When the seventy return, they say that even demons obey them in his name.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Except, in this do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you. Enjoy, however, that those names of yours have been engraved in the skies.
Jesus praised his followers to the skies.
This verse sound humorous to me. The fact that is uses uncommon words is something Jesus does commonly to exaggerate words to make them humorous. Greek verse has two words only used here. The word meaning "are subject" is correctly translated in the KJV as passive. The word is changed to "submit" in the NIV, which distorts its meaning. The other word is translated as "written" is not the common word translated as "written" but a word Jesus only uses here that primarily means "engraved." The tense is an action completed in the past.
The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. It is plural and has an article, so "the skies". At the time, having Jesus say that their names have been engraved in the skies, may have just sounded like exaggerated praise.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "rather " existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated better as "that" in the verse.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "names" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "have" for the past perfect tense should be here from the source we use today.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- This word was different in the KJV source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "skies" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "skies.".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "however."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "are subject" should be something more like "submit."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "names" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "have" before the verb.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "written."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "skies" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "skies.".
Notwithstanding -- The word translated as "notwithstanding " is a less common preposition used like a conjunction that means "except," "save," with an object in the form usually translated as "possessive," or "besides," and "in addition to" without.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
this - The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." The Bible usually translates is as "this," which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used, also can mean "this." It works better as "here," which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there." It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing here."
rejoice -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome." The thing "taken pleasure in" is an indirect object.
not, -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition.
that -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.
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.
spirits -- The word translated as "spirits" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." See this article.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
subject-- A word only used once by Jesus is translated as "are subject to you". It means to "place","assign", "arrange under", "put in shelter of", "subject", "put after", "subjoin", and "append". The verb is singular, but the plural "spirits" is neuter and plural neuter nouns take a singular verb as a collection of things.
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.
but-- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
rejoice, -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome." The thing "taken pleasure in" is an indirect object.
because -- (CW) The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translated as "that" elsewhere here.
missing "the/these" -- (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.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
names -- The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as it does in English, but it doesn't mean the things themselves, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss." See this article for more.
missing "have" -- (OS) The untranslated word is the word "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
written -- (OS) "Are written" is another unique word, not the common word for "write" but a special form of it. It means to "make incisions into", "mark in", "paint on", "engrave", "inscribe", "enter into a public register", "indict", and "enter names".This word was different in the KJV source.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
missing "the/these" -- (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.
heaven. -- (CW, WN) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. It is plural, not singular.
However-- (CW) The word translated as "however" is a less common preposition used like a conjunction that means "except," "save," with an object in the form usually translated as "possessive," or "besides," and "in addition to" without. This is not the word usually translated as "however."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
not, -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition.
rejoice -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome." The thing "taken pleasure in" is an indirect object.
missing "in" -- (MW) The untranslated word ."in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
missing "this" -- (MW) The untranslated word "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." The Bible usually translates is as "this," which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used, also can mean "this." It works better as "here," which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there." It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing here."
that -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.
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.
spirits -- The word translated as "spirits" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." See this article.
submit -- (WW) A word only used once by Jesus is translated as "are subject to you". It means to "place","assign", "arrange under", "put in shelter of", "subject", "put after", "subjoin", and "append". The verb is singular, but the plural "spirits" is neuter and plural neuter nouns take a singular verb as a collection of things. This word doesn't mean "submit."
to -- 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.
but-- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
rather -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
rejoice, -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome." The thing "taken pleasure in" is an indirect object.
that -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.
missing "the/these" -- (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.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."
names -- The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as it does in English, but it doesn't mean the things themselves, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss." See this article for more.
missing "have" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "have," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the verb.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
written -- "Are written" is another unique word, not the common word for "write" but a special form of it. It means to "make incisions into", "mark in", "paint on", "engrave", "inscribe", "enter into a public register", "indict", and "enter names". This is not the word usually translated as "written."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
missing "the/these" -- (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.
heaven. -- (CW, WN) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. It is plural, not singular.
πλὴν [20 verses](prep/adv) "Notwithstanding " is from plen, which is a preposition meaning "except," or "save," with the genitive or "besides," and "in addition to." Often used with the negative as a conjunction, "except not."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τούτῳ [154 verses](adj sg neut dat) "This" is toutos, (touto, toutou)which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here." In the neuter plural form, it is often used as the object of the verb to means "these things."--
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative, and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action: thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. 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. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."
χαίρετε [14 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Rejoice" is chairo which means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" 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."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc/nom) "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.
πνεύματα [40 verses](noun pl neut acc/nom) "Spirits" is pneuma, which means "blast," "wind," "breath," "the breath of life," "divine inspiration," "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὑποτάσσεται [1 verse](verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Are subject to you" is hypotasso, which means to "place","assign", "arrange under", "put in shelter of", "subject", "put after", "subjoin", and "append".
χαίρετε [14 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Rejoice" is chairo which means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" 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."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut 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. -
ὀνόματα [47 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Names" is onoma, which means "name." It means both the reputation of "fame," and "a name and nothing else," as opposed to a real person. Acting in someone's name means to act on their behalf, as their representative.
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.
ἐνγέγραπται [1 verse](verb 3rd sg perf ind mp) "Are written" is engrapho, which means to "make incisions into", "mark in", "paint on", "engrave", "inscribe", "enter into a public register", "indict", and "enter names."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
οὐρανοῖς. [111 verses](noun pl masc dat) "Heaven" is the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."