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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Mat C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28
Mat 10 V1 V3 V5 V7 V9 V11 V13 V15 V17 V19 V21 V23 V27 V29 V31 V33 V35 V37 V39 V41
OET (OET-LV) it_is Sufficient for_the apprentice/follower that he_may_become as the teacher of_him, and the slave as the master of_him.
If they_called the home_owner Beʼelzeboul, to_how_much more the household of_him?
OET (OET-RV) The apprentice is happy to eventually become like their teacher, and the slave to become like their master. If they accuse the home owner of being a devil, then that will apply to his followers even more.
In this section, Jesus gave various instructions to the twelve apostles. In 10:5–15, he gave them some practical instructions for preaching the good news. In 10:16–33, he described the opposition that they would see when they went out. Lastly, in 10:34–42, he described the commitment required to be a disciple and the reward for being a disciple.
You may want to break this long section into several shorter sections. Here is an example:
Section 10:5–15 | The things the apostles should/must do when sent |
Section 10:16–33 | The difficulties the apostles will face |
Section 10:34–42 | The cost and reward of following Jesus |
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Jesus gave directions/instructions to the twelve apostles for preaching the gospel
The Mission of the Twelve (GNT)
Instructions for the Twelve Apostles (CEV)
It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher,
A student should be satisfied to become like his teacher, (NCV)
If a pupil is treated like his teacher, he must be satisfied/content.
It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher: The Greek word that the BSB translates as It is enough refers to something being sufficient or adequate. If a student becomes like his teacher, that is good enough for the student. He must be satisfied with that. He needs nothing else.
Jesus used this saying to tell his disciples that they should expect difficulties. They will not be honored more than he was honored while on earth. They will not be treated better than he was treated.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
A student becoming equal to his teacher, that is sufficient/adequate
a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher (GNT)
If a student is treated like his teacher, he should be satisfied.
and a servant like his master.
a servant should be satisfied to become like his master. (NCV)
And/Also if a servant is treated like his boss/master, he must be satisfied/content.
and a servant like his master: Some words from the previous clause are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be more natural to include some of those words. For example:
and a servant becoming equal to his master, that is sufficient/adequate
a servant should be satisfied to become like his master (NCV)
And if a servant is treated like his master, he must be satisfied.
If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!: The first part of this sentence is an If clause. But there is no doubt that people have already called Jesus Beelzebul. In order to make this clear, it may be necessary in some languages to make some adjustments. For example:
And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! (NLT)
They have called the master of the house Beelzebul. So/Therefore, they will say even worse things to those of the household.
If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,
Since/Because they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’
People have called me who am the head of the family ‘Satan,’
I am the master of the house. People have called me ‘Satan.’
If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul: The head of the house is the person in charge of those who lived in the house. In this context, the master of the house represents Jesus.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
If they have called the owner of the house Beelzebul (GW)
If the head of the family is called Beelzebul (GNT)
And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons (NLT)
Beelzebul: This word refers to Satan.
There is a spelling issue here. In some manuscripts, this word is spelled Beelzebul (as in the ESV and BSB). In other manuscripts it is spelled “Beelzebub” (as in the NIV and KJV). You should follow the spelling in your major language version.
Here are some other ways to translate it:
Transliterate the word Beelzebul and include a footnote to explain its meaning. Here is a sample footnote:
“Beelzebul” is a name that the Jews sometimes used to refer to Satan without honoring him by using his name.
Use the name “Satan.” For example:
If people call the head of the family Satan (CEV)
Translate the name with a descriptive phrase that clearly refers to Satan. For example:
the prince of demons (NLT)
the ‘Prince of Evil’ (JBP)
how much more the members of his household!
they will certainly call the family members even worse names.
so they will call you, the members of the family, bad names that surpass even that name!
So will they treat you, the members of the family, better than that?
how much more the members of his household!: The BSB literally represents the Greek here. Some English versions add the word “will they malign” to make the sense more clear. (The word “malign” means to say unpleasant and untrue things about someone.) For example:
how much more will they malign those of his household. (ESV)
This phrase indicates that people will do the same things to the disciples (the members of the household) as they did to Jesus (the master of the house). And they will do these things much more readily, quickly, or severely. In other words, people will treat the disciples worse than they treated Jesus. More specifically, they will call the disciples worse names than they called Jesus. The disciples should not expect to be treated any better than Jesus was treated.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
Use a statement. For example:
they will treat you the members of the house even more harshly/severely
the members of the family will be called even worse names! (GNT)
they will certainly say even worse things to the family members
Use a rhetorical question. For example:
what will they say about the rest of the family? (CEV)
will they treat you the members of the house any better?
The relationship between Jesus and the disciples is like the relationship between a teacher and his student (10:24a, 10:25a), the master to his servant (10:24b, 10:25b), and the head of the house to the members of his household (10:25c, 10:25d). So, just as the Pharisees insulted Jesus by calling him Beelzebul/Satan, the disciples will also be insulted and worse. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:
Make the relationships explicit in the text. For example:
c I am like the master of a house, and you are like the people of the house. If people call the master of the house bad names like “devil,” dthen they will call the people of the house even worse names.
Explain the relationships in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
In this parable, Jesus is like “the head of the house” and the disciples are like “the members of his household.” Just as Jesus was insulted, the disciples will be insulted worse.
Note 1 topic: writing-proverbs
ἀρκετὸν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ.
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
Jesus continues to develop the proverb that he used in the previous verse ([10:24](../10/24.md)) to teach that each disciple and slave should be content to be like their teacher or master. He applies this proverb to his disciples to show them that they should be content to be like Jesus. Translate this proverb in such a way that it will be recognized as a proverb and will be meaningful in your language and culture. Alternate translation: [Disciples should be content to be like their teachers, and slaves should be content to be like their masters] or [This is sufficient: the disciple is to be like his teacher, and the slave is to be like his master]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom
ἀρκετὸν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
The phrase It is enough indicates that something is sufficient or satisfying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the disciple should be satisfied to be like his teacher]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun
τῷ μαθητῇ & ὁ δοῦλος
˱for˲_the disciple & the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
The phrases the disciple and the slave represent any disciples or slaves, not one particular disciple or slave. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [for any disciple … any slave]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
γένηται & αὐτοῦ & αὐτοῦ
˱he˲_˓may˒_become & ˱of˲_him & ˱of˲_him
Although the terms he and his are masculine, Jesus is using the words in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use phrases that make this clear. Alternate translation: [he or she might be … his or her … his or her]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis
καὶ ὁ δοῦλος
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and it is enough for the slave that he might be]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
εἰ τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐπεκάλεσαν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ?
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
Jesus applies the proverb more directly to himself and his disciples. He speaks of himself as the master of the house and his disciples as the members of his household. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use simile form or include the meaning of the figure of speech. Alternate translation: [I am like the master of the house, and you are like the members of my household. If they called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much worse the members of his household] or [If they called me, the master of the house, Beelzebul, how much worse you, the members of the household]
Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact
εἰ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀρκετόν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ καί ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ Εἰ τόν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβούλ ἐπεκάλεσαν πόσῳ μᾶλλον τούς οἰκιακούς αὐτοῦ)
Jesus speaks as if this were a hypothetical situation, but he means that it is true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what Jesus is saying is uncertain, then you could translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: [Given that] or [Because]
Note 8 topic: writing-pronouns
ἐπεκάλεσαν
˱they˲_called
The pronoun they refers to any person who called Jesus Beelzebul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to any person who does that. Alternate translation: [some people called] or [his enemies called]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis
πόσῳ μᾶλλον
˱to˲_how_much more
Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [how much worse names will they call]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
(Occurrence 3) αὐτοῦ
˱of˲_him
Since Jesus applies this proverb in such a way that he is the master of the house, the word his refers specifically to Jesus. Jesus is not using the word generically here. Preserve the reference to a specific man. Alternate translation: [the master’s]
10:25 In Jesus’ day, Satan was often called prince of demons. The Greek term is Beelzeboul, from the name of an Old Testament pagan deity, Baal-zebul (“lord, the prince”). The Latin version reads Beelzebub, which is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning “lord of flies,” which was most likely a Jewish insult of Baal-zebul (see 2 Kgs 1:2).
OET (OET-LV) it_is Sufficient for_the apprentice/follower that he_may_become as the teacher of_him, and the slave as the master of_him.
If they_called the home_owner Beʼelzeboul, to_how_much more the household of_him?
OET (OET-RV) The apprentice is happy to eventually become like their teacher, and the slave to become like their master. If they accuse the home owner of being a devil, then that will apply to his followers even more.
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.