judge vs. condemn

The Greek terms krino and katakrino/katadikazo that are translated as “judge” and “condemn” respectively in English are translated with only one term in Kutu (tagusa). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also do not condemn.

world (Chinese)

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “world” in English is translated in Mandarin Chinese with shìjiè (世界). While shìjiè is now the commonly used term for “world” in Chinese, it was popularized as such by Chinese Bible translations. (Source: Mak 2017, p. 241ff.)

See also world.

complete verse (John 16:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 16:11:

  • Uma: “He will also make clear that God will condemn/punish people who sin, because he has condemned/punished the King of Evil-ones who has-authority-over this world.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He will explain to them the judgment of God for the leader of demons is already judged the one who rules/leads here in the world.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “He will cause them to understand about God’s punishing them because Satan, the master of the enemies of God, has already been sentenced to be punished.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “As concerning also God’s judging of the many-people, he will confirm/verify that he has already condemned Satanas who is the leader of those who don’t believe.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Concerning the judging of sin, he will make apparent that this Satanas who rules here under the heavens has already been judged.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “The people will realize what word God has decided. The people will realize how the righteous life is. Because now will be sentenced the devil who rules here on earth.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 16:11

The ruler of this world is a Johannine term for the devil (see 12.31; 14.30). Jesus interprets his death, not as defeat, but rather as a triumph over the ruler of this world. Whereas 12.31 speaks of his judgment and defeat as a future event, the present verse speaks of it as a fact already accomplished.

The passive expression has already been judged must be made active in some languages. If so, it may be necessary to introduce God as the agent, for example, “because God has already condemned the ruler of this world.” In this context, certainly, judged is to be understood in the sense of “judged against” or “condemned.”

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 16:11

16:11a

and in regard to judgment: People of the world were wrong in their judgment. They judged that Jesus deserved to die. But God showed that Jesus was completely right by raising him from the dead. And he judged Satan wrong and condemned him. Translate judgment as you did in 16:8d. It may be natural to begin a new clause or sentence here and repeat the verb from 16:8b. For example:

and he will convict them about ⌊their⌋ judgment
-or-
The Helper will show the world that ⌊their⌋ judgment is wrong

16:11b

because the prince of this world has been condemned: It is hard to understand why Jesus said this clause. But scholars agree that the expression the prince of this world has been condemned refers to the death of Christ on the cross. When Christ died on the cross, God actually judged Satan and all that is sinful and wrong. And if the ruler of the (unbelieving) world has been judged, so will the unbelieving world. The Holy Spirit would convict the people of the world that their judging of Jesus and others was wrong. The death of Christ on the cross is the evidence that they were wrong about him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

because the prince of this world now stands condemned (New International Version)
-or-
because the ruler of this world has already been judged (Good News Translation)
-or-
because God has already condemned Satan who is the leader of those who do not believe in me

the prince of this world: This phrase refers to Satan, the chief demon. See how you translated this phrase in 12:31 and 14:30. It may be necessary to make explicit that this phrase refers to Satan. It is important that your readers understand that Christ was not referring to himself. For example:

⌊Satan,⌋ the ⌊evil⌋ ruler of the world

world: The word world here refers to unbelievers in general. See how you translated this idea in 16:8.

has been condemned: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as condemned here means “judged guilty.” It is a passive verb. The subject is God, who judged and condemned Satan. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the ruler of this world is judged (English Standard Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

God has already judged the ruler of this world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God judged that the prince of this world is guilty

Translate this idea in the way that is most natural in your language. In your translation, consider that at the time Jesus spoke, the death of Christ was in the very near future. The Greek text uses a past tense probably because Satan’s condemnation was sure. It was as sure as if it had already happened. Use the tense that is most natural in this context. For example:

God will ⌊soon⌋ judge the ⌊evil⌋ spirit which rules this world

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