9:19a

Some say John the Baptist: In Greek, the text says only “John the Baptist.” This was a natural way for the disciples to answer Jesus’ question. They left some information implied because the meaning was clear from his question. In some languages it is natural to make some or all of the information explicit. For example:

Some ⌊of the people⌋ say ⌊that you are⌋ John the Baptizer

John the Baptist: John was called the Baptist or “the Baptizer” because he had baptized many people.

You may choose to use a verbal expression, such as “John the Baptizer” or “John who baptizes ⌊people⌋.” If you do this, be sure that you do not imply that John was still baptizing people at this time. He was in prison. (See the note on John at 7:18a.) For example, you could say:

John who baptized ⌊people⌋
-or-
John who was baptizing ⌊people⌋

In many parts of the world, there are churches that are called Baptist churches. If possible, translate the Baptist in a way that means that John baptized people and not that he was the member of a Baptist church.

See also baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

Baptist: The word Baptist here refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In this context the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

You will probably need to decide how to translate the verb “baptize” before you translate the title “John the Baptist/Baptizer.” Here are some ways to translate “baptize”:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

⌊ritually⌋ wash
-or-
initiate ⌊people⌋ in/with water
-or-
immerse people in water for God
-or-
sprinkle/shower people with God’s initiation water

• Use a term for a similar ritual that is already used in your culture. You may need to indicate that in this context it has a special connection with God. For example:

purifies people with God’s ceremonial bath
-or-
washes people in initiation water for God

• Use a term that is already accepted by the local churches. In some areas this term may have been borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

Churches use different ways to baptize people. Choose a term that is acceptable to the different churches in your area.

Some other ways to translate the title “John the Baptist” are:

John who cleansed ⌊people⌋ ⌊for God⌋
-or-
John the ⌊Ritual⌋ Purifier
-or-
John who initiated ⌊people⌋ with God’s washing

See how you translated “John the Baptist” in 7:20b.

9:19b

others say Elijah: In this clause the disciples told Jesus what other people said about him. They again left some information implied. In some languages it is natural to make this information explicit. For example:

Other ⌊people⌋ say ⌊that you are⌋ Elijah

This clause is similar to 9:8a. See the note there for more information about Elijah.

9:19c

and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen: The phrase still others indicates that the disciples referred to another group of people who had a different opinion about Jesus. In this part of the verse the disciples again left some of the information in their reply implied. In some languages it may be necessary to make this information explicit, as in the previous two verse parts. For example:

and some other ⌊people⌋ ⌊say that you are⌋ one of the prophets of long ago who has come back to life

This part of the verse is similar to 9:8b.

a prophet of old: The phrase a prophet of old refers to a prophet who lived and died a long time before Jesus and his disciples were born. The word prophet is the same word as in 9:8b. See also prophet in the Glossary.

has arisen: In this context the phrase has arisen means “has risen from the dead.”

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