John 20:15 Woman, why weepest thou?

Spoken to
an individual

Jesus speaks to Mary after his resurrection. She doesn't recognize him.

KJV

John 20:15  Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?

NIV

John 20:15 Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?

LISTENERS HEARD

Woman, why weep? Whom do you seek?

MY TAKE

We weep for the dead because we are searching for them.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page)
GREEK ORDER

Γύναι,    τί      κλαίεις; τίνα     ζητεῖς;
Woman, why weep?    Whom do you seek?

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Nothing is really lost in translation though a little is added in the NIV.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
0

KJV Analysis identifies the location of translation issues with their abbreviations in bold face.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
1
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "is it" doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

Woman, -- The word translated as "woman" is  the Greek word that means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)." It is closer to our "female."

why -- The Greek word translated as "why" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."

weepest - The verb translated as "weep" means "to weep", "to lament," and "to cry".

thou? -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

whom - The Greek word translated as "whom" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."

seekest -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine."

thou? -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

EACH WORD of NIV

Woman, -- The word translated as "woman" is  the Greek word that means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)." It is closer to our "female."

why -- The Greek word translated as "why" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."

are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.

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

crying? -  The verb translated as "weep" means "to weep", "to lament," and "to cry".

Who - The Greek word translated as "whom" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."

is it -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is it" in the Greek source

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

are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.

looking for? -- The Greek verb translated as "looking for" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine."

 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Γύναι,[28 verses](noun sg fem voc) "Woman" is gyne, which means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)."

τί [252 verses](irreg sg neut nom/acc) "Why" 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." It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point?  to what end?

κλαίεις; [8 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind act) "Weep" is from klaio, which means "to weep", "to cry", "to lament," and "to wail."

τίνα [252 verses](irreg sg masc acc) "Whom" 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."

ζητεῖς; [36 verses](verb 2nd sg pres/imperf ind act) "Seekest" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."

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