Following are a number of back-translations of John 12:32:
Uma: “But as for me, if I am made-high on/over the earth, I will bring/lead all people to me.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “When I am lifted up on the post,’ said Isa, ‘I will carry/influence all people to follow me.’ (” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And I, when I am lifted up by means of a post which is stood up, there will be those from all people that I will get to follow me.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Because when I am raised-up, I will persuade all people to believe koma in me.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “But as for me, when/if they put me up high on a cross, I will show mercy/grace to whichever nation so that they can now believe-in/obey me.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “When I have been nailed to the cross and it is stood up, people everywhere will follow my word.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
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®).
When I am lifted up from the earth refers to Jesus’ crucifixion but includes his exaltation. (See comments on 3.14.)
Everyone (Greek masculine accusative plural, pantas, = “all men”) is the reading of most modern English translations, and it has the best manuscript support. However, in some manuscripts the Greek neuter plural (panta) appears. This neuter form in Greek is ambiguous and may have the meaning of “everyone,” “all things,” or “all.” The stronger manuscript evidence is in support of the masculine plural (“all men”). The idea of a cosmic redemption, suggested by the neuter plural, represents more closely the theology of such a passage as Colossians 1.16-17. The UBS Committee on the Greek text decided in favor of the reading “all men,” evaluating their decision as a “D” choice, which indicates a very high degree of doubt concerning the reading selected.
I will draw everyone to me may be rendered in some instances “I will cause everyone to come to me.” Unfortunately, some translators attempt to reproduce literally the meaning of draw, and produce expressions which literally mean “I will drag everyone to me.”
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 .
I: The Greek text emphasizes the word I, which refers to Jesus.
when I am lifted up from the earth: This clause refers to the time when people would kill Jesus by nailing him to a tall cross. See the notes on 3:14a–b and 8:28. The people listening understood that Jesus meant that he would die (see 12:33–34). This clause could also refer to his resurrection and being exalted, but the main idea is that of his crucifixion.
The verb phrase I am lifted up is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
if I am lifted up above the earth (Contemporary English Version)
• Use an active verb. For example:
when they lift me up from the earth ⌊to die⌋
-or-
when people raise me up above the earth ⌊on a cross⌋
12:32b
will draw everyone to Myself: This phrase indicates that through his death Jesus would cause all kinds of people to come to him to trust him. This was his answer to the Greeks who wanted to meet him. Greeks would also be able to come to Jesus. The word draw here means “cause to come.” It means that Jesus would attract all kinds of people so that they would want to come to him. He would not force people to come to him against their will. See how you translated the verb draw in 6:44. For example:
I will cause all people to believe in me.
-or-
I will make everyone want to come to me (Contemporary English Version)
everyone: This phrase in this context implies “all different races and kinds of people.” Jesus will bring to himself everyone, Gentiles as well as Jews, slave as well as free. It does not mean that every person would come to him, but anyone could come if they wanted.
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