OET interlinear MAT 11:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

and

Here, based on how this verse is interpreted (see the following notes and the chapter introduction) the word But could introduce: (1) a contrast with what Jesus said in the previous verse about how great the kingdom of the heavens is. In contrast with that, the kingdom of the heavens is attacked violently. Alternate translation: “However,” (2) a development of what Jesus said in the previous verse about how great the kingdom of the heavens is. The kingdom advances and grows forcefully. Alternate translation: “Now”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τῶν ἡμερῶν

the days

Here, the word days refers to a specific period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the time period”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ

˱of˲_John the Baptist

Here, Jesus is using the possessive form to describe days in which John the Baptist preached. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when John the Baptist ministered”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν

the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens /is/_forcing and forceful_men ˱they˲_/are/_snatching it

If you understand these two clauses to say similar things (see the following notes and the chapter introduction), then the second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the clauses with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence; yes, violent men take it by force”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται

the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens /is/_forcing

Christians disagree about what exactly this clause means. See the chapter introduction for more information and options. Most likely, the clause could mean: (1) that people attack God’s kingdom. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of the heavens is attacked violently” (2) that God’s kingdom triumphs forcefully in the world. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of the heavens triumphs forcefully”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

βιάζεται

/is/_forcing

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of violence, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “is violently treated” or “is attacked violently”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν

forceful_men ˱they˲_/are/_snatching it

Christians disagree about what exactly this clause means. See the chapter introduction for more information and options. Most likely, the clause could mean: (1) that the men are evil and violent and attack the kingdom. Alternate translation: “violent men attack it forcefully” (2) that the men are forceful and want to be part of the kingdom. Alternate translation: “forceful men take hold of it”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

βιασταὶ

forceful_men

Although the term men is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: “violent men and women”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν

˱they˲_/are/_snatching it

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of force, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “take it forcefully”