After John the Baptist leaves, Jesus talks to people about him.
Luke 7:25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
Instead, what did you go out to see? A man having wrapped himself in a soft cloak. Look. Those in a cloak of honor -- and it gives airs -- rule. They are in the king's palaces.
People make the mistake of looking toward corrupt and effete leaders to learn anything.
ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν; ἄνθρωπον ἐν μαλακοῖς ἱματίοις ἠμφιεσμένον;
Instead, what did you go out to see? A man in a soft cloak. having wrapped himself
ἰδοὺ οἱ ἐν ἱματισμῷ ἐνδόξῳ καὶ τρυφῇ ὑπάρχοντες ἐν τοῖς βασιλείοις εἰσίν.
Look. Those in a cloak of honor -- and it gives airs -- rule in the king's palaces.They are
This verse ends with many unusual and unique words for Jesus. The last phrase also has a few linguistic puzzles. These words have a double meaning as "morally debased" and even "effeminate." The Biblical translations are a mess. They have so many errors that I probably missed some. The words translated as "gorgeously/expensively" "delicately/luxury," "live/indulge " and "kings courts/palaces" are used only here by Jesus and all are translated terribly except for the last one. More are not even translated in their correct word forms.
More accurately translated, this verse is easy to understand, but it is a challenge to do the work. The word translated as "gorgeously/expensively" is an adjective meaning "held in esteem" or "of honor." This verb translated as "live/indulge" means to "take the initiative", "to rule over," and "to be the high one." The verb translated as "delicately/luxury," means "to live luxuriously," "give oneself airs", and "be dainty and fastidious," The problem with the verb is that it is singular, not plural so it cannot refer to the "they". The only translation that works is if it refers to the cloak and means "it gives airs" or "it is dainty." This makes it a funny aside of someone acting out what he is saying. Several of these words imply unmanliness and corruption.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "for " doesn't exist in the source.
- WT --Wrong Tense - The participle "clothed" is the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been clothed."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The participle here is translated as active but it is either passive or the middle voice, "having clothed himself."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "raiment" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "are" should be something more like "in."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "gorgeously" should be something more like "of high repute."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "gorgeously" is not an adverb but an adjective.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not a verbal adjective but a noun.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "delicately" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "live" should be something more like "rule."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This word is not an adverb but a verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before the "kings' courts" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "not " doesn't exist in the source.
- WT --Wrong Tense - The participle "dressed " is the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been dressed ."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The participle here is translated as active but it is either passive or the middle voice, "having dressed himself."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "fine" should be something more like "soft."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "clothes" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "no" should be something more like "see."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who " doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "wear" should be something more like "in."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "expensive" should be something more like "of high repute."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "clothes" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "indulge" should be something more like "rule."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "delicately" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "in" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This word is not a noun but a verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before the "palaces" is not shown in the English translation.
But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this." However, followed by the negative used, its sense is "still" or "at least."
what -- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
went - The word translated as "went" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
out -- This is from the prefix that means "from"of the previous verb, which means "out of" or "from."
for -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
see? -- The verb translated as "to see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." This is different than the verb used in the previous verse, Luke 7:24 that was translated as "to see." This is one of the common verbs.
A -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man - The Greek word for "a man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
clothed - (WT, WV) "Clothed" is a verb in the form of an adjective form of a verb that means "to put on" or "to put around" so "wrapping." It is also used to mean "to dress oneself in." It is not an active verb. It is in a form where the subject is acted on (passive voice) acts on himself (middle voice), "clothing himself." The tense is the past perfect and in the passive or middle voice, so "having clothed himself." This word is only used in this verse and its parallel in Matthew.
in - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among." This preposition appears before the word translated as "clothed."
soft - "Soft" is a Greek adjective used to mean soft and gentle in both a good sense and a bad. A soft pillow is good, but a soft man is bad. It was used specifically to describe men as effeminate and morally debased. It is not either of the two words in Matthew 11:29, that could be translated as "gently" or "weak."
raiment? -- (CW) The word translated as "raiment" means an outer garment in Roman times, "cloak," "robe," "cape," or "mantle." It was worn like we use a sweater or coat today. This quality of this garment was how people judge social status. The general word "garment" is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
Behold, -- "Behold" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways.y
they -- The word translated as "they" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source..
are -- The word translated as "are" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, 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." WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "are" should be something more like "in."
gorgeously - (WW,WF) The word translated as "gorgeously" is an adjective meaning "held in esteem or honor", "of high repute", and "generally admitted". It works like our word "respectable". It is in the same form as the "cloak" above. It does not mean "gorgeous." It is not an adverb but an adjective.
apparelled, -- (WF) The word translated as "garment" means an outer garment in Roman times, "cloak," "robe," "cape," or "mantle." It was worn like we use a sweater or coat today. This quality of this garment was how people judge social status. This is not a verbal adjective but a noun.
. 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."In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
live - (WW) This verb means to "take the initiative", "to be already in existence", "to rules over," and "to be the leader." and many other meanings. It is plural, so it works with the "they", and it is in the form of an adjective, so "already existing." This is a unique word for Jesus in the Gospels. This is not the common word translated as "live."
delicately, - (CW, WF) The word translated as "delicately" is a verb that means "to live luxuriously," "give oneself airs", and "be dainty and fastidious," and"to be delicate". It is not an adjective. The problem with the verb is that it is singular, not plural so it cannot refer to the "they". The only translation that works is that if it refers to the cloak and means "it is dainty" not "live delicately." This makes it a funny aside of someone acting out what he is saying. This is a unique word for Jesus in the Gospels This is not an adverb, but a verb.
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.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, 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."
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." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word 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.
kings' courts. -- The noun translated as "kings' courts" means "kingly dwelling," "seat of the empire," "capital," "palaces." This is the only time it is used in the NT.
If -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
not, -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
what -- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
did -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
go - The word translated as "go" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true."
out -- This is from the prefix that means "from"of the previous verb, which means "out of" or "from."
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
see? -- The verb translated as "to see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." This is different than the verb used in the previous verse, Luke 7:24 that was translated as "to see." This is one of the common verbs.
A -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man - The Greek word for "a man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
dressed - (WT, WV) "Dressed " is a verb in the form of an adjective form of a verb that means "to put on" or "to put around" so "wrapping." It is also used to mean "to dress oneself in." It is not an active verb. It is in a form where the subject is acted on (passive voice) acts on himself (middle voice), "clothing himself." The tense is the past perfect and in the passive or middle voice, so "having clothed himself." This word is only used in this verse and its parallel in Matthew.
in - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among." This preposition appears before the word translated as "clothed."
fine - (WW) "Soft" is a Greek adjective used to mean soft and gentle in both a good sense and a bad. A soft pillow is good, but a soft man is bad. It was used specifically to describe men as effeminate and morally debased. It does not mean "fine."
clothes? -- (CW) The word translated as "clothes" means an outer garment in Roman times, "cloak," "robe," "cape," or "mantle." It was worn like we use a sweater or coat today. This quality of this garment was how people judge social status. The general word "garment" is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
No, -- (WW) "No" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways. "No" is the wrong word.
those -- The word translated as "those " is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
who -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source..
wear -- (WW) The word translated as "are" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, 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."
expensive - (WW) The word translated as "gorgeously" is an adjective meaning "held in esteem or honour", "of high repute", and and "generally admitted". It works like our word "respectable". It is in the same form as the "cloak" above.
clothes -- (CW) The word translated as "clothes" means an outer garment in Roman times, "cloak," "robe," "cape," or "mantle." It was worn like we use a sweater or coat today. This quality of this garment was how people judge social status. The general word "garment" is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
. 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."In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
indulge - (WW) This verb means to "take the initiative", "to be already in existence", "to rules over," and "to be the leader." and many other meanings. It is plural, so it works with the "they", and it is in the form of an adjective, so "already existing." This is a unique word for Jesus in the Gospels. This is not the common word translated as "live."
in -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
luxury - (WF) The word translated as "delicately" is a verb that means "to live luxuriously," "give oneself airs", and "be dainty and fastidious," and"to be delicate". It is not an adjective. The problem with the verb is that it is singular, not plural so it cannot refer to the "they". The only translation that works is that if it refers to the cloak and means "it is dainty" not "live delicately." This makes it a funny aside of someone acting out what he is saying. This is a unique word for Jesus in the Gospels. This is not a noun, but a verb.
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.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, 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."
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." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word 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.
palaces. -- The noun translated as "palaces" means "kingly dwelling," "seat of the empire," "capital," "palaces." This is the only time it is used in the NT.
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay." Followed by οὐ, the sense is "still," and "at least." Followed by γὰρ. the sense is "but really" and "certainly." Following an εἰ μὴ, clause the sense is "if not" some word , related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least"
τί (pron sg neut nom ) What" is from tis which can mean "someone," "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.
ἐξήλθατε [54 verses](verb 2nd pl aor ind act) "Went ye" is exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of " "to march forth," "go out on," "to stand forth," "to exceed all bounds," "to come to an end," "to go out of office," and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true."
ἰδεῖν [166 verses](verb aor inf act) "To see" is eido which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know."
ἄνθρωπον [209 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Man" 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.
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." --
μαλακοῖς [2 verses](adj pl neut dat) "Soft" is from malakos, which means "freshly plowed," but it was used for a lot of ideas for gentleness and softness such as sleeping softly, sitting on a soft pillow, and soft grass. It is used to mean "soft" in a negative sense, for the idea of faint-hearted, and cowardly and lacking self-control. It was used specifically to describe men as effeminate and morally debased.
ἱματίοις [10 verses](noun sg neut dat) "Rainment" is himation, which was an oblong piece of cloth worn as an outer garment. The term generally means "clothes" and "cloth."
ἠμφιεσμένον; [4 verses] (part sg perf mp neut nom/acc) "Clothed" "Clothe " is from amphiennymi, which means "put round", "clothed in", "wearing", "clothe one in or with", "put on oneself," and "dress oneself in.
Ἰδοὺ [52 verses](adv, verb 2nd sg aor imperat mid) "Behold" is idou, which means "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see." This Greek word was translated into the Latin ecce, "behold."
οἱ [294 verses](pron pl masc nom) "They" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
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."
ἱματισμῷ [10 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Are apparelled" is himation, which was an oblong piece of cloth worn as an outer garment. The term generally means "clothes" and "cloth."
ἐνδόξῳ [1 verse](adj sg masc dat) "Gorgeously" is endoxos, which means "held in esteem or honour", "of high repute", of things, "notable", "resting on opinion", "probable", and "generally admitted". The word means literally "in respect."
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."
τρυφῇ [1 verse](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Delicately" is tryphe, which means "to live luxuriously", "fare sumptuously", "to be licentious", "run riot", "wax wanton", "give oneself airs", and "be dainty and fastidious". As a noun, it means "softness", "delicacy", "daintiness", "luxuriousness", and "wantonness". It could also be a passive form of a different verb, thrypto, the means it "might be" corrupt," "feeble,"and "given to airs."
ὑπάρχοντες [1 verse](part pl pres act masc nom) "Live" is from hyparcho, which means to "begin", "take the initiative", "to be the beginning", "to be already in existence", but these definition are from the meaning of the root, archo (ἄρχω) as "to be the first," but it also means "to be the leader" or "to rule over." "to be laid down", "to be taken for granted", "belong to", "fall to one", "accrue", of persons, "to be devoted to one", "existing circumstances", "present advantages", and "the fact is that".
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."
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat) 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. -
βασιλείοις [1 verse](adj pl masc dat) "King's courts" is basileios which means kings' courts" means "kingly dwelling," "seat of the empire," "capital," "palaces" and similar ideas. This is the only time it is used in the NT, but it is a form of the frequently used word meaning "king". --
εἰσίν. [614 verses](verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "Is" 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."
Many unusual words meaning "morally debased" as well as "soft".
This verse begins like Matthew 11:8 , but it ends with a phrase using many unusual and unique words for Jesus.