John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you

Spoken to
Apostles

After the Last Supper, Jesus tells the apostles that they might abandon him.

KJV

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

NIV

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

LISTENERS HEARD

These things I have relayed to you in order that you might have peace within me.  You have pressure within this society. Instead, be brave. I myself have conquered this society.

MY TAKE

Words are what conquers every society.

GREEK ORDER

ταῦτα             λελάληκα        ὑμῖν    ἵνα        ἐν       ἐμοὶ       εἰρήνην   ἔχητε:
These things I have relayed to you  so that  within me.  harmony you might have

ἐν        τῷ   κόσμῳ    θλίψιν    ἔχετε,       ἀλλὰ     θαρσεῖτε,
within this society.   pressure You have Instead,  be brave.

ἐγὼ        νενίκηκα            τὸν  κόσμον.
I myself have conquered this  society.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Notice how the "have" verb changes in the two parallel phrases. Referring to "having peace," the form of possibility is used, meaning that this harmony might happen. However, "having tribulations/trouble" is the present active, not the future as you might think from the English translations. The "having tribulations/trouble", or more accurately, "pressure," is always a part of life.

Surprisingly, the "have overcome" is an action completed in the past. Jesus says that he conquered his society BEFORE he dies on the cross and is resurrected. This can only refer to the words he has spoken. The word translated as "the world" is closer to "this society."

 

 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
5
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "shall" indicates the future tense, but the verb is the present tense.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "be of good cheer" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
4
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "told" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is the present tense.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
EACH WORD of KJV

These -- The "there" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage.  It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things" as it is here.

things  - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

spoken -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying,"  or "relaying" information.  When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.

unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

that  -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

might -- This helping verb "might" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

have  -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

peace. -- "Peace" is the Greek term that means harmony between individuals and nations" and the general idea of safety, security, and prosperity. It is the opposite of the state of war. In Hebrew, the word for peace was used in salutations and as an inquiry as to one's health.

In -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

shall -- (WT) This helping verb "shall" indicates the future tense, but the verb is the present tense.

have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

tribulation: -- The Greek word translated as "tribulation" means "pressure," which is translated as a metaphor for "oppression." Since it primarily means pressure in the sense of "crushing" (and "castration"), it is a more colorful word than the words we used to describe a time of difficulty. This is a common word in the Septuagint for "distress," but it appears in Greek literature more as a scientific term than a social description.

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."

be of good cheer;  --  (CW) The verb translated as "be of good cheer" is from a noun that means  "courage." It is best translated as "have courage" or "be brave."

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here.  When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

overcome -- The verb translated as "overcome" means "to conquer," "be superior," and  "to overpower."

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.

EACH WORD of NIV

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

told -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "told" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying,"  or "relaying" information.  When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

these -- The "there" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage.  It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things" as it is here.

things  - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.

so that  -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

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.

have  -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

peace. -- "Peace" is the Greek term that means harmony between individuals and nations" and the general idea of safety, security, and prosperity. It is the opposite of the state of war. In Hebrew, the word for peace was used in salutations and as an inquiry as to one's health.

In -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- (WT) This helping verb "shall" indicates the future tense, but the verb is the present tense.

have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

trouble : -- The Greek word translated as "trouble" means "pressure," which is translated as a metaphor for "oppression." Since it primarily means pressure in the sense of "crushing" (and "castration"), it is a more colorful word than the words we used to describe a time of difficulty. This is a common word in the Septuagint for "distress," but it appears in Greek literature more as a scientific term than a social description.

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."

take heart!;  --  The verb translated as "take heart" is from a noun that means  "courage." It is best translated as "have courage" or "be brave."

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here.  When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

overcome -- The verb translated as "overcome" means "to conquer," "be superior," and  "to overpower."

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.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." 

λελάληκα [49 verses](1st sg perf ind act) "I have spoken" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another. 

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

ἐμοὶ [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."

εἰρήνην [18 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Peace" is eirene, which means "time of peace," "national tranquility," "peace," "tranquility," "personal tranquility," and "harmony." It is the name for the goddess of peace.

ἔχητε: [181 verses](2nd pl pres subj act) "Might have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing. 

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

κόσμῳ [63 verses](noun sg masc dat) "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.

θλίψιν [9 verses](noun sg fem acc)"Tribulation" is thlipsis, which means "pressure," "crushing," and "castration." It is a metaphor for "affliction"and "oppression." 

ἔχετε, [181 verses](2nd pl pres ind act) "Shall have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing. 

ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."

θαρσεῖτε, [5 verses](2nd sg pres imperat act) "Be of good cheer" is tharseo, which means "fear not", "have courage", "have confidence", "have no fear," and "make bold."

ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.

νενίκηκα [2 verses] (1st sg perf ind act) "Have overcome" is from nikao, which means "to conquer", "to prevail", "to be superior", "to succeed", "to vanquish," and "to overpower."

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("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. 

κόσμον. [63 verses](noun sg masc acc) "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. -- 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.

Related Verses

A contrast between two different meanings and two different forms (subjective, non-subjective) of "have."

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