A story talking about servants waiting for their Master.
Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luke 12:38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
And if in the second, and if in the third watch, he shows up and finds them so? Lucky are the ones there.
There is no telling when we will be tested, even in the middle of the night.
This verse is easy to translate word-for-word, using common words in simple forms, but it demonstrates the dangers of paraphrasing rather than translating. The KJV comes close, given their flawed Greek source, but the NIV completely messes this up by trying to paraphrase it in order to explain it and getting the ideas wrong. The second watch is not the "middle of the night" but the time before midnight. The third watch was after midnight, but not before daybreak. That was the fourth watch.
There is no "servants" in the best Greek sources. It says "the ones there." The word translated as "blessed" and "good" means "lucky" and "fortunate."
And if [he shall come(IP)] in the second watch(OS), or(WW) (MW) come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed(CW) are those(CW) servants(OS).
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "he shall come" after "and if" doesn't exist in the source.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "watch" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "or" should be something more like "and."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "if" after "or" is in the source we use today.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "the one here" or "there."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "servants" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
It will(WT) be(WN) good(CW) for(IW) those(CW) servants(IW) [whose master(IP-2) finds them ready(WW), even if he comes (MW) in the middle(WW) [of the night(IP-2)] or(WW) (MW-3) toward daybreak(IP-2).
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "will" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "be" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "good" means "lucky" or "fortunate."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "for" after "good" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "those" is the common word that should be translated as "the one here" or "there."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "servants" after "those" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "whose master" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "ready" should be something more like "so."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" after "comes" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "middle" should be something more like "second."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "of the night" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "or" should be something more like "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "if" after "or" is not shown in the English translation.
- MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "in the third watch" exists in the source. This is counted as 3 translation issues, not 1.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "toward daybreak" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
And if -- "And if" is a conjunction that means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of the conjunction "and" that joins and the particle that indicates a possibility,
he shall come -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek 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. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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."
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.
second - The word translated as "second" means "second," "next," "second of two," and "later."
watch, -- (OS) There is nothing in Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source the KJV translators used.
or -- (WW) This word doesn't mean "or" but "and" from the contraction below,
missing "if" -- (OS) The untranslated word means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of the conjunction "and" that joins and the particle that indicates a possibility,
come -- 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.
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. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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."
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.
third -- The "the third" means both the third in an order and the fraction one third.
watch, - "Watch" is from a noun, that means a "watch," "watcher," "guard," "chain," "keeper," and "a place where people are watched." This form is found only in the NT where it is clearly used to mean prison.
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."
find -- The term used for "find" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
so, -- The word translated in KJV as "so" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
blessed -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective a noun meaning "happy" or "fortunate" but with the sense of being favored by God. However, it does not refer to a religious blessing. It can also mean "wealthy" with in the sense of "the wealthy" (men with a fortune).
are - The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
those -- (CW) The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here."
servants. -- (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.
It -- This is from the third-person form of the verb.
will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
be - (WN) The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. This word is not singular but plural.
good -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective a noun meaning "happy" or "fortunate" but with the sense of being favored by God. However, it does not refer to a religious blessing. It can also mean "wealthy" with in the sense of "the wealthy" (men with a fortune). This is not the word meaning "good."
for -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
those -- (CW) The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here."
whose master-- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
finds -- The term used for "find" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
ready, -- (WW) The "ready" is the word that means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
even if -- "Even if" is a conjunction that means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of the conjunction "and" that joins and the particle that indicates a possibility,
he -- This is from the third-person form of the verb.
comes --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.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
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. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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."
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.
middle - - (WW) The word translated as "second" means "second," "next," "second of two," and "later."
of the night -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
or -- (WW) This word doesn't mean "or" but "and" from the contraction below,
missing "if" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of the conjunction "and" that joins and the particle that indicates a possibility,
missing " in the third watch" -- -- (MP) The words here aren't translated with their correct meanings and forms. 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. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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." 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. The "third" means both the third in an order and the fraction one third. "Watch" is from a noun, that means a "watch," "watcher," "guard," "chain," "keeper," and "a place where people are watched." This form is found only in the NT where it is clearly used to mean prison.
toward daybreak. -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source. IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "toward daybreak." doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
κἂν [8 verses](conj) "And if" is kan, which means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of kai an. Kai is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." An, is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could."
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."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg masc 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."
δευτέρῳ [5 verses](adj sg masc dat) "To the second" is deuteros, which means "second," "next," "second of two," and "later."
κἂν [8 verses](conj) "And if" is kan, which means "and if," "even if," and "although." It is a contraction of kai an. Kai is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." An, is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could."
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."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg masc 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."
τρίτῃ [9 verses](adj sg fem dat) "Third" is from tritos. which is the Greek word for "third" meaning both the third in an order and the fraction one third.
φυλακῇ [10 verses] (noun sg fem dat) "Watch" is phylake, which means "a watching or guarding," "a guard," "a ward," "a watch," " "a station," "a post," "a keeping," "a preserving," "safekeeping," "a safe-guard," and "a precaution."
ἔλθῃ [198 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Come" 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."
εὕρῃ [43 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Find" is heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."
οὕτως [54 verses](adv) "So" is houtos, an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much" w/gen., "to such an extent," "so very," "so excessively," and "that is why. With an imperative "just," "without more ado."
μακάριός [25 verses](adj sg masc nom ) "Blessed" is makarios which means "blessed," "prosperous," "happy," "fortunate," and "blissful."
εἰσιν [614 verses] (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." -
ἐκεῖνοι [107 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Those" is ekeinos, which refers to that which has gone immediately before and means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and "the nearer." However, when οὗτος and ἐκεῖνος refer to two things ἐκεῖνος, prop. belongs to the more remote, "the latter" in time, place, or thought, οὗτος to "the nearer". In the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." With certain preposition, it has a specific meaning:ἐξ ἐκείνου from that time, κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνα in that place, there, μετ᾽ ἐκεῖνα afterwards.