8:40a

But now: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But now reintroduces the information that the religious leaders were trying to kill Jesus. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

As it is (New International Version)

you are trying to kill Me: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are trying to kill Me is the same clause as in 8:37b. You should try to translate the clause the same way in both verses. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you are determined to kill me (New International Version)
-or-
you want to kill me (God’s Word)

8:40b

a man who has told you the truth: This phrase refers to Jesus himself. He had told them the truth and continued to do so. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

I am a man who has told you the truth (God’s Word)

that I heard from God: These words indicate that God had told Jesus what to say. In some languages it may be natural to make God the subject:

that God told me

General Comment on 8:40a–b

It may be natural to reorder the information in these clauses. For example:

40b All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, 40a yet you are trying to kill me. (Good News Translation)

8:40c

Abraham never did such a thing: This clause indicates that Abraham did not want to kill people who told God’s truth. He welcomed and accepted God’s messengers. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

That is not how Abraham acted. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Abraham did not do such things. (New International Version)

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