MARK 10:38 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) [ref]But Yeshua replied, “You don’t even understand what you’re asking for. Do you think you could endure the suffering that I have to go through? Or to be enveloped in the darkness that I have to go down into?”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, 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 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup which I drink or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized?”

UST Jesus replied, “You do not realize what you have actually requested. Are you willing to suffer as I will soon suffer? Are you willing for people to hurt you as they will soon hurt me?”

BSB “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, [or] be baptized [with] the baptism [I will undergo]?”

MSB “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, and[fn] be baptized [with] the baptism [I will undergo]?”

BLB And Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

AICNT But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, {or}[fn] to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

10:38, or: Some manuscripts read “and.”

OEB ‘You do not know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am to drink? Or receive the baptism that I am to receive?’

2DT Yēsous said to them, “You don’t know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be dipped with the dipping in which I am dipped?”

WEBBE But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?”

WMBB But Yeshua said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be immersed with the immersion that I am immersed with?”

NET But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?”

LSV and Jesus said to them, “You have not known what you ask; are you able to drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the immersion that I am immersed with—to be immersed?”

FBV “You don't know what you're asking,” replied Jesus. “Can you drink the cup I drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism of pain I will suffer?”

TCNT But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, [fn]and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

10:38 and ¦ or CT

T4T But Jesus said to them, “You do not understand what you are asking for.” Then he asked them, “Can you endure suffering [MTY] like I am about to suffer? Can you endure being killed [MTY] as I will be killed {people killing you as they will kill me}?”

LEB But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

BBE But Jesus said to them, You have no knowledge of what you are saying. Are you able to take of my cup? or to undergo the baptism which I am to undergo?

Moff Jesus said, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I have to drink, or undergo the baptism I have to undergo?"

Wymth "You know not," said He, "what you are asking. Are you able to drink out of the cup from which I am to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?"

ASV But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

DRA And Jesus said to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of: or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized?

YLT and Jesus said to them, 'Ye have not known what ye ask; are ye able to drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the baptism that I am baptized with — to be baptized?'

Drby And Jesus said to them, Ye do not know what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup which I drink, or be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?

RV But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
(But Jesus said unto them, Ye/You_all know not what ye/you_all ask. Are ye/you_all able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with? )

SLT And Jesus said to them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink the cup which I drink? and the immersion with which I am immersed to be immersed.

Wbstr But Jesus said to them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

KJB-1769 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
(But Jesus said unto them, Ye/You_all know not what ye/you_all ask: can ye/you_all drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with? )

KJB-1611 But Iesus said vnto them, Yee know not what ye aske: Can ye drinke of the cup that I drinke of? and be baptized with the baptisme that I am baptized with?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps But Iesus sayde vnto them, Ye wote not what ye aske: Can ye drynke of the cuppe that I drynke of? and be baptized with the baptisme that I am baptized with?
(But Yesus/Yeshua said unto them, Ye/You_all wote not what ye/you_all ask: Can ye/you_all drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?)

Gnva But Iesus sayd vnto them, Ye knowe not what ye aske. Can ye drinke of the cup that I shall drinke of, and be baptized with the baptisme that I shall be baptized with?
(But Yesus/Yeshua said unto them, Ye/You_all know not what ye/you_all ask. Can ye/you_all drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with? )

Cvdl But Iesus sayde vnto the: Ye wote not what ye axe. Maye ye drynke the cuppe, yt I shal drynke? and be baptysed with the baptyme that I shal be baptysed withall?
(But Yesus/Yeshua said unto them: Ye/You_all wote not what ye/you_all ask. May ye/you_all drink the cup, it I shall drink? and be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised also/fully?)

TNT But Iesus sayd vnto the: Ye wot not what ye axe. Can ye dryncke of the cup that I shall dryncke of and be baptised in the baptisme that I shalbe baptised in?
(But Yesus/Yeshua said unto them: Ye/You_all wot not what ye/you_all ask. Can ye/you_all drink of the cup that I shall drink of and be baptised in the baptism that I shall be baptised in? )

Wycl And Jhesus seide to hem, Ye witen not what ye axen; moun ye drynke the cuppe, which Y schal drynke, or be waischun with the baptym, in which Y am baptisid?
(And Yhesus said to hem, Ye/You_all perceive not what ye/you_all axen; may/can ye/you_all drink the cup, which I shall drink, or be washing with the baptism, in which I am baptised?)

Luth JEsus aber sprach zu ihnen: Ihr wisset nicht, was ihr bittet. Könnt ihr den Kelch trinken, den ich trinke, und euch taufen lassen mit der Taufe, da ich mit getauft werde?
(Yesus but spoke to/for to_them: You(pl) know not, what/which you(pl)/their/her requests. Könnt you(pl)/their/her the chalice/goblet/cup drink(v), the I drink(v), and you baptise let with the/of_the Taufe, there I with baptised become?)

ClVg Jesus autem ait eis: Nescitis quid petatis: potestis bibere calicem, quem ego bibo, aut baptismo, quo ego baptizor, baptizari?[fn]
(Yesus however he_said to_them: You_don't_know what petatis: can_you to_drink chalice/cup, which I bibo, or baptism, where I baptizor, baptizari? )

10.38 Aut baptismo. Idem quod calix. Unde alibi de passione sua dicit: Baptismo habeo baptizari: et quomodo coarctor usque dum perficiatur.

10.38 Aut baptism. Idem that cup. From_where/who alibi from/about passionately his_own he_says: Baptismo I_have baptizari: and how coarctor until while perficiatur.

UGNT ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, ἢ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι?
(ho de Yaʸsous eipen autois, ouk oidate ti aiteisthe. dunasthe piein to potaʸrion ho egō pinō, aʸ to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthaʸnai?)

SBL-GNT ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε· δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, ⸀ἢ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι;
(ho de Yaʸsous eipen autois; Ouk oidate ti aiteisthe; dunasthe piein to potaʸrion ho egō pinō, ⸀aʸ to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthaʸnai;)

RP-GNT Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. Δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι;
(Ho de Yaʸsous eipen autois, Ouk oidate ti aiteisthe. Dunasthe piein to potaʸrion ho egō pinō, kai to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthaʸnai;)

TC-GNT Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. Δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, [fn]καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι;
(Ho de Yaʸsous eipen autois, Ouk oidate ti aiteisthe. Dunasthe piein to potaʸrion ho egō pinō, kai to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthaʸnai; )

10:38 και ¦ η CT

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

SOTN 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.

UTN 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