Translation commentary on John 5:20

The word for loves in this verse (Greek phileō) is not the same verb used in the similar statement in 3.35 (Greek agapaō). However, as indicated at 3.35, these two verbs are used interchangeably in the Gospel of John with apparently no difference in meaning or focus.

Since possessive pronouns must be used in some languages to identify the relation between kinship terms, the first sentence in verse 20 may be translated “For my Father loves me and shows me all that he himself is doing.” It is possible to translate the Son as appositional, for example, “Since my Father loves me, his Son,” but to do so may be unduly awkward and may not enhance the meaning.

In this context greater things has a double reference: the Son’s power to raise people from the dead and his right to judge all men. This power is even greater than his power to heal men (1.9). Greater things may be understood in terms of “more important things,” but since the focus of meaning here is upon the supernatural manifestations of the Son’s power and authority, such an expression as “more marvellous things” may be used. Such a phrase would fit in very well with the meaning of “you will all be amazed.”

Things to do is literally “works.” In such a context “works” indicates the things that the Son himself is to do, which is the basis for the Good News Translation rendering.

And translates a particle in Greek which indicates purpose. A number of translations use an infinitive here (Phillips, New English Bible, “to fill you with wonder”), while others use a clause introduced by “that” (Revised Standard Version “that you may marvel”). Jerusalem Bible renders the whole statement by “and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you.” In some languages the most effective way of indicating implied purpose is to suggest the result, for example, “and as a result you will all be amazed” or “and because of this you will all be greatly surprised.” Amazement may often be expressed idiomatically: “You will have nothing to say,” “You will stand there with your mouths open,” or “You will stretch your necks to see.”

You … all translates a plural form of the pronoun “you” in Greek. This pronoun, expressed in the Greek sentence, is intended to be emphatic.

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 5:20

5:20a-b

In the Greek text 5:20a-b includes a conjunction which means “for” or “because” (“For/Because the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing”). The Berean Standard Bible does not make it explicit, but many other translations do. For example:

For (New International Version)
-or-
Because

In this context this conjunction introduces the reasons why he did (or could do) whatever he saw the Father doing. Introduce these reasons in a way that is natural in your language.

The Father loves the Son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The Father loves the Son indicates that God loves Jesus. Jesus was speaking, and therefore it may be necessary to make it explicit that Jesus referred to himself. For example:

my Father loves me

The Father: This phrase refers to God. In some languages it is necessary to make this explicit. For example:

my Father ⌊God⌋

the Son: See the note in 5:19b and how you translated this term there.

5:20b

and shows Him all He does: This phrase indicates that God the Father shows his Son, Jesus Christ, all that he, the Father, does. The Son learns by watching his Father working. This is the second reason why Jesus could do whatever he saw the Father doing (5:19d).

In some languages it may be natural to make explicit the reference of one or both pronouns. For example:

shows the Son all that he himself does (New Century Version)
-or-
lets me, the Son, see all that the Father does
-or-
causes/allows the Son to see whatever he does

5:20c

And to your amazement: In the Greek this clause is a purpose clause. However, in some languages it may be more natural to leave implicit that this is a purpose clause. You could then follow one of these examples:

works that will astonish you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Then you will truly be astonished. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and you will all be amazed (Good News Translation)

He will show Him even greater works than these: God would also show Jesus how to do deeds that are greater than healing people.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he will show him even greater things than these (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The Father will show me even greater things for me to do

will show: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will show means “to demonstrate how to do something.” A person skilled at something does this when he teaches someone else. It is the same verb as in 5:20b.

greater works than these: The phrase greater works means “greater acts.” It compares the miracles Jesus was going to do with the miracles he had already done. In some languages it may be natural to say:

miracles that will be more amazing than the ones ⌊that I have done⌋
-or-
more powerful deeds than those deeds ⌊that I have already done⌋

than these: The word these refers to the miracles Jesus had already done.

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