9:45a–c

The main idea in this verse is that the disciples did not understand Jesus’ words in 9:44b. This main idea is stated in 9:45a. It is then further explained in 9:45b–c. See the General Comment on 9:45a–c at the end of 9:45c for other ways to organize the ideas in this verse.

9:45a

But they did not understand this statement: This clause indicates that the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant by the statement in 9:44. Connect 9:44 and 9:45 in a natural way in your language. Be sure that people understand that the pronoun they refers to the disciples, not to the people who would gain power over Jesus (9:44b). For example:

But the disciples did not know what this meant. (Good News Translation)

this statement: The phrase this statement, literally “this word,” refers back to Jesus’ statement that he would be betrayed into the hands of men. Another way to translate this phrase is:

what Jesus meant by this prediction/statement

9:45b

In Greek 9:45b begins with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. Logically it introduces a reason why the disciples did not understand. Another way to introduce this reason is:

because it was hidden from them

It was veiled from them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was veiled is a passive verb. It means that someone or something had prevented the disciples from understanding what Jesus meant. Scholars disagree about whether God, the disciples’ own thoughts, or Satan might be implied as the subject. All English versions use passive verbs and so are ambiguous.

Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

The meaning was hidden from them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They were prevented from understanding its meaning.

• As an active verb. Try to use a subject with a general meaning. For example:

⌊Something⌋ had kept them from understanding the meaning.

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

so that they could not comprehend it: There are two ways to interpret the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that they could not comprehend it:

(1) It is a result clause. The meaning of Jesus’ words was hidden from the disciples, with the result that they could not understand it. For example:

Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it. (New Living Translation (2004))

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It is a purpose clause. God or Satan hid the meaning of Jesus’ words from the disciples in order that they would not be able to understand it. For example:

it was hidden from them that they should not perceive it (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

Both interpretations are well supported by scholars, and both fit the context. If you must choose between them, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation fits with any of the possible agents of veiled in the preceding clause.

9:45c

and they were afraid to ask Him about it: This clause indicates that the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus what his words in 9:44b meant. In some languages it may be more natural to change this clause to a direct quote. For example:

and they were afraid to ask, “What do You mean?”

they were afraid: Another way to translate the phrase they were afraid is:

they did not have the courage (Translator’s Reference Translation)

General Comment on 9:45a–c

The clauses “they did not understand this statement” in 9:45a and “they did could not comprehend it” in 9:45b have essentially the same meaning. In some languages it may sound redundant to use two similar statements like this. If that is true in your language, you may need to phrase the statements in a different way. For example:

But the disciples did not know what Jesus meant by this. They were prevented from understanding it, and they were afraid to ask him.

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