His audience tells him he is crazy for saying someone is trying to kill him. Then he mentions a "wonder" he worked but the wonder, curing a man on the Sabbath, is only mentioned here.
John 7:23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
John 7:23 Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath?
If he receives a cut around, the person, on a rest day, because it shouldn't be broken, that law of Moses. Are you angry at me because because a whole man I made healthy the entire man whole on a rest day.
Cutting up people isn't as good as making them all healthy.
In the Greek, there is a contrast here between the small destruction that is demanded even on Sunday in Jewish custom and the productive acts that are disallowed. Translated in the KJV as "receive," the sense of the Greek verb lambano as a taking or seizing is lost. The Greek verb translated as "made" is the verb used to describe all manners of creation and production.
The word "circumcision" means literally a circular cut. The verb form used in the previous verse, John 7:22, also have the sense of hemming someone in and cutting them off. Christ chooses circumcision for his illustration because the Jews are using Jewish law to cut him off and hem him in. He counters by saying that he does the opposite, making people better and more complete.
The Greek word translated as "angry" is a mix between the emotions of anger and sadness. We use "upset" in English in a similar way to describe a similar range of disappointment.
Also, it is worth mentioning the difference between our ideas of "law" today and the concept of "nomos", the Greek word. We think of laws as edicts offered by government. While Rome might issue such rule, they were not usually described as "nomos." Nomos was more like the idea of natural law or customary law, the general rules of society as opposed to a government edict, which was described by a variety of different words depending on its source and nature.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "because" is the same word translated as "that" above.
- 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).
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "every whit" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "whole" should be something more like "healthy."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "now" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "boy" should be something more like "man."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "can" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "get."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "why" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "for" is the same word translated as "so that" above.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "healing" is a participle, "make healthy" is a verb and an adjective.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "healing" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "healing" is a participle, "make healthy" is a verb and an adjective.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "man's" is a possessive, but the "man" is the object of a verb.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "body" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "every whit" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation. However some versions of our best Greek sources have 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.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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 -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
sabbath day -- The word translated as "Sabbath day" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."
receive -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
circumcision, -- The word translated as "circumcision" means literally "cut around," meaning "circular incisions", and "circumcision."
that -- The word translated as "that" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," "when," or as a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because."
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.
law -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civl or Roman law. See this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
Moses -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun.
should -- This helping verb "should" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative "when" and "if" clauses because possibilities are thought, not real.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
broken; -- The word translated as "loosen" means to "unbind. "dissolve," "break up," "undo," "and means "to annul" a law. It is the same word Jesus uses to refer to "breaking" commandments.
are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
angry - The Greek verb translated as "are angry" is a mix between the emotions of anger and sadness. We use "upset" in English in a similar way to describe a similar range of disappointment.
at -- This word "at" 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. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context. The case can indicate a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
me, -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
because -- (CW) The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word translated as "that" earlier in the verse.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
made -- The Greek word translated as "made" 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.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
every whit -- (CW) The word translated as "every whit" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."
whole -- (WW) "Whole" is an adjective means "healthy", "sound" [in body], "safe and sound", "in good condition", "unbroken", "wholesome", "wise" [of words], "logically sound", "correct", "in order," [as an adverb] "healthily", "soundly," and "honorably." It is not the word that means "whole," which is the previous adjective.
on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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 -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
sabbath day -- The word translated as "Sabbath day" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."
Now -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "now" in the Greek source.
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation. However some versions of our best Greek sources have 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.
boy -- (WW) The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
can -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "can" in the Greek source.
be -- (WW) The word translated as "be" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
circumcised -- The word translated as "circumsized" means literally "cut around," meaning "circular incisions", and "circumcision." It is not a passive noun, but a noun.
on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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 -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
Sabbath -- The word translated as the "Sabbath" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."
so that -- The word translated as "so that" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," "when," or as a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because."
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.
law -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civl or Roman law. See this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
Moses -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun.
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.
not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative "when" and "if" clauses because possibilities are thought, not real.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
broken; -- The word translated as "loosen" means to "unbind. "dissolve," "break up," "undo," "and means "to annul" a law. It is the same word Jesus uses to refer to "breaking" commandments.
why -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "why" in the Greek source.
are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
angry - The Greek verb translated as "are angry" is a mix between the emotions of anger and sadness. We use "upset" in English in a similar way to describe a similar range of disappointment.
with -- This word "with " 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. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context. The case can indicate a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
me, -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
for -- (CW) The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word translated as "so that" earlier in the verse. It is not a word normally translated as "so."
healing -- (WF, CW) This is from two Greek words that mean "I make healthy." The Greek word translated as "to 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. "Healthy" is an adjective means "healthy", "sound" [in body], "safe and sound", "in good condition", "unbroken", "wholesome", "wise" [of words], "logically sound", "correct", "in order," [as an adverb] "healthily", "soundly," and "honorably." It is not the word that means "whole," which is the previous adjective.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man's -- (WF) The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." This word is the object of the verb, not a possessive as translated.
whole - The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."
body-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "body" in the Greek source.
on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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 -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
Sabbath -- The word translated as the "Sabbath" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.
περιτομὴν [2 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Circumcision" is from peritome, which means a "circular incisions", "circumcision," and "section" [of a machine].
λαμβάνει [54 verse](3rd sg pres ind act) "Receiveth" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," in Logic, "assume," "take for granted," "understand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," and "to take hold of." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
[ὁ] [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄνθρωπος [209 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Of man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
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."
σαββάτῳ [17 verses](noun sg neut dat) "On the sabbath days" is from sabbaton, which means "Sabbath," "seven days of week," and "first day of week."
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."
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. With pres. or aor. subj. used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care" It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions.
λυθῇ [10 verses](3rd sg aor subj pass) "Should...be broken" is lyo, (luo) which means "loosen," "unbind," "unfasten," "unyoke," "unharness," "release," "deliver," "give up," "dissolve," "break up," "undo," "destroy," "repeal," "annul," "break," "solve," "fulfill," "atone for," "fulfill," and "pay."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νόμος [16 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Law" is nomos, which means "anything assigned," "a usage," "custom," "law," "ordinance," or "that which is a habitual practice." It is the basis of the English words "norm" and "normal."
Μωυσέως, [18 verses](Hebrew Name) "Moses" is Moyses, which means "Moses."
ἐμοὶ [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which means "I," "me," and "my."
χολᾶτε [1 verse](2nd pl pres ind act) "Are ye angry" is from cholao, which means "to be fill of black bile", "to be melancholy," and "to be angry."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" 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."
ὅλον. [23 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Every whit" is holos, which means "the whole," "entire," "complete," "complete in all its parts" and "the universe." As an adverb, it means "wholly," "altogether," "entirely," "on the whole," "speaking generally," "utter," "actually," and "really."
ἄνθρωπον [209 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Of man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
ὑγιῆ [2 verses] (adj sg masc acc) "Whole" is from hygies, which means "healthy", "sound" [in body], "safe and sound", "in good condition", "unbroken", "wholesome", "wise" [of words], "logically sound", "correct", "in order," [as an adverb] "healthily", "soundly," and "honorably."
ἐποίησα [168 verses](1st sg aor ind act)"I have made" 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."
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." -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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."
σαββάτῳ [17 verses](noun sg neut dat) "On the sabbath days" is from sabbaton, which means "Sabbath," "seven days of week," and "first day of week." -- The word translated as the "the Sabbath day" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."
A play on two different words for whole against a word that indicates a part.