John 1:6-13 Translation

If you are using the NA27 ed. you may notice in the apparatus at the bottom of the opening page of John that some manuscripts include euaggelion as part of the title. Thus it is not uncommon for scholars to refer to John as the evangelists.

Translation John 1:6-13. - Again I am giving a more literal translation so we can look at the Greek more clearly.

6. There was a man sent from God name to him was John. (Here you may notice in your Greek Bible that some manuscripts witness to a "en"[eimi - to be 3ms impf] being placed before "name" so that it reads more smoothly. Most manuscripts witness to it not being there.)

7. That one, or He came (as) a witness in order or because he might witness concerning the light (definite purpose clause) in order that  all men (persons) might believe through him. (John's gospel emphasizes John the Baptist more as a witness than a baptizer.)

8. I'll confess I don't know what to do with ekeinos. Is it the "same" which I sometimes find ekeinos being translated in other verses or is it "that"? or something else?  That was not the light, but he came that he might bear witness concerning the light. The verb is not here! It is to be supplied by elthen from verse 7.


9. There was the light the true (one) or more smoothly, There was the true light which enlightens every one (who is)  coming into the world.


10. (very yoda like) In the world he was, and the world through him was created, and/but the world did not know him. 


11. He came to his own and/but his own did not receive him.  (idioi - we get idiot from his word).

12. And/But as many as received him, he gave to them the power to become the children of god, those who believe on/in his name.

13. Which were born not of blood, nor out of the will of the flesh, neither out of the will of man, but out of God. 


Well that certainly is a rough translation, but it helps to see why there are so many different translations. Which under grids the idea that we should know Greek ourselves. I'll post verses 14-19 on Saturday.