SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 12:15

12:15a

Do not be afraid: This clause is probably taken from Zephaniah 3:16. It means that the people of Jerusalem should be happy and not afraid that their king was coming to them. He was peaceful. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Fear no more (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You do not need to be afraid
-or-
There is no need for fear

O Daughter of Zion: This phrase refers to the city of Zion (Jerusalem) and its people. They are referred to as a young woman, Daughter of Zion. See also Isaiah 1:8, 62:11. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

city of Zion (Good News Translation)
-or-
people of Jerusalem (Contemporary English Version)

12:15b

See: This word indicates that there is something important that people should see: the coming of the king. See how you translated this word in John 1:29. Translate it here in a way that is natural in your language to get people to notice and think about something. For example:

Mark this
-or-
Look (New Revised Standard Version)

your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey: The fact that the king rode on a donkey’s colt (young donkey) implied that he came in peace. See Zechariah 9:9. It may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

your king comes ⌊to you in peace⌋ , riding on a young donkey
-or-
here comes your king, sitting/riding ⌊peacefully⌋ on a young donkey

the colt of a donkey: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the colt of a donkey refers to the animal mentioned in 12:14, a young donkey. The word colt means “young horse or donkey.”

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SIL Translator’s Notes on John 12:47

12:47a

As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him: The Greek text emphasizes the word I, which refers to Jesus. For example:

It is not I who am the judge of those who hear my words and do not keep them.
-or-
I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. (Contemporary English Version)

anyone who hears My words and does not keep them: The word anyone refers to any person who has rejected Jesus. Use the noun or pronoun that is natural in your language. It may be singular or plural. For example:

those who hear me but don’t obey me (New Living Translation (2004))

My words: This phrase refers to Jesus’ message or teachings. For example:

my teachings (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
my message (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what I say

and: This word introduces something that is not expected. You would expect that someone who heard Jesus’ words would obey them. However, here Jesus spoke about those who did not obey. Translate this word in a way that is natural in your language to indicate something not expected. For example:

but (New Living Translation (2004))

does not keep them: This phrase indicates that this individual does not obey Jesus’ words. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

does not obey them (New Century Version)

I do not judge him: These words indicate that Jesus himself is not the one who condemns these people. This was not his purpose in coming into the world. Jesus referred to the future as well as the present, and in some languages it may be natural to use future tense. For example:

I will not judge (Good News Translation)
-or-
I don’t condemn (God’s Word)

General Comment on 12:47a

In some languages it may be natural to follow the Greek text and reorder the clauses in 12:47a. For example:

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge such a person. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If anyone hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him. (Good News Translation)

12:47b

For: This word means “because” and is an introduction to the reason why he is not the judge. For example:

because (New Century Version)

I have not come to judge the world: The reason why Jesus came into the world was not to judge the people of the world. There was a different reason. See the General Comment on 12:47b–c for another way to order this information. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I did not come to judge the world (New Century Version)
-or-
I didn’t come to condemn the world (God’s Word)

judge: The word judge in this context means “condemn and punish.” See Key Biblical Terms Judge, Judgement B.3.

the world: The phrase the world here refers to the people of the world. For example:

the people of this world (Contemporary English Version)

12:47c

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but here connects a negative statement (12:47b) to a positive statement (12:47c). 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 Berean Standard Bible.

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

I did not come to judge the people of the world; rather I came to save them.

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

I did not come to judge the world. I came to save the world.

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. (New Living Translation (2004))

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

to save the world: In some languages it may be natural to use a pronoun rather than repeating the noun world from 12:47b. However, that may lose some of the emphasis on the world. For example:

but to save it (Good News Translation)

save: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as save here means “rescue or free from sin.” The result is that Jesus will not judge or condemn a person that he has saved. That means that he will not punish that person.

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 1:11

1:11a

He came to His own: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as His own is more literally “his own things/property.” This is ambiguous and can refer to the whole earth or specifically to the land of Israel/Judea. In your translation, it is good to be ambiguous. You may be able to follow one of these examples:

He came to the place that he owns
-or-
He came to his own country (Good News Translation)
-or-
He came to his own home (Revised Standard Version)

1:11b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces an event that one might not expect. Other translations, such as the New International Version, translate the conjunction as “but.” You should translate this conjunction in the way that is most natural for your language.

His own did not receive Him: The phrase His own refers to the Jews. Most of Jesus’ own people, the Jews, did not accept what he had to say. Verse 1:12a shows that there were some who did accept. If a literal translation here implies that none of the Jews received him, you may need to say this:

not many of his people accepted him

did not receive Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as receive in this context means “welcome.” That is, it means “receive with pleasure or as a guest.” For example:

did not welcome him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
did not accept him (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate did not receive with a positive expression. For example:

they rejected him (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 1:43

Section 1:43–51

Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to follow him

This section tells how Philip and Nathaniel became disciples of Jesus. Jesus showed them his power to know all things. He told Nathaniel that he had seen him under a fig tree. That showed Nathaniel that Jesus was the Son of God and King of Israel.

Here are other possible section headings:

Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to be his disciples/followers
-or-
Jesus invited two more men to follow him
-or-
Philip and Nathanael became disciples

1:43a

The next day: The time phrase The next day introduces a new part of the story. See the notes on 1:29a and 1:35, where the same phrase appears.

Jesus decided to set out for Galilee: The Greek text has a singular masculine subject for the verb decided. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the subject Jesus. Jesus did not leave alone; his disciples were with him. So you may need to say this:

The next day Jesus decided that ⌊they⌋ would go to Galilee.

to set out: The verb set out here means to begin a journey. The travelers certainly walked.

for Galilee: Galilee is the name of a district north of Judea. In some languages it is more natural to say this:

⌊the district called⌋ Galilee
-or-

⌊the region/area called⌋ Galilee

1:43b

Finding Philip, He told him: This is the first time Philip has been mentioned. Introduce him in a way that is natural in your language. It is not clear whether Jesus found Philip before he went to Galilee or after he went.

Finding Philip: Jesus found Philip and went to him. Philip was not lost. In some languages you may need to say this:

Saw a man called Philip and went to him

Follow Me: The Greek phrase Follow Me is an invitation for Philip to come with Jesus and learn from him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Come with me! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Become my disciple

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2:24

2:24a

But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them: John indicated that Jesus did not trust people or rely on them. He knew how quickly they could change and that they were not reliable. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus, however, did not believe that they would be faithful to him
-or-
But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them (New Revised Standard Version)

But: The conjunction But here introduces a contrast. The contrast is between the people’s trust in him (2:23b) and his refusing to trust them (2:24a). Translate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is more literally “Jesus himself.” This expression emphasizes the contrast. You should emphasize the contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

entrust: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as entrust can mean “believe,” but here the sense is “to trust someone to protect or care for something.” Jesus did not trust them to faithfully defend him. He could not trust them enough to be their friend (see John 15:14–15). It is the same root word as in 2:23b.

2:24b

for He knew them all: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces an explanation for the statement in 2:24a. The reason Jesus did not entrust himself to the people was that he knew everyone. Jesus understood what all people were like. Translate this introduction to an explanation in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

because he knew them all (Good News Translation)
-or-
because he knew human nature (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because he knew exactly how people thought

In some languages it may be necessary to say explicitly what Jesus knew. For example:

for he knew how people are ⌊not reliable⌋

General Comment on 2:24a–b

In some languages it is more natural to reorder this verse. Those languages would first say the reason why Jesus did not entrust himself to people. For example:

24b But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, 24a and he would not let them have power over him. (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 2:23–24

There is a contrast in these verses between Jesus and the people. It may be more natural in some languages to emphasize this contrast by reordering the information and repeating the word “trust.” For example:

23a–b Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24a But Jesus didn’t trust them, 24b because he knew human nature. (New Living Translation (2004))

If it is natural in your language to emphasize the contrast in this way, you may want to follow the New Living Translation (2004).

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 3:31

Section 3:31–36

Jesus is the one who came from heaven

John the gospel writer says that Jesus is greater than everyone else. He is greater because he came from heaven and knows the truth about heavenly things. God the Father sent Jesus and given him authority over all things. However, people did not accept what Jesus said and so they will experience God’s anger. On the other hand, those who believe in Jesus, God’s Son, have eternal life.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Jesus was more important than John the Baptist
-or-
God sent Jesus to tell his message
-or-
Those who believe in God’s Son have eternal life

Paragraph 3:31–36

The Greek text does not have quotation marks, so it is not certain when John the Baptist stops speaking. There are two possible ways to understand where John the Baptist stops speaking:

(1) John stops speaking at the end of 3:30.

(New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, NIV2011, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, probably Contemporary English Version)

(2) John stops speaking at the end of 3:36.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (1984), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

The King James Version does not use quotation marks and so does not indicate when the speaker changes.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). These Notes end John the Baptist’s words at the end of verse 30. This is the view of many commentators. The author probably wrote this paragraph in his own words. It is recommended that you translate these verses as the author’s words. But if other translations in your area have translated them as John the Baptist’s own words, that is acceptable.

In this paragraph the author states that Jesus is superior to John the Baptist.

3:31a

The One who comes from above: This expression refers to Jesus. Translate this expression so that this is clear. For example:

God’s Son comes from heaven and is greater than everything. (Contemporary English Version)

comes from above: This phrase indicates that Jesus came from heaven, that is, from the place where God lives.

is above all: This phrase means that Jesus is more important than anything or anyone else. He is superior to all other beings.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

is greater than all (Good News Translation)

3:31b

The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth includes the same Greek phrase three times. That Greek phrase is more literally “of/from the earth.” So the entire clause is more literally “the one being of/from the earth is of/from the earth and of/from the earth he speaks.” Unlike Jesus, who was from heaven, those from the earth had never seen heaven. They could only tell what they knew as people from earth.

The author was referring to anyone and everyone apart from Jesus, including John the Baptist. For example:

Everyone who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. (Contemporary English Version)

speaks as one from the earth: There are at least three different interpretations about what this phrase means:

(1) It means that people from the earth can only speak with the knowledge of people from the earth, as in the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version.

(2) It means that they speak about earthly things. For example:

we speak of earthly things (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(3) It means that they speak in earthly ways. For example:

speaks in an earthly way (English Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It interprets the Greek phrase the same way that it was interpreted earlier in the clause. Also, many commentaries support this interpretation.

John spoke about things that he could know as a human. The things he said were not wrong, or sinful, but they came from the earth rather than heaven. He did not speak as Jesus did, coming from heaven with God’s direct authority and knowledge. He was a human and he could only speak what he knew as a human from earth. He had not come from heaven, that is, from God.

3:31c

The One who comes from heaven is above all: There is a textual problem in this sentence:

(1) Many Greek manuscripts read “the one who comes from heaven is above all.” For example:

The person who comes from heaven is superior to everyone. (God’s Word)

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

(2) Some Greek manuscripts read “the one from heaven.” The rest of the sentence is in verse 32: “testifies to what he has seen and heard.” For example:

He who comes from heaven bears witness… (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most English translations.

The One who comes from heaven: This expression means the same as “The one who comes from above” in 3:31a. It refers to Jesus. He is the one from heaven, that is, from the place where God lives.

heaven: The word heaven refers to the place where God lives.

is above all: The expression is above all is the same as in 3:31a. See the note there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 4:27

Paragraph 4:27–30

The disciples returned to the well and were surprised to find Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. The woman then left her water jar at the well and hurried to her town to tell the people there about Jesus. Then the people went to the well to meet Jesus.

4:27a

Just then His disciples returned: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Just then introduces something that happened right away. For example:

At this time the disciples returned ⌊with food⌋
-or-
At that very moment his disciples came back (NET Bible)

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to learners or followers who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to follow his teaching and example. Disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went. See how you translated this term in 1:35.

4:27b

were surprised that He was speaking with a woman: The disciples did not expect Jesus to talk to women. Jewish tradition advised men, and especially rabbis, to not to talk to women other than their wives. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as surprised means “astonished” or “amazed.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

were astonished that he was speaking with a woman (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They were shocked to find him talking to a woman (New Living Translation (2004))

4:27c

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces something that is not what one expects. The disciples wanted to know why Jesus was talking with the woman, but they did not ask him about it.

no one asked Him: The phrase no one refers to none of the disciples.

What do You want from her?: There are two ways to understand the question What do You want from her? :

(1) It was directed at Jesus and means “Why are you talking with her?” For example:

But none of them asked him, “What do you want from her ?” (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It was directed at the woman and means “Why are you speaking with Jesus?” For example:

But none of them said to her, “What do you want?” (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

The King James Version, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, and New Century Version are ambiguous but more naturally refer to Jesus, which the following question clearly does. Either interpretation is possible. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and most Bible scholars.

You: The pronoun You is singular. If you follow interpretation (1), it refers to Jesus.

or: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or here introduces another question that the disciples did not ask.

Why are You talking with her: The disciples wondered why Jesus was talking with the woman. This probably means about the same thing as the previous question, “What do you want?”

You: The pronoun You is singular and refers to Jesus.

General Comment on 4:27c

In some languages it may be more natural to translate 4:27c as indirect speech, perhaps combining the two questions. For example:

But none of them asked him what he wanted or why he was talking with her. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
but none of them asked him why he was doing it or what they had been discussing. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but none of them asked what Jesus wanted and/or what was the reason that he was talking with her

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 5:5

Paragraph 5:5–7

Jesus met a man who had been lame for thirty-eight (38) years. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well.

5:5

One man there: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as One man is more literally “a certain man.” This expression here introduces a major character in this incident. In some languages there are other ways of introducing a major character in a story. For example:

Now a certain man was present there
-or-
Among them was a man (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Beside the pool was a man (Contemporary English Version)

had been an invalid for thirty-eight years: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as an invalid is the same word as in 5:3a. It includes weakness or disability (lack of ability) of any sort. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the specific illness, saying that the man was lame. For example:

who had been lame for 38 years

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on John 2020