complete verse (John 8:27)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 8:27:

  • Uma: “What Yesus said was speaking-about his Father, but they did not understand its meaning.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But they did not understand that Isa said that about God, his Father.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The Jews did not understand that the one who sent him whom he was talking about was his Father God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But they didn’t understand that it was his Father who was God that he was speaking-about.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Those people didn’t understand that the one referred to by Jesus was his Father.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But those people did not understand that he was speaking about his Father.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 8:27

Once again the Jews misunderstand Jesus’ words: They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. In many languages one must say “he was speaking to them about his Father.” However, it may be necessary to say “his Father in heaven,” in order to avoid the implication that in some way or other Jesus was talking about his reputed father, Joseph. The use of the definite article before “Father” in the Greek text indicates clearly that the reference is to the heavenly Father.

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 .