Bible Study With The Bishops: What Did He Mean?

Reading Plan Text for May 22: John 14:15-21

My computer had the electronic version of brain freeze last night, so I'm posting later than usual.

As I have talked about before on this blog, language changes. If we do not update the language of our texts, our understanding of them changes as the language changes. Burridge gives us a clear example of this in his commentary for today:

As a result of this, Jesus says that he will ask the Father to give us 'another Paraclete' (14:16)... The Greek word, Paraclete, means 'someone called alongside' to help or assist. Its direct translation into Latin gives us the word 'advocate'. it is often used in the law courts to mean someone who is 'called in' to speak for someone on trial, either as their defending counsel or to intercede with the judge on their behalf. Thus two possible English translations are 'Counsellor' or Intercessor', both of which can be found in some bibles... Another greatly loved translation is 'Comforter'. This gives us the image of someone 'called in' to console someone in need or grief, as the disciples are here; but the original meaning of 'comfort' through the Latin is to give strength or courage. The Bayeux tapestry has 'Bishop Odo comforteth his men', with a spear from behind! Thus the Paraclete is our counsellor, advocate, intercessor, comforter, strengthener--an all round helper. (pp. 176-177)

In this instance we see not only what happens when language changes, but also how the choice of words when translating from one language to another affects our understanding of the text.

To give you an example of a difference in translation, here is the image of Bishop Odo from the Bayeux Tapestry. Note that the translation below the image on this web site says "Here Bishop Odo with a staff in his hand encourages his Squires." The original Latin, embroidered into the tapestry, is transcribed above the image, "HIC ODO EPISCOPUS BACULUM TENENS CONFORTAT PUEROS."

Many scholars and educators recommend reading the Bible with more than one translation at hand. Even in one language, there are various translations. And translations will reflect the views and understandings of the translators, intentional or not. The King James, or "Authorized," translation is an excellent example. The translators were chosen very carefully, as much for their political and religious views as for their language skills. I recommend Adam Nicolson's God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible, if you want to learn more.

So what exactly did Jesus mean when he told his disciples,

And I will ask my Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. (14:16)?

Memories passed down by word of mouth. Oral stories written down in a language which is drastically different in its modern version, and revised/edited by a writer--or writers--with a specific agenda and specific audience. A text translated into a language spoken only by the church and preserved only by scholars, by scribes with their own agendas producing numerous versions. Texts in an arcane language translated by leaders with religious and political agendas into a myriad of other languages for "the common man." Translations modernized as language changes and research bring new understandings of both the original language and its context--not to mention the context in which the first stories were told and preserved.

We will probably never know exactly what Jesus said, or precisely what he meant. We just have to trust that, as generation passes the story to generation, the Holy Spirit has a hand in the transmission of the message.

Peace,
Jeffri