Translating Every Word (Matt 10:4) - Mondays with Mounce 284

When it comes to particles and conjunctions especially, it can be difficult to translate every single one. Sometimes the best translation is punctuation, and other times it feels like the word is superfluous and should just be dropped in order to write in proper English.

But extreme caution is urged in the case of the latter. There is a reason for every word, even if we don’t understand why it is used.

In Matthew 10 we find the list of the disciples. In v 4 we read, “Simon the Cananaean (Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος), and Judas Iscariot (καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης), who betrayed him (ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν).” ὁ … παραδοὺς αὐτόν is straightforward Greek, a phrase modifying Ἰούδας. But why is καὶ there, and should it be translated?

Yes.

The CSB translates “who also betrayed him” (also KJV). NLT has, “who later betrayed him.” The NET doesn’t translate the καί, but cryptically adds the footnote, “Grk, 'who even betrayed him.'”

Unfortunately, the NIV, NASB, and NRSV skip the καί. I am not sure why; probably an issue of English style. But then the question becomes, does it have meaning? I think so. Judas is the last of the disciples listed, hence the first καί. But Matthew feels it important to point out that not only is Judas a disciple, but he is also the disciple who betrayed Jesus. I am scratching my head to see why the NASB skips the word.

Do we have to say “also” to make this point? No. Did Matthew feel it was important to say καί to make this point? Yes.

I’d go with Matthew.

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William D. [Bill] Mounce posts about the Greek language and exegesis on the ZA Blog. He is the president of BiblicalTraining.org, a ministry that creates and distributes world-class educational courses at no cost. He is also the author of numerous works including the bestselling Basics of Biblical Greek and a corresponding online class. He served as the New Testament chair of the English Standard Version Bible translation, and is currently on the Committee for Bible Translation for the NIV.

Learn more about Bill's Greek resources at BillMounce.com.