Translation commentary on John 10:41

The many people referred to in this verse may have been disciples of John the Baptist, but the translator should not attempt to make explicit this sort of information.

The Gospels do not indicate that John the Baptist performed any miracles (literally “signs”; see 2.11). Not only did John perform no miraculous works, but he refused to accept any of the Jewish Messianic titles (see 1.19-23).

It is impossible to determine precisely the point of reference in the people’s affirmation everything he had said about this man was true, since John the Baptist had referred to Jesus both as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (1.29) and as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (1.33). The declaration should perhaps be interpreted in the more general sense that Jesus had fulfilled all the Old Testament predictions and all the hopes of John the Baptist.

It may be necessary to indicate to whom the people spoke when they said everything he said about this man was true. In view of the fact that Jesus is referred to as this man, it is best to translate “they said to one another,” thus avoiding the possible misunderstanding that they said it to Jesus.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 10:41

10:41a

In the Greek text this verse connects to the previous verse with the conjunction that is often translated as “and.” Connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

Many came to Him: The word Many here means “many people.” You may want to make this explicit. For example:

many people came to him (New International Version)

10:41b

and said: The word said introduces what the people said to one another after they watched and heard Jesus. In some languages it may be natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

They said…. (New International Version)
-or-
And they said…. (English Standard Version)

Although: The conjunction Although introduces something that is not expected. Even though John did not do miracles to prove he was from God, he had spoken truly about Jesus

John never performed a sign: This clause indicates that John the Baptist did not do miracles. (The word performed here means “did.”) He did not heal the sick to show people that he was from God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

John gave us no miraculous sign (Revised English Bible)
-or-
John didn’t work any miracles (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
John never did a miracle (New Century Version)

10:41c

everything he said about this man was true: The people remembered hearing about what John had said. He had said that Jesus was the Lamb of God, God’s chosen Savior and Messiah. See 1:26–34. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

all that John said about this man was true (New International Version)
-or-
everything he said about Jesus is true (New Century Version)

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