complete verse (Matthew 7:23)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 7:23:

  • Uma: “‘I’ll answer them: ‘I do not know you! Get out of here, you whose behavior is evil.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then I will say to them, ‘I do not recognise/know you. Go away from me, all you who do evil.’ ‘” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And my answer to them at that time will be, ‘I don’t recognize you. You whose doings are bad, go away from here.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But I will then say-frankly to them, ‘I absolutely do not know you. Get-out of here, you who are doing bad!’ ‘” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But my answer to them will be, ‘I really don’t acknowledge you as being my people. Go away from me, you doers of evil!”” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “When I answer, I will say to them, ‘Depart from me, because you are not my friends. For only in evil do you live,’ I will say.” (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 7:23

And then translates a frequently used transitional in Matthew.

I will declare translates a Greek verb which has a wide variety of meanings; quite frequently it is translated “confess.” Here the verb has its root meaning of “to speak openly and freely.” Most translations prefer a somewhat strong affirmation: “I will pass judgment” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), “I shall tell them to their faces” (New Jerusalem Bible), “I will tell them straight” (Barclay), and “I shall tell them plainly” (Phillips). Many translators find that the Phillips rendering is a helpful model. They have “I will tell them openly (or, directly).”

Several scholars note that the words I never knew you constitute a formula used by Jewish rabbis when pronouncing a ban against someone; it means “I have nothing to do with you” or “You mean nothing to me.” Barclay translates “You are complete strangers to me!” “I have nothing to do with you” or “You were not my people (or, my followers)” are the most common renderings.

Evildoers (Good News Translation “wicked people”) is literally “who work lawlessness.” The noun “lawlessness” is one of Matthew’s favorite terms (see 13.41; 23.28; 24.12; it is not found in the other Gospels). In the Old Testament “lawlessness” means doing what is contrary to the Law of God, which is also true for Matthew. However, for him “lawlessness” is expressed in the failure to show love for one’s neighbor, since “love” is the true fulfillment of God’s Law. A number of translations are dynamic: “Out of my sight! Your deeds were sins!” (Barclay), “out of my sight, you and your wicked ways!” (New English Bible), and “You have neglected to live according to the will of God; away with you!” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Depart from me, you evildoers is an allusion to Psalm 6.8. A parallel passage is found in Luke 13.27. Neither Luke nor Matthew agree in all details with the Septuagint. Luke agrees with the Septuagint in its choice of the initial verb (Good News Translation “Get away”), while Matthew’s choice of a verb differs. On the other hand, Matthew agrees with the Septuagint in its use of the final noun (“lawlessness”), while Luke prefers another noun in its place (“wickedness”).

The expression depart from me is certainly not very colloquial English. Good News Translation “Get away from me” is much better. Other possibilities include “Leave!” or “Get out of my sight.”

As for you evildoers, it is difficult to have an expression that is both accurate, in line with the explanations above, and also dynamic. New English Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and Barclay are good attempts. Other translators have said “Disobedient people!” “You never did what God required,” or “Your ways were contrary to God.”

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 .