Jesus tells some Greeks and Apostles that those who serve him must follow him.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 12:27 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
now, this self of mine has been upset. And what should I say? Father, rescue during this time, this one? Instead, because of this, I show up in at this hour, this one.
Even when Jesus was troubled, he was lighthearted about it.
Jesus is being light-hearted here, posing a kind of paradox. Should he be upset about doing what he came to do?
He has a little fun at the beginning of this verse, starting with the word "now" but then using a past perfect verb, "Now, this self of mine has been upset." This is the kind of thing we say when someone has said or done something right before to upset us, but whatever this event is, it is not recorded.
The connection between this verse and John 12:25 is lost because the word translated as "life" in that earlier verse is translated as "soul" in this one. That word should more consistently translated as "self" so we can see that Jesus is continuing the same idea. In that earlier verse, the issue was caring for the "self" and hating it and th consequences of that, which we not so simple as translated in English Bibles. Here, the issue is the "self" being troubled. This makes the issue even more complicated. Is a troubled self one that is cared about or one that is hated? The word translated as "save" has the specific meaning of "rescue" in the sense of saving a life. So what is at issue here is losing a "self" not "keeping" it.
The word translated as "soul" here is the same word translated over and over again as "life," just recently inAs we can see here, just two verses later, translating it earlier as "life" is inconsistent with how Christ uses it. The KJV translators want to translate it as "life" when Christ takes about losing or destroying it, but that is a philosophical prejudice, not translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been troubled."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "soul" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "soul" is the same word translated as "life" two verses ago.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "hour" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "hour" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "soul" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "soul" is the same word translated as "life" two verses ago.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been troubled."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "hour" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "no" is not the common word usually translated as "no."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "it was" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "very" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "hour" is not shown in the English translation.
Now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."
is- (WT) -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive and in the present tense, but the verb is the past perfect indicating an action completed in the past.
my - My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the/this" -- (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.
soul -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, and the intellectual self. It has a clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to specifically mean our identity in our worldly life, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "social self," or what we commonly call our "ego." See this article for detail about this word. This same word was just translated as "life" in John 12:25.
troubled - - "Troubled" is a verb that means to "stir", "trouble", "agitate", "disturb", "cause relaxation of the bowels", and "trouble the mind." The opposite of being "troubled" is being at peace. Jesus used this word to describe agitation of the heart and the self.
; and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
say?- The word translated as "say" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
Father, -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
save -- "Save" is the Greek word that means "to keep alive" when applied to people or "to keep safe" when applied to things. Jesus uses it to mean "rescue" in most cases.
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based on its context.
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it, with the sense of "this one."
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."
hour:- The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
for -- The preposition translated as "for...cause" means with the accusative used here, means "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it.
cause -- This completes the sense of the preposition.
came -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
unto -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in time and measure, and "for" a purpose or object.
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it, with the sense of "this one."
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."
hour:- The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
Now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."
my - My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the/this" -- (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.
soul -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, and the intellectual self. It has a clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to specifically mean our identity in our worldly life, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "social self," or what we commonly call our "ego." See this article for detail about this word. This same word was just translated as "life" in John 12:25.
is- (WT) -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive and in the present tense, but the verb is the past perfect indicating an action completed in the past.
troubled - - "Troubled" is a verb that means to "stir", "trouble", "agitate", "disturb", "cause relaxation of the bowels", and "trouble the mind." The opposite of being "troubled" is being at peace. Jesus used this word to describe agitation of the heart and the self.
; and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
say?- The word translated as "say" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
Father, -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
save -- "Save" is the Greek word that means "to keep alive" when applied to people or "to keep safe" when applied to things. Jesus uses it to mean "rescue" in most cases.
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based on its context.
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it, with the sense of "this one."
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."
hour:- The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
No, -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "no" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
it was -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it was" in the Greek source.
for -- The preposition translated as "for...reason" means with the accusative used here, means "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it.
very -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "reason" in the Greek source.
reason -- This completes the sense of the preposition.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
came -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in time and measure, and "for" a purpose or object.
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." It usually comes after the noun, emphasizing it, with the sense of "this one."
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."
hour:- The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now," "at the present moment," "at the present time," "just now," "presently," and "as it is."
“ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
ψυχή [33 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Life" is psyche, which means "breath," "life," "self," "personality," "spirit," and "soul." It is also used to describe "the spirit" of things. It is also often translated as "soul."
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.-- "
τετάρακται,” [4 verses] (3rd sg perf ind mp ) "Troubled" is from tarasso, which means "stir", "trouble", "agitate", "disturb", "cause relaxation of the bowels", an "trouble the mind."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
τί [252 verses](pron sg neut nom/acc) "What" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, \διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
εἴπω; [162 verses](1st sg aor subj act "ShalI I say"is eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer."
πάτερ, [191 verses](noun sg masc voc) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
σῶσόν [25 verse](2nd sg aor imperat) "Save" is sozo (soizo), which means "save from death," "keep alive," "keep safe," "preserve," "maintain," "keep in mind," "carry off safely," and "rescue."
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me."
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 6) cause, instrument, or means "by."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). - 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.
ὥρας [37 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
ταύτης. [93 verses](adj sg fem gen) "That" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here."
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
διὰ [88 verses](prep) "Through" is dia, which means with the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
τοῦτο . [93 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "That" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here."
ἦλθον [198 verses] (1st sg aor ind act) "Came I" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Unto" 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) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). - 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.
ὥραν [37 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
ταύτην. [93 verses](adj sg fem acc) "That" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here."
A play on contrasting phrase about time: "from this time" and "to this time."