7:14a
Sir: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sir is literally “my lord.” The phrase is used to show honor to someone of higher status. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions use the more general word Sir. But in English “my” is not natural before Sir.
you know: This phrase indicates that John expected the elder to tell him what he knew. This rhetorical statement is a polite request that the elder tell him who they are. John probably did not know or did not want to guess. The pronoun you is emphasized in the Greek. You may need to include some implied information to indicate that John expected a reply. For example:
it is you who knows, ⌊so would you please tell me?⌋
-or-
I do not know but you do. ⌊Please tell me.⌋
7:14b
the ones who have come out of the great tribulation: Here, the phrase come out indicates that earlier these people were in the great tribulation. They experienced all or part of the suffering of that time. The phrase come out also indicates that the great tribulation no longer affects them. They now stand before God and Jesus (7:9). Other ways to translate these words are:
They are those who have passed through the great ordeal (Revised English Bible)
-or-
people who have ended their time in the great tribulation
-or-
believers who have finished experiencing/enduring the great tribulation
-or-
people who have been through the great trial (New Jerusalem Bible)
the great tribulation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tribulation means “distress,” “trouble,” or “oppression.” This phrase probably refers to the time just before Jesus returns. At that time God will send severe troubles upon the people of the earth. People will also severely persecute believers during that time. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
the great ordeal (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the terrible suffering (God’s Word)
-or-
the great distress (New Century Version)
In some languages it is necessary to translate the noun tribulation using a verb. For example:
the time when people suffer terribly
If you have translated Matthew 24:21 (“great tribulation”), see how you translated this meaning there.
7:14c–d
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: These words refer figuratively to the believers becoming clean with respect to sin. Jesus’ blood cleans them.
In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the figurative meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
These words refer figuratively to Jesus cleaning the believers from their sin.
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, ⌊that is, he has made them clean⌋ ⌊from sin.⌋
• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
they have become clean ⌊from sin⌋ by means of the blood of the Lamb
You may also want a footnote to explain the literal words. An example footnote is:
Literally: “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
7:14c
robes: A robe is a one-piece, long, loose garment that the people of that time wore. See how you translated this word in 7:9.
7:14d
made them white in the blood of the Lamb: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as made them white refers to removing stains from white cloth. The cloth becomes pure white again. These words refer figuratively to being made pure.
in the blood of the Lamb: This phrase belongs with both verb phrases (“have washed their robes” and “made them white”). Place this phrase where it is natural in your language. For example:
in the blood of the Lamb they have washed their robes and made them white
General Comment on 7:14c–d
The word “washed” and the phrase “made them white” probably refer to the same event. The robes are made white by being washed.
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