OET interlinear MAT 18:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

οὖν

therefore

Here, the word Therefore introduces Jesus’ application of what he said in 18:3 to what the disciples asked him about who was the greatest. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of application. Alternate translation: [Here is what that means:] or [Consequently]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἑαυτὸν & οὗτός

himself & this_‹one›

Although the terms himself and he 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 a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [himself or herself … that person] or [himself or herself … he or she]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὡς τὸ παιδίον τοῦτο

˓will_be˒_humbling himself as the little_child this

Jesus is saying that people should humble themselves like this little child because the little child is humble. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [will make himself as humble as this little child is humble] or [will humble himself with the result that he is as humble as this little child]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸ παιδίον τοῦτο

the little_child this

Here, the phrase this little child refers back to the child whom Jesus set in their midst (see 18:2). You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [this little child who is in our midst] or [this little child whom I summoned]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

ὁ μείζων

the greater

Jesus is using the adjective greatest as a noun to mean the greatest person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [the greatest person]