7:37a

In Greek, 7:37 begins with the common conjunction that is often translated as “and,” as in the Good News Bible. Here it introduces the result of 7:36 and the conclusion of this section. The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not use a connector. Do what is natural for your language in this context.

The people were utterly astonished: In this phrase the Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word people, which is not in the Greek text. It is not clear exactly which people were amazed. Here are the options:

(a) the crowd of people who witnessed the miracle,

(b) the people who heard about the miracle, (Good News Bible)

(c) both the crowd and those who later heard about it.

Option (c) is the most likely option, but all three are possible. Most English versions use a general expression like “they” or “people.” If it is natural in your language, it is recommended that you also use a general term that could imply any of the options.

were utterly astonished: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were utterly astonished is literally “were amazed beyond measure.”

Here are some other ways to translate utterly astonished:

completely amazed (Good News Bible)
-or-
astonished beyond measure (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
their admiration was unbounded (New Jerusalem Bible)

This phrase utterly astonished is very similar to the phrase in 6:51. You may be able to translate in a similar way here.

7:37b

He has done all things well: In this context the phrase all things refers to the other spectacular miracles that Jesus had done in the past and to the one that he had just done for the man who could not hear or speak.

well: The word well here describes the way in which Jesus performed miracles. The people were amazed at what he was able to do. It may be natural to show this amazement by using a more emphatic word than the English well. For example:

…terrific/brilliant way!
-or-
…wonderfully!

7:37c

He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak: This phrase indicates that Jesus healed people who were deaf and he also healed people who were mute. As a result, the deaf people could hear and the mute people could speak. The Good News Bible translates this as:

He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak

He makes even: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even here connects 7:37b and 7:37c. There is implied information that is connected to the word even. It is:

In addition to the other spectacular things/miracles Jesus has done, he even makes…

Connect 7:37b and 7:37c in a way that is natural for your language.

the deaf…and the mute: These phrases probably refer to different groups of people, that is, those who could not hear and those who could not speak. (There is a textual difference here. (1) The UBS4 (page 149) and Majority texts have an article before the words translated as “deaf” and “dumb.” With this reading, the phrase refers to two groups of people. (2) Other manuscripts omit the article. With this reading, the phrase refers to one group of people, those who are both deaf and dumb. It is recommended that you follow textual option (1), along with most English versions.)

the mute: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as mute is not the same word that was used in 7:32b. The word that was used there indicates a speech defect. The word used here means “unable to speak.”

General Comment on 7:37a–c

In this section Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5–6. You may want to include a cross reference to these verses in your translation.

Paragraph 8:1–5

8:1a

In those days: The phrase In those days refers to the days soon after Jesus healed the man in 7:31–37. Jesus and his disciples were still in the area of the Decapolis.

Here are some other ways to translate In those days:

About this time (New Living Translation)
-or-
Not long afterward (Good News Bible)

Translate In those days in a way that connects this section to the previous event in 7:31–37. Your translation should not imply that Jesus fed the crowd on several days.

the crowd once again became very large: The words the crowd once again became very large indicate that large crowds had gathered around Jesus at other times. Examples are mentioned in 6:33–34 and 7:33.

8:1b

and they had nothing to eat: This clause gives the reason for Jesus’ action in 8:1c. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this with the connector and. Use a natural way in your language to connect this reason with the result in 8:1c.

they had nothing to eat: The Greek text does not say why the crowd had nothing to eat. They may have brought food and eaten it all or they may not have brought any food with them. Your translation should allow for both possibilities.

8:1c

Jesus called the disciples to Him and said: This phrase indicates that Jesus called his disciples together to talk to them. It does not imply that he called them to him from a distant place. The disciples traveled with Jesus wherever he went. They were last mentioned in 7:17.

the disciples: The words the disciples refer to the special group of twelve men that Jesus had chosen to follow him (3:13–19).

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 other ways to translate disciples:

• Use a term that refers to people who learn from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learners are often with their teacher. For example:

learners/students
-or-
apprentices

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 people who follow 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:

followers
-or-
those who are committed/faithful (to a teacher/leader)

See how you translated this term at 2:15b and 7:17b. See disciple in the Glossary.

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