1:51a
Then He declared: This phrase indicates that Jesus continued talking to Nathanael.
Truly, truly, I tell you: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Truly, truly, I tell you can also be translated as “Very truly, I tell you,” as in the New Revised Standard Version. Jesus often used this phrase to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. It indicates that the statement was important and completely reliable, and that people should listen carefully to it. Sometimes it introduces a serious warning or something the speaker predicts. Here it introduces a promise.
In some languages you may need to translate the phrase in different ways in different contexts. Do not translate in a way that implies that Jesus had not been telling the truth at other times.
Here are some ways that English translations have translated the phrase in this context:
In all truth I tell you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I am telling you the truth (Good News Translation)
-or-
I tell you for certain that… (Contemporary English Version)
you: The personal pronoun you is plural here. Jesus was speaking to the entire group of disciples gathered there, not just to Nathanael.
1:51b–c
1:51b–c is similar to the dream recorded in Genesis 28:12. In his dream the patriarch Jacob saw a ladder leading up to heaven and God’s angels ascending (going up) to and descending (going down) from heaven. Read the passage in Genesis before translating this verse. You may want to use similar words in both passages in order to help readers make the connection.
1:51b
you will all see heaven open: The pronoun you is plural here also. The phrase will…see heaven open is a figure of speech. Jesus was indicating that the disciples would receive a revelation from God. It would be like seeing into the spiritual world. See also Acts 7:56 and Revelation 4:1, where the same expression appears. If a literal translation does not give the correct meaning, you may need to say something like this:
it will look like heaven opens
-or-
it will be for you like heaven opening up
heaven: The word heaven in this context refers to the spiritual world, where God lives. People understood heaven to be above the earth
1:51c
the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man: Verse 1:51c tells what the revelation from God would be: the Son of Man will link or connect heaven and earth. The whole clause is a metaphor. Angels would not literally walk on Jesus (the Son of Man). But God’s truth would be revealed through Jesus because he is the connection between heaven and earth. In some languages you may need to say where the angels ascend (go up) and descend (go down). For example:
on the Son of Man the angels of God will ascend ⌊to heaven⌋ and descend ⌊to earth⌋
the angels of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:
• Using a descriptive word or phrase. For example:
messengers from God
-or-
⌊good/holy⌋ spirit-beings sent from God
• Using a local term that fits the biblical meaning.
• In some areas the churches may already use a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. You may need to indicate the correct meaning in some way. For example:
an angelos messenger from God
-or-
a sacred angelos spirit
Be sure that your term for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.” See angel 1. in Key Biblical Terms.
on the Son of Man: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on the Son of Man :
(1) it indicates that the Son of Man replaces the ladder in Jacob’s dream. For example:
on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth (New Living Translation (2004))
(New Living Translation (2004), probably New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version note)
(2) it indicates that the Son of Man replaces Jacob in the dream. For example:
to the Son of Man (God’s Word)
(God’s Word)
Most English translations translate literally and say on or “upon” the Son of Man. These translations can be considered ambiguous. And that is a good option. But if you need to choose, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which agrees with many commentators.
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 was referring to himself. He used this title to imply two things:
(a) He was a true human being, and he was a representative for all people.
(b) He came from God and had authority from God.
Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Here are some possible translations:
the Human-born
-or-
the Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
Translators have also used expressions that are more literal. These more literal expressions may be suitable where readers are familiar with a literal title in another translation.
In some languages you may need to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:
me, the Son of Man
-or-
I who became man/human
See Son of Man in Key Biblical Terms.
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