Translation commentary on John 17:8

In Greek this verse is introduced with a particle (hoti) that indicates a causal relation with the preceding verse. This particle appears as “for” or “because” in most translations; in Good News Translation the causal connection is left implicit.

The message (emphatic in the Greek sentence structure) is literally “the words” (Greek rēmata). In verses 6 and 14 the singular of another Greek term for “word” (logos) is used, but there is no real difference in meaning (see the comments at 14.23). Both words refer to the revelation that comes through Jesus Christ.

Though in English the verb gave fits well with such a noun as the message, this combination cannot be used in some languages. The first part of verse 8 may be rendered “I told them what you told me” or “I told them what you told me to tell them.”

In the phrase and they received it the pronoun it of Good News Translation also translates “the words” (Good News Translation the message), which in Greek serves as the object of both I gave and they received.

In some languages one cannot speak of “receiving a message”; instead an idiomatic expression may be employed, for example, “they listened to it with open ears” or “they let the words go into their hearts.” In other languages the only appropriate equivalent is “they believed it.”

They know that it is true that I came from you is more literally “and they know truly that I came from you.” Good News Translation transforms the adverb “truly” into a noun clause, that it is true. Barclay does something similar (“and they accepted it as true that you sent me”), but most English translations retain the adverb. In some languages one may translate “they know that I really came from you.”

That Jesus comes from the Father who sent him is a constant theme of this prayer (see 17.18,21,23,25), and of the Gospel (8.42; 16.28).

The verbs know and believe are parallel. The knowledge that Jesus came from the Father is no different from the belief that the Father sent Jesus. The point of reference in the verbs came and sent is the earthly ministry of Jesus.

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 17:8

17:8a

For: The word that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as For here means “because.” It introduces the reason that the disciples knew that Jesus’ message was from God. Here is another way to translate this word:

because (NET Bible)

I have given them the words You gave Me: This clause indicates that Jesus taught the disciples the things that God the Father wanted him to teach them. The Greek text emphasizes the phrase the words You gave Me. For example:

I gave them the teachings you gave me (New Century Version)
-or-
every message that you gave me I have given them (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
what I have given them are the teachings that you gave to me
-or-
it is the message that you told me that I told them

17:8b

and they have received them: This clause indicates that the disciples believed and obeyed what Jesus taught them. The Greek text emphasizes the word they, perhaps to contrast with others who did not believe. For example:

and they accepted them (New Century Version)
-or-
and they, ⌊unlike others,⌋ believed this message

17:8c

They knew with certainty that I came from You: This expression indicates that the disciples knew that Jesus had come from God. They understood correctly that what Jesus said about himself was true. The Greek text emphasizes the phrase from You. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

and they absolutely know that you are the one I came-from (Kankanaey Back Translation)
-or-
and they know that it is true that it is from you that I came

17:8d

and they believed that You sent Me: This clause indicates that the disciples believed that God the Father had sent Jesus into the world. Jesus implied that their belief was correct. The Greek text emphasizes the words You and Me, especially You. It is significant that it was God the Father who sent Jesus. Here is another way to translate this clause:

and they believe that you are the one who sent me (Uma Back Translation)

General Comment on 17:8c–d

These two clauses mean nearly the same thing. They repeat the same idea for emphasis. Some languages have other ways of emphasizing and can combine these two statements. For example:

They knew for certain that I really came from you ⌊as your messenger⌋ .

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