knock

The Greek that is translated as “knock (on a door)” in English is translated as “call” (Zanaki, Yanesha’) “speak” (Tzeltal), or “clap” (Zarma).

This is sometimes due to the fact that doors are not being used in the respective cultures (as, for instance, in Yanesha’) or, as Nida (p. 45f.) explains, other cultural differences:

“One cannot say to the Zanaki people along the winding shores of sprawling Lake Victoria, ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock’ (Revelation 3:20). This would mean that Christ was declaring Himself to be a thief, for in Zanaki land thieves generally make it a practice to knock on the door of a hut which they hope to burglarize; and if they hear any movement or noise inside, they dash off into the dark. An honest man will come to a house and call the name of the person inside, and in this way identify himself by his voice. Accordingly, in the Zanaki translation it is necessary to say, ‘Behold I stand at the door and call.’ This wording might be slightly strange to us, but the meaning is the same. In each case Christ is asking people to open the door. He is no thief and He will not force an entrance; He knocks — and in Zanaki “He calls.” If anything the Zanaki expression is a little more personal than our own.”

Sources: Nida 1952 (Zanaki); Duff Tripp, p. 310 (Yanesha’); Reiling / Swellengrebel (Tzeltal, Zarma).

See also complete verse (Rev. 3:20) and knock (Rev. 3:20).

he who, whoever

The Greek that is typically translated with a generic expressions such as “he who,” “whoever,” or “if anyone” in English is translated with the plural form (“they”) in Daga. “A literal translation of these conveys the idea that one specific unnamed individual is being dis cussed. Thus, for instance, in John 5:24 ‘he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life’ meant in Daga that there was one fortunate individual to whom it applied.”

See also love your neighbor as yourself.

complete verse (Luke 11:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 11:10:

  • Noongar: “For all people who ask, that thing will be given; and he who seeks, he will find. Knock and the door will be opened for all people who knock.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Because whoever asks/requests will definitely be given. Whoever searches will definitely find. Whoever asks-to-be-opened the door, the door will definitely be opened for him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “For all who ask will be given, the ones seeking will find and the ones asking to be let in, it will be opened for them.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “because all who beg from God receive, and those who look, find; and those who call-at-the-door, God opens the door for them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “For even anyone who requests from God will be given, and even anyone who searches will find what he is searching for. Even anyone also who knocks, the door will be opened for him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Because as many as request are given to. Those who search can find. And as many as plead to be allowed to enter really will be responded to favorably.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 11:10

Exegesis:

pas gar ho aitōn lambanei ‘for everyone who asks receives.’ A solemn and emphatic assurance, corresponding with the first clause of v. 9. Its nature is still further enhanced by pas and by the present tense of lambanei.

ho zētōn heuriskei ‘he who seeks finds,’ without pas and hence less emphatic than the preceding clause.

tō krouonti anoigetai ‘to him who knocks (the door) is opened.’

Translation:

Cf. on v. 9; objects, if required, can usually be fewer and less explicit because of the parallelism between the two verses.

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.