Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Who when he unties one of these commands, the smallest one, and teaches the people this same way. "Smallest," he is going to be named in realm of the skies. Who, however, when he producs and teaches them, "great" he will be called in the realm of the skies.
Seeking the highest means doing more than seeking the sufficient.
The word translated as "break" doesn't mean "break" in the sense of not following commandments. It means to "untie" or "loosen," which has the sense of releasing people from the obligation of following them.
This verse introduces a pair of Jesus's favorite double meaning opposite words, "least" and "great. "Least" is a superlative that also means "smallest", "shortest", and "fewest." Great" is not a superlative (Jesus never uses the superlative form of this word.) and also means "big", "full grown", "high", "loud", "mighty" "important," and "strong." There is no "the" before "least," but there is a "this" before "great."
The Greek demonstrative pronoun ("this," "that") is translated as referring to the commandments, but its form cannot refer to "commandments" because it is the wrong gender and is it in the form of an object. Its form matches the next word "great" as the subject of the next clause so it has the sense of "this great one."
By adding "in the kingdom" after "least" and "great," the translations sound like these people are actually in the kingdom. However, in the Greek, the "in the kingdom" line is after the verb. It indicates where the calling is done not where their leastness or greatness is.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "whosoever" here hides a beginning element of a conditional clause, the "when" that begins it.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "break" means "untie."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist before "least" in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "the same" is not and object of "teach" but a subject of "be called."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "soever" here hides a beginning element of a conditional clause and the "when" that begins it.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
IW - Inserted Word -- The word "anyone" doesn't exist in the source.
CW - Confusing Word -- The "soever" here hides a beginning element of a conditional clause, the "when" that begins it.
WF - Wrong Form - The "set aside" is in the form of possibility. This would be assumed if the "when" had been translated by without the "when" a "might" or "should" is needed.
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "others" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "others" should be "people."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist before "least" in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "soever" here hides a beginning element of a conditional clause, the "when" that begins it.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "these" is not and object of "teach" but a subject of "be called."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "commands" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be "this."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "one" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "commandment" is translated as singular but it is plural, "commandments."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "people" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "others" should be "people."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "to do" doesn't exist here in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "the same" is an adverb not a noun.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist here in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist before "least" in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "anyone" doesn't exist here in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "ever" here hides a beginning element of a conditional clause, the "when" that begins it.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "obeys" should be "performs."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "God's laws" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "great" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but it is plural, "skies."
Who- The word translated as "who" 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.
-soever -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "-soever " is from a contraction meaning "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". This word begins a "future probable" conditional clause.
therefore -- The "therefore" is a particle that can mean "certainly" or, to continue a narrative, "therefore" or "then."
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" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
break -- (WW) The word translated as "break" means to"loosen" or "unbind" and means "to annul" a law. It doesn't mean "disobey" in any sense. The word means "to loosen" with the sense of releasing or untying. This is the Greek word used in those verses where Jesus talks about "binding" and "loosing" on earth and in heaven (for example, Matthew 18:18). Jesus almost always used this word to mean undo something that "binds" you to another. In the case of legal agreements, it means to break a contract, but, again, the idea is that contracts are "binding" and binds are untied.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is before "least, which follows "commandments. It is is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word before "commandments" is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
commandments, -- The word translated a "commandments" means an "order" or a "command." This is not the word from the previous verses, meaning "customs", "tradition," or the "law". Commands were components of the law.
missing "these" -- (MW) The untranslated word "these" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer," and "the familiar."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
teach -- The word "teach" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
men -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
so, The adverb translated as "so" means "in this manner."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
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.
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.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
who- -- The word translated as "who" 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.
-soever -- (CW) - The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".
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" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
do -- The Greek verb translated as "do" means primarily "to make", "to produce," and "to create." It is the "doing" of creating and producing. It is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
teach -- The word "teach" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
them, -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, however, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
the same -- (WW) "The same" is translated from a Greek word that means "this", "that", "the nearer." It normally modifies a noun, but when it appears before an adjective, as it does here, the sense is "this one."
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.
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.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
great - The word translated as "great" means "great", "mighty," and "important". Because of the demonstrative article before it, the sense is "this great one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
Therefore -- The "therefore" is a particle that can mean "certainly" or, to continue a narrative, "therefore" or "then."
anyone -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "anyone" in the Greek source.
who- The word translated as "who" 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.
-soever -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "-soever " is from a contraction meaning "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". This word begins a "future probable" conditional clause.
sets aside -- (WF) The word translated as "sets aside " means to"loosen" or "unbind" and means "to annul" a law. The word means "to loosen" with the sense of releasing or untying. This is the Greek word used in those verses where Jesus talks about "binding" and "loosing" on earth and in heaven (for example, Matthew 18:18). Jesus almost always used this word to mean undo something that "binds" you to another. In the case of legal agreements, it means to break a contract, but, again, the idea is that contracts are "binding" and binds are untied.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one thing" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article before "least." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
these -- "These" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer," and "the familiar."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word before "commandments" is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
commands, -- The word translated a "commands " means an "order" or a "command." This is not the word from the previous verses, meaning "customs", "tradition," or the "law". Commands were components of the law.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
teaches -- The word "teaches" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
accordingly -- The adverb means "in this manner," "so much", "to such an extent," and "that is why."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
others -- (WW) The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
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 -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
who- -- The word translated as "who" 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.
-ever -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "-ever " is from a contraction meaning "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". This word begins a "future probable" conditional clause.
practices -- The Greek verb translated as "pracatices" means primarily "to make", "to produce," "perform." and "to create." It is the "doing" of creating and producing. It is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
teach -- The word "teach" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
these -- (WF) "These" is translated from a Greek word that means "this", "that", "the nearer." It normally modifies a noun, but when it appears before an adjective, as it does here, the sense is "this one." It is singular and a subject not an object of a verb.
commands -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "commands " in the Greek source.
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 -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
great - The word translated as "great" means "great", "mighty," and "important". Because of the demonstrative article before it, the sense is "this great one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
So -- The "so" is a particle that can mean "certainly" or, to continue a narrative, "therefore" or "then."
if -- The Greek word meaning "if" is from a contraction meaning "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". This word begins a "future probable" conditional clause.
you -- (WW) The word translated as "you" 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.
ignore -- The word translated as "sets aside " means to"loosen" or "unbind" and means "to annul" a law. The word means "to loosen" with the sense of releasing or untying. This is the Greek word used in those verses where Jesus talks about "binding" and "loosing" on earth and in heaven (for example, Matthew 18:18). Jesus almost always used this word to mean undo something that "binds" you to another. In the case of legal agreements, it means to break a contract, but, again, the idea is that contracts are "binding" and binds are untied.
missing "one"-- (MW) The untranslated word "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article before "least." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" before "commandments" is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
commandment, -- (WN) The word translated a "commandments" means an "order" or a "command." This is not the word from the previous verses, meaning "customs", "tradition," or the "law". Commands were components of the law.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
teaches -- The word "teaches" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
others -- (WW) The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
to do - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "to do " in the Greek source.
the same -- (WF) The adverb means "in this manner," "so much", "to such an extent," and "that is why."
you - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "you" in the Greek source.
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 -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
least -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest, but it is used as a noun, "the smallest one", after the word "command" not as a pure modified of "command". This could well be a description of breaking down general rules into more and more trivial rules, each one less important than the last. This follows the "commandments with its own article so "the smallest one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
Heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
anyone -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "anyone" in the Greek source.
who- -- The word translated as "who" 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.
-ever -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "-ever " is from a contraction meaning "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". This word begins a "future probable" conditional clause.
obeys -- (WW) The Greek verb translated as "obeys " means primarily "to make", "to produce," "perform." and "to create." It is the "doing" of creating and producing. It is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
God’s laws -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "God’s laws " in the Greek source.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
teach -- The word "teach" is the most common word for "teach". It also means to "explain." It also is not in the future tense, but a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
them, -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, however, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
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 -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
called -- The word translated as "shall be called" means "to call" in the sense of "summon" or "invite" but also in the sense of "the call by name." This word is in the future tense. This tense ends a "future probable" conditional clause.
missing "this "-- (MW) The untranslated word is translated from a Greek word that means "this", "that", "the nearer."
great - The word translated as "great" means "great", "mighty," and "important". Because of the demonstrative article before it, the sense is "this great one."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
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") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession,
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.
Heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky," the "climate," and the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies."
ὃς (pron sg masc nom) "Who-" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings. -
ἐὰν (conj) "-soever" is 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. -- The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".
οὖν (partic) "Therefore" is from oun, which means "certainly", "in fact", "really", "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
λύσῃ (3rd sg aor subj act "Shall break" is from lyo, which means "unfasten", "unbind", "unyoke", "released by payment or ransom", "deliverance from guilt", "blotting out" of sins"dissolve", "breakup", "break a whole into parts", "break [legal obligations]", "destroy", "solve", "fulfill", "accomplish", "atone", "pay wages in full," and "make up for."
μίαν (adj sg fem acc) "One" is from heis, which means "one", "single," and "one and the same." This adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on sex, number, and case: heis, henos, heni, hen, hena, mia, mias, miai, mian; hen, henos, hen. The form here is mia, feminine singular.
τῶν (article pl fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐντολῶν (noun pl fem gen) "Commandments" is from entole which means "injunction", "order," and "command."
τούτων (adj pl fem gen) "Of these" is from toutou, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer," and "the familiar."
τῶν (article pl fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἐλαχίστων (adj pl fem gen) "Least" is from elachistos, which is the superlative form of elachus which means "small", "little," and "short." It means "the smallest", "the shortest", "the least," and "the fewest."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."
διδάξῃ (3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall teach" is from didasko, which means "to teach", "to instruct", "to indicate", "to explain," and "to give sign of."
οὕτως (adv) "So" is from houtos, which as an adverb, it means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent," and "that is why."
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπους (noun pl masc acc) "Men" 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.
ἐλάχιστος (adj sg masc nom) "The least" is from elachistos, which is the superlative form of elachus which means "small", "little," and "short." It means "the smallest", "the shortest", "the least," and "the fewest."
κληθήσεται (3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be called" is from kaleo, which means "call", "summon", "invite", "invoke", "call by name," and "demand."
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"). -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
βασιλείᾳ (noun sg fem dat) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom", "dominion", "hereditary monarchy", "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."
τῶν (article) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -- untranslated "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
οὐρανῶν (noun pl fem gen) "Of heaven" is from ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky", "heaven as the seat of the gods", "the sky", "the universe," and "the climate."
ὃς (pron sg masc nom) "Who-" is from hos, which is the demonstrative pronoun in its various forms (hê, ho, gen. hou, hês, hou, etc. ; dat. pl. hois, hais, hois, etc. gen. hoou). It means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
δ᾽ (partic) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").
ἂν (conj) "-soever" is 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.
ποιήσῃ (3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall do" is from poieô ( 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."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."
διδάξῃ, (3rd sg aor subj act) "Teach" is from didasko, which means "to teach", "to instruct", "to indicate", "to explain," and "to give sign of."
οὗτος (adj sg masc nom) "The same" is from houtos, which means "this", "that", "the nearer." This is the same word translated as "so" above, but in a different form.
μέγας (noun/adj sg masc nom) "Great" is from megas, which means "big", "full grown", "great", "high", "loud", "mighty" "important," and "strong."
κληθήσεται (3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be called" is kaleo, which means "call", "summon", "invite", "invoke", "call by name," and "demand."
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"). -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
βασιλείᾳ (noun sg fem dat) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom", "dominion", "hereditary monarchy", "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."
τῶν (article) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -- untranslated "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
οὐρανῶν: (noun pl fem gen) "Of heaven" is from ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky", "heaven as the seat of the gods", "the sky", "the universe," and "the climate."
A play on small rules and small people.
The word "call" means both to "invite" and to "name".
The word translated as "so" and "them the same" are the adverb and adjective forms of the same word.
When
Like so much of what Christ says, this statement is challenging. Does it indicate that there a status system in heaven? The Greek word translated as "called" is from a word which means "to summon", "to call [by name]" or "to name." Like so many of Christ's words, this seems to be a humorous device of name-calling to make a larger point.
Part of the confusion arises from our idea that "the kingdom of God" refers to to the afterlife. As we have said before, the kingdom of heaven literally, the realm of the skies (or universes) is never described by Jesus as the afterlife. When Christ talks about the after life, he talk about the time when people have risen from the dead. The kingdom of heaven is something else.
Jesus spends a lot of time describing the universal rule, mostly as a process which will change the world, creating the basis for the separation of good and evil at the end of that process. The kingdom of heave, for example, is like a field in which weeds are allowed to grow with the grain. It is a net that gathers up both good fish and bad fish. In other words, bad people are never excluded from the process. They are part of it.
“Master,” the man from Joppa shouted loudly, “what if someone teaches that a rule in the law need not be followed?”
“Who?” the Teacher asked sounding surprised.
“Someone who promotes giving gifts at the temple in Jerusalem,” the man answered indirectly.
The crowd made a noise indicating that it knew who he meant. The Judeans in our group of witnesses explained this to me. The Distinguished actively promoted giving gifts of atonement at the temple in Jerusalem. The gifts supposedly gave dispensation from obligations under Judean law. In return for the Distinguished promoting this view, the temple priests tacitly recognized the authority of the Distinguished in teaching the law in the synagogues, despite the two groups’ philosophical differences.
“He says loosening a few of them is acceptable,” the man from Joppa explained.
“When in fact someone undoes one of the rules...” the Teacher started.
“Just the minor ones,” clarified the man for Joppa.
“These the tiniest ones?” the Master repeated in disbelief, holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart and shaking his head sadly.
His doleful manner generated a little laugh from the crowd.
“And he claimed to be a teacher,” the man continued.
“And he teaches like this to the people,” the Master said in some disbelief.
His disbelief generated another little laugh from the crowd because this teaching was well-known among the Judeans.
“What should happen to such a person?” the Joppa man asked.
The Nazarene looked worried.
“Tiniest,” he answered sadly ,again holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart, “he will be named...”
The he held up his little finger and turned his hand so that the little finger pointed out from the bottom of a closed fist.
Everyone laughed. This hand signal is a common Galilean insult. It refers to the small size of a person’s manhood. Even the Greeks in the area were familiar with the gesture. Some in the crowd acted as if they were shocked that a teacher would use such a rude gesture, but to most it was simply funny.
This rude gesture won a large laugh from the crowd.
The Distinguished were, of course, insulted, but Demas told us that what really shocked them was the extent of the laughter. Prior to the gathering at Seven Springs, the Nazarene spoke mainly in the meeting halls where he joined public discussions. He began drawing crowds because of his cleverness, but the environment of these meetings was more formal and the crowds smaller and much less raucous. In contrast, the Sermon crowd was huge. Most of the talk had be humorous to one degree or another, s we were laughing easily. Many of us had been drinking. The arrival of the Distinguished had dampened the mood only momentarily.
The Nazarene had to wait until the laughter subsided before finishing.
“In this realm of the skies!” he said innocently, as if we had mistaken his meaning. He pointed upward with his little finger.
“This realm of the skies!” we echoed happily.
The chorus drew more laughter and cheers.
“That one, however, when he produces and teaches this?” he said happily, holding up the round loaf of bread, which had been used to symbolize the law. “Great, he is going to be called...in this realm of the skies!”
He pointed upward again with his index finger.
“This realm of the skies!” we again repeated happily.