OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 3:2

3:2a

He came to Jesus at night: The pronoun He refers to Nicodemus. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the time of day at the beginning of the clause. For example:

One night Nicodemus came to Jesus (NCV)

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus (NLT)

One night he went to Jesus (GNT)

3:2b

Rabbi: The word Rabbi is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” When John wrote his Gospel, people used this word as a title of respect for a religious teacher or leader. If you do not have a word that refers to a religious teacher, you can just use the word “teacher” or “master.” If possible, use a word that implies that the teacher is respected.

Use an expression in your language that is natural and shows proper respect. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this expression in this way:

We^(excl) respect you^(sing) as…

See the notes on 1:38, where the same word appears. You should translate it the same way here and there.

we know: The pronoun we here is exclusive because it does not include Jesus. It refers to Nicodemus and others who believed as he did. Nicodemus was one of a group of people who believed that Jesus had come from God.

You are a teacher who has come from God: The expression a teacher who has come from God indicates that Jesus had divine authority to teach. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you are a teacher sent by God (REB)

God has sent you as a teacher (GW)

You: The pronoun You is singular and refers to Jesus.

a teacher: The word teacher can be translated using a verb. For example:

God has sent you^(sing) to teach us^(excl) about himself.

God has sent you to teach us^(excl) what he wants us(excl) to know.

3:2c

For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him: Nicodemus was stating that God was present with Jesus. Jesus’ miracles proved that that was true. Nicodemus was not expressing doubt that God was with Jesus. In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a positive statement. For example:

Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you. (NLT)

Only a man in/with whom God lives could do the signs that you do.

For: The Greek word that the BSB translates as For means “because.” Jesus did miracles, and therefore Nicodemus realized that God was present with him. In some languages it may be natural to leave this word implicit. For example:

“Rabbi,” he said, “we know that you are a teacher sent by God; no one could perform these signs of yours unless God were with him.” (REB)

the signs: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the signs refers to the miracles that Jesus had done, such as changing water into wine. These miracles were signs of the fact that Jesus had come from God. See the note on 2:11a, where the same word appears. You may translate this word this way:

miracles (GW)

You: The pronoun You is singular and refers to Jesus.

are doing: The form of the Greek verb that the BSB translates as are doing refers to repeated action or a habit. Jesus had done various amazing things at different times.

if God were not with him: The Greek expression that the BSB translates as if God were not with him is more literally “unless God is with him” (RSV). Here are other ways to translate this expression:

unless God were with you (CEV)

apart from the presence of God (NRSV)