Pharisees attack, casting out demons
Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Matthew 12:45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.
Then he goes and gets together with him/itself seven other spirits more worthless than him/itself. And entering in, they settle down there and it becomes the worst for that man there, meaner than the earlier ones. In this way, it will be also with this type, this one, the worthless.
Bad habits multiply unless something better takes their place.
The Greek doesn't portray the "spirit" as a "he" but an "it." Jesus uses a reflex pronoun form here that could be either masculine, referring to the man, or neuter, referring to the spirit. In a sense, they have joined.
In this verse, the seven "spirits" become one in the Greek because a group of objects is treated like a single thing. However, a plural verb form is used for "enter in," going in as many, and a singular verb for "dwell." This may say something about spiritual beings uniting as one.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "he" is not masculine, but neuter, "it."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "himself" is not masculine, but neuter, "itself."
- WF - Wrong Form - The second "himself" is not masculine, but neuter, "itself."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "enter" is not an active verb by a participle, "entering."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "dwell" is not the common word usually translated as "dwell."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "state" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "is" should be something more like "becomes."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "first" is translated as singular but it is plural, "previous."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "wicked" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "enter" is not an active verb by a participle, "entering."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "live" is not the common word usually translated as "live."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "condition" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "person" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "is" should be something more like "becomes."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "first" is translated as singular but it is plural, "previous."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "wicked" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.
Then -- The Greek word for "then" means "at this time" or "then."
goeth - The Greek verb translated as "goeth" means "to lead over," "depart," and "to carry over." This word is the most common Greek word translated as "go" in the NT. This word, however, uniquely means both "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." It is either a passive form or one where the subject acts on itself: it carries itself or it brings itself.
he, -- (WF) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. It should be "it" because the noun is neuter.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
taketh " - Taketh with" is a Greek verb that means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate oneself." It is a compound verb, with a prefix meaning "beside" and to common verb primarily meaning "get," but usually translated as in the KJV as "receive."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
himself -- (WF) "Himself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on.
seven - "Seven" is from the number seven. This verse may be the source of the idea of "seven deadly sins."
other - The word translated as "other" means "one of two," "other," or "different." The sense is "different" or "opposite" not just "other." It is the basis of our word, heterosexual.
spirits - The word translated as "spirit" has been used in the section to mean "non-material beings" but it primarily means "breath," "wind," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." See this article about how Christ uses this term in conjunction with related terms.
more -- This is from the comparative form of the adjective.
wicked - The word translated as "wicked" is the comparative form of the Greek adjective that means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail.
than -- This word "than" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. However, it can also mean "than" (in comparisons).
himself, -- (WF) "Himself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb, but the next verb is plural, it isn't active and the next active verb "dwell" is singular but a group of neuter nouns can use singular verbs in Greek.
enter - (WF) "Entered" is the noun form of a verb that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." The form is plural and can be either the subject or the object of the sentence. This is the last use of the plural in this verse so the sense is that they become one as they enter.
in -- This is from the prefix that means "in" of the previous verb.
and -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source.
dwell - (CW) The word translated as "dwell" is a verb which means "to settle in," "colonize," "to administer," and "govern." The verb is singular. So what entered as a group it now united. This is an uncommon word for Jesus, only use four times. This is not the verb usually translated as "dwell" or "abide" in the KJV of Jesus's words.
there: - "There" is a word meaning "there," "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
last - "Last " is an adjective that means "lowest" and "meanest," when applied to people, as it is here. It is singular and the subject of the sentence. In English, we would say "the worst."
state -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "state" in the Greek source.
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.
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." This word appears after the "man."
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 - (WW) The word translated as "is" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. Again, this verb is singular and in the form of a verb acting on itself "it makes itself." In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "to be," which means to exist in the current state.
worse - The term translated as "worse" means various forms of inferiority and degradation.
than -- This word "than" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. However, it can also mean "than" (in comparisons).
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.
first. - (WN) "The first" is an adjective used as a noun and means (of time) "the initial," and (of rank or degree) "the highest" or "the best." However, this word is plural. The sense is that this refers to all the earlier forms of this person. We would say "previous ones" in English.
Even so "Even so" is an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why."
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.
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
be-- The verb "ibes" 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.
also - The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In this situation, it adds emphasis.
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.
this - The word translated as "this" means "this," "that," and "here." It appears after the word translated as "generation."
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.
wicked - (CW) The word translated as "wicked" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but here it is used as a noun with an article, so "the useless" or "the worthless." This noun appears after the word translated as "generation" and the word translated as "this."
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.
generation. - "Generation" is a Greek word that means "race," "family," "offspring," and "age." It is the source of our words "genus," "general," and "generic." Jesus uses it to refer to a certain type of people not his particular generation. It always comes up frequently in encounters with Pharisees.
Then -- The Greek word for "then" means "at this time" or "then."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
goes - The Greek verb translated as "goes" means "to lead over," "depart," and "to carry over." This word is the most common Greek word translated as "go" in the NT. This word, however, uniquely means both "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." It is either a passive form or one where the subject acts on itself: it carries itself or it brings itself.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
takes " - Takes" is a Greek verb that means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate oneself." It is a compound verb, with a prefix meaning "beside" and to common verb primarily meaning "get," but usually translated as in the KJV as "receive."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
it -- "It" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on.
seven - "Seven" is from the number seven. This verse may be the source of the idea of "seven deadly sins."
other - The word translated as "other" means "one of two," "other," or "different." The sense is "different" or "opposite" not just "other." It is the basis of our word, heterosexual.
spirits - The word translated as "spirit" has been used in the section to mean "non-material beings" but it primarily means "breath," "wind," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." See this article about how Christ uses this term in conjunction with related terms.
more -- This is from the comparative form of the adjective.
wicked - The word translated as "wicked" is the comparative form of the Greek adjective that means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail.
than -- This word "than" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. However, it can also mean "than" (in comparisons).
itself, -- "Itself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb, but the next verb is plural, it isn't active and the next active verb "dwell" is singular but a group of neuter nouns can use singular verbs in Greek.
go - (WF) "Go" is the noun form of a verb that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." The form is plural and can be either the subject or the object of the sentence. This is the last use of the plural in this verse so the sense is that they become one as they enter.
in -- This is from the prefix that means "in" of the previous verb.
and -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source.
live- (CW) The word translated as "live" is a verb which means "to settle in," "colonize," "to administer," and "govern." The verb is singular. So what entered as a group it now united. This is an uncommon word for Jesus, only use four times. This is not the verb usually translated as "live" in the KJV of Jesus's words.
there: - "There" is a word meaning "there," "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
final - "Last " is an adjective that means "lowest" and "meanest," when applied to people, as it is here. It is singular and the subject of the sentence. In English, we would say "the worst."
condition -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "condition " in the Greek source.
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.
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." This word appears after the "man."
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.
person -- The Greek word for "person " means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
is - (WW) The word translated as "is" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. Again, this verb is singular and in the form of a verb acting on itself "it makes itself." In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "to be," which means to exist in the current state.
worse - The term translated as "worse" means various forms of inferiority and degradation.
than -- This word "than" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. However, it can also mean "than" (in comparisons).
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.
first. - (WN) "The first" is an adjective used as a noun and means (of time) "the initial," and (of rank or degree) "the highest" or "the best." However, this word is plural. The sense is that this refers to all the earlier forms of this person. We would say "previous ones" in English.
That is how - "That is how" is an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be-- The verb "be" 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.
missing "also " -- (MW) The untranslated word "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In this situation, it adds emphasis.
with -- This word "with" 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.
this - The word translated as "this" means "this," "that," and "here." It appears after the word translated as "generation."
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.
wicked - (CW) The word translated as "wicked" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but here it is used as a noun with an article, so "the useless" or "the worthless." This noun appears after the word translated as "generation" and the word translated as "this."
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.
generation. - "Generation" is a Greek word that means "race," "family," "offspring," and "age." It is the source of our words "genus," "general," and "generic." Jesus uses it to refer to a certain type of people not his particular generation. It always comes up frequently in encounters with Pharisees.
τότε (adv) "Then" is from tote, which means "at that time" and "then."
πορεύεται (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Goeth he" is poreuomai (poreuô) which means "make to go," "carry," "convey," "bring," "go," "march," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT.
καὶ (conj) "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."
παραλαμβάνει [8 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind) "Taketh" is from paralambanô, which means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate oneself."
μεθ᾽ (prep) "With" is from meta, which means "in the midst of," "among," "between," "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," "in one's dealings with," "into the middle of," "coming into," "in pursuit of," "after," "behind," "according to," and "next afterward"
ἑαυτοῦ (adj sg masc/neut gen) "Himself" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself ""themselves," and "ourselves." It is an alternative to autos.
ἑπτὰ [5 verses](number) "Seven" is from hepta, which means "seven," and was considered mystical number by the Greeks.
ἕτερα (adj pl neut acc) "Another" is from heteros, which means "one or the other of two," "the second," "the secondary," "the minor," "other things [of like kind]," "another," "different," "other than," "different from," "other than should be," and "in another or a different way." As an adverb, it means "in one or the other way," "differently," "otherwise than should be," "badly," and "wrongly."
πνεύματα (noun pl neut acc) "Spirits" is pneuma, which means "blast," "wind," "breath," "the breath of life," "divine inspiration," "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.
πονηρότερα [2 verses](adj pl neut acc comp) "More evil" is poneroteros, the comparative ("more") of poneros, which means "burdened by toil," "useless," and "worthless." In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly." - The word translated as "more evil" is the comparative form of the Greek adjective that means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail.
ἑαυτοῦ, (adj sg masc/neut gen) "Himself" is from heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself ""themselves," and "ourselves." It is an alternative to autos.
καὶ (conj) "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."
εἰσελθόντα (part pl aor act neut nom/acc) "They entered in" is from eiserchomai which means both "to go into," "to come in," "to enter," "to enter an office," "to enter a charge," (as in court) and "to come into one's mind."
κατοικεῖ [4 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act ) "Dwell" is katoikeô, which means "to settle in," "colonize," "to administer," and "govern."
ἐκεῖ: (adv) "There" is ekei, which means "there," "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."
καὶ (conj) "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."
γίνεται (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Is" is from ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," and "to be produced." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi)which indicates existence in the same state.
τὰ (article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἔσχατα (adj sg fem nom) "Last" is from eschatos, which means in distance, "furthest," in degree, "uttermost" and "highest," in persons, "lowest" and "meanest," of time, "last" and "ending."
τοῦ (article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπου (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.
ἐκείνου (adj sg masc gen) "That" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
χείρονα [4 verses](adj sg fem acc comp) "Worse" is from cheiron, which means (of persons) "meaner," "inferior," (in moral sense) "worse than others," "worse (in quality)," "inferior," and, as a noun, "inferiority."
τῶν (article pl fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πρώτων. (adj pl fem gen) "First" is from protos, which means (in place) "the foremost," (of time) "the initial," (in order) "the first," (in math) the prime numbers, (of rank or degree) "the highest" or "the best."
Οὕτως (adv) "Even so" is from houtos, which means "this," "that," "the nearer." As an adverb, it means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why."
ἔσται (verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Shall it be" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." (The future form is esomai. )
καὶ (conj) "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."
τῇ (article sg fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")
γενεᾷ (noun sg fem dat) "Generation" is from genea, which means "race," "family," "generation," "class," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus."
ταύτῃ (adj sg fem dat) "This" is from tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage.
τῇ (article sg fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")
πονηρᾷ. (adj sg fem dat) "Wicked" is from poneros, which we discuss extensively in this page. In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly."
The verb translated as "entered" means "to enter in the mind."
The word translated as "dwell" means "govern."
The Master nodded and continued.
“Then it goes by itself and gets together with seven other spirits more worthless than itself,” the Master said.
The crowd offered several voices in agreement.
“One failing leads to more and worse failings,” one such voice said.
“And entering in, they settle down there and it becomes the worst for that man there,” the Master continued, indicating one of the young men who had been a drunk, “meaner then the earlier ones.”
“I had to hit a low point,” the young man admitted, “It got so bad I was literally sleeping in the street, lying in my own vomit.”
“In this way, it will be also with that type,” the Master said, indicating the meeting house into which the other Distinguished had withdrawn. “This one, the worthless.”