13:29a
So also: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So also means “thus, in this way.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Even so (New International Version)
-or-
Likewise
-or-
In the same way (Good News Bible)
when you see these things happening: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when you see was also used in 13:14a. There it was followed by the phrase “the abomination of desolation.” Here the text does not use a specific phrase. The phrase these things probably refers back to 13:14–23 (the abomination that causes desolation and the time of suffering when people would have to flee).
In this context it is good to translate with a general phrase that can refer back to those verses. For example:
these things
-or-
these events
13:29b
know that He is near: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He is near does not specify what is near. The phrase could refer to either an event (“it”) or a person. There are at least two ways to interpret this phrase: (Scholars say that the fall of Jerusalem and the temple is a small picture of a much larger picture, namely, the end of the world. In prophetic writing, a phrase may have more than one meaning.)
(1) It means “he is near” or “his return is near.” He refers to the Son of Man mentioned in 13:26 or to his return. For example:
he is near (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
his return is very near (New Living Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, English Standard Version)
(2) It means “it is near.” It refers to another event about which Jesus had been speaking. This event could be the end of the world or the coming destruction of the temple. The Revised English Bible says:
the end is near
Except for the ones listed above, other English versions translate in a general way with either “it” or “the time” (New International Version, King James Version, Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version). They are ambiguous about whether they are referring to Jesus’ return or to a different event.
If possible, you should translate in such a way that either interpretation may be understood. If you need to be specific, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
near: In this context the word near refers to being near in time. It indicates that Jesus or his return would soon come. Use a word that will fit with your translation of the subject (“He” in the Berean Standard Bible).
right at the door: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as right at the door is an idiom. It means “almost here” or “about to happen.” This idiom strengthens the previous word “near.” There may be a suitable idiom in your language with that meaning that you could use here. Another way to translate this is with a negative expression. For example:
it/he is not far in the future
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