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The Four Gospels and the Revelation
Richmond Lattimore, poet and translator of Greek classics, has translated the four Gospels and added them to his version of the Revelation of John. He has aimed to capture the style and syntax of the original texts by adhering closely to the simple beauty of the Greek, and to approach the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, not as a biblical scholar, but as an authority on the language in which they have come down to us.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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About the author
Richmond Lattimore
129 books64 followersRichmond Lattimore graduated from Dartmouth in 1926 and received an A.B. from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar at Christ Church in 1932. He took his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1934.
He was an American poet and classicist known for his translations of the Greek classics, especially his versions of the Iliad and Odyssey, which are generally considered as among the best English translations available
He was an American poet and classicist known for his translations of the Greek classics, especially his versions of the Iliad and Odyssey, which are generally considered as among the best English translations available
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 21, 2024
Richmond Lattimore is known for his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey, but with his book on the Gospels he undertook a different task. Instead of offering a poetic translation, he attempted to give as straightforward a version as he could, following the original Greek of the Septuagint. He tried to recreate the feeling of the original as well as he could in English.
This approach is highly appealing. One is so accustomed to readings from the Gospels in church settings that one begins to become numb to the formulaic phrasings. The King James version, the Revised Standard Version, and the “modern English” versions have all been overworked, and it is good to hear the stories in a form that makes them feel fresh. The verse numbers are not in the text, so that one does not feel as though one is reading the Bible. One feels that one is reading an historical account comparable to a good biography.
One can tune in to differences in tone among the Gospels. Mark is terse and to the point. In Luke one can notice a difference between when Jesus is responding to misunderstandings among the disciples, and when he is enunciating some deep truth. In John, Jesus’ statements are much more oracular and sweeping. I was aware of some of these differences before I read Lattimore, but with his translation I can follow the nuances as closely as if I were reading a novel.
The translation also includes the book of Revelation. However good the translation may be, I found the bizarre imagery so off-putting that I could not even think of it as mythology. There may be some arcane logic to it, but not much that is humanly relatable. Jesus comes across as judgmental and vindictive, contrary to his presence in the Gospels.
In footnotes at the back of the book Lattimore very helpfully explains some of the difficulties of translation. For example, the frequent reference to “Jews,” especially in the book of John, seems confusing, because the disciples were Jews, and the use of the term seems to bring in an anachronistic antisemitism. Lattimore explains that the term “Jews” often means “the religious authorities” such as “the high priests, scribes and Pharisees,” and at other times refers to the people of Jerusalem. This sort of clarification is very helpful.
Lattimore’s translation of the Gospels is enormously satisfying. I would like to have it available for any future occasion in which I am responding to a teaching from the Gospels.
This approach is highly appealing. One is so accustomed to readings from the Gospels in church settings that one begins to become numb to the formulaic phrasings. The King James version, the Revised Standard Version, and the “modern English” versions have all been overworked, and it is good to hear the stories in a form that makes them feel fresh. The verse numbers are not in the text, so that one does not feel as though one is reading the Bible. One feels that one is reading an historical account comparable to a good biography.
One can tune in to differences in tone among the Gospels. Mark is terse and to the point. In Luke one can notice a difference between when Jesus is responding to misunderstandings among the disciples, and when he is enunciating some deep truth. In John, Jesus’ statements are much more oracular and sweeping. I was aware of some of these differences before I read Lattimore, but with his translation I can follow the nuances as closely as if I were reading a novel.
The translation also includes the book of Revelation. However good the translation may be, I found the bizarre imagery so off-putting that I could not even think of it as mythology. There may be some arcane logic to it, but not much that is humanly relatable. Jesus comes across as judgmental and vindictive, contrary to his presence in the Gospels.
In footnotes at the back of the book Lattimore very helpfully explains some of the difficulties of translation. For example, the frequent reference to “Jews,” especially in the book of John, seems confusing, because the disciples were Jews, and the use of the term seems to bring in an anachronistic antisemitism. Lattimore explains that the term “Jews” often means “the religious authorities” such as “the high priests, scribes and Pharisees,” and at other times refers to the people of Jerusalem. This sort of clarification is very helpful.
Lattimore’s translation of the Gospels is enormously satisfying. I would like to have it available for any future occasion in which I am responding to a teaching from the Gospels.
January 27, 2022
Really 3.75 stars
This is of course a reread. I first read the gospels through in about 1976, using the RSV. And I had read in them from time to time before that, mostly KJV, but not extensively. My Biblical thought course in the fall of 1973 covered the Old Testament and for some reason I didn't take its sister course on the NT in the spring of '74.
This reads well and is a strikingly accessible translation--as far as I am able to judge such things. I liked the 5 "books" a lot. Much to my surprise, my favorite was John. He gives more details about things of which he probably has no direct knowledge, but so what? All the gospels are to a large extent embellished from some ur-text or texts. John's description of the raising of Lazarus is quite interesting and psychologically perceptive. Jesus "rages!"
My goodness, Jesus did not have much use for rich people. And he could be pretty fractious too. That story about blasting the fig tree has always seemed to me pregnant with meaning.
I also came away with great respect for Jesus's courage. I mean he knows what's coming, asks if he can pass the cup, all the while knowing he can't. Yeowzaaa! The prophecy has to be fulfilled, his fate fulfilled, his own self respect fulfilled. And what a way to be filled full.
I must confess that I found the Revelations a bit of a let down. All the seals and 4 animals and beasts and so forth. It just seems like an end of the world fantasy where everybody is going to get theirs.
Recommended for anyone interested in a literary, not scholarly, presentation of these texts. (There are endnotes, though.)
This is of course a reread. I first read the gospels through in about 1976, using the RSV. And I had read in them from time to time before that, mostly KJV, but not extensively. My Biblical thought course in the fall of 1973 covered the Old Testament and for some reason I didn't take its sister course on the NT in the spring of '74.
This reads well and is a strikingly accessible translation--as far as I am able to judge such things. I liked the 5 "books" a lot. Much to my surprise, my favorite was John. He gives more details about things of which he probably has no direct knowledge, but so what? All the gospels are to a large extent embellished from some ur-text or texts. John's description of the raising of Lazarus is quite interesting and psychologically perceptive. Jesus "rages!"
My goodness, Jesus did not have much use for rich people. And he could be pretty fractious too. That story about blasting the fig tree has always seemed to me pregnant with meaning.
I also came away with great respect for Jesus's courage. I mean he knows what's coming, asks if he can pass the cup, all the while knowing he can't. Yeowzaaa! The prophecy has to be fulfilled, his fate fulfilled, his own self respect fulfilled. And what a way to be filled full.
I must confess that I found the Revelations a bit of a let down. All the seals and 4 animals and beasts and so forth. It just seems like an end of the world fantasy where everybody is going to get theirs.
Recommended for anyone interested in a literary, not scholarly, presentation of these texts. (There are endnotes, though.)
March 16, 2012
He goes 4 for 4 in the Resurrection.
This is the first time I've sat down and read the gospels straight through since I was 16. Now that I have absorbed a lot of ecclesiastical history it make for a rather interesting read to spot the passages that sparked various heresies. For the record, the cursing of the fig tree still doesn't make any sense.
Revelation still reads like Nick Cave dropped a shit-ton of acid just before getting possessed by William Burroughs' ghost.
This is the first time I've sat down and read the gospels straight through since I was 16. Now that I have absorbed a lot of ecclesiastical history it make for a rather interesting read to spot the passages that sparked various heresies. For the record, the cursing of the fig tree still doesn't make any sense.
Revelation still reads like Nick Cave dropped a shit-ton of acid just before getting possessed by William Burroughs' ghost.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2020
If you would like to read the four gospels (and Revelation) in contemporary English with no distracting breaks for chapter or verse, this is the book for you. Lattimore was a classical scholar and expert Greek translator. This translation does not get bogged down in theology, but provides an acclaimed translation. A good and easy read.
July 1, 2014
Nothing new to add to a dominant perspective.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews