SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:17

Paragraph 1:17–18

1:17a

When I saw Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus here. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Seeing him ⌊standing there⌋
-or-
Immediately upon seeing him

I fell at His feet like a dead man: This clause indicates that John fell immediately, like a person would fall if he died suddenly. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I fell at his feet as if I were dead (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I fell at his feet as though I were dead (Revised English Bible)

1:17b

But: The Greek conjunction here is usually translated “and” (as in the New American Standard Bible). But there is some contrast between John throwing himself down and Jesus having compassion. The Berean Standard Bible therefore translates this as: But.

You should connect 1:17a–b in the way that is most natural in your language.

He placed His right hand on me: This action shows compassion and reassures John. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he laid his right hand upon me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he put his right hand on me (Contemporary English Version)

1:17c

I am the First and the Last: The title the First and the Last indicates that Jesus existed before all things and will exist after everything in this world ends. This title implies that he is therefore greater than anything and has authority over everything. This title is similar in meaning to the title “the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8a).

In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

The title “the First and the Last” indicates that Jesus existed before history began and will exist after it ends. He is therefore in authority over human history.

• Explain the title in your translation. For example:

I am the First and the Last ⌊existing eternally⌋
-or-
I am the One who is from the very beginning until the very end ⌊of time/history⌋

Translate this title in a different way from the title “the Alpha and the Omega,” because both titles appear in 22:13.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:18

1:18a

the Living One: The phrase the Living One is a second title. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

and the Living One
-or-
and ⌊I am⌋ the One Who Lives

The title the Living One means “the one who lives.” Jesus used it as a title for himself.

1:18b

I was dead: Here the past tense indicates that Jesus was dead in the past, but God caused him to live again. He was alive at the time he spoke to John.

In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information that Jesus was dead but now is no longer dead. For example:

⌊Previously⌋ I was dead
-or-
I was dead ⌊before⌋

behold: This word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. Here it indicates that what Jesus was about to say is important. Sometimes behold is translated as “look.” However, here it is not a command to look at something.

If you have a word that emphasizes the words that follow, you may want to use it here. Some examples are:

see (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
indeed/hey
-or-
look (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
listen

forever and ever: The Greek phrase is literally “into/unto the ages of the ages.” The phrase means “always” or “eternally.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for evermore (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
for all ages to come

You should translate this phrase as you did in 1:6.

1:18c

I hold the keys of: The symbol of the keys indicates that Jesus had power and authority over death and Hades. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I have the keys of (English Standard Version)
-or-
I have authority over (Good News Translation)

Hades: The word Hades refers to the place where the spirits of dead people live before God judges everyone.

Some ways to translate Hades are:

• Use the name in your language for the place of the spirits of dead people.

Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the place of the dead (New Century Version)
-or-
the land/world of the dead

• Use the Greek word and explain it in your translation. For example:

Hades, ⌊the place of the dead⌋

• Use the Greek word and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Hades is the place where the spirits of dead people live until God judges everyone.

Or see Hades in the Key Biblical Terms.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:19

Paragraph 1:19–20

1:19a–b

write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this: There are two ways to interpret the connection between the phrase the things you have seen, the phrase the things that are, and the phrase the things that will happen after this :

(1) The three phrases express three things that Jesus wanted John to write about. The three phrases poetically describe the whole revelation. For example:

what you have seen and what is and what will happen after these things (Contemporary English Version)

(2) The first phrase express the things that Jesus wanted John to write about. The last two phrases explain the first phrase. The first phrase refers generally to the whole revelation. For example:

the things you see, both the things that are now and the things that will happen afterward (Good News Translation)
-or-
all that you see of present happenings and what is still to come (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because a plain “and” occurs before the second phrase and before the third phrase. But if the major language version follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

1:19a

the things you have seen: This phrase refers to what John has already seen (1:10–18). The phrase implies the things John has heard as well. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

whatever you saw
-or-
the things you saw
-or-
all that you have seen ⌊here⌋

1:19b

the things that are: This phrase refers to the events currently happening and the prophecies to the churches (chapters 2 and 3). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the things that are now (Good News Translation)
-or-
present happenings (New Jerusalem Bible)

the things that will happen after this: This phrase refers to the prophecies about the future (chapters 4 to 22). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the things that will happen afterward (Good News Translation)
-or-
what will happen after

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:20

1:20a–d

This is the mystery…: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: The word This and the colon (:) at the end of 1:20b indicate that 1:20c–d describes the mystery in 1:20a–b. Some other ways to indicate this connection are:

20a–b This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold lamps: 20c–d the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches… (Revised English Bible)
-or-

20a–b I will explain the mystery of the seven stars that you saw at my right side and the seven gold lampstands. 20c–d The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

20a–b Here is the secret of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: 20c–d The seven lampstands are the seven churches… (New Century Version)

1:20a

mystery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mystery refers to truth or knowledge that people have not discovered on their own. Someone else reveals it to them. John did not know the symbolic meaning of the seven stars and the seven lampstands, but Jesus told him in 1:20c–d. Other ways to translate this word are:

the secret meaning (Good News Translation)
-or-
The hidden meaning (God’s Word)

of the seven stars: Here the word of means “about” or “concerning.”

1:20b

of the seven golden lampstands: Here the word of means “about” or “concerning.”

1:20c

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: This clause indicates that each star represented an angel. There was one angel for each church. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches
-or-
The seven stars represent seven angels, one for each of the seven churches

the angels of the seven churches: Each angel has some kind of relationship with a church. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the angels belonging to the seven churches
-or-
the angels associated with the seven churches

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels can also be translated as “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. The English versions usually translate the Greek word as angels. See how you translated this word in 1:1.

1:20d

and the seven lampstands are the seven churches: This clause indicates that each lampstand represents a church. In some languages a literal translation will not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

the seven lampstands are ⌊symbolic of⌋ the seven churches

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:1

2:1a

Jesus continued the speech he began in 1:17. Since people sometimes begin reading at the start of chapters, you may want to indicate who was speaking. For example:

⌊Jesus continued and said,⌋

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: Jesus told John to write To the angel of the church in Ephesus, but the message was for the believers in Ephesus. The angel had a relationship with those believers in some way (as the Notes in 1:20 talk about).

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the message was only for the angel. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning of the word “of” in your translation. For example:

To the angel identified/associated with the church in Ephesus write:
-or-
To the angel representing the church in Ephesus write:

• Include a footnote to explain the relationship between the angel and the church. An example footnote is:

Jesus told John to write “to the angel of the church in Ephesus,” but the message was for the believers in Ephesus. The angel represented the believers in Ephesus. The deeds that Jesus spoke of in 2:2 are the deeds of the believers. The same is true for the messages to the other six churches.

angel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angel means “messenger.” It refers here to a spirit being who serves God. The English versions usually translate the Greek word as angel. See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 1:20.

church: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as church refers generally to a gathering of people. Someone summoned the people for a particular purpose. Here, as almost always in the NT, it refers to groups of believers.

In the Bible this word never refers to church buildings. You also should not use a phrase that refers to separate groupings of churches where each group has its own name. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

congregation
-or-
the believers ⌊who live⌋
-or-
the gathering of believers

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

Ephesus: Ephesus was an important city, a center for trade and the pagan worship of the goddess Artemis. In some languages it is helpful to explain what Ephesus was. For example:

⌊the city of/called⌋ Ephesus

2:1b–c

Some English versions use quotation marks at the beginning of 2:1b because it begins telling what John was told to write. For example:

‘The words of him… (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
“This is the message… (Good News Translation)

Introduce what John was told to write in a natural way in your language.

These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: The Greek words are literally “The one holding seven stars in his right hand and walking among the seven golden lampstands says these things.” The Greek word for “these” refers to the words in 2:2–7. The whole clause here is an introduction to 2:2–7. Other ways to translate it are:

This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands (Good News Translation)
-or-

The message of him who is holding the seven stars in his right hand and walking among the seven golden lampstands is this :

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 2:2, using the pronoun “I.” In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus was talking about someone else here. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus spoke about himself. For example:

These are my words, and I hold the seven stars in my right hand and walk among the seven golden lampstands

2:1b

Him…His: Jesus referred to himself here. In some languages it is more natural to use the pronouns “I” and “my.” For example:

These are my words. I hold the seven stars in my right hand…
-or-

I am the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand. I am the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands. My message is this:

2:1c

walks among: This phrase indicates that the lampstands were on either side of Jesus. Some of the lampstands may have been in front of Jesus, and some may have been behind him as well. See how you translated among in 1:13.

the seven golden lampstands: A lampstand is a stand with a place/platform for a lamp on top. This context implies that there are lamps on the lampstands. See how you translated the seven golden lampstands in 1:12.

General Comment on 2:1b–c

In some languages it is more natural to identify the speaker before introducing the message. If that is true in your language, you may want to reorder the information in 2:1b–c. For example:

1b–c
I am the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. My message is this:

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:2

2:2a

I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance: Jesus indicated here that he knew what the believers had been doing. He was aware of all that they had done.

your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance: Here the deeds, labor, and perseverance are all things that the believers in Ephesus did because they believed in Jesus. There are two ways to interpret the connection of deeds to labor and perseverance :

(1) The words labor and perseverance indicate the kinds of deeds. For example:

what you have done—how hard you have worked and how you have endured (God’s Word)

(2) The deeds, labor, and perseverance are three separate things in a list. For example:

your deeds and your toil and perseverance (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because labor and perseverance can be included in the more general word deeds.

your…your…your: The pronouns are singular. They refer to the angel of the church as the representative of all the believers there. But it was the believers who had been working hard and persevering. So in many languages it is more natural to use plural pronouns here.

deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds means “actions” or “accomplishments.” Other ways to translate this word are:

activities (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the things that you have done

In some languages it is more natural to translate the word deeds with a verb. For example:

I know what you have been doing

labor: This phrase refers to the great efforts that the Ephesian believers had made to follow Christ. It was difficult for them to live as believers, and they worked hard at doing what God wanted them to do. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

toil (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the things that you have worked hard at

perseverance: This word refers to continuing to follow God even though there are hardships or people who oppose them. It is the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “perseverance” in 1:9b. Other ways to translate this word are:

steadfast endurance (NET Bible)
-or-
how you…endure (Revised English Bible)
-or-
how patient you have been (Good News Translation)
-or-
how you have endured (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated the Greek word “perseverance” in 1:9.

2:2b

you cannot tolerate those who are evil: This clause indicates that the believers at Ephesus did not accept those who are evil as fellow believers. They did not permit unbelievers to teach or have influence in the church. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you cannot accept wicked men
-or-
you reject wicked men
-or-
you oppose wicked men

those who are evil: The word evil indicates that these people did bad things. For example:

evil people (Good News Translation)

2:2c

you have tested: Here the word tested may indicate that:

(a) The believers questioned these evil people who claimed to be apostles about their beliefs.

(b) The believers observed them and compared their teachings and behavior to the teachings and behavior of Jesus.

The believers probably did both (a) and (b). Translate this in a way that allows for both meanings. For example:

You have examined (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you carefully questioned and observed

exposed as liars: This phrase refers to what the believers in Ephesus determined after testing the false teachers. The believers saw that these false teachers were not apostles. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

have discovered that they are liars (God’s Word)
-or-
saw/realized that they had lied

those who falsely claim to be apostles: These evil people came to the believers in Ephesus and lied to them saying, “We are apostles.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who call themselves apostles, and they are not (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
those who falsely say that they are apostles

apostles: In general, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostles refers to those sent with a message. They are representatives or messengers of a higher authority. Here it refers to those sent to other cities with the gospel of Jesus (such as Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:1–3).

The false apostles to whom Jesus referred here also claimed to have authority from him for their false teachings.

Some ways to translate this word are:

• Translate the meaning. For example:

representatives
-or-

⌊special⌋ messengers
-or-
sent-people

If this word is too general, you may want to add the phrase “of Jesus Christ.” That phrase tells from whom they claimed to receive their authority. An example is:

representatives ⌊of Jesus Christ⌋

• Use the major language word if people are familiar with this word. You may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “apostles” refers to those sent to other places with the gospel of Jesus Christ. False apostles also claimed to have authority from Jesus for their false teachings, but they were lying.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:3

2:3a

This verse tells more of what Jesus Christ knew about the believers in Ephesus. You may want to use the same word or phrase here that you used at the beginning of 2:2a. For example:

I know you are… (Revised Standard Version)

Without growing weary: Here the phrase Without growing weary indicates that the believers did not become discouraged and stop doing what God wanted them to do. They did not stop believing in Jesus. They continued to follow him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

did not tire ⌊of following me⌋
-or-
you have not given up (Good News Translation)

2:3b

you have persevered: The word persevered has the same meaning as the noun “perseverance” in 2:2a. It refers to continuing to follow Christ even though there are hardships or opposition. See how you translated the similar word “perseverance” in 2:2.

endured many things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as endured many things refers to experiencing troubles and difficulties. It is implied here that the believers in Ephesus have endured many things with a good attitude. Other ways to translate the Greek word are:

have faced/experienced difficulties ⌊with a good attitude⌋
-or-
carried/endured troubles ⌊well⌋

for the sake of My name: The name of Jesus is a figure of speech. It stands for who Jesus is. This phrase indicates that the believers in Ephesus persevered and endured because they followed Jesus. Doing this honored Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for my sake (Good News Translation)
-or-
in my cause (Revised English Bible)
-or-
because you follow me

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:4

Paragraph 2:4–6

2:4a

But I have this against you: This clause indicates that Jesus was displeased with the believers about something. He explained what he was displeased about in 2:4b. Other ways to translate this clause are:

But I have this complaint against you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
However, I find fault with you in this way:
-or-
But I do have this ⌊one⌋ criticism of you.

2:4b

You have abandoned your first love: The word abandoned means “left” or “forsook.” It indicates that the believers love much less now than they did earlier. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you have abandoned the love you had at first (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you love little compared to how you loved at first
-or-
you have less love now than formerly (New Jerusalem Bible)

John did not explicitly say whom the Ephesian believers now loved less. He was probably referring to their love in general, including love for God, for Jesus, and for fellow believers. If possible, do not say explicitly whom they loved less. However, some languages must say who was loved. If this is true in your language, you should add a general word or phrase. For example:

you love everyone less
-or-
You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! (New Living Translation (2004))

first: This word refers to the first time that the Ephesian believers began to follow Jesus. At that time they loved Jesus and one another very much, and they acted in ways that showed it.

love: The word love refers to a strong feeling of affection and concern for someone.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020