complete verse (John 7:25)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 7:25:

  • Uma: “When the citizens of Yerusalem heard those words of Yesus, they were confused. There were some who said: ‘Isn’t that the person whom our leaders are looking for, wanting to kill?” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then there were people of Awrusalam talking, they said, ‘Isn’t this the person whom the leaders wanted to kill?” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the other people there in the village of Jerusalem when they heard that which Jesus said, they said, ‘Is not this the man that the leaders are looking for in order to kill?” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, there were those from-Jerusalem who said, ‘Isn’t it this one do-you-suppose that they want to kill?” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When Jesus was now teaching, some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this that person they want to kill?” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Some of the natives of Jerusalem began to question among themselves. They said, ‘Isn’t it this one who is being hunted in order to kill him?” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

Translation commentary on John 7:25

This verse is introduced in Greek with a favorite Johannine particle (oun), already mentioned several times (see 2.18). Most translations, including Good News Translation, indicate its function by the introduction of a new paragraph. In Revised Standard Version, however, it is translated “therefore” and in Jerusalem Bible “meanwhile” in this particular verse.

The question raised by the people of Jerusalem anticipates a “yes” answer. It is a rhetorical question and may be transformed into a strong declarative statement, for example, “This man is surely the one the authorities are trying to kill” or “… trying to cause to be killed.”

The verb said is a Greek imperfect tense and so may have a progressive force, “were saying” (Jerusalem Bible).

Trying (verse 30 tried) may also be translated “wanting.” It is difficult to tell precisely what John intended by this verb. In English “try” implies action, and “want” has the force of intention. Perhaps John is indicating that the Jewish authorities had actually initiated action which they were unable to carry out because Jesus’ hour had not yet come (verse 30). This interpretation is possible, in light of John’s insistence that no one could lay a hand on Jesus until he permitted it (see 18.6-8). Although it is easy to read intention here rather than action, it seems more probable that John is indicating an action which the authorities were unable to carry out. That the Pharisees and the chief priests actually initiated action against Jesus is indicated in verse 32. It is likely that unofficial action by the people is indicated in verse 29, while official action by the Jewish authorities is indicated in verse 32. If so, then some action on the part of the Jewish leaders is perhaps referred to in verse 25. Accordingly, trying to suits the context better than “want to.”

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 7:25

Section 7:25–31

People wondered if Jesus was the Messiah

Many people began to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The authorities tried to arrest Jesus, but it was not yet the time that God would allow that to happen.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah
-or-
Many believed in Jesus, but the leaders tried to arrest him

Paragraph 7:25–27

No one stopped Jesus preaching, and some people from Jerusalem noticed that. They began to wonder if the Jewish leaders did not stop him because they changed their ideas about him. But the people knew who Jesus was and where he came from. They thought that they would not know where the Messiah was from.

7:25a

Then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is more literally “therefore.” Here it introduces what the people said about Jesus as a result of what he just said. Here are other ways to translate this word:

So (New American Standard Bible)

some of the people of Jerusalem began to say: This clause introduces how some people who lived in Jerusalem reacted to Jesus’ teaching. What they said, the quotation that follows, is a rhetorical question. So it may be natural to use a word like “ask” when you translate this clause. For example:

some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask (New International Version)

7:25b

Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?: This is a rhetorical question that expects the answer “yes.” The people used it to express surprise. The people were confused because they did not understand why the authorities (the Jewish leaders) allowed Jesus to teach in public. They expected that the authorities would arrest him, but they had not.

They did not doubt that the authorities were actually trying to kill Jesus. They knew that this was true, and they were not surprised about it. Instead, they were surprised that the authorities allowed Jesus to teach publicly.

There are two ways to translate this question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Isn’t this the man they want to kill? (God’s Word)

• Use a statement. For example:

This is the man they are trying to kill. (New Century Version)

Translate this rhetorical question in the way that is most natural in your language. If using a question implies that people did not know whether the authorities wanted to kill Jesus, it is recommended that you use a statement. See the second meaning line in the Display.

they are trying to kill: The verb are trying can also mean “want.” The Greek is not clear whether they already did something to try to kill Jesus or they just wanted to. In some languages it may be natural to make it explicit that the subject, they, refers to the Jewish leaders. These leaders were not trying to kill Jesus personally, so it may be necessary to say:

the authorities/leaders are trying to cause him to be punished by death
-or-
our (incl.) leaders want/seek his death

General Comment on 7:25a–b

A new paragraph begins at this point, and this may mark the beginning of a passage read in church or public. It is therefore good to indicate that the “man” referred to is Jesus. For example:

25a Some of the people living in Jerusalem then began ⌊to discuss Jesus,⌋ saying, 25b “This is the man they want to have killed!…”
-or-

25a Some of the people of Jerusalem began to say, 25b “This ⌊Jesus⌋ is the one the authorities/leaders want to punish with death!…”

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