11:8a

Rabbi: The word Rabbi is transliterated from a Hebrew word and means “my great one.” When John wrote this Gospel, people used this word to show respect for an important religious teacher or leader.

You may want to use a word meaning “teacher,” but it should not refer only to a schoolteacher. Try to use a word that implies that the teacher is highly respected. For example:

Honorable teacher
-or-
My teacher/master

See how you translated this word elsewhere, for example, 6:25b.

they replied: This expression introduces the disciples’ response to Jesus’ command. In some languages it is more natural to use a different verb to introduce an answer. For example:

The disciples answered

the Jews just tried to stone You: This is a reference to the events recorded in 10:31. See the notes there. The people in Judea wanted to stone Jesus to death because they thought he committed blasphemy. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

not long ago the Jews wanted to stone you to death (God’s Word)
-or-
only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you (New Living Translation (2004))

the Jews: The phrase the Jews here again refers to Jesus’ opponents. Refer to your translation of 10:31. It is good to translate the Jews the same way that you did there. You could supply the word “there” to indicate which Jewish people are referred to. For example:

some people there (New Century Version)
-or-
the Jews who oppose you there

just: This phrase means “recently” or “a little while ago.” For example:

just a short time ago (Good News Translation)

tried to stone You: The verb phrase tried here means “wanted.” The people did not actually throw stones at Jesus, trying to hit him, but they wanted to.

to stone You: The verb stone means to kill someone by throwing stones at them. See the notes on 8:59 and 10:31. It may be clearer to make it explicit that the purpose of stoning someone was to kill them. For example:

stone you to death (NET Bible Bible)

11:8b

and: This conjunction here introduces a rhetorical question. Introduce this question in a way that is natural in your language. You may not need to use a conjunction. For example:

Now you want to go back there? (New Century Version)

You are going back there?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and is used as a rebuke. The disciples were very surprised that Jesus wanted to go back to where people wanted to kill him. They indicated that this was not a good plan. There are two ways to translate this rebuke:

• Use a rhetorical question. The question should imply that the proposed course of action is a bad one. For example:

Do you really want to go back there? (God’s Word)
-or-
Why would you go back there?

• Use a statement. For example:

You should not go back there!
-or-
It is not a good idea/plan to go back there.

Translate this surprise and rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus had not started on the journey yet. He was planning to go. He had just expressed his intention. Translate in a way that makes this clear. For example:

Are you really thinking of going there?
-or-
Why do you want to go back? (Contemporary English Version)

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