OET interlinear MAT 17:6

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential

οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα

the disciples fell on face ˱of˲_them and ˱they˲_/were/_afraid exceedingly

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these two clauses, since the second clause describes something that happened before what the first clause describes. Alternate translation: “the disciples were very afraid and fell on their face”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν

fell on face ˱of˲_them

In Matthew’s culture, “falling” on one’s face refers to kneeling down and putting one’s face close to the ground. This was a position used to show respect and reverence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable expression for a physical position used to show respect or worship, or you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “bowed down” or “lay down to show respect”

Note 3 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

πρόσωπον αὐτῶν

face ˱of˲_them

If it would not be natural in your language to speak as if a group of people had only one face, you could use the plural form of that word in your translation. Alternate translation: “their faces”