In Greek the first part of this verse reads literally “because of this the Father loves me because I give up my life.” Good News Translation combines the two “because” constructions and introduces the English sentence with the Father, the subject of the Greek sentence. New English Bible and Jerusalem Bible do exactly the same. Here again, as in verses 11 and 14, Good News Translation takes the Greek expression as indicating Christ’s willingness to die.

It is best to take the Greek conjunction (hina) with its full force, indicating purpose (Good News Translation in order that). According to the teaching of the Gospel of John, the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus are looked upon as one event, not as single isolated actions. Jerusalem Bible makes clear the notion of purpose (“in order to take it up again”), while New American Bible translates “to take it up again,” and Revised Standard Version “that I may take it again.”

In some languages it is impossible to say give up my life. The only equivalent would be “voluntarily die” or “die, not being forced by someone else to do so.” Similarly it may be impossible to say “receive life back again.” One can normally receive material things, but not a state of being, such as life. Therefore it may be necessary to translate the purpose clause “in order that I may live again” or “… become alive again.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .