10:24a

So: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces what happened while Jesus was walking in the temple area. It could indicate a result or just the first event in this story. Most English translations do not explicitly translate this word. Here are other ways to translate this word:

then (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
when (Good News Translation)
-or-
and (Contemporary English Version)

the Jews gathered around Him: The phrase the Jews in this context refers to the Jews there who were opposed to Jesus. They gathered around Jesus in an unfriendly way, in order to criticize him. Here is another way to translate this clause:

The people surrounded him (New Living Translation (2004))

and demanded: This phrase here introduces a rhetorical question. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and asked (Good News Translation)

10:24b

How long will You keep us in suspense?: This is a rhetorical question. The Jews used it as both a mild rebuke and a demand for information. They felt that Jesus had not been open or frank with them. They were tired of waiting for him to tell them who he really was. The phrase keep us in suspense means “make us anxiously wait (for an answer).” There are at least three ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

How long will you make us wonder about you? (New Century Version)

• Use a command or request. For example:

Do not keep us in suspense any longer.

• Use a rebuke. For example:

You should not make us wait so long.

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

us: The word us refers to the people who were questioning Jesus and is therefore exclusive.

10:24c

If You are the Christ: The word If here introduces a conditional clause that may or may not be true.

the Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and both words mean “the anointed one.” The Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God had promised to send as king and savior. See the notes on 1:20, 4:25, 29, and 7:26. Translate it the same way in all these verses. You may want to include a footnote or a glossary entry to explain this title. For example:

The word/title Christ refers to the king and savior whom God had promised to send.

tell us plainly: The people wanted to know if Jesus thought that he was the Messiah. They wanted him to tell them plainly (clearly and definitely). Here is another way to translate this clause:

tell us clearly
-or-
tell us in plain words

us: The pronoun us here is exclusive, excluding Jesus. It just refers to the ones speaking, the ones opposing Jesus.

General Comment on 10:24b

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in this sentence. For example:

Tell us plainly: are you the Messiah? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah? (Good News Translation)

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