Jesus starts a story about a man picking the best rooms.
Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
Luke 14:8 When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.
Whenever you are invited by anyone into a wedding, you should not lay yourself on the foremost couches. Not when, a more honorable one than you may be there, having been invited by him.
We cannot be too humble, but being too proud is easy.
Ὅταν κληθῇς ὑπό τινος εἰς γάμους, μὴ κατακλιθῇς εἰς τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν,
Whenever you are invited by anyone into a wedding, not you should sit yourself in the foremost couches.
μή ποτε ἐντιμότερός σου ᾖ κεκλημένος ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ,
Not when, a more honorable one than you may be there, having been invited by him.
This is addressed to a single person. There are so many errors in both translations that a lot is lost. The most interesting aspects begin with the verb translated as "sit" and "take" that actually means "lay." It is in the middle voice so "lay yourself." This is a subjunctive verb and it is a choice made by the person so the subjective "you should not lay yourself." The word translated as "best rooms" and "places of honor" means "best couches." In Jesus's era meals were eaten reclining on couches.
The ending is a punchline, having two meanings. The first meaning is "by him," but the same words also mean, from under just there." This describes a person being called up from a lower seat to "just there," the place chosen by the person.
When(CW) thou art bidden of(CW) any man(IW) to a wedding, (MWshould) sit(CW) not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man(IW) than thou be(CW) bidden(WF,WT) of(WW) him;
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "of" should be something more like "by."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "man" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "man" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the "is" of the passive voice.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a passive participle, a verbal adjective, "being called."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "given" is not the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been invited."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "of" should be something more like "by" or "from under."
When(CW) someone(WF) invites(WV) you(WF) to a wedding feast, do(WF) (MWshould) not take(WW) the [place of honor(PP2)], for a person(IW) more distinguished than you may have(WF) been invited. (MWby) (MWhim)
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "by" after "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "someone" is not a subject but an object of "by."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "you" is a subject not an object.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "do" makes the verb look like a command when it is not.
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "take" should be something more like "recline."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" after "take" is not shown in the English translation.
- PP - Inserted Phrase-- These "places of honor" are a paraphrase of what is in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be something more like "not when."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "person" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a passive participle, a verbal adjective, "having been invited."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "by" after "invited" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "him" after the missing "by" is not shown in the English translation.
When -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
art -- This helping verb "art" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
bidden -- The term translated as "bidden" is like our word "call" because it means "to summon" "to invite," and also "to name."
of -- (WW) -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion. Here it could mean either "by". This word doesn't mean "of."
any "-- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
man -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
wedding, -- "Wedding" means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock."
missing "should"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. Here it is "should" because the negative implies a choice.
sit -- (WV) - The verb translated as "sit...down" means "to lay down", "to recline (at meals),""cause to incline", "bend downwards", "lay prostrate", and with dative, "overthrow", " to be set under", and "made subject to." It is not a common word for Jesus to use to mean "sit", but it refers specifically "reclining" at at meals". which in Jesus's tiime were eaten laying on couches. The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
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.
down - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
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.
highest room;- - The word translated as "uppermost rooms" means "first seat at table," literally "foremost couches."
lest - The word translated as "not so, lest" is from an adverb, which means "never" and "on no account." Used in prohibitions with an aortic subjunctive. Today, we would say "no way!" Literally, the Greek word means "not when."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
more -- This is from the comparative form of the adjective.
honourable "Honorable " is from a comparative adjective which means "in honour", "honoured", "valuable", and "highly valued."
man -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
than - This word "then" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. This is the word "than" in comparisons.
thou -- The word translated as "you" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
be -- (CW) 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. It is not the "be" of a passive voice.
bidden -- (WF, WT) The term translated as "bidden" is like our word "call" because it means "to summon" "to invite," and also "to name." This is not an active verb but a passive participle, a verbal adjective, "being called." This is not the present but the past perfect tense, "having been called."
of -- (WW) -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion. Here it could mean either "by" or "from under." This word doesn't mean "of."
him; -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his." The form is also an adverb which means "just here" or "exactly there." This adverb works better here.
When -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
missing "by" -- (MW) The untranslated word "by" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion. Here it could mean either "by".
someone "-- (WF) The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why." This is not a subject but an object.
invites -- (WV) The term translated as "invited" is like our word "call" because it means "to summon" "to invite," and also "to name.""The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
you --(WF) This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb. This is a subject not an object.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
wedding feast -- "Wedding feast" means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock."
do -- (WF) This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English. This makes the verb look like a command when it is not.
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.
missing "should"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. Here it is "should" because the negative implies a choice.
take -- (WW, WV) - The verb translated as "take" means "to lay down", "to recline (at meals),""cause to incline", "bend downwards", "lay prostrate", and with dative, "overthrow", " to be set under", and "made subject to." It is not a common word for Jesus to use to mean "sit", but it refers specifically "reclining" at at meals". which in Jesus's tiime were eaten laying on couches.The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves. This word doesn't mean "take."
missing "in " -- (MW) The untranslated word "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
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.
place of honor, -- (PP) These words are a paraphrase of "foremost couches" in the Greek source. The word translated as "uppermost rooms" means "first seat at table," literally "foremost couches."
for - (WW) The word translated as "lest" is from an adverb, which literally means "not when," and it translated as "never" and "on no account." This word doesn't mean "for."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
person (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
more -- This is from the comparative form of the adjective.
distinguished -- "Distinguished " is from a comparative adjective which means "in honour", "honoured", "valuable", and "highly valued."
than - This word "then" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. This is the word "than" in comparisons.
you -- The word translated as "you" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
may -The verb "may" 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. It is the subjunctive so "may" works.
have -- (WF) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not an active verb but a passive participle, a verbal adjective, "having been invited."
been -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
invited--The term translated as "invited" is like our word "call" because it means "to summon" "to invite," and also "to name." This is not an active verb but a passive participle, a verbal adjective, "having been invited."
missing "by" -- (MW) The untranslated word "by" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion. With the word form here, it means "from under." This word doesn't mean "of."
missing "him" -- (MW) The untranslated word "him" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his." The form is also an adverb which means "just here" or "exactly there." This adverb works better here.
Ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."
κληθῇς [38 verses](verb 2nd sg aor subj pass) "Thou art bidden" is kaleo, which means "call," "summon," "invite," "invoke," "call by name," and "demand.""Shall be called" is kaleo, which means "call," "summon," "invite," "invoke," "call by name," and "demand."
ὑπὸ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
τινος [252 verses] (pron sg gen ) "Any man" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; "to what point?" to "what end? τί ὅτι "why it is that,
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to." With time, a limit "until," or a duration "for," "throughout," or a date, "on," "at." Used with ek, it means "from...to."
γάμους, [10 verses] (noun pl masc acc) "A wedding feast" is from the from gamos, which means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock."
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."
κατακλιθῇς [2 verses](verb 2nd sg aor subj pass) "Sit...down" is kataklino, which means "to lay down", "cause to incline", "bend downwards", "lay prostrate", and with dative, "overthrow", " to be set under", and "made subject to."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to." With time, a limit "until," or a duration "for," "throughout," or a date, "on," "at." Used with ek, it means "from...to."
ὴν [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."
πρωτοκλισίαν, [5 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Highest room" is protoklisia, which means "first seat at table," literally "foremost couches." The prefix in this word means "first" and "highest" from protos. In place, this means "the foremost." In order, it means "the first." Of rank or degree, it means "the highest" or "the best." It's root is klisia, which means "a place for lying down or reclining," "anything for lying or sitting upon," a "couch for reclining at a table," "nuptial bed," and a "company" of people reclining at meals.
μὴ πότε [2 verses](adv) "Not so, lest" is mepote, which means "never," and "on no account." As a conjunction, "lest ever." Literally, it means "not when." It takes a subjunctive verb like an "if/when" statement.
ἐντιμότερός [1 verse](adj sg masc nom comp) "A more honorable man" is from entimos, which means "in honour", "honoured", "valuable", and "highly valued." --
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
ᾖ [614 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres subj act) "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."
κεκλημένος [38 verses](part sg perf mp masc nom) "Bidden" is kaleo, which means "call," "summon," "invite," "invoke," "call by name," and "demand.""Shall be called" is kaleo, which means "call," "summon," "invite," "invoke," "call by name," and "demand."
ὑπ᾽ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adv/adj sg masc gen) "Him" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there." This form is often used as the object of a preposition, him." This form of an object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time. Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people. The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.
The first part of this verse sounds as though someone is being invited to be married, not just attend the ceremony.