15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as You are already clean means that Jesus’ word had caused the disciples to become spiritually clean as they heard and believed it. In some languages it may be more natural to use a passive verb phrase. For example:
You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. (New Revised Standard Version)
The word translated clean is also used in 13:10. See the note there. This Greek word is related to the verb translated as “prunes” in 15:2b. Try to use a similar word or phrase to show the connection. For example:
prunes clean (15:2b)….are already clean (15:3)
You: This pronoun is plural and refers to the disciples. See also 13:10, where Jesus explains that it did not include Judas Iscariot.
already: The Greek text emphasizes this word. Emphasize it if you can in your language. For example:
already you are clean
because of: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because of can mean either “by means of” or “because of.” The two meanings are very close and about half of the English translations follow each meaning. Here are some other ways to translate this word in context:
by means of the word that I have spoken to you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
because of what I have said to you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
by the message I have given you (New Living Translation (2004))
the word I have spoken to you: This phrase refers to all that Jesus had taught, his message. By listening to, believing, and obeying this message, the disciples were made clean. See examples of other ways to translate this clause just above.
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