high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “the ruler of the priests of our nation”
  • Chol: “very great priest” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “first over the priests”
  • Desano: “chief of the priests” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).
  • Uma: “Big Priest” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “high sacrificer” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Big leader of offerings” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Khoekhoe the translation for “high priest” is only capitalized when it refers to Jesus (as is Hebrews 2:17 et al.). (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also priest and chief priest.

complete verse (John 18:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 18:24:

  • Uma: “From there, Hanas ordered the guards to carry Yesus going to the Big Priest Kayafas. At that time, Yesus’s hands were still tied.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then Annas commanded Isa to be brought to Kayapas, the leader priest. He was still bound.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Annas had Jesus brought bound to Caiphas who was the true high priest.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, Annas sent Jesus bound to Caifas who was the highest priest.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well since they were still looking for what would enable them to bring a charge against Jesus, Anas transferred Jesus, who was still tied up, to Caifas who was the Most-important Priest.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Then Annas tied Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the chief of the priests.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Annas

The name that is transliterated as “Annas” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines the letter A and a combination of the letter C (for “cetro,” Portuguese for “scepter”) and the sign for “scepter,” indicating power. (Source: Aline Martins and Paul Fahnestock)


“Annas” in Libras (source )

More information on Annas .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Translation commentary on John 18:24

As earlier indicated, this verse implies that the questioning in verses 19-23 was done by Annas.

As noted in the discussion of verse 13, some commentators favor placing verse 24 in the middle of verse 13, to make Caiaphas the interrogator of verse 19. However, there is no textual basis for such a shift. Nor are there grammatical grounds for assuming that the verb sent of this verse has the force of a pluperfect (“had sent”), suggesting that Annas had sent Jesus to Caiaphas, the High Priest, before the questioning of verse 19. The text must be translated as it stands, and the difficulty allowed to remain.

Then Annas sent him must be treated in some languages as a causative, for example, “So Annas caused him to be led to Caiaphas the High Priest.” A literal translation of sent might imply that Jesus went by himself. Obviously, since he was under arrest, he was escorted from Annas to Caiaphas.

There is a question whether the Greek participle used here has the force of still tied up or merely “tied up.” It may carry either force, and the answer really depends on whether Jesus was untied during his interrogation by the High Priest, since verse 12 explicitly states that he was tied up at his arrest. Since the text does not indicate that he was untied in the interim, it is logical to assume that he remained tied during the interrogation. If this conclusion is valid, the perfect participle should be translated still tied up. In some languages still tied up must be rendered as a separate sentence, for example, “He was still tied up” or “His hands were still tied” or “The guards kept his hands tied.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .