teach

The Greek that is translated as a form of “teach” is translated with some figurative phrases such as “to engrave the mind” (Ngäbere) or “to cause others to imitate” (Huichol). (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Noongar it is translated as karni-waangki or “truth saying” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

end of the age, end of the world

The Greek that is often translated in English as “end of the age” or “end of the world” is translated in Amele as “the end of the world time,” in Dobel as “the end of the world as it is now,” and in Luwo as” Day of God’s judgement” (in Matt. 13:39-40) or “as the end of the present world/earth” (in Matt. 13:49; 24:3 and 28:20). (Sources: Joseph Modesto (Luwo), John Roberts (Amele), Jock Hughes (Dobel).)

See also worries/cares of the world/this age.

complete verse (Matthew 28:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 28:20:

  • Uma: “Teach them to follow all that I have commanded you. Remember: I will be with you until the end of the world.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Teach them that they shall follow all which I commanded you. And remember this, I will be there with you always until the end of the world.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Teach them that they should obey all that I have commanded you. And don’t you forget that I am always accompanying you as long as this time is not yet finished.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “and teach them that they are to thoroughly obey all that I have commanded you. Remember also that I will companion you continually until the ending-time of the world.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And teach them to obey all which I have commanded you. And remember that I am with you always until the end of the world.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “All the words I have told you to do, teach the people to do the same. And know that I will walk with you all the days until the world ends. Amen.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

formal pronoun: Jesus addressing his disciples and common people

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Tuvan uses a formal vs. informal 2nd person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Unlike other languages that have this feature, however, the translators of the Tuvan Bible have attempted to be very consistent in using the different forms of address in every case a 2nd person pronoun has to be used in the translation of the biblical text.

As Voinov shows in Pronominal Theology in Translating the Gospels (in: The Bible Translator 2002, p. 210ff.), the choice to use either of the pronouns many times involved theological judgment. While the formal pronoun can signal personal distance or a social/power distance between the speaker and addressee, the informal pronoun can indicate familiarity or social/power equality between speaker and addressee.

Here, Jesus is addressing his disciples, individuals and/or crowds with the formal pronoun, showing respect.

In most Dutch translations, Jesus addresses his disciples and common people with the informal pronoun, whereas they address him with the formal form.

Translation commentary on Matthew 28:20

Teaching is best interpreted as the equivalent of an imperative (see comment at verse 19).

Some translations render them to include only those who have been baptized, and others make it refer to the people of all nations. Probably a reference to all people is more natural, since the command of Jesus does not say to baptize only some, and translators should not be specific in this verse in a way the text is not.

Observe is used of commandments in 19.17 and of instructions in 23.3; it is also the same verb translated “keep watch” in 27.36, 54, and the participle “guards” (28.4) is also derived from this same verb. Here translators can say “to do all the things I have commanded you” or “to live according to my commandments to you.”

Commanded is first used in 4.6 (translated “give … charge of”); it is found elsewhere in 15.4; 17.9; 19.7. Commentators note that the construction all that I have commanded is similar to one that is frequently employed in the Septuagint of God’s commands to Israel (for example, Exo 7.2; 23.22; 29.35; 31.11; Deut 1.41; 4.2; 6.6). Translators can have either “everything I have commanded you” or “all the commands I have given you” (so Barclay).

The expression and lo is not natural in contemporary English, so most translators drop it. But sometimes it is rendered as “And it will be” or “It will happen that.”

I am with you always also has its roots in the Old Testament (see Exo 3.12; Josh 1.5, 9; Isa 41.10; 43.5). It is often more natural to say “I will be with you always (or, at all times).”

The close of the age is the same expression used in 13.39. The period indicated here is that which extends from the time of Christ’s resurrection-exaltation to the end of the world. Translators can have “until the end of the world (or, the end of time).”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .