8:22a
So the Jews began to ask: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So is usually translated as “therefore.” Here it introduces the response of the religious leaders because of what Jesus had said. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
This made the Jews ask (New International Version)
the Jews: The phrase the Jews in this context seems to refer to the Pharisees, Jewish religious leaders, who were mentioned in 8:13a.
began to ask: The verb began to ask here introduces a question that the religious leaders asked one another. They were not speaking to Jesus. For example:
asked each other
-or-
said to one another
Will He kill Himself…?: This question indicates that the speakers wondered if Jesus meant that he was going to (would) commit suicide (kill himself). They were not sure. They suggested this as an explanation of what Jesus meant. Translate this suggestion in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
Does this mean that he will kill himself? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Perhaps he will kill himself. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Does he intend to kill himself? (Contemporary English Version)
8:22b
since He says: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as since He says refers to the reason the Pharisees suggested Jesus might kill himself. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
Is that why he says…? (New International Version)
Where I am going, you cannot come: This is a quotation of Jesus’ words in 8:21d. Translate it using the same words in both verses. Although here, because there is a quotation inside another quotation, it may be more natural to translate this sentence as indirect speech. For example:
Is that what he means by saying we cannot go where he is going? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He says that we cannot go where he is going. (Good News Translation)
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