OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 12:4

12:4

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But here introduces what Judas said when he saw what Mary did. He did not approve of what she did, and so the BSB uses a conjunction that indicates contrast. Some translations, such as the GNT, do not explicitly translate this conjunction. Introduce what Judas said in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Then (NJB)

At this (REB)

one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him: These phrases again introduce Judas Iscariot, who was also mentioned in 6:71. The author tells us two things about Judas in addition to his name. First, he was a disciple and second, he would betray Jesus.

Here are other ways to translate this background information:

Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him (NLT)

One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot—the one who was going to betray him—(GNT)

Judas Iscariot—one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him— (NJB)

one of His disciples: Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples or followers. He had committed himself to Jesus as his teacher and spiritual guide. In some languages it may be natural to make the name Jesus explicit here. This is especially important in languages that do not distinguish between the pronouns His and “her.” In those languages, readers might misunderstand the pronoun to refer to Mary. For example:

One of Jesus’ disciples (GNT)

disciples: The Greek word that the BSB translates as disciples refers to “learners” who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and follow his teaching and example. In the New Testament “disciple” referred specifically to a person who learned from a religious teacher. Often, disciples lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went. See how you translated this term at 1:35.

Judas Iscariot: The full name Judas Iscariot is also mentioned in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, and Luke 6:16. Refer to this disciple the same way in all these verses. The meaning of the surname Iscariot is not certain and it is best to transliterate it.The NET Bible indicates that the most likely meaning is “man of Kerioth.” Kerioth was a village in Judea.

who was going to betray Him: This phrase indicates that Judas was the disciple who later betrayed Jesus to Jesus’ enemies. At the time of the story, Judas had not yet betrayed Jesus but would soon do so. (The Greek word that the BSB translates as was going to can either mean “would” or “would soon.” Because Judas did soon betray him, either sense can be understood here.) The event was past from the point of view of the author and the original readers. Indicate this using the verb tense that is natural in your language. For example:

the one who was about to betray him (NRSV)

who was later to betray him (NIV)

betray: The word betray refers to giving help to a person’s enemy instead of being loyal to that person. Here it refers to Judas leading Jesus’ enemies to find and capture Jesus. See how you translated this word in 6:64 and 6:71. For example:

turn against him (NCV)

sell Jesus to his enemies (Uma Back Translation)

asked: The word asked introduces a direct quotation. But the quotation is a question. Judas was asking everyone there a question that implied criticism of Mary. In some languages it is more natural to use another verb if you use a question in 12:5.