complete verse (John 8:18)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 8:18:

  • Uma: “I have two witnesses: I myself am one, and the second is my Father who sent me.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Na, my words are true. I have two witnesses. I witness for myself, and my Father who sent me also witnesses for me.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I testify about myself, and my Father who sent me, he also testifies about me.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “All-right then, the one who attests-to me, it is I myself, and the second, it is my Father who sent me.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well I am the one, because I am testifying concerning myself. The second one who is also testifying is my Father who sent me.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Then now, I testify to the truth of what I say. The Father who sent me also testifies to the truth of what I say.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 8:18

For the Father as one who testifies on behalf of the Son, see 5.37.

Since the Father who sent me must be rendered in many languages as “my Father, who sent me,” note that the clause who sent me becomes non-restrictive, that is, it simply describes an aspect of the Father, without indicating which particular Father is to be understood. In many languages such a clause must be treated quite differently from a normal relative clause which specifies a particular individual, for example, it may be necessary to say “my Father (he is the one who sent me).”

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 .