Events leading to the Last Supper and crucifixion. This is in response to the woman who poured perfume on Christ's feet and washed them with her hair.
Matthew 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew 26:13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Ameni, I'm telling you, anywhere when it is declared, the good news, this one, in the entire world order, it shall be passed on also what she has done, she herself, for a memorial of her.
Dramatic gestures are long remembered.
Several aspects of this verse are interesting. True to Christ's prediction, this story appears in each Gospel (Matthew 26:7, Mar 14:3, Luke 7:37, John 11:2), but it appears differently in each. If the details differ, all agree that a woman anointed Jesus and washed his feet with her tears. This is the only example of someone doing a personal service for Jesus. It is also Jesus's only anointing in the Gospels. The Greek word for "Christ" means "the anointed."
Lost in the translation are the connections between the words "preach," "gospel," and "told." The word translated as "preach" means "to act as a herald," "to proclaim," and "to declare." It does not have the relationship to discussing the Divine that our word "preach" does nor does it mean giving a moral lecture. It means spreading the news. This works with the word "good news." And to word translated as "told," which means "to pass on news."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "gospel" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "preached" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "there" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "this woman" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "she herself" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hath" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "told" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "preached" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "throughout" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "whole" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" 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 "she herself" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "told" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
Verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Wheresoever - "Wheresoever" is from a Greek words that means "wherever" and "anywhere."
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing." It comes after the following noun, emphasizing it.
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.
gospel - "Gospel" is translated from a Greek word meaning "good news," and "good tidings." Originally, this term described a reward, like a tip, given to a messenger who brought good news.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form. This form of verb is used with the untranslated "when" above.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preached -- (CW) The word translated as "preach" means "to act as a herald," "to proclaim," and "to declare." It does not have the relationship to discussing the Divine that our word "preach" does nor does it mean giving a moral lecture. It means spreading the news.
in - The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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.
whole - The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete","entire," or "the whole" of something.
world, - Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. More about this word in this article about related words.
there -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "there" in the Greek source.
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.
also -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
this, - The word translated as "this" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts introducing a dependent clause.
that -- The word translated as "that" 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.
this woman -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "this woman" in the Greek source.
missing "she herself" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the pronoun., "she." Since the information in the pronoun is part of the verb, there is an emphasis on the word like "she herself."
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
done, - The Greek word translated as "hath done" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "rendering" as service.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
told - (CW) "Told" is the Greek word that means both "idle chatter", "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "passing on information," because that captures both someones gossiping and an oracle does. Notice how this works with the "announce" above that is translated as "preach." It is not one of the two more common words translated as "told."
for - The pronoun translated as "for" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure. It also means "for" a specific purpose.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
memorial - The word translated as "a memorial" is from a rare word for Christ meaning "memorial", "memorandum", "reminder", and "mark."
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.
her. -- "Her" is from the pronoun usually translated as "her."
Truly -- The word translated as "truly " is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Wherever - "Wheresoever" is from a Greek words that means "wherever" and "anywhere."
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing." It comes after the following noun, emphasizing it.
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.
gospel - "Gospel" is translated from a Greek word meaning "good news," and "good tidings." Originally, this term described a reward, like a tip, given to a messenger who brought good news.
is -- -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preached -- (CW) The word translated as "preach" means "to act as a herald," "to proclaim," and "to declare." It does not have the relationship to discussing the Divine that our word "preach" does nor does it mean giving a moral lecture. It means spreading the news.
throughout - (CW) The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "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.
missing "whole" -- (MW) The untranslated word "whole" means something that is "complete","entire," or "the whole" of something.
world, - Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. More about this word in this article about related words.
what -- The word translated as "that" 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.
she -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
has -- (WT) This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
done, - The Greek word translated as "hath done" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "rendering" as service.
missing "she herself" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the pronoun., "she." Since the information in the pronoun is part of the verb, there is an emphasis on the word like "she herself."
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.
also -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
told - (CW) "Told" is the Greek word that means both "idle chatter", "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "passing on information," because that captures both someones gossiping and an oracle does. Notice how this works with the "announce" above that is translated as "preach." It is not one of the two more common words translated as "told."
in - The pronoun translated as "in" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
memorial - The word translated as "a memorial" is from a rare word for Christ meaning "memorial", "memorandum", "reminder", and "mark."
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.
her. -- "Her" is from the pronoun usually translated as "her."
ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὅπου [32 verses] (adv/conj) "Wheresoever" is from hopou (with ean below), which means "somewhere", "anywhere", "wherever," and "where."
ἐὰν [162 verses](conj) Untranslated is ean (with hopos above), 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.
κηρυχθῇ [11 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "Shall be preach" is kerysso, which means "to be a herald", "to summon by a herald", "proclaim", "call upon", "announce", "declare," and "command publicly." Only in the NT is it translated as "preach" or "teach publicly."
τὸ [821 verses] (article sg neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
εὐαγγέλιον [8 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Gospel" 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.
τοῦτο (adj sg neut nom/acc) "That" is from touto, which means "from here", "from there", "this [thing]," or "that [thing]." -- -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that 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."
ὅλῳ [23 verses](adj sg masc dat) "Whole" is from holos, which means "the whole", "entire", "complete", "complete in all its parts", "wholly", "altogether", "on the whole", "speaking generally", "utter," "actually", "really, "the universe," and "safe and sound."
τῷ [821 verses] (article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόσμῳ, [63 verses](noun sg masc dat) "The world" is from kosmos, which mean "order", "good order", "ruler", "world order", "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order", "to arrange", "to rule", "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
λαληθήσεται [39 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Be told" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle", "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Also" 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."
ὃ [821 verses] (pron sg neut nom/acc) "This" is from hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ἐποίησεν [168 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Hath done" is from poieo, which means "to make", "to produce", "to create", "to bring into existence", "to bring about", "to cause", "to render", "to consider", "to prepare", "to make ready," and "to do."
αὕτη [720 verses](adj sg fem nom) "This woman" is 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." It is not usually used as a subject because it is part of verb so the sense here is "of her own accord."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "For" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
μνημόσυνον [2 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "A memorial" is from mnemosynon, which means "remembrance", "memorial", "memorandum", "reminder", "mark", "scar."
αὐτῆς. [720 verses](adj sg fem gen) "Of her" 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."
"Tell you true," he finished, using his signature catch phase and generating a small laugh, "if it might be declared anywhere..."
"This good news," he added after a pause, and then gesturing more broadly, "in the all of society."
He paused again.
"It shall also be passed on," he continued," what she has done of her own accord."
He gestured toward the woman at her feet and finished, "In to her memory."