Article January 1, 1938 Issue

Bible Notes

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24)—A more literal translation of the Greek would be, "that your joy may be fulfilled." Weymouth (fifth edition) suggests the rendering: "Ask, and you shall receive, that your hearts may be filled with gladness;" and Westcott: "that your joy may be fulfilled;" though Goodspeed prefers: "so that your happiness may be complete;" and the Twentieth Century New Testament: "so that your joy may be complete."

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs" (John 16:25)—It may be noted that the Greek word which is here rendered "proverbs" (cf. also verse 29) occurs in the singular in John 10:6, where it is translated "parable." The Greek term corresponds closely in meaning and in usage to the Hebrew word "mashal," which can signify "proverb, parable, allegory, riddle, comparison," etc. Goodspeed well suggests the general sense of the passage when he translates: "I have said all this to you in figurative language;" while Moffatt has: "I have told you this in figures;" and Weymouth: "All this I have spoken to you in veiled language."

"Do ye now believe?" (John 16:31)—The Greek phrase can be taken either as a question, as in our Common Version and in most modern renderings, or as a statement. Choosing the latter alternative, Weymouth renders: " 'You believe me now,' replied Jesus, 'but mark! the time is coming.' "

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