complete verse (John 7:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 7:9:

  • Uma: “Thus the words of Yesus to his relatives, and he stayed in Galilea.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After he had said this, he did not go away from Jalil.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Jesus stayed behind in Galilee.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “he said. And he was left-behind then in Galilea.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore he really did stay behind there in Galilea.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “After thus speaking to them, Jesus remained in Galilee.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 7:9

There is a textual problem in this verse, but it makes no difference in translation, since in most languages it must be handled translationally. Some manuscripts include the pronoun “he” (Greek autos), which is actually redundant in the Greek text, since this information is contained in the verb ending. Some scribes therefore changed the reading “he” to “to them” (Greek autois). But the information that this was said “to them” (that is, to his brothers) is clearly implied in the Greek text. In some languages this information must be made explicit.

In translating stayed on in Galilee it may be necessary in some languages to suggest at least implicitly a period of time, for example, “stayed on for a few days.” It is important to avoid a verb which would suggest permanently staying in Galilee.

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 .