Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("say")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on John 20:19

In Greek, verse 19 is one sentence, which Good News Translation breaks into three.

That Sunday evening (so also New English Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) is more literally “that day, the first day of the week” (Revised Standard Version). A literal translation produces an awkward expression of time in English, and so Barclay translates “on the evening of the same day, the Sunday.”

Good News Translation also restructures somewhat the rest of this verse. And the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities is more literally “and the doors had been locked where the disciples were because of the fear of the Jews.” It is possible, of course, to restructure in other ways. For example, New American Bible has “even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place where they were for fear of the Jews”; and Phillips “the disciples had met together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.” As in most other places, Good News Translation understands “the Jews” to be the Jewish authorities.

Although John explicitly states that it was their fearfulness which caused the disciples to be gathered behind locked doors, he obviously has another reason for indicating that the doors were locked. It is to emphasize the miraculous nature of Jesus’ sudden appearance among the disciples, In some languages it may be more satisfactory to introduce a new clause in speaking about locked doors, for example, “the disciples gathered together; they locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities.”

Jesus’ greeting to his disciples was “Peace be with you,” repeated in verses 21 and 26. On the meaning of the word peace see 14.27 (note also 16.33). In some languages the closest equivalent of Peace be with you is “I wish you well” or “I pray that all may be well with you.” since this type of peace was in dramatic contrast with the fear the disciples had, it is sometimes possible to use an idiomatic expression such as “I pray that you may sit down in your hearts” (with the meaning “being relieved of anxiety”).

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 20:19

Section 20:19–23

Jesus appeared to the disciples

This section tells how Jesus showed himself to ten of the disciples that evening. The disciples were in a locked room when Jesus came to them. They were very happy to see him. He told them that he sent them as the Father sent him. Then he breathed on them and invited them to receive the Holy Spirit. He also told them that if they forgave anyone’s sins, they would be forgiven.

Here are other possible section headings:

Jesus showed himself to the disciples
-or-
Jesus’ appearance to the disciples
-or-
Jesus invited the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit

20:19a–c

It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews: These clauses are background information, the setting for the next event. The event itself does not start until 20:19d. The Greek text indicates that this is background information by using participles. Some translations put this information in dependent clauses. Other translations use independent clauses here, but begin the event in 20:19d with a word like “Then” or “Suddenly.” Indicate that this information is background in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. (NET Bible)
-or-
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came (English Standard Version)
-or-
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came (New International Version)
-or-
The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared (Contemporary English Version)

20:19a

It was the first day of the week, and that very evening: This time expression tells the time setting for the next event in the story. Here are other ways to translate this time expression:

On the evening of that first day of the week (New International Version)
-or-
In the evening of that first day of the week (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Late that same day, the first day of the week
-or-
on the evening of that same Sunday (Contemporary English Version)

the first day of the week: This phrase refers to Sunday. See the notes on 20:1a and how you translated this phrase there. For example:

that same Sunday (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
That Sunday evening (God’s Word)

that very evening: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that very evening is more literally “late on that day.” It indicates that this next event took place the same day as the previous event. It was still the day that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to Mary. Now it was the evening of that same day. This should be clear in your translation. For example:

that same day, the first day of the week (Revised English Bible)

evening: This word refers to early evening soon after dark.

20:19b

The Greek begins this clause with a conjunction that is usually translated “and.” It introduces another part of the background information, including the place setting. In some languages it may be natural to translate this conjunction. For example:

and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked (New Revised Standard Version)

while the disciples were together with the doors locked: The disciples were meeting in a house and had locked the doors. No one could enter the house unless the disciples let them in. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the doors being locked where the disciples were (English Standard Version)
-or-
when the disciples were together behind locked doors (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this as one clause. For example:

the disciples were together behind locked doors (God’s Word)

the disciples were together: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the disciples were together is more literally “where the disciples were.” The disciples were together in a certain room or house. For example:

where the disciples were (English Standard Version)
-or-
when the disciples were together (New International Version)
-or-
the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place (NET Bible)

the disciples: This phrase probably refers to Jesus’ closest disciples, the 12 except Judas Iscariot and Thomas. However, other disciples could have also been there, so do not include a number in your translation. See how you translated the word disciples in 18:1.

the doors: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek text literally as the doors. It does not mention a house or room. The doors could have included those of the gate, house, and room. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the doors of the place (NET Bible)
-or-
the doors of the house (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
behind locked doors (Good News Translation)

locked: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as locked indicates that the disciples shut and locked the doors. The disciples probably pushed a bar of wood or iron against the door. Then others could not enter unless the disciples first lifted or removed the bar. Translate this verb in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

firmly shut
-or-
locked with a bar
-or-
barred

This verb is passive. The disciples locked the doors, but the text emphasizes the condition of the doors and not the disciples’ action. There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

with the doors locked (New International Version)
-or-
the house was locked ⌊from the inside⌋

• Use an active verb. For example:

the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place (NET Bible)
-or-
they locked themselves in a room (Contemporary English Version)

Use the form that is most natural in your language in this context.

General Comment on 20:19b

In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the information in this clause. Instead of “doors” being the subject, you may want to make “disciples” the subject. For example:

the disciples were together behind locked doors (God’s Word)
-or-
the disciples had met together with the doors locked (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

20:19c

for fear of the Jews: This phrase gives the reason why the disciples had locked the doors. (The word for here means “because.”) It indicates that they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. These Jewish authorities had just handed Jesus over to the Romans so that they would crucify him. The doors were locked so that anyone who came to secretly watch the disciples or arrest them could not enter. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders (NET Bible)
-or-
because they were afraid that the Jewish authorities ⌊would arrest them⌋

the Jews: The phrase the Jews here refers to the leaders of the Jews. For example:

the Jewish authorities (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Jewish leaders (New International Version)
-or-
the Jewish elders

General Comment on 20:19b–c

In some languages it may be natural to say first that the disciples were afraid and then tell the result. For example:

19c The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, 19b and…they locked themselves in a room. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

19c The disciples, being afraid of the Jewish authorities, 19b locked the doors.
-or-

19c Because of their fear of the Jewish authorities, 19b the disciples locked the doors of the house where they had gathered.

20:19d

Jesus came and stood among them: Although the doors were locked, Jesus entered the room. The text does not say how he did this, but the locked doors imply that Jesus entered in a miraculous way. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

Then Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them (New Century Version)
-or-
Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus stood among them (God’s Word)

among them: Jesus came and stood right with the disciples, in their presence, close to them. Indicate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

in the middle of the group (Contemporary English Version)

Peace be with you!: This clause was the common greeting of a Jew to other Jews. However, here it is Jesus, the source and prince of peace, who says it to his disciples, who were afraid. So he surely meant this expression to be more than a greeting. You should include the idea of peace in your translation. For example:

Peace to you!
-or-
May you live in peace.
-or-
May you have/know peace ⌊from God⌋ .

Peace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Peace has a broad meaning that includes more than just the absence of fighting. It also involves positive mental and emotional welfare, and good relationships with God and others. See the notes and how you translated this word in 14:27a and 16:33a.

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to all the disciples who were there with Jesus.

He said to them: This phrase is short for “and said to the disciples.”

General Comment on 20:19a–d

In the Greek, 20:19a–d forms one long sentence. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as two or more shorter sentences, as the Berean Standard Bible does. Here are some other ways to break up this long sentence:

When it was evening on the first day of the week, the followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you.” (New Century Version)
-or-
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. (New Living Translation (2004))

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