Jesus heals a boy

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ask / inquire (Japanese honorifics)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “ask” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-tazune (お尋ね), combining “inquire” (tazune) with the respectful prefix o-. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also ask / request (Japanese honorifics) and humble form of “ask” (ukagau).

Mark 9:14 - 29 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 9:14-29 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)

Jesús les advirtió: “En el futuro cercano, los ancianos judíos, los líderes de los sacerdotes y los maestros de la Ley, que no creen en el Hijo del Hombre, lo rechazarán.
Los tres discípulos acordaron a guardar el secreto y Jesús bajó y los discípulos también bajaron. Dijeron uno al otro: “¿Qué significaría resucitar?” “No entiendo.” “Yo tampoco.”

Mientras caminaban pensaron de algo y dijeron: “Jesús, te preguntamos ¿porqué nos dicen los maestros de la Ley que primero vendrá Elías y después el Cristo?”

Jesús (respondió): “Esto es verdad, primero viene Elías para preparar las cosas para que estén listos cuando después viene el Cristo.

Pero ya ha venido Elúas y las personas eran en contra de él, y Elías ha sufrido exactamente como está escrito en el rollo.

En la misma manera el Hijo de Hombre sufrirá y las personas lo rechazarán.”

Jesús y los tres discípulos llegaron caminando y vieron un grupo de maestros de la Ley alrededor de los discípulos, y estaban discutiendo con ellos.

Muchas personas etsaban viendo y se volvieron a ver con sorpresa que Jesús había venido y todos fueron a él y lo saludaron, y Jesús los saludó (preguntando): “¿Qué pasó que están discutiendo?”

Un hombre vino diciendo: “Mi hijo no puede hablar porque tiene un demonio adentro de él. Muchas veces he visto que se cae en el suelo convulsionando, crujiendo sus dientes, con saliva en su cara.”

Ahorita traje my hijo buscando a Jesús, pero no estabas y ya dije a tus discípulos que expulsaran el demonio, pero no lo podían.

Un grupo de los maestros de la Ley vino y están discutiendolo, por eso.”

Jesús (dijo): “Ay, todas estas personas no creen nada. ¿Cómo voy a seguir más estar junto con ellos?, estoy cansado.

Que venga tu hijo.” Las personas ayudaron a recoger al joven.

El demonio adentro vio a Jesús “caray” y estaba revolcando en el suelo convulsionando con saliva en su cara.

Jesús miró hacia abajo y dijo: ¿Cuánto tiempo lo ha tenido?” (El hombre respondió): “Creciendo tenía lo mismo, antes mi hijo ha caído revolcando en el fuego y también ha caído en el agua y casi se hundió.

Yo lo veía muchas veces y descubrí que mi hijo tiene un demonio adentro, que quiere maltratarlo para que muere. Nosotros dos estamos sufriendo, por favor ten compasión, quizá puedes ayudarnos, por favor.”

Jesús (dijo): “¿Quizá puedo? No, tú cree que sí y se puede todo.”

(El hombre respondió): “Sí creo, pero aún tengo dudas en mi mente, ayudame a quitar las dudas.”

Jesús miró alrededor y vio una multitud de gente viniendo, miró al hombre revolcando en el suelo y regañó el demonio: “tú, que cierras su oído de modo que no puede hablar, ahorita te expulso, no lo entres otra vez, jamás.”

Dentro del joven que estaba revolcando en el suelo el domonio gritó y salió, y quedó acostado con sus ojos cerrados.

Las personas que lo vieren (dijeron): “El está muerto.” Pero Jesús lo tomó de la mano y se paró.

Después Jesús y los discípulos fueron a la casa y los discípulos preguntaron: “¿Porqué nosotros no podíamos expulsar el demonio, cómo es?”

Jesús (dijo): “Este demonio es muy fuerte, uds necesitan orar para poder expulsar un demonio, a uds les falta que no hacen oración, es por eso.”


Jesus and the three disciples walked on and arrived and saw a group of teachers of the Law standing around the disciples and they were arguing with them.

Many people were watching and they turned around and were surprised to see that Jesus had come, and they all went to him and greeted him and Jesus greeted them (asking): “What has happened that they are arguing?”

A man came up saying: “My son cannot speak because he has a demon inside him. Many times I have seen him fall in the floor, convulsing, gnashing his teeth with salive running down his face.”

“Just now I brought my son searching for Jesus but you were not there and I told your disciples to drive out the demon but they could not.

“A group of teachers of the Law came and they are arguing about it, that’s why.”

Jesus (said): “Oh no, all these people have no faith at all. How am I going to continue being with them? I am tired.

“Let your son come.” The people helped to bring the young man.

The demon inside saw Jesus “Oh no” and he lay writhing on the ground, convulsing and with saliva running down his face.

Jesus looked down and said: “How much time has he been like this?” (The man answered): “He has had this growing up, before now my son has fallen in the fire convulsing, and he also has fallen in water and almost drowned.

“I have watched him time and again and realized that my son has a demon inside him who wants to mistreat him so that he dies. Both of us are suffering, please take pity on us, maybe you can help us, please.”

Jesus (said): “Maybe I can? No, you need to believe and then everything is possible.”

(The man answered): “Yes I believe, but I still have doubts in my mind, help me and take away the doubts.”

Jesus looked around and saw a great multitude of people coming, he looked at the man writhing on the ground and told off the demon: “You who close his ears so that he cannot speak, I throw you out right now, and do not enter him ever again.”

From inside the young man who was writhing on the ground the demon screamed and went out of him and he lay on the ground with his eyes closed.

The people who saw it (said): “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and he got up.

Afterwards Jesus and the disciples went home and the disciples asked: “Why could we not throw out the demon, how is that?”

Jesus (said): “This demon is very strong, you need to pray in order to be able to throw out a demon, what’s lacking is that you don’t pray at all, that’s why.”

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

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Mark 9:30-32 in Mexican Sign Language >>

Mark 9:14-29 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 9:14-29 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

After the transfiguration Jesus and the three disciples were walking back. There were other disciples waiting for them down below, and there was a large crowd of people, with the teachers of the law standing in the crowd. Jesus’ disciples and the teachers of the law were arguing with each other about something. When the crowd noticed Jesus, the people got excited and ran to meet him. Jesus asked:

— What are you arguing about?

One man stood up from the crowd and said:

— Teacher! A demon has possessed my son. The demon is shaking my son, and my son cannot hear or speak. The spirit is tormenting him, rolling him on the ground, my son’s mouth is foaming, he is gnashing his teeth, his whole body is shaken and frozen. Nothing helps. I asked your disciples to cast out the demon, but they could not.

Jesus looked at them and said:

— O people who have little faith! What shall I do with you? Bring me this boy.

The sick boy was brought to Jesus. When the demon saw Jesus, he shook the boy violently and threw him to the ground, foaming from his mouth.

Jesus asked the boy’s father:

— When did the demon take possession of him?

The father answered:

— A long time ago, since he was a child. The demon has been attacking my son and trying to kill him. Once he threw him into the fire. I barely had time to save him. Once he threw him into the water, I barely saved my son. If you can, please help me! Have mercy.

Jesus said:

— What do you mean “if you can”…? If one has faith, anything is possible.

The boy’s father cried out:

— I have faith! I have faith! If I don’t have enough faith, please help me!

Jesus said to the demon:

— Come out of him! And I forbid you to go back into him!

The demon screamed terribly and came out of the boy, and the boy remained motionless, as if dead. The people around him thought he was dead. But Jesus took the boy by the hand and lifted him up.

Afterward Jesus went into a house. Jesus’ disciples followed him. They began to ask Jesus:

— Teacher! How did you manage to cast out the demon? We tried, but it didn’t work.

Jesus replied:

— The only way to cast out this demon is through prayer!

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

После преображения Иисус и три ученика возвращались обратно. Внизу их ждали другие ученики, а вокруг была большая толпа народа; в толпе стояли учителя закона. Ученики Иисуса и учителя закона о чем-то спорили друг с другом. Когда толпа заметила Иисуса, люди обрадовались, побежали к нему навстречу. Иисус спросил:

— О чем у вас спор?

Из народа встал один человек и сказал:

— Учитель! В моего сына вселился бес. Бес сотрясает моего сына, а мой сын не слышит и не может говорить. Дух мучает его, катает его по земле, изо рта у моего сына идет пена, он скрежещет зубами, все тело его сотрясается и цепенеет. Ничто не помогает. Я просил твоих учеников изгнать беса, но они не смогли.

Иисус посмотрел на них и сказал:

— О люди, у которых мало веры! Что же мне делать с вами? Принесите мне этого мальчика.

К Иисусу привели больного мальчика. Когда бес увидел Иисуса, он сильно затряс мальчика, повалил его на землю, изо рта его шла пена.

Иисус спросил отца мальчика:

— Когда бес вселился в него?

Отец ответил:

— Давно, с самого его детства. Бес нападает на моего сына и пытается его погубить. Однажды бросил его в огонь. Я едва успел его спасти. Однажды бросил его в воду, я едва успел спасти сына. Если ты только можешь, прошу, помоги! Смилуйся.

Иисус сказал:

— Что значите «если можешь»?… Если у человека есть вера, то возможно все.

Отец мальчика закричал:

— Я верую! верую! Если мало у меня веры, прошу, помоги!

Иисус сказал бесу:

— Выйди из него! И запрещаю тебе возвращаться в него обратно!

Бес страшно закричал и вышел из мальчика, а мальчик остался лежать неподвижно, словно мертвый. Люди вокруг решили, что он умер. Но Иисус взял мальчика за руку и поднял его.

После этого Иисус вошел в один дом. Ученики Иисуса последовали за ним. Они стали спрашивать Иисуса:

— Учитель! Как тебе удалось изгнать беса? Мы пытались, но у нас ничего не получилось.

Иисус ответил:

— Этого беса можно изгнать только одним — молитвой!

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

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Mark 9:30-32 in Russian Sign Language >>

complete verse (Mark 9:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 9:16:

  • Uma: “Yesus asked them: ‘What were you questioning back and forth about with those religion teachers?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Isa asked his disciples, he said, ‘What are you arguing/discussing with them?'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Jesus asked his disciples, he said, ‘What are you arguing about?'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘What were you arguing-about with them?’ questioned Jesus.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘What are you arguing with them about?’ asked Jesus.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

formal pronoun: Jesus addressing his disciples and common people

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Tuvan uses a formal vs. informal 2nd person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Unlike other languages that have this feature, however, the translators of the Tuvan Bible have attempted to be very consistent in using the different forms of address in every case a 2nd person pronoun has to be used in the translation of the biblical text.

As Voinov shows in Pronominal Theology in Translating the Gospels (in: The Bible Translator 2002, p. 210ff. ), the choice to use either of the pronouns many times involved theological judgment. While the formal pronoun can signal personal distance or a social/power distance between the speaker and addressee, the informal pronoun can indicate familiarity or social/power equality between speaker and addressee.

Here, Jesus is addressing his disciples, individuals and/or crowds with the formal pronoun, showing respect.

In most Dutch translations, Jesus addresses his disciples and common people with the informal pronoun, whereas they address him with the formal form.

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Mark 9:16

Text:

Instead of (the first) autous ‘them’ of all modern editions of the Greek text, Textus Receptus has tous grammateis ‘the scribes.’

Exegesis:

autous ‘them’: to whom did Jesus direct his question? The text allows two or possibly three alternatives: (1) the disciples: inasmuch as in v. 14 it is said that Jesus came to his disciples, around whom there was a great crowd and with whom scribes were arguing, it would seem natural that Jesus should ask them the question (so Bengel); (2) the scribes: copyists who introduced into some manuscripts the words tous grammateis ‘the scribes’ (see Text, above), understood them to be the ones to whom Jesus spoke (so F. C. Grant); (3) the crowd: since one of the crowd answers (next verse), the majority of commentators (Gould, Swete, Lagrange, Taylor and others) assume that the crowd was being addressed. If so, the question ‘What are you discussing with them?’ must be taken in a general sense, since it was not the crowd but the scribes who were discussing with the disciples. Of the three alternatives the context favors the first one: Jesus would be more likely to question his disciples than the scribes (or the crowd).

The majority of translations have simply ‘he asked them,’ undefined, carrying over the same ambiguity that exists in the Greek text.

pros autous ‘with them’: who is referred to here depends on the interpretation given autous ‘them.’ If ‘them’ refers to the crowd or to the scribes, ‘with them’ refers to the disciples; if, on the other hand, ‘them’ refers to the disciples, as is probable, ‘with them’ refers to the scribes. For this second autous Kilpatrick has heautous, translated ‘among yourselves.’

Translation:

The fact that one person in the crowd should respond to the question of Jesus does not seem to be particularly strange, even though Jesus may have directed his words to the disciples, for obviously the action of the man in question was what had prompted the discussion with the scribes. One can, of course, attempt to reproduce the ambiguity of the Greek text, though in some languages this is not possible.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .