I came that they might have life and have it abundantly

The Greek that is translated as “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” or similar in English has been translated in a a variety of ways:

  • Huehuetla Tepehua: “I came so that people might have life, and that they might be happy in their lives.”
  • Aguaruna: “But I, on the other hand, came saying ‘That they might live; that they might live contentedly, lacking nothing.'”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “I came in order to give eternal life and so that they would be extremely happy.”
  • Shipibo-Conibo: “I have come so that the sheep will live, and so that they will live very well.”
  • Asháninka: “I came to give them life, to really give them all life.”
  • Yanesha’: “For this I came, so that you will live, completely exceedingly.”
  • Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “I have come in order to give them their new life, which is better life.” (Source for this and above: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)

complete verse (John 10:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 10:10:

  • Uma: “The intention of a thief, [he] comes wanting to steal, kill and destroy. But I come so that men receive life that is no kidding its goodness.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The burglar has no other business in coming than to steal and to kill and to destroy. But I, my business/purpose in coming is to give mankind life, its goodness is exceeding.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason that the thief goes to the corral is so that he might steal and kill and destroy. As for me, by contrast, I came here to the world to give mankind life that has no lack forever.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘The purpose of the thief is to go steal or for-no-reason to kill or butcher-to-eat the sheep and that’s all. I however, I came so that people should be able-to-gain/enjoy the very-good life that has no lacks/imperfections.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “The one I said was like a thief, he has no other purpose than that he wants to steal, to kill and to destroy. But as for me, I came here so that those who are my like sheep will be given life by me, and the life I will give is really far-from-ordinary.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “The thief just steals. He kills off the sheep. But I came so there would be your new life, you will live joyfully.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 10:10

The Greek text literally reads “the thief,” and Good News Translation and most other translations maintain this expression exactly as the Greek has it. The definite article the does not point to any specific thief, but is simply a part of the parabolic style. The reference is generic, and such an expression as “a thief” or “thieves” may also be used.

Good News Translation and several other translations change the Greek negative expression (literally “does not come except in order to”) into a positive one: comes only in order to.

The verb translated kill is used only here in John’s Gospel; it refers specifically to the killing of animals and literally means “slaughter” (New American Bible). The word destroy is a frequently used Johannine term. In John 3.16 this verb is used intransitively, where it is translated die in Good News Translation. In 6.39 Jesus, speaking of those whom the Father has given him, says I should not lose any of all those he has given me. There the verb “to destroy” is used with the meaning of lose. It may be that here the verb carries more overtones of meaning than its companion verb “to kill”; that is, it may well connote eternal destruction. However, this idea is merely intimated, and should not be expressed in translation. It is better to translate by a general term, such as “to destroy,” rather than to specify “to destroy eternally,” even though this idea may be involved here. In some languages it may be difficult to find a term meaning “destroy” which will contrast with or at least amplify the concept of “kill.” In speaking of the destruction of an animal, “kill” seems to be the strongest term which could be employed, but in some languages a general term, such as “to get rid of” or “to ruin” or “to cause to be no more” may be used.

Good News Translation shifts to the second person you, in place of the Greek third person “they.” This is an important shift, since the persons referred to are Jesus’ followers rather than the Pharisees to whom the parable is addressed (verse 6). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “they” by “my sheep.” It may be possible also to render “people” or “they who hear my voice.” The life referred to is eternal life, a central and basic theme of this Gospel.

The expression life in all its fullness (New English Bible “and may have it in all its fullness”) is translated in various ways. Revised Standard Version (“and have it abundantly”) and New American Bible (“and have it to the full”) are fairly close to the form of the Greek. Since in many languages life must be translated by a verb meaning “to live,” it may be necessary here to translate “that they might really live.” The final phrase life in all its fullness may then possibly be translated “that they may live completely” or even “… completely and wonderfully.” Or this idea may be expressed by the use of a negation, for example, “that there may be nothing lacking in their living.”

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 .