SIL Translator’s Notes on Mark 2008 – Page 3

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:19

1:19a

Going on a little farther: The phrase Going on a little farther connects 1:19a with the preceding verse.

Here is another way to translate this:

Jesus walked on and soon saw (Contemporary English Version)

He: The pronoun He refers to Jesus. The focus is on Jesus, but Simon and Andrew were also still with Jesus. In some languages, it may be necessary to indicate that in some way. For example:

Jesus and his two followers

1:19b

He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John: In New Testament times Jewish people used the name of their father to identify the family they belonged to. Zebedee was the father of James and John. See “Proper Names in Mark” in the Introduction for information on how to transliterate these names.

See the note in 1:16b for ways to translate the word brother. Since John was mentioned last, he was probably the younger brother.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee (New Century Version)

Notice that in the God’s Word, the word “brother” is implied by the fact that both James and John were sons of the same man. If you follow a model like the New Century Version, be sure that “more brothers” does not imply that James and John were also brothers of Simon and Andrew.

1:19c

They were in a boat: The boats used on Lake Galilee were small boats used for fishing and travel across the lake. They could hold from about four to fifteen people. People used sails or oars (long paddles) to cause the boats to move across the water. If you do not have a word for boat in your language, here are some translation options:

• Use a phrase that describes the function of a boat. For example:

a vehicle for crossing water
-or-
something for carrying people on top of water

• Use the word for a specific kind of boat in your culture. For example:

canoe

Consider how your language talks about people in a boat. In some languages it may be more natural to say that they were riding or sitting in a boat.

mending their nets: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mending means “restoring to a former condition.” This would include cleaning, repairing, and folding the nets. In translating this phrase, you may focus either on “preparing” the nets or on mending the nets. For example:

repairing their nets (New Living Translation)
-or-
getting their nets ready (Good News Bible)
-or-
preparing their nets to [go fishing] (God’s Word)

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:20

1:20a

Immediately: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Immediately probably indicates here that Jesus called James and John as soon as he saw them. For example:

As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them (Good News Bible)

Jesus called them: In this context, the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called means “invited” or “summoned.” It does not mean “called out” or “shouted.” The text implies that Jesus was inviting them to become his disciples. This invitation may also be expressed as a direct quote. For example:

Jesus said to them, “Come with me and be my disciples.”

them: The pronoun them refers only to James and John. It does not include their father Zebedee.

1:20b

they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men: In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of the boat and the hired men. For example:

they left their father Zebedee and the hired men in the boat (God’s Word)

their father Zebedee: Because James and John were called the “sons of Zebedee” in 1:19b, it may not be necessary to say here that he was their father. You may leave this information implied if that is natural in your language. For example:

they left Zebedee in the boat
-or-
they left their father in the boat (Contemporary English Version)

1:20c

and followed Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as followed means “departed, set out.” James and John began to follow Jesus. It some languages it may be natural to translate this with the same word for “follow” that you used in 1:18.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:21

Section 1:21–28

Jesus expelled an evil spirit from a man

In this section Mark described the first of four events that happened in the town of Capernaum in the region of Galilee. Paragraph 1:21–26 tells how Jesus expelled an evil spirit from a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. Paragraph 1:27–28 describes the people’s amazed reaction to Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. See the note on “unclean spirit” in 1:23a for ways to translate “evil/unclean spirit.”

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here is another idea for this section heading:

The time when Jesus expelled an evil spirit

There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 4:31–37.

Paragraph 1:21–26

This paragraph begins with a change of location. Jesus and his four disciples walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee to the town of Capernaum.

1:21a

Jesus and His companions went: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus and His companions went is more literally “they went.” The pronoun “they” refers to Jesus and the four disciples who were mentioned in 1:16–20. Since this is the start of a new section, you may want to make explicit who “they” refers to, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

Jesus and his disciples (Good News Bible)
-or-
Jesus and his followers (New Century Version)

Capernaum: Capernaum was a small town that probably had fewer than two thousand people. It was located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate that Capernaum refers to a town. For example, the New Living Translation says:

the town of Capernaum (New Living Translation)

1:21b

and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath: This part of the verse tells when the event in this section happened. It also tells the specific place in Capernaum where it happened. Consider how your language would naturally connect this part of the verse to what precedes it. In some languages it may be more natural to begin this part of the verse with a new sentence. For example:

When the next Sabbath day arrived, Jesus went into the synagogue
-or-
Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath (Contemporary English Version)

and right away: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and right away is literally “and immediately.” Here it refers to the next Sabbath day, as the Contemporary English Version example in the preceding note indicates.

synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. There was only one temple (in Jerusalem), but each Jewish community had a synagogue.

Here are some other ways to translate synagogue:

prayer-house of the Jews
-or-
meeting-place of the Jews
-or-
worship building
-or-
house for gathering together

If you make explicit a phrase such as “of the Jews,” be sure that it does not imply that Jesus was not a Jew.

If the word synagogue is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may want to include a word or phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

sinagog house/building

Consider using a footnote that contains some of the information above. See synagogue in the Glossary.

Sabbath: The word Sabbath is the name of the seventh and last day of the week for the Jews. The Sabbath was the special day in the week when the Jews rested and worshiped God. The Law of Moses said that the Jews must not do any work on that day (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).

Here are some other ways to translate Sabbath:

the Jewish rest day
-or-
the day for resting
-or-
the day to rest and worship God

If the word Sabbath is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may also want to include a phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

the Sabat, the Jews’ day for resting

Be careful that the term you choose is not confused with Sunday, the day when Christians worship. The Sabbath for the Jews began at sundown on Friday and went until sundown on Saturday. You may want to include a footnote to give more information. For example:

The Sabbath is a name for the seventh day of the week. It is the day when the Jews rested from work and worshiped God.

1:21c

and began to teach: The Greek verb that most English versions translate as began to teach may also be translated as “taught,” as in the Revised Standard Version. Use a verb form that is natural in your language for this context.

In some languages a verb like teach may require you to tell what Jesus taught and whom he taught. In this context he taught God’s message to the people who gathered in the synagogue to worship.

Here is one way to make this information explicit:

began to teach God’s message to the people there

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:22

1:22a

The people were astonished at His teaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were astonished emphasizes that the people were very surprised. The word means “overwhelmed,” “astounded” or “deeply impressed.” In Greek, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were astonished is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

The people were amazed at his teaching (New International Version)
-or-
And his teaching made a deep impression on them (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The people thought, “He teaches very well!”

at His teaching: The phrase His teaching probably refers to the way Jesus was teaching rather than the content of his teaching. So the Good News Bible translates this as:

at the way he taught (Good News Bible)

1:22b

because: The connector because introduces the reason why people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. In some languages it may not be necessary to use a connector here. For example, the Contemporary English Version has:

Everyone was amazed at his teaching. He taught with authority… (Contemporary English Version)

Use a way that is natural in your language to express a reason.

He taught as one who had authority: In this context, the phrase as one who had authority means “authoritatively” or “with certainty.” Jesus knew that what he said was true and that it was God’s message.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he taught like a chief
-or-
he spoke to them like a teacher who knows that what he says is absolutely true
-or-
he taught them like one who has the right/authority to declare the truth

1:22c

and not as the scribes: The phrase not as the scribes indicates that Jesus did not teach in the same way that the scribes taught. When the scribes explained something, they always quoted other scholars to support their views. But Jesus did not quote other Jewish teachers to support the truth of what he said.

the scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribes is sometimes translated as “teachers of the law,” as in the New International Version. The original work of these men was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, their main task was to study, interpret, and teach the law of Moses and related Jewish laws and traditions.

Here are some ways to translate this term:

teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation)
-or-
experts on the law

See teacher of the law in the Glossary.

General Comment on 1:22a–c

The parts of this verse may be arranged in various ways. For example:

22cBut the way that Jesus taught was quite different from the scribes, 22bbecause his way of teaching showed his great authority. 22aSo the people were completed amazed.
-or-
22aThe people who heard him were amazed at the way he taught, 22cfor he wasn’t like the teachers of the Law; 22binstead, he taught with authority. (Good News Bible)

Arrange these verse parts in a way that is natural in your language.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:23

1:23–25

In 1:23–25 singular and plural forms are used in an interesting way. 1:23 talks about a man who was possessed by an evil/unclean spirit. The word for “spirit” is a singular form. The man shouted at Jesus, but the words that he shouted in 1:24a–b use the plural form “us.” This probably implies that the evil spirit was speaking for evil spirits as a group. In 1:24c the evil spirit changed from the pronoun “us” to “I.” When Jesus answered in 1:25, he rebuked “him/it.”

In your translation, use singular and plural forms in a way that is clear and natural in your language.

1:23a–b

Suddenly a man…cried out in the synagogue: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Suddenly here introduces an event that is surprising and significant in the story.

The Greek text does not indicate when the man entered the synagogue. He may have been there while Jesus was speaking or he may have entered as Jesus finished speaking and immediately cried out. Normally, a person with an unclean spirit was not allowed to worship in the synagogue, so the man probably entered after Jesus finished speaking. (There are two interpretations here: (1) The man suddenly entered the synagogue while Jesus was teaching. (2) The man was in the synagogue all along but suddenly shouted out. Most scholars feel that the man was not a member of the synagogue or else entered against the normal rules. Most versions are either ambiguous or unclear in English. Since it is difficult to clearly indicate the different positions, the different interpretations have not been listed in the notes.) The Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version make this explicit. For example:

Just then a man with an evil spirit came into the synagogue and screamed (Good News Bible)

1:23a

with an unclean spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as with an unclean spirit indicates that an unclean spirit controlled the man’s thoughts and actions.

Languages have different ways to refer to possession by evil spirits.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

controlled by an evil spirit (God’s Word)
-or-
had an evil spirit in him (New Century Version)
-or-
on whom an evil spirit had fastened
-or-
on whom an evil spirit was riding

Use an expression that is natural in your language to refer to an unclean spirit controlling a person.

unclean spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unclean spirit refers to a spirit that is unclean and can control people’s actions. The phrase unclean spirit refers to the same type of spirit as the Greek terms that are often translated as “demon” and “evil spirit.”

Here are some other ways to translate unclean spirit:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to spirits that are evil and can control people. If there is one word with this meaning, you may not need a separate word like “unclean.” For example:

demon

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. This spirit should be able to do what is described in this context. Do not use a term that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

an evil/bad spirit
-or-
an impure spirit (New International Version, 2011 edition)

Be sure that an expression like “unclean spirit” or “impure spirit” does not imply that the spirit is literally dirty.

See evil spirit in the Glossary for more information.

1:23b

cried out: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cried out means “shouted” or “screamed.” Use a natural way in your language to describe a person shouting under the influence of an evil spirit.

In Greek it is the man who cried out. But the words that he shouted came from the evil spirit or spirits that possessed him. Use whatever subject is natural in your language to refer to a person speaking under the influence of an evil spirit.

in the synagogue: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the synagogue is more literally “their synagogue.” This phrase refers to the synagogue where the people who lived in Capernaum worshiped. It does not imply that the synagogue belonged to Jesus and his disciples. It is clear from 1:21 that Jesus had entered the synagogue in that town, so the Berean Standard Bible does not translate the pronoun “their.”

If your term for synagogue is a phrase such as “meeting place of the Jews,” you may need to use a form like “their.” For example:

their meeting place

See the note in 1:21b for the term synagogue. See also synagogue in the Glossary.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:24

1:24a

What do You want with us…?: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What do You want with us…? is an idiom. It literally says, “What to us and to you?” It means “What relation do we(excl) have with you?” (The commentaries and a detailed article by Nigel Turner (Grammatical Insights Into the Greek NT, pages 43–47) discuss the differences in meaning between “What do we have in common?”, “What cause of enmity/injustice is there between us?” and “What business do we have with each other?” However, when the rhetorical nature of the question is appreciated, the differences between these renderings of the question largely dissolve. A sense close to “leave me alone” works well in all contexts where this is found, whether the occasion is some issue of injustice between parties, a request that someone get involved in a matter he felt was not his business, or a plea, as here, on the part of demons that Jesus refrain from punishing them.) The evil spirit meant that Jesus had nothing in common with evil spirits as a group. He implied that Jesus should not interfere with them.

This idiom is a rhetorical question that expresses the evil spirit’s fear, dread, and hostility. Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a question. For example:

Why are you bothering us…? (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
What do you want with us…? (New Century Version)
-or-
Why are you interfering with us…?

• As a statement or command. For example:

Do not bother/disturb us!
-or-
We have nothing to do with one another!
-or-
Leave us alone! (NET Bible)

Some languages may have an exclamation that shows that the speaker is afraid or hostile. In some languages it may be appropriate to use such an exclamation here. For example:

How terrible! Why are you bothering us?

us: The pronoun us probably refers to the evil spirit that possessed the man and to other evil spirits like him. (There are several ways to interpret the pronoun us here: (1) It refers to the demon who was speaking and other demons like him, (2) It refers to several demons who were all possessing the man, or (3) It refers to the demon and the man he was possessing. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the view of the majority of commentators.) The evil spirit was speaking on behalf of other evil spirits. The evil spirit did not include Jesus in the group called us. If it is not clear who the pronoun us refers to, you may need to specify “us evil spirits.”

Jesus of Nazareth: The phrase Jesus of Nazareth means “Jesus from the town of Nazareth.” In those days Jewish people generally had only one personal name. They could be further identified by their hometown. If you have a different way to indicate that someone is from a certain town, you may use that.

The evil spirit used this phrase to get Jesus’ attention and to indicate that he was speaking to Jesus. The Berean Standard Bible puts this phrase at the end of the question. You may want to put it at the beginning if that is more natural in your language.

1:24b

Have You come to destroy us?: This is a real question. The evil spirit knew that Jesus was the Messiah and had the power to destroy evil spirits. The spirit may have feared that Jesus would immediately destroy him and the other evil spirits.

Have You come: In some languages a verb like “come” may require you to say where a person has come from and where he has arrived. In this context Jesus had come from heaven to earth. However, it may be awkward to make this information explicit. So you may be able to use a more general word like “here.” For example:

Have you come here…
-or-
Are you here…

to destroy us: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as destroy means “ruin” rather than “kill.” The evil spirit was afraid that Jesus would destroy its power. The spirit was probably also afraid that Jesus would send it and the other evil spirits to a place where they would be imprisoned. They would have to wait there for God’s final judgment.

In many languages a word like destroy may refer to smashing or breaking something. You may need to use a different expression. For example:

end our power
-or-
punish us

1:24c–d

In Greek there is no word between the clause “I know who you are” in 1:24c and the phrase the Holy One of God in 1:24d. The Berean Standard Bible connects these verse parts with a dash. In some languages it may be more natural to connect them in a different way. For example, the Contemporary English Version starts a new sentence in 1:24d:

I know who you are! You are God’s Holy One. (Contemporary English Version)

The evil spirit knew that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah whom God had sent to earth.

1:24c

I know who You are: The pronoun refers to the evil spirit who was speaking through the man’s mouth.

1:24d

the Holy One of God: The evil spirit identified Jesus here as the Holy One of God. The apostle Peter also used this term to refer to Jesus in John 6:69. In this context Jesus is the Holy One of God because he is divine and comes from God.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the Holy One sent from God (New Living Translation)
-or-
the Divine/Sacred One who comes from God

In some languages it may not be possible to use the word One to refer to a person. It may be necessary to use a more specific term. For example:

You are the Holy Person/Man from God.
-or-
You are the Holy Child of God.

Holy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Holy refers to something or someone that is dedicated to God or set apart for him.

1:24d–25a

In 1:24d the evil spirit finished speaking. In 1:25a Jesus replied. Some languages may use a phrase such as “he said” to indicate the end of a quotation. Other languages may use a similar phrase to indicate the beginning of the next quotation. Be sure to identify the speakers and indicate the end and beginning of these quotations in a clear way in your language.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:25

1:25a

But Jesus rebuked the Spirit. “Be silent,” He said: In Greek the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He said occurs at the beginning of the sentence. Place it wherever it is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Jesus commanded the evil spirit, “Be quiet!” (New Century Version)
-or-
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent” (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly (New International Version)

Be silent: The command Be silent uses a singular verb form. Jesus was speaking to the one demon who called him the Holy One of God.

1:25b

Come out of him!: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Come out is a normal way in Greek to speak of a demon releasing control of a person. It indicates here that Jesus commanded the demon to leave the man and stop controlling him.

In some cultures, people do not think of demons as being in a person. If that is true in your language, it may not be natural to speak of them coming or going out of a person. Use a natural expression in your language for when a demon stops controlling a person.

Here are some other ways you could say this:

Leave him!
-or-
Release him!

Translate this command in a way that fits the expression you used for the phrase “with an unclean spirit” in 1:23a.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:26

1:26a–b

This verse describes three different things that the evil spirit did. It convulsed the man, left him, and shrieked. The Greek text does not indicate the exact order of these events. It says literally:

Having convulsed him and having cried out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him.

Possibly the demon was shrieking at the same time as it was convulsing the man. Possibly it was still shrieking as it left the man. You may use whatever order is natural in your language to describe a situation like this.

1:26a

the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as threw…into convulsions means that the evil spirit caused the man to have a seizure or a convulsion. It does not mean that the evil spirit grabbed the man’s body and threw him. Use a natural way in your language to describe a seizure or convulsion.

1:26b

and came out: The verb came out was also used in Jesus’ command in 1:25b.

with a loud shriek: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as with a loud shriek is literally “having cried out with a great voice.” This phrase emphasizes the loudness of the sound. You may use whatever verb is natural in your language to describe the shouting or screaming of an unclean spirit. See the note on 1:23b, which uses a different Greek verb that has a similar meaning.

The unclean spirit shrieked using the man’s mouth. In some languages it may be more natural to describe this action by saying:

the unclean spirit caused the man to shriek

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 2008

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:19

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:20

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:21

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:22

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:23

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:24

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:25

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 1:26

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