complete verse (John 9:12)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 9:12:

  • Uma: “They asked him: ‘So where is he?’ He said to them: ‘I don’t know.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘Where is that person now,’ they said. He answered, he said, ‘I don’t know.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then the people asked, ‘Who is he?’ And the man said, ‘I do not know.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Whereupon they said, ‘Where is he?’ ‘I have no idea (lit. no-concern indeed),’ he answered.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘Well where is he now?’ they asked.’I don’t know where he went,’ said his answer.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “He was asked, ‘Where is this man you are speaking of?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 9:12

They refers back to the people mentioned in verse 8. The official opposition to Jesus is introduced in the next verse, when the man is taken before the Pharisees.

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 .