In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “government/governor” plus the sign for “P” with a circular movement. The reference to government indicates Pilate’s position of authority in the Roman Empire. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Pilate” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
The Greek that is translated as “to fear” or “to be afraid” or similar in English is translated in Ashe as agõõi iwei or “hearing fear.” (Source: David Rowbory)
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
Heard this (Jerusalem Bible “heard them say this”) is literally “heard this word”; Moffatt and New English Bible render “heard that.” One may also translate “When Pilate heard what they said.”
He was even more afraid (New American Bible “he was more afraid than ever”), though it carries a comparative force in Greek, may have the meaning “he became very frightened.” However, it is more natural to see the comparative force here (so most translations). The fact that the text does not make an explicit reference to Pilate’s fears earlier in the scene presents no problem, since his reluctance to condemn Jesus (18.38; 19.4,6) may well have been motivated by fear. In some languages it will be obligatory to indicate what Pilate was afraid of. One can, of course, say “he was all the more afraid to condemn Jesus” or “… to pass judgment on 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 .
Pilate and Jesus spoke together. Jesus showed that he was not afraid of Pilate. He said that it was God who gave Pilate his power.
19:8
The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that is often translated as “So” indicating a result. In this context it introduces the result of what the Jewish leaders just said. The word “When” also indicates a result here, so many English translations, like the Berean Standard Bible, leave this word implicit. Introduce the result (Pilate’s reaction) in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
Therefore when Pilate heard this statement (New American Standard Bible)
When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid: What the Jews said caused Pilate to be afraid. He did not know before that Jesus said that he was the Son of God. Here are other ways to translate these clauses:
Hearing this, Pilate felt even more fear. -or-
These words caused Pilate to become even more frightened. -or-
This made Pilate even more afraid. -or-
Pilate was more afraid when he heard what the Jews said.
When Pilate heard this statement: The pronoun this refers to what the Jewish high priests just told Pilate, that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Here is another way to translate this clause:
When Pilate heard what they said (NET Bible)
he was even more afraid: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even more here probably implies that Pilate was already afraid. For example:
he was more afraid than ever (New Revised Standard Version)
In some languages it is natural to say what Pilate was afraid of. Apparently he was afraid to condemn Jesus to death, but he was also afraid to reject the Jewish leaders’ demand. So he delayed making a decision and talked to Jesus again. If you must indicate what Pilate was afraid of, it is best to say something general. For example:
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