Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, debts and repayment, virtue and virtue signaling, the Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
Matthew 6:13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Also, you might not want to bring us as far as a trial. Instead, draw us toward Yourself away from this worthless worry.
It is not God's will that we should take paths that lead to our suffering.
The meaning of the Greek words here are a lot more interesting than Biblical translation makes them seem. Three of the words in this verse, "lead," "temptation," and "deliver/rescue" not words that Jesus commonly uses. The meaning of each is surprising different from the common version.
This fact that many words here are unusual gives the translators some freedom to play with the ideas and promote their own philosophy, which seems to be the case. "Lead" means "bring," and it is not a command or request but a statement about what God doesn't want. The word "temptation" means "trial" in the sense of "testing," or "worry." The word translated as "deliver" actually means "to draw one towards oneself," but it is a metaphor for "rescue."
The word translated as "evil" is common but it doesn't mean "evil" in a malicious sense. See this article for a complete analysis. means "worthless" and "second rate." Hidden is the fact that "worthless" matches the masculine form of "trial/worry" and, because it is an adjective, not a noun, seems to refer to it. If we translated "temptation" as "worry" or "trial," then the last phrase is "from this worthless" with the "worry" and "trial" implied. Objects are not repeated, even as pronouns, in ancient Greek like they are in English because they are assumed.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "lead" is not a command or request, but a statement, "you don't want to lead."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "temptation" means "trial."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "deliver" means "draw toward."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "deliver" is not an active verb, but one that acts on, for, or by oneself so the sense is "draw toward himself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "lead" is not a command or request, but a statement, "you don't want to lead."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "temptation" means "trial."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "deliver" means "draw toward."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "deliver" is not an active verb, but one that acts on, for, or by oneself so the sense is "draw toward himself."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "let" doesn't exist in the source. It is not suggested by the form of the verb.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "yield" means "bring into."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "temptation" means "trial."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "rescue" is not an active verb, but one that acts on, for, or by oneself so the sense is "draw toward himself."
And -- This verse like many of the previous ones begins with the conjunction that is translated as "and," which can also be translated as "also."
lead -- (WF) The word translated as "lead" means "bring into" or "carry in." From these meanings, we get secondary meanings such as "introduce" and "to propose." Unlike many of the other verbs in the Lord's Prayer, it isn't in the form of a command, though it is translated that way in the KJV to match the form of the other verbs in the prayer. Its form is of something that "might" happen. It is a simple statement, not a request, about what the Father doesn't want to happen but the entire sentence comes across as a shy suggestion.
us "-- Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form.
not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, which is also used for prohibitions. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used. More about the Greek negative in this article.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" when it refers to a place but "up to" referring to time. However, here it seems to be referring to a limit, where the sense is "as far as."
temptation, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "temptation" doesn't primarily means that. It means a "trial" as in a "worry" or "testing." The verb form means "to try" or "to test" something. The idea of "temptation" comes from the sense of a trial as testing but, in English, a "temptation" means something desirable. The Greek word has none of this meaning. Jesus doesn't use this term but another Greek word to refer to court trials. Again, this is an uncommon word in Jesus's teaching. In my search of the Greek, it only shows up in the NT and Christian writings afterward. This means that the word may have been coined the word from the verb form.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. "Instead," "except," or "rather" work well when the word isn't being used as a conjunction, especially when it begins a sentence.
deliver -- (WW, WF) The Greek word translated as "deliver" primarily means "to draw away from danger." It is not the word usually translated as "deliver" in the new testament, as when Jesus says he will be "delivered to the chief priests." The form of the verb is not active but where the subject acts on, by, or for themselves, so the meaning is more clearly "draw towards yourself" but the sense of "to draw away from danger" is still very important in this context. A simple translation is "to rescue." Again, this is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is in the form of a command, which is also used for requests.
us -- Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form.
from -- "From" is the preposition meaning "away from" a place and "from" when referring to a source.
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.
evil: -- The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores it meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but used here as a noun because it is introduced an article "the worthless" but it is singular so the sense is "what is worthless."
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. -- (OS) The last phrase, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." appears in some Bible versions and not others but it does not appear in the best Greek sources that we have today. It is from an outdated source.
And -- This verse like many of the previous ones begins with the conjunction that is translated as "and," which can also be translated as "also."
lead -- (WF) The word translated as "lead" means "bring into" or "carry in." From these meanings, we get secondary meanings such as "introduce" and "to propose." Unlike many of the other verbs in the Lord's Prayer, it isn't in the form of a command, though it is translated that way in the KJV to match the form of the other verbs in the prayer. Its form is of something that "might" happen. It is a simple statement, not a request, about what the Father doesn't want to happen but the entire sentence comes across as a shy suggestion.
us "-- Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form.
not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, which is also used for prohibitions. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used. More about the Greek negative in this article.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" when it refers to a place but "up to" referring to time. However, here it seems to be referring to a limit, where the sense is "as far as."
temptation, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "temptation" doesn't primarily means that. It means a "trial" as in a "worry" or "testing." The verb form means "to try" or "to test" something. The idea of "temptation" comes from the sense of a trial as testing but, in English, a "temptation" means something desirable. The Greek word has none of this meaning. Jesus doesn't use this term but another Greek word to refer to court trials. Again, this is an uncommon word in Jesus's teaching. In my search of the Greek, it only shows up in the NT and Christian writings afterward. This means that the word may have been coined the word from the verb form.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. "Instead," "except," or "rather" work well when the word isn't being used as a conjunction, especially when it begins a sentence.
deliver -- (WW, WF) The Greek word translated as "deliver" primarily means "to draw away from danger." It is not the word usually translated as "deliver" in the new testament, as when Jesus says he will be "delivered to the chief priests." The form of the verb is not active but where the subject acts on, by, or for themselves, so the meaning is more clearly "draw towards yourself" but the sense of "to draw away from danger" is still very important in this context. A simple translation is "to rescue." Again, this is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is in the form of a command, which is also used for requests.
us -- Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form.
from -- "From" is the preposition meaning "away from" a place and "from" when referring to a source.
the -- The word translated as "the" 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.
evil: -- The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores it meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but used here as a noun because it is introduced an article "the worthless" but it is singular so the sense is "what is worthless."
one -- When used with an adjective, the definite article can mean "the one."
And -- This verse like many of the previous ones begins with the conjunction that is translated as "and," which can also be translated as "also."
do -- This helping verb is added to make this a negative ve sentence.
n't -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, which is also used for prohibitions. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used. More about the Greek negative in this article.
let -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source.
us -- "Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form. Jesus only uses this pronoun in seven verses, most often in the Lord's Prayer
yield-- (WW) The word translated as "yield" means "bring into" or "carry in." From these meanings, we get secondary meanings such as "introduce" and "to propose." Unlike many of the other verbs in the Lord's Prayer, it isn't in the form of a command, though it is translated that way in the KJV to match the form of the other verbs in the prayer. Its form is of something that "might" happen. It is a simple statement, not a request, about what the Father doesn't want to happen but the entire sentence comes across as a shy suggestion.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" when it refers to a place but "up to" referring to time. However, here it seems to be referring to a limit, where the sense is "as far as."
temptation, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "temptation" doesn't primarily means that. It means a "trial" as in a "worry" or "testing." The verb form means "to try" or "to test" something. The idea of "temptation" comes from the sense of a trial as testing but, in English, a "temptation" means something desirable. The Greek word has none of this meaning. Jesus doesn't use this term but another Greek word to refer to court trials. Again, this is an uncommon word in Jesus's teaching. In my search of the Greek, it only shows up in the NT and Christian writings afterward. This means that the word may have been coined the word from the verb form.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. "Instead," "except," or "rather" work well when the word isn't being used as a conjunction, especially when it begins a sentence.
rescue-- (WF) The Greek word translated as "deliver" primarily means "to draw away from danger." It is not the word usually translated as "deliver" in the new testament, as when Jesus says he will be "delivered to the chief priests." The form of the verb is not active but where the subject acts on, by, or for themselves, so the meaning is more clearly "draw towards yourself" but the sense of "to draw away from danger" is still very important in this context. A simple translation is "to rescue." Again, this is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is in the form of a command, which is also used for requests.
us -- Us" is the pronoun which is the 1st person, plural, accusative form. Jesus only uses this pronoun in seven verses, most often in the Lord's Prayer
from -- "From" is the preposition meaning "away from" a place and "from" when referring to a source.
the -- The word translated as "the" 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.
evil: -- The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores it meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but used here as a noun because it is introduced an article "the worthless" but it is singular so the sense is "what is worthless."
one -- When used with an adjective, the definite article can mean "the one."
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."
μὴ (partic) "Not" 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.
εἰσενέγκῃς [3 verses](2nd sg aor subj act) "Lead" is eisphero, which means "to carry in," "to bring in," "to contribute," "to bring into," "to introduce," "to bring forward," "to propose," "to carry with one," "to bring with," "to draw a break," "to drink [water]," "to sweep along [as a river]," and "to nominate."
ἡμᾶς [7 verse](pron 1st pl masc/fem acc) "Us" is hemas, which is "us," the 1st person, plural, accusative pronoun.
εἰς (prep) "Into" 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)."
πειρασμόν, [8 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Temptation" is from peirasmos, which means a "trial," "worry," "an experiment," "an attempt" and "a trial." The root word is a verb peirazo, which means "make a proof," "to try" "to test a person," and "to attempt."
ἀλλὰ (adv) "But" is from alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
ῥῦσαι [unique](2nd sg aor imperat mid) "Deliver" is from rhyomai, which means "to draw to oneself," "to draw out of danger," "to rescue," "to save," "to deliver," "to save from an illness," "to shield," "to guard," "to protect, "to draw back," "to hold back," "to check," and "to keep off."
ἡμᾶς (pron 1st pl masc/fem acc ) "Us" is from humas, which is the 1st person, plural, accusative pronoun.
ἀπὸ (prep) "From" is from apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.
τοῦ (article sg masc 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." --
πονηροῦ. (adj sg masc gen ) "Evil" is from poneros, which we discuss extensively in this page. In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly."
The word translated as "deliver" means "to draw towards oneself" and "to rescue from danger."
“Also, no, You might not want to bring us into a trial,” the Teacher’s voice suggested hopefully.
“Also, no, You might not want to bring us into a trial,” we repeated.
Many of us chuckled at the funny way that we were suggesting this idea to the Divine.
“Instead, pull us toward Yourself,” continued the Teacher tenderly.
“Instead, pull us toward Yourself,” we repeated hopefully.
“Away from this worthlessness!” he finished loudly in a humorous tone.
“Away from this worthlessness!” we repeated half laughing.