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Yhn C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21

Yhn 3 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31 V32 V33 V34 V35 V36

OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 3:12

◄ ← YHN (JHN) 3:12 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Εἰ
    2. ei
    3. If
    4. -
    5. 14870
    6. C·······
    7. if
    8. if
    9. S
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64078
    1. τά
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64079
    1. ἐπίγεια
    2. epigeios
    3. earthly things
    4. earthly
    5. 19190
    6. S····ANP
    7. earthly ‹things›
    8. earthly ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64080
    1. εἶπον
    2. legō
    3. I told
    4. -
    5. 30040
    6. VIAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ told
    8. ˱I˲ told
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64045; Person=Jesus
    11. 64081
    1. ἡμῖν
    2. egō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 14730
    6. R···1D·P
    7. us
    8. us
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 64082
    1. ὑμῖν
    2. su
    3. to you all
    4. -
    5. 47710
    6. R···2D·P
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. ˱to˲ you_all
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64083
    1. καί
    2. kai
    3. and
    4. -
    5. 25320
    6. C·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64084
    1. οὒ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. don't
    5. 37560
    6. D·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64085
    1. πιστεύετε
    2. pisteuō
    3. you all are believing
    4. -
    5. 41000
    6. VIPA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64086
    1. πιστεύεται
    2. pisteuō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 41000
    6. VIPP3··S
    7. ˱it˲ ˓is_being˒ believed
    8. ˱it˲ ˓is_being˒ believed
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 64087
    1. πῶς
    2. pōs
    3. how
    4. -
    5. 44590
    6. D·······
    7. how
    8. how
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64088
    1. ἐάν
    2. ean
    3. if
    4. -
    5. 14370
    6. C·······
    7. if
    8. if
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64089
    1. εἴπω
    2. legō
    3. I may tell
    4. -
    5. 30040
    6. VSAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ tell
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ tell
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64045; Person=Jesus
    11. 64090
    1. ὑμῖν
    2. su
    3. to you all
    4. -
    5. 47710
    6. R···2D·P
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. ˱to˲ you_all
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64091
    1. τά
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64092
    1. ἐπουράνια
    2. epouranios
    3. heavenly things
    4. heavenly
    5. 20320
    6. S····ANP
    7. heavenly ‹things›
    8. heavenly ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64093
    1. πιστεύσετε
    2. pisteuō
    3. you all will be believing
    4. -
    5. 41000
    6. VIFA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓will_be˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓will_be˒ believing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64094
    1. πιστεύετε
    2. pisteuō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 41000
    6. VIPA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 64095

OET (OET-LV) If I_told the earthly things to_you_all, and you_all_are_ not _believing, how you_all_will_be_believing if I_may_tell to_you_all the heavenly things?

OET (OET-RV) If I tell all of you earthly things and you don’t believe them, how will you ever believe if I explain heavenly things to you?

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–21: A Pharisee named Nicodemus questioned Jesus

This section tells about how a Pharisee called Nicodemus went to visit Jesus. Jesus told Nicodemus that all people need God to change them. Nicodemus could be sure that Jesus was speaking the truth because Jesus came from God.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Jesus told a Pharisee that he needed to change

Everyone must be born again

All people need God to give them a new birth/life

Paragraph 3:9–15

In this paragraph, in verse 10, Jesus began to talk about his authority. He claimed that he had the right to teach about God because he had come from God. In ancient Greek, quotation marks were not used, so it is not always easy to tell where a quotation ends. Different translations end Jesus’ speech at different points. Here are the possibilities:

  1. Jesus’ own words end at the end of 3:21. (NASB, NRSV, ESV, NIV84, REB, NJB, NLT, NCV)

  2. Jesus’ own words end at the end of 3:15. (RSV, NET, GW, NIV11)

  3. Jesus’ own words end at the end of 3:13. (GNT)

It is not clear where the KJV and CEV end the quotation. It is recommended that you follow most English translations and end Jesus’ speech at the end of verse 21.

3:12a

If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe,

If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as earthly things refers to things that happen here on earth. In this context Jesus probably meant what he had just been talking about with Nicodemus. Even though the new birth comes from heaven, it is something that happens on earth.

If I have told you about earthly things: Jesus was saying that this was what he had done. He was not suggesting it as a possibility only. So it may be natural to translate this clause in one of these ways:

3:12b

how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes a statement that implies a rebuke. Jesus was saying that Nicodemus (and others) would not believe if he spoke of heavenly things.

There are two ways to translate this rebuke:

Translate this rebuke in a way that is most natural in your language.

you: This is a plural form. Jesus was probably again referring to the same group of Pharisees that Nicodemus talked about in 3:2b.

heavenly things: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as heavenly things refers to truths or ideas relating to God and the spiritual world. These truths would include the ones in the following verses.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ τὰ ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἰ τά ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν καί οὒ πιστεύετε πῶς ἐάν εἴπω ὑμῖν τά ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε)

John records Jesus speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what Jesus is saying is not certain, then you could translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: [Since I told you earthly things]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / you

ὑμῖν & οὐ πιστεύετε, πῶς ἐὰν εἴπω ὑμῖν & πιστεύσετε

˱to˲_you_all & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἰ τά ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν καί οὒ πιστεύετε πῶς ἐάν εἴπω ὑμῖν τά ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε)

Throughout this verse, you is plural and could refer to: (1) the Jewish people in general. Alternate translation: [you Jews … you Jews do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you] (2) Nicodemus and his fellow Jewish leaders. Alternate translation: [you Jewish leaders … you Jewish leaders do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you] See how you translated this word in the previous verse.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὰ ἐπίγεια

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἰ τά ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν καί οὒ πιστεύετε πῶς ἐάν εἴπω ὑμῖν τά ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε)

Here, earthly things refers to what Jesus had spoken in [3:3–8](../03/03.md). Those things are called earthly because they are about things that take place on earth. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [these truths about what takes place on earth]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

πῶς ἐὰν εἴπω ὑμῖν τὰ ἐπουράνια, πιστεύσετε?

how (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἰ τά ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν καί οὒ πιστεύετε πῶς ἐάν εἴπω ὑμῖν τά ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε)

Jesus uses a question to emphasize the disbelief of Nicodemus and the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [you certainly will not believe if I tell you about heavenly things!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὰ ἐπουράνια

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἰ τά ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν καί οὒ πιστεύετε πῶς ἐάν εἴπω ὑμῖν τά ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε)

Here, heavenly things refers to things that take place in heaven or are related to heaven. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [truths about what takes place in heaven]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. If
    2. -
    3. 14870
    4. S
    5. ei
    6. C-·······
    7. if
    8. if
    9. S
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64078
    1. I told
    2. -
    3. 30040
    5. legō
    6. V-IAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ told
    8. ˱I˲ told
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64045; Person=Jesus
    11. 64081
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64079
    1. earthly things
    2. earthly
    3. 19190
    5. epigeios
    6. S-····ANP
    7. earthly ‹things›
    8. earthly ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64080
    1. to you all
    2. -
    3. 47710
    5. su
    6. R-···2D·P
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. ˱to˲ you_all
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64083
    1. and
    2. -
    3. 25320
    5. kai
    6. C-·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64084
    1. you all are
    2. -
    3. 41000
    5. pisteuō
    6. V-IPA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64086
    1. not
    2. don't
    3. 37560
    5. ou
    6. D-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64085
    1. believing
    2. -
    3. 41000
    5. pisteuō
    6. V-IPA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ believing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64086
    1. how
    2. -
    3. 44590
    5. pōs
    6. D-·······
    7. how
    8. how
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64088
    1. you all will be believing
    2. -
    3. 41000
    5. pisteuō
    6. V-IFA2··P
    7. ˱you_all˲ ˓will_be˒ believing
    8. ˱you_all˲ ˓will_be˒ believing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64094
    1. if
    2. -
    3. 14370
    5. ean
    6. C-·······
    7. if
    8. if
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64089
    1. I may tell
    2. -
    3. 30040
    5. legō
    6. V-SAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ tell
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ tell
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64045; Person=Jesus
    11. 64090
    1. to you all
    2. -
    3. 47710
    5. su
    6. R-···2D·P
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. ˱to˲ you_all
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64054; R64035
    11. 64091
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64092
    1. heavenly things
    2. heavenly
    3. 20320
    5. epouranios
    6. S-····ANP
    7. heavenly ‹things›
    8. heavenly ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64093

OET (OET-LV) If I_told the earthly things to_you_all, and you_all_are_ not _believing, how you_all_will_be_believing if I_may_tell to_you_all the heavenly things?

OET (OET-RV) If I tell all of you earthly things and you don’t believe them, how will you ever believe if I explain heavenly things to you?

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

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◄ ← YHN (JHN) 3:12 ↑ → ► ║ ©