need (Japanese honorifics)

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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.

In these verses, the Greek that is translated as “need” or similar in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-iriyō (お入り用), combining “need” (iriyō) with the respectful prefix o-. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

complete verse (Matthew 21:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 21:3:

  • Uma: “If there is anyone who accosts you, say to them: ‘Because the Lord needs them. He will return them later.’ ‘” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If somebody asks you as to why you take it, say, ‘The Leader/Lord has use for him,’ and he will let you take (him) immediately.’ (A donkey looks like a horse.)” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And if someone asks you why you are untying it, you say, ‘Our (incl.) boss Jesus needs this,’ and then immediately that one who will ask you will permit you to take that ass along with its colt,’ said Jesus.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If someone inquires about what you are doing, say, ‘Our (excl.) Lord needs it,’ and he will permit it immediately.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “If anyone says something to you about it, you answer, ‘The Lord needs it/them.’ Well, he won’t interfere any more.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “If someone should say something about you untying them, you tell them that the Lord needs them. But tell them that it won’t be long before they will be returned.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 21:3

If any one says anything to you: Good News Translation omits to you, since this information is clearly implicit. On the other hand, it is important that anything be understood as indicating more than a casual remark made to the disciples. The meaning is “If anyone objects,” or “If anyone says, ‘Why are you doing that?’ ” or “… ‘Don’t do that!’ ” Some have said “If anyone says anything to you about what you are doing.”

Lord or “Master” (used of Jesus) is the preference of the vast majority of translations, though the meaning may also be “Their owner” (TEV’s footnote). Traduction œcuménique de la Bible is so strongly convinced that Lord is the correct interpretation that the translators provide a footnote which states that this is the only place in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus specifically refers to himself by this title.

The text states he will send them, but if translators are not careful, it may not be clear that he refers to the person who raised objections about the disciples taking the donkeys. “Then that person will let them go at once” is clearer.

The text uses the word send, which Good News Translation has rendered as “let … go.” This latter expression does not imply quite as much willingness on the part of the owner of the donkeys, but since the idea is that he is giving permission to the disciples to take them, whichever expression is more natural can be used.

Immediately, though not the same form of the adverb used in verse 2, is its equivalent; that Matthew would use this adverb twice in such swift sequence suggests that he intends to emphasize the absolute authority with which Jesus gives the command.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .