28-00

The Rich Young Ruler

This title can also be translated as: “About how a wealthy and important young man came to speak to Jesus” or “What happened when a wealthy and important young man came to speak to Jesus?”

28-01

One day

This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

a rich young ruler

This man was already a rich and powerful political official, even though he was still young. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])

came up to Jesus

This could mean approached Jesus.

asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “asked him what he must do to have eternal life.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Good teacher

This could mean righteous teacher. He was not saying that Jesus was simply a skilled teacher.

to have eternal life

This could mean to receive eternal life or to live with God forever. Also consider how eternal life was translated in 27:01 and see the note about that there.

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? There is only one who is good, and that is God. But if you want to have eternal life, obey God’s laws.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus asked him why he called him good, since there is only one who is good, and that is God. Then he told him to obey God’s laws in order to have eternal life.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Why do you call me good?

Jesus is not denying that he is good. Rather, he is asking if the ruler understands that Jesus is God. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

There is only one who is good, and that is God

Other ways to say this are: “The only one who is truly good is God” or “God is the only one who is truly good.”

28-02

“Which ones do I need to obey?” he asked

This could mean Which laws do I need to obey in order to receive eternal life? This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “He asked him which laws he needed to obey” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Jesus replied, “Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not lie. Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus replied that he must not commit murder, or commit adultery, or steal, or lie, and must honor his father and mother, and love his neighbor as he loves himself.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

as you love yourself

This could mean as much as you love yourself or to the same degree that you love yourself. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-simile/01.md]])

28-03

the young man said, “I have obeyed all these laws ever since I was a boy. What do I still need to do in order to live forever?”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “the young man said that he had obeyed all these laws ever since he was a boy, and asked what he still needed to do in order to live forever.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

ever since I was a boy

Another way to say this would be: “from the time I was a child until now.”

What do I still need to do

This could mean What else do I need to do or What do I need to do in addition to these

loved him

Jesus had compassion on him. Choose a word for love that is consistent with the kind of love God has for people.

28-04

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus answered that if he wanted to be perfect, then he should go and sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor, and he would have treasure in heaven. Then he should come and follow him.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

you

If your language has different words for you depending on the number of people intended, use the singular form. Jesus was addressing this command to this one man. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-pronouns/01.md]])

perfect

This could mean completely righteous.

everything you own

This could mean all of your possessions.

the poor

That is, the poor people. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-nominaladj/01.md]])

treasure in heaven

The phrase treasure in heaven is a metaphor that refers to a reward from God. Alternate translation: “God will reward you in heaven” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])

treasure

This could also be translated as: “riches” or “great wealth.”

in heaven

This could also be translated as: “located in heaven when you arrive there.” This treasure will exist there and then, as opposed to the wealth that Jesus asked the young man to give up here and now.

28-05

heard what Jesus said

This could mean heard Jesus tell him to give away what he owned.

28-06

Jesus said to his disciples, “It is extremely hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God! Yes, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus told his disciples that it is extremely hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God! He said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

It is extremely hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God!

This is a strong statement that it is extremely hard for rich people to be saved. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

to enter into the kingdom of God

This can also be translated as: “to become a citizen in God’s kingdom.”

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

This is an exaggerated statement in order to emphasize the difficulty of a rich person being saved. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-hyperbole/01.md]])

a camel

Camels are very large animals that are often used to carry heavy loads. If camels are not known in your language area, a phrase such as a very large animal or a beast of burden could be used. If you choose to substitute the name of some other large animal, such as an ox or a donkey, make sure that the animal would have been known by the people Jesus was talking to.

the eye of a needle

This refers to the tiny hole in the end of a sewing needle. The idea of something as large as a camel going through the eye of a needle is intended to represent something that is impossible.

28-07

they were shocked

This could mean greatly astonished. They believed that God made people rich because they were more righteous than other people. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

They said, “If it is like this, who will God save?”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “They asked who God would save it it was like this.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

If it is like this, who will God save?

This could also be translated as: “If God does not allow rich people to have eternal life, how can anyone else be saved?” This is perhaps a rhetorical question that means If God does not save rich people, then it seems like he will not save anyone! (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

save

Here it refers to God not judging or condemning them for their sin, and allowing them to be citizens in his kingdom.

28-08

said, “It is impossible for people to save themselves. But nothing is impossible for God to do.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “said that it is impossible for people to save themselves, but nothing is impossible for God to do.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

nothing is impossible for God to do

This could also be translated as: “God is able to do anything, even save a rich person” or “God is able to do impossible things, so he can save even a rich person.”

28-09

said to Jesus, “We disciples have left everything and followed you. What will be our reward?”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “told Jesus that the disciples had left everything and followed him, and asked what their reward would be.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

left everything

This could mean left everything behind or given up everything we owned.

What will be our reward?

Other ways to say this are: “What reward will we receive” or “How will we be rewarded?” or “What will God give us as a reward?” It may also be necessary to add, “because we have done this?”

28-10

Jesus answered, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or property for my sake will receive 100 times more and will also receive eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus told them that everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or property for his sake will receive 100 times more and will also receive eternal life. He said that many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

has left

This could mean has left behind or has given up or has counted as less important than God.

for my sake

This may also be translated as: “because of me” or “on my account.”

100 times more

This could mean very much more than he had before. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first

Here first and last refer to people’s status or importance. Jesus is contrasting people’s status now with their status in the kingdom of heaven. Alternate translation: “But many who seem to be important now will be the least important, and many who seem to be unimportant now will be very important” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

many who are first will be last

This could mean many people who are important now, will not be important then.

many who are last will be first

This could mean many people who are considered to not be very important on earth will be considered very important in heaven or Many people who are considered now to be of little value on earth will be highly valued in heaven.

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.