MARK 10:38 Interlinear View

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
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31271
1. Δέ
2. de
3. And
4. 1250\x*But
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. S
10. Y29
11. 31272
1. Ἰησοῦς
2. iēsous
3. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
4. -
5. 24240
6. N····NMS
7. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y29; F31301
11. 31273
1. ἀποκριθείς
2. apokrinō
3. -
4. -
5. 6110
6. VPAP·NMS
7. answering
8. answering
9. -
10. -
11. 31274
1. εἶπεν
2. legō
3. said
4. -
5. 30040
6. VIAA3··S
7. said
8. said
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31275
1. αὐτοῖς
2. autos
3. to them
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3DMP
7. ˱to˲ them
8. ˱to˲ them
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31276
1. αὐτῷ
2. autos
3. -
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3DMS
7. ˱to˲ him
8. ˱to˲ him
9. -
10. -
11. 31277
1. Οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. don't
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. D
10. Y29
11. 31278
1. οἴδατε
2. eidō
3. You all have known
4. -
5. 14920
6. VIEA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31279
1. τό
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····ANS
7. the ‹thing›
8. the ‹thing›
9. -
10. -
11. 31280
1. τί
2. tis
3. what
4. -
5. 51010
6. R····ANS
7. what
8. what
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31281
1. αἰτεῖσθε
2. aiteō
3. you all are requesting
4. -
5. 1540
6. VIPM2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ requesting
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ requesting
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31282
1. Δύνασθε
2. dunamai
3. Are you all being able
4. -
5. 14100
6. VIPM2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ being_able
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ being_able
9. S
10. Y29
11. 31283
1. πιεῖν
2. pinō
3. to drink
4. -
5. 40950
6. VNAA····
7. ˓to˒ drink
8. ˓to˒ drink
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31284
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31285
1. ποτήριον
2. potērion
3. cup
4. -
5. 42210
6. N····ANS
7. cup
8. cup
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31286
1. ὅ
2. hos
3. which
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····ANS
7. which
8. which
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31287
1. ἐγώ
2. egō
3. I
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31288
1. πίνω
2. pinō
3. am drinking
4. -
5. 40950
6. VIPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ drinking
8. ˓am˒ drinking
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31289
1. ἤ
2. ē
3. or
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. or
8. or
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31290
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 31291
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31292
1. βάπτισμα
2. baptisma
3. immersion
4. -
5. 9080
6. N····ANS
7. immersion
8. baptism
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31293
1. ὅ
2. hos
3. which
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····ANS
7. which
8. which
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31294
1. ἐγώ
2. egō
3. I
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31295
1. βαπτίζομαι
2. baptizō
3. am being immersed
4. -
5. 9070
6. VIPP1··S
7. ˓am_being˒ immersed
8. ˓am_being˒ baptized
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31296
1. βαπτισθῆναι
2. baptizō
3. to be immersed
4. -
5. 9070
6. VNAP····
7. ˓to_be˒ immersed
8. ˓to_be˒ baptized
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31297

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:35–45: James and John asked Jesus for great honor in his kingdom

In this section, Jesus taught his disciples that they should serve other people. They should not expect other people to honor them. James and John asked for special honor in Jesus’ kingdom. The other disciples became angry that James and John asked for that honor. Jesus responded by teaching them all how his followers should act. They should serve others rather than try to rule over them. Jesus said that even he himself came to serve others and to sacrifice himself for them.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus Teaches about Serving Others (NLT)

The Places Of Honor In God’s Kingdom (TRT)

What James and John requested

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 20:20–28 and Luke 22:24–27.

10:38a

“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied.

Jesus said, “You do not realize what you are asking me for.
But Jesus answered, “You^(dual/plur) do not really understand what your request implies/means.
But/Then Jesus told them^(dual) that they did not really understand what they were asking for.

In the Greek text, 10:38a begins with a conjunction that connects the request in 10:37 with Jesus’ answer in this verse. Connect the verses in the way that is most natural in your language.

You do not know what you are asking: Jesus indicated here that James and John did not know the meaning or significance of their request. They did not realize that the people who receive the places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom are people who suffer for Jesus. You may need to make explicit what James and John did not understand. For example:

You do not understand what your request means.

You do not realize what you are asking me for.

Jesus replied: The BSB places the phrase Jesus replied at the end of this part of the verse. In the Greek text the phrase occurs at the beginning of the verse. Place this information where it is natural in your language.

10:38b–c

Notice that 10:38b–c is one long question. In some languages it may be more natural to translate it as two questions. For example, the GW says:

Can you drink the cup that I’m going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive?

In the Greek text, there is no connector between Jesus’ statement in 10:38a and his question in 10:38b–c. However, in some languages it may be necessary to indicate the connection in some way. For example:

For…

Indeed…

Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?: In this question Jesus used two figures of speech to refer to suffering:

drinking from the cup (of suffering),
being baptized with a baptism (of suffering).

Jesus’ question helped James and John to consider whether they could endure suffering like his as well as share his glory. The question does not mean that if people take communion and are baptized, they will share in Jesus’ glory.

10:38b

“Can you drink the cup I will drink,

Can you drink the same cup full of suffering that I will drink?
For indeed, can you^(dual/plur) suffer with me, as though we^(incl) drank suffering from the same cup?
He asked them^(dual) whether they^(dual) could endure the suffering that he would experience.

Can you drink the cup I will drink: The expression drink the cup is a complex figure of speech. The cup represents the contents of the cup. The expression drink the cup compares undergoing an experience with drinking the contents of a cup. In this context, Jesus used this figure of speech to refer to the suffering that he would undergo.In the Bible, the Greek and Hebrew words that some English versions translate as cup sometimes refer to something that people had to experience. It could be something good (Psalm 116:13) or something bad (Isaiah 51:17). If a figure of speech like this is not clearly understood in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

Retain the metaphor but make explicit the meaning of cup. For example, the GNT says:
Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink?
Change the metaphor to a simile and make the meaning of cup explicit. For example:
Can you suffer with me, as though we drank suffering from the same cup?
State the meaning directly. For example:
Can you endure the suffering that I will experience?

The word “cup” is used as a figure of speech in various places in both the Old and New Testaments. If it is not possible to use this figure of speech in your language, you may want to add a footnote that gives the literal meaning.

Here is a sample footnote:

What Jesus literally said was, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” In the Bible, “drinking the cup” was an illustration/comparison of undergoing an experience.

I will drink: Jesus referred here to sufferings that he would endure in the near future. In some languages it may be necessary to make that clear. For example, the CEV says:

that I must soon drink from

10:38c

or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?”

Can you be baptized with suffering as I will be baptized?”
Can you^(dual/plur) endure anguish with me, as though we^(incl) were being baptized in suffering?”
He also asked them^(dual) whether they^(dual) were ready to go through the same terrible hardship that he must experience.

or: The word or introduces another way to express the same meaning as in 10:38b. Jesus was not using or to give James and John a choice between alternatives. You may need to use a different connection to make this clear. For example:

that is…

be baptized with the baptism I will undergo: The expression be baptized with the baptism I will undergo has a figurative meaning of being immersed or overwhelmed by something. It refers to Jesus’ suffering and death. It does not refer to a literal baptism with water.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Can you be baptized with suffering as I will be baptized?

Can you go through suffering with me, as though we were being baptized in suffering?

Can you receive/accept the baptism of suffering that I must receive/accept?

See the next note on baptism. See also the General Comment on 10:38b–c below.

baptism: The Greek word that the BSB translates as baptism is sometimes used figuratively to describe an experience that is overwhelming. In this context it refers to the terrible suffering that Jesus would endure. In some languages it may not be possible to use the same term that you used for baptism in water. Here are some other ways to translate in this context:

Use an expression that is similar to the one for baptism but does not necessarily require water. For example:
Can you endure the purifying initiation that I must endure?
Use an expression that is similar to the one you used for baptism but make the meaning explicit. For example:
Can you endure the purifying bath of suffering that I must endure?
Translate the meaning without the figure of baptism. For example:
Can you endure the overwhelming agony that I must endure?

See how you translated this word in 1:4c. Also see baptism, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

General Comment on 10:38b–c

In 10:38b–c there are two different metaphors that express the same meaning. In some languages it may be clearer to state the meaning directly once and then give the two metaphors. For example:

Can you^(dual) suffer the way I am going to suffer? For I must suffer as though I am drinking suffering from a cup or being baptized in suffering.

Are you^(dual) willing to suffer as I am going to suffer? That is, can you drink from the same cup with me and experience the same baptism with me?

Another possibility is to use both a question and a statement to express the meaning directly. For example:

Can you^(dual) pass through the bitter experience that I must pass through? For I must suffer greatly.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε Δύνασθε πιεῖν τό ποτήριον ὅ ἐγώ πίνω ἤ τό βάπτισμα ὅ ἐγώ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι)

Here, the word But introduces what Jesus said in contrast to what James and John asked for. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast, or you could leave But untranslated. Alternate translation: [However,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

οὐκ οἴδατε & αἰτεῖσθε & δύνασθε

Because Jesus is speaking to James and John, the words You and you are plural throughout this verse.

οὐκ οἴδατε

Alternate translation: [You do not understand]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω

˓to˒_drink (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ Δέ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε Δύνασθε πιεῖν τό ποτήριον ὅ ἐγώ πίνω ἤ τό βάπτισμα ὅ ἐγώ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι)

Here Jesus speaks of experiencing pain and suffering as if it were drinking from a cup. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain the figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to drink the cup of suffering which I drink] or [to experience the pain that I am about to experience]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸ ποτήριον

Here, cup represents the drink inside the cup, which in Jesus’ culture would probably have been wine. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the drink] or [the wine in the cup]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι

Here Jesus speaks of being overwhelmed by difficult circumstances and pain as if it were being baptized. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain the figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to be baptized in the painful circumstances in which I am about to be baptized] or [to be overwhelmed by difficult things like I am about to be overwhelmed]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ & βαπτισθῆναι

The expression with the baptism with which contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in some languages. If this is true of your language, you could shorten the expression. Alternate translation: [to be baptized as]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [to have someone baptize you … someone will baptize me]

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. And
2. 1250\x*But
3. 11610
4. S
5. de
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. S
10. Y29
11. 31272
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31271
1. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
2. -
3. 24240
4. UN
5. iēsous
6. N-····NMS
7. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y29; F31301
11. 31273
1. said
2. -
3. 30040
5. legō
6. V-IAA3··S
7. said
8. said
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31275
1. to them
2. -
3. 8460
5. autos
6. R-···3DMP
7. ˱to˲ them
8. ˱to˲ them
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31276
1. You all have
2. -
3. 14920
5. eidō
6. V-IEA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31279
1. not
2. don't
3. 37560
4. D
5. ou
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. D
10. Y29
11. 31278
1. known
2. -
3. 14920
5. eidō
6. V-IEA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓have˒ known
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31279
1. what
2. -
3. 51010
5. tis
6. R-····ANS
7. what
8. what
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31281
1. you all are requesting
2. -
3. 1540
5. aiteō
6. V-IPM2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ requesting
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ requesting
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31282
1. Are you all being able
2. -
3. 14100
4. S
5. dunamai
6. V-IPM2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ being_able
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓are˒ being_able
9. S
10. Y29
11. 31283
1. to drink
2. -
3. 40950
5. pinō
6. V-NAA····
7. ˓to˒ drink
8. ˓to˒ drink
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31284
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31285
1. cup
2. -
3. 42210
5. potērion
6. N-····ANS
7. cup
8. cup
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31286
1. which
2. -
3. 37390
5. hos
6. R-····ANS
7. which
8. which
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31287
1. I
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31288
1. am drinking
2. -
3. 40950
5. pinō
6. V-IPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ drinking
8. ˓am˒ drinking
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31289
1. or
2. -
3. 22280
5. ē
6. C-·······
7. or
8. or
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31290
1. to be immersed
2. -
3. 9070
5. baptizō
6. V-NAP····
7. ˓to_be˒ immersed
8. ˓to_be˒ baptized
9. -
10. Y29; R31204; R31206; Person=John2
11. 31297
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31292
1. immersion
2. -
3. 9080
5. baptisma
6. N-····ANS
7. immersion
8. baptism
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31293
1. which
2. -
3. 37390
5. hos
6. R-····ANS
7. which
8. which
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31294
1. I
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31295
1. am being immersed
2. -
3. 9070
5. baptizō
6. V-IPP1··S
7. ˓am_being˒ immersed
8. ˓am_being˒ baptized
9. -
10. Y29
11. 31296

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.

OET interlinear MARK 10:38