After the Last Supper, after Jesus promised to summon an assistant to come after he is made to go.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
And, showing up, that one there will accuse this society of mistakes, not only concerning justice but also concerning judgment.
Society is making mistakes about what they think is justice and good judgment.
And, showing up, that one there will accuse this society of mistakes, not only concerning justice but also concerning judgment.
The English translations seem to have Jesus equating "sin," "righteousness," and "judgment." This is not what he says at all. The main reason for this is that they want to use the word "sin" so badly. However, there are a lot of others errors (sins?) in translation here as well. Let us go through them.
The English translations add a "when" because they translate "come" as an active verb, but it is a participle, "showing up" modifying a pronoun mistranslated as "he" that means "that one there." They then translated a word meaning "accuse" as "reprove" and "prove" because they want to use the word "sin." The word translated as means "failures" or "faults" or "mistakes," and its proper translated is critical here. The NIV adds the phrase "to be wrong about" to capture what they know is the real meaning of "sin" here, but they still want to use "sin."
Because I translate the active verb as "accuse," I am forced to translate the repeated preposition as "of" initially because that is the only pronoun in English that works with "accuse." The repeated Greek preposition primarily means "around" or "about" in the sense of "concerning." The plural form of the noun meaning "mistakes" works better here, but making it plural changes the meaning of the preposition slightly. However, this works well because the new two following repetitions of "concerning" refer to where mistakes are made, that about"justice" and "judgment." Oh, the word translated as "righteousness" is not the word usually translated as "righteousness." The common word refers to people as law-abiding. This word specifically refers to the judgment of judges, what we would call "justice."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "come" is not an active verb but a participle, "showing up."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is not the common word or verb form usually translated as "he."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "reprove" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the word's general meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" before "righteousness" is not the common word case usually translated as "of."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "righteousness" is not the common word usually translated as "righteousness."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" before "judgment" is not the common word case usually translated as "of."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "when" should be something more like "and."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "comes" is not an active verb but a participle, "showing up."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "prove" should be something more like "accuse."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is not the common word or verb form usually translated as "he."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "reprove" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the word's general meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "about" before "righteousness" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "righteousness" is not the common word usually translated as "righteousness."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "about" before "judgment" is not shown in the English translation.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
when -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
come, -- (WF) The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus 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. This is a participle, not an active verb.
he -- (CW) The word translated as "he" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." It is not the pronoun or from a 3rd-person verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
reprove - (CW) "Reprove" is from a verb from the word that means "to disgrace," "to put to shame," "to cross-examine," "to expose," and "to decide a dispute." Jesus only uses it four times and seems to mean "accuse."
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.
of - The Greek word translated as "of" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
sin, -- (CW) The word translated as "sins" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context. The word could be singular or plural.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
of - (CW) The Greek word translated as "of" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
righteousness, -- (CW) This word is only used here and two verses after this. It is related to another Greek word that has almost the same meaning as another word, but that word has the sense of fulfilling social requirements, while this is fulfilling the job of a judge. This is not the Greek word usually translated as "righteousness," but a rare one referring more to the correctness of judgment.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
of - (CW) The Greek word translated as "of" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
judgment: -- The Greek word translated as "judgment" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Christ uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means a "turning point," since it is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Only secondarily does it means "judgment" as in a court judgment.
When -- (WW) The untranslated word "when" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
comes, -- (WF) The word translated as "comes" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus 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. This is a participle, not an active verb.
he -- (CW) The word translated as "he" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." It is not the pronoun or from a 3rd-person verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
prove - (WW) "Reprove" is from a verb from the word that means "to disgrace," "to put to shame," "to cross-examine," "to expose," and "to decide a dispute." Jesus only uses it four times and seems to mean "accuse."
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.
to be in the wrong -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "to be wrong" in the Greek source.
about - The Greek word translated as "about " means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
sin, -- (CW) The word translated as "sins" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context. The word could be singular or plural.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
missing "about" -- (MW) The untranslated word "about" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
righteousness, -- (CW) This word is only used here and two verses after this. It is related to another Greek word that has almost the same meaning as another word, but that word has the sense of fulfilling social requirements, while this is fulfilling the job of a judge. This is not the Greek word usually translated as "righteousness," but a rare one referring more to the correctness of judgment.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
missing "about" -- (MW) The untranslated word "about" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
judgment: -- The Greek word translated as "judgment" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Christ uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means a "turning point," since it is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Only secondarily does it means "judgment" as in a court judgment.
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."
ἐλθὼν [198 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Is come" 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.
ἐκεῖνος [107 verses](adj sg masc nom) "He" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
ἐλέγξει [4 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind act) "Will reprove" is elegcho, which "to disgrace," "to put to shame," "to cross-examine," "to question," "to test," "to prove," "to refute," "to put right," "to get the better of," "to expose," and "to decide a dispute."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
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.
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "Of" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
ἁμαρτίας [28 verses]( noun sg fem gen or pl fem acc)"Sin" is hamartia, which means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin."
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."
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "Of" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
δικαιοσύνης [2 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Righteousness" is from dikaiosune, which means "righteousness", "justice", "fulfillment of the law," "being in an ideal state." And the "business of a judge.
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."
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "Of" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, of caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
κρίσεως: [26 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Judgment" is krisis, which means "separating," "distinguishing," "judgment," "choice," "election," "trial," "dispute," "event," and "issue."