43b before 4:43a. See the General Comment on 4:43a–b below for an example.

I was sent: The clause I was sent is a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you can say:

⌊God⌋ sent me

Also, it may be necessary in some languages to say where Jesus was sent. For example:

⌊God⌋ sent me ⌊here⌋
-or-

⌊God⌋ sent me ⌊to the earth⌋

General Comment on 4:43a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 4:43a–b. For example:

43bI was sent 43ato preach the good news of the kingdom of God. ⌊So⌋ I must also go to other towns.

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