4:33a

With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them: The phrase With many such parables is emphasized in the Greek by being first in the clause. English can emphasize phrases in the same way, so the Berean Standard Bible put this phrase first. If you have a natural way to emphasize this phrase, you may want to do so.

parables: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as parables is literally “comparisons.” Parables teach a lesson or truth by showing how it is like something that people already know about. In this chapter Jesus used several types of parables, including a symbolic story, metaphors, and wise sayings.

Here are some ways to translate parables in this context:

• Use a general term in your language that can be used to describe the different types of parables in this chapter. Some English examples are:

illustrations
-or-
metaphors

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

symbolic sayings/words/stories

• Use more than one word or descriptive term for the different types of parables that Jesus used. For example:

such stories and illustrations (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
symbols and sayings

See also parable, Type 2, in the Glossary.

the word: The phrase the word refers to “the word of God” or “God’s message.” This same phrase occurs in 4:14. Translate it here in the same way as you did there.

them: The word them refers here to the crowds who listened to Jesus. It does not refer only to the disciples. You may want to make that clear in your translation. For example:

the people (Good News Bible)
-or-
the crowd (New Century Version)

4:33b

to the extent that they could understand: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understand is literally “hear,” as in the Revised Standard Version. In this context, the word “hear” is used figuratively to mean “receive” or “understand.” The people were certainly capable of literally hearing what Jesus said. (These figurative meanings do not conflict with the statement in 4:34b that Jesus later explained everything to his disciples. Most scholars mention that there were differing degrees of understanding. Jesus continued to teach people as long as they were willing to listen and had at least a limited understanding of what he was trying to say. Later, he explained the meaning of the parables in greater depth to his disciples.)

This figurative meaning may be expressed in different ways. For example:

so far as they were able to receive it (Revised English Bible)
-or-
so far as they were capable of understanding it (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
as long as they were willing to listen

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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