A long condemnation of the religious leaders of his era or maybe all eras.
Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Because I tell you never me might you see from just now until when you proclaim: Having been praised the one showing up in name of a Lord.
The curses of wrong-headed people is high praise indeed.
This verse ends this chapter and Jesus's largely humorous diatribe against the religious writers and lawyers of hs era. As the final line, it acts as a punchline.
The word translated as "blessed" is not the word translated as "Blessed" in the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor..."). It comes from a verb that means to "speak well of," "praise," and "honor." Amusingly, this is a euphemism for "cursed," reversing its normal meaning. It literally means "good speaking." It is in a past perfect passive form of a participle, "having been honored" or "having been cursed." The joke is that his opponents have been cursing him, but they should be praising him.
Neither the word "name" or "Lord" have an article in front of the, so not "the name" and "the Lord" but "a name" and "a lord." The joke is that his opponents have accused him of representing the Beelzebub because he castes out demons, but he actually represents the Divine.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" is not the common word usually translated as "blessed."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "blessed" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "Having been blessed."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "cometh" is not an active verb but a participle, "showing up."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the" before "names" should be something more like "a."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the" before "Lord" should be something more like "a."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "will" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "again" is not the common word usually translated as "again."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" is not the common word usually translated as "blessed."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "blessed" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "Having been blessed."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "cometh" is not an active verb but a participle, "showing up."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the" before "names" should be something more like "a."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the" before "Lord" should be something more like "a."
For - The word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, to prevent a run-on sentence, translated as a "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb. Jesus does not use the "I" pronoun here, as he often does when he wants to accentuate the fact he, specifically, is saying something, (often for humorous reasons).
say - The word translated as "I 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. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
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.
not - The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think."
see - The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." It is not in the future tense, but the tense that indicates something that happens at a specific point in time past, present, or future.
me - "Me" is from the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
henceforth, - "Henceforth" is from two Greek words meaning "from just now."
till - The word translated as "till" means "until" but it also means "in order that."
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated wor"if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
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.
say, - Say" (a different Greek word from "I tell" Jesus uses to describe his speaking) is from means "to say" and "to speak" also. However, it has less a sense of teaching and more a sense of addressing and proclaiming. It also is not in the future tense, but the tense that indicates something that happens at a specific point in time past, present, or future.
Blessed - (CW, WT) "Blessed" is from a verb that means to "speak well of," "praise," and "honor." Amusingly, this is a Hebrew euphemism for "cursed," reversing its normal meaning. This is not the word used in the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor..."). It is in a past perfect passive form of a particple, "having been honored."
is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb above is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
he -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "he" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
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.
cometh . -- (WF) The word translated as "cometh" primarily means "to start out" but Jesususually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is a participle.
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." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the -- (WW) There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article, "a," can be added in English translation.
name The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as in English but has more depth. It doesn't mean the thing itself, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss."
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.
the -- (WW) There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article, "a," can be added in English translation.
Lord. -- The Greek word translated as "lord," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." However, two different Hebrew words are translated as this Greek word in the OT, the name for God and another Hebrew word with a very similar meaning to this one, referring to someone in authority.
For - The word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, to prevent a run-on sentence, translated as a "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb. Jesus does not use the "I" pronoun here, as he often does when he wants to accentuate the fact he, specifically, is saying something, (often for humorous reasons).
tell - The word translated as "I tell" 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.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
will - (CW) This helping verb "will " 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.
not - The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think."
see - The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." It is not in the future tense, but the tense that indicates something that happens at a specific point in time past, present, or future.
me - "Me" is from the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
again , - (CW) "Again " is from two Greek words meaning "from just now." This is not the Greek word usually translated as "again."
until - The word translated as "until " means "until" but it also means "in order that."
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated wor"if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
say, - Say" (a different Greek word from "I tell" Jesus uses to describe his speaking) is from means "to say" and "to speak" also. However, it has less a sense of teaching and more a sense of addressing and proclaiming. It also is not in the future tense, but the tense that indicates something that happens at a specific point in time past, present, or future.
Blessed - (CW, WT) "Blessed" is from a verb that means to "speak well of," "praise," and "honor." Amusingly, this is a Hebrew euphemism for "cursed," reversing its normal meaning. This is not the word used in the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor..."). It is in a past perfect passive form of a particple, "having been honored."
is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb above is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
he -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "he" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
who -- The word translated as "who" 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.
comes . -- (WF) The word translated as "comes" primarily means "to start out" but Jesususually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is a participle.
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." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the -- (WW) There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article, "a," can be added in English translation.
name The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as in English but has more depth. It doesn't mean the thing itself, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss."
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.
the -- (WW) There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article, "a," can be added in English translation.
Lord. -- The Greek word translated as "lord," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." However, two different Hebrew words are translated as this Greek word in the OT, the name for God and another Hebrew word with a very similar meaning to this one, referring to someone in authority.
λέγω [264 verses] (1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is from lego means "pick up," "choose for oneself," "pick out," and "count," "recount," "tell over," "say," "speak," "teach," "mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," "nominate," and "command."
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question it means "why" and "what."
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is from humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
οὐ μὴ (partic) "Not" is from ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) 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.
με (pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is from eme, which means "I," "me," and "my."
ἴδητε [166 verses](verb 2nd pl aor subj act) "Ye shall...see" is eido which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know."
ἀπ᾽[190 verses](prep) "Henceforth" is from apo,(with arti below) position 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. -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
ἄρτι ι [13 verses](adv) "Henceforth" is from arti, (with apo above) which means "just," "exactly," and "just now."
ἕως [63 verses](conj) "Till" is from heos which means "until," "till," and "in order that" and "up to the point that."
ἂν [162 verses](conj) "If" 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.
εἴπητε [162 verses](verb 2nd pl aor subj act) "Ye shall say" is from eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer."
“Εὐλογημένος [4 verses](part sg perf pass nom) "Blessed" is from eulogeo, which means "speak well of," "praise." "honor," "bless," "praise" a god, by a Hebr. euphemism, "curse," and, as an adjective, "charmed," "lucky," and "blessed."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg neut dat) "he that" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἐρχόμενος (part sg pres mp masc nom) "Cometh" is from erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
ἐν [413 verses](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." -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
ὀνόματι [47 verses](noun sg neut dat) "Name" is onoma, which means "name." It means both the reputation of "fame," and "a name and nothing else," as opposed to a real person. Acting in someone's name means to act on their behalf, as their representative.
Κυρίου. [92 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Lord" is kyrios (kurios), which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
The word translated as "blessed" means "honored" but it also is a Hebrew euphemism for "cursed."
"So, tell you what.." he said more cheerfully, addressing his opponents again. "Don't even think you might see me again."
He paused but his opponents didn;t look disappointed in ths prospect at all.
"Until," he added even more cheerfully, pausing again.
His opponents looked less comfortable.
"You pro-oh-claim," he said, drawing out the word. Then he switched to his funny voice, imitating his opponents, shaking his fist. ""Cursed by praise..."
The crowd laughed at the voice and the contradiction.
"The one," he said in his funny voice, point to himself. "Making his way..."
He took a couple of steps, letting his voice return to normal.
"In the power of the Master," he finished, smiling broadly, and raising his arms in a victory salute, turning around to the crowd on all sides.
Sensing that the performance was over, the crowd applauded and laughed with him.