world (Chinese)

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “world” in English is translated in Mandarin Chinese with shìjiè (世界). While shìjiè is now the commonly used term for “world” in Chinese, it was popularized as such by Chinese Bible translations. (Source: Mak 2017, p. 241ff.)

See also world.

complete verse (John 12:31)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 12:31:

  • Uma: “The time has come God must judge all the wrongs of men in the world. And the time has also come, the King of Evil-ones who has authority/power over this world, must be expelled.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He said, ‘The time has come for mankind in this world to be judged. The time has come when the power is removed from the leader of demons, he is the one who is the leader in this world.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for God, from now on he will judge worthy of punishment all mankind who are his enemies, and he will now overcome Satan, the one who rules here on the earth.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because here-now the time of people in this world being-judged has arrived. Now also will be the time-of-defeat of Satanas who is the leader of people who don’t believe.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For the time has been reached, it’s right now, when all my opponents will be sentenced to judgment. Satanas who rules here under the heavens will be defeated.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Now the time is coming that this world be judged. The devil who rules here on the world will be conquered.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 12:31

Now is the time for this world to be judged is literally “Now is the judging of this world.” This verse is introduced by the adverb now (so also verse 27), which gives strong emphasis. New English Bible translates “Now is the hour of judgment for this world” and Jerusalem Bible “Now sentence is being passed on this world.” Good News Translation transforms the noun “judging” into a verb phrase, to be judged. The theme of judgment, frequent in John’s Gospel, is discussed at some length at 5.22-30.

In languages which do not permit such a passive expression as to be judged, it may be necessary to introduce an agent. In terms of this context, it is probably best to introduce “God” as the agent, for example, “Now is the occasion when God will judge the world” or “… the people of the world.” One should not, however, employ an expression which would suggest the so-called “final judgment.” Such a variant as “pass judgment on the world” or “pronounce a sentence of condemnation on the world” may be employed.

The ruler of this world appears also in 14.30 and 16.11, but nowhere else in the New Testament. A related phrase, “the god of this age,” is used in 2 Corinthians 4.4; note also such passages as 1 Corinthians 2.6-8; Ephesians 2.2; 6.12. The ruler of this world, obviously Johannine, is used to refer to the Devil.

Will be overthrown (Jerusalem Bible “is to be overthrown”) is literally “will be thrown out” and appears in many translations as “will be expelled” or “will be driven out.” The reference is to the defeat of the Devil. This same verb is used in different settings in 6.37; 9.34; and 15.6. For languages in which the passive expression will be overthrown cannot be employed, it is possible to introduce God as the agent, for example, “God will overthrow the one who rules this world.”

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 .