39-00
Jesus Is Put on Trial
This title can also be translated as: “About when the Jews judged Jesus” or “What happened when the Jews judged Jesus?”
39-01
It was now the middle of the night
This introduces a new event. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])
the middle of the night
This expression means halfway through the night or very late at night.
to question Jesus
This could mean to ask Jesus questions to try to find something they could accuse Jesus of doing wrong.
39-02
put Jesus on trial
This could be translated as: “had a formal meeting to accuse Jesus of doing something wrong.” Usually a trial is done to find out if someone is innocent or guilty of a certain crime. In this case, the leaders were determined to make Jesus seem guilty.
lied about him
This could mean told lies about him or falsely accused him of doing something wrong.
their statements did not agree with each other
This could be translated as: “they said things about Jesus that were very different from each other” or “the witnesses said things about Jesus that contradicted each other.”
he was guilty of anything
This could mean that he had done anything wrong.
39-03
Finally
This could mean After they were unable to find any evidence against him or After they were unable to prove that he was guilty.
the Son of the living God
This is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])
39-04
I am
This could mean I am as you said or I am the Messiah and the Son of God. I am is also the name of God (See: 09:14). By saying simply, I am Jesus was also saying that he is God. If possible, translate this so that people will see a similarity between Jesus’ answer and the name of God.
seated with God
This could be translated as: “reigning with God.” Because God is the ruler over all, people talk about him as sitting on a throne in heaven. By saying that he would be seated with God, Jesus claimed that he had authority to rule with the Father.
seated with God and coming from heaven
This could be translated as: “sitting beside God and then coming from heaven.”
tore his clothes because he was angry
The Jews would tear their clothes to show grief or anger. If tearing the clothes means something else in your language, you may want to substitute a phrase such as: “he was extremely angry.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
We do not need any more witnesses to tell us what this man has done!
The high priest said this to emphasize the he thought they had already proved that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
You yourselves
These pronouns are plural, and refer to all the members of the council. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-pronouns/01.md]])
the Son of God
This is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])
What is your decision about him?
This could mean Tell us what have you decided: Is he innocent or guilty? The chief priest wanted the religious leaders to condemn Jesus for claiming to be equal with God.
39-05
He deserves to die!
The Jewish leaders said this to emphasize how angry they were with Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
they blindfolded Jesus
That is, “they covered Jesus’ eyes so that he could not see.”
spit on him
This could also be translated as: “spit on him to insult him” or “spit on him in order to say that he was worthless.” This was a way of showing contempt for someone. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
39-06
You also were with Jesus!
The servant girl said this to accuse Peter of being a criminal. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
denied it
This can be translated as: “said that it was not true” or “said that he was not with Jesus” or “said, ‘No. That is not true.’”
Peter denied it again
This could be translated as: “Peter denied knowing Jesus a second time” or “again Peter said he had not been with Jesus.”
We know that you were with Jesus because you both are from Galilee
The servant girl could probably tell Peter was from Galilee from the way he talked. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
are from Galilee
This could also be translated as: “are Galileans.” The people could tell from the way Jesus and Peter talked that they came from the region of Galilee.
39-07
May God curse me if I know this man!
This is a curse that means May God cause harm to me if what you say is true! or May God punish me if I am lying to you! In this way Peter was saying very strongly that he did not know Jesus. He also referred to Jesus as this man to make it sound like he did not know him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
a rooster crowed
Crowed is the loud sound that a rooster makes. Compare how you translated this in 38:09.
39-08
cried bitterly
This could mean cried, feeling deep sorrow or cried, feeling deep regret.
the one who had betrayed Jesus
This could mean who had helped the leaders arrest Jesus.
had condemned Jesus to die
This could mean had said that Jesus was guilty and must die.
39-09
He worked for Rome
The Roman government had appointed Pilate to govern the region of Judea in Israel.
condemn Jesus and kill him
As governor, Pilate had the authority to condemn Jesus to death and to give approval for his crucifixion, or he could set him free. The Jewish religious leaders did not have the authority to have someone killed.
asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])
39-10
my kingdom is not here on earth
This could mean my kingdom is not like earthly kingdoms.
my servants would fight for me
This could mean my disciples would fight to protect me so that I could establish my kingdom.
listens to me
This could be translated as: “hears my teaching and obeys me.” It includes not just hearing Jesus’ words, but also doing what he says.
What is truth?
This remark appears in the form of a question to reflect Pilate’s belief that no one really knows what truth is. Alternate translation: “Can anyone know what is true?” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])
39-11
He is not guilty
This could mean He has done nothing wrong!
39-12
begin to riot
This could mean start doing violent things in their anger.
he agreed to have
Pilate did not want to kill Jesus because he believed that Jesus was innocent. But he was forced to tell his soldiers to crucify Jesus because of his fear of the crowd. If possible, translate this phrase in a way that shows his reluctance.
put a royal robe and a crown made of thorns on him
They put the robe and crown on Jesus to mock him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
a royal robe
This could mean a robe like a king’s robe. This robe had a bright color, so it looked like the kind of robe that a king would wear.
a crown made of thorns
This could mean a ring woven from thorns. A king would wear a crown of gold.
Look, the King of the Jews!
They were saying this to mock Jesus. They were calling Jesus “King of the Jews,” but they did not really believe he was a king. And yet what they were saying was true. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-irony/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
Look
This could mean Look at or Here is.
the King of the Jews
Since the soldiers were mocking Jesus, this could be translated as: “the so-called King of the Jews.”
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.