Lectionary Year A
July 28, 2002
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

The New English Translation and the New Revised Standard Version differ some, as these notes indicate:

32 the greatest garden plant - NET
the greatest of shrubs - NRSV

33 until all the dough had risen. - NET
until all of it was leavened. - NRSV

49 Angels will come - NET
The angels will come out - NRSV

52 every expert in the law - NET
every scribe who has been trained - NRSV

B. Textual Criticism

(JFC) 31 Some of the more significant uncials have elalhsen, instead of pare,qhken, a different word meaning very nearly the same thing, if a little more expressive of teaching a lesson than the received version. So, possibly the redaction is more nearly the original. The same alternative reading comes in the 33rd verse as well.
44 A few important uncials read Pa,lin, to begin the verse, as does the next verse, from where it probably comes, possibly being original but not necessarily. Besides, an equal number of constant witnesses retain the text as printed, as seems prudent to do.
49 A very few witnesses change aivw/noj, to read kojmou, and/or aiwnoj toutou, making it seem a little more qualitative than quantitative, perhaps, yet, unnecessarily.
51 Several of the major manuscripts begin this verse, legei autoij o Ihsouj, while just as many retain the text as received, as seems like it would be more likely to be original that way since it is shorter, "lectio brevior", you know. Then, at the end of this verse, some witnesses add, kurie, while just as many significant ones keep the Textus Receptus, which seems wise because the title/name is understood by the context.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 31 Another parable He spoke/proclaimed/asserted before them saying, "Like is the kingdom of the heavens a seed/grain of mustard, which was taking a man sowed in the field of his; 32 the smallest/least (significant) then/now it is of all the seeds, but whenever it would grow the greatest garden plants it is and it becomes a tree, so that made the birds of the sky and to nest/live/dwell in the branches of it.. 44 Like is the kingdom of the heavens a treasure having been hidden in the field, which having found a man hid/covered, and because of the happiness of his he goes home and sells all as much as he has and buys the field that. 45 Again like is the kingdom of the heavens a man a merchant seeking beautiful pearls; 46 but having found (aorist, active, participle) one expensive pearl has gone away (aorist, active, participle) is selling (perfect, active, indicative) all as much as he has and bought (aorist, active, indicative) it. 47 Again like is the kingdom of the heavens a dragnet having been thrown (aorist, passive, participle) and from all the kind (genitive, singular) having gathered (aorist, active, participle); 48 which when (it) was full (aorist, passive, indicative) they were drawing/dragging (it) to the beach/shore and were sitting/selecting (aorist, active, participle) the good in the container, but the bad/rotten/worthless away they threw. 49 So/thus/in this way it will be in the end of the age/world order/Aeon; will come out the angels and will separate the bad/evil/sinful from among the good/righteous/just 50 and they will throw down them into the furnace of the fire; there will be the bitter crying/weeping and grinding/gnashing of the teeth. 51 Did (aorist, active, indicative) you understand/comprehend these all? They say (present, active, indicative) to Him, "Yes." 52 But He said to them, "Through this all the scribe/expert in the Jewish law having been made a disciple (aorist, passive, indicative) in the kingdom of the heavens like is a man a householder/master/landowner, who drives out from the treasure of his new/unused and old/former."



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