Upright Ones (Sadducees). Sadducees, which means “righteous or upright ones,” were a sect of the high priests who were often rich and held positions of power within Israel’s religious and political establishments. They differ from the Pharisees in several ways. Most significantly, they did not believe in spirits or in a resurrection from the dead. We have translated Sadducees as “Upright Ones.”
Scroll keepers (scribes and lawyers). Scroll keepers are mentioned quite often in the Gospels, and both titles describe the same group. The scribes were the keepers of the sacred scrolls, the Scriptures. Since they knew how to write, they became scroll copiers, making copies of the Scriptures. Since they spent so much time reading and writing the Scriptures, they became experts in the interpretation of the law of Moses. We have translated scribes as “scroll keepers.”
Friends of Herod (Herodians). These are believed to have been a small group of Jews who supported the family dynasty and political interests of King Herod. We have translated Herodians as “Friends of Herod.”
Firebrands (Zealots). This group is indirectly referred to in the Gospels. Zealot means “one who is on fire or full of zeal.” In practice, however, the Zealots were insurrectionists using violent terrorist methods. Many of the Zealots were openly rebellious and wanted to lead a violent uprising against the People of Iron (Romans). Son of His Father (Barabbas) was most likely a Zealot, and one of Creator Sets Free’s (Jesus’) own followers appears to have been a former Zealot (Simon the Zealot). Some historians speculate that Speaks Well Of (Judas), who betrayed Creator Sets Free (Jesus), may have also been a Zealot. We have not offered a translation other than for Simon the Zealot, referring to him as One Who Listens (Simon)—the Firebrand.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
In Ephesians 6 there is a section on the “war garments of Creator,” also called the “armor of Creator.” It is important to understand that this warfare is not a physical battle or a contest of brute power between the Great Spirit and the Accuser (Satan), even though it affects things in this natural world. Rather, it is a war of methods and ideals (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). The powerful weapon Creator gives us is the word of truth that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals about who the Great Spirit is and about his great love for all humankind.
TRIBAL MEMBERS (JEWS)
The people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) were also called “Jews” in the Bible. The name Jew comes from the time when Israel was divided into two nations. The northern nation was called Israel and consisted of ten tribes. The southern nation was called Judah and consisted of two tribes. The name Jew is simply a reference to Judah and became a way of referring to all the people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). We have simply used “Tribal Members” and “Tribal People,” or, when the context seemed appropriate, “Spiritual Leaders” or “Tribal Leaders” to translate Jews.
TRIBAL TAX COLLECTORS (TAX COLLECTORS)
Tax collectors were often Jewish Tribal Members who contracted with the Roman government for the procurement of taxes. They could force the people, under the threat of violence, to pay them. They often became extremely rich off the suffering of poor people and were hated by everyone. We have chosen to call them “tribal tax collectors” of the colonial Roman government.
TRUE HUMAN BEING (SON OF MAN)
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) most often referred to himself as the Son of Man. This title is full of meaning from the Old Testament Scriptures. In the book of Ezekiel it is used over ninety times and simply means a human being. There it is not meant to be a title of prestige but of humility. In using this title, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is presenting himself as a common human being, as one of us.
In the book of Daniel, the title “Son of Man” takes on an expanded meaning. Daniel sees a vision of one like a Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days (Creator) on the clouds of heaven. This person is given authority, glory, and sovereign power from the Great Spirit. His rule is over all peoples and languages and his chiefly rule will never come to an end. Even though he is a human being, he will be worshiped (see Daniel 7:13-14).
So Creator Sets Free (Jesus) as the True Human Being shows us that the good road or the kingdom of God is a kingdom of humility, love, and service to others. He is a common man and at the same time the almighty Creator who alone is worthy of worship. As Son of the Great Spirit, he is divine. As Son of Man, he is a True Human Being.
We have used the title “True Human Being” for “Son of Man.” For he is one of us and what a human being should truly be like. As we walk the road with him, we are on the path to becoming true human beings.
WISDOMKEEPER (RABBI)
In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), there were spiritual leaders who traveled about gaining followers. These leaders were often called rabbi, meaning “teacher.” They functioned as a sage or wisdomkeeper as they taught their interpretation of the written and oral Torah (Jewish laws). Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is called “rabbi” in the Gospels. It is a title of respect and honor. Rabbis were held in high esteem, even though they held no official status. In our translation, we have used “wisdomkeeper” for “rabbi.” When appropriate we also used this title for “Lord” when people addressed Creator Sets Free (Jesus) in this honorable way.
THE WORD (LOGOS)
Just as many English translations have done, we have translated the Greek word Logos found in John 1 and 1 John 1 as “Word.” The word logos has great cultural and theological depth and meaning. In the time of the New Testament, it was used by both Jews and Greeks. It was understood as the means by which Creator revealed himself to the world. It was also understood as the unseen power that held the universe together. The Jewish people understood that there was a wisdom persona that came from the Great Spirit and created all things (Proverbs 8:22-23). In the time of the New Testament, the term Logos took on a similar meaning. Even though logos can be translated as “word,” that does not mean it indicates a single word in a sentence. It is better understood as “message” or “communication” or as “reason.” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals the entirety of who Creator is, what he has done, and what he will do. He is truly the Word or Story of the Great Spirit and embodies the message Creator is revealing through him.
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NOTES
GIFT FROM CREATOR TELLS THE GOOD STORY
1. 1:23 Isaiah 7:14
2. 2:6 Micah 5:2
3. 2:15 Hosea 11:1
4. 2:18 Jeremiah 31:15
5. 3:3 Isaiah 40:3
6. 3:4 Lit. garments of camel’s hair and a leather belt
7. 3:6, 11, 13 Baptism
8. 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
9. 4:6 Psalm 91:11-12
10. 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16
11. 4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13
12. 4:16 Isaiah 9:1-2
13. 5:13 2 Kings 2:19-22
14. 5:21 Exodus 20:13
15. 5:21 Deuteronomy 16:18
16. 5:26 Lit. until the debt is paid in full
17. 5:27 Exodus 20:14
18. 5:29, 30 Lit. offends you
19. 5:31 Deuteronomy 24:1
20. 5:33 Leviticus 19:12
21. 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20
22. 5:43 Leviticus 19:18
23. 7:3, 5 Lit. your brother
24. 7:23 Lit. I never knew you
25. 8:3 Leviticus 22:6
26. 8:11 Lit. East and West
27. 8:17 Isaiah 53:4
28. 9:13 Hosea 6:6
29. 10:18 Lit. Gentiles
30. 10:25 Another name for Satan
31. 10:28 Lit. both body and soul
32. 11:10 Malachi 3:1
33. 11:11 Baptism
34. 11:14 Malachi 4:5
35. 12:7 Hosea 6:6
36. 12:21 Isaiah 42:1-4
37. 13:13 Jeremiah 5:21
3
8. 13:15 Isaiah 6:9-10
39. 13:32 The mustard plant was used as an herbal medicine.
40. 13:35 Psalm 78:2
41. 13:45 Lit. pearls
42. 14:2 Baptism
43. 15:4 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
44. 15:4 Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
45. 15:9 Isaiah 29:13
46. 16:4 Jonah 1:17–2:10
47. 16:14 Baptism
48. 16:18 Greek petros, meaning a small rock or stone
49. 16:18 Greek petra, meaning a huge rock
50. 16:18 Lit. gates
51. 16:19 Lit. keys
52. 17:13 Baptism
53. 17:21 Verse 21 is not found in most ancient manuscripts.
54. 18:11 Verse 11 does not appear in most ancient manuscripts.
55. 18:24 About sixteen years of wages
56. 18:28 About a day’s wages
57. 19:6 Genesis 2:24
58. 19:24 Lit. camel
59. 19:29 Lit. one hundred times as much
60. 20:19 Lit. Gentiles
61. 20:22 Baptism
62. 21:5 Zechariah 9:9-10
63. 21:9 Set us free!
64. 21:13 Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11
65. 21:15 Set us free!
66. 21:16 Psalm 8:2
67. 21:25 Baptism
68. 21:42 Psalm 118:22-23
69. 22:14 Lit. Few are chosen
70. 22:32 Exodus 3:6
71. 22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5
72. 22:39 Leviticus 19:18
73. 22:44 Psalm 110:1
74. 23:14 Most manuscripts leave out verse 14.
75. 23:24 Lit. camel
76. 23:35 Abel was the second son of Adam and the first human to be killed by another. See Genesis 4:1-16 for the story.
77. 23:35 Lit. between the altar and the sanctuary
78. 24:15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Luke 21:20; Mark 13:14
79. 24:27 See verse 30.
80. 24:28 The word for “vulture” can also be translated “eagle.”
81. 24:29 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
82. 24:31 Lit. loud trumpet, or in Hebrew shofar, meaning “ram’s horn”
83. 25:15 Lit. five talents. A talent was worth at least fifteen years of wages.
84. 25:40 Lit. my brothers
85. 25:41 Lit. cursed ones
86. 26:31 Zechariah 13:7
87. 26:53 Lit. twelve legions, about sixty thousand
88. 26:64 Daniel 7:13-14
89. 27:10 Jeremiah 32:6-9
90. 27:45 From noon until midafternoon
91. 27:46 Psalm 22:1
92. 28:19 Baptism
WAR CLUB TELLS THE GOOD STORY
1. 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
2. 1:4, 5, 8, 9 Baptism
3. 1:6 Lit. camel’s hair
4. 4:12 Jeremiah 5:21; Isaiah 6:9-10
5. 4:31-32 The mustard plant was used as an herbal medicine.
6. 5:9 Lit. Legion, a segment of the occupying Roman army of about five thousand soldiers
7. 6:24 Baptism
8. 7:7 Isaiah 29:13
9. 7:10 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
10. 7:10 Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
11. 7:15 Some ancient manuscripts add verse 16: The ones with ears to hear should listen and understand.
12. 7:25-26 Lit. a Greek
13. 7:25-26 Lit. a Syrophoenician by birth
14. 8:28 Baptism
15. 9:29 Some ancient manuscripts add “and fasting.”
16. 9:48 Isaiah 66:24; Jeremiah 7:31-32
17. 9:48 Some ancient manuscripts include this sentence in verse 44 or verse 46, which are omitted in this translation and in most other translations.
18. 9:49 Most manuscripts omit the end of this verse.
19. 9:49 Leviticus 2:13
20. 10:6 Genesis 1:27
21. 10:8 Genesis 2:24
22. 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20
23. 10:25 Lit. camel
24. 10:30 Lit. one hundred times as much
25. 10:38, 39 Baptism
26. 11:17 Isaiah 56:7
27. 11:17 Jeremiah 7:11
28. 11:25 Some ancient manuscripts also add verse 26: “But if you fail to release others, then your Father from above will not release you.”
29. 11:30 Baptism
30. 12:11 Psalm 118:22-23
31. 12:26 Exodus 3:6
32. 12:30 Deuteronomy 6:4-5
33. 12:36 Psalm 110:1
34. 12:37 Lit. his son
35. 12:42 Lit. two small coins
36. 13:14 Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20
37. 13:25 Isaiah 13:10
38. 14:4 Worth almost a year’s wages
39. 14:27 Zechariah 13:7
40. 15:28 Isaiah 53:12. Some less ancient manuscripts omit verse 28.
41. 16:8 Most ancient manuscripts end at this verse. Some others include verses 9-20, as we have in this translation.
42. 16:16 Baptism
43. 16:16 Lit. believe
SHINING LIGHT TELLS THE GOOD STORY
1. 1:17 Malachi 4:5-6
2. 1:52 “Counting coup” was a Native American practice among some of the Plains tribes of touching an enemy with a coup stick as an act of courage during battle, to show he could have killed him but chose to spare him instead. Each time the coup stick was used in battle, a mark would be placed on it. It counted the number of victories won.
3. 1:69-70 The coup stick was a stick with an eagle or hawk claw attached to its tip. It was used by some of the tribes of the Plains. A warrior in battle would scratch an enemy with it as an act of courage to show he could have killed him but chose to spare him instead.
4. 2:21 Circumcision
5. 3:2 The Apache and a few other Southwestern tribes have burden baskets. They are often used in a coming-of-age ceremony, symbolizing the transition from the old generation to the new. We use it here to show that John carries the burden of transition from the old covenant to the new covenant (peace treaty).
6. 3:3 Baptism
7. 3:6 Isaiah 40:3-5
8. 3:7 Baptism
9. 3:16 Baptism
10. 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
11. 4:8 Deuteronomy 6:13
12. 4:11 Psalm 91:11-12
13. 4:12 Deuteronomy 6:16
14. 4:19 Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:8-17)
15. 4:19 Isaiah 61:1-2
16. 4:26 1 Kings 17:8-24
17. 4:27 2 Kings 5:1-19
18. 5:14 Leviticus 14:2-32
19. 5:27 Later known as Matthew
20. 6:15 Later known as Matthew
21. 7:18 Baptism
22. 7:27 Malachi 3:1
23. 7:29 Baptism
24. 8:10 Isaiah 6:9
25. 8:30 Lit. legion, a segment of the occupying Roman army of about five thousand soldiers
26. 8:31 Abyss or underworld
27. 9:19 Baptism
28. 10:27 Deuteronomy 6:5
29. 10:27 Leviticus 19:18
30. 10:33 The people of Samaria were mixed bloods who had changed the traditional ceremonial ways and were despised by the Jewish people of that day.
31. 11:15 Beelzebul, another name for Satan
32. 12:1 Lit. yeast
33. 12:50 Baptism
34. 12:53 Micah 7:6
35. 13:19 The mustard plant was used as an herbal medicine.
36. 13:35 Psalm 118:26
First Nations Version Page 80
