YHN 21:18 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) “I can assure you that while you are young, you dress yourself and go wherever you want to go, but as you age, you’ll be stretching out your hands and others will dress you and will take you where you don’t want to go.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you become old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not want.”

UST I am telling you the truth: When you were young, you put your own clothes on, and you walked wherever you wanted to go. However, when you are old, you will extend your hands away from your body, and someone else will put clothes on you and take you where you do not want to go.”

BSB Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else[fn] will dress you and lead [you] where you do not want to go.”

BLB Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you dressed yourself and walked where you desired; but when you shall be old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will dress you and will bring you where you do not desire."

AICNT “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

OEB ‘In truth I tell you,’ he continued, ‘when you were young, you used to put on your own clothes, and walk wherever you wished; but, when you have grown old, you will have to stretch out your hands, while someone else puts on your clothes, and takes you where you do not wish.’

WEBBE Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET I tell you the solemn truth, when you were young, you tied your clothes around you and went wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will tie you up and bring you where you do not want to go.”

LSV truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you were girding yourself and were walking to where you willed, but when you may be old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry [you] to where you do not will”;

FBV “I tell you the truth,” said Jesus, “when you were young, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted. But when you're old, you'll hold out your hands and someone will dress you and take you where you don't want to go.”

TCNT Truly, truly, I say to yoʋ, when yoʋ were younger, yoʋ would dress yoʋrself and walk wherever yoʋ wanted to go; but when yoʋ grow old, yoʋ will stretch out yoʋr hands, and another will dress yoʋ and bring yoʋ where yoʋ do not want to go.”

T4T Now listen to this carefully: When you were young, you put your clothes on by yourself, and you went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your arms, and someone will fasten them with a rope and will lead you to a place where you do not want to go.”

LEB Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you tied your clothes[fn] around yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry you where you do not want to go.[fn]

21:18 *The words “your clothes” are not in the Greek text but are implied

21:18 *The words “to go” are not in the Greek text but are implied

BBE Truly I say to you, When you were young, you made yourself ready and went wherever you had a desire to go: but when you are old, you will put out your hands and another will make you ready, and you will be taken where you have no desire to go.

Moff Truly, truly I tell you, you put on your own girdle and went wherever you wanted, when you were young; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands for someone to gird you, and you will be taken where you have no wish to go”

Wymth "In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you where you have no wish to go."

ASV Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

DRA Amen, amen I say to thee, when thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself, and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not.

YLT verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou wast girding thyself and wast walking whither thou didst will, but when thou mayest be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and shall carry [thee] whither thou dost not will;'

Drby Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst where thou desiredst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou dost not desire.

RV Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
(Verily/Truly, verily/truly, I say unto thee/you, When thou/you wast young, thou/you girded thyself/yourself, and walked whither/where thou/you wouldest: but when thou/you shalt/shall be old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and carry thee/you whither/where thou/you wouldest not. )

SLT Truly, truly, I say to thee, when thou west younger, thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldest; and when thou shalt grow old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou wilt not.

Wbstr Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself and walk whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not.

KJB-1769 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
( Verily/Truly, verily/truly, I say unto thee/you, When thou/you wast young, thou/you girded thyself/yourself, and walked whither/where thou/you wouldest: but when thou/you shalt/shall be old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and carry thee/you whither/where thou/you wouldest not. )

KJB-1611 Uerily, verily I say vnto thee, whē thou wast yong, thou girdedst thy selfe, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carie thee whither thou wouldest not.
(Verily/Truly, verily/truly I say unto thee/you, whē thou/you wast young, thou/you girded thyself/yourself, and walked whither/where thou/you wouldest: but when thou/you shalt/shall be old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and carry thee/you whither/where thou/you wouldest not.)

Bshps Ueryly veryly I say vnto thee, when thou wast young, thou gyrdedst thy selfe, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be olde, thou shalt stretch foorth thy handes, and another shall gyrde thee, and leade thee whither thou wouldest not.
(Verily/Truly verily/truly I say unto thee/you, when thou/you wast young, thou/you girded thyself/yourself, and walked whither/where thou/you wouldest: but when thou/you shalt/shall be old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and lead thee/you whither/where thou/you wouldest not.)

Gnva Verely, verely I say vnto thee, When thou wast yong, thou girdedst thy selfe, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be olde, thou shalt stretch foorth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not.
(Verily/Truly, verily/truly I say unto thee/you, When thou/you wast young, thou/you girded thyself/yourself, and walked whither/where thou/you wouldest: but when thou/you shalt/shall be old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thine/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and lead thee/you whither/where thou/you wouldest not. )

Cvdl Verely verely I saye vnto the: Whan thou wast yoge, thou gerdedst thyselfe, and walkedst whither thou woldest. But wha thou art olde, thou shalt stretch forth thy handes, and another shal gyrde the, and lede the whither thou woldest not.
(Verily/Truly verily/truly I say unto them: When thou/you wast young, thou/you gerded thyself/yourselfe, and walked whither/where thou/you woldest. But what thou/you art old, thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands, and another shall gird them, and lead the whither/where thou/you would not.)

TNT Verely verely I saye vnto the when thou wast yonge thou gerdedst thy selfe and walkedst whyther thou woldest: but when thou arte olde thou shalt stretche forthe thy hondes and a nother shall gyrde the and leade the whyther thou woldest not.
(Verily/Truly verily/truly I say unto the when thou/you wast young thou/you gerded thyself/yourself and walked whither/where thou/you woldest: but when thou/you art old thou/you shalt/shall stretch forth thy/your hands and a nother shall gird the and lead the whither/where thou/you would not. )

Wycl Treuli, treuli, Y seie to thee, whanne thou were yongere, thou girdidist thee, and wandridist where thou woldist; but whanne thou schalt waxe eldere, thou schalt holde forth thin hondis, and another schal girde thee, and schal lede thee whidur thou wolt not.
(Truly, truly, I say to thee/you, when thou/you were younger, thou/you girded thee/you, and wandred where thou/you woldist; but when thou/you shalt/shall wax elder, thou/you shalt/shall hold forth thine/your hands, and another shall gird thee/you, and shall lead thee/you whither/where thou/you wilt/will not.)

Luth Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage dir: Da du jünger warest, gürtetest du dich selbst und wandeltest, wo du hin wolltest; wenn du aber alt wirst, wirst du deine Hände ausstrecken, und ein anderer wird dich gürten und führen, wo du nicht hin willst.
(Truly, truly, I said you/to_you(sg): So you(sg) yünger were, beltedst you(sg) you/yourself himself/itself and walkedst, where you(sg) there/therefore wanted; when you(sg) but old will, will you(sg) your hands stretch_out, and a others becomes you/yourself gird_up/clothe and lead, where you(sg) not there/therefore want.)

ClVg Amen, amen dico tibi: cum esses junior, cingebas te, et ambulabas ubi volebas: cum autem senueris, extendes manus tuas, et alius te cinget, et ducet quo tu non vis.[fn]
(Amen, amen I_mean/say to_you: when/with esses yunior, cingebas you(sg), and walkbas where volebas: when/with however senueris, you_extend hands yours, and another you(sg) will_surround, and will_lead where you(sg) not/no vis. )

21.18 Cum autem senueris. Passurum prædicit qui negaturum prædixerat, hoc jam poterat resurrectione firmatus, quod immature pollicebatur infirmus. Jam non metuit hujus vitæ interitum, quia resurgente Domino vitæ alterius præcessit exemplum.

21.18 Since however senueris. Passurum predicts who/which deniesurum had_predicted, this already he_could resurrection firmatus, that immature pollicebatur weak/sick. Now not/no with_fearit of_this of_life destruction, because resurgente Master of_life another's precededt exemplum.

UGNT ἀμὴν, ἀμὴν, λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν, καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες; ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος ζώσει σε, καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις.
(amaʸn, amaʸn, legō soi, hote aʸs neōteros, ezōnnues seauton, kai periepateis hopou aʸtheles; hotan de gaʸrasaʸs, ekteneis tas ⱪeiras sou, kai allos zōsei se, kai oisei hopou ou theleis.)

SBL-GNT ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες· ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος ⸂σε ζώσει⸃ καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις.
(amaʸn amaʸn legō soi, hote aʸs neōteros, ezōnnues seauton kai periepateis hopou aʸtheles; hotan de gaʸrasaʸs, ekteneis tas ⱪeiras sou, kai allos ⸂se zōsei⸃ kai oisei hopou ou theleis.)

RP-GNT Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτόν, καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες· ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος σε ζώσει, καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις.
(Amaʸn amaʸn legō soi, hote aʸs neōteros, ezōnnues seauton, kai periepateis hopou aʸtheles; hotan de gaʸrasaʸs, ekteneis tas ⱪeiras sou, kai allos se zōsei, kai oisei hopou ou theleis.)

TC-GNT Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτόν, καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες· ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος [fn]σε ζώσει, καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις.
(Amaʸn amaʸn legō soi, hote aʸs neōteros, ezōnnues seauton, kai periepateis hopou aʸtheles; hotan de gaʸrasaʸs, ekteneis tas ⱪeiras sou, kai allos se zōsei, kai oisei hopou ou theleis. )

21:18 σε ζωσει ¦ ζωσει σε TH WH

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 21:15–19: Jesus restored Peter

After breakfast Jesus spoke with Simon Peter, restoring him and encouraging him. Three times he asked if Peter, calling him Simon, loved him. When Peter said that he did, Jesus told him to feed or care for his sheep, meaning his followers.

Here are other possible section headings:

Jesus asked Peter if he loved him

Jesus again gave Peter a ministry

Jesus asked Peter to feed his sheep

Paragraph 21:15–19

Just before Jesus’ death, Peter had denied knowing him. Now Jesus spoke with Peter. He restored their relationship and gave him a ministry in which Peter could serve him.

In this paragraph Jesus asked Peter three questions, and Peter replied each time. Each question and answer used one of two different Greek words that the BSB translates as “love.” Jesus used one word (agapaō) when he asked the first two questions. He used the other Greek word (phileō) when he asked the third question. Peter used the second word in all his answers. There are two ways to interpret the word choice here:

Both words mean the same thing. In this context (as in other places in John) they are used as synonyms. For example:
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” (NCV) (BSB, GNT, ESV, NLT, RSV, NRSV, NIV2011, KJV, NASB, REB, NJB, GW, NCV, CEV)
One Greek word refers to a stronger love than the other. Jesus used the stronger word (agapaō) in his first two questions. All the other times that the word “love” appears, it is the weaker Greek word. This second word (phileō) means “to be fond of” or “to be a friend.” For example:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” (NIV84) (NIV84)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and most Bible scholars.See the footnote in the NET (21:15, footnote d) and Carson for more details. You may follow this interpretation by using the same word for love or by using synonyms. Do what is more natural in your language. For example:

do you love me?…am I dear to you?

21:18

This verse includes a play on words involving two different idioms that both use the word “tie.” The meaning of the verse is that when Peter was young he tied up his robe to go wherever he wanted. But when he became old, people would tie his arms to a beam that would become part of a cross. Then they would take him to a place where they would crucify him. See the General Comment following the notes on 21:18.

21:18a

Truly, truly, I tell you,

I have something important to say to you^(sing).
Listen^(sing) carefully to what I am about to say.

Truly, truly, I tell you: This clause indicates that an important statement will follow. See how you translated it in 3:3 and 3:5.

you: This pronoun is singular and refers to Peter.

21:18b

when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted;

When you^(sing) were a young man you tied your own clothes/robes and went where you wanted to go.
In your youth you^(sing) could tie your own clothes and go wherever you wanted to go.

when you were young: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as when you were young refers to an earlier time, when Peter was younger. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

when you were younger (NRSV)

when you were a young man (CEV)

in your youth

you dressed yourself: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as you dressed yourself refers to tying something. It usually referred to the way that a man tied his robe at the waist to prepare to work or travel. People in Jesus’ time did not have leather belts like ones that people wear today. They did not have metal buckles to connect the ends of the belt. They used something like a rope to tie their clothes. Refer to the action of tying one’s clothes in a way that is natural in your language. Or you can use a more general statement. For example:

you tied your clothes around you (NET)

you used to fasten your own belt (NRSV)

you got ready yourself

and walked where you wanted: Peter had always been free to go where he wanted to go. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

and walk wherever you wished (NASB)

21:18c

but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,

Yet when you^(sing) are an old man it will be different. You will stretch out your arms
However, in your^(sing) old age you will reach out your hands/arms onto a cross.

but when you are old: This refers to a time that was still future when Jesus spoke. Peter was not yet old. Use an expression that is natural in your language for referring to a future time that is many years later. For example:

but when you are an old man (JBP)

but after you become old

but in your old age

you will stretch out your hands: This clause probably refers to a person being prepared for crucifixion. Soldiers stretched out the arms of the condemned man on the shorter beam of the cross and tied them there. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you will hold out your hands (CEV)

you will put out your hands (NCV)

your hands: The word that the BSB translates as hands refers to both hands and arms.

21:18d

and someone else will dress you

and other people will tie you^(sing) up.
Then someone else will tie you^(sing) on it

and someone else will dress you: The Greek expression that the BSB translates as dress is more literally “tie.” It is the same word that John used in 21:18b. There are two ways to interpret this expression here:

It refers to a soldier tying Peter’s arms to one beam of the cross. Then Peter would carry the beam to the place where they would crucify him. For example:
someone else will bind you (GNT) (REB, NET, GNT, NCV)
It refers to someone tying Peter’s clothes. For example:
Then others will wrap your belt around you (CEV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, NRSV, NIV, NJB, GW, NLT)

A few other translations are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The previous clause referred to Peter being crucified. So this clause probably also refers to crucifixion even though the Greek word usually refers to getting dressed. But do not refer explicitly to crucifixion in your translation. Instead, just refer to Peter being tied up. Because the BSB follows interpretation (2), the Display uses the NET as the Source Line.

someone else: The Greek word that the BSB translates as someone else is more literally “another.” Use the expression that is natural in your language to refer to other people. Here the other person or people tying Peter up would be Roman soldiers.

21:18e

and lead you where you do not want to go.”

Then they will take/lead you^(sing) to where you do not want to go.”
and force you^(sing) to go to a place that you want to avoid.”

and lead you where you do not want to go: This expression refers to how soldiers would force Peter to carry the shorter beam of the cross. They forced him to carry it to the place where they would crucify him. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

and bring you where you do not want to go (NET)

where you do not want to go: In some languages it may be natural to translate this with a positive expression. For example:

a place that you want to avoid

General Comment on 21:18

This is a difficult prophecy to translate because it has a play on words involving two different idioms. Both idioms use the word “tie,” but in different ways. There is lots of implicit information in these two idioms. Jesus indicated that when Peter was young he tied up his robe to go wherever he wanted to go. But when he became old, people would tie his arms to one beam of a cross. Then they would lead him out to crucify him.

It is good if you can keep the play on words. However, it is more important that your readers understand the meaning. So if there is no word like “tie” that can be used in both sentences, you may want to include a footnote. In the footnote you can explain the play on words by showing how one word connects the two sentences. For example:

Listen carefully to what I am telling you. When you were a young man you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will have to stretch your arms out so that someone can tie your arms to a cross. Then he will force you to go where you do not want to go.

Footnote: The Greek says, “Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to tie yourself and to go wherever you wanted. But when you are old, you will stretch out your arms, and someone else will tie you. And they will take you where you do not want to go.”

Parallel YHN 21:18