The two sons of Zebedee are mentioned by name (“James and John”) in the Marcan parallel (14.33). Since they were identified by name at 4.21 and 10.2, translators may safely follow the text of Matthew, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done. For Matthew this narrative serves as a model for prayer and discipleship.

To be sorrowful translates the same verb used in 14.9 and 17.23; in the Marcan parallel (14.33) a different verb is used (“to be greatly distressed”). But Matthew has probably made the alteration in order to make the verb parallel the adjective “very sorrowful” of verse 38.

Troubled translates a verb which is used only here and in Philippians 2.26. It denotes deep emotion and has as its root meaning “be away from one’s home or people.” Jerusalem Bible translates “great distress”; An American Translation has “distress of mind” (Phillips “agony of mind”); and Good News Translation chooses “anguish.”

The word began is actually quite awkward in English when used with emotions like sorrowful and troubled. Translators can say “he became very sad and greatly upset” or follow Good News Translation, “Grief and anguish came over him.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .