Jesus begins teaching in the plain of Judea, attracting people from all over wanting to be healed.
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6:26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Too bad, whenever all those people name you noble concerning these same things because those fathers of yours performed to those fake enlightened
What people call noble often proves to be false.
The "speak well of you" is actually "name you noble" but the sense is "flatter you." Our word "flatter" comes from "flat" referring to prostrating oneself before nobility. This people that do this are not "everyone" or "all men," but "all those people," all of a certain group. The final phrase is here not "false prophets," which is actually the setup, describing the flattery as false and equating his listeners with those whom people falsely called enlightened. The punchline is who did this: the fathers of his listeners. Their fathers are equated with the flatterers while those who are flattered with the false prophets.
One set of false prophets in the Old Testament were those Ezekiel spoke against in Ezekiel 13:2-3.
Woe [unto you(IW)], when(CW) all (MWthese) men shall(CW) speak well of(IW) you! (MWconcerning) (MWthese) (MWsame things) for so(IW) did their (MWthese) fathers to the false prophets.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "to you " doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" " before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "so" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "concerning" after "for" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "same" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "same things" after "these" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
Woe [to you(IW)], when(CW) everyone (MWthese) (MWmen) speaks well of(IW) you, (MWconcerning) (MWthese) (MWsame things) for [that is how(IP3)] their (MWthese) ancestors treated(CW) the false prophets..
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "to you " doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "men" " before "speaks" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "concerning" after "for" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "same" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "same things" after "these" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "that is how" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 3 translation issues, not 1.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "ancestors" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "treated" in this situation.
Woe-- "Woe" is an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you." The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor in exaggeration.
to you -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
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.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
men -- The Greek word for "men" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form. CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
speak - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
well -- The word translated as "well" means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality." It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base." See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
you!, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
missing "concerning" -- (MW) The untranslated word with the accusative, it means "down (to)," "according to," "about," " during," of motion, "on," "over," "throughout a space," "opposite," "separately," "individually," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally."
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
missing "same things" -- (MW) The untranslated word This is the word that means "self" but usually acts as third person pronoun. When used as an adjective, it means "same." The "things" comes from its neuter, plural form.
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause."
so -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
did - The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" i
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
fathers -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
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.
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.
false prophets. -- "False prophets" from a hybrid Greek word that means "lying interpreters of god's will" or "fake interpreters." This Greek word appears for the first time in the Septuagint, the Greek OT.
Woe-- "Woe" is an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you." The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor in exaggeration.
to you -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
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.
everyone -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
missing "men " -- (MW) The untranslated word "men" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
speaks - The word translated as "speaks" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
well -- The word translated as "well" means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality." It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base." See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."
of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
you!, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
missing "concerning" -- (MW) The untranslated word with the accusative, it means "down (to)," "according to," "about," " during," of motion, "on," "over," "throughout a space," "opposite," "separately," "individually," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally."
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
missing "same things" -- (MW) The untranslated word This is the word that means "self" but usually acts as third person pronoun. When used as an adjective, it means "same." The "things" comes from its neuter, plural form.
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause."
that is how -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
ancestors -- "Ancestors " is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
treated - (CW) The Greek word translated as "treated" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. This word doesn't mean "treated" in this situation.
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.
false prophets. -- "False prophets" from a hybrid Greek word that means "lying interpreters of god's will" or "fake interpreters." This Greek word appears for the first time in the Septuagint, the Greek OT.
οὐαὶ [27 verses](exclam)"Woe" is ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas" but it can be used sarcastically.
ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."
καλῶς [48 verses](adv/adj pl masc acc) "Well" is kalos, which means "beautiful," "good," "of fine quality," "noble," and "honorable." Referring to parts of the body, "fair" and "shapely."As an adverb, kalos, the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly," "happily," "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly." The comparative form, "better" is κάλλιον (kallion), which only appears once in the NT (Act 25:10).
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you."
εἴπωσιν [162 verses] (verb 3rd pl aor subj act ) "Shall speak" is eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer." This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. The other word is used more for discussion. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work. -
πᾶς [212 verses](adj sg masc nom) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding 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. -
ἄνθρωποι,[209 verses](noun pl masc nom) "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.
κατὰ [60 verses](prep/adv) "So" is kata, (with ta auta below)can be a preposition or an adverb. As a preposition with the genitive, it means, means "downwards," "down from," "down into," "against," "down toward," "down (from)," and, or time, "for." With the accusative, it means "down (to)," "according to," "about," " during," of motion, "on," "over," "throughout a space," "opposite," "separately," "individually," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb, it means "according as," "just as," "in so far as," "wherefore," "like as if" and "exactly as." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down."-
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article
αὐτὰ [27 verses](adj pl neut acc) "Like manner" is auta, in the form of the plural, neuter pronoun "them" in the form of a direct object.
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."
ἐποίουν [168 verses](verb 3rd pl imperf ind act ) " Did"is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with." With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into." -
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat) "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."
ψευδοπροφήταις [5 verses] (noun pl masc dat) "False prophets"" is pseudoprophētēs. which means a "false" or "lying" prophet, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will," "interpreter," "keepers of the oracle," "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt," and "herald." In the Septuagint, this word is used to translated the Hebrew nabiy' (נָבִיא), which is the same word translated as "prophet." It seems to have been used to separate Israel's true prophets from those the Septuagint translators saw as pretenders.
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding 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.
πατέρες [191 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Fathers" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers." -
αὐτῶν [86 verses](pron/adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Their" is auton, is the genitive case of the third-person, plural 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."