judge vs. condemn

The Greek terms krino and katakrino/katadikazo that are translated as “judge” and “condemn” respectively in English are translated with only one term in Kutu (tagusa). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (John 8:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 8:16:

  • Uma: “If for example I sat-in-judgment of the cases of people, my judgments are definitely straight, because I am not alone. My Father who sent me, He is my companion.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But if for example I would be the one judging people, my judgment would be straight/righteous because I am not the only one judging but we (excl.) are two, I and my Father, my Father who sent me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “But even if I do give judgment, mine is reliable, because it is not my judgment alone, but rather it is the judgment of God who sent me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But if there were someone, my judging would be correct, because I would not be alone in judging. There would also be my companion who is my Father who sent me.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But even if I will judge, how I judge would indeed be correct, because not only I am giving judgment, but on the contrary two of us (excl.) the second being my Father who sent me to come here.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But if it was that I made judgments, whatever I decided would be correct. Because it would not be just myself who makes the judgment. The Father who sent me and I together would make the judgment.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 8:16

My judgment would be true may be rendered “the way in which I judge would be right.”

I am not alone in this may be translated “I’m not doing this just on my own.”

Some ancient manuscripts omit Father from this verse, and so read “because I am not alone in this; the one who sent me is with me.” Accordingly, Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, and Luther do not include Father. The term appears in New American Bible in brackets and in Revised Standard Version only in a footnote. Those who assume that it was not an original part of the Greek text believe that it crept into several ancient manuscripts by way of assimilation to verse 18. However, the best and most reliable ancient Greek manuscripts do include the word. The UBS Committee on the Greek text believes that its omission from four or five manuscripts is due to a scribal error.

It may not be enough in some languages to say the Father who sent me is with me. What is important here is that the Father participates in the process of judging. Therefore, it may be necessary to say “my Father, who sent me, joins with me in what I do” or “… in my judging.”

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 .