Apprentice 2 Jesus

An Anglicostal Connecting to a Real World

Is He Indignant or Moved by Compassion?

Dan

I am a confessed translation junkie. As I read the Common English Bible and the NIV, I come across different ways certain phrases are turned.

Mark 1:41 is a good example. The leper comes to Christ and says, “If you are willing you can make me clean.”

The response is so interesting.

CEB:

41 Incensed,[a] Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do want to. Be clean.”

NIV:

41 Jesus was indignant.[a] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

ESV:

41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” (And no textual note. Probably because they know they are right.) Winking smile

The text note of the NET Bible indicates most manuscripts use the Greek word for “moved with compassion.”

Yet, some other texts would use the word for “indignation.” Those texts don’t seem to carry the “numbers” as the other manuscripts.

So… why did the CEB and the NIV go with a “minority” view on this point?

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6 responses to “Is He Indignant or Moved by Compassion?”

  1. Chad Avatar
    Chad

    I actually think the minority reading is better, simply because of some of the other language present in the passage. For example, Jesus “sternly warns” the leper (from the Gk embrimaomai, which means, literally, “to snort”) and “sends him away” (which, I believe, is from ekballo–the same word used earlier in te CEB when the Spirit forces Jesus into the wilderness).

    The idea is that both of those words have harsh connotations, and “became indignant” seems to be a better fit. Still makes for an interesting conversation! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Dan Avatar
      Dan

      The context does lend itself more to the CEB and NIV.

      Reply
  2. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    The NIV tends to use whatever is easiest, but not always correct in my opinion. ‘Indignant’ is easier than “moved with compassion” for the modern reader and for modern translators who insist that passages obey modern rules of following context.
    Jesus was able to be moved with compassion at the outset and then angry at leper later. I in my weak state can be moved with compassion for someone and at the same time peeved enough to sternly lecture them.

    Reply
  3. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    My favorite passage to compare translations is Hebrews 11:6. I believe the KJV nails it while the NIV feels compelled to make it easier by adding God to the text. I firmly believe that the tension in some verses is intended. My frustration with modern translations is their need to relieve the tension.

    Reply
    1. Dan Avatar
      Dan

      NIV 2011 has God in the same spot as KJV, actually. A lot of modern translations stick with “he” in the same place as the KJV.

      Reply
      1. Jeff Avatar
        Jeff

        Sorry, I was very unclear. What I meant was the part of the text where the KJV says “believe He is” the NIV says “believe he exists”. I think some text say “believe he is God”. I like the fact that I can’t wrap my mind around “He is”

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