When the seventy return, they say that even demons obey them in his name.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
See? I have given you the authority of this trampling upon snakes and scorpions and against all the power of the hostile and nothing will never harm you.
Jesus gives us the authority to overcome the hostile who try to mislead us or divide us.
Two different Greek words are used here that are both translated as "power" in the KJV but the first is better translated as "authority." This first noun means a delegated power. It can also be translated a "permission." The second noun means physical might, an innovative ability.
The words "snakes" and "scorpions" have metaphoric meanings. "Serpents" refers to the "wise" who poison others minds. "Scorpions" refer to those who scatter, that is, are divisive, rather than uniting.
The Greek verb translated as "to tread" and "to trample" are infinitives uses are nouns to describe the action, in English we add an "-ing" to the word to make it a noun, "treading" or "trampling."
The word "enemy" makes this sound like it is about "satan," which is misleading. The word meaning "hated" and "hating." The most specific sense is "the hostile" since it is about opposition, not emotion.
The last part is a problem for translators because it use a double negative, which doesn't work in "proper" English. It says "nothing will never hurt you." The KJV mistranslated the "never" and the NIV leaves it out. A proper translation is "nothing will ever hurt you," but I prefer the improper one. Sounds more extreme.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "have" is in the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "power" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "power."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "treading" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - Because of the previous article, the following is not an infinitive, but a noun, "treading."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "by any mean" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "see" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "authority" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "treading" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - Because of the previous article, the following is not an infinitive, but a noun, "treading."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The following is not an infinitive, but a preposition,"over."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "overcome" should be something more like "over."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "ever" is not shown in the English translation.
Behold, -- "Behold" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways.This is the common terms for "behold," not the confusing one of the previous verse.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "have" -- (OS) The untranslated word indicates that the verb, "give," is in the past perfect tense, an action completed in the past. The outdated source of the the KJV used the present tense.
give -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form 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. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."
See this article. -
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
power -- (CW) The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose. To avoid confusing it with the other Greek word for energy power from which we get "dynamic," used later in the verse, this word might be best translated as "authority" or "control" depending on the context. This is not the word usually translated as "power."
missing "of " -- (MW) The untranslated 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.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (in this case, an infinitive) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. Because of the previous article, the following is not an infinitive, but a noun, "treading."
tread -The Greek verb translated as "to tread" is an uncommon one that means to "tread", "walk", "dwell in", "frequent", "tread under foot", and "trample on". Since it is preceded by an article, the sense is "the treading."
on -- The word "on" is from a preposition meaning both "on" and "in front of."
serpents -- The word translated as "serpent" means "serpent" and "snake". The "serpent" was used by Jesus both as a metaphor for wisdom (Mat.10:16) and, of course, an evil cunning. This is a reference to the Hebrew in Genesis 3:1, where the serpent is described as the cleverest of all animals. The bronze or brass snake raised by Moses in the desert to cure the Israelites from snakebite is an symbol for Christ being raised on the cross, John 3:14.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
scorpions, -"Scorpions" is the Greek noun that is the source of our word "scorpion", but it is also a form of the Greek verb that means "to scatter" and "to disperse". Jesus uses the concept of "scatter" as the negative of the positive "gather". The actual verb form is a particle, "scattering".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
over -- The word translated as "over" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
power -- "Power" is a word that describes abilities and capacities, what actions a person can do or has done. In the singular, "power," "might," "influence," and "force." In the plural, "powerful things," "mighty things," and so on." It does not carry a sense of authority over others, either people or laws. The verb form of this word is translated as "can" in the NT. Much more about the meaning of this word in this article about "power" and "authority."
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.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
enemy: -- -- The word translated as "enemy" primarily means "hostile," "hated," "hater," "hateful," and "hating." It is an adjective used as a noun. The most specific sense is "the hostile" since it is about opposition, not emotion. The use of this word is very specific in Greek literature. It describes one who was a friend, but who has been alienated and refuses to be reconciled. It is from a rare Greek word meaning "hate," but the sense seems to be more like we use "hostile" or "alienated." but it is not from the Greek word that Jesus uses for hate. It is usually translated as "enemy" in the KJV. However, from Jesus's point of view "the enemy" seems to be "hating" others.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
nothing -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
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.
by any means -- (CW) The "by any mean" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. It is translated this way to avoid the double negative from "nothing" above, but translating it as "ever" stays closer to its meaning "ever."
hurt - "Hurt" is from a word that as a verb, as used here, means "to be or do wrong" "to harm," and "to injure," and as a noun means "wrongdoing," and "harm." Jesus only uses this verb twice.
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
missing "see" -- (MW) The untranslated word "see" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways.This is the common terms for "behold," not the confusing one of the previous verse.
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.
given -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."
See this article. -
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
authority --The term translated as "authority" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose. To avoid confusing it with the other Greek word for energy power from which we get "dynamic," used later in the verse, this word might be best translated as "authority" or "control" depending on the context. This is not the word usually translated as "power."
missing "of " -- (MW) The untranslated 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.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (in this case, an infinitive) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. Because of the previous article, the following is not an infinitive, but a noun, "trampling."
trample -The Greek verb translated as "to tread" is an uncommon one that means to "tread", "walk", "dwell in", "frequent", "tread under foot", and "trample on". Since it is preceded by an article, the sense is "the trampling."
on -- The word "on" is from a preposition meaning both "on" and "in front of."
snakes -- The word translated as "snakes " means "serpent" or "snake. It was used by Jesus both as a metaphor for wisdom (Mat.10:16) and, of course, an evil cunning. This is a reference to the Hebrew in Genesis 3:1, where the serpent is described as the cleverest of all animals. The bronze or brass snake raised by Moses in the desert to cure the Israelites from snakebite is an symbol for Christ being raised on the cross, John 3:14.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
scorpions, -"Scorpions" is the Greek noun that is the source of our word "scorpion", but it is also a form of the Greek verb that means "to scatter" and "to disperse". Jesus uses the concept of "scatter" as the negative of the positive "gather". The actual verb form is a particle, "scattering".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. Because of the previous article, the following is not an infinitive, but a preposition,"over."
overcome -- (WW) The word translated as "overcome" is a preposition, not a verb, that means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
power -- "Power" is a word that describes abilities and capacities, what actions a person can do or has done. In the singular, "power," "might," "influence," and "force." In the plural, "powerful things," "mighty things," and so on." It does not carry a sense of authority over others, either people or laws. The verb form of this word is translated as "can" in the NT. Much more about the meaning of this word in this article about "power" and "authority."
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.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
enemy: -- -- The word translated as "enemy" primarily means "hostile," "hated," "hater," "hateful," and "hating." It is an adjective used as a noun. The most specific sense is "the hostile" since it is about opposition, not emotion. The use of this word is very specific in Greek literature. It describes one who was a friend, but who has been alienated and refuses to be reconciled. It is from a rare Greek word meaning "hate," but the sense seems to be more like we use "hostile" or "alienated." but it is not from the Greek word that Jesus uses for hate. It is usually translated as "enemy" in the KJV. However, from Jesus's point of view "the enemy" seems to be "hating" others.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
nothing -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
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.
missing "ever" -- (MW) The untranslated word "never" or, better, "ever" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. It is translated this way to avoid the double negative from "nothing" above, but translating it as "ever" stays closer to its meaning "ever."
harm - "Harm" is from a word that as a verb, as used here, means "to be or do wrong" "to harm," and "to injure," and as a noun means "wrongdoing," and "harm." Jesus only uses this verb twice.
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
Ἰδοὺ [52 verses](adv, verb 2nd sg aor imperat mid) "Behold" is idou, which means "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see." This Greek word was translated into the Latin ecce, "behold."
δέδωκα [147 verses](verb 1st sg perf ind act) "I give" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
ἐξουσίαν [23 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Power" is exousia which means "control," "the power of choice," "permission," "the power of authority," "the right of privilege," "abundance of means," and "abuse of power."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
“πατεῖν [2 verses](verb pres inf act) "To tread" is from pateo, which means to "tread", "walk", "dwell in", "frequent", "tread under foot", and "trample on".
ἐπάνω [8 verses](prep/adv) "On" is epano, which is an adverb meaning "above," "on the upper side," "[former] times," "more [of numbers]," "in front of," and "in the presence of."
ὄφεων” [7 verses] (noun pl masc gen) "Serpents" is ophis, which means "serpent," "a serpent-like bracelet," "a specific constellation," "a creeping plant," and "a type of fish." It is a metaphor for "an arrow."
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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
σκορπίων, [2 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Scorpions" is skorpios, which means "scorpion" and the constellation Scorpio.
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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," "for," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "for" a person, an end, or purpose," "on condition that," and "for" (a price). With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, and judging, it means "in the case of."
πᾶσαν [212 verses](adj sg fem acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
δύναμιν[21 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Power" is dynamis, which means "power," "might," "influence," "capacity," "elementary force," "force of a word," and "value of money." Elemental forces are forces such as heat and cold.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
ἐχθροῦ, [12 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Enemy" is echthros, which means "the hostile," "the hated," "the hateful," "the hostile," "the enemy," "the alienated," and "the hating."
καὶ "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."
οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom /acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Never" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) 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.
ἀδικήσει. [2 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind act) "Shall hurt" is adikeo, which, as a verb means to "be or do wrong," "injure," "harm," in games or contests, "play foul," "sin," and as a noun, "wrong doing," "a wrong," "harm" and "injury." -