What can Bible translations from around the world teach us about Scripture that we might miss in English? In this episode of The Biblical Mind, Dru Johnson talks with Bible translation scholar Dr. Jost Zetzsche about the power of language, translation, and the global Christian community.
Zetzsche introduces Translation Insights and Perspectives (TIPs), a free online resource that allows pastors, students, and Bible readers to explore how biblical passages have been translated into hundreds of languages. Rather than treating translation as a necessary compromise, the conversation explores how different languages can reveal unique perspectives on biblical words, concepts, grammar, and meaning.
The discussion examines why the Bible is “made to be translated,” how cultural context shapes language, and what sign-language translations can reveal about Jesus and biblical characters. They also explore fascinating examples involving forgiveness, pronouns, John the Baptist, and the meaning of logos in John 1:1.
The episode also considers how global Bible translations challenge the assumption that there is always one simple interpretation of a biblical passage, while still affirming that interpretation is grounded in the biblical text. Ultimately, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on Bible translation, biblical interpretation, language, theology, and the global church.
Helpful resources:
CT article about sign languages https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/sign-language-bible-translations-matthew-15-mark-2/
TIPs - Johns the Baptist: https://tips.translation.bible/tip_verse/matt-412/
TIPs - current lectionary illustrations: https://tips.translation.bible/lectionary/current/
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Bible translation and Jost Zetzsche
02:22 The problem with exclusive reliance on original languages
04:10 The global church and the richness of translation
06:00 Language as a reflection of cultural reality
08:23 The translatability of the Bible and the act of translation
10:38 The significance of making the Bible made to be translated
12:02 The translatability of Jesus and the significance for Christianity
14:06 Translations into media and depictions of Jesus
17:07 Sign language as a rich expressive language
22:17 The expressive power of sign language in biblical stories
28:22 The diversity of sign languages and their biblical translations
35:40 Understanding grammatical nuances and context in translation
42:23 The importance of multiple translations for biblical interpretation
47:10 The significance of different biblical canons and texts
50:41 Using translation data to enrich preaching and teaching
53:20 Practical applications of translation tools in ministry
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