The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “chief priest” in English is translated in Muyuw as tanuwgwes lun or “ruler-of peace offering.” (Source: David Lithgow in The Bible Translator 1971, p. 118ff. )
Judas (the disciple)
The term that is transliterated as “Judas” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying holding a bag of money, referring to John 12:6. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Judas” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign for “kiss,” referring to Matthew 26:49 et al. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
“Judas” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España
complete verse (Matthew 26:14)
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 26:14:
- Uma: “At that time, one of his twelve disciples who was named Yudas Iskariot went to the leading priests.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “So-then after that Judas Iskariyot, one of the twelve disciples of Isa, went to the leading priests.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And at that time, one of the twelve disciples, the one who was named Judas Iscariot, he went to the chief priests.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, went to the leaders of the priests,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “And then as for one of Jesus’ disciples who was Judas Iscariote, he went to see the chiefs of the priests.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve learners of Jesus, went to talk with the chief priests.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Translation commentary on Matthew 26:14
Then translates a particle used ninety times by Matthew; it indicates a loose temporal connection. Some translations have “After that.” Both the qualifier who was called and the Greek form of the verb went are also characteristic of Matthew’s style.
The twelve (disciples) are listed in 10.1-4, immediately preceding their mission to the “lost sheep of the people of Israel” (10.6). Concerning the meaning of the name Iscariot, see comments at 10.4. But it is used as a name and should not be translated. For English readers it is perhaps simpler to translate “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went….”
The chief priests are last mentioned in verses 3-5, where Matthew said that they “made plans to arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death.”
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 .