Friday, December 3, 2021

Pondering Parallel Passages


 One of the final steps in preparing the Jita New Testament for publication is comparing parallel passages. For example, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Jesus asking his disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" It's important that we translate that sentence consistently in all three places. Thankfully, we have some amazing software that shows us all the parallel passages in the New Testament, but there are hundreds!!! 

It's a very time-consuming process, and it takes a lot of intensive focus. As you can see in the example above, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the question of Jesus with the same exact wording. However, each Gospel writer recorded Peter's response differently. We have to be very careful and pay close attention to each word and each phrase in each passage.

And sometimes, one phrase shows up in a lot of places. 

For example, Jesus' command to love our neighbors shows up in Matthew (3x), Mark (2x), Luke, Romans, Galatians, and James.

Please keep praying for us as we finish up the New Testament in Jita!