Nicodemus

The Greek that is transliterated as “Nicodemus” in English is translated in Mandarin Chinese as Nígēdémù (尼哥德慕) in the Protestant tradition. This is an unremarkable transliteration if it were not for the transliteration that was used until a revision of the Union Version in 1988: Nígēdǐmǔ (尼哥底母) which could also be read as “mother of Ni’s older brother,” and which had become one of the most often-cited examples in calls for a revision. (Source: Zetzsche)

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the signs for “thinking” and “bearded one” (the latter is used for “Pharisees”). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Nicodemus” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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

See also Pharisee and more information on Nicodemus .

Religious leaders sought him out to find answers to life's deepest questions (image)

“It is unusual for anyone to seek out another at night unless it is desired to be kept secret. Betel nut and condiments are laid out to welcome the guest even at the late hour. Nicodemus’s robe and bared shoulder show he is a religious devotee.”

Drawing by Sawai Chinnawong who employs northern and central Thailand’s popular distinctive artistic style originally used to depict Buddhist moral principles and other religious themes; explanation by Paul DeNeui. From That Man Who Came to Save Us by Sawai Chinnawong and Paul H. DeNeui, William Carey Library, 2010.

For more images by Sawai Chinnawong in TIPs see here.

complete verse (John 3:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 3:9:

  • Uma: “Nikodemus said: ‘How can that be?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘How is this possible?’ said Nikodemus.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Nicodemus asked, ‘How can this be?'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then Nicodemus again inquired, ‘How perhaps can this happen?'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Nicodemo asked again, saying, ‘Respectfully I beg your pardon, how can like that be done?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Nicodemus said, ‘I do not understand about this you speak of.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 3:9

Once again the technique of misunderstanding on the part of one to whom Jesus is speaking serves as a means of transition in the dialogue.

The question posed by Nicodemus How can this be? must refer not to all that Jesus says in verses 5-8 or even to all of verse 8, but to the final statement concerning the way in which one is born of the Spirit. In English, the demonstrative pronoun this does not specify how much of the preceding statement is questioned. In some languages it is important to indicate precisely what is involved, and therefore it may be necessary to indicate that it is “this last statement” which Nicodemus finds so difficult to understand.

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 .