Paragraph 12:34–36b

12:34a

The Greek text includes a word that indicates a return to the main story after the parenthetical comment in verse 33. Many English translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this word. Others use parentheses in verse 33 to mark the beginning and end of the parenthetical comment. Indicate that this is a return to the main story in a way that is natural in your language.

The crowd replied: These words indicate that the crowd responded to Jesus’ statement. They responded by making a statement and then asking Jesus a rhetorical question.

We have heard from the Law: This expression introduces something the crowd had learned from their teachers. They had heard people preaching from the Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament) and saying that the Messiah would live forever. They understood that when Jesus called himself “Son of Man,” he was saying that he was the Messiah. But they did not understand how Jesus could be the Messiah and be “lifted up” (crucified). Here are other ways to translate this expression:

Our Law tells us (Good News Translation)
-or-
We understood from Scripture (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The Scriptures teach (Contemporary English Version)

We: The Greek text emphasizes this word. It refers to the crowd and to the Jewish people in general. Even though Jesus was also Jewish, the crowd emphasized the words We and “you,” which indicates a contrast. So the word We does not include Jesus and it is best to translate it as an exclusive pronoun.

the Law: This phrase often refers to the books of Moses, the five books from Genesis through Deuteronomy. Here, however, the people are thinking of the whole Old Testament. In some languages it is more natural to say that. For example:

We have heard from the Scriptures (God’s Word)

the Christ will remain forever: This clause indicates that the Christ, the Promised Savior, will never die. Here is another way to translate this clause:

the Messiah will live forever (Good News Translation)

the Christ: The Berean Standard Bible translates literally the Greek text as the Christ. The Jews used this title to refer to the special person whom God had appointed and promised to send as King and Savior. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” so the two words have the same meaning: “anointed one.” See Key Biblical Terms, Christ, Messiah, 1a and 2. See how you translated Christ in 1:20 and 4:25. Because the Greek here is Christ, you may want to use that word here, as many English translations do.

General Comment on 12:34a

The crowd was not quoting a specific verse of Scripture. The verse that is the closest to what they say is Psalm 89:36, which says, “His line shall continue forever.” What they say here was just their general understanding of the teaching they had heard. It is probably best to leave this as an indirect quotation if possible. If it is necessary to use the form of a direct quotation, try to be as general as possible. For example:

We have heard that the Law says, “The Messiah shall continue forever.”

12:34b

So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up?: This is a rhetorical question. It was used to emphasize that you cannot say that or possibly to confirm that you cannot say that. The people assumed that once the Messiah came he would live forever. They did not understand that there were other Scriptures that talked about his death. They did not think that the Messiah would die, so what Jesus said confused them.

There are at least two ways to translate this expression:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

So how can it be true that the Son of Man must be lifted up ⌊to die⌋ ’?
-or-
What do you mean by saying that the Son of Man must be lifted up? (Revised English Bible)

• Use a statement. For example:

We cannot understand why you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up ⌊to die⌋ .

you: The Greek text emphasizes the pronoun you. It is singular and refers to Jesus.

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is more literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man in 12:23. Jesus used this title to imply two things:

(a) He was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) He came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings and is the same as you used in 12:23. See also Key Biblical Terms Son of Man.

General Comment on 12:34b

This sentence includes an indirect quotation. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as direct speech. For example:

How can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? (NET Bible Bible)

12:34c

Who is this Son of Man?: This is a real question. If the Son of Man was the Messiah, the crowd did not understand how he could die. They were confused by what Jesus said and asked him to make things clear. They wanted to know who the Son of Man that Jesus talked about was, what kind of person he was. Here are other ways to translate this question:

Who is this Son of Man you are talking about? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
What kind of Son of Man is this?

Son of Man: Use the same expression that you used in 12:23 and 12:34b. If you made it clear that this refers to Jesus, it may not be possible to say “Who is this Son of Man?” It may be necessary to translate the question in a different way. For example:

What do you mean by ⌊the words/phrase⌋ Son of Man?
-or-
What does “Son of Man” mean?

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