Wednesday, November 20, 2024

NT Pod 104: The Synoptic Translation Problem


NT Pod 104, "The Synoptic Translation Problem," investigates a problem in English translations of the Gospels. The translations frequently mangle the agreements and disagreements between the Synoptic Gospels, and between the Synoptics and John. This podcast attempts to show how pervasive the problem is by drawing attention to conflicting translations in the NRSVUE (the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition), and proposing a way forward for future translations of the New Testament. 


Key texts:

(1) Matt. 27.50 // Mark 15.37 // Luke 23.46; Psalm 31.5
(2) Matt. 26.51 // Mark 14.47 // Luke 22.50 // John 18.10
(3) Matt. 26.6-13 // Mark 14.3-9 // Luke 7.36-50 // John 12.1-8
(4) Matt. 28.10 // John 20.17


Feel free to leave your feedback below, on our Youtube channel, or on social media.

Thanks to Ram2000, "Me and You", for the opening theme, released under a Creative Commons agreement.
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5 comments:

  1. Fiona ThompsonNovember 21, 2024 at 5:37 AM

    Hello Mark, good to have another podcast and this was extremely interesting, thank you. When’s your book coming out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark GoodacreNovember 21, 2024 at 9:17 AM

      Thanks, Fiona. The book should be out in fall 2025.

      Delete
  2. Donald Adamson JrNovember 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM

    Dr Goodacre,
    Regarding your podcast on harmonizing the Gospels I have a suggestion and a comment:
    1 I’d think software could be employed easily enough to quickly identify the instances where agreement in the translation is lacking, and
    2 Having been identified, who gets to decide which translation should be used?
    Regards,
    DAA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark GoodacreNovember 21, 2024 at 6:46 PM

      Thanks, Donald. That's a great point on (1), and this is getting easier all the time. The software could at least flag areas for review. At the moment, though, there is no substitute for the human element, and the expertise that comes with having stared at these texts for many years! (2) Every Bible translation has a committee that sits and makes decisions on what happens. When it came to NRSVUe, people like me were simply advisory to the board, and the board made the decisions. I was not given a chance to review their decisions on my recommendations ahead of publication.

      Delete
    2. Donald Adamson JrNovember 26, 2024 at 3:11 AM

      I certainly appreciate your time, Doctor.

      Delete

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