In Greek this sentence is incomplete; it states a condition but does not give the conclusion. New American Bible reflects this incompleteness by translating “What, then, if you were to see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before…?” The fact that the sentence is grammatically incomplete has led commentators to suggest various ways of completing it. Some suggest that if the condition is fulfilled, the offense will be greater. Others suggest that if the condition is fulfilled, the offense will be lessened or removed altogether, because the Jews will then be led to believe. Still other scholars connect this question with the theme of the bread of life, saying in effect that if the condition is fulfilled, the Jews will understand the meaning of “the bread of life.” Fortunately, the translator is not required to fill out the ellipsis in this sentence. In fact, he is obligated to indicate that a condition is given but no fulfillment is expressed.

The supposition posed by Jesus may be introduced in some languages in a variety of ways, for example, “Think about what would happen if you should see…” or “Imagine what it would be like if you should see…” or “If you should see the Son of Man go back to the place where he was before, then what?” or “… then what would you think?”

To the place where he was before (so also New English Bible) is evidently to the Father (17.5), but it should not be stated explicitly in translation. Moffatt sounds unnecessarily theological: “to where he formerly existed.”

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 .