1:38a
Jesus turned and saw them following: Jesus turned and faced these disciples. Previously they were behind him.
In some languages it may be natural to translate this as an independent clause. For example:
Jesus looked around and saw them following. (New Living Translation (2004))
1:38b
“What do you want?” He asked: This was the first time that these two men followed Jesus. Jesus asked them what they wanted that would cause them to follow him. This is not a severe reply or a rebuke. Here are other ways to translate this question:
What do you want? (NET Bible)
-or-
Are you looking for something? ⌊Can I help?⌋
1:38c
They said to Him: The pronoun They refers to the two disciples. In some languages it is more natural to make this explicit here. For example:
John’s disciples said…
“Rabbi” (which means Teacher): The author John explained the meaning of the title that John’s disciples used for Jesus.
Rabbi: The word Rabbi is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” When John wrote his Gospel, this word was a title of respect. People used it for an important religious teacher or leader. It does not refer to a school teacher.
(which means Teacher): These words are in parentheses because they are John’s explanation of the word “Rabbi.” They are not part of what the disciples said. In some languages it may be natural to mark this information as parenthetical in a different way. For example:
—which means Teacher— (New Jerusalem Bible)
In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:
(This word means “Teacher.”) (Good News Translation)
-or-
(This word in our (incl.) language means “Teacher.”)
where are You staying?: This phrase is a request to learn where Jesus was living at that time. It implies that the men wanted to learn more from Jesus.
General Comment on 1:38c
In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in this verse. For example:
They answered, “Where do you live, Rabbi?” (This word means “Teacher.”) (Good News Translation)
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