SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 19:22

19:22

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”: Pilate refused to change what he told the soldiers to write on the inscription/notice. Your translation should make it clear that he rejected the request to change the inscription. Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.” (Good News Translation)

If you said in 19:19 that Pilate commanded others to write the inscription, you should not say here that he wrote it. For example:

Pilate replied, “What I ordered to be written will remain written!”
-or-
But Pilate told them, “What is written will not be changed!” (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on John 20:12

20:12a

and she saw two angels in white: The two angels that Mary saw were inside the tomb. In some languages it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

and saw two angels there dressed in white (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be natural to begin a new sentence. For example:

And she saw two angels in white (NET Bible)

angels in white: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels in white indicates that the angels were wearing white clothes. See also Matthew 28:3 and Mark 16:5. Translate this phrase in a way that is natural in your language. It may be natural to make some information explicit. For example:

angels in white clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
angels dressed in white (New Century Version)

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. Sometimes, as here, God sends angels to bring a message to human beings. Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messengers ⌊from God/heaven⌋
-or-

⌊good/holy⌋ spirit-beings

• Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

an angelos messenger ⌊from God⌋
-or-
a good angelos spirit

See angel sense 1 in Key Biblical Terms.

in white: This phrase indicates that the angels were wearing white clothes. White clothes indicate that the angels were from heaven. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in white clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
dressed in white (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be more natural to put this information in a separate clause. For example:

They were dressed in white (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
whose clothes were white

The text does not say what kind of white clothes the angels were wearing. Perhaps they wore long clothes like robes similar to what the Jewish people then normally wore. For example:

white ⌊robes⌋

General Comment on 20:11b–12a

In some languages it may be natural to combine the ideas of looking and seeing. See how you translated 20:5. For example:

She was still weeping, when she stooped down and saw two angels inside (Contemporary English Version)

20:12b

sitting where the body of Jesus had lain: The phrase where the body of Jesus had lain refers to a shelf at the side of the tomb. In a burial cave there was a shelf made of rock where people placed the dead body. The angels were sitting at the two ends of this shelf. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

seated where Jesus’ body had been (New International Version)
-or-
sitting there, on the place where they had put Jesus’ body

20:12c

one at the head and the other at the feet: The words head and feet refer to the places where the head and feet of Jesus’ body had earlier rested. The body itself was no longer there. It is important that your readers understand this. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

one where Jesus’ head ⌊had been⌋ , the other where Jesus’ feet ⌊had been⌋

General Comment on 20:11–12

In some languages it may be natural to translate these verses using shorter sentences. For example:

Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 20:12

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in 20:12. For example:

12a–c and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain (Revised English Bible)
-or-

12a–c She saw two angels where the body of Jesus had been. They wore white clothes, and one was sitting where his head ⌊had been⌋ , and one where his feet ⌊had been⌋ .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 21:13

21:13a

Jesus came: This clause indicates that Jesus approached the disciples. Some translations leave the word came implied and just say that Jesus took the bread and gave it to them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus went over (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus came near (Otomi Back Translation)

and took the bread: Jesus picked up the bread from where it was lying in order to give it to the disciples. Bread was the Jews’ main food, so it was served first. See how you translated bread in 21:9. For example:

Jesus took the bread in his hands (Contemporary English Version)

and gave it to them: Jesus gave each disciple some bread. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and gave some of it to his disciples (Contemporary English Version)

21:13b

and He did the same with the fish: The phrase did the same indicates that Jesus also served each disciple some fish. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

and gave them all fish as well (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
along with the fish (New Century Version)

General Comment on 21:13a–b

In some languages it may be natural to combine 21:13a–b, using just one verb. For example:

Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 7:9

7:9

Having said this, Jesus remained in Galilee: In some languages it is more natural to reverse the order of the clauses in this sentence. For example:

Jesus stayed in Galilee after saying this.

Having said this: The word this refers to what Jesus just said to his brothers. In some languages it is natural to make either the subject or the object explicit. For example:

After ⌊Jesus⌋ said this ⌊to them⌋

Jesus remained in Galilee: Jesus did not go with his brothers to Jerusalem for the festival. He remained in the province of Galilee, north of Judea, for a while longer, probably a few more days. In some languages it may be natural to indicate here that Galilee was a region or province. For example:

he stayed in ⌊the province of⌋ Galilee

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 7:41

7:41a

Others declared: This clause means “other people in the crowd.” These people were also among those who had heard Jesus’ words.

This is the Christ: The word Christ is a title. Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The word Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” The two words have the same meaning.

See how you translated this term in 7:26c, 27b and 31b. See also Christ, Messiah in Key Biblical Terms.

7:41b

But still others asked: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But still others asked introduces a disagreement with the statement in the previous sentence, that Jesus was the Messiah. Some other people in the crowd disagreed with the suggestion that Jesus was the Messiah.

Here are other ways to translate this expression:

Still other people asked (God’s Word)
-or-
But others argued (Revised English Bible)

How can the Christ come from Galilee?: This is a rhetorical question. The people used it to say that the Messiah would surely not come from Galilee (the implied answer is “The Messiah does not come from Galilee”). They believed that the Messiah would not come from Galilee, and they knew Jesus was from Galilee.

There are at least three ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

How can the Messiah come from Galilee? (God’s Word)

• Use a statement. For example:

The Christ will not come from Galilee. (New Century Version)

• Use a statement and a rhetorical question. For example:

But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 8:20

8:20a

In this verse, John explains that Jesus was talking in the temple courts. Yet even though he was speaking in public, they did not arrest him.

He spoke these words: The pronoun He refers to Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to make this explicit. For example:

Jesus made these statements (New Living Translation (2004))

while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury: Jesus was still teaching in the temple area, where he started to teach in 7:14. You may want to indicate that this teaching had started earlier by supplying the word “still.” For example:

while he was still teaching in the place where the temple treasures were stored (Contemporary English Version)

in the temple courts, near the treasury: This phrase probably refers to the Court of the Women where people gave gifts for the temple. People placed their gifts in the offering boxes there. (A treasury is a place where one receives or stores money or valuable items.) For example:

in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed (Good News Translation)
-or-
in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put (New International Version)

8:20b

Yet no one seized Him: This clause indicates that no one stopped Jesus’ teaching. The Jewish and Roman authorities did not arrest him.

Yet: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet can be understood in two ways:

(1) It introduces an event that was not expected. Although Jesus was preaching in the temple in a public area, no one stopped him. For example:

Yet no one seized him (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It introduces the next event in the narrative and can also be translated as “And.” For example:

And no one arrested him (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

The New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word and NET Bible Bible do not translate this conjunction. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English translations.

because His hour had not yet come: The phrase His hour refers to the time for Jesus to be arrested and then put to death. See how you translated this phrase in 2:4b and 7:30. God did not allow people to touch or harm Jesus at this time. Here is another way to translate this clause:

because his time had not yet come (New International Version)

In some languages “time” and “hours” do not “come.” In those languages it may be natural to say:

it was not yet his hour
-or-
it was not yet the ⌊right⌋ time ⌊for this to happen to him⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 8:52

Paragraph 8:52–59

Jesus’ opponents were angry that he said that he was able to protect people from death. When Jesus then said that he had existed before Abraham, they became so angry that they tried to kill him.

8:52a

Many Greek manuscripts connect this sentence to the previous sentence with a conjunction that is often translated as “therefore.” For example:

At this (New International Version)

Not all Greek manuscripts include this conjunction, but it is implied. You should translate it in the way that is natural in your language. If it is more natural, you may leave it implied, as the Berean Standard Bible has done.

Now we know that You have a demon: Jesus’ opponents had already said that he had a demon (8:48). Now they felt sure that that was true (even though it was not). They thought that what Jesus had just said proved he had a demon. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Now we are sure that you have a demon. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
This proves to us (excl.) that you have a demon.
-or-
This makes us certain that you have a demon.

we: The pronoun we is exclusive in this context. It does not include Jesus.

You have a demon: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You have a demon indicates that the speakers thought that an evil spirit controlled or possessed Jesus. They thought that what he had said could not be true, and that an evil spirit had caused him to think and say it. See the note on 8:48. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

you are possessed (Revised English Bible)
-or-
you are possessed by a demon (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you have a demon in you! (New Century Version)

the Jews: This phrase continues to refer to those people there at the temple who were against Jesus. See 8:48.

8:52b

Abraham died, and so did the prophets: These clauses imply that even though Abraham and the prophets served God, they still died. All the Jewish people admired Abraham as the first ancestor of their people and the friend of God. Yet, although he was such a great man, he died. The prophets were also great men, and they also died.

the prophets: A prophet was someone who told the people words that he heard from God, God’s message. See how you translated this word in 1:21d and 4:19b.

8:52c

yet You say: The word yet introduces a contrast between what had happened in the past and what Jesus said would happen in the future. In the past good people had died, but in the future those who followed Jesus would not die. The speakers did not think that what Jesus said could be true.

anyone who keeps Your word: This expression refers to someone who accepts and obeys Jesus’ teaching. See how you translated this in 8:51b. For example:

’Whoever does what I say….’ (God’s Word)
-or-
‘If anyone obeys my teaching….’ (NET Bible Bible)

8:52d

will never taste death: This phrase means the same as “will never see death” in 8:51b. Use the expression that is natural in your language. There may be an idiom that is natural in this context, or you may translate this phrase without an idiom. For example:

will never meet death
-or-
will never die (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 8:52c–d

These clauses include a quotation inside another quotation. The speakers quoted Jesus’ words in 8:51. They did not use exactly the same words, but the meaning is the same. In some languages it may be natural to use an indirect quotation for the inner quotation. For example:

yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. (Good News Translation)
-or-
How can you say that no one who obeys your words will ever die? (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 9:25

9:25a

He answered: The pronoun He refers to the man who had been blind. Translate this so that it is clear who is speaking. For example:

“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. (New Living Translation (2004))

Whether He is a sinner I do not know: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Whether can also be translated as “if.” For example:

I don’t know if he is a sinner. (New Century Version)

The word Whether in this context is introducing one of two alternatives. The second alternative, that Jesus is not a sinner, is left implied in the Berean Standard Bible. In some languages it may be natural to make it explicit. For example:

Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. (New International Version)

General Comment on 9:25a

In some languages it may be natural to translate this sentence following the order of the clauses in the Greek. For example:

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know.” (New International Version)

9:25b

There is one thing I do know: The man indicated that although he did not know who Jesus was, there was something he did know. The Greek text emphasizes the one thing that he does know. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

All I know is this (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But I definitely know one thing.
-or-
But one thing I am sure of (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

The man was of course sure of many things, but he was talking about things relevant to their question. In order to avoid wrong meanings, it may be possible to make it clearer. For example:

I certainly know this:…
-or-
All I know ⌊about this event⌋ is that….

I was blind, but now I see!: This is more literally “I was blind and now I see.” The Berean Standard Bible used the word but to indicate that what happened was surprising and unusual. In spite of the fact that he was blind, the man could now see. Here are other ways to indicate this contrast:

I used to be blind, but now I can see. (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020