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1.1 KiB
There was a man named Lazarus. He had two sisters, named Mary and Martha. They were all close friends of Jesus.
This introduces Lazarus and his sisters as new characters in the story, and also provides background information about their relationship to Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background, rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants)
One day
This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent)
Mary
Jesus’ mother was also named Mary. This was a different woman.
This sickness will not end with Lazarus dying
This can also be translated as: “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus” or “Lazarus is sick, but death is not the final result of this sickness.” Jesus’ disciples probably thought this meant that Lazarus would not die. But Jesus knew that, although Lazarus would die from his sickness, he would live in the end. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)