John 12:10 – TIPs

chief priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “chief priest” in English is translated in Muyuw as tanuwgwes lun or “ruler-of peace offering.” (Source: David Lithgow in The Bible Translator 1971, p. 118ff. )

In a 1922 translation into Chagatai, a precursor language of both Uzbek and Uighur, it is translated with a form of the Arabic loan word Imam (امام), also used in Islamic contexts. (Source: F. Erbay and F.N. Küçükballı in Acta Theologica 2025 45/2, p. 133ff. )

Lazarus (of Bethany)

The Greek that is transliterated as “Lazarus” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign depicting that he is bound in clothes, referring to John 11:44. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)

“Lazarus” 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 .

complete verse (John 12:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 12:10:

Uma: “So, the leading priests planned also they wanted to kill Lazarus.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Therefore the leaders of the priests planned that they would not just kill Isa but also Lasarus.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And because of this the leaders of the sacrificers decided that they would also kill Lazarus.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “So the leaders of the priests, they agreed-together that they would also kill Lazarus,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “That’s why the chiefs of the priests were thinking to kill Lazaro also.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Therefore the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus along with Jesus.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Sung version of John 12

Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).

For more information, see here .

Sung version of John 13 >>

Translation commentary on John 12:10

This verse reflects 11.53.

It may be necessary to make explicit the implications of the adverb too, for example, “So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus” or “… in addition to making plans to kill 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 12:10

12:10

So: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces a further development in the story. This development was a result of what had just happened. Here is another way to translate this word:

Then (New Jerusalem Bible)

the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well: The Jewish leaders made plans to kill Lazarus because the fact that he was alive showed Jesus’ great power. Lazarus was himself the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah.

the chief priests: This phrase refers to the most important of the Jewish priests, the leading priests. These men were important religious authorities, members of the main council of the Jews. See how you translated this phrase in 11:47. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the leading priests (New Century Version)

as well: This phrase means in addition to Jesus. The religious authorities had already planned to kill Jesus in 11:53.

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Verse: John 12:10