resurrection

The Greek and Latin that is translated as “resurrection” in English is translated in Chicahuaxtla Triqui and Pohnpeian as “live-up” (i.e. return to life) (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel) and in Iloko as panagungar: a term that stems “from the word ‘agungar,’ an agricultural term used to describe the coming back to life of a plant which was wilting but which has been watered by the farmer, or of a bulb which was apparently dead but grows again.” (Source: G. Henry Waterman in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 24ff. )

Likewise, in Matumbi yu’ya carries the meaning of “raise from the dead, resuscitate, come back from near death” and is used for dry plants that come back to life when you water them or sick children who revive after being healed. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Estado de México Otomi, it is translated as “people will be raised from the dead,” in Teutila Cuicatec as “the dead having to come to life again,” in San Mateo del Mar Huave as “arose from the grave” (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.), and in Kriol as gidap laibala brom dedbala or “get up alive from the dead” (source: Sam Freney in this article .)

See also resurrect / rise again (Jesus).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Resurrection .

Martha

The name that is transliterated as “Martha” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying “hostess” (referring to Luke 10:40). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Martha” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the signs for “woman” and “clean.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Martha” 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 Mary (of Bethany) and more on Bible Odyssey: Mary and Martha .

complete verse (John 11:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 11:24:

  • Uma: “Marta said: ‘Yes, what I know [is], he will indeed rise again on Kiama Day, when all the dead are raised.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Marta said, ‘Yes, Sir, I know that he will be made alive again on the last day.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Martha said, ‘Yes, I know that he will come to life again in the future when the dead are raised on the last day.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘Yes indeed admittedly,’ said Marta in-return. ‘I know that he will live again at the living again of all the dead at the last day.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Marta answered, saying, ‘I really know that he is going to live again at the end of the world when all who have died will be made alive again.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Martha said, ‘Yes, I know that on the last day those who have died will be resurrected.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 11:24

In Greek verse 23 is introduced by the words “Jesus told her,” but Good News Translation places the words of Jesus first to make them more emphatic. Most translations render the Greek verb “will rise again,” but Good News Translation makes it explicit by translating will rise to life. Martha immediately assumes that Jesus refers to the Jewish belief in the resurrection, which is to take place on the last day, when all God’s people will rise again to life. Once again the misunderstanding of one of Jesus’ hearers enables him to present a deeper truth. Martha accepts the doctrine of resurrection on the last day, but this is of no immediate hope and consolation to her, and so Jesus makes explicit in the following verse what he meant by his statement Your brother will rise to life. These words may be translated simply “Your brother will live again” or “… will become alive again.”

She replied is literally “Martha says to him,” but better English style is achieved by the use of a pronoun in place of a noun.

In many languages one cannot say the last day without indicating the relation of the day to a given event. In some languages one may use the expression “the last day of the world” or “at the end of the world” or “at the end of the age” or even “… of time.”

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 .