Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding the soldiers).
Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 28:14:
Uma: “If the Governor hears this, just let us speak to him so that nothing will happen to you.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “If the governor hears that you slept while you were commanded to guard, don’t be afraid. We know to speak to him so that he will not scold you.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And if the governor hears about this, we will talk to him so that he won’t be angry with you.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “In the event the governor hears-this -reported, we (excl.) will be responsible so that he will be satisfied and nothing will happen to you.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “And they were also told, ‘Don’t be afraid, for even if this should get to the governor, we (excl.) will take responsibility. We will ensure that nothing happens to you.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “If the ruler comes to know that you say that you fell asleep and is angry with you, don’t worry, we will fix things up.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
And if this comes to the governor’s ears (Good News Translation “And if the Governor should hear of this”) translates a passive construction in Greek, literally “And if this should be heard by the governor.” This refers to the news about the disciples having come and stolen the body of Jesus while the guards slept. It does not refer to the money being paid to the guards. Translators may have “this story.” It is recalled that throughout the trial scene Matthew frequently referred to Pilate by his official title, the governor (27.2, 11, 14, 15, 21, 27); Mark, for whatever reason, avoids the use of the title.
In the construction we will satisfy him, the pronoun we is emphatic. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “we will speak with him,” and New American Bible “we will straighten it out with him”; Good News Translation is more specific yet with “we will convince him that you are innocent.” It may be that the verb satisfy has the implied meaning “with money,” in which case the full meaning is “we will pay him off” or “we will pay him what is necessary.” But no translations seem to go in this direction.
Out of trouble translates a noun which is used in the New Testament elsewhere only in 1 Corinthians 7.32. New International Version translates precisely as Revised Standard Version, while New Jerusalem Bible is similar with “see that you do not get into trouble.” The meaning of Good News Translation is the same, though the wording is somewhat different: “you will have nothing to worry about.”
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 .
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