Matthew 3 (BHT-FTN)

+1:1Though anarthrous (ie, no definite article is present), the noun here is definite. It most likely lacks the article because it is being introduced for the first time in the discourse. Cf also Apollonius’ Corollary (as described, eg, in Wallace, Grammar, 239-40, 250-51; cf also NET Bible Notes, Mt 1:1).+1:1Lit the record of the genealogy. ME (see NAC [Mt], 52; UBSHS [Mt], 8; Richards, BR Companion, 602). Here, Matthew has not only Jesus’ genealogy, but also the account of his birth, in view. Cf Gn 5:1.+1:2Cf LEB.+1:3Lit Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:5Lit Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:5Lit Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:6Lit David fathered Solomon by she/the woman of Uriah. Following the lead of the UBSHS in translation here (see UBSHS [Mt], 14). Cf ASV, NASB, NIV, NKJV, NLT, YLT.+1:18οὕτως ( houtōs) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a demonstrative cleft has been used to give extra focus to this element, which points forward to the story that follows. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:18IT. The whole narrative is in view (see UBSHS [Mt], 22).+1:18Lit was betrothed. ME(H) (see L-N, 34.74; NAC (Mt), 57; UBSHS (Mt), 20; ISV footnote at Mt 1:18).+1:18Lit before they came together. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 970, sv συνέρχομαι 3; L-N, 23.61; M-M, 606).+1:18IT. “Power” is implied here and is made explicit in the translation to avoid sexual connotations (see UBSHS [Mt], 21). Cf NCV, NLT. Cf also Lk 1:35.+1:18ἐν γαστρὶ ( en gastri) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been placed in clause-final to give extra focus to this element within the ME (see following note).+1:18Lit she was discovered to be having in the womb. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 23.50). Cf ESV, NET, NLT, NRSV, RSV, YLT at Mt 1:23.+1:19δίκαιος ( dikaios) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:19Throughout the Blessed Hope Translation, if a word or phrase is italicized, it means that it is being emphasized in the Greek text.+1:19Or although Joseph her husband was a righteous man. For further discussion of the interpretation represented in the text, see UBSHS [Mt], 22; Robertson, Word Pictures, Mt 1:19. Cf NABRE.+1:19Lit her.+1:19δειγματίσαι ( deigmatisai) is in an embedded DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore part of this element has been placed in clause-final for primary focus within the comment.+1:19λάθρᾳ ( lathra) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+1:20ἐνθυμηθέντος ( enthumēthentos) is an DFE position, with ταῦτα ( tauta) functioning as a thematically prominent topic (see BART Display), and therefore inversion has been used in translation to keep the POD at the beginning of the sentence, and to give extra focus to both the topic and the verb.+1:20κατʼ ὄναρ ( katʼ onar) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore commas have been used to give extra focus to this element.+1:20ἄγγελος κυρίου ( angelos kuriou) is in P2 (see BART Display), and therefore a dummy subject has been used to give this constituent extra focus (by allowing it to fall in clause-final, out of its default order in English).+1:20Angel here is receiving focal prominence, which would explain the lack of the article.+1:20Or the angel. For a discussion about “an angel” versus “the angel,” see NET Bible Notes, Mt 1:20.+1:20πνεύματός ἁγίου ( pneumatos hagiou) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this constituent. Cf TEV.+1:20IT. See note at Mt 1:18 above.+1:20Lit that which has been in her conceived is by the Holy Spirit. ME. Cf TEV.+1:21Throughout the Blessed Hope Translation, if a second person pronoun is marked with a superscripted “s” (ˢyou), it means that the pronoun is singular. If a second person pronoun is marked with a superscripted “p” (ᵖyou), it means that the pronoun is plural. In cases where the singularity or plurality of a second person pronoun has been deemed to be sufficiently clear from the context, the second person pronoun may not be marked.+1:21This is an imperatival future. Cf HCSB, ISV, NIV, NLT, NRSV.+1:21ME(OTB)/IT. In Hebrew, Jesus’ name is Yeshua, which means “Yahweh saves” (see, eg, the HCSB footnote; NET Bible Notes, Mt 1:20). Information flow is built on the IT here, and therefore the IT has been made explicit in translation.+1:22The context (citation of prophet, with God’s prophetic plan in view) indicates that the subordinate ἵνα ( hina) clause here should be understood as communicating both purpose and result (for more on purpose/result ἵνα clauses, see BDAG, 477, sv ἵνα 3; Wallace, Grammar, 473-4). The phrase “according to plan” (cf BDAG, 477) is drawn from the purpose-result ἵνα clause ( BDAG uses ἵνα πληρωθῇ [ hina plērothē] in Mt as a specific example of a purpose/result ἵνα clause).+1:23Lit the woman will have in the womb. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 23.50). Cf ESV, NET, NLT, NRSV, RSV, YLT. ἐν γαστρὶ ( en gastri) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore this element has been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:25Lit was not knowing her, or did not begin to know her. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 23.61). Cf most English translations.+2:1Lit days. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:1μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ( magoi apo anatolōn) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore this element within the ME (see following note) been placed in clause-final for extra focus and stress (with the help of a dummy subject). Commas have also been used to the same end. For more on the effects created by this type of structuring in English, see LGSWE, 399-400.+2:1Lit Magi. ME(H) (see BDAG, 608, sv μάγος 1; ESL, #3097; L-N, 62.40). Cf TEV.+2:2IT (see UBSHS [Mt], 33). Cf NCV, TEV.+2:3IT. Cf CJB, ISV, TEV.+2:4Traditionally “scribes.” ME(H) (see NET Bible Notes, Mt 2:4; UBSHS [Mt], 35). Cf NET.+2:4The genitive here has been interpreted as a genitive of subordination. This is reflected in the translation.+2:4Or questioned them one after another. VPR. See VCC (Mt 2:4).+2:5οὕτως ( houtōs) is forward-pointing and is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a demonstrative wh-cleft has been used to give extra focus to this element (for more on the function of demonstrative wh-clefts in English, see LSGSWE, 421). Cf HCSB, ISV, NASB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:6Here there are two vocatives in apposition. Cf ASV, LEB, NASB, YLT.+2:6Lit rulers/leaders/governors. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 37.59). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+2:6οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη ( oudamōs elachistē) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+2:6Mic 5:2+2:7Lit Magi. So throughout this section. See note at Mt 2:1.+2:7λάθρᾳ ( lathra) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been placed at the end of the clause for primary focus and stress.+2:7Lit the time of the shining/appearing star.+2:8κἀγὼ is in P2 (see BART Display), and thus an intensive pronoun has been used to extra focus to this constituent.+2:9Lit they.+2:9Lit behold. EFE. In Greek, ἰδοὺ ( idou) is a forward-pointing device that lets the reader know that something significant, surprising, or important is about to take place (see Runge, Disc Grammar, 122; LDGNT Intro, 1.4).+2:9Lit the star they had observed when it rose.+2:10Lit they.+2:10Lit they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ME. Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:12The participle here has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of cause. This is reflected in the translation. Cf NLT, TEV.+2:12διʼ ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ( diʼ allēs ‘odou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to extra focus and stress to this element.+2:13Lit they.+2:13ἄγγελος κυρίου ( angelos kuriou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a dummy subject has been used to give this constituent extra focus (by allowing it to fall in clause-final, out of its default order in English).+2:13Or the angel. See note at Mt 1:20.+2:13Lit he.+2:13The verb here is functioning causatively/ergatively. For more on causative/ergative actives (in which the subject is the ultimate source behind the action), see Wallace, Grammar, 411.+2:13The verb here is functioning causatively/ergatively. For more on causative/ergative actives (in which the subject is the ultimate source behind the action), see Wallace, Grammar, 411.+2:14Lit he.+2:15The genitive here is a subjective genitive. Cf NET, NCV, TEV.+2:15“According to plan” is drawn from the purpose-result ἵνα ( hina) clause. See note at Mt 1:22.+2:15ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ( ex Aiguptou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+2:15Ho 11:1+2:16IT. The direct object is implied here contextually (see UBSHS [Mt], 49). In Greek, direct objects are often omitted when clear from the context (see, eg, NET Bible Notes, Re 3:7). Cf NET.+2:16The verb here is functioning causatively/ergatively. For more on causative/ergative actives (in which the subject is the ultimate source behind the action), see Wallace, Grammar, 411. Cf ISV.+2:18φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς ( phōnē en Rama klauthmos kai odurmos polus) is in a split focal position (see BART Display; cf LDGNT), and therefore a dummy subject and comma have been used to give extra focus to this element.+2:18IT (see L-N, 93.558).+2:18Ῥαχὴλ ( Rachēl) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus the clause has been rendered so as to give extra focus to this element.+2:18Lit because they are not. ME. Cf NLT, TEV.+2:18Jr 31:15+2:19ἄγγελος κυρίου ( angelos kuriou) is in P2 (see BART Display), and therefore a dummy-subject has been used to give extra focus to this element. ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ( en Aiguptō) has also been used as a spacer to the same end.+2:19Lit in Egypt. Cf NCV.+2:19Or the angel. See note at Mt 1:20.+2:20Lit it/he.+2:20IT. Cf NLT, TEV.+2:21Lit he.+2:22Ἀρχέλαος ( Archelaos) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore the clause has been structured to give this element extra focus.+2:22Here the present indicative is being used to express relative time from point of view of the original speaker (see BDF, §324).+2:22This is a genitive of subordination. Cf most English translations.+2:22Lit in place of. ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+2:22ἐκεῖ ( ekei) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:22Lit he.+2:23“Right in line with God’s plan” is drawn from the purpose/result ἵνα ( hina) clause, to go with “and so,” which signals result. See note at Mt 1:22.+2:23Ναζωραῖος ( Nazōraios) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a colon and demonstrative pronoun have been used to give extra focus to this element.+2:23Lit a Nazarene. ME(OTB)/IT. Netzer is one of the Hebrew words for sprout, shoot, or branch (eg Is 11:1; see HCBC, 404-5; Vincent, Word Studies, 22.). Here Matthew is using a play on words to summarize the collective testimony of several prophets, namely, that the Messiah would be called the “Branch of the Lord” (cf Is 4:2, 11:1; Jr 23:5, 33:15; Zc 3:8, 6:12).+3:1Following Barclay in translation here (see UBSHS [Mt], 56). Cf BDAG, 761, sv παραγίνομαι 2.+3:1IT. An “important message,” one that is official and backed by an authority, is implied in the lexeme here (see ANLEX, 230, sv κηρύσσω; see BDAG, 543, sv κηρύσ; ESL, #2784; L-N, 33.206).+3:2VPR. See VCC (Mt 3:2).+3:2Cf Is 13:6-9; Dn 2:34-35, 44-45; Jl 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31, 3:14; Ob 15; Zp 1:7-9, 14-18; Ml 4:5; Mt 5:20-24; Lk 10:11-12, 21:31; Rm 13:12; 1 Pt 4:7.+3:3Following the MT in translation. Cf NLT.+3:3Lit the paths, or your paths. ME(I/F). In this context, “make the paths straight” is being used metaphorically for repentance (see NET Bible Notes, Mt 3:3). For other examples of “paths” (τρίβος [ tribos] here and in the LXX) used metaphorically for conduct, see Ps 142:3; Pr 1:15, 3:17, 8:20; Is 59:8; Jr 18:15.+3:3εὐθείας ( eutheias) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+3:3Is 40:3+3:4VPR. See VCC (Mt 3:4). Cf UBSHS (Mt), 61.+3:4Like Elijah the prophet. Cf 2 Ki 1:8, Lk 1:17.+3:5IT. Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:5VPR. See VCC (Mt 3:5).+3:6ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ( hup’ autou) is in a DFE position here (see BART Display), and has thus been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+3:6Or confessing. For the meaning of the word used here, see BDAG, 351, sv ἐξομολογέω 3; DBL Greek, #2018; M-M, 224.+3:6Cf Ps 32:3.+3:7Lit he.+3:7Lit to his baptism. ME.+3:7μελλούσης ( mellousēs) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has thus been placed after “wrath” for extra stress.+3:8Or in keeping with repentance. Lit worthy of repentance. For the meaning of ἄξιος ( axios) in this context, see BDAG, 93, sv 1.b. Cf ESV, NET, NIV, TEV.+3:9πατέρα ( patera) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis+3:9 LDGNT marks τὸν Ἀβραάμ ( ton Abraam) as a right-dislocated/appositional element (see LDGNT; cf YLT). Most English translations interpret (and render) the accusatives here as object-complement (“we have Abraham as our father”), with the complement ( patera) in the definite-qualitative range (“our father”) because it is fronted (for discussion of the double accusative of object-complement, see Wallace, Grammar, 182-9). Here, patera is interpreted appositionally (with LDGNT), emphatically (with BART Display and LDGNT; the element is anarthrous, which is a common feature of focal constituents), and as being in the definite-qualitative range (with most English translations). In other words, the fronting of patera does indeed function to emphasize it (not just because it is fronted, but because it is fronted as the information that was already the most important in the clause; see Runge, Disc Grammar, 269-85) and to definitize it; however, by doing so, it makes an appositional interpretation more likely here. In an object-complement construction, the emphasis would have this effect: “We have Abraham as our father/ancestor.” This doesn’t make much sense. What else would Abraham be to John’s hearers? Compare this with the appositional rendering: We have our father, Abraham. Here, the emphasis on father falls perfectly in line with the real issue John is addressing in this context: A misplaced confidence.+3:9ἐκ τῶν λίθων τούτων ( ek tōn lithōn toutōn) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an emphatic adjective has been used to give extra focus and emphasis to the this element, which has also been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress. Cf NLT.+3:10πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων ( pros tēn rizan tōn dendrōn) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus and emphasis to this constituent.+3:10VPR. See VCC (Mt 3:10).+3:10εἰς πῦρ ( eis pur) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+3:11EFE. In Greek, μὲν ( men) is a forward-pointing device that functions to build anticipation (see Runge, Disc Grammar, 74-83). In English, a concessive clause can achieve a similar effect when some sort of contrast is in view contextually (since they are subordinate and dependent, they naturally build anticipation toward the main point about to be discovered in the independent clause).+3:11VPR. See VCC (Mt 3:11).+3:11Or in.+3:11Or at repentance, or with a view to repentance. For various ways to interpret the preposition here, cf ANLEX, 132, sv εἰς; BDAG, 291, sv εἰς 10.a; and LSGNT Notes, Mt 3:11.+3:11ὀπίσω μου ( opisō mou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+3:11ἰσχυρότερός μού ( ischuroteros mou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+3:11τὰ ὑποδήματα ( ta hupodēmata) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+3:11Or in.+3:11Cf Is 4:4; 32:15, 44:3; Jl 2:11; Ezk 39:28-29; Ml 3:2, 4:1-6.+3:12Cf Ml 4; Ps 1:4-5.+3:12Or with. Cf Is 30:27-33, 66:24; Mk 9:43, 48.+3:12Or in/with unquenchable fire. Cf Is 30:27-33, 66:24; Mk 9:43, 48; Re 14:9-11, 20:14. This is a reference to Gehenna (cf Mk 9:43, 48). It is therefore definite, even though anarthrous (for a discussion of nouns and definiteness despite the absence of the definite article, see Wallace, Grammar, 243-54). Note that the information has already been activated in verse 10. Therefore, it is also possible that anarthrous status of this element is functioning to give it some extra focus.+3:12Is 30:27-33, 66:24; Mk 9:43, 48; Re 14:9-11, 20:14.+3:13πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην ( pros ton Yōannēn) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and has thus been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+3:14ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ( hupʼ autou) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore λέγων [ legōn] has been used as a spacer to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+3:15This is a dative of reference (see LSGNT Notes, Mt 3:15).+3:15Cf Ml 3:1-5.+3:15Though several of the various shades of meaning associated with δικαιοσύνη ( dikaosune)—obeying God’s will, covenant faithfulness, God’s deliverance/salvation, etc—are possibly working together here on some level; and though Matthew does often employ δικαιοσύνη ethically in the sense of conduct in conformity with God’s will (for discussion, see UBSHS [Mt], 7), the primary focus of the context here is the beginning of the Messianic mission (a crucial turning point in redemptive history). Thus, “righteousness” in this context should be understood primarily in terms of its well-attested OT sense of Yahweh’s saving acts/acts of salvation/deliverance (see BDB, 841.2 [6], 842.1 [6]; translation and notes at Rm 1:17). Cf Ps 40:9-10 (esp ESV, RSV, NRSV, TEV); Is 41:10 (esp LEB, NCV, NET), 45:8 (esp NET), 46:12 (esp RSV, NRSV), 51:5 (esp RSV, NET, NRSV, TEV), 58:8 (esp LEB, NRSV, TEV), 62:1; Jr 23:6; Mic 6:5 (esp RSV, NRSV, TEV). There is no reason to think that Matthew’s understanding and use of “righteousness” is any less robust than that of the prophets! That is, if the prophets themselves employ “righteousness” with different contextually-defined nuances in the same body of material, why not Matthew?+3:15Lit he.+3:15Lit allowed him. Cf NET.+3:16Or when Jesus was baptized, he came up immediately from the water.+3:16Lit behold. EFE. See note at Mt 2:9.+3:16Or the skies. So throughout this section.+3:16Or upon. When used with verbs of motion, ἐπί (with its object in the accusative case, as here) functions as a marker of direction (see BDAG, 364, sv 4.b.). Though it is safe to assume that the dove did actually land on Jesus, “upon” with the imperfective verb of motion here actually creates a bit of a humorous picture. Cf Mk 1:10, where εἰς ( eis) is used.+3:17φωνὴ ( phōnē) follows ἰδοὺ ( idou) and may be in P2, depending on where the implied copula is read (cf LDGNT, which marks it as in P2). A dummy subject has been used to give extra focus to this element.+3:17Cf Gn 22:2, 16; Is 42:1.