SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 1:16

1:16

Here in 1:16 John the Gospel writer returned to his description of Jesus. It should be clear in your translation that his words begin again here. They are not the words of John the Baptist anymore. It may help to begin a new paragraph here.

1:16a

In the Greek text this verse begins with a word often translated as “because.” The New Jerusalem Bible translates it as “Indeed,” which means “Truly.” Here it introduces the grounds for what both John the Baptist and the writer John said about the Word in the previous verses. The Berean Standard Bible and other English translations do not explicitly translate it. Other English translations translate it as “because” or “for.” You should introduce what John writes about the Word in a way that is natural in your language.

From His fullness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as From here means “out of.” The word fullness means “completeness” or “plenty.” Out of the great amount of the Word’s grace, mentioned in 1:14d, we have received many blessings.

Here are other ways to translate From His fullness :

From his abundance (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
From the plentiful supply of his grace
-or-
Because he is very kind/gracious

1:16b

we have all received grace upon grace: Verse 1:16b indicates that we have received many blessings from the Word who became human. In some languages it may be natural to translate this with a pronoun referring to the Word as the subject. For example:

he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another (Good News Translation)

grace upon grace: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace upon grace is more literally “grace in place of grace.” There are two interpretations of this phrase:

(1) It means that we receive many blessings—one after another. For example:

one blessing after another (New International Version)

(Good News Translation, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It means that one gift is taken away and replaced by another kind of gift. For example:

one gift replacing another (New Jerusalem Bible)

(King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

In interpretation (1), the earlier gifts are not removed as other gifts are given. In interpretation (2), there is only one gift at a time. It is implied that the earlier gifts are removed. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as do most Bible scholars. This fits the context better.

General Comment on 1:16a–b

In some languages it may be natural to combine 1:16a and 1:16b. For example:

16a–b Each of us has received one gift after another because of all that the Word is. (God’s Word)
-or-

16a–b Now we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. (NET Bible)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on John 1:48

1:48a

How do You know me?: This is a real question. Nathanael asked Jesus how he knew what sort of person he was. It is implied that he had never met Jesus before.

Here are other ways to translate this question:

How can you know me? (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
How do you know about me? (New Living Translation (2004))

1:48b

Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree: Jesus was pointing out that he knew something that a person did not know without help from God. This was a sign (evidence) that he was from God. He knew what Nathanael had been doing before Philip had invited him to go and meet Jesus. John does not say what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree, but in some languages you may need to include some information. For example:

I saw you sitting/resting under the fig tree.

Here is another way to translate this sentence that may be more natural in some languages:

I saw you in the shade of the fig tree.

the fig tree: This phrase refers to the specific fig tree that Nathanael had been under. The fig tree was a common tree in Israel. It normally produced small fruit called “figs” that they could eat. If speakers of your language are not familiar with the fig tree, here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the tree with a fruit called “fig”
-or-
the fruit tree

General Comment on 1:48b

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the clauses in 1:48b. For example:

I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you. (New Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 3:4

3:4a

How can a man be born when he is old?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and disbelief. Nicodemus was surprised that Jesus suggested being born again. There are two ways to translate this expression of surprise:

• Use a rhetorical question: For example:

But if a person is already old, how can he be born again? (New Century Version)

• Use a statement: For example:

I don’t believe anyone who is already old can be born ⌊again⌋ .
-or-
It is impossible for an old person to be born/reborn.

Translate this expression of surprise in a way that is natural in your language.

In his rhetorical question, Nicodemus implied a general truth, but one that also applied to himself. He understood that Jesus implied that he needed to be born again. But as a leader of the Jews, he was a mature man, probably over forty (40). It may be more natural to make it explicit that this general truth applied to himself. For example:

I am already old. How can I am be born ⌊now⌋ ?
-or-
How can anyone old ⌊like me⌋ be born?

3:4b

Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?: This is another rhetorical question. Nicodemus used it to express surprise and disbelief. Nicodemus was saying that it is impossible to be born physically a second time. An adult cannot enter his mother’s womb, which is where a baby grows in his mother before birth. There are at least two ways to translate this question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

He cannot enter his mother’s body again. So how can a person be born a second time? (New Century Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

He certainly cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time! (Good News Translation)

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language. It is important to use language that is acceptable in your culture for public reading. It may be necessary to use a euphemism for womb. For example, the New Century Version in the quote above has translated his mother’s womb as “his mother’s body.”

General Comment on 3:4a–b

The rhetorical questions in 3:4a and 3:4b are both used as statements that express Nicodemus’ doubts about what Jesus said. He did not understand what Jesus meant, and it sounded impossible. In some languages it may be more natural to combine the questions into one. For example:

How can a grown man ever be born a second time? (Contemporary English Version)

Another possible way to translate this verse is to follow the New Living Translation (2004). It still uses two questions, but the first is a real question that indicates Nicodemus did not understand Jesus’ words:

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 3:36

3:36a

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life: This is one of the most important ideas in the chapter. In some languages it is more natural to put in something to emphasize the idea. For example:

Whoever believes in the Son has truly/really got the life that continues forever.

Whoever believes in the Son: This refers to anyone and everyone who trusts Jesus. So in some languages it may be more natural to use a plural noun or pronoun. For example:

All those people who believe in the Son
-or-
Everyone who has faith in the Son (Contemporary English Version)

believes in the Son: This phrase includes the idea of believing the facts about who Jesus was and what he did. But it also includes the idea of trusting Jesus instead of trusting oneself or someone else. Both ideas are very closely related. If someone believes the facts about Jesus, it should result in trusting him. See how you translated this idea in 1:7b, 1:12b, 3:15, 3:16b, and 3:18. Here are other ways to translate this idea here:

has faith in the Son (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
trusts in the Son
-or-
puts their faith in the Son (Revised English Bible)

the Son: See how you translated this phrase in 3:35a.

eternal life: These people have spiritual life from God, life that continues forever. See the note at 3:15, where the same phrase is used. See also how you translated the phrase there.

3:36b

Whoever rejects the Son will not see life: This expression refers to anyone and everyone who rejects the Son. The people who reject the Son are those who disobey him and refuse to believe what he says. By rejecting their Savior, they reject eternal life. For example:

all those who disobey the Son will never see/enter ⌊that⌋ life
-or-
none who disobey will see/receive ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
no one who rejects him will ever share in that life (Contemporary English Version)

see life: This phrase here means to experience the true spiritual life mentioned in 3:36a, life with God forever. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

experience eternal life (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
share in that life (Contemporary English Version)

3:36c

Instead: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead here connects a negative statement (“will not see life”) to a positive statement (“must endure God’s wrath”). This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:

• Use the conjunction “but” as in the New Revised Standard Version.

will not have life, but will remain under God’s punishment (Good News Translation)

• Use a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:

will not see life. Instead, he will see God’s constant anger. (God’s Word)

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

will never have life. God’s anger stays on them. (New Century Version)

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

will continue to experience God’s anger and not enjoy ⌊eternal⌋ life

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

the wrath of God remains on him: This Greek that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as the wrath of God remains on him means “God will continue to be angry with him.” It indicates that God will continue to reject people who do not want to believe. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s wrath rests upon him (Revised English Bible)
-or-
remains under God’s angry judgment (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God will be angry with them forever (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 4:32

4:32

But He told them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here introduces Jesus’ negative reply to the disciples’ urging. He did not want to eat some food.

I have food to eat that you know nothing about: Jesus implied that he did not want any food because he was satisfied with another kind of food. He was referring to spiritual food, not physical food. In some languages it is more natural to supply the implied information that Jesus was already satisfied. A different kind of food had satisfied him. For example:

It is enough, because I have eaten something that you do not know about.
-or-
I am already ⌊satisfied⌋ with food you do not know about.

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 5:10

5:10a

so the Jews said: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so means “therefore.” It indicates a result.

There is some background information here that John’s original readers knew, so he did not include it. First, the Jewish Law required that people rest on the Sabbath. Also, the Jews believed that the man was working when he carried his mat. It is also implied that the Jews saw the man carrying his mat. The Jews themselves explain in 5:10c about the Jewish Law. So here you may want to only include the implied information that they saw the man carrying his mat. For example:

When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him…. (Contemporary English Version)

the Jews: Although the Greek text and the Berean Standard Bible only say the Jews here, John was referring to “the leaders of the Jews.” In some languages to say the Jews would imply that Jesus was not a Jew. This term was often used for Jewish leaders who were against Jesus. You may want to make this explicit. For example:

the Jewish authorities (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Jewish leaders (New Living Translation (2004))

the man who had been healed: The verb had been healed is passive. There are several ways to translate it here:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the man who was cured (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the man who was made strong

• Use an active verb. For example:

the man whom Jesus had healed
-or-
the man whom Jesus made strong

• Refer to the man in a different way. For example:

When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him (Contemporary English Version)

5:10b

This is the Sabbath!: Here are other ways to translate this clause:

It is the Sabbath.
-or-
Today is our (incl.) day for resting.

See the note on 5:9c. See how you translated the term Sabbath in that verse.

5:10c

It is unlawful for you to carry your mat: This clause means that the Jewish leaders thought that the man should not carry his mat. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

It is against the law for you to carry your bed. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
No one is allowed to carry a mat on the Sabbath! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
You must/should not carry your mat today.

unlawful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unlawful means “ought not to,” “should not” or “must not.” The Jewish leaders said that the man should not carry his mat. They meant that the law did not allow him to do that. The word unlawful in the Berean Standard Bible means “not allowed by the law” or “forbidden by the law.”

The law of that day was the laws given to Moses by God. They are recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. There were laws that said that the Jews must not work on the Sabbath. See Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–15.

The Old Testament law did not say anything about carrying mats on the Sabbath. However, Jewish leaders had added many additional laws to make sure that people kept the law of Moses. They explained what they thought the law meant by work. It was those laws that did not allow the man to carry his mat.

General Comment on 5:9–10

The Jews told the man that it was the Sabbath in 5:10b because the Jewish law commanded rest on the Sabbath. Here is a good model for making this connection clear:

9c But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10a so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, 10b “You can’t work on the Sabbath! 10c The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 5:42

5:42a

but: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces an implied contrast. The contrast is between Jesus not wanting human praise and the Jewish leaders wanting praise (see 5:44b). It is also an implied contrast between Jesus’ love for his Father (see 14:31) and the Jews’ lack of love. Introduce this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

I know you: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as I know you indicates that Jesus was saying that he understood the religious leaders. He knew that, unlike him, they did want people’s praise. Jesus knew the kind of people they were and wanted them to change. He was warning them. See the General Comment following 5:42b. For example:

But I know what kind of people you are. (God’s Word)
-or-
But I know that with you it is different (Revised English Bible)

5:42b

you do not have the love of God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the love of God here means “love for God.” Jesus was saying that the religious leaders did not love God. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun love with a verb. For example:

none of you love God (Contemporary English Version)

within you: The pronoun you is plural here. In some languages, love is thought to be found in a certain body part, such as the heart or mind. In those languages, it may be more natural to refer to that part of the body. For example:

in your hearts (New International Version)
-or-
in your thoughts

General Comment on 5:42a–b

In the Berean Standard Bible verse 42 is translated as part of one sentence that began in the previous verse. Here are other ways to use part of one sentence:

because I know that you do not have God’s love in your thoughts/heart
-or-
but I do know that none of you love God. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages it may be natural to use two sentences when you translate this verse. For example:

But I know what kind of people you are. You don’t have any love for God. (God’s Word)
-or-
but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 6:27

6:27a

Do not work for food that perishes: This expression means “Do not work to get food that will spoil.” This is a command. It sounds like Jesus said that people should never work for food, but it is a figure of speech, a hyperbole. Jesus knew that most people must work to earn money to buy food. He was not telling people not to work. He was telling them to spend their lives wisely, working hard to get what is truly valuable.

In some languages a literal translation of Do not work may communicate that people should not work for wages. If your language is like that, you may need to follow one of these examples:

Do not work hard ⌊only⌋ for the food that does not last.
-or-
Do not concentrate your thoughts on food that spoils, but rather on the food that lasts

Jesus was saying that people should not spend all their time and energy to get ordinary food. They should not make food (and other material things, which become ruined) their main goal in life.

food that perishes: This clause refers to the fact that after a few days most ordinary food becomes dry or moldy. When that happens, people cannot safely eat it. This was especially true in Jesus’ time, when there was no way to keep food cold. But Jesus was referring to all types of food, even food like flour that lasts or keeps a long time. Here are some other ways to say this:

food that spoils (Good News Translation)
-or-
food that does not last/endure

In some languages it may be necessary to translate this as a separate clause. For example:

Do not work to get ⌊physical/material⌋ food. It will be spoiled/ruined!

6:27b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but connects the negative statement in 6:27a to the positive statement in 6:27b. This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. In 6:27a, Jesus said what the people should not do, and in 6:27b, he said what they should do. They should not work for food that spoils. Instead, they should work for food that endures. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. For example:

• Use the conjunction but as in the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

You should work, not for this perishable food, but for the food that lasts, the food of eternal life. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Do not look for the food that quickly spoils, but rather work hard so that you might get the food which gives eternal life.

• Use a conjunction other than but. This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:

Do not work for food that goes bad; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t work for food that spoils. Instead, work for the food that lasts into eternal life. (God’s Word)

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

Don’t work for the food that spoils. Work for the food that stays good always and gives eternal life. (New Century Version)
-or-
don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life (New Living Translation (2004))

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

You should work to obtain the food that endures for eternal life, not for the food that spoils.
-or-
Work for what lasts and what leads to life that never ends. Do not use all your efforts to get food that will spoil.

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

for food that endures to eternal life: Jesus was referring to spiritual food. This food endures or remains and gives eternal life. It will never spoil and the life it gives will last forever. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Work for food that gives eternal life. (Contemporary English Version)

eternal life: The word eternal refers to something that does not end. The phrase eternal life refers to the new spiritual life that God gives us when we believe in Jesus. This life will never end. See the note at 3:15 and how you translated this phrase there.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

forever life ⌊from God⌋
-or-

⌊spiritual⌋ life that never ends
-or-
living forever ⌊with God⌋

6:27c

which the Son of Man will give you: Jesus was talking about himself. He, the Son of Man, will give the food that endures. So it may be natural to say:

which I, the Son of Man, will give you

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is more literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus was referring to himself. He used this title to imply two things:

(a) He was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) He came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Here are some possible translations:

the Human-born
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Humanity/Humans

Translate this title as you did in other verses, for example, in 1:51; 3:13, 14. See also Key Biblical Terms, Son of Man.

6:27d

For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval: This is a metaphor. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as placed His seal of approval can mean “to put a seal on a document to show one’s approval.” Here, it means that God the Father has shown his approval of Jesus. Jesus did not say how the Father showed his approval.

In some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. People may not understand that it is a figure of speech. Here are other ways to translate this metaphor:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

It is as though God the Father has set his seal on him/me.

• Keep the figure of speech (either as metaphor or simile) and make its meaning explicit. For example:

For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:

because my Father God has shown that he approves of me

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For means “because” and here introduces an explanation. Jesus, the Son of Man, will be the one to give food that endures for eternal life because he is the one whom the Father approves of. Some translations leave this word implicit. Here is another way to translate this word:

because

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020