January 28 2023 – Mark 1 – Translations

The Bible is the most widely available book in the world. To date, it has been translated into over 700 different languages. That is impressive! For years when we mentioned the Bible, English speakers understood that to mean the translation that was most common to all of us, the Authorized King James Version. We basically all had the same translation. With modernity came new translations to put the Bible in the language of the people. Today, there are approximately 900 English translations of the Bible.

I wholeheartedly endorse reading different translations. I believe having the scriptures in contemporary language makes the text more accessible. Personally I carried King James Bibles for years but never attempted to read them outside of the brief reading you may do on Sunday mornings. Later, I came across a Living Translation of the Bible, which was really a paraphrase of the King James Version. It was so refreshing to encounter the Scriptures in this format that I read it through from Genesis to Revelation.

Having said all of that, I do want to point out the need to compare translations, especially when what you read strikes you as odd or off somehow. In Mark 1, Jesus is approached by a leper. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Mark1:40NIV  If you are reading the New International Version (NIV) you get the impression that Jesus got mad about the request. It says, Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Mark1:41NIV

That struck me as odd. I don’t remember Jesus getting mad at people for asking to be healed. He was, frustrated at times at people’s lack of faith. There may have been a time I don’t remember, so if you know of one, put it in the comments. Because it struck me as odd, I cross referenced it with the King James Version (KJV), the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark1:40–41KJV

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Mark1:40–41NRSV

And a leper *came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Mark1:40–41NASB1995

You can see by cross referencing, the NIV seems to be the outlier of the four. It does seem more consistent with the presentation of Jesus in the gospels that he would be moved to pity or moved to compassion rather than being indignant at the request.

Translations are made by looking at the original language, often Greek or Hebrew and trying to put it in as close as possible approximation in English. There are also different principles of translation. The NIV intended to be a dynamic translation, communicating phrases, concepts, and ideas rather than being a word for word, literal translation. The NASB wanted to be as close to a word for word translation as possible. There is also the theology of the translators that comes to play in making a translation. Who you believe Jesus was and is sometimes influences the way you translate an difficult passage.

Translations are good. They give us a richer understanding of the Holy Scriptures. It is also good to compare them for even clearer understanding.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your compassion and pity when you see our needs. Thank you for the men and women you have inspired to translate the Bible. Please bless my efforts to know you through the Holy Scriptures. Amen.