In Greek this verse is introduced with a particle (hoti) that indicates a causal relation with the preceding verse. This particle appears as “for” or “because” in most translations; in Good News Translation the causal connection is left implicit.

The message (emphatic in the Greek sentence structure) is literally “the words” (Greek rēmata). In verses 6 and 14 the singular of another Greek term for “word” (logos) is used, but there is no real difference in meaning (see the comments at 14.23). Both words refer to the revelation that comes through Jesus Christ.

Though in English the verb gave fits well with such a noun as the message, this combination cannot be used in some languages. The first part of verse 8 may be rendered “I told them what you told me” or “I told them what you told me to tell them.”

In the phrase and they received it the pronoun it of Good News Translation also translates “the words” (Good News Translation the message), which in Greek serves as the object of both I gave and they received.

In some languages one cannot speak of “receiving a message”; instead an idiomatic expression may be employed, for example, “they listened to it with open ears” or “they let the words go into their hearts.” In other languages the only appropriate equivalent is “they believed it.”

They know that it is true that I came from you is more literally “and they know truly that I came from you.” Good News Translation transforms the adverb “truly” into a noun clause, that it is true. Barclay does something similar (“and they accepted it as true that you sent me”), but most English translations retain the adverb. In some languages one may translate “they know that I really came from you.”

That Jesus comes from the Father who sent him is a constant theme of this prayer (see 17.18,21,23,25), and of the Gospel (8.42; 16.28).

The verbs know and believe are parallel. The knowledge that Jesus came from the Father is no different from the belief that the Father sent Jesus. The point of reference in the verbs came and sent is the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .