Ask by a man to cast out a demon from his son after his apostles failed to do so.
Luke 9:41 O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
Luke 9:41 You unbelieving and perverse generation how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.
Oh, you type: distrusting and having been diverted! Until when will I be among you and attach myself to you? Fetch him to me here!
None of the people we attach ourselves to is perfect, but the fact we are attached is more important than perfection.
There are two major mistakes here whch make this verse sound like it was addressed to Jesus's opponents rather than his apostles when they failed to cure a boy.
The word translated as "perverted" means "being turned about" or "being diverted." It is in the tense of an passive action completed in the past, "having been turned around or diverted." It means they are confused more than perverted.
Next, the word translated as "suffer/put up with." This verb is in the middle voice where the subject acts on themselves so the meaning of the verb changes to "attach myself to." This is why the object "you" is genitive rather than a direct object. So the sense is that Jesus is attached to the apostles, not that he is bearing with them, despitee his trustrations.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an adjective but a participle ending in "ing."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "diverted" is not the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having diverted."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "perverted" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "how."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "long."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "with."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "suffer" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "son" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an adjective but a participle ending in "ing."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "diverted" is not the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having diverted."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "perverted" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "how."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "long."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "with."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "stay " should be something more like "be."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "put" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "son" is not shown in the English translation.
O -- "Oh!" is an exclamation used as a mode of address.
faithless - The Greek word translated as "faithless" means literally "no faith," but it meant "not to be trusted" and "mistrustful."
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."
perverse - (WF, WT, WV) "Perverse" is from a Greek verb (used in the form of an adjective) meaning "turn different ways," and "twist about," and metaphorically meant "to distort," and "to pervert." It has the same sense as the English "having been diverted" or "having been turned around." This is not an adjective but a participle ending in "ing." This is not the present but the past perfect tense, "having been diverted."The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
generation, -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. His first describes this type earlier in Matthew as children who insist that everyone dance to their tune. His favorite adjectives describing of this type is "evil and adulterous," which in Greek, is closer to "worthless and cheating." In one previous discussion of this type, he compares them unfavorably with the people of Nineveh reacting to Jonah, and the queen of Sheba reacting to Solomon.
how -- (CW) The word translated as "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "in order that." With the particle of possibility and the subjunctive form of the verb, the sense is until some unknown time. This is not the word usually translated as "how."
long -- (CW) The "when" is from an adverb meaning "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative ) before it, the sense is "not when." This is not the word usually translated as "long."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
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.
with -- (CW) The word translated as "with" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. With the object here, it means various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with," "at the hands of," "incurred by," "inspired by," and so on. This is not the word usually translated as "with."
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
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."
suffer - (CW) The word translated as "suffer" primarily means "to hold up," "to lift up," "sustain," "appear," with a lot of related meanings about supporting yourself or others. It also means "to bear with patience" or "suffer" but with a direct object. In the middle voice, it means "attach one's self to." This word is only used in this verse and its parallel in Mark and Luke. "Suffer" is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
you? -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case.
Bring -- The word translated as "bring" is used by Jesus nowhere else in the Gospels. It means "bring to" and similar ideas. It is different than the more common Greek word for Christ used in Matthew and Mark.
thy -- The word translated as "your" 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."
- 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.
son -- The word translated as "son" is the Greek word for "son," "scion," "heir," or "descendant." Like most male words, it can be used as a generic term for both sexes when they are descendants of someone. When it refers to "sons" specifically, it should be translated that way, but when it can be applied to both sexes, the less familiar "descendant" is better than "children," especially since this word can refer to adults. It is often a reference to the role of "heir." but Jesus uses another word that specifically means "heir." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
hither. - The word translated as "hither" means in manner, "in this way," referring to the manner, or "here," referring to place.
O -- "Oh!" is an exclamation used as a mode of address.
unbelieving - The Greek word translated as "faithless" means literally "no faith," but it meant "not to be trusted" and "mistrustful."
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."
perverse - (WF, WT, WV) "Perverse" is from a Greek verb (used in the form of an adjective) meaning "turn different ways," and "twist about," and metaphorically meant "to distort," and "to pervert." It has the same sense as the English "having been diverted" or "having been turned around." This is not an adjective but a participle ending in "ing." This is not the present but the past perfect tense, "having been diverted."The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
generation, -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. His first describes this type earlier in Matthew as children who insist that everyone dance to their tune. His favorite adjectives describing of this type is "evil and adulterous," which in Greek, is closer to "worthless and cheating." In one previous discussion of this type, he compares them unfavorably with the people of Nineveh reacting to Jonah, and the queen of Sheba reacting to Solomon.
how -- (CW) The word translated as "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "in order that." With the particle of possibility and the subjunctive form of the verb, the sense is until some unknown time. This is not the word usually translated as "how."
long -- (CW) The "when" is from an adverb meaning "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative ) before it, the sense is "not when." This is not the word usually translated as "long."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
stay -- (WW) The verb "stay " 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.
with -- (CW) The word translated as "with" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. With the object here, it means various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with," "at the hands of," "incurred by," "inspired by," and so on. This is not the word usually translated as "with."
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
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."
suffer - (CW) The word translated as "suffer" primarily means "to hold up," "to lift up," "sustain," "appear," with a lot of related meanings about supporting yourself or others. It also means "to bear with patience" or "suffer" but with a direct object. In the middle voice, it means "attach one's self to." This word is only used in this verse and its parallel in Mark and Luke. "Suffer" is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
up - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
with -- This word "with " 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. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context. In English, we use "with" with this type of verb.
you? -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case.
Bring -- The word translated as "bring" is used by Jesus nowhere else in the Gospels. It means "bring to" and similar ideas. It is different than the more common Greek word for Christ used in Matthew and Mark.
your -- The word translated as "your" 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."
- 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.
son -- The word translated as "son" is the Greek word for "son," "scion," "heir," or "descendant." Like most male words, it can be used as a generic term for both sexes when they are descendants of someone. When it refers to "sons" specifically, it should be translated that way, but when it can be applied to both sexes, the less familiar "descendant" is better than "children," especially since this word can refer to adults. It is often a reference to the role of "heir." but Jesus uses another word that specifically means "heir." It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
here. - The word translated as "here" means in manner, "in this way," referring to the manner, or "here," referring to place.
Ὦ [5 verses](exclam) "O" is from o, which is an exclamation "O!"
γενεὰ [19 verses](noun sg fem voc) "Generation"is genea, which means "race," "family," "generation," "class," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus."
ἄπιστος [5 verses](adj sg fem voc/nom) "Faithless" is apistos, which means "not to be trusted" "mistrustful," "incredulous," disobedient, "disloyal," or "suspicious."
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."
διεστραμμένη [2 verses] (part sg perf mp fem voc/nom) "Perverse" is diastrephô, which means "turn different ways," "twist about," "turn aside," "divert," and metaphorically, "distort," and "pervert."
ἕως [63 verses](conj) "How" is heos which means "until," "till," "while," "as long as," and "in order that" and "up to the point that."
πότε [26 verses](adv/conj) "Long" comes from pote, which means "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." With the subjective negative me (μή) before it, the sense is "not when."
ἔσομαι; [614 verses](verb 1st sg fut ind mid) "Shall I 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."
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "With" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place)," "on the side of," and "toward." Its meaning depends on the form of its object. An indirect object (dative) implies no movement but in a fixed position. A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. In statements about time, it means "at," "near,"
about,"or "for" a future time. With verbs of motion, towards, to, with verbs implying previous motion, upon, against; verbs of addition "to," verbs of seeing "towards," "to face," in hostile sense, "against, " "in accusation," without any hostile "to," of various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with," "at the hands of," "incurred by," "inspired by," "before" a witness, of Time, "towards," or "near," of Relation between two objects "in respect of," "touching," "in reference to," "in consequence of," "for a purpose," "in proportion," "in comparison with," of measurements of time "for," "a little past," of Numbers "up to," "about." A possessive object (genitive) indicates movement away or a position away from something, "from," "towards," "from the presence of." Events occur within a specified time. Examples of indirect object: "hard by," "near," "at," "close," "before one," "in the presence of," with verbs denoting motion towards a place "upon," "against," with a notion of clinging closely "clasped to," to express close engagement "at the point of," to express union or addition "besides," "in addition to."
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
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."
ἀνέξομαι [3 verses](verb 1st sg fut ind mid) "Suffer" is anechomai, which means "to hold up," "to lift up," "sustain," "appear," "show oneself," "stand up," "come forth," "hold on," "keep doing," "hold up," "cease," "hold up what is one's own," "hold oneself up," "bear up," "be of good courage," rarely, "hold on by one another," "hang together," (of events) "arise,""happen," and, metaph., "uphold," and "maintain." In the middle voice, it means "attach one's self to."
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.
προσάγαγε [1 verse](verb 2nd sg aor imperat act) "Bring" is from prosago, which means to "bring to", "bring upon," "add," "move toward", "lead on", (in writing)) "introduce", "take to oneself," "embrace", "come to a land", "increase a rent", "charge or debit," and "announce".
ὧδε [29 verses] (adv) "Hither" is hode, the demonstrative adverb that means in manner, "in this wise," "thus," "so very," "so exceedingly," of Place, "hither," and "here." =
τὸ [821 verses](article sg masc acc) 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." 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.
νυἱόν[158 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally to refer to any descendant, of any generation. It can refer to male sons or descendants of both sexes, but not purely female descendants. It can and often does refer to adults who are not "children."
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.
Again, we see Luke using a unique Greek word that looks like those in the other Gospels in translation but are very different in Greek.