Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("start")

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, hajime-rare-ru (始められる) or “start” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on John 1:35

Was standing there (Anchor, New American Bible “was there,” Jerusalem Bible “stood there”) is rendered “was standing” in most translations. The verb means simply that John was present, but one commentator sees in it a picture of John the Baptist standing and waiting for Jesus. The reader is not told where John was, but the implication is that these events take place the same locality as the previous events, that is in Bethany, on the east side of the Jordan river (verse 28).

Two of John the Baptist’s disciples were present with him; one of these was Andrew (verse 40), but the other is not definitely known. All four Gospels agree that John the Baptist had a group of close followers, called disciples. He taught them specific prayers (Luke 11.1; compare 5.33), and they had their own rules for fasting (Mark 2.18).

Terms for disciples are normally of two types: the first based on the meaning of “learning” or “being taught”; the second based on the concept of “following,” “being associated with.” or “being an adherent of.” It is important in such a context to be able to use exactly the same term for the disciples of John as for those of Jesus, even though the Greek term often rendered “disciples” must be translated in some portions of Acts as “believers.” Though an expression based upon the concept of “learning” or “being taught” is often useful, it may suggest a kind of classroom relationship between teacher and pupil. Jesus did teach his disciples, but they were more than just his pupils. They were chosen to be with him and to be sent out to preach (Mark 3.14). For that reason translators increasingly prefer to use some term which means “follower of” or “adherent to,” rather than one which would suggest “pupils” in a classroom.

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 1:35

Section 1:35–42

Jesus chose his first disciples

This section tells about some of Jesus’ first disciples. Two of John the Baptist’s disciples started to follow Jesus after John told them that he was the Lamb of God. One of them was Andrew and he brought his brother Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus told Simon that his new name would be Peter.

Here are other possible section headings:

The first disciples began to follow Jesus
-or-
A few men began to follow Jesus
-or-
Jesus’ first disciples/followers

Paragraph 1:35–39

Two of John’s disciples heard that Jesus was the Lamb of God and began to follow him. Jesus asked them what they wanted, and they told him they wanted to know where he was staying. Jesus then invited them to come and see.

1:35

The next day: This phrase introduces a new part of the story. This phrase was also used in 1:29a.

John was there again: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as John was there again indicates that John the Baptist was present during this next part of the story also. In some languages it is more natural to indicate where John was standing. For example:

John was again standing/present ⌊at that place⌋

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to a learner who is in a special relationship with a teacher. The learner commits himself to his teacher in order to learn and follow his teaching and example. A disciple often lived with his teacher and followed him wherever he went.

Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Use a term that refers to someone who learns from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learner is often with his teacher. For example:

learner/student
-or-
apprentice

Be careful not to use a term that can only refer to a student in a school or classroom.

• Use a term that refers to someone who follows a teacher or leader by obeying his teaching. It is helpful if this term also implies learning from the teacher and actually following the teacher wherever he goes. For example:

follower
-or-
one who is committed/faithful (to a teacher/leader)

See also disciple in Key Biblical Terms.

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