Translation commentary on John 18:2

Here and in verse 5 Judas is introduced as the traitor. This epithet (literally “the man betraying him”) is similar to the designation of Judas in 6.64 (which one would betray him) and 6.71 (Judas … was going to betray him). Although Judas was spoken of as the betrayer three times in chapter 13 (verses 2,11, and 21), the information is not redundant at the beginning of Chapter 18, since the passion narratives were probably the first part of the gospel to circulate independently.

An equivalent of the term traitor may suggest a conspirator against the state or one who betrays state secrets, rather than one who betrays a friend. It may therefore be more appropriate to use such a descriptive expression as “the one who turned Jesus over to his enemies” or “the one who betrayed Jesus.” Judas was, in a sense, cooperating with the civil authorities, and hence a more or less literal translation of traitor could be misleading.

Knew where it was is literally “knew the place” (Jerusalem Bible “knew the place well”).

Instead of the statement Jesus had met there with his disciples, it is appropriate in some languages to say “Jesus and his disciples had met there.” A literal translation might suggest that the disciples had gathered in the garden, and that Jesus surreptitiously joined them.

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 18:2

18:2a

Now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now here introduces some parenthetical information. It is not a time word. English translations use parentheses or a different tense to indicate that this verse is parenthetical. Indicate that this verse gives parenthetical information in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

(Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, knew the place too, because Jesus had met there many times with his disciples.) (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and Judas knew where the place was. (Contemporary English Version)

Judas His betrayer: The clause His betrayer gives some information about Judas. It refers to the fact that Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, agreed to help Jesus’ enemies. He received money from them as a reward for promising to lead them to Jesus so they could arrest him. See Mark 14:10–11. See how you referred to this action in 6:64, 71; 13:2, 11, 21. Refer to this action in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Judas the betrayer
-or-
Judas, who was helping Jesus’ enemies to arrest Jesus,
-or-
Judas was the one who began to oppose Jesus.

also knew the place: Judas knew that Jesus often went with his disciples to this garden. So he knew where to lead the soldiers and police.

the place: This phrase here refers to the garden.

18:2b

because: The connector because introduces the reason why Judas knew the garden.

Jesus had often met there with His disciples: Jesus often used this garden as a meeting place. Perhaps they slept there as well. So Judas had often gone there. Here is another way to translate this clause:

many times Jesus had met there with his disciples (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus and his disciples often gathered there (God’s Word)

met: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as met is more literally “gathered.” It refers to Jesus using this place to be with his disciples. This was something he did often or regularly. Use a verb tense that refers to repeated action in the past. For example:

used to meet

with His disciples: In some languages it may be natural to indicate that Judas was one of these disciples. For example:

with him and the other disciples

General Comment on 18:2a–b

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in 18:2a–b, and first say why Judas knew this place. For example:

2b Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and so 2a Judas his betrayer knew where it was.

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