16:16a
Simon Peter answered: Peter was named Simon at birth. When Jesus first met Simon (John 1:42), he gave him the new name of Peter.
In some languages, it may not be clear that Simon Peter refers to one person who uses two names. In those languages, you may need to make that clear in the translation. For example:
Simon ⌊also called⌋ Peter
You are the Christ: The word Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” “Messiah” refers to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The words Christ and Messiah have the same meaning.
Here are some other ways to translate Christ:
• Transliterate Christ and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:
the Kristi
• Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:
Karisiti, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the Savior whom God promised to send
• Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:
Messiah
-or-
Promised Deliverer
-or-
The Rescuer-King whom God sent
Some of you will not include the meaning of Christ in the text. In that case, you may want to include a footnote to explain the meaning of Christ. Or you may want to explain the meaning in a glossary. For example:
The word/title “Christ” refers to the King and Savior whom God promised to send.
The word Christ first occurs in 1:1a. It also occurs in 11:2a. You should translate it here as you did there.
16:16b
the Son of the living God: The phrase “the Son of God” was a title that Jews often used to refer to a coming savior who would be a descendant of King David. This person was also called the “Messiah” or “Christ.” This title also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God.
See how you translated the phrase “the Son of God” at 4:3b. For further information on translating this title, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.
the living God: Jews used this phrase to refer to the true God. It showed that they were not talking about false gods and idols who do not have life. It was a common way to refer to God in the Old Testament.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the alive God
-or-
God, the living one
-or-
the God who is alive
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