Translation commentary on John 20:16

Jesus said to her must be stated more fully in some languages, for example, “Jesus called her by name” or “Jesus spoke her name in addressing her.”

Mary did not recognize who Jesus was until he spoke to her by name, then she turned toward him. In Greek she turned toward him and said in Hebrew is literally “turning she said to him in Hebrew.” The expression in Hebrew (5.2; 19.13,17,20) means “in Aramaic.” According to John the meaning of this word is Teacher (so also Revised Standard Version, Moffatt, New American Bible, Barclay). Some ancient scribes evidently felt that the use of Teacher to address the risen Lord was too weak, and so they changed their manuscripts to read either “Lord, Teacher” or “Teacher, Lord” but the textual support for this reading is very weak. Other scribes felt that the transition between verses 16 and 17 needed improving, and so they added, after the word Teacher, “and she ran forward to touch him.” That Mary would address Jesus as Teacher is perfectly natural in this situation, since this was obviously the title by which she had known him. She … said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” may be rendered “she spoke to him in the Hebrew language saying, Rabboni” or “she spoke a Hebrew word, ‘Rabboni.’ ” However, it may be more satisfactory to say “she … said ‘Rabboni’ (this is a word in the Hebrew language which means ‘Teacher’).”

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 20:16

20:16a

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”: This sentence indicates that Jesus spoke to Mary, saying her name. For dramatic emphasis, try to keep the direct quote and direct form of address. But in some cultures it may not be polite for a man to call a woman by name alone. If this does not show respect in your culture, here are ways to translate this sentence:

• Add a word indicating a relation of respect. For example:

Jesus said to her, “⌊Sister⌋ Mary!”

• Translate Jesus’ speech as an indirect quotation. For example:

Jesus spoke her name.
-or-
Jesus called her by her name.

20:16b

She turned: Mary turned to face Jesus. This time she recognized him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

She turned toward him (New International Version)
-or-
She faced him
-or-
She looked at him

and said to Him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as said here introduces a cry or exclamation. For example:

and cried out (New International Version)

in Hebrew: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Hebrew here refers to Aramaic. This was the language that the Jews spoke at this time, the language of both Mary and Jesus. See how you translated this word in 5:2, 19:13, 17, 20. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in Aramaic (New International Version)
-or-
in the Jewish language
-or-
in her own language
-or-
in their language

“Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”): The author explained the meaning of the Aramaic word Rabboni. Mary, of course, only said Rabboni. The clause which means “Teacher” is parenthetical information, a translation of Rabboni by the author. Indicate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

“Rabboni.” (This means Teacher.) (New Century Version)
-or-
“Rabboni.” (The word Rabboni means Teacher.)

Rabboni: The Berean Standard Bible has transliterated (copied the spelling of) the word Mary used as Rabboni. Some other English translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version, have transliterated it as “Rabbouni.” The New Revised Standard Version is closer to the form in the Greek text, but either spelling is acceptable. John, who wrote the Greek text, transliterated the word from the original Aramaic word. See also Mark 10:51, where the same word appears. However, whether you transliterated the word there or not, you should do so here, because John immediately explains the meaning.

The word Rabboni is similar to the Aramaic word “Rabbi” used in 1:38, 49. Here it has a suffix (word ending) meaning “my.” Mary was calling Jesus her teacher. See how you translated “Rabbi” at 1:38, 49.

Teacher: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Teacher refers to any kind of teacher. In this context it refers to a man with authority to teach about God. Translate this word using a term that is suitable and shows respect when addressing a religious teacher. For example:

Sir Teacher
-or-
Wise one

Be careful not to use a term that can refer only to a school teacher.

General Comment on 20:16b

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in 20:16b. For example:

She turned and said to him “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means Teacher. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 20:14a, 16b

20:14a says that Mary turned around and saw Jesus, and 20:16b again says that Mary turned. John does not tell us that she turned away between those two times. To avoid confusion, it may be necessary to indicate that she only briefly or partly turned toward Jesus at first. Here are some ways to do this:

14a she turned around and saw…16b She turned toward him (Good News Translation)
-or-

14a She turned and noticed…16b At this she turned right around (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-

14a She looked behind her and saw…16b She turned completely around
-or-

14a She looked around and saw…16b She turned to face him

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