Translation commentary on Luke 22:22

Exegesis:

hoti ho huios men tou anthrōpou … poreuetai ‘for the Son of man goes (his way).’ Despite hoti the clause offers no explanation of v. 21. Rather it reaffirms the truth of the divine necessity of Jesus’ suffering which might, perhaps, be doubted after the revelation that one of the twelve was to deliver up Jesus. men is not followed by the usual de, instead of which the subsequent clause is introduced by the stronger plēn. This lends to the first clause of the verse almost the force of a concessive protasis, e.g. ‘though it remains true that the Son of man goes (his way).’

kata to hōrismenon poreuetai .’.. goes (his way) in accordance with what has been determined,’ hence, ‘goes his determined, or, appointed way,’ referring to the fact rather than to the manner of Jesus’ death.

horizō ‘to determine,’ ‘to appoint,’ ‘to decree.’ The agent is God.

plēn ouai tō anthrōpō ekeinō ‘but, woe to that man.’ For plēn and ouai cf. on 6.24.

di’ hou paradidotai ‘through whom he is handed over.’ The present tense suggests that the handing over is already under way.

Translation:

Goes, or, ‘goes his way’ can often have the sense of ‘to pass away’; if not, one may have to say, ‘goes to his death’ (Tzeltal), “will die” (Good News Translation).

As it has been determined, or, ‘in accordance with the (or, God’s) decree,’ ‘as God put it beforehand concerning him’ (Sranan Tongo); or, ‘which is what God has decided beforehand.’

Woe, see on 6.24.

By whom he is betrayed, preferably, ‘who is handing him over, or, delivering him up.’

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 22:22

22:22a

Indeed: In the Greek text 22:22a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “because” or “for.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this word as Indeed. In this context it introduces an explanation. Verse 22 explains why the betrayer was with them: God had decreed that Jesus must die. However, the verse does not imply that Judas had any good reason or excuse for betraying Jesus (22:21). Some other English versions do not translate this conjunction. Connect the verse to 22:21 in a natural way in your language.

the Son of Man will go: In this context the clause the Son of Man will go is a figurative way to imply that he will die. In some languages it is necessary to make this explicit, as many English versions do. For example:

The Son of Man will die (Good News Translation)
-or-
I, the Son of Man, must die (New Living Translation (1996))

In some languages it may be possible to use a different figurative way or an indirect way to say that Jesus will die. Translate it in a natural way in your language.

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” See the note on 17:24a–b for more information and translation advice. Here Jesus used the title the Son of Man to refer to himself. In many languages it is necessary to make this explicit. See the second example in the preceding note.

as it has been determined: The clause as it has been determined means “as it has been decided or planned.” It indicates that God had already planned that Jesus must die. The verb has been determined is passive. The Jews often showed respect for God by using a passive form instead of referring to him directly. The verb does not imply here that Jesus’ enemies decreed his death.

In many languages it is necessary to refer to God explicitly here. For example:

as God has decided (Good News Translation)
-or-
since it is part of God’s plan (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
according to what is determined for me by God

General Comment on 22:22a

The statement in 22:22a implies that God had planned that Jesus had to die many years before it was going to happen. In some languages it may be more natural to mention God’s plan before saying that it must happen. For example:

What God has planned for the Son of Man will happen (New Century Version)

Use a natural order in your language.

22:22b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a contrast between 22:22a and 22:22b. Although Jesus must die, the person who betrays him will endure a terrible future. Most English versions use but to introduce the contrast. Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language.

woe to that man who betrays Him: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as woe to that man who betrays Him means that something terrible will happen to the person who will betray Jesus. In this context, it implies that God will punish that person severely. The word woe is not a curse. Jesus was not asking God to curse this person.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

it will be terrible for the one who betrays him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the person who is betraying me is really to be pitied
-or-
the person who betrays me to my enemies will have a terrible punishment
-or-

⌊God⌋ will severely punish the person who betrays me.

The phrase “woe to the one” occurs also in 17:1. See how you translated it there. The word woe also occurs in 6:24–26. For help in translating the word betrays, see the notes on 22:21a–b.

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