Translation commentary on John 15:11

I have told you this is literally “I have told you these things” see 14.25). It is difficult to define precisely what is referred to by this, though it certainly includes more than what is said in verse 10. It includes at least verse 9 and perhaps all of verses 7-8 as well. I have told you this may be rendered “I have told you all this” in order to indicate that the reference is not limited to the immediately preceding words.

My joy (used of Jesus) refers to the joy that grows out of absolute obedience to the Father and the perfect unity of love they share with each other. So that my joy may be in you may be rendered in some languages “so that you will have the same kind of joy that I have.” Joy may be expressed idiomatically in some languages as “dance within the heart” or “to have a happy heart.”

Joy may be complete is a favorite Johannine expression (note John 3.29; 1 John 1.4; 2 John 12). The completeness of joy may be expressed in some languages as “and so that you may be completely joyful” or “… completely happy.” In some languages, however, completeness is expressed as a negative of lacking, for example, “so that there may be nothing lacking in your joy” or “so that your joy may have nothing missing.”

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 15:11

15:11a

I have told you these things: The phrase these things is plural and refers to all of 15:7–10. Jesus told his disciples to remain in him, to obey what he had taught them, and to love one another. All these are necessary to completely share Jesus’ joy. For example:

I have said these things (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I have told you all this (TH)

15:11b

so that: This connector indicates that the rest of the clause gives the purpose of Jesus’ comments in 15:7–10. But there is also implied information here: Jesus said these things so that his disciples would obey them and have true joy. For example:

so that ⌊you would follow/obey them⌋ and experience my joy

My joy may be in you: This clause means “you may have the same joy that I have.” Jesus wanted his disciples to be joyful, as he was. For example:

you can share my joy (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
you can have the same joy I have (New Century Version)

My joy: This phrase here refers to the joy that Jesus both has and gives. In some languages it may be natural to translate joy as an adjective or a verb. For example:

so that you will be as joyful as I am (God’s Word)
-or-
so that you will rejoice as I do

15:11c

and your joy may be complete: This clause is more literally “and that your joy may be full.” It means “and so you will be completely happy.” For example:

and that your joy may be made full

and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy (New Century Version)

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces a further development of the thought in the previous clause. Show this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Yes, your joy will overflow! (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 15:11b–c

In some languages it may be natural to combine these clauses. For example:

to make you as completely happy as I am (Contemporary English Version)

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