diff --git a/mat/front/intro.md b/mat/front/intro.md index ded1ed1e16..420ee267d5 100644 --- a/mat/front/intro.md +++ b/mat/front/intro.md @@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ #### Outline of the Book of Matthew #### 1. The birth of Jesus Christ and the beginning of his ministry (1:1––4:25) -1. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5:1––7:28) +1. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (5:1––7:28) 1. Jesus illustrates the kingdom of God through acts of healing (8:1––9:34) 1. Jesus' teaching about mission and the kingdom (9:35––10:42) 1. Jesus' teaching about the gospel of the kingdom of God. The beginning of opposition to Jesus. (11:1––12:50) @@ -18,37 +18,37 @@ #### What is the book of Matthew about? #### -The Gospel of Matthew is one of four books in the New Testament that describe some of the life of Jesus Christ. The authors of the gospels wrote about different aspects of who Jesus was and what he did. Matthew intended to show that Jesus was the Messiah, and God would save Israel through him. Matthew often explained that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This may indicate that he expected most of his first readers to be Jewish. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]]) +The Gospel of Matthew is one of four books in the New Testament that describe some of the life of Jesus Christ. The authors of the gospels wrote about different aspects of who Jesus was and what he did. Matthew showed that Jesus was the Messiah, and God would save Israel through him. Matthew often explained that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This may indicate that he expected most of his first readers to be Jewish. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]]) #### How should the title of this book be translated? #### -Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "The Gospel of Matthew," or "The Gospel according to Matthew." Or they may choose a title that may be clearer, for example, "The Good News about Jesus that Matthew wrote." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) +Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "The Gospel of Matthew," or "The Gospel according to Matthew." Or they may choose a title that may be clearer, such as, "The Good News about Jesus that Matthew wrote." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) #### Who wrote the Book of Matthew? #### -The book does not give the reader the name of the author. However, since early Christian times, most Christians have thought that the author was Matthew. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. +The book does not give the name of the author. However, since early Christian times, most Christians have thought that the author was the Apostle Matthew. ## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts ## #### What is the "kingdom of heaven?" #### -Matthew spoke of the kingdom of heaven in the same way that other gospel writers spoke of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven represents God ruling as king over all people and all creation everywhere. Those whom God accepts into his kingdom will be blessed. They will live with God forever. +Matthew spoke of the kingdom of heaven in the same way that other gospel writers spoke of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven represents God ruling over all people and all creation everywhere. Those whom God accepts into his kingdom will be blessed. They will live with God forever. #### What were Jesus' teaching methods? #### -The people regarded Jesus as a rabbi. A rabbi is a teacher of God's law. Jesus taught in similar ways as other religious teachers in Israel. He had students who followed him wherever he went. These students were called disciples. He often told parables. Parables are fictional stories that teach various principles. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/disciple]]) +The people regarded Jesus as a rabbi. A rabbi is a teacher of God's law. Jesus taught in similar ways as other religious teachers in Israel. He had students who followed him wherever he went. These students were called disciples. He often told parables. Parables are stories that teach moral lessons. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/disciple]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/parable]]) ## Part 3: Important Translation Issues ## #### What are the Synoptic Gospels? #### -The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they share a large amount of textual material. +The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they have many similar passages. The word "synoptic" means to "see together." -The texts are considered "parallel" when they are the same or almost the same among two or three gospels. When these parallel passages are translated, the wording in the project language should be kept the same as much as possible. +The texts are considered "parallel" when they are the same or almost the same among two or three gospels. When translating parallel passages, translators should use the same wording and make them as similar as possible. #### Why does Jesus refer to himself as the "Son of Man"? #### -In the gospels, Jesus calls himself the "Son of Man." It is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14. In this passage there is a person described as a "son of man." That means the person was someone who looked like a human being. God gave authority to the son of man to rule over the nations forever. And all the people worshiped him forever. +In the gospels, Jesus calls himself the "Son of Man." It is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14. In this passage there is a person described as a "son of man." That means the person was someone who looked like a human being. God gave authority to the son of man to rule over the nations forever. And all the people will worship him forever. Jews of Jesus' time did not use "Son of Man" as a title for anyone. Therefore, Jesus used it for himself to help them understand who he truly was. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofman]]) @@ -65,5 +65,5 @@ These are the most significant textual issues in the Book of Matthew: * "For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost" (18:11) * "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, while you make a show of long prayers. You will therefore receive greater condemnation." (23:14) -Translators are advised not to translate these passages. However, if in the translators' region, there are older versions of the Bible that include one or more of these passages, the translators can include them. If they are translated, they should be put inside square brackets ([]) to indicate that they were probably not original to Matthew's Gospel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) +Translators are advised not to include these passages. However, if in the translators' region, there are older versions of the Bible that include one or more of these passages, the translators can include them. If they are included, they should be put inside square brackets ([]) to indicate that they were probably not original to Matthew's Gospel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])