Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom...

Spoken to
audience

These are Christ's first words in Mark.

KJV

Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.

NIV

Mark 1:15 The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!

LISTENERS HEARD

Because this season has been filled, and the realm of the Divine has neared. Change your minds and trust in the rewards for bringing the message.

GREEK ORDER

ὅτι           Πεπλήρωται               ὁ     καιρὸς καὶ  ἤγγικεν              βασιλεία τοῦ      θεοῦ:
Because it has been made full, this season, also it has neared, the realm       of the Divine.

μετανοεῖτε                καὶ  πιστεύετε ἐν τῷ  εὐαγγελίῳ.
Change your minds and  trust          in the  rewards for bringing the message.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The first line here in interesting because the verb tense is wrong in the KJV, it is left out of the NIV entirely. The idea of this line is that the time has come and the measure has been made full (both ideas are the same) suggests that human history had to get to a certain point before it was ready for Jesus's message. The term "has been fulfilled" could also refer to prophecy being fulfilled. The term also means "has been completed," which could describe the time of waiting for a Messiah.  That time was predicted to come and it did.

Next, it moves to the very difficult idea of "the kingdom of God." Something discussed in this article in more detail. Next, the word translated as "repent" actually means "change your mind" or "turn around your thinking." The represents how Jesus represents the rules of the Divine as oppsite of earthly rules.

Finally, the word translated as "gospel" is only used by Jesus one, here. It doesn't mean "good news," but rather that rewards received for bringing good news.

 

 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "is fillfilled" is the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been fulfilled."
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "is at hand" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has come near."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "repent" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "believe" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "gospel" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "time" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "made full" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "repent" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "believe" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "believe" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
EACH WORD of KJV

missing "because"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because."

The -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

time -- "Time" is a noun that means "due measure," "season," "opportunity," "time," and "profit."

is -- (WT) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.  This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, but the tense is the past perfect.

fulfilled, -- "Fulfilled" is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full." However, its has a very strong sense of "making" something "full" or "complete." 

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

the  -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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.

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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

is -- (WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, but the tense is the past perfect.

at hand: -- The word translated as "is at hand" is the verb form of an adverb that means "near" in space, time, and relationships. It means "to bring near," "to approach," "to bring up to," and "to be imminent." In English, we would say "nears" or, in the form here, "has neared," doesn't quite work so perhaps "has gotten close" or, in the case of time, "is nearly here." This is the same verb that is translated as "is at hand" in the phrase, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."The verb is not seen in written Greek before Jesus and used by him only seventeen times.

repent --  (CW) The word translated as "repent" has nothing to do with sin or, generally, with religion or asking for forgiveness. The Greek word translated as "repent" has a primary meaning of understanding something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Is specific meaning is to "understand afterward," as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. From this idea, it comes to mean to change your mind, shifting your perspective. This is in the form of a command. The "repent" does not capture the word's specific meaning.

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

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

believe -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "believe" does not apply to religious belief as much but trusting or relying upon other people, especially their words. Jesus usually uses it in contexts, such as the one here, that apply to trusting words.

missing "in"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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."

the  -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

gospel. -- (CW) "Gospel" has come to mean the Jesus story itself, i.e. the Gospel, but Jesus doesn't seem to use it that way at all. This is Jesus's only used of the noun form of the word. The phrase doesn't mean the "good news itself." Instead. it means "the reward for bringing good news.

EACH WORD of NIV

missing "because"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

missing "time"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "due measure," "season," "opportunity," "time," and "profit."

missing "made full"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full." However, its has a very strong sense of "making" something "full" or "complete." 

missing "and"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

The -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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.

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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

has -- This helping verb indicates the pas perfect tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.

come near: -- The word translated as "come near" is the verb form of an adverb that means "near" in space, time, and relationships. It means "to bring near," "to approach," "to bring up to," and "to be imminent." In English, we would say "nears" or, in the form here, "has neared," doesn't quite work so perhaps "has gotten close" or, in the case of time, "is nearly here." This is the same verb that is translated as "is at hand" in the phrase, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."The verb is not seen in written Greek before Jesus and used by him only seventeen times.

Repent --  (CW) The word translated as "repent" has nothing to do with sin or, generally, with religion or asking for forgiveness. The Greek word translated as "repent" has a primary meaning of understanding something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Is specific meaning is to "understand afterward," as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. From this idea, it comes to mean to change your mind, shifting your perspective. This is in the form of a command. The "repent" does not capture the word's specific meaning.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

believe -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "believe" does not apply to religious belief as much but trusting or relying upon other people, especially their words. Jesus usually uses it in contexts, such as the one here, that apply to trusting words.

missing "in"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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."

the  -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

good news. -- (CW) "Good news" has come to mean the Jesus story itself, i.e. the Gospel, but Jesus doesn't seem to use it that way at all. This is Jesus's only used of the noun form of the word. The phrase doesn't mean the "good news itself." Instead it means "the reward for bringing good news.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) " is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

Πεπλήρωται [21 verses](verb 3rd sg perf ind mp) "Is fulfilled" is pleroo, which mean "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make full," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full."

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

καιρὸς [21 verses](noun sg masc nom) Time" is kairos, which means "due measure," "proportion," "fitness," "exact time," "season," "opportunity," "time," "critical times," "advantage," and "profit."

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."

ἤγγικεν  [17 verses](3rd, perf act sg ind)  "Is at hand" is eggizo, which means "to bring near," "to join one things to another," to draw near," and "to approach." This word does not appear in the Perseus dictionary. It comes from an adverb ἐγγύς, eggys, which means 1) (of place) "near," "nigh," "at hand," 2) (of time) "nigh at hand" 3) (of numbers) "nearly," "almost," "coming near," and 4) (of relationship) "akin to."

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

βασιλεία[98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "The kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

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

θεοῦ: [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."

μετανοεῖτε (verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Repent," is from  metanoeo, which literally means "to perceive afterward," "to perceive too late," "to change one's mind," "to change one's purpose," and "to repent."

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."

πιστεύετε [69 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind/imperat act) "Believe" is pisteuo, which means "to trust, put faith in, or rely on a person," "to believe in someone's words," "to comply," "to feel confident in a thing," and "to entrust in a thing."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τῷ [821 verses](article sg neut dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

εὐαγγελίῳ. [1 verse](noun sg neut dat) "Good news" is  euaggelion, a "reward of good tidings," a "thank offering for good tidings, " "good news," and "good tidings." Originally, this term described a reward, like a tip, given to a messenger who brought good news.The root is aggelia, which means "message." The masculine form, aggelos," means "messenger." This form is neuter.

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings

" For Jesus , changing our mind means believing that trusting in the future and specifically in a future that is increasingly close to God, will have its own rewards. This is at one level, a statement about optimism generally. Jesus is saying that the world starts to get better when we believe that we will be rewarded for bringing good news instead of punished for it. This goes beyond simply optimism because the good news he brings is specific: that God is changing the world through each of us.

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