14:31a–b
But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father: English translations have interpreted these clauses and the connectors in different ways:
(1) Many English translations include a purpose clause, the reason that Jesus obeyed his Father. He obeyed so that the world may know that he loved his Father. For example:
but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father (NET Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) A few English translations include a purpose but say that it is that the world must know that Jesus loved his Father. For example:
but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I do everything as he commands me (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New Century Version)
(3) A few English translations do not include a purpose clause. They also say that there are two things that the world must know. For example:
but the world must recognize that I love the Father and that I act just as the Father commanded (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)
(4) At least one translation says that the purpose clause tells the purpose that the ruler of this world came. (Other interpretations say that it is the purpose that Jesus obeyed.) This translation also says that there are two things that the world may learn. For example:
but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me (New International Version)
(New International Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and most English translations.
14:31a
But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here connects a negative statement (14:30c) to a positive statement (14:31a). The idea here is that Jesus will die not because Satan has power over him but because he obeys his Father. This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:
• Use the conjunction “but” as in the Berean Standard Bible and most English translations.
He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me (New Living Translation (2004))
• Use a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:
He has no authority over me. Rather, ⌊I will go to my death because⌋ I do as my Father commanded me
• Do not use a conjunction. For example:
But he has no power over me. I obey my Father (Contemporary English Version)
You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.
I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me: The expression refers to Jesus being willing to die. He would die because he wanted to obey the Father, not because Satan had any power over him. Here are other ways to translate this expression:
I obey my Father (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. (New American Standard Bible)
14:31b
so that the world may know that I love the Father: Jesus showed his love for his Father by obeying him even when it meant that he died on the cross. Here are other ways to translate this expression:
so that the people of the world will understand that I love the Father
-or-
in order that all the people will know that I love my Father
the world: This phrase here refers to the people of the world. For example:
everyone in the world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all people
General Comment on 14:31a–b
In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 14:31a–b. For example:
31b but so that the world may know that I love the Father, 31a I do exactly as the Father commanded Me (New American Standard Bible)
14:31c
Get up! Let us go on from here: This sentence means “We should leave ⌊this room/place⌋ now.” However, Jesus continued talking for three more chapters before they left in 18:1. Here are other ways to translate this sentence:
Come now, let us go. (New Century Version)
-or-
Get up! We have to leave. (God’s Word)
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