I tell you is similar to the construction discussed in 5.20. Its function is to tie this verse with the preceding and to make emphatic the words that follow. “I assure you” or “Believe me” are other possible translations.

In the statement something greater than the temple is here, the temple stands in the emphatic position. Apparently no translations attempt to make explicit what or who was intended by something greater than. Moreover, none of the modern translations, including Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, supply a note to explain the meaning. Some commentators suggest that the reference is to Jesus himself, whose authority supersedes both that of the Temple and the Sabbath (see verse 8). Others interpret it to refer to the Kingdom of God, which is ushered in by Jesus’ presence. Since there is no scholarly consensus, one should not attempt to be explicit in translation.

In many languages it is difficult to use a completely neutral word like something, since they require more specific terms such as “someone” or “some teaching.” However, translators should try “a new thing” or “a new truth” before resorting to either of these solutions. The more neutral, the better.

Greater can be rendered as “more important.” The sentence should be restructured if the receptor language requires it, as in “There is something here that is more important than the Temple.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .