YHN 7:39 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) He was talking about God’s spirit that the ones who trust him would receive in the future—not yet because Yeshua hadn’t been lifted up to heaven yet.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
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 (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom the ones having believed in him were about to receive; for the Spirit was not yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

UST (Now Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit, whom God was going to give to those who trusted in Jesus. He said this because at that time God had not yet sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within those who trusted in him, because Jesus had not yet received honor by his death, resurrection, and return to heaven.)

BSB He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For [the] Spirit had not yet [been given],[fn] because Jesus {had} not yet been glorified.

7:39 Literally the Spirit was not yet; BYZ and TR the Holy Spirit was not yet

MSB He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Holy Spirit had not yet [been given],[fn] because Jesus {had} not yet been glorified.

7:39 Literally the Holy Spirit was not yet; CT the Spirit was not yet

BLB Now He said this concerning the Spirit, whom those having believed in Him were about to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

AICNT But this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were [about][fn] to receive; for the [[Holy]][fn] Spirit was not yet [[upon them]],[fn] because Jesus was not yet glorified.

7:39, about: Absent from W(032).

7:39, Holy: Some manuscripts include. 𝔓66 B(03) W(032) Latin(e d) BYZ TR

7:39, upon them: Absent from some manuscripts. D(05)

OEB (By this he meant the Spirit, which those who had believed in him were to receive; for the Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been exalted.)

LSB But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

WEBBE But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

WMBB But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Yeshua wasn’t yet glorified.

NET (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

LSV and this He said of the Spirit, which those believing in Him were about to receive; for not yet was the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

FBV He was referring to the Spirit that those who trusted in him would later receive. The Spirit hadn't been given yet because Jesus hadn't yet been glorified.

TCNT (He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the [fn]Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

7:39 Holy 96.9% ¦ — NA SBL WH 2%

T4T When Jesus said that, he was referring to God’s Spirit, whom those who believed in Jesus would receive later. Up to that time God had not sent the Spirit to live within believers, because Jesus had not yet died and returned to his glorious home in heaven, from where he would send the Spirit.

LEB Now he said this concerning the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. For the Spirit was not yet given,[fn] because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

7:39 A few manuscripts supply the participle “given” here; while it is unlikely this represents the original reading, many English versions nevertheless supply “given” to avoid the impression that the Spirit did not exist prior to this point

BBE This he said of the Spirit which would be given to those who had faith in him: the Spirit had not been given then, because the glory of Jesus was still to come.

Moff (he meant by this the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive: — as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus had not been glorified yet).

Wymth He referred to the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not bestowed as yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

ASV But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.

DRA Now this he said of the Spirit which they should receive, who believed in him: for as yet the Spirit was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

YLT and this he said of the Spirit, which those believing in him were about to receive; for not yet was the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Drby But this he said concerning the Spirit, which they that believed on him were about to receive; for [the] Spirit was not yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

RV But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.

SLT (This spake he of the Spirit which they believing in him were about to receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet; for Jesus was not yet honoured.)

Wbstr (But this he spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given , because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

KJB-1769 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

KJB-1611 (But this spake he of the Spirit which they that beleeue on him, should receiue. For the holy Ghost was not yet giuen, because that Iesus was not yet glorified.)
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps (But this spake he of the spirite, which they yt beleue on hym, should receaue. For the holy ghost was not yet there because Iesus was not yet glorified.)
((But this spake he of the spirit, which they it believe on him, should receive. For the holy ghost was not yet there because Yesus/Yeshua was not yet glorified.))

Gnva (This spake hee of the Spirite which they that beleeued in him, should receiue: for the holy Ghost was not yet giuen, because that Iesus was not yet glorified.)
((This spake he of the Spirit which they that believed in him, should receive: for the holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Yesus/Yeshua was not yet glorified.) )

Cvdl (But this spake he of the sprete, which they that beleue on him, shulde receaue. For the holy goost was not yet there, because Iesus was not yet glorifyed.)
((But this spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him, should receive. For the holy ghost was not yet there, because Yesus/Yeshua was not yet glorifyed.))

TNT This spak he of the sprete which they that beleved on him shuld receave. For the holy goost was not yet there because that Iesus was not yet glorifyed.
(This spake he of the spirit which they that believed on him should receive. For the holy ghost was not yet there because that Yesus/Yeshua was not yet glorifyed. )

Wycl But he seide this thing of the Spirit, whom men that bileueden in hym schulden take; for the Spirit was not yit youun, for Jhesus was not yit glorified.
(But he said this thing of the Spirit, whom men that believed in him should take; for the Spirit was not yet given, for Yhesus was not yet glorified.)

Luth Das sagte er aber von dem Geist, welchen empfangen sollten, die an ihn glaubten; denn der Heilige Geist war noch nicht da, denn JEsus war noch nicht verkläret.
(The said he but from to_him spirit, which_(ones) received should, the at/to him/it believed; because/than the/of_the saints spirit what/which still not there, because/than Yesus what/which still not glorified.)

ClVg Hoc autem dixit de Spiritu, quem accepturi erant credentes in eum: nondum enim erat Spiritus datus, quia Jesus nondum erat glorificatus.[fn]
(This however he/she_said from/about By_Spirit, which accepturi they_were believers in/into/on him: not_yet because was Spirit given, because Yesus not_yet was glorified. )

7.39 Nondum enim, etc. Et si prophetæ acceperunt eumdem spiritum: et Joannes et alii ante resurrectionem Christi; tamen erat alius modus donationis futurus apertior et plenior: post resurrectionem enim, quando primum apparuit apostolis, insufflavit in faciem eorum, qui flatu primo homini animam indidit, et de limo erexit. Significans ergo se esse eumdem, insufflavit spiritum apostolis, ut de luto exsurgerent. Deinde post ascensionem plenius Spiritum misit in igneis linguis, ut omnes gentes docerent, sicut illi tunc omnibus linguis: sic nunc unitas Ecclesiæ loquitur omnibus linguis, a qua unitate præcisus non habet spiritum. Quia Jesus nondum erat glorificatus, etc. Ex illa ergo turba, etc. Postquam autem baptizantur Spiritu sancto, et effunditur gratia Spiritus sancti in eis; tunc libere loquuntur ad principes Judæorum: Oportet obedire magis Deo quam hominibus Act. 5.: mortuos suscitant, inter flagella lætantur, sanguinem fundunt, et aliis suppliciis coronantur. Nondum ergo erat Spiritus in apostolis, nec de ventre eorum fluebant gratiæ spirituales: quia nondum fuerat Dominus glorificatus.

7.39 Nondum because, etc. And when/but_if the_prophets they_received the_same spirit: and Yoannes and others before resurrection Christi; nevertheless was another modus donation to_be apertior and fullor: after resurrection because, when first appeared apostles, insufflavit in/into/on face their, who/which flatu at_first to_man the_soul indidit, and from/about limo erected. Significans therefore himself to_be the_same, insufflavit spirit apostles, as from/about luto get_uprent. Then/Next after ascension more_fully Spirit he_sent in/into/on with_fireis tongues/languages, as everyone people/nations to_teachnt, like them then to_all tongues/languages: so now unitas Assemblies/Churches speaks to_all tongues/languages, from which unity precise not/no has spirit. Because Yesus not_yet was glorified, etc. From that therefore crowd, etc. Postquam however baptizantur By_Spirit holy, and effunditur grace Spirit holy in/into/on to_them; then freely they_speak to leaders Yudahorum: Oportet to_obey more to_God how to_humans Act. 5.: the_dead suscitant, between flagella they_are_happy, blood fundunt, and to_others suppliciis coronantur. Nondum therefore was Spirit in/into/on apostles, but_not from/about belly their fluebant thanks spiritual: because not_yet had_been Master glorified.

UGNT τοῦτο δὲ εἶπεν περὶ τοῦ Πνεύματος, οὗ ἔμελλον λαμβάνειν, οἱ πιστεύσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν; οὔπω γὰρ ἦν Πνεῦμα, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐδέπω ἐδοξάσθη.
(touto de eipen peri tou Pneumatos, hou emellon lambanein, hoi pisteusantes eis auton; oupō gar aʸn Pneuma, hoti Yaʸsous oudepō edoxasthaʸ.)

SBL-GNT τοῦτο δὲ εἶπεν περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος ⸀οὗ ἔμελλον λαμβάνειν οἱ ⸀πιστεύσαντες εἰς αὐτόν· οὔπω γὰρ ἦν ⸀πνεῦμα, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ⸀οὐδέπω ἐδοξάσθη.
(touto de eipen peri tou pneumatos ⸀hou emellon lambanein hoi ⸀pisteusantes eis auton; oupō gar aʸn ⸀pneuma, hoti Yaʸsous ⸀oudepō edoxasthaʸ.)

RP-GNT Τοῦτο δὲ εἶπεν περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος οὗ ἔμελλον λαμβάνειν οἱ πιστεύοντες εἰς αὐτόν· οὔπω γὰρ ἦν πνεῦμα ἅγιον, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐδέπω ἐδοξάσθη.
(Touto de eipen peri tou pneumatos hou emellon lambanein hoi pisteuontes eis auton; oupō gar aʸn pneuma hagion, hoti Yaʸsous oudepō edoxasthaʸ.)

TC-GNT Τοῦτο δὲ εἶπε περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος [fn]οὗ [fn]ἔμελλον λαμβάνειν οἱ [fn]πιστεύοντες εἰς αὐτόν· οὔπω γὰρ ἦν Πνεῦμα [fn]Ἅγιον, ὅτι [fn]Ἰησοῦς [fn]οὐδέπω ἐδοξάσθη.
(Touto de eipe peri tou pneumatos hou emellon lambanein hoi pisteuontes eis auton; oupō gar aʸn Pneuma Hagion, hoti Yaʸsous oudepō edoxasthaʸ. )

7:39 ου ¦ ο 𝔐^pt NA PCK TH

7:39 εμελλον ¦ ημελλον PCK

7:39 πιστευοντες ¦ πιστευσαντες CT

7:39 αγιον 96.9% ¦ — NA SBL WH 2%

7:39 ιησους ¦ ο ιησους TR

7:39 ουδεπω ¦ ουπω WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:37–39: Jesus promised living water

During the festival of Booths the Jewish people remembered how God provided what they needed. He provided water for them in the past and continued to do so. Each day of the festival, the priests took some water from the pool of Siloam. Then they poured it out before the Lord at the base of the altar. This represented God’s gift of water and life. This ritual reminded the people that God had given them water and that he would also give them the Holy Spirit. On this occasion Jesus stood up and claimed that he fulfilled the hope expressed in this ritual.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Jesus told those who were thirsty to come to him

Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit

7:39

Verse 7:39 gives some parenthetical information. It is a comment by the author John that is not part of the main story line. Indicate this in the way that is most natural in your language. For example, you can put the whole verse in parentheses:

(Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) (NET)

7:39a

He was speaking about the Spirit,

Jesus was talking about the Spirit,
Jesus spoke about God’s Holy Spirit,

The Greek begins with this verse with a conjunction that introduces the author’s explanation of the metaphor in 7:38c. Some translations like the BSB leave this word implicit, while others use a different word. For example:

Here he was speaking about the Spirit (JBP)

He was speaking about the Spirit: In this clause, the author John explained what Jesus said. He commented that Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit, not literal water.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit (CEV)

When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit (NLT)

Jesus was referring to the Spirit of God

He was speaking: The expression He was speaking refers back to what Jesus just said about rivers of living water. In some languages it may be natural to make one or both of the pronouns explicit. For example:

Jesus said this

he said “living water” (NLT)

the Spirit: The Spirit here refers to God’s Holy Spirit. See how you translated this in 1:32b.

7:39b

whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.

whom the people who believed in him would receive.
whom the people who trusted in him would later receive.

whom those who believed in Him were later to receive: This clause indicates that at a later time believers would receive the Holy Spirit. This happened at Pentecost, ten days after Jesus went back to heaven (see Acts 2). At the time Jesus spoke, believers had not received the Spirit.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

which believers in him would later receive (REB)

who would be given to everyone that had faith in him (CEV)

In some languages it is more natural to make this clause a separate sentence. For example:

Later, people who believed in Jesus would receive the Holy Spirit.

whom: The word whom refers back to “the Spirit” in 7:39a. If you use a pronoun to translate this word, use a pronoun that is suitable for referring to God.

those who believed in Him: This phrase includes the idea that the believers believed the facts about who Jesus was and what he did. But it also includes the idea that they trusted Jesus instead of trusting themselves or someone else. Both ideas are very closely related. If someone believes the facts about Jesus, it should result in trusting him. See how you translated similar phrases in 1:12b, 7:31a, and 7:38a. Here are other ways to translate this idea:

everyone that had faith in him (CEV)

those who trusted in him

7:39c

For the Spirit had not yet been given,

At that time, God’s Spirit had not yet been given,
God’s Spirit had not yet come,

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For here introduces an explanation of the previous statement. It explains why believers had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

the Spirit had not yet been given: The Greek expression that the BSB translates as the Spirit had not yet been given indicates that the Holy Spirit had not yet come to live in believers. The Spirit has always existed as God, as a member of the Trinity. In many languages a literal translation will suggest that the Holy Spirit did not exist at that time. It is recommended that you make it explicit that this refers to the coming of the Spirit, or God’s gift of the Spirit. For example:

Up to that time the Spirit had not been given. (NIV)

The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone. (CEV)

God had not yet given/sent His Holy Spirit to believers.

the Spirit: The phrase the Spirit refers to God’s Holy Spirit, as in 7:39a.

7:39d

because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

because Jesus had not yet been given glory.
because Jesus had not yet returned to heaven to receive honor from God the Father.

because Jesus had not yet been glorified: This clause introduces the reason why the Spirit was not yet present in believers. Jesus had not yet received glory and honor from his Father. That means that Jesus had not yet been raised from the dead and taken up to heaven. In some languages it may be necessary to say this more explicitly. For example:

because Jesus had not yet been raised to glory (NCV)

because Jesus had not yet been honored by God raising him to heaven

had not yet been glorified: This is a passive verb. The implied subject is God. God had not yet glorified (honored) Jesus by raising him from the dead and causing him to go up to heaven. It is implied that this would happen at some time, but it had not happened when Jesus spoke.

Here are two ways to translate this verb phrase:

Use a passive verb. For example:
since Jesus had not yet been glorified (NIV)
Jesus had not yet been given his full glory (CEV)
Use an active verb. For example:
Jesus had not yet entered into his glory (NLT)
God had not yet caused Jesus to receive his full glory.

Translate this phrase in the way that is most natural in your language. In your translation, avoid implying that Jesus had no glory at that time. Also avoid implying that God the Father did not value or honor him. Although the Father had not yet raised Jesus from the dead to receive his full glory, he always honored him as his Son.

glorified: The verb glorified means “praised” or “honored.” See how you translated the related noun “glory” in 1:14b, c and 2:11b, and see the notes there.

General Comment on 7:39b–d

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in this verse. For example:

The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been raised to glory. But later, those who believed in Jesus would receive the Spirit. (NCV)