A group gathers on a mountain top to be healed.
Matthew 15:32 I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matthew 15:32 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
I am eating myselfinside up for this mob because now three days they are sticking with me and they don't have a thing to eat. And I don't want to set them free famished. when they might be faint on the way.
Jesus felt things in his gut as we all do.
There are a number of puns here that are lost in the English translation. Because of these puns, many of the keywords here are rare, despite being translated to look like familiar terms. The word translated as "have compassion" and the word translated as "eat" both have the sense of churning insides as in "eating yourself up" over a problem. The word translated as "multitude/people" means "mob" or crowd." Both the word translated as "send away" and "faint/collapse" means "set free" and "loose." The word translated as "continue/have been with me" literally means "stick with me." The word translated as "way" also means "way of life" so falling down in the way also means falling down in a way for life.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "have compassion" is not an active verb but either a passive or the middle voice when the subjects act on themselves
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "on" does not mean "on" with this form of an object word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "continue" has more the sense of "wait" or "attached."
- MM -- Many Meanings -- This word "eat" has several different meanings that work here and is a form of wordplay.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "will" does not mean the future tense.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "send" should be something more like "loose."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "fasting" is not the common word usually translated as "fasting."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- MM -- Many Meanings -- This word "faint" has several different meanings that work here and is a form of wordplay.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "have compassion" is not an active verb but either a passive or the middle voice when the subjects act on themselves
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "on" does not mean "on" with this form of an object word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "people" should be something more like "mob."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is present.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "already" has more the sense of "now"
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "been" should be something more like "stick."
- MM -- Many Meanings -- This word "eat" has several different meanings that work here and is a form of wordplay.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "send" should be something more like "loose" or "set free."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "fasting" is not the common word usually translated as "fasting."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "or" should be something more like "not."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- MM -- Many Meanings -- This word "faint" has several different meanings that work here and is a form of wordplay.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have compassion - (WF) "Have compassion" is from a Greek verb which has been translated as to "feel pity, compassion, or mercy" in the New Testament, but it is from a noun that means "the inward parts," meaning your internal organs. It is also is related to another verb which means eating the innards of a sacrifice or prophesying from those innards. The verb is in a passive form or a middle form where the subject acts on himself. In English, we might say, "eating my heart out" or "eating me up inside" to capture the same idea. The word was obviously chosen to reflect on the hunger situation. This word doesn't appear in any other ancient Greek texts so it may have been an innovation by Jesus.
on - (CW) With the objective noun accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." Here, "for" works best.
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.
multitude, - "Multitude" is from a noun which means "crowd," "mob," generally, "the masses," or "multitude" but it also means "trouble" and "annoyance." Our word "mob" really captures the idea best.
because - The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause. To break up long sentences, it often words best to translate it as "this is because."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
continue - (CW) "Continue" is from a verb that means "to wait," "to remain attached," and "to cleave to." This word works exactly like our words "stick with" to mean "stay with."
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. The case can indicate a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
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.
now - "Now" is from a word that means proximity in time, but also place. We would say "here and now."
three - "Three" is from the word from describing the numeral three. This word is in the form of a subject.
days, - The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime." This word is in the form of a subject.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
have - -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
no- - -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact.
-thing - The Greek word translated as "thing" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those."
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
eat: -- (MM) The word translated as "eat" is one of the two common words used to mean "eat. "It means "to eat," "to eat up," and "to devour." It also means to "fret" as we say "to eat up."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will - (CW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense, but a verb that expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. Saying "I want" or "I desire" is clearer.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.
missing "to" -- (MW) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The following verb is an infinitive.
send - (WW) "Send" is from a verb which means "to loose from" and "to set free." It i not the Greek word for "send," which Jesus uses frequently.
them - - The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
away - -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from."
fasting, - (CW) "Fasting" is from an adjective which means "not eating," "fasting," "causing hunger," and "starving." This is not the common word translated as "fasting."
lest - The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that."
missing "then" -- (MW) The untranslated word "then" 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."
they - -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
collapse - (WW) "Faint" is from a verb that also means "to set free," "to unloose," and "to relax." It is in the passive, so "to be set free," "to be faint," and "fail."
on -- The word translated as "on" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."
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.
way - (Way" is from a noun means literally "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in all languages with which I am familiar.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have compassion - (WF) "Have compassion" is from a Greek verb which has been translated as to "feel pity, compassion, or mercy" in the New Testament, but it is from a noun that means "the inward parts," meaning your internal organs. It is also is related to another verb which means eating the innards of a sacrifice or prophesying from those innards. The verb is in a passive form or a middle form where the subject acts on himself. In English, we might say, "eating my heart out" or "eating me up inside" to capture the same idea. The word was obviously chosen to reflect on the hunger situation. This word doesn't appear in any other ancient Greek texts so it may have been an innovation by Jesus.
on - (CW) With the objective noun accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." Here, "for" works best.
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.
people, - (WW) "People" is from a noun which means "crowd," "mob," generally, "the masses," or "multitude" but it also means "trouble" and "annoyance." Our word "mob" really captures the idea best.
missing "because" -- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause. To break up long sentences, it often words best to translate it as "this is because."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past but the tense is present.
already - (CW) "Already" is from a word that means proximity in time, but also place. We would say "here and now."
been - (WW) "Been" is from a verb that means "to wait," "to remain attached," and "to cleave to." This word works exactly like our words "stick with" to mean "stay with."
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. The case can indicate a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
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.
three - "Three" is from the word from describing the numeral three. This word is in the form of a subject.
days, - The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime." This word is in the form of a subject.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
have - -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
no- - -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact.
-thing - The Greek word translated as "thing" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those."
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
eat: -- (MM) The word translated as "eat" is one of the two common words used to mean "eat. "It means "to eat," "to eat up," and "to devour." It also means to "fret" as we say "to eat up."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact.
want - This helping verb "want" does not indicate the future tense, but a verb that expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. Saying "I want" or "I desire" is clearer.
to - This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The following verb is an infinitive.
send - (WW) "Send" is from a verb which means "to loose from" and "to set free." It i not the Greek word for "send," which Jesus uses frequently.
them - - The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
away - -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from."
hungry, - (CW) "Hungry" is from an adjective which means "not eating," "fasting," "causing hunger," and "starving." This is not the common word translated as "hungry."
or - (WW) The "or" is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that."
missing "then" -- (MW) The untranslated word "then" 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."
they - -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
collapse - (MM) "Faint" is from a verb that also means "to set free," "to unloose," and "to relax." It is in the passive, so "to be set free," "to be faint," and "fail."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."
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.
way - (Way" is from a noun means literally "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in all languages with which I am familiar.
Σπλαγχνίζομαι [5 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind mp) "I have compassion" is splagchnizomai , which means to "feel pity, compassion, or mercy." It only appears in the New Testament, but it is from the word -splanchnon, which means "the inward parts," meaning your internal organs and the seat of emotion. It is also is related to -splanchneuô, which means eating the innards of a sacrifice or prophesying from those innards.
ἐπὶ (prep) With the objective noun accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ὄχλον, [4 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Multitude" is ochlos, which means "crowd," "a throng," "populace" ( in political sense), "mob," generally, "the masses," or "multitude" but which also means "trouble" and "annoyance." Our word "mob" really captures the idea best.
ὅτι (adv/conj) "Because" is from 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."
[ἤδη] (conj - appears in some texts) "Now" is ede, which means "already," "by this time," "forthwith," "after," "immediately," and "now." It means proximity in time, but also place.
ἡμέραι (noun pl fem nom) "Day" is from hemera, which, as a noun, means "day ""a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."
τρεῖς [4 verses](numeral pl fem nom) ("Three" is from treis, which means the number three.
προσμένουσίν [2 verses](verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "They continue with me" is from prosmeno, which means "to wait," "to bide," "to remain attached," "to stand one's ground," and "to cleave to." It literally means "to remain in the presence of."
μοι (pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "With me" is from moi, which means "I," "me," and "my." -- The "me" is in the dative, which has a number of uses in Greek.
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."
οὐκ (particle) "Nothing" (with tis below) is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἔχουσιν (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "Have" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." -- The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb than the English "have" is.
τί (pron sg neut acc)"Nothing" (with ou above) 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."
φάγωσιν: (verb 3rd pl aor subj act ) "To eat" is phago, which is a form of the word, phagein, which means to eat," "to eat up," and "to devour."
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."
ἀπολῦσαι (verb aor inf act) "Send...away" might be from apolyo which means "to loose from "to set free," "to release," "to acquit," "to divorce [a wife]," "to do away with," and "to begin to count." In the passive, it means "to be released," "to be separated [combatants]," "to be brought forth [a child]," and "to be delivered [of a mother]," and "to be undone."
αὐτοὺς (adj pl masc acc) "Them" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but it has a few shades of meaning our pronouns do not have. The word technically means "the same," and when used as a pronoun can mean "the true self" as opposed to appearances.
νήστεις [2 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Fasting" is nestis, which means "not eating," "fasting," "causing hunger," and "starving."
οὐ (partic) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
θέλω, (verb 1st sg pres ind/subj act) "I will" is from thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose ""to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event)." As an adverb, "willingly," and "gladly." and "to desire." As an adjective, it means "wished for" and "desired."
μή (partic)"Lest" is from me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that."
ποτε (adv/conj) Untranslated is pote, which means "when," "at what time," "at some time or other," "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future."
ἐκλυθῶσιν [2 verses](verb 3rd pl aor subj pass) "Faint" is from eklyo, which also means "to set free," "to unloose," and "to relax." In the passive, it means "to be set free," "to be faint," "fail," and "to be unserviceable (of things)."
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with"
τῇ (article sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ὁδῷ. (noun sg fem dat) "The way" is from hodos, which means literally "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in many languages from the west to the east.
Jesus says he is eating himself inside at the idea of the starving masses.
Jesus says he doesn't want to "set them free" because they might be "set free" in the sense of falling faint. The word translated as
The term translated as "way" means "road" but it also means a way of life or philosophy. So there is a play on words here about setting hungry people free can cause them to fall down in their way of life.