Translation commentary on Mark 9:47

Text:

After geenan ‘hell’ Textus Receptus adds tou puros ‘of fire,’ which is omitted by all modern editions of the Greek text.

Exegesis:

Most of the words in this verse have already been dealt with in v. 43; for ekballō ‘throw out,’ ‘pull out’ cf. 1.12.

monophthalmon (only here in Mark) ‘one-eyed.’

eiselthein eis tēn basileian tou theou ‘to enter into the Kingdom of God’ (cf. 10.15, 23, 24, 25): in such a phrase hē basileia tou theou (cf. 1.15) ‘the Kingdom of God’ is thought of as a realm (or state, or condition) that one enters, into which one comes. Here it is identical with ‘the life’ (i.e. ‘eternal life’) of vv. 43, 45. It is, therefore, eschatological, with reference to the future life which follows the resurrection from the dead.

Translation:

In so far as possible the translation of this verse should parallel the treatments of verses 43 and 45, but note that there are some significant differences, especially in the use of the kingdom of God.

Pluck it out must be translated in such a way as to make it applicable to eyes, e.g. ‘gouge it out,’ ‘push it out,’ or ‘dig it out.’

For kingdom of God see 1.15 and 4.11. In this particular context kingdom as a place fits very well, since the introductory verb enter implies movement into a space. However, ‘enter’ in a receptor language may denote moving into an enclosure, and this may not be acceptable in speaking of the kingdom. What is more, if, as in so many instances, kingdom must be treated as ‘rule’ or ‘governing’ (a process, rather than a place or state), some adaptation may be required, e.g. ‘enter where God rules’ or ‘go where you are under the rule of God.’

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:47

9:47a

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out: This verse is a figurative example with the same meaning as 9:43a and 9:45a. You should translate it in the same way as you did 9:43a.

• If you indicated that 9:43a was a parable or figurative example, you should do that here also. For example:

If as a figurative example your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

• If you included the non-figurative meaning and made the parable a simile in 9:43a, you should do that here also. For example:

Remove and throw away any cause of sin! Reject it as completely as if you were plucking out an eye that causes you to sin.

• If you include a footnote at 9:43a to explain the meaning, you do not need another footnote here. The footnote at 9:43a refers to all three verses.

pluck…out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pluck…out means “take out” or “remove.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

tear it out (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
remove it and throw it away

9:47b–c

It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell:

There is a textual issue here that is similar to the one in 9:45c. (1) Some Greek manuscripts end the verse with the words “into hell.” For example, the Good News Bible says: “be thrown into hell” (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, New Century Version). (2) Other Greek manuscripts have the words “of fire” after the phrase “into hell.” For example, the King James Version says: “to be cast into hell
fire” (King James Version). It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is not necessary to include the word “fire.”) This is a comparison like 9:43b–c and 9:45b–c. Do the same thing here as you did there.

9:47b

enter the kingdom of God: In this context, the phrase the kingdom of God refers to God ruling his people and caring for them completely when they live with him after they die. It has a similar meaning as the parallel phrase “enter life” in 9:43b and 9:45b. It also contrasts with “hell” in 9:43c and 9:45c.

Here are some other ways to translate kingdom of God in this context:

enter the place where God rules people
-or-
go to live under God’s reign in heaven
-or-
at the time when God rules you in heaven

See also kingdom of God, Context 1, in the Glossary.

God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshiped.

Here are some other ways to translate God:

• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.

• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:

Creator
-or-
Great Spirit
-or-
Ruler of the universe

Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and churches in your area. For more detailed information, see God in the Glossary.

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