9:2a

and His disciples asked Him: Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus a question about the blind man. In some languages, you might need to use Jesus’ name to make it clear whose disciples they were. For example:

Jesus’ disciples asked (Contemporary English Version)

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to the “learners” or “followers” of a teacher. These learners committed themselves to living according to the teaching and example of their teacher. In the New Testament the word disciples refers specifically to people who were learning from a religious teacher. They often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went. Here are some ways to translate disciples :

• Use a term that refers to people who learn from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learner is often with his teacher. For example:

learners

Be careful not to use a term that refers only to students in a school or classroom.

• Use a term that refers to people who follow a teacher or leader by obeying his teaching. It is helpful if this term also implies learning from the teacher and physically following the teacher wherever he goes. For example:

followers

See how you translated this word in 1:35 and 2:2.

Rabbi: Rabbi is a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” When John wrote this Gospel, people used this word as a title of respect for an important religious teacher or leader. See Matthew 23:7–8.

If you do not have a word for a religious teacher, you can simply use the word “teacher” or “master.” If possible, use a word or phrase that implies that the teacher is respected. For example:

honored/honorable one
-or-
my/our teacher/master

Use an expression that is natural and shows proper respect. See how you translated this word in 3:2b and 4:31. It is good to use a different word from the word you use to translate “teacher” (8:4) and “sir” or “Lord” (4:11a, 49, 6:68a).

who sinned, this man or his parents: These words indicate that the disciples assumed that the man became blind because someone sinned. They suggested two possible options: the man’s own sin had caused his blindness, or the man’s parents’ sin had caused it. Consider how it is natural to suggest possible causes for a bad situation. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Did he or his parents sin? (God’s Word)
-or-
did this man sin, or did his parents sin?
-or-
Was it this man who sinned? Or was it his parents who sinned?

sinned: The verb sinned refers to disobeying God’s laws, doing what does not please God. The speakers assumed that someone had offended God, and that God had therefore caused this man to be born blind. The text does not explain how a baby that was not yet born could have sinned. However, some Jewish rabbis thought that this was possible.

9:2b

that he was born blind: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that here introduces a result clause. This clause indicates what happened as a result of someone’s sin. Here are other ways to indicate this connection:

whose sin caused him to be born blind? (Good News Translation)
-or-
who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
was it because he or his parents sinned that he was born blind?

General Comment on 9:2a–b

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of clauses in the question. For example:

2b Teacher, why was this man born blind? 2a Was it because he or his parents sinned? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

2b Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born blind? 2a Was it his own or his parents’ sin? (Good News Translation)

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