8:16a
But even if I do judge, My judgment is true: There are two ways to interpret these clauses:
(1) It refers to something that could or would happen. For example:
But if I judge, my judgment will be true. (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)
(2) It refers to something that would not happen. For example:
but if I were to do so, my judgment would be true (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), in parallel with 8:14a. The expression even if I do judge is a condition that will be fulfilled. Jesus did not judge at that time, but he will judge.
My judgment is true: his clause indicates that Jesus’ decisions are true, right, and just. For example:
my decisions are right (New International Version (1984))
-or-
my judgment is valid (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
my judgment is correct
8:16b
because: The Greek conjunction that Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason why Jesus’ judgment was always valid and just. Here is another way to translate this word:
for (New Revised Standard Version)
I am not alone: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek expression literally as I am not alone. The idea of judging is implied. Someone will be with Jesus when he judges, and he will help him and inform him. For example:
I am not alone in this (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am not alone when I judge (NET Bible Bible)
8:16c
In Greek conjunction this clause begins with a conjunction that connects a negative statement (8:16b) to a positive statement (8:16c). This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:
• Use the conjunction “but” as in the New Revised Standard Version.
• Use a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:
I am not the only one to judge, rather/instead it is me and the one who sent me.
• Do not use a conjunction as in the Berean Standard Bible.
• Change the order of the clauses. For example:
My Father judges with me; it is not just me alone.
You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.
I am with the Father who sent Me: This expression indicates that Jesus and the Father judge together. For example:
I and the Father who sent me do so together (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
I make my judgment with the Father who sent me (God’s Word)
-or-
The Father who sent me is with me (Good News Translation)
the Father who sent Me: The phrase the Father here refers to God the Father. However there is a textual problem:
(1) Some Greek manuscripts say “the Father who sent me.” For example:
the Father, who sent me (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible Bible, God’s Word, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New International Version, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) Some Greek manuscripts say “he who sent me.” For example:
he who sent me (Revised Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1). The UBS Handbook Handbook Greek New Testament gives this an A rating, which indicates that it is almost certain.
© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.