13:35a
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples: Other people will be able to recognize those who are Jesus’ disciples by their love for one another. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
Everyone will know that you are my disciples because… (God’s Word)
-or-
Other people will be able to see/recognize that you are my followers by the way…
By this: This phrase refers forward to 13:35b, their love for each other. It is because of this love they have for one another that others will know that they are Jesus’ disciples.
everyone will know: This phrase means “it will prove to all people” or “it will show everyone.” All their friends and neighbors would be able to recognize that they were Jesus’ disciples. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
will prove to the world (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
all people will realize
you are My disciples: This clause means “that you follow me.” Jesus loved his followers. His followers are to show that they are like him by loving one another.
disciples: See the note at 13:5b and how you translated the word there.
13:35b
if you love one another: The disciples’ love for each other will prove that they are Jesus’ disciples. Another way to show this is by removing “By this” above and starting this clause with “by.” For example:
Everyone will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another
-or-
All people will be able to recognize that you are my disciples by seeing how you show love to one another
love: In this context love is active affection, the outer expression of a desire for someone else’s welfare. It is something that people can see in action. In some languages it may be natural to translate love here as a verb rather than a noun. For example:
by ⌊seeing how⌋ you love one another
General Comment on 13:35a–b
In some languages it may be natural to rearrange these clauses, translating the conditional clause first. For example:
35b If you have love for one another, 35a then everyone will know that you are my disciples. (Good News Translation)
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (New Living Translation (2004))
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