sign

The Greek that is typically translated in English as “sign” is translated in Huehuetla Tepehua as “thing to be marveled at” (source: Larson 1889, p. 279) and in Mairasi as “big work” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

complete verse (Luke 21:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 21:7:

  • Noongar: “They asked, ‘Lord, when will these things come? And what will happen first so we can see when everything is starting to happen?'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “From there, his disciples asked, asking him: ‘Teacher, when will what you (sing.) said there earlier happen? And what will be the sign that it is ready to happen?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then they asked Isa they said, ‘Sir, when will that happen what you said? And what will be the sign that will appear when all that is soon going to happen?'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And they asked Jesus, they said, ‘Chief, tell us when all these things will happen, and what will be the sign that it’s already the time for these things to take place that you spoke about a while ago?'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then they said, ‘Sir teacher, when will that happen and what sign will our (excl.) means-of-recognizing that that day has almost arrived?'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When the disciples heard, they questioned saying, ‘Teacher, when will those things come which you are talking about, and what will be the signs that all of that will now be fulfilled?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 21:7

Exegesis:

epērōtēsan de auton ‘they asked him.’ In view of vv. 12ff the subject is presumably the disciples.

didaskale ‘teacher,’ cf. on 3.12.

pote oun tauta estai ‘then when will these things be, or, happen?’ oun points back to v. 6 to which also tauta refers.

ti to sēmeion hotan mellē tauta ginesthai ‘what will be the sign when these things are about to happen?,’ with estai understood. The underlying idea is that events due to divine intervention are announced by a sign. To know the sign means to know that the events are about to happen. For sēmeion cf. on 2.12.

Translation:

They, or, ‘his disciples/followers.’

The sign when (or, that) this is about to take place, or more explicitly, ‘the sign which will show that this is about (or, that the time has come for this) to happen’ (cf. Good News Translation).

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.