Japanese honorifics (John 14:10)

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, o-rare-ru (おられる) or “is/be present” and okonatteo-rare-ru (行っておられる) or “doing” are used.

Also, when the referent is God or a person or persons to be honored, the honorific prefix go- (御 or ご) can be used, as here in go-jibun (ご自分), a combination of “onseself” (jibun) and the honorific prefix go-. This can also be used for other reflexive pronouns (myself, himself, yourself etc.)

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

Translation commentary on John 14:10

To indicate that the first you of this verse is singular in the Greek text, Good News Translation introduces the noun of address, Philip.

For a discussion of I am in the Father and the Father is in me see 10.38. The meaning may be expressed by translating “I am one with the Father, and the Father is one with me.” In 10.38 Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “I live in the Father and the Father lives in me,” while here it has “that you meet the Father in me.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch‘s rendering is very good in 10.38, but in the present passage it lacks the idea of the reciprocal relationship and focuses attention on another aspect which is not primary. In some languages the relationship between the Father and Jesus may be expressed as “my Father is united with me, and I am united with my Father” or “my Father and I are just as though we were one.”

You in I have spoken to you is plural, and Good News Translation indicates this by adding Jesus said to his disciples. Here again it is necessary to mark explicitly the change from singular to plural, since in English you may be either. Anchor translates you as “you men.”

Do not come from me is literally “not from myself” (see 7.17) and is emphatic in the Greek sentence structure. It may be difficult in some languages to speak of words coming from a person, but the idea may be expressed as “The words that I have spoken to you, these are not what I myself have just thought” or “… they do not just come from my mind” or “these are not just my thoughts.”

The Father, who remains in me, does his own work is a fairly literal rendering of the Greek text. These words indicate that Jesus’ miracles were not accomplished by his own power or initiative (see 8.28); rather, they reveal his union with the Father. A number of translators attempt a dynamic translation: New English Bible has “it is the Father who dwells in me doing his own work”; New American Bible “it is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works”; Moffatt “it is the Father who remains ever in me, who is performing his own deeds”; Goodspeed “but the Father who is united with me is doing these things himself.”

However, it may be difficult to speak of the Father “doing his own work.” The reference is obviously very broad, for it includes both miracles and sayings. Sometimes one can employ such an expression as “my Father who remains in me causes these happenings.” But in other instances a more satisfactory rendering may be “… does what he decides to do.” Such a rendering indicates clearly that the agency and the initiative rest with God.

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 14:10

14:10a

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used as a rebuke. Jesus rebuked/scolded Philip because he spoke like someone who did not believe that Jesus and the Father were one. He wanted and expected Philip to believe that he and the Father were united.

There are at least two ways to translate this rebuke:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Don’t you believe that I, myself, am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

You (sing.) should believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me.

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

you…believe: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you…believe is singular and refers just to Philip. Some languages indicate whether “you” is singular or plural. If your language does not do that, you may want to make it clear that Jesus spoke only to Philip. For example:

Do you not believe, Philip…? (Good News Translation)

I am in the Father and the Father is in Me: This expression indicates that Jesus and the Father are united. They are one God, sharing the same nature and qualities. See the notes on 10:38, where there is a very similar expression. Here are some other ways to express this idea:

I live in the Father and the Father lives in me
-or-
that I am united with my Father and my Father is united with me

14:10b

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own: This clause indicates that Jesus did not just teach his own ideas. He did not preach a message that he had created himself, based on his own authority and decision. See the notes on 7:16–17. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

The words I say to you are not just my own. (New International Version)
-or-
What I’m telling you doesn’t come from me. (God’s Word)
-or-
I am not myself the source of the words I speak to you. (Revised English Bible)

The words I say to you: This expression refers to Jesus’ teaching or message.

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to all of the disciples. If your language does not indicate whether “you” is singular or plural, you may want to make it clear another way. For example:

Jesus said to his disciples (Good News Translation)

I do not speak on My own: This clause here indicates that Jesus did not speak words and ideas that he had created himself. The Greek text emphasizes the phrase on My own which means “without help” or “from myself.” See the notes on 7:17c and refer to your translation of that verse. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I do not speak on my own authority (English Standard Version)
-or-
The words I say to you don’t come from me (New Century Version)
-or-
I am not myself the source of the words I speak to you (Revised English Bible)

14:10c

Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works: This clause contrasts with 14:10b. Rather than speak from his own wisdom, Jesus spoke from the wisdom of God the Father living in him. The Father was the source and power of what Jesus said and did. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dwelling means “lives” or “remains.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but the Father lives in me and does his own work (New Century Version)

His works: The word works here includes both miracles and teaching. God acted through Jesus’ miracles and through his teaching. Try to translate this word using an expression that can include speech as well as actions. For example:

The Father, who lives in me, does what he wants. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 14:10b–c

14:10b is a negative statement and 14:10c is a positive statement of the same truth. In some languages it is more natural to state the positive first. For example:

10c The Father who lives in me works/acts ⌊through me⌋ . 10b The message I have been teaching is not my own.

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