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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 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31 V32 V33 V34 V35 V36

OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 3:21

◄ ← YHN (JHN) 3:21 ↓ → ► ║ ©

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. ὁ
    2. ho
    3. the one
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. R····NMS
    7. the ‹one›
    8. the ‹one›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64287
    1. Δέ
    2. de
    3. But
    4. -
    5. 11610
    6. C·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. S
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64288
    1. ποιῶν
    2. poieō
    3. practicing
    4. -
    5. 41600
    6. VPPA·NMS
    7. practicing
    8. practicing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64298
    11. 64289
    1. τήν
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64290
    1. ἀλήθειαν
    2. alētheia
    3. truth
    4. -
    5. 2250
    6. N····AFS
    7. truth
    8. truth
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64291
    1. ἔρχεται
    2. erχomai
    3. is coming
    4. -
    5. 20640
    6. VIPM3··S
    7. ˓is˒ coming
    8. ˓is˒ coming
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64292
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. to
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. to
    8. to
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64293
    1. τό
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64294
    1. φῶς
    2. fōs
    3. light
    4. light
    5. 54570
    6. N····ANS
    7. light
    8. light
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64295
    1. ἵνα
    2. hina
    3. in order that
    4. -
    5. 24430
    6. C·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64296
    1. φανερωθῇ
    2. faneroō
    3. may be revealed
    4. revealed
    5. 53190
    6. VSAP3··S
    7. ˓may_be˒ revealed
    8. ˓may_be˒ revealed
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64297
    1. αὐτοῦ
    2. autos
    3. of him
    4. -
    5. 8460
    6. R···3GMS
    7. ˱of˲ him
    8. ˱of˲ him
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64289
    11. 64298
    1. τά
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NNP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64299
    1. ἔργα
    2. ergon
    3. works
    4. -
    5. 20410
    6. N····NNP
    7. works
    8. works
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64306
    11. 64300
    1. ὅτι
    2. hoti
    3. that
    4. -
    5. 37540
    6. C·······
    7. that
    8. that
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64301
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64302
    1. Θεῷ
    2. theos
    3. god
    4. -
    5. 23160
    6. N····DMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; Person=God
    11. 64303
    1. ἐστίν
    2. eimi
    3. it is
    4. -
    5. 15100
    6. VIPA3··S
    7. ˱it˲ is
    8. ˱it˲ is
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64304
    1. εἰσίν
    2. eimi
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 15100
    6. VIPA3··P
    7. ˱they˲ are
    8. ˱they˲ are
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 64305
    1. εἰργασμένα
    2. ergazomai
    3. having been worked
    4. -
    5. 20380
    6. VPEP·NNP
    7. ˓having_been˒ worked
    8. ˓having_been˒ worked
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64300
    11. 64306
    1. εἰργασμένον
    2. ergazomai
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 20380
    6. VPEP·NNS
    7. ˓having_been˒ worked
    8. ˓having_been˒ worked
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 64307

OET (OET-LV) But the one practicing the truth, is_coming to the light, in_order_that the works of_him may_be_revealed, that it_is having_been_worked in god.

OET (OET-RV) But anyone who does what is right, comes toward the light so that their actions can be revealed as being done with God’s help.”

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 3:19–21

Jesus used the metaphors of light and darkness to describe the basis for God’s judgment. The basis is whether we love the darkness or love the light.

Jesus is represented as light. Light usually refers to that which is good. That is why those who love the darkness do evil deeds and hate the light. Those who love the darkness do not want their sins to be known. They also do not want to accept Jesus or allow him to shine truth in their lives. However, those who follow the truth come to Jesus. Jesus will then reveal that they did their good deeds only because of God.

3:21a

But whoever practices the truth

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But here introduces the opposite situation to that of 3:19–20. It tells of those who love the light.

whoever practices the truth: The phrase the truth here refers to a good or moral way of life. A person who practices the truth is one who lives in a way that is faithful to God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

those who follow the true way (NCV)

those who do what is right (NLT)

3:21b

comes into the Light,

comes into the Light: Again Light is a metaphor for Jesus, the Son of God, who shows us who God is. As in 3:20b, to comes into the Light is to come to Jesus and listen with faith to his words. Translate it here as you did in 3:20b.

3:21c

so that it may be seen clearly

so that it may be seen clearly: The verb phrase it may be seen is in the passive. It means “people/others may see it.” Faithful people are not afraid that others will see their lives and actions. There are at least two ways to translate this expression:

Translate this clause using the verb form that is most natural in your language.

3:21d

that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

what he has done has been accomplished in God: This clause indicates that these faithful people have acted in union with God or associated with him. In Greek the words done and accomplished come from the same root. In some languages repeating things like that may not be natural. It may be better to say:

it was all done in/through God

the power/strength of God was the source of what they did

The verb has been accomplished is passive. Here are ways to translate this verb:

in God: There are at least three different interpretations about what this phrase means:

  1. It means that these things were done in God’s strength. For example:

    God is really the one doing what they do (CEV) (CEV, NCV, REB, NIV84)

  2. It means that these things were done in order to obey God. For example:

    what they did was in obedience to God (GNT) (GNT, NLT, GW)

  3. It means that these things were done in God’s presence. For example:

    what they have done has been done in the sight of God (NIV) (NIV11)

Many English translations, like BSB, just say that these deeds have been done in God. That phrase is ambiguous and can be understood in any of the above ways. In some languages it may be possible to use an expression like that. If that is true in your language, it is good to use that term. If you must choose one of the interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This agrees with John’s thought in 15:5, for example. And many commentaries support this interpretation.

uW Translation Notes:

ὁ & ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν

the_‹one› & practicing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

This phrase refers to someone who habitually does true things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [everyone who habitually does the truth]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ὁ & ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν

the_‹one› & practicing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the one who does true things] or [the one who does what is true]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς

˓is˒_coming (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

See how you translated the light in the previous two verses. Alternate translation: [comes to Jesus, who revealed the true and good things of God]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς

˓is˒_coming (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. If your language does not allow people to speak of themselves in the third person, you may need to specify who the light is. See how you translated this expression in the previous two verses.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα

˓may_be˒_revealed ˱of˲_him (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the light might reveal his deeds]

ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα

that in God (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ ποιῶν τήν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρός τό φῶς ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τά ἔργα ὅτι ἐν Θεῷ ἐστίν εἰργασμένα)

This clause indicates what the light will reveal about the deeds of those who come to the light. The phrase in God indicates that the works these people have done were done with God’s help and not by their own strength or effort. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [that they have been done with God’s help]

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

3:16-21 Because there are no quotation marks around Jesus’ speech in the Greek text, translators debate where Jesus’ speech ends and John’s commentary begins; 3:16-21 might be John’s commentary.

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. But
    2. -
    3. 11610
    4. S
    5. de
    6. C-·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. S
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64288
    1. the one
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. R-····NMS
    7. the ‹one›
    8. the ‹one›
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64287
    1. practicing
    2. -
    3. 41600
    5. poieō
    6. V-PPA·NMS
    7. practicing
    8. practicing
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64298
    11. 64289
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64290
    1. truth
    2. -
    3. 2250
    5. alētheia
    6. N-····AFS
    7. truth
    8. truth
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64291
    1. is coming
    2. -
    3. 20640
    5. erχomai
    6. V-IPM3··S
    7. ˓is˒ coming
    8. ˓is˒ coming
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64292
    1. to
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. to
    8. to
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64293
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····ANS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64294
    1. light
    2. light
    3. 54570
    5. fōs
    6. N-····ANS
    7. light
    8. light
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64295
    1. in order that
    2. -
    3. 24430
    5. hina
    6. C-·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64296
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NNP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64299
    1. works
    2. -
    3. 20410
    5. ergon
    6. N-····NNP
    7. works
    8. works
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; F64306
    11. 64300
    1. of him
    2. -
    3. 8460
    5. autos
    6. R-···3GMS
    7. ˱of˲ him
    8. ˱of˲ him
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64289
    11. 64298
    1. may be revealed
    2. revealed
    3. 53190
    5. faneroō
    6. V-SAP3··S
    7. ˓may_be˒ revealed
    8. ˓may_be˒ revealed
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64297
    1. that
    2. -
    3. 37540
    5. hoti
    6. C-·······
    7. that
    8. that
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64301
    1. it is
    2. -
    3. 15100
    5. eimi
    6. V-IPA3··S
    7. ˱it˲ is
    8. ˱it˲ is
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64304
    1. having been worked
    2. -
    3. 20380
    5. ergazomai
    6. V-PEP·NNP
    7. ˓having_been˒ worked
    8. ˓having_been˒ worked
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; R64300
    11. 64306
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus
    11. 64302
    1. god
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····DMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y30; TJesus_and_Nicodemus; Person=God
    11. 64303

OET (OET-LV) But the one practicing the truth, is_coming to the light, in_order_that the works of_him may_be_revealed, that it_is having_been_worked in god.

OET (OET-RV) But anyone who does what is right, comes toward the light so that their actions can be revealed as being done with God’s help.”

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) 3:21 ↑ → ► ║ ©