The Judeans marvel at Jesus's teaching because they think that he never learned to read, which is odd because Jesus reads Isaiah in Luke 4:16-21.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
John 7:17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
When someone desires that desire of his to perform, he will learn to know about this learning. Whether it is one or the other: out of the Divine or I myself from myself chatter.
Only by doing can we learn.
Jesus again uses a lot of wordplays here, giving this verse a light feeling. He alliterates a noun and verb from the same root, "desires the desire." The KJV translated three different words as "of," when they mean three different things: "about," "out of," and "from." The "will do" in the KJV sounds like the future tense, but it isn't. The NIV corrects these errors but not in a way that communicates the sense of what Jesus actually said, subtracting words and adding a lot he didn't say to the verse. The last word translated as "speak" is a more light-hearted word meaning"chatter" and "gossip." Jesus often uses it in a self-effacing way.
The NIV adds "of God" after "the will" but this was not what Jesus said. He said "the will of his," where the "his" refers to "the one who sent me." Who that might be is revealed later in the verse.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "do" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to do."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "will" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "might" is needed by the subjunctive form of the verb "chooses."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "chooses" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "of God" should be something more like "of his."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "about" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "this."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "comes" should be something more like "is."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "find out" is not the common words usually translated as "find out."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "on" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
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.
any man -- The word translated as "a certain" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone." -- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
will -- (WT) The Greek word translated as "will" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English indicating the future tense. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose." This is the active verb, not the following one.
do -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do," which covers all actions, productive or not. The form is not an active verb but an infinitive.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
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.
will, -- The word translated as "will" means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. 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."
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.
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.
doctrine, -- "Doctrine" is from a noun Jesus only uses here and in the next verse, means "teaching", "regulations" [military], and "discipline." Since Jesus is commenting on people wondering about his education, "learning" might work better here.
whether - - "Whether" is from poteron, which means "whether of the two", "either of the two," and "one of the other."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
be -- The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.
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.
God, -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison. The same word could also be the exclamation "hi" or the adverb meaning "in truth."
whether -- There is nothing here that can be translated as "wether" in the Greek source, but the earlier "whether" implied two alternatives.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it 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 subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
speak -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
myself. -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as myself. -
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "if might" 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.
Anyone -- The word translated as "a certain" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone." -- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source.
missing "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."
chooses -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "choose" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose." It is not the verb that means "choose." This is the active verb, not the following one.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
do -- The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do," which covers all actions, productive or not. The form is an infinitive.
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.
will, -- The word translated as "will" means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice.
of God -- (WW) The word translated as "of God" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
will -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
find out -- (CW) "Find out" is a verb that means "to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." This is not the verb usually translated as "find out."
whether - - "Whether" is from poteron, which means "whether of the two", "either of the two," and "one of the other."
missing "about" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "about" 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.
my -- (WW) The word translated as "my" 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.
teaching , -- "Teaching" is from a noun Jesus only uses here and in the next verse, means "teaching", "regulations" [military], and "discipline." Since Jesus is commenting on people wondering about his education, "learning" might work better here.
comes -- (WW) The verb "come" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.
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.
God, -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison. The same word could also be the exclamation "hi" or the adverb meaning "in truth."
whether -- There is nothing here that can be translated as "wether" in the Greek source, but the earlier "whether" implied two alternatives.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it 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 subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
speak -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.
on -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."
myself. -- The Greek reflexive pronoun is translated as myself.
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."
τις [252 verses](pron sg nom) "Any man" 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." -- The Greek word translated as "some" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those."
θέλῃ [64 verses](3rd sg pres subj act) "Will" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." It is a prolonged form (only found in NT) of a verb that means "to be resolved to a purpose" so, in a sense, "to decide," and "to desire." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly." In the Hebrew, "will" or "desire" is chaphets, which means "to delight in," "to take pleasure in," and "to be pleased with."
τὸ[821 verses](article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θέλημα [16 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Will" is the noun, thelema, which means "will" and "pleasure." what someone's "pleasure," that is wants or desires, It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "intent" seems closer to the concept.
αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" (adj sg masc acc) "Him" 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."
ποιεῖν, [168 verses] (pres inf act) "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."
γνώσεται [62 verses] (3rd sg fut ind mid) "He shall know," is ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."
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."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
διδαχῆς [2 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Doctrine is from didachē, which means "teaching", "regulations" [military], and "discipline."
πότερον [1 verse](adj sg neut nom) "Whether" is from poteron, which means "whether of the two", "either of the two," and "one of the other."
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "Of" 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."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Be" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
ἢ [92 verses](conj/adv) "Or" is e which is a particle meaning "either," "or," or "than." OR (exclam) "Or" is e which is an exclamation meaning "hi!" OR (adv) "Or" is e, which is an adverb meaning "in truth" and "of a surety."
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.
ἀπ᾽ [190 verses](prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Usually takes the genitive object.
ἐμαυτοῦ [15 verses] (pron sg masc gen) ") "Myself" is emautou, which means "of me," and "of myself".
λαλῶ. [49 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I speak"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.
Positioning of the verb indicating desire next to the noun indicating desire like "wish the wish" in English.