The Swedish Bible Society (Svenska bibelsällskapet) has published a new translation of the New Testament, NT26, presenting the text at the Gothenburg Book Fair. Reporting ahead of the launch highlighted several decisions that have drawn wide attention: Judas no longer "betrays" Jesus but "hands him over"; the apostle Paul is described as a "slave" rather than a "servant"; and the name long rendered Junias is given as Junia, a woman.
A new translation of the New Testament is a significant event for Swedish church life, and the free church newspaper Sändaren asked three voices from across the churches what they were looking for. Thomas Kazen, professor of biblical studies at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm and a pastor in Equmeniakyrkan, said he does not expect revolutionary change, but is curious about the words and concepts where recent scholarship has shifted understanding. Much discussion has surrounded the translation of repentance and conversion in the accounts of John the Baptist and in Jesus' message, where a single Greek word can be carried into Swedish in different ways. Kazen added that he would read Romans closely, since he teaches it, noting that some renderings in the current translation strike him as "a little Lutheran-confessional".
Johan Einarsson, a regional church leader and pastor in Equmeniakyrkan, said he was looking forward to returning to texts he has lived with for years and discovering what happens when familiar words are given new clothing. He has been fascinated by the Gospel of John for twenty-five years and intends to read it alongside Bibel 2000, the previous major Swedish translation. Asked whether a new translation can revive Bible reading, he was hopeful: "Imagine if it could be a renaissance in Bible reading and Bible scholarship." Kazen was more measured, suggesting that those who already read the Bible will approach the new text with curiosity and that it will attract attention in the cultural sphere at least initially, though a translation alone will not lift national Bible reading.
(Originally published in Swedish. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Sändaren (Sweden) — sandaren.se/nyheter/2026/09/22/tre-roster-om-nt26/
