complete verse (Luke 21:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 21:9:

  • Noongar: “You must not fear when you hear of fighting and wars. These things must happen first; but these things do not show the last days are coming.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Also do not be afraid hearing news that says many people are fighting and opposing the government. Because all that must happen first. But the time has not yet really come for the end of the world.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And if you hear about fighting and trouble do not be afraid. All this has to happen first, but this is not yet the world’s end.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when you hear nearby you the commotion because of war, and you hear also the news about wars in a far country, don’t be afraid because it’s necessary that things like this come to pass, but this is not the sign of the end of this time.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If moreover you hear that there are wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things must happen, but the end of the world is not yet.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And if/when you hear news of troubles and wars, don’t panic. Because these really will come, but it’s not yet the end of the world.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 21:9

Exegesis:

hotan de akousēte polemous kai akatastasias ‘but when you hear of wars and insurrections.’ de contrasts v. 9 with v. 8; the clause takes up the question of the sign in v. 7.

akatastasia ‘disorder,’ ‘insurrection,’ ‘revolution.’

me ptoēthēte ‘do not be frightened, or, startled.’

ptoeomai (also 24.37) ‘to be terrified,’ ‘to be frightened,’ indicating a strong feeling of terror.

dei gar tauta genesthai prōton ‘for it is necessary that these things happen first.’ For dei cf. on 2.49 and 9.22. prōton (not occurring in the parallel text Mk. 13.7) is added by Luke to stress the thought of the next clause.

all’ ouk eutheōs to telos ‘but the end will not come immediately,’ i.e. will not immediately follow the wars and insurrections, with hēxei or a similar verb understood. eutheōs is emphatic by position. For to telos ‘the end,’ i.e. the end of this age.

Translation:

War, probably referring to external strife; Toraja-Sa’dan uses a reciprocal derivation of ‘to fight.’

Tumults, probably referring to internal riots, cf. also, ‘disdain for one’s chief’ (Tae’ 1933).

Do not be terrified, or, ‘do not let people make you afraid, or, cause you to fear’ (for which see on 1.12).

The end will not be at once, or, ‘the end will not follow them at once,’ ‘they do not indicate that the end is near’ (cf. Good News Translation), ‘it is not immediately so that it-is-finished’ (Sranan Tongo). The end, or more specifically, ‘the final hour’ (Tzeltal), ‘that this age (or, everything) comes to an end.’ The use of adjustments as discussed may lead to further changes in the sentence structure, e.g. ‘these things must happen before this age ends, but they do not indicate that this will happen (or, that it will end) at once.’ At once, or, ‘immediately,’ ‘at the very moment,’ ‘right then.’

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.