Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking;

Spoken to
audience

Jesus in confronted by the Pharisees after talking about John.

KJV

Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

NIV

Luke 7:34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

LISTENERS HEARD

The son of the man has shown up, eating and drinking, and you say, "Look! A man, a glutton, and a wine drinker. a friend of tax collectors and of erring ones!

GREEK ORDER

ἐλήλυθεν         ὁ    υἱὸς     τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔσθων καὶ πίνων,     καὶ λέγετε
has shown up The son  of the man ,         eating and drinking, and you say,

Ἰδοὺ        ἄνθρωπος    φάγος   κα   ὶ οἰνοπότης,       φίλος      τελωνῶν         καὶ      ἁμαρτωλῶν.
"Look! A man,        a glutton, and a wine drinker. a friend of tax collectors and of erring ones.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out." It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." "Show up," seems to capture is idea of both "start" and "come."  See this article on its meaning.

The word translated as "wine biber" and "drunkard" means only a "wine drinker." It doesn't imply drinling too much. This was an issue because holy men, like John the Baptist, didn't drink wine.

"Sinners" is the Greek word that means "erroneous" or "erring." It also means "of bad character" but with the sense of being a slave or low-born not evil. Only in biblical translations is this term given the sense of wickedness. More about the translation issues regarding "sin" here in this article.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
3
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The "is" indicates the present tense but the tense is past perfect.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "sinners" adds a moral condemnation that the Greek word does not have.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The "came" indicates the past tense but the tense is past perfect.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "here" should be something more like "look."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The "is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "man " is not shown in the English translation.-
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "drunkard" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "sinners" adds a moral condemnation that the Greek word does not have.
EACH WORD of KJV

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, 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," "those"). See this article for more. 

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

is -- (WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. This verb is in the past, perfect tense so "has" is correct. 

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.

eating -- The word translated as "eating" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

drinking --The word "drinking" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate."

 and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

say,   -- The word translated as "ye say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself.

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.

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.

gluttonous   - The Greek word translated as "gluttonous" is a noun that means "glutton." Jesus only uses this word only twice, here and in the parallel in Luke. It is from the common verb that means "eat."

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." ,

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

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.

winebibber, - The Greek word translated as "wine bibber" is a noun that means "wine drinker." Jesus only uses this word only twice, here and in the parallel in Luke. It is from the common verb that means "drink" and the word for "wine."

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.

friend -- "Friend" is an adjective means "loved," "beloved," "dear," "kith and kin," "nearest and dearest," "friends," and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant." It is an adjective used as a noun. In English, we would say "loved one."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

publicans -- The Greek term translated as "publican" means "farmer" and "tax collector." by Jesus's time, tax collectors were not tax-farmers, that is, private individuals who bought the right to collect taxes. Tax collectors worked directly for Rome, but the term "farmer" stuck from an earlier era when they were tax-farmers. Historically, these tax-collectors or rent collectors were notoriously corrupt, especially as tax farmers. They were made into government employees to reform them.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

sinners! -- (CW) "Sinners" is word that means "erroneous" or "erring." It also means "of bad character" but with the sense of being a slave or low-born not evil. Only in biblical translations is this term given the sense of wickedness. More about the translation issues regarding "sin" here.

EACH WORD of NIV

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, 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," "those"). See this article for more. 

Man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."

came --(WT) 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.

eating -- The word translated as "eating" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

drinking --The word "drinking" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate."

 and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

say,   -- The word translated as "ye say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself.

Here -- "Here " 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. There should be a different word here. 

‘is -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

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.

glutton - The Greek word translated as "glutton " is a noun that means "glutton." Jesus only uses this word only twice, here and in the parallel in Luke. It is from the common verb that means "eat."

missing "man "  -- (MW) The untranslated word  The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." ,

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

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.

drunkard, - The Greek word translated as "drunkard" is a noun that means "wine drinker." Jesus only uses this word only twice, here and in the parallel in Matthew. It is from the common verb that means "drink" and the word for "wine." This is a more critical word. 

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.

friend -- "Friend" is an adjective means "loved," "beloved," "dear," "kith and kin," "nearest and dearest," "friends," and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant." It is an adjective used as a noun. In English, we would say "loved one."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

tax collectors-- The Greek term translated as "tax collectors" means "farmer" and "tax collector." by Jesus's time, tax collectors were not tax-farmers, that is, private individuals who bought the right to collect taxes. Tax collectors worked directly for Rome, but the term "farmer" stuck from an earlier era when they were tax-farmers. Historically, these tax-collectors or rent collectors were notoriously corrupt, especially as tax farmers. They were made into government employees to reform them.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

sinners! -- (CW) "Sinners" is word that means "erroneous" or "erring." It also means "of bad character" but with the sense of being a slave or low-born not evil. Only in biblical translations is this term given the sense of wickedness. More about the translation issues regarding "sin" here.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἐλήλυθεν [198 verses]((verb 3rd sg perf ind act) "Is 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.

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

υἱὸς [158 verses](noun sg masc nom​) "The Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." It is used generally to refer to any male descendant.

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from 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.

ἔσθων [30 verses] (part sg pres act masc nom) "Eating" is esthio, which means "to eat," "devour," "fret," "vex," and to "take in one's mouth." It is also a metaphor for decay and erosion.

καὶ  (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."

πίνων [36 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Drinking" is  pino, which means "to drink," "to celebrate," and "soak up."-

καὶ  (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."

λέγετε  [264 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Ye say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name."  It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better.

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."

ἄνθρωπος [209 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Man" is from 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.ate. --

φάγος [2 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Glutton" is phagos, which simply means "a glutton."

καὶ  (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."

οἰνοπότης,[2 verses] (noun sg masc nom) "Wine bibber" is oinopotês, which means "wine drinker."

 

φίλος [17 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Friend" is from philos, which as an adjective means "loved," "beloved," "dear," "kith and kin," "nearest and dearest," "friends," and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant."

 

τελωνῶν [9 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Of tax collectors" is telônês, which means a collector of taxes, tolls, or customs.

καὶ  (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."

ἁμαρτωλῶν  [15 verses](adj pl masc/fem grem) "Sinners" is hamartolos, which means "erroneous" or "erring." It also means "of bad character" but with the sense of being a slave or low-born not evil.

parallel comparison

This verse is the same as the first part of Matthew 11:19. The Greek here is even closer to the English version in word order. 

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