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Bible Study - Catholic Bibles / 05_Jerusalem
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05_Jerusalem.jpg ISBN 2-89420-144-3
Les Editions du Cerf
I found it useful in my Bible study to have many Bibles in two or more languages. Each language has its own strengths and weaknesses. In English, the pronoun "you" is the same for both its singular and plural forms. When we talk to one person, we use "you". When we want to address 1000 people, we also use the same pronoun "you". Let's take an example and see how this could affect our understanding of Scripture:
- Luke 22:31-32 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
And the Lord said: Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren.
- Luke 22:31-32 (La Bible de Jérusalem, French Edition)
"Simon, Simon, voici que Satan vous a réclamés pour vous cribler comme le froment ; mais moi j'ai prié pour toi, afin que ta foi ne défaille pas. Toi donc, quand tu seras revenu, affermis tes frères."
French has two different words for "you": toi for the singular form of "you"; and vous, for the plural form of "you". So if you read again the French translation above, you'll notice that Satan desired to sift all of Jesus' disciples as wheat. But Jesus prayed specifically for Peter, not for all of His disciples. This is extremely important because this verse is one among others that indicates the primacy of Peter among the Apostles and the disciples.
- The New American Bible, being a dynamic translation, correctly reflected the meaning of Luke 22:31-32:
"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers."
- The Revised Standard Edition - Second Catholic Edition translates Luke 22:31-32 as follows
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you¹, that he might sift you¹ like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethen."
In its footnote for Luke 22:31-32, here is what it says:
¹ The Greek word for you here is plural; in verse 32 it is singular.
