Answering critics
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Matthew 11:27 All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
In every way, to me it has been given over from the Father of mine and no one recognizes the Son if not the Father. Nor does anyone recognizes the Father if not the Son and to that one when he might choose himself, the Son, to reveal.
Though the "all things" is plural, the verb is singular because a group of "things" is referred to in the singular in ancient Greek. However, it could also be an adverb "in every way" where the subject is the "contentment" of the previous verse.
The verb translated here as "know" is used by Jesus to mean "recognize." It is not one of the common words for "know" but a more complicated form of one of them that means "know after."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" is not the common word form usually translated as "of."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "knoweth" is not the common word usually translated as "know."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the word meaning "if not."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "knoweth" is not the common word usually translated as "know."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "save" is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the word meaning "if not" used above.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "look."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "choose."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "himself" as its object.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "knows" is not the common word usually translated as "know."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "nor."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "n one" should be something more like "any one."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "knows" is not the common word usually translated as "know."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "those" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "himself" as its object.
All things - The Greek word translated as "all things" is confusing because it could either be an adjective used as a noun or an adverb. As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether." The form here is usually the adverb. As an adjective, the word means "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. The "all things" meaning would be the subject of the sentence.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. Though shown in plural, the actual verb is singular.
delivered - "Delivered" is a compound word means "to give back," "to transmit," and even "to teach." The form is "it has been given." The "it' may refer back to the previous verse, Matthew 11:26, describing the idea of "goodwill" or "contentment."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case 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.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
of - (CW) The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
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.
Father: -- "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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
no man - The Greek word translated as "no man" also means "no one" and other negatives nouns.
knoweth - (CW) The word translated as "knoweth" means literally, "on learning to know" or "by learning to know." Generally, it means "to witness" or "to recognize." Jesus only uses this word four times always in the sense of "recognize." It is not the common word for "know."
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son, -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
but - (CW) "But" is from two words that mean literally "if not," where the "not" expresses doubt. Because other words are used by Jesus to mean "but" the words "if not" or "except" work better here.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father; -- "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.
neither -- "Neither" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor."
knoweth - (CW) The word translated as "knoweth" means literally, "on learning to know" or "by learning to know." Generally, it means "to witness" or "to recognize." Jesus only uses this word four times always in the sense of "recognize." It is not the common word for "know."
any man -- The word translated as "any man" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone." -
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father, -- "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.
save- - (CW) "Save" is from two words that mean literally "if not," where the "not" expresses doubt. Because other words are used by Jesus to mean "but" the words "if not" or "except" work better here. This is the same word transalted as "but" above.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
he -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "he" in the Greek source.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case 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,
whomsoever -- The word translated as "whomsoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "if might" and indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
will - (WW) "Will" is from a Greek verb that doesn't indicate a future action as in English. It means "to will," "to wish," "to choose," and "to prefer." It is in the form where the subject (the son) act on himself.
missing "by/for himself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to act on "himself," "for himself" or "by himself."
reveal - "Reveal" is from a compound form of the word meaning "to cover" and "to hide "with an "away from" which reverses its meaning, so it means to uncover or reveal. Here, it is in the form of an infinitive in a tense usually translated as the past, "to become known." While the infinitive is not a passive verb, it takes on the sense of controlling the verb, "to wish." It is in the form of possibility, so "might" should be added.
him -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
All things - The Greek word translated as "all things" is confusing because it could either be an adjective used as a noun or an adverb. As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether." The form here is usually the adverb. As an adjective, the word means "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. The "all things" meaning would be the subject of the sentence.
have -- -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
been -- This helping verb "b een" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. Though shown in plural, the actual verb is singular.
delivered - "Delivered" is a compound word means "to give back," "to transmit," and even "to teach." The form is "it has been given." The "it' may refer back to the previous verse, Matthew 11:26, describing the idea of "goodwill" or "contentment."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case 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.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
by - The word translated as "by" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
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.
Father: -- "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.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word is "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
no man - The Greek word translated as "no man" also means "no one" and other negatives nouns.
knows - (CW) The word translated as "knows" means literally, "on learning to know" or "by learning to know." Generally, it means "to witness" or "to recognize." Jesus only uses this word four times always in the sense of "recognize." It is not the common word for "know."
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son, -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
except -- "Except " is from two words that mean literally "if not," where the "not" expresses doubt.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father; -- "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.
and -- (WW) "Neither" is from a Greek negative meaning "but not" and as both parts of "neither...nor."
no one -- (WW) The word translated as "no on" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone." -
knoweth - (CW) The word translated as "knoweth" means literally, "on learning to know" or "by learning to know." Generally, it means "to witness" or "to recognize." Jesus only uses this word four times always in the sense of "recognize." It is not the common word for "know."
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father, -- "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.
except - - "Except" is from two words that mean literally "if not," where the "not" expresses doubt.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
those -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "he" in the Greek source.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case 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,
whom -- The word translated as "whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children." 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.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "if might" and indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
chooses - "Choose" is from a Greek verb that means "to will," "to wish," "to choose," and "to prefer." It is in the form where the subject (the son) act on himself.
missing "by/for himself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to act on "himself," "for himself" or "by himself."
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
reveal - "Reveal" is from a compound form of the word meaning "to cover" and "to hide "with an "away from" which reverses its meaning, so it means to uncover or reveal. Here, it is in the form of an infinitive in a tense usually translated as the past, "to become known." While the infinitive is not a passive verb, it takes on the sense of controlling the verb, "to wish." It is in the form of possibility, so "might" should be added.
him -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
Πάντα (adj pl neut nom or adv) "All things" is from 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."
μοι (pron 2nd sg dat) "Unto me" is from moi, which means "I," "me," and "my."
παρεδόθη (3rd sg aor ind pass ) "Are delivered" is from paradidomi, which means "to give over to another," "to transmit," "to hand down," "to grant," "to teach," and "to bestow."
ὑπὸ (prep) "Of" is from hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," indicating a cause with passive verbs, "by," "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause). -
τοῦ (article sg masc gen) "Untranslated" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατρός (noun sg masc gen) "Father" is from pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
μου, (pron 1st sg masc gen ) "My" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."
καὶ (prep) "And" is from 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."
οὐδεὶς (adj sg masc nom) "No man" is from oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
ἐπιγινώσκει (3rd sg pres ind act) "Knoweth" is epiginosko, which means "look upon," "witness," "observe," "recognize," "find out," "discover," "learn to know," "take notice of," "come to a judgment," "decide," "acknowledge," and "approve."
τὸ (article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νυἱὸν (noun sg masc acc) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child."
εἰ μὴ "But" is from ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," "but," and "except." εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." The mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." It is the subjective negative indicating what people think or want.
ὁ (article sg masc nom)) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατήρ, (noun sg masc nom) "The Father" is from pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
οὐδὲ (partic) "No" is from oude , which means "but not," "neither," "nor,"and "not even."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατέρα (noun sg masc acc) "The Father" is from pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
τις (pron sg masc nom ) "Any man" 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."
ἐπιγινώσκει (3rd sg pres ind act) "Knoweth" is from which means "look upon," "witness," "observe," "recognize," "find out," "discover," "learn to know," "take notice of," "come to a judgment," "decide," "acknowledge," and "approve."
εἰ μὴ (partic) "Save" is from ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," "but," and "except." εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." The mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."
ὁ (article sg masc nom)) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱὸς (noun sg masc nom/gen) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child."
καὶ (prep) "And he" is from 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."
ᾧ (pron sg masc dat) "He to whosomever" is from hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ἐὰν (partic) Untranslated is from ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event.
βούληται [3 verses](3rd sg pres subj mp} "Will" is boulomai, which isn't the word that indicates a future action as in English. It means "to will," "to wish," and "to prefer." Here, it might be best translated as "chooses to."
ὁ (article sg masc nom)) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱὸς (noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child."
ἀποκαλύψαι. [7 verses](aor inf act) "Reveal" is apokalypto, which means to "uncover," "disclose," "reveal," unmask," "make bare," "become known," in the middle passive, "reveal one's whole mind,"in the passive, "be made known," and as an adjective, "naked," and "shameless."-
The first phrase about no one knowing the Father except the son is reverse in the second phrase about anyone not knowing the Father. The final phrase indicates that the Father is only recognized by the Son revealing himself.
“In what way are you content?” asked another.
“In every way,” the Master answered.
“Where does this contentment come from?” asked still another.
“To me it has been given over from the Father of mine,” the Master responded.
“We don’t recognize the value in this lawless contentment of yours,” cried another.
“And no one recognizes the Son if not the Father,” the Master responded cheerfully. “Nor does anyone recognizes the Father if not the Son.”
“What about any fool in this crowd who might trust your words?” another of the Distinguished said, gesturing to the crowd.
That Master laughed at his mistakes.
“And to that one,” the Master responded easily, but at the “one” his gesture indicated the whole crowd except for the distinguished.
Now, one of those members of the audience called out.
“Are you the Messaiah?” he called. “When will the son reveal himself?”
“When he might choose for himself, that Son, to reveal it,” the Master answered.