relative age of James and John

Many languages have terms for siblings that define whether one is younger or older in relation to another sibling.

Dave Brunn reports this from the translation into Lamogai (see p. 141f. and 181f.):

“Some languages, including Lamogai, have two different words for brother. One means ‘older brother,’ and the other means ‘younger brother.’ In many cases, these languages do not have a generic word that includes both. Relating this to translation, which of the sons of Zebedee do you think was older, James or John? The Bible does not tell us, but there are some clues. The names James and John occur together about twenty times in the New Testament. In every occurrence, James is named first. Since there is not much else to go on, most translators who have faced this issue have considered this to be enough evidence to say James must be the older brother. Here is how we translated this pair of names in Matthew 17:1 in the Lamogai New Testament:

“‘Jems akap ino tikino Jon’ (‘James along-with his younger-brother John’)

“Technically, ‘tikino‘ means younger sibling of the same sex and ‘udikino‘ older sibling of the same sex. A man would refer to his older brother as ‘udikino‘ and his younger brother as ‘tikino.’ And a woman would use the same terms for her older and younger sisters. The term for opposite-sex sibling (either a man to his sister or a woman to her brother) is ‘luku.'” (Source for this paragraph: private communication from Dave Brunn)

In the translation into Oaxaca Chontal, the same principle is applied. (Source: Bratcher / Nida 1961)

The Chilcotin translators have tried to circumvent specifying which of the two is older, even though the language also uses age-specific terms for siblings. In Mark 1:19 and Mark 3:17 it says Zebedee beyiqi… (“Zebedee’s sons…”) and therefore avoids stating their respective age. Likewise in Mark 5:37 it says Peter hink´an ˀelhcheliqi James belh John (“Peter and brothers James and John”) (source: Quindel King).

See also Peter (Simon) / Andrew (relative age).

John the Baptist

The name that is transliterated as “John (the Baptist)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language and Mexican Sign Language as “baptize” (source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. ).


“John the Baptist” in Mexican Sign Language (source: BSLM )

In German Sign Language (Catholic) it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying a Catholic baptism by sprinkling on the head.


“John” in German Sign Language /catholic, source: Taub und katholisch

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “shout,” referring to John 1:23. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Similarly, in French Sign Language, it is “prepare the way.” (Source: Lexique – Explications en langue des signes)

In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign for leaping in the womb (see Luke 1:41) and baptism. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“John” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

A question of cultural assumptions arose in Tuvan. The instinctive way to translate this name denotatively would be “John the Dipper,” but this would carry the highly misleading connotation that he drowned people. It was therefore decided that his label should focus on the other major aspect of his work, that is, proclaiming that the Messiah would soon succeed him. (Compare his title in Russian Orthodox translation “Иоанн Предтеча” — “John the Forerunner.”) So he became “John the Announcer,” which fortunately did not seem to give rise to any confusion with radio newsreaders! (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

In Noongar it is translated as John-Kakaloorniny or “John Washing” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

A new oral translation into Yao / Ciyawo, spoken in Mozambique, uses John the one who ceremoniously washes/pours water, using a term (kusingula) that “indicates a ceremonial washing or pouring of water on a person in the Yawo’s expression of Islam which can be used for an act done in repentance of sin.” (Source: Houston 2025, p. 236)

See also John the Baptist (icon) and learn more on Bible Odyssey: John the Baptist .

brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), both “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

John (the disciple)

The term that is transliterated as “John (the disciple)” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “beloved,” referring to John 13:23 et al. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts John’s head resting on Jesus’ chest, referring to John 13:23.


“John” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign for “young.” This refers to the traditional belief that he was the youngest of the apostles and the fact that he was younger than his brother James (see relative age of James and John. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“John” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also John the Evangelist (icon).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: The Apostle John .

complete verse (Acts 12:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 12:2:

  • Uma: “From his order, Yakobus the sibling of Yohanes was slaughtered.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He commanded Yakub the brother of Yahiya to be beheaded.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “James, the brother of John, Herod had him struck with a sword so that he might die.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “and he had-the head of Santiago Juan’s brother -cut-off.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “One of the apostles, Santiago, who was the brother of Juan, was caused by him to be-killed-with-a-blade.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 12:2

He had … put to death by the sword is literally “he killed … with a sword.” But again to say “he killed” might suggest that this was something that Herod did personally, whereas it was something ordered by him and done by his subordinates. Put to death by the sword in this type of context may be rendered in some languages as “ordered a soldier to kill James by means of a sword” or “ordered a soldier to take his sword to kill James.” In many parts of the world a sword is not employed in fighting or in warfare. The closest equivalent may be “a very large knife.” In other instances a sword is a “large knife for fighting.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:22

1:22a–b

beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us: This phrase explains the phrase “the whole time” in 1:21b. Consider how to clearly indicate that in your language.

1:22a

John’s baptism: In English, this phrase would normally refer to someone baptizing John. But that is clearly not the meaning here. There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It refers to John baptizing Jesus. For example:

he was baptized by John (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It refers to John’s ministry of baptizing people. For example:

the time when John was baptising (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the focus of here is on events directly connected to Jesus (1:21b).

baptism: This noun refers to the event of baptizing people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In some languages a verb or phrase is used to translate the word baptism. For example:

ritually washing
-or-
purifying with God’s ceremonial bath

See how you translated the similar word “baptized” in 1:5.

1:22b

Jesus was taken up from us: Here this refers to God taking Jesus from the earth and bringing him to heaven.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ took Jesus up ⌊to heaven⌋ from us

1:22c

For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection: These words complete the thought of what was necessary for one man to have done in 1:21a. He must join the other apostles and become a witness to the fact of Jesus’ resurrection. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection (New Living Translation (2004))

witness: This word indicates that the man would tell others what he knew personally about Jesus. See how you translated this word (“witnesses”) in 1:8.

us: This person was to become an apostle. So Peter would use the exclusive form of the pronoun us, because the hundred and twenty believers to whom Peter spoke were not all apostles, only the eleven.

of His resurrection: The word resurrection refers to the time when God caused Jesus to live again. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

of him rising from the dead
-or-
that Jesus has been raised from death (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
of ⌊God⌋ causing him to live again

General Comment on 1:21a–22c

A long description (1:21b–22b) occurs between introducing “one of the men” (1:21a) and what he is to “become” (1:22c). In some languages it is necessary or more natural to put the description after what the man is to become. For example:

21aTherefore it is necessary that one man 22cbecome a witness with us of his resurrection. 21a⌊It is necessary that⌋ he be one of the men who have accompanied us 21bthe whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22abeginning from John’s baptism 22bto the time when Jesus was taken up from us.

The combined verses would be labeled “21–22.”

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