Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord,

Spoken to
group

After telling them to gird their loins and keep their lamps burning.

KJV

Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

NIV

Luke 12:36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

LISTENERS HEARD

And you yourselves like men expecting that lord of their own when he might get free from that wedding so that when showing up and knocking, straightway they might open for him. 

MY TAKE

We should expect opportunities to serve our Master's wishes.

GREEK ORDER

καὶ   ὑμεῖς                 ὅμοιοι ἀνθρώποις προσδεχομένοις τὸν κύριον    ἑαυτῶν     
And you yourselves like      men            expecting          that lord      of their own

πότε   ἀναλύσῃ               ἐκ   τῶν γάμων,     ἵνα                 ἐλθόντος     καὶ κρούσαντος
when he might get free from that wedding  so that, when showing up and knocking,

εὐθέως         ἀνοίξωσιν           αὐτῷ.
straightway they might open for him. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The Greek word translated as "wait" is one that Jesus only uses here. It means "receive favorably", "accept" "expect",  and "wait".  Since there are several other words Jesus uses to say "wait," this one works best as "expecting.  It is in the form of a participle.

Another unique Greek verb translated as "he will return" means to "unloose", "undo", "set free", "nullify", "dissolve", "reduce", "do away", "cancel", "suspend", "solve the problem", "release from a spell", "loose from moorings", "weigh anchor", and so, "depart", "go away"

 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9

And ye yourselves like unto men that(IW) wait(CW,WF-ing) for their(CW-their own) (MW-the) lord, when he will(WW-may) return from the wedding; that when he cometh(WF-ing) and knocketh(WF-ing), they may open unto him immediately.

  • IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "wait."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "expecting."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "their."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW  - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This ais not one of the common words usually translated as "return."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "coming."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "knocking."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
14

(MW-and) (MW-you yourselves) like servants(WW-men) waiting(WF-ing) their(CW-their own) (MW-the) ) to(WF) return(CW) from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes(WF-ing) and knocks(WF-ing) they can(WW-might) immediately open [the door(IP)] for him.,

  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "you yourselves" is not shown in the English translation. 
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "servants " should be something more like "people."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "wait."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "their."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "master" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an infinitive but an active verb.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "return."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "return" is not a statement but a possibility, a subjunctive.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "coming."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "knocking."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "can" should be something more like "might."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "the door" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
EACH WORD of KJV

And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.

ye -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It sometimes precedes a verbal adjective or infinitive where it is not part of the verb. It is plural.

yourselves -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.

like -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching."

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.

men - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

wait   - -  (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "wait" means "receive favorably", "accept", "admit into one's presence", "admit to citizenship", "admit", "be capable of", "undertake",  "await", "expect",  and "wait".  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "expecting." This is not one of the common words usually translated as "word."

for - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

their -- (CW) "Their" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself." In the this form, it has the sense of "his own." This is not the word usually translated as "their."

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.

lord, -- The word translated as "lord" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."

when -- The "when"  is from an adverb meaning "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative ) before it, the sense is "not when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might."

return  - - (CW)  The Greek verb translated as return" means to "unloose", "undo", "set free", "nullify", "dissolve", "reduce", "do away", "cancel", "suspend", "solve the problem", "release from a spell", "loose from moorings", "weigh anchor", and so, "depart", "go away". This is not one of the common words usually translated as "return." The only concepts that works here is "get free" or "depart." This is not a statement but a possibility, a subjunctive.

from --  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, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

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. 

wedding; -- The Greek word means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock." 

that when -- -- The word translated as "that when" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because."As an adverb it is translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

cometh -- (WF) The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "coming."

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."

knocketh, -- (WF) The word translated as "knock" means "to know" on  door. It also means "to examine" and "to prove. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "knocking."

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

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.

open --- The verb translated as "open" means "to open up," "to disclose" or "to lay open."  It is the root verb. meaning "open" with the prefix meaning "up." It means revealing something that is there, but that you cannot access.

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.

him --  The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person,  indirect object pronoun.

immediately. -- "Immediately" is  an adverb, it means "straight," "simple," "straightway," forthwith," "immediately," "directly," and "at once."

EACH WORD of NIV

missing "And  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.

missing "you yourselves"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It sometimes precedes a verbal adjective or infinitive where it is not part of the verb. It is plural.

yourselves -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.

like -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching."

servants -  (WW) The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."  This word doesn't mean "servants ." 

waiting  - -  (CW) The Greek word translated as "wait" means "receive favorably", "accept", "admit into one's presence", "admit to citizenship", "admit", "be capable of", "undertake",  "await", "expect",  and "wait".  This is not one of the common words usually translated as "word."

for - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

their -- (CW) "Their" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself." In the this form, it has the sense of "his own." This is not the word usually translated as "their."

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.

master , -- The word translated as "master" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."

- missing "when "  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "when"  is from an adverb meaning "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative ) before it, the sense is "not when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might."

to --  (WF) This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb. This is not an infinitive but an active verb.

return  - -  (CW, WF) The Greek verb translated as return" means to "unloose", "undo", "set free", "nullify", "dissolve", "reduce", "do away", "cancel", "suspend", "solve the problem", "release from a spell", "loose from moorings", "weigh anchor", and so, "depart", "go away". This is not one of the common words usually translated as "return." The only concepts that works here is "get free" or "depart." This is not a statement but a possibility, a subjunctive.

from --  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, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

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. 

wedding banquet; -- The Greek word means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock." 

so that when -- -- The word translated as "so that when" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because."As an adverb it is translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

comes --- (WF) The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "coming."

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."

knocks, -- (WF) The word translated as "knock" means "to know" on  door. It also means "to examine" and "to prove. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "knocking."

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

can --  (WW) This helping verb "can" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This doesn't mean "can." 

immediately. -- "Immediately" is  an adverb, it means "straight," "simple," "straightway," forthwith," "immediately," "directly," and "at once."

open --- The verb translated as "open" means "to open up," "to disclose" or "to lay open."  It is the root verb. meaning "open" with the prefix meaning "up." It means revealing something that is there, but that you cannot access.

the door -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.

for -- This word "for" 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. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

him --  The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person,  indirect object pronoun.

 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

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."

ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis, which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."

ὅμοιοι[29 verses]  (adj pl masc nom) "Like"  is homoios, which means "like," "resembling," "the same," "equal in force, "a match for one," "suiting," "of the same rank," "alike," "in like manner," and "equally."

ἀνθρώποις [209 verses]  (noun pl masc dat) "Unto men" 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. Used as a form of address, it is a bit contemptuous, "sir."

προσδεχομένοις [1 verse] (part pl pres mp masc dat) "Wait" is prosdechomai, which means "receive favorably", "accept", "admit into one's presence", "admit to citizenship", "admit", "be capable of", "undertake",  "await", "expect",  and "wait".

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc 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." 

κύριον [92 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." -- The word translated as "master" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."

ἑαυτῶν  [75 verses] (adj pl masc gen) "Their" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself" "themselves," and "ourselves." It is not the common pronoun meaning simply "he," "she," "them," etc. In the genitive form, it has the sense of "his own."

πότε [26 verses](adv/conj) "At any time" comes from pote, which means "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative me (μή) before it, the sense is "not when."

ἀναλύσῃ  [1 verse] (verb 3rd sg aor subj) "He will return" is analyo, which means to "unloose", "undo", "set free", "nullify", "dissolve", "reduce", "do away", "cancel", "suspend", "solve the problem", "release from a spell", "loose from moorings", "weigh anchor", and so, "depart", "go away".

ἐκ  [121 verses] (prep) "From" 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;" 7) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 7) cause, instrument, or means "by." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.-- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from." The word has a number of different meanings based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

τῶν [821 verses](article pl 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." 

γάμων, [10 verses] (noun pl masc gen) "Wedding"is from the from gamos, which means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock."

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.

ἐλθόντος  [198 verses] (part sg aor act masc gen) "He cometh" is  erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

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."

κρούσαντος  (part sg aor act masc gen ) "Knocketh" [6 verses](2nd pl pres imperat) "Knock" is krouo, which means to "strike", "smite", "strike one against another", "strike together", "knocking", "examine", "try", "prove," and "knock at the door [on the outside]."

εὐθέως [16 verses](adv)  "Immediately" is from eutheoswhich as an adverb, it means "straight," "simple," "straightway," forthwith," "immediately," "directly," and "at once."

ἀνοίξωσιν [9 verses]  (verb 3rd pl aor subj ac) "They may open" is anoigo, which means "to open", "to throw open," and "to disclose."

αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Him" is  is auto, the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition.  When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same."A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."

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