complete verse (2 Timothy 4:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Timothy 4:11:

  • Uma: “Only Lukas is here with me. When you come, pick up for me Markus on your way by and bring him along with you, for he can assist me in my work.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Only Lukas is my companion here. Get/fetch Markus and bring him here because he can really help me in my work.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “My only companion is Luke. Stop by for Mark and bring him with you for he will be a big help to me in all I am doing here.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Only Lucas is-here as my companion. When you (sing.) come, stop-by-for Marcos, because he will be able to help-me in my work.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Now, the only one who is my companion here is Lucas. I want hopefully that you arrange with Marcos and have him accompany you when you come here. Because I’m sure he can do a lot to help me in my serving the Lord.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Only Luke remained here now. I want that you bring Mark when you come. Because Mark is the one I need here to work.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 4:11

Luke appears only three times in the New Testament (here, Col 4.14, and Philemon 24). Even though two of the books of the New Testament are identified as from the hand of Luke, the name of Luke does not appear in these books. The tradition that the author of the Gospel of Luke was a physician stems from identifying him with Luke “the beloved physician” in Col 4.14.

Get translates a verb that appears in 1 Tim 3.16, where the passive form is translated “taken up” to describe the ascension and exaltation of Christ. Here it has the sense of “take along” as a travel companion. For bring see “swayed” in 2 Tim 3.6. The verb should not be understood as implying force, but it does imply a certain amount of persuasion. Mark most probably refers to John Mark, cousin of Barnabas, who with Barnabas accompanied Paul during his first missionary journey (see Acts 13), and who was the reason for the split between Barnabas and Paul (see Acts 15.36-40). The tone of what is written here assumes that Mark is somewhere on the route between Ephesus and Rome, although it is not possible to be more precise. In many languages it will be more natural to express Get Mark and bring him with you as “Please locate (or, find) Mark and bring him with you.”

For useful see 2 Tim 2.21; for ministry see comments on “service” in 1 Tim 1.12.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .