Paragraph 11:27
In this paragraph, Jesus began speaking again to the crowd. His prayer in 11:25–26 was finished. You may want to make this clear in your translation. For example:
⌊Then Jesus said to the crowd⌋
-or-
⌊Jesus finished praying and then continued speaking with the people⌋
11:27a
All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have been entrusted here means “authority/power has been given.” God the Father gave Jesus authority over everything. This includes nonphysical things such as knowledge. It does not mean that God gave Jesus all material goods.
This word is used with a similar meaning in Luke 4:6 where Satan said, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me…” (New International Version)
This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. (New International Version)
-or-
Everything has been put in my hands by my Father (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
• Use an active verb. For example:
My Father has given me authority over everything. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
My Father has entrusted everything to me (New Living Translation (2004))
My Father: This phrase refers to God the Father. It does not refer to Joseph. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more clear. For example:
my Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
my ⌊heavenly⌋ Father
11:27b–c
No one knows the Son except the Father: Here Jesus spoke of himself as the Son. In some languages, this may give the impression that Jesus was referring to someone other than himself. If this is true in your language, you should:
• Explain who the Son refers to. For example:
No one knows ⌊me⌋ the Son except the Father
• Explain in a footnote that Jesus is referring to himself. For example:
Jesus was referring to himself when he spoke of “the Son.”
knows: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as knows in this context means “knows exactly, completely, through and through.” This does not mean to just make an acquaintance of someone or to know about someone. Jesus knows God fully, in a very intimate way.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
truly knows (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
really knows
-or-
knows well
the Son: The phrase the Son or “the Son of God” is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus.
For further information, see the note on “My…Son” at 3:17b.
11:27d
and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him: These are the other people who know the Father. Jesus has shown the ways of the Father to his followers. All followers of Jesus will know the Father.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
and the person to whom the Son wants/wishes to show him
-or-
Also, the Son decides to make known the Father to certain people. ⌊These people also know the Father.⌋
chooses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chooses can also be translated as:
decides (NET Bible)
-or-
wishes/wants
-or-
plans
reveal: This word means “make known” or “show openly.” The word refers to clearly showing what the true nature of something or someone is.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
show
-or-
disclose
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