At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. He has just warned the powerful are coming for him.
John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 14:31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Instead, in order that this society might learn because I care about the Father, just as the Father commands me, this is what I do. Wake up! we should carry on from here!
We can all only carry on from here.
The verse is almost a humorous shrug. Jesus says that he has his instructions, so that is what he is going to do. These are the cards we have been given, let's play them. More recently the English translations still add a lot and change a lot but I don't know why. The ending confuses everyone because it is only roughly translated. Jesus tells his apostles to wake up. So apparently they are sleepy after their meal. He then just says that they "should" carry on from where they are. It is not a command, but a verb of possibility, something that should be done.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "let" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "us" is not the object of the verb but the subject, "we."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "should" needed from the form of the verb is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "go" is not the common words usually translated as "go."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he comes" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "exactly" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "what" should be something more like "as."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "the."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "come" should be something more like "arise."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "now" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "let" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "us" is not the object of the verb but the subject, "we."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "should" needed from the form of the verb is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "leave" is not one of the common words usually translated as "leave."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "from here" is not shown in the English translation.
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." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
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.
world -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
know -- "Know" is a verb that means "to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "realize" seems to capture most senses of this word better than "know," which is the meaning of "have seen."
that -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
love -- The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
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.
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.
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."
as -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
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.
gave -- - "Gave...commandment" in most versions is a Greek verb that primarily means to give verbal commands or orders. In the version I use, it is two words, the verb and the noun, "gave commandment." The verb translated as "gave" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The word translated as "commandment" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me." A dative object of a preposition implies no movement, but in a fixed position, events that occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
commandment, -- This finishes the idea of the verb in most versions, but the word translated as "commandment" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
even so-- The word translated in KJV as "even so" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do. -- The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.
Arise, -- The word for "arise" means "awaken" and is the same word Christ uses to describe God raising the dead and false prophets arising.
let -- -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "let" in the Greek source.
us -- (WF) This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb. It is the subject, no an object of "let."
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if" or a "when."
go -- (CW) "Go" is a Greek verb that means "to lead," "to carry," or "to fetch" and has a lot of different specific meanings in different contexts. Jesus usually uses it to mean "bring." It is not the word commonly translated as "go." In the passive, which could be the form here if this is a command, it has the sense. "we are guided."
hence. -- "Hence" is a word that means "from that place" and "hence." In English, in this context, we would say "from here.
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." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
he comes -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "he comes" in the Greek source.
so that -- The word translated as "so that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
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.
world -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
learn -- "Learn" is a verb that means "learn to know," "know by reflection," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "realize" seems to capture most senses of this word better than "know," which is the meaning of "have seen."
that -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
love -- The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
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.
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.
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."
do. -- The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.
exactly -- (CW) The word translated in KJV as "exactly" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
what -- (WW) "What" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
my -- (WW) The word translated as "my" is the Greek definite article. When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
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.
gave -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
has -- (WT) This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
commanded -- - "commanded" in most versions is a Greek verb that primarily means to give verbal commands or orders. In the version I use, it is two words, the verb and the noun, "gave commandment." The verb translated as "gave" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The word translated as "commandment" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me." A dative object of a preposition implies no movement, but in a fixed position, events that occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
Come -- (WW) The word for "come" means "awaken" and is the same word Christ uses to describe God raising the dead and false prophets arising.
now; -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "now" in the Greek source.
let -- -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "let" in the Greek source.
us -- (WF) This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb. It is the subject, no an object of "let."
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if" or a "when."
leave-- (CW) "Leave" is a Greek verb that means "to lead," "to carry," or "to fetch" and has a lot of different specific meanings in different contexts. Jesus usually uses it to mean "bring." It is not the word commonly translated as "go." In the passive, which could be the form here if this is a command, it has the sense. "we are guided."
missing "from here" -- (MW) The untranslated word "from that place" and "hence." In English, in this context, we would say "from here."
ἀλλ᾽[154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," but when beginning a phrase "that," "in order that," "when," and "because."
γνῷ [62 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Know,"is ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόσμος [63 verses](noun sg masc nom) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ἀγαπῶ [32 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind/subj act) "Love" is agapao, which means "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with." This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated. Jesus uses another word. Jesus uses another word, phileô, which means "to love," "to like," "to be fond of doing," and "to show affection" to express "love" in the sense of like and dislike.He never uses the word eros, which describes romantic, sexual love.
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατέρα, [191 verses](noun sg masc acc) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
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."
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "As" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
There are various sources, in most we have the following verb:
ἐνετείλατο [6 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind mid) "commandment gave " is entello, which means "to enjoin," "to command" especially verbally, "invest with legal powers," and "authorize to act."
In the version I normally use, there are two words, a noun and verb:
ἐντολὴν [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Commandments" is entole which means "injunction," "order," and "command."
ἔδωκέν [147 verses] verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Gave" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
πατὴρ [191 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
οὕτως [54 verses](adv) "Even so" is houtos, an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why."
ποιῶ. , [168 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with."
Ἐγείρεσθε, [41 verses](2nd pl pres imperat) "Arise"is egeiro, which means "to awaken," "to stir up," and "to rouse."
ἄγωμεν [13 verses](verb 1st pl pres subj act) "Let us go"2nd pl fut ind pass) "Shall be brought" is ago, which means to "lead," "carry," "bring," "fetch," "take with one," "carry of," "bear up," "remove," "lead to a point," "lead," "guide," "manage," "refer," "bring up," "train," "educate," "reduce," "draw out (in length)," "hold," "celebrate," "observe (a date)," "pass (Time)," "hold account," "treat," "draw down (in the scale)," and "weight."
ἐντεῦθεν. [5 verses](adv) "Hence" is enteuthen, which means "from that place" and "hence."