9:31a

because He was teaching His disciples: Jesus wanted to teach his disciples privately. You may want to include that implied information. For example:

he was teaching only his disciples
-or-
he was teaching his disciples privately

General Comment on 9:30c–31a

In these verses, 9:31a expresses the reason for the result in 9:30c. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

31aHe was teaching his disciples. 30cThat is why he did not want anyone to know where they were.
-or-
31a
As they were going, Jesus began to teach his disciples privately. 30cSo he did not want anyone to know where they were.

9:31b

He told them: The phrase He told them introduces what Jesus was teaching. You should translate 9:31b in a way that clearly connects the statement “because he was teaching his disciples” (9:31a) with the content of what Jesus was teaching (9:31c–e).

Here are some other ways to make this connection clear:

31afor he was teaching his disciples, 31bsaying to them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
31afor he was teaching his disciples 31band telling them (NET Bible)
-or-
31abecause he was teaching his disciples. 31bThis is what he taught them:

9:31c–e

See the General Comment on 9:31c–e after 9:31e for a way to translate 9:31c–e as indirect speech.

9:31c

The Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” It is a title that Jesus often used to refer to himself. It implies that:

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

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

Some ways to translate this title are:

the Man whom God Sent
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
-or-
The Older Brother of All People

In some languages it may be necessary to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself here. For example:

, the Son of Man
-or-
who became man/human

The phrase The Son of Man also occurs in 9:9c and 9:12d. You should translate it here as you did there.

will be delivered: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be delivered refers to something that would definitely happen in the near future.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

will soon be betrayed
-or-
is now to be handed over (Revised English Bible)

delivered: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as delivered means “given into the power of someone else.” It often refers to a person being delivered to his enemies. This expression could have two meanings here:

(a) Judas would give Jesus into the power of his enemies.

(b) God would cause Jesus to be given into the power of people. Then they would kill him and so fulfill God’s plan.

It is possible that both meanings are meant. If possible, translate this in a general way that allows both meanings. For example:

is about to be betrayed
-or-
will soon be put/placed into the power of his enemies

This is a passive verb. If possible, avoid saying who did this action. If it is necessary in your language to say who did it, use an expression that allows either God and Judas to be understood. For example:

someone is going to betray

See how you translated the active verb “betrayed” in 3:19.

into the hands of men: The phrase into the hands of men is a figure of speech. It means “under the power of people.” In this context, this expression refers to Jesus being under the power of people who will harm him. In some languages, this expression is implied in the verb. It does not need to be explicitly translated.

The Contemporary English Version has:

over to people

Do not translate this in a way that means people will protect him. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that these people wish to do him harm. For example:

into the power of his/my enemies

9:31d

Him: Jesus was still referring to himself here. Continue to indicate that in a natural way in your language. For example, if you used a form like “I” with “Son of Man” in 9:31c, you will probably use a form like “me” rather than Him here.

9:31e

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces what happens next. What happens next is not what normally happens. Also, there is some contrast to people killing Jesus (9:31d) and him rising from death (9:31e). So some other ways to connect 9:31e to 9:31d are:

however (Good News Bible)
-or-
But (Contemporary English Version)

after three days: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as after three days is literally “when he is killed, after three days” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Jesus would come alive again three days after people killed him.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Three days later (Good News Bible)
-or-
three days after being killed (New Revised Standard Version)

See how you translated this phrase in 8:31e.

He will rise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He will rise means “he will live again.”

Here are some other ways to translate this:

he will rise from the dead (New Living Translation)
-or-
he will come back to life (God’s Word)
-or-
he will become alive again

See how you translated a similar clause in 8:31c.

He: Jesus was still referring to himself here. Continue to indicate this in a natural way in your language. For example, if you used a form like “I” with “Son of Man” in 9:31c, you should continue to use a form like “I” here, rather than He.

General Comment on 9:31c–e

In some languages it may be more natural to translate 9:31c–e as indirect speech. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

31abecause he was teaching the disciples 31bthat 31cthe Son of Man would be handed over to people 31dwho would kill him. 31eBut three days later he would rise to life.

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