10:39a

We can: This is an ellipsis, that is, information is left out of the sentence. You may need to supply the implied information in the statement. Use only as much as is necessary and natural in your language. For example:

Yes, we can suffer with you.
-or-
We are able to suffer in the same way as you.

the brothers answered: In the Greek text the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the brothers answered occurs at the beginning of this verse. Place it where it is natural in your language.

10:39b–c

You will drink the cup that I drink…and you will be baptized with the baptism that I undergo: The two parts of Jesus’ response here are parallel to the two parts of his question in 10:38b–c. Again he used the same two metaphors for suffering. If you have made some meaning explicit in 10:38b–c, it may not be necessary to repeat it all here. For example, the Good News Bible says:

38bCan you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink?…39cYou will indeed drink the cup I must drink…

the cup…the baptism: In Greek there is emphasis on these two phrases, the cup and the baptism. The New Jerusalem Bible shows this emphasis by putting these words at the beginning of the clauses:

The cup that I shall drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I shall be baptised you shall be baptised

See also 10:39 in the Revised Standard Version. Consider whether there is a natural way to show this emphasis in your language. The Good News Bible uses the word “indeed” to give general emphasis to Jesus’ response.

Jesus said: In the Greek text the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus said occurs at the beginning of this sentence. Place it where it is natural in your language.

General Comment on 10:39c–d

If it is not possible to translate 10:39c–d with the metaphors of the cup and baptism, you could translate the meaning without using metaphors. For example:

You(dual) will indeed pass through the bitter experience that I must pass through. For you must suffer greatly, as I will.

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