8:43a
Why do you not understand what I am saying?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used as a rebuke. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they did not understand what he said. There are two ways to translate this rebuke:
• Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Why is my language not clear to you? (New International Version)
• Use a statement: For example:
You don’t understand what I say. (New Century Version)
Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
Why can’t you understand what I am talking about? (Contemporary English Version)
what I am saying: This phrase refers to the words that Jesus used, while “My message” in 8:43b refers to the meaning or message or content of what he said. Jesus said that they could not even understand the words that he spoke because they rejected his message. For example:
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. (Good News Translation)
8:43b
It is because: This phrase introduces the reason that the listeners could not understand what Jesus said.
you are unable to accept My message: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are unable to accept are more literally “you are unable to hear.” In this context this seems to mean that the people were not morally able to truly hear Jesus’ message. They were not deaf physically, but they were deaf spiritually. They could not really hear his message because they refused to truly listen. For example:
you cannot bear to listen to my message (Good News Translation)
-or-
you are unable/unwilling to listen to my word
-or-
you refuse to listen to my message
In some languages it may be possible to use the metaphor of being deaf. If you do this, check carefully that your readers will understand that this refers to being spiritually or morally deaf, not to being physically disabled. For example:
you are deaf with regard to my word
-or-
you are totally/quite deaf as far as my message is concerned
My message: This phrase refers to the content or message of Jesus’ words.
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