Matthew 12:23

In Matthew 12:22, Jesus heals a demon possessed and mute man. The next verse reports the response of the crowd. The HCSB translates the verse as: "All the crowds were astounded and said, 'Perhaps this is the Son of David!"

Other English translations:

ESV: "Can this be the Son of David?"

NIV: "Could this be the Son of David?

NCV: "Perhaps this man is the Son of David!"

NLT: "Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?"

The Message is even more emphatic: "This has to be the Son of David!"

I cite this example to show how English translations don't always do a good job translating the Greek text. Within the sentence is the negative particle meti, which is an interrogative particle that usually calls for a negative answer. The basic idea of the verse is, "This is not the Son of David is he?" Most of crowd would answer no, but the particle also leaves some doubt. He could be but He is likely not Messiah.

Of the above English translations, the HCSB and NCV get closer to the idea with 'perhaps,' but even there one's slant on the verse could be that more people than not would have said "yes." That is not the case. In fact, the reaction of the crowd bears out Matthew 11:16-24, which shows many, if not most, are rejecting Jesus.

Matthew 12:23 is just one example among many of how English translations can give the reader the wrong idea. For preachers, I'd say do your work in Greek and see how the English versions line up after that.