Speech Marks

There are no speech marks in Greek, so we can't really be sure where to put them in an English translation. Consider the following passage from Matthew 10:

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” 8 Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.'

It struck me this morning that you could shift the final speech mark and it changes the disciple's mission considerably:

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near. 8 Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."'

In one instance the disciples are called to preach and carry out acts of mercy. In the second they proclaim the Kingdom, and call people to a merciful life. The second is a more radical challenge to be disciples who make disciples...

I'm sure the speech marks are probably right in the standard text, but it does make you think...

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