OET interlinear MAT 11:13

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

for

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of how John is an important or significant person. As the last verse showed, the kingdom of the heavens has “suffered violence” since John began his ministry, and this verse shows that the Prophets and the Law prophesied about these things up to the time when John began his ministry. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Indeed,] or [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

πάντες & οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος & ἐπροφήτευσαν

all & the prophets and the law & prophesied

Here Jesus speaks as if the Prophets and the Law were people who have prophesied. He means that these sections of Scripture contain prophecies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [all the Prophets and the Law contain what people have prophesied]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος

the prophets and the law

Jesus is referring to all of God’s word that had been written up to that time. He is using the names of two of its major components to do so. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the Scriptures]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν

until John prophesied

Here Jesus implies that the Scriptures include prophecies about the kingdom of the heavens, Jesus’ ministry, and all the things that were happening once John and then Jesus began their ministries. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. If possible, use a general phrase that could refer to many of these events and actions. Alternate translation: [have prophesied until John about what has begun to happen]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἕως Ἰωάννου

until John

Here Jesus could mean that: (1) the Prophets and the Law contain prophecies written down only until John began his ministry. Alternate translation: [up to when John began his ministry] (2) what the Prophets and the Law prophesied was a prediction about the future only until John began his ministry. Now these prophecies have come true. Alternate translation: [until John began his ministry, when the prophecies came true]