elder (of the community)

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated as “elders” in English is translated in the Danish Bibelen 2020 as folkets ledere or “leaders of the people.”

Martin Ehrensvärd, one of the translators, explains: “The term ‘elder’ turned out to pose a particularly thorny problem. In traditional bibles, you can find elders all of over the place and they never pose a problem for a translator, they are just always elders. But how to find a contemporary term for this semi-official, complex position? This may have been our longest-standing problem. A couple of times we thought we had the solution, and then implemented it throughout the texts, only to find out that it didn’t work. Like when we used city council or village council, depending on the context. In the end we felt that the texts didn’t work with such official terms, and throughout the years in the desert, these terms didn’t make much sense. Other suggestions were ‘the eldest and wisest’, ‘the respected citizens’, ‘the Israelites with a certain position in society’, ‘the elder council’ –- and let me point out that these terms sound better in Danish than in English (‘de fremtrædende borgere,’ ‘de mest fremtrædende israelitter,’ ‘alle israelitter med en vis position,’ ‘de ældste og de klogeste,’ ‘ældsterådet’). In the end we just said ‘leaders of the people.’ After a lot of hand-wringing, it turned out that we actually found a term that worked well. So, we had to give up conveying the fact that they were old, but the most important point is that they were community leaders.” (Source: Ehrensvärd in HIPHIL Novum 8/2023, p. 81ff. )

The German das Buch translation by Roland Werner (publ. 2009-2022) translates likewise as “leader of the people” (Anführer des Volkes).

See also elders of Israel (Judah).

high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “the ruler of the priests of our nation”
  • Chol: “very great priest” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “first over the priests”
  • Desano: “chief of the priests” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).
  • Uma: “Big Priest” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “high sacrificer” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Big leader of offerings” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Khoekhoe the translation for “high priest” is only capitalized when it refers to Jesus (as is Hebrews 2:17 et al.). (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also priest and chief priest.

Mark 14:53 - 65 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 14:53-65 into Mexican Sign Language with back-translations into Spanish and English underneath:


© La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

Retrotraducciones en español (haga clic o pulse aquí)

Los soldados llevaron a Jesús y entraron la casa del sumo sacerdote y subieron.

Afuera en la plaza los hombres que vigilaban el templo estaban sentados alrededor del fuego. Pedro fue a sentarse y calientarse las manos al fuego.

Al mismo tiempo Jesús estaba frente al sumo sacerdote y se juntaron otros líderes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos y maestros de la ley alrededor de él y querían castigar a Jesús a morir.

Dijeron: “¿Quién es testigo en contra de Jesús?” Una persona vino a contar y criticar y lo inventó todo, y otra persona vino y contó mentiras, y vinieron uno por uno y dijeron diferentes cosas y fue un desórden.

Los sacerdotes miraraon de uno a otro: ‘No hay personas que dicen lo mismo, es difícil escoger testigos.’

Algunas otras personas se levantaron y caminaron (al frente) y hablaron una mentira:

“Oímos a Jesús diciendo que el templo de Jerusalén, que fue construido por hombres, en el futuro él, Jesús, lo quitará y lo destruyerá y en tres días reconstruyerá nuevo templo. Dice que no necesita ayuda de la gente.”

Ellos dijeron diferentes cosas y el sumo sacerdote se paró y caminó (hacia Jesús) y dijo: “Jesús, ellos (están hablando) en contra de ti y tú dices nada, ¿sabes de qué están hablando?”

Jesús estaba silencioso, callado y el sacerdote otra vez le preguntó: “¿Eres el Cristo, el hijo del Dios santo?”

Jesús (dijo): “Sí, lo soy y les advierto: en el futuro uds todos verán a Dios, el poderoso, sentado con el hijo del hombre a su lado.

Luego en el futuro uds verán con sus propios ojos que el hijo del hombre venga con las nubes, este mismo soy yo.”

El sumo sacerdote lo vio y arrancó su mantó, rompiendolo, y dijo: “Uds ven y oyen que Jesús está hablando algo fuerte e irrespetuoso contra Dios, no necesitamos más testigos.

¿Uds qué piensan?, diganme.” Los sacerdotes y los maestros de la ley y los ancianos (dijeron): “Jesús es malo, es necesario y mejor castigarlo con la muerte.”

Algunos fueron uno por uno y lo escupieron en la cara y le ataron ua venda y lo golpieron en la cara.

Dijeron: “Tú eres una profeta, ¿quién de nosotros te golpeó? Vamos, dinos.” Y lo golpearon más, y otros hombres que vigiliaban el templo fueron y lo bofetearon en la cara.


The soldiers took Jesus and they entered the house of the high priest and went up.

Outside in the square the men that kept watch over the temple were sitting around the fire. Peter went over to sit down and warm his hands by the fire.

At the same time Jesus was standing in front of the high priest and other leaders of the priests and the elders and teachers of the law gathered around him and they wanted to punish Jesus to death.

They said: “Who will be a witness against Jesus?” One person came up to tell things and criticize, making it all up, and another person came and told lies, and they came one by one and told different things, and it was a chaos.

The priests looked from one to the other: ‘There are no persons who say the same thing, it is difficult to choose witnesses.’

Some other people got up and walked (to the front) and told a lie:

˜We heard Jesus say that the temple in Jerusalem, that was built by men, in the future he, Jesus, will destroy it and in three days he will rebuild a new temple. He says he does not need help from the people.”

They said different things and the high priest got up and walked over (to Jesus) and said: “Jesus, they (are talking) against you, and you say nothing, do you know what they are talking about?”

Jesus was silent and kept quiet, and the priest asked him again: “Are you the Christ, the son of the holy God?”

Jesus (said): “Yes, I am and I tell you: in the future you will all see God, the almighty, sitting with the son of man next to him.

“Then in the future you will see with your own eyes that the Son of Man is coming on the clouds, and I am he.”

The high priest saw it and he tore his mantle open and said: “You see and hear that Jesus is saying something strong and disrespectful against God, we do not need more witnesses.

“What do you think? Tell me.” The priests and the teachers of the law and the elders (said): “Jesus is bad, it is necessary and better to punish him with death.”

Some went up one by one and they spit him in the face and they blindfolded him and hit him in the face.

They said: “You are a prophet, who of us beat you? Come on, tell us.” And they beat him some more, and other men who kept watch over the temple, went up and struck him in the face.

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

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Mark 14:53-65 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 14:53-65 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

The chief priests, the elders, the teachers of the law gathered in the house of the high priest. There they waited for Jesus to be brought. When Jesus had been seized earlier, a disciple named Peter had secretly followed Jesus. When the crowd that had seized Jesus entered the courtyard of the high priest’s house, Peter secretly followed them and began to warm himself by the fire that was there in the courtyard. The servants of the high priest were around. Peter was secretly watching.

The high priest and the judges began to question the people. They needed proof that Jesus had committed a crime in order to condemn him to death. Many liars began to slander Jesus. But the judges understood that these accusations were not enough to condemn Jesus to death. Some liars began to testify against Jesus:

“He said that I will destroy the Temple, which was built in the distant past, but then in three days I will build it again, but it will not require the efforts of human hands.

The judges decided that these charges were not enough to condemn Jesus to death. They continued to deliberate and question the people.

Then the high priest stood up and came to Jesus and said:

— These people are accusing you. Why don’t you defend yourself?

Jesus said nothing, but remained silent. The high priest asked:

— Are you the Christ? Are you the Son of God?

Jesus answered:

— I am. You will yet see how the Son of Man will sit next to God the Father, to his right. You will see how I descend on a cloud to the earth.

The high priest became furious. He tore his clothes and shouted:

— What other evidence is needed? He blasphemes God! What will you decide, judges?

The judges decided that Jesus was guilty and should be executed. Then the crowd attacked Jesus, people began to spit at him. Then they put a bag over his head, beat him on the head and said:

— Now tell me, prophet, who hit you?

Then the guards began to beat him.

Original Russian back-translation (click or tap here):

Первосвященники, старейшины, учителя закона собрались в доме первосвященника. Там они ждали, пока приведут Иисуса. Когда до этого Иисуса схватили, ученик по имени Петр тайно последовал за Иисусом. Когда толпа, схватившая Иисуса, вошла во двор дома первосвященника, Петр тайком пошел за ней и стал греться возле костра, который был там, во дворе. Вокруг были слуги первосвященника. Петр тайно следил.

Первосвященник и судьи стали расспрашивать народ. Им нужны были доказательства, что Иисус совершил преступление, чтобы осудить его на смерть. Многие лжецы стали наговаривать на Иисуса. Но судьи понимали, что этих обвинений недостаточно, чтобы осудить Иисуса на смерть. Какие-то лжецы стали свидетельствовать против Иисуса:

— Он говорил, что вот этот Храм, который был построен в далеком прошлом, я разрушу, но потом через три дня построю его вновь, но не потребуются усилия человеческих рук.

Судьи решили, что и этих обвинений недостаточно для осуждения Иисуса на смерть. Они продолжали совещаться и расспрашивать народ.

Тогда встал первосвященник, подошел к Иисусу и сказал:

— Вот эти люди обвиняют тебя. Почему ты не защищаешься?

Иисус ничего не сказал, но продолжал молчать. Первосвященник спросил:

— Ты Христос? Ты Сын Бога?

Иисус ответил:

— Я есть. Вы еще увидите, как Сын человеческий, воссядет рядом с Богом отцом, справа от него. Вы увидите, как я спускаюсь на облаке на землю.

Первосвященник пришел в ярость. Он разодрал на себе одежду и закричал:

— Какие еще нужны доказательства? Он хулит Бога! Что вы решите, судьи?

Судьи решили, что Иисус виновен и должен быть казнен. Тогда толпа набросилась на Иисуса, люди стали плевать в него. Потом надели на голову мешок, били по голове и говорили:

— Вот теперь скажи, пророк, кто тебя ударил?

Потом стражники стали бить его.

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

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The Greek that is usually translated as “scribe” in English “were more than mere writers of the law. They were the trained interpreters of the law and expounders of tradition.”

Here are a number of its (back-) translations:

  • Yaka: “clerk in God’s house”
  • Amganad Ifugao: “man who wrote and taught in the synagogue”
  • Navajo (Dinė): “teaching-writer” (“an attempt to emphasize their dual function”)
  • Shipibo-Conibo: “book-wise person”
  • San Blas Kuna: “one who knew the Jews’ ways”
  • Loma: “educated one”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “one knowing holy paper”
  • Central Mazahua: “writer of holy words”
  • Indonesian: “expert in the Torah”
  • Pamona: “man skilled in the ordinances” (source for this and all above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Sinhala: “bearer-of-the-law”
  • Marathi: “one-learned-in-the-Scriptures”
  • Shona (1966): “expert of the law”
  • Balinese: “expert of the books of Torah”
  • Ekari: “one knowing paper/book”
  • Tboli: “one who taught the law God before caused Moses to write” (or “one who taught the law of Moses”) (source for this and 5 above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Noongar: Mammarapa-Warrinyang or “law man” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Mairasi: “one who writes and explains Great Above One’s (=God’s) prohibitions” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Chichewa: “teacher of Laws” (source: Ernst Wendland)
  • North Alaskan Inupiatun: “teachers of law”
  • Huehuetla Tepehua: “writer”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “person who teaches the law which Moses wrote”
  • Alekano: “man who knows wisdom” (source for this and four above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Saint Lucian Creole French: titcha lwa sé Jwif-la (“teacher of the law of the Jews”) (source: David Frank in Lexical Challenges in the St. Lucian Creole Bible Translation Project, 1998)
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “one who teaches the holy writings”
  • Atatláhuca Mixtec: “teacher of the words of the law”
  • Coatlán Mixe: “teacher of the religious law”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “one who is a teacher of the law which God gave to Moses back then”
  • Tepeuxila Cuicatec: “one who know well the law” (Source for this and four above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Huixtán Tzotzil: “one who mistakenly thought he was teaching God’s commandments”(Huixtán Tzotzil frequently uses the verb -cuy to express “to mistakenly think something” from the point of view of the speaker; source: Marion M. Cowan in Notes on Translation 20/1966, pp. 6ff.)
  • Sumau: “law-knowing men” (source: this blog post by Todd Owen)
  • German das Buch translation by Roland Werner (publ. 2009-2022): “theologian” and the 1998 translation by Walter Jens: “interpreter of scriptures” (Schriftausleger)
  • English translation by Scot McKnight (The Second Testament, publ. 2023): Covenant Code scholar

In British Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines the signs for “expert” and “law.” (Source: Anna Smith)


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

start of sections in Mark with the Greek καὶ

One of the distinctions of the gospel of Mark is a breathlessness of telling the story of Jesus. One way that is achieved is by using the Greek kai, normally “and” in English, at the beginning of sections. Different versions and languages have found their own ways of translating it, but the German translation by Walter Jens (publ. 1990, 1998) is unique by consistently using Und ich erzähle or “And I’m telling (you)” for every such occurrence of kai.

complete verse (Mark 14:53)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 14:53:

  • Uma: “From there, Yesus was taken to the house of the Big Priest. There, all the leading priests, religion teachers and other Yahudi elders gathered.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then they brought Isa to the house of the leading priest. And there gathered also all the leading priests and the elders and the teachers of the religious law.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Then they took Jesus to the house of Caiaphas who was the high priest. The priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders of the Jews were already gathered there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They took Jesus to the house of the highest priest where-the leaders of the priests, elders and teachers of the law -were-gathered.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Jesus was taken by those who arrested him to the house of the Most-important Priest. Gathered there were all the chiefs of the priests, the important tribal leaders and the explainers of law.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)