The Greek that is translated as “(I have) overcome (or:defeated) the world” in English is translated as “I am the victor over those of this world” in Aguaruna and “I have taken away the power of the world” in Huehuetla Tepehua. (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
The now commonly-used English idiom “be of good cheer” (be happy) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Low German it is translated as Kopp hoch, lit. “hold your head up high” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).
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.)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 16:33:
Uma: “All this I say to you, so that you receive goodness of life from your relationship with me. While you are still in this world, you will definitely be persecuted. But make your hearts strong, because I have defeated this world.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “All this I have told you so that you have peace in your liver. The reason that you have peace in your liver is because you are one with me. Here in this world you will be persecuted by the people who do not follow God. But do not be afraid. I have defeated their leader.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason I have told you all of this is so that your breaths might become peaceful because of me. Here on the earth you will be treated badly by people who are my enemies, but don’t you be afraid because I have defeated the boss of my enemies.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “I tell you this in order that you will have peace on-account-of your being-united-with me. It’s true granted that you will be hardshipped in this world. But never-mind, be-brave, because I have already defeated the evil that is in this world.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “I told you this so that you will have peace/protection of mind/inner-being through your being tied-together/united with me. You really will have suffering/hardship while you are still here in this world. But take courage (strengthen your mind/inner-being) because as for me, I have now defeated the one who rules here under the heavens.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “When you give your heart to what I tell you, it will cause you to be at peace. Here in the world you will suffer. But be encouraged, I have conquered that which has power here.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Tuvan uses a formal vs. informal 2nd person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Unlike other languages that have this feature, however, the translators of the Tuvan Bible have attempted to be very consistent in using the different forms of address in every case a 2nd person pronoun has to be used in the translation of the biblical text.
As Voinov shows in Pronominal Theology in Translating the Gospels (in: The Bible Translator 2002, p. 210ff.), the choice to use either of the pronouns many times involved theological judgment. While the formal pronoun can signal personal distance or a social/power distance between the speaker and addressee, the informal pronoun can indicate familiarity or social/power equality between speaker and addressee.
Here, Jesus is addressing his disciples, individuals and/or crowds with the formal pronoun, showing respect.
In most Dutch translations, Jesus addresses his disciples and common people with the informal pronoun, whereas they address him with the formal form.
I have told you this appears first in 14.25. The reference may be to the previous verse, but it more likely refers to the entire discourse, at least as far back as 16.1.
So that you will have peace by being united to me is more literally “so that in me you may have peace.” For the meaning of peace, see comments on 14.27. Barclay translates “that in me you may have all that makes for true happiness.” The meaning of “in me” is either “in union with me” or “in fellowship with me.”
The phrase by being united to me expresses means. It may be rendered in some languages as causative, for example, “so that your being united to me will cause you to be truly happy.” In some languages means may be expressed by a clause introduced by “because,” for example, “so that you will have true happiness because you are united to me” or “… because you are one with me” or “… joined to me.”
The world will make you suffer is literally “in the world you have suffering.” Structurally “in the world” is in contrast with “in me.” Since the world refers to the world of evil in its opposition to God (see 1.10), Good News Translation restructures to indicate that the world is the source of the suffering brought on the disciples. The word used here for “suffering” (thlipsis) is the same one used in verse 21. Elsewhere in the New Testament it is used to refer to the sufferings believers must endure (see Mark 4.17; 13.19,24; Acts 11.19; Eph 3.13; and Rev 7.14).
But be brave is a word of encouragement (New American Bible “But take courage!”; New English Bible “But courage!”). An admonition to be brave may be expressed in some languages in an idiomatic form, for example, “stand up to the danger” or “do not run away.” In some languages an expression for bravery may seem almost contradictory to our own ways of thinking; for example, for a person to be brave is in some languages “to have a hard heart” or even “to have a heart like stone.”
The verb defeated is used only here in the Gospel of John, but note its use in 1 John 2.13-14; 4.4; 5.4-5. Both Paul (1 Cor 15.57) and the author of Revelation (5.5; 6.2; and 17.14) speak of Jesus as the one who defeats the world and so gives victory to his followers. In some languages have defeated would be rendered “have won the battle against” or “have been successful in fighting against.” This figure of speech is probably acceptable, provided one does not use as an object of the verb such a rendering as “the people of the world.” Though in many contexts the world may be rendered “the people of the world,” in this particular instance John is emphasizing not Jesus’ victory over people, but over the world force, or the system of the world. The only equivalent in some languages would be “the power of this world.” However, in order to speak of “defeating the power of this world,” it may be necessary to say “I have destroyed the power of 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 .
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