Cephas

The Greek that is transliterated “Cephas” in English — and is an alternative name for Peter — is transliterated in Mandarin Chinese Protestant translations as jīfǎ (traditional Chinese: 磯法, simplified Chinese: 矶法). The first character jī (磯 / 矶) is not only chosen because of its sound but also because of its meaning: “rock,” corresponding to the meaning of the Aramaic kēp̄ā (כֵּיפָא), to which the Greek Kēphâs (Κηφᾶς) refers and also alluding to Jesus’ proclamation in Matthew 16:18 (see Peter – rock).

Note that Catholic Chinese versions don’t follow the English pronunciation of “Cephas” with its opening [s] sound. They use kēfǎ (刻法) transliterating the [k] sound from the Aramaic and Greek. Kēfǎ does not carry the additional meaning of “rock.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)

In the Neo-Aramaic language of Assyrian the terms used for both “Peter” (English transliteration of the Greek “πετρος”) and “Cephas” are identical (كِيپَا, pronounced kēpā). (Source: Ken Bunge)

The passage in John 1:42 (“You are to be called Cephas (which is translated Peter)” in English) is solved by various translations like this: “‘I am going to name you Cephas.’ Cephas means ‘Peter.’ Both mean ‘rock.'” (Ojitlán Chinantec), “I am naming you Cephas. ‘Cephas’ in the Jews’ language, ‘Peter’ in the Greek language, the meaning being ‘stone’.” (Alekano), “You will become known as Cephas,’ he said, which in our language means ‘rock.'” (Chol), or “You will be called Cephas and also Peter.” Tenango Otomi. (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

See also Peter – rock.

complete verse (1 Corinthians 15:5)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 15:5:

  • Uma: “After that, he made himself appear to Petrus, after that to the rest of his disciples.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After he lived again he appeared to Petros, after that he also appeared to the twelve that he commissioned.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And He appeared to Peter, and then He appeared to the people who were His apostles.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then he appeared to Pedro and after that to all of them who were his apostles.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And then he went-to-see/meet Pedro, and then to those other disciples.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Christ having resurrected, Peter saw that he again was living. Afterwards, then all the other representatives of Christ saw him.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:5

He appeared is literally “he was seen,” a verb form often used in Greek when speaking of supernatural appearances. In some languages it is possible to render this verb as “let himself be seen” or “he showed himself to.”

Cephas: if translators have used “Peter” throughout 1 Corinthians (Good News Bible), they should use that name here also (see comments on 1.12).

To the twelve: in some languages, or for some groups of readers, it may be necessary to make it appear that the twelve were the original apostles. However, since Paul mentions in verse 7 a group of apostles that was probably larger than twelve, it seems best in translation to omit Good News Bible‘s “all” in the present verse.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .