scripture

The Greek that is translated “scripture” or “scriptures” in English is translated as “God’s word which people wrote” in Guerrero Amuzgo (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125) and “paper writings” in Copainalá Zoque (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.).

While the term “Bible,” often used as a synonym, does not appear in the Bible itself, there’s an interesting translation of that word in Dehu. Missionaries had translated “Bible” as “Container of the Word” until they realized that this was also used for “penis sheath.” (Source: Clifford 1992, p. 87)

For other translations of scripture see all scripture is inspired by God and examined the scriptures.

complete verse (Matthew 26:54)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 26:54:

  • Uma: “But if we (incl.) oppose these who are arresting me now, the words written in the Holy Book long ago will not come to pass that say all this must happen to me.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But if I ask help, what God said in the holy-book would not be fulfilled, that all this has to happen.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “‘However,’ said Jesus, ‘if I ask him for help, the prophesied word of God written long ago will not be fulfilled. And it is necessary that this happen according to what was prophesied,’ he said.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But if I were to do that, how could what God caused-to-be-written be fulfilled which says that these-things must happen?'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But if I ask to be helped, how would what was written in the word of God be fulfilled, which says that like this really will happen?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But should I do that, then it couldn’t happen like the word written in the Holy Book. Because concerning what I go through now, it is already written that it must happen.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 26:54

Be fulfilled: see comment at 1.22.

That it must be so and “which say that this is what must happen” (Good News Translation) are both unclear as regards the intended antecedent. Phillips is better: “which say that all this must take place.”

Good News Translation expresses very well the intention of Jesus’ question. But how then is a short way of saying “But if God did that” or “But if God sent angels to protect me.” In some languages the meaning of the rhetorical question is expressed as a statement: “But if that happened, the Scriptures that say this must happen could not come true.”

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 .