A continuation of the discussion about why they should be vigilant.
Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Luke 12:52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
Because they will exist, from this present moment on, five within a single house, having been split apart, three against a couple and a couple against three.
The new generations accept new ideas, both wise and stupid, better than the old ones.
Why does Jesus reverse the two and three at the end? Because he isn't saying "two" as it is translated. The Greek word is "duo," which, of course, means a pair of singers or a couple like a married couple. So this is likely a married couple against the rest of the house, the children against parents, the younger couple against older generation.
The verb "there shall/will be" here is confusing because it looks like a helping verb changing the "divided" to passive, but the Greek verb "to be" doesn't work that way. It is less confusing to translate it as "exist" and add a helping verb later near the "divided." The verb translated as "divided" only appears in Luke and it is a compound word built on a root that means "divided." Its sense is "split apart."
For from (MWthe) henceforth(CW) there shall be(CW) five in one house divided(CW, WT,WV), three against two, and two against three.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "henceforth" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "Henceforth's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "be" in this situation where it is mistaken for a helping verb.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the root word usually translated as "divided."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "divided" is not the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been divided."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The "divided" here is translated as active but it is passive.
(MWfor) From (MWthe) now on there will be(CW) five in one family divided(CW, WT,WV), [against each other(IP3)], three against two and two against three.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "for" before "from" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "be" in this situation where it is mistaken for a helping verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "now" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "family " should be something more like "house."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the root word usually translated as "divided."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "divided" is not the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been divided."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The "divided" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "against each other" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 3 translation issues, not 1.
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."
from --- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."
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.
henceforth --(CW) The Greek word translated as "henceforth" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is." With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now." This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- 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.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five
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."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home."
divided, - -(CW, WT, WV)"Divided" is a verb, in the form of an adjective which means "to divide," "to separate," and "to be divided." It is a more complex form word than the basic word meaning "divided." It has a prefix meaning "through" to "divided throughout." We would say "split." This is not the root word translated as "divided." This is not the past tense, active voice but the past perfect tense, passive, "has been divided."
three - "Three" is the Greek word that means the number three.
against -- The word translated as "aginst" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
two, -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
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."
two, -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
against -- The word translated as "unto" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
three.
missing "for" -- (MW) The untranslated word . "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."
From --- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."
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.
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is." With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now."
on -- This is needed to communicate the idea of continuing time meant here.
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- (CW) 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. This not the helping verb "be" that indicates that the "divided" is passive so it should be translated as "exists" to avoid confusion. This word doesn't mean "be" in this situation.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five
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."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
family -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "family ," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home." (WW) This word doesn't mean "family ."
divided, - -(CW, WT, WV)"Divided" is a verb, in the form of an adjective which means "to divide," "to separate," and "to be divided." It is a more complex form word than the basic word meaning "divided." It has a prefix meaning "through" to "divided throughout." We would say "split." This is not the root word translated as "divided." This is not the past tense, active voice but the past perfect tense, passive, "has been divided."
against each other, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
three - "Three" is the Greek word that means the number three.
against -- The word translated as "aginst" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
two, -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
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."
two, -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
against -- The word translated as "unto" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
three.
ἔσονται [614 verses](verb 3rd pl fut ind mid) "There shall be" 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."
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."
ἀπὸ [190 verses](prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." Usually takes the genitive object.
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." --
νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Henceforth" is nyn (nun), which means "now," "at the present moment," "at the present time," "just now," "presently," and "as it is." With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now."
πέντε [12 verses](numeral) "Five" is from pente, the number five."Five" is pente, the number five.
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."
ἑνὶ [85 verses](noun sg masc/neut dat ) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
οἴκῳ [29 verses](noun sg masc nom) "House" is oikos, which means "house," "dwelling place," "room," "home," "meeting hall," "household goods," "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house.
διαμεμερισμένοι, [5 verses](part pl perf mp masc nom) "Divided" is from diamerizo, which means "divide," "distribute," "part," and "separate." The root merizo means "divided." The prefix means "through."
τρεῖς [5 verses] (numeral pl fem nom) "Three" is from treis, which means the number three.
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."
δυσὶν [36 verses] (numeral pl masc/fem/neut dat) "Two"is duo, which means the number "two," "a couple," and "a pair." -- The Greek word for "two" means "two" or a "couple."
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."
δύο. [36 verses] (numeral pl nom) "Two" is duo, which means the number "two," "a couple," and "a pair." -
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."
τρεῖς [5 verses] (numeral pl masc/fem/neut dat) "Three" is from treis, which means the number three.
This verse brings together the last two verses. It unites the idea of"baptism" (from Luke 12:50) with the idea of "division" (from Luke 12:51 ) because not all the five are baptized. This verse also refers to Luke 11:17 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; using an uncommon word for divided there and here.