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The dominant translation tradition confuses and scares many readers.
The dominant translation tradition confuses and scares many readers.
"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 20:16, KJV)
"For many are called but few are chosen" (NRSV)
It risks making the Biblical text sound self-contradictory or obscure, because “called” and “chosen” are in many contexts, including Biblical contexts, synonymous. It quite possibly obscures the logic of what Christ Jesus was explaining.
It risks making the Biblical text sound self-contradictory or obscure, because “called” and “chosen” are in many contexts, including Biblical contexts, synonymous. It quite possibly obscures the logic of what Christ Jesus was explaining.
Another way to translate is to avoid the confusing pair of terms ("called" and "chosen").
Another way to translate is to avoid the confusing pair of terms ("called" and "chosen").
πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσιν κλητοὶ ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί. (SBLGNT)
"Indeed, many are called, yet few [are] selected." (Christ Family Bible)
Evidence in favour of the proposed solution:
Evidence in favour of the proposed solution:
The logic is that those who were called but murmured against the householder, criticizing him and other employees of his (verses 11-12) will not continue as his laborers.
This is made explicit twice: “Take up what is yours and go away” (verse 14); and “Indeed, many are called, yet few are selected” (verse 16).
This logic is prominent in the treatment of those who grumbled during Israel’s sojourn in the desert: they are rejected (called but not selected).
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