Jesus tells some Greeks and Apostles that the tine has come from him to be recognized.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
John 12:24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Ameni, Ameni, I tell you. Unless the seed of the grain, falling into the ground, dies, it itself remains alone. When, however, it dies, it produces great fruit.
Death castes off the shell of our bodies and allows us to be reborn to produce more.
Jesus seems to be referring to himself here, but he may also be saying something about the nature of death (see Symbolic" section below.)The Greek word translated as "corn" and "kernel" means the covering protecting the actual "seed," and it is a metaphor for small amount of sense or common sense. The word translated as "fall" is a metaphor for bowing down to what is superior. "Into the earth" is obviously a metaphor for burial. Is Jesus correct here? Does a kernel die? Seeds are not dead. They are dormant. However, the kernel surrounding the actual seed protects it and keeps it separate from the earth. When this protective kernel decays in the earth, it allows the world water and light which activates the seed, allowing it to live and grow. The word "fruit" also means "profit" and "reward." These are produced by the seed, not given to it.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "wheat" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "fall" is not an active verb but a participle, "falling."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "abide" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "bring" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "forth" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "very" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "bring" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "wheat" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "fall" is not an active verb but a participle, "falling."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "only a" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "seed" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "many" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "seeds" should be something more like "fruit."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "seeds" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
Verily, -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Except - - "Except" is from a phrase that literally means "when not". The negative used in it is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. The indefinite articles ("a," "an") can be used when a definite article isn't used before a noun.
corn -- The word translated as "corn " means "kernel," or "grain." It can also mean "seed." However, it is not the most common word for a "seed" in Greek.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
wheat - "Wheat" is from a word that means "grain," "wheat," "barley," "food made from grain," "bread," and, most generally, "food."
fall -- (WF) "Fall" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." It is the root word for dozens of Greek terms involving moving from a higher state to a lower one. Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. This is a participle, not an active verb.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
ground -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
and-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
die, - "Die" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "pass away" or to "die off."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. The pronoun is used to identify the subject as the "kernel" or "grain."
abideth -- (CW) The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
alone: -- "Alone" is an adjective that means "alone," "solitary," "only," "single," "unique," "made in one piece," "without [someone]," "only [something]," "unique," "one above all others," and "on one condition only."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. It also an explanation of cause ("so").
if -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
die, - "Die" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "pass away" or to "die off."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
bringeth -- (CW) The verb translated as "bring" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get."
forth -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "shall" in the Greek source.
much - The word translated as "much" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
fruit. -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
Very, -- (CW) The word translated as "very" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
Truly -- The word translated as "truly " is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
unless - - "Except" is from a phrase that literally means "when not". The negative used in it is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. The indefinite articles ("a," "an") can be used when a definite article isn't used before a noun.
kernel -- The word translated as "kernel " means "kernel," or "grain." It can also mean "seed." However, it is not the most common word for a "seed" in Greek.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
wheat - "Wheat" is from a word that means "grain," "wheat," "barley," "food made from grain," "bread," and, most generally, "food."
falls -- (WF) "Falls" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." It is the root word for dozens of Greek terms involving moving from a higher state to a lower one. Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. This is a participle, not an active verb.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
ground -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
and-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
dies - "Die" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "pass away" or to "die off."
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. The pronoun is used to identify the subject as the "kernel" or "grain."
remains -- The word translated as "remains" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
only a - (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "only a " in the Greek source.
single -- "Alone" is an adjective that means "alone," "solitary," "only," "single," "unique," "made in one piece," "without [someone]," "only [something]," "unique," "one above all others," and "on one condition only."
seed -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "seed" in the Greek source.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. It also an explanation of cause ("so").
if -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
dies, - "Dies" is a Greek verb that means "to die" and "to die off." Since the root word also means "to die," and the prefix means "away," the sense is to "pass away" or to "die off."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
seed. (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "seed" in the Greek source.
produces -- The verb translated as "produces" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get."
many - (WN) The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size. However, it indicates a plural form, but this form is singular, "much."
seeds. -- (WW, WN) The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
Ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ἐὰν μὴ [8 verses](conj particle) "Except" is ean me, which means "when not." "When" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. "Not" is mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." It has the sense of not wanting or thinking about something.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόκκος [6 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Corn" is kokkos, which means "a grain" and "a seed," "testicles," and it is a metaphor for a "grain of sense."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
σίτου [8 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Wheat" is sitos, which means "grain," "wheat," "barley," "food made from grain," "bread," and, most generally, "food."
πεσὼν [36 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Fall" is pipto, which means "to fall," "to fall down," "to be cast down," "fall upon," "intersect (geometry)," "meet," "pass through," "fall violently upon," "attack," "fall in battle," "sink{in water)," "fall short i.e. fail," " fall out of," "lose a thing," "escape from," "fall asleep," "to be accessible to perception," "to fall (between her feet, i.e. to be born)," "to let fall[dice)," "turn out," and "fall under (belong to a class)."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
γῆν [59 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Earth" is ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
ἀποθάνῃ [14 verses], (3rd sg aor subj act) "Die" is from apothnesko, which means "to die,""to pass away," and "to die off." The prefix means "away. The root "to die."
αὐτὸς [720 verses](adj sg masc nom) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
μόνος [18 verses](adj sg masc nom ) "Alone" is monos, which means "alone," "solitary," "only," "single," "unique," "made in one piece," "without [someone]," "only [something]," "unique," "one above all others," and "on one condition only."
μένει:[27 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Abideth" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
ἐὰν [162 verses](conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). With the Greek word for "if" the sense is "if...than."
ἀποθάνῃ, [14 verses](3rd sg aor subj act) "It die" iis from apothnesko, which means "to die,""to pass away," and "to die off." The prefix means "away. The root "to die."
πολὺν [61 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Much" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long." -
καρπὸν[32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
φέρει. [16 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "It bring forth" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."