5:43a

Then: In Greek this verse begins with the common connector that is often translated as “and.” It introduces Jesus’ response to the amazement of those who had seen the miracle. Some English versions leave this connection implicit. The Berean Standard Bible shows that Jesus’ response was a consequence by translating this connector as Then. Since Jesus’ response was probably unexpected, some versions begin this verse with the word “but.” For example, the Revised English Bible has:

but he gave them strict instructions

Translate the connection in a way that naturally fits this context in your language.

Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this: The statement Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this means that they should not “tell other people” or “spread the news” about what Jesus had done. Jesus’ command was probably given to the parents.

In some languages, it may be more natural to give Jesus’ command as direct speech. For example:

Jesus gave them stern instructions: “Do not tell anyone about this!”
-or-
Jesus earnestly commanded the parents: “You must not spread the news to other people that I caused your daughter to live again!”

5:43b

and He told them to give her something to eat: The pronoun them is not found in the Greek text. Jesus probably gave this instruction to the parents or to the mother. The parents may have called a servant to bring food for their daughter.

If your language prefers direct speech, you could use it here. For example:

…and he said, “Give her something to eat.” (Good News Bible)
-or-
…and he told the parents, “Cause some food to be given to her so that she may eat.”

Paragraph 6:1–3

6:1a

This verse is the beginning of a new section. The events in this section happened sometime after the events in the preceding section. The Greek text does not indicate how much time passed between these two stories.

If it is natural in your language to begin a story with a time word or phrase, use an expression that is not too specific. For example:

After that
-or-
Then (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages, a time word or phrase is not necessary. Introduce this part of the story in a natural way in your language.

Jesus went on from there: The clause Jesus went on from there does two things:

(a) it connects this story with the preceding story in Mark 5

(b) it introduces a new event.

there: The word there may refer to the house of the synagogue ruler (in 5:38) or to the town where Jesus was at the end of Mark 5. It is best to use a word or phrase that can include both, as the Berean Standard Bible and other English versions do. For example, the Good News Bible says:

Jesus left that place

6:1b

hometown: In this context, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hometown refers to the place where Jesus lived with his parents while he was young. This was Nazareth (see 1:9, 1:24).

It was not Bethlehem, where he was born. Therefore, you should not translate the word hometown as the town where he was born. It was also not the place where he normally lived (which was Capernaum; see 2:1; 3:19). You should also be careful not to translate this word in a way that could refer to land that he owned.

6:1c

accompanied by His disciples: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accompanied by His disciples is literally “his disciples followed him” (as in the Revised Standard Version).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

his followers went with him (New Century Version)
-or-
with his disciples (Contemporary English Version)

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. In the New Testament disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

Here are some ways to translate disciple:

• Use a term that refers to someone who learns from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learner is often with his teacher. For example:

learner/student
-or-
apprentice

Be careful not to use a term that would refer only to a student in a school or classroom.

• Use a term that refers to someone who follows a teacher or leader by obeying his teaching. It is helpful if this term also implies learning from the teacher and actually following the teacher wherever he goes. For example:

follower
-or-
one who is committed/faithful (to a teacher/leader)

See disciple in the Glossary.

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