15:20a
Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’: Earlier that evening, Jesus had said these words. They are recorded in 13:16. Refer back to these words in a way that is natural in your language. It may be natural to use indirect speech. For example:
Remember that/how I told you that servants are not greater than their master.
Remember: This word indicates that Jesus wanted the disciples to think again about something that he said. It does not imply that the disciples forgot what he said. Here are other ways to translate this word:
Consider
-or-
Think about
No servant is greater than his master: In context this means “You, my servants, are not greater than I am.” So Jesus’ followers should not expect people to behave toward them better than they did toward Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to say this in a positive way. For example:
A master is always more important than his slave. (TH)
-or-
A boss is more important than the people who work for him.
15:20b
If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well: These clauses mean “People who persecuted me will persecute you also.” Even though people did persecute Jesus, it is best not to make this explicit. Nearly all English translations use the word If and it is recommended that you translate it also. The subject they is a general reference to various people. Here are other ways to translate these clauses:
If people did wrong to me, they will do wrong to you, too. (New Century Version)
-or-
If people cause me to suffer, they will cause you to suffer, too.
15:20c
if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well: These clauses mean “People who obeyed my teaching will obey your teaching also.” This condition can be true or false. Some people did in fact keep Jesus’ word, and some people did obey the message of the disciples. However, many people did not obey his word, so it is necessary to translate the word if here also. For example:
If they do what I say, they will do what you say. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours too (Good News Translation)
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