In this verse Good News Translation makes explicit the subject of said (Greek “she”), that is, Martha.

Called her sister Mary privately may be translated as “spoke to her sister so that others would not hear, telling her to come.” To translate called literally may suggest a rather loud noise, which could hardly be done privately.

The word translated Teacher in this verse is the Greek word for “teacher” (as in 3.2,10; 13.13-14); it is not a translation of the word “rabbi,” used in verse 8.

“The Teacher is here,” she told her, “and is asking for you” is literally “saying, ‘the Teacher is here and is calling you’.” Good News Translation restructures this part of the verse for stylistic reasons (note also verses 23 and 27); Moffatt and Revised Standard Version translate “is calling for you.”

The Teacher is here must be expressed in some languages as “the Teacher is nearby.” It would be inappropriate to use an expression meaning “here,” which would indicate his presence in the same room.

The Teacher must be translated “our Teacher” in languages in which the term Teacher must be possessed.

Is asking for you must be rendered in some languages “is asking that you come” or “is saying, ‘Have her come’ ” or “ ‘… have Mary come.’ ”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .