inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Luke 20:7)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding Jesus).

Source: SIL International Translation Department (1999).

complete verse (Luke 20:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 20:7:

  • Noongar: “So they said, ‘We do not know who gave John his power.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “That is why they answered: ‘We do not know where he authority was from.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore they answered, ‘We (excl.) do not know as to where Yahiya’s authority was from.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “So then the only thing they answered Jesus was, ‘We do not know.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So they only said, ‘We (excl.) don’t know who gave-it.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore what they replied to Jesus was, ‘We don’t know.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 20:7

Exegesis:

kai apekrithēsan mē eidenai pothen lit. ‘and they answered not to know where,’ i.e. ‘that they did not know where it came from.’

Translation:

Whence it was, or, ‘who caused/sent/told him (to baptize),’ ‘from where its origin,’ cf. on v. 4.

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.