Sending of Apostles, giving testimony
Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Matthew 10:19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
Matthew 10:19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.
When, however, they give you up, you shouldn't worry how or what you should repeat because it is going to be given to you all, in that very hour, what you should repeat.
Sometimes what just pops into our heads is a message from the Divine.
Despite the phrases in all English translations, Jesus's is not commanding the apostles not to worry. He is advising them that they "shouldn't" worry. The "speak" and "say" and "respond" words in the English translations are not from the two command Greek words that mean "speak" and "say." The verb is more playful and specifically means repeating or reporting information from another source. Jesus often uses this word in a self-effacing way to refer to his own speech.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "take...thought" is not a command, but a possibility, "you should not worry."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" is not a common word, but one that means "report" or "pass on."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" is not a common word, but one that means "report" or "pass on."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "arrest" should be something more like "give over."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "worry" is not a command, but a suggestion, "you should not worry."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "say" is not a common word, but one that means "report" or "pass on."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "say" is not an infinitive, but a possibility, "you should report."
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "to say it" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "for" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "there" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "say" is not a common word, but one that means "report" or "pass on."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "say" is not an infinitive, but a possibility, "you should report."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "arrest" should be something more like "give over."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "worry" is not a command, but a suggestion, "you should not worry."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "say" is not a common word, but one that means "report" or "pass on."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "you" is not the subject of the verb but it object.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "are" indicates a passive verb but the verb is active.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "arrested" should be something more like "given up" or "turned over."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "worry" is not a command, but something that "should" happen.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "respond" is not an infinitive by an active verb "you should respond."
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "to say" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "for" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "God" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give" is a passive form, "it will be given."
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "the right words" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "what" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "report" is not shown in the English translation.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition, "when" or "since."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
deliver -- "Deliver" is from a compound Greek word which literally means "to give over." Christ uses it specifically to mean "turning in," "turning over" or "giving up" someone to authorities. It is in a form that indicates something "might" happen at some time. This is the usual form in a "when" or "if" clause.
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
up, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "besides" and "beyond." It also has a number of specialized meanings.
take -- (WF) "Take" is translated from a Greek word that means "to care for," "be anxious about," and "to meditate upon." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time. This is not a command as translated, but a statement about what "should" happen.
no -- The negative "no" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. 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.
thought -- "Thought" is translated from a Greek word that means "to care for," "be anxious about," and "to meditate upon." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
how -- "How" is from the Greek word meaning "how," "how in the world," "how then," "in any way,"and similar phrases.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" and serves as "than" in a comparison.
what -- There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone." It can also mean "what" or "why." The same word is used below again.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" could indicate that the verb is the future tense but its form more likely indicates a possibility, something that "might" or "should" happen. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
speak: -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "you shall speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing but it is used specifically to indicate that the person themselves is not the source of the ideas.
for -- The word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb clearly 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.
given -- The word translated as "given" means "to give" but it also means "to describe" and "to grant." However, Christ almost always uses it in the sense of "give." It is the future tense.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among."
that -- The word translated as "that" 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.
same--The word translated as "same" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there."
hour The word translated as "hour" means a period of time into which the day is divided and, generally, as we might say "moment."
what -- There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone."
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.
speak. -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition, "when" or "since."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
arrest -- (WW) "Arrest" is from a compound Greek word which literally means "to give over." Christ uses it specifically to mean "turning in," "turning over" or "giving up" someone to authorities. It is in a form that indicates something "might" happen at some time. This is the usual form in a "when" or "if" clause.
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
do -- This helping verb is added to make this a negative sentence.
not -- The negative "no" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. 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.
worry -- (WF) "Worry" is translated from a Greek word that means "to care for," "be anxious about," and "to meditate upon." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time. This is not a command as translated, but a statement about what "should" happen.
about -- This preposition is added because the English verb "worry" works a little better with it.
what -- There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone." It can also mean "what" or "why." The same word is used below again.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
say -- (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "say" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing but it is used specifically to indicate that the person themselves is not the source of the ideas. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb in the form of something that "might" or "should" happen.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" and serves as "than" in a comparison.
how -- "How" is from the Greek word meaning "how," "how in the world," "how then," "in any way,"and similar phrases.
to say it -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as a second "to say" or it" in the Greek source.
missing "for"-- (MW) The untranslated word "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
At -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among." When referring to time, it means "during."
that -- The word translated as "that" 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.
missing "there"-- (MW) The untranslated word "there" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there."
time -- The word translated as "time" means a period of time into which the day is divided and, generally, as we might say "moment." It can also mean "time of day" or "time" to do a thing.
you -- (WF) The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. This is not the subject of the sentence.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb clearly 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.
given -- The word translated as "given" means "to give" but it also means "to describe" and "to grant." However, Christ almost always uses it in the sense of "give." It is the future tense.
what -- There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone."
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
say, -- (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "say" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing but it is used specifically to indicate that the person themselves is not the source of the ideas. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb in the form of something that "might" or "should" happen.
missing "but"-- (MW) The untranslated word "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
When -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition, "when" or "since."
you -- (WF) The "you" here is the plural object of the verb not its subject.
are -- (WF) This helping verb indicates incorrectly a passive form of the verb.
arrested -- (WW) "Arrest" is from a compound Greek word which literally means "to give over." Christ uses it specifically to mean "turning in," "turning over" or "giving up" someone to authorities. It is in a form that indicates something "might" happen at some time. This is the usual form in a "when" or "if" clause.
do -- This helping verb is added to make this a negative sentence.
n't -- The negative "no" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. 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.
worry -- (WF) "Worry" is translated from a Greek word that means "to care for," "be anxious about," and "to meditate upon." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time. This is not a command as translated, but a statement about what "should" happen.
about -- This preposition is added because the English verb "worry" works a little better with it.
how -- "How" is from the Greek word meaning "how," "how in the world," "how then," "in any way,"and similar phrases.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
respond -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "respond" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing but it is used specifically to indicate that the person themselves is not the source of the ideas. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb in the form of something that "might" or "should" happen.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" and serves as "than" in a comparison.
what -- There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone." It can also mean "what" or "why." The same word is used below again.
to say -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as a second "to say" in the Greek source.
missing "for"-- (MW) The untranslated word "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
God - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "God" in the Greek source.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb clearly is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
give -- (WF) The word translated as "give" means "to give" but it also means "to describe" and "to grant." However, Christ almost always uses it in the sense of "give." It is the future tense, but the verb is passive, not active. The subject is the third person, "it will be given."
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
the right words - (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the right words" in the Greek source.
missing "what"-- (MW) The untranslated word "what" means "anything" or "anyone."
missing "report"-- (MW) The untranslated word "report" means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Christ uses it to capture the idea of "report" or "pass on," because he uses it to describe the role of passing on information heard from another source. The word is somewhat self-effacing but it is used specifically to indicate that the person themselves is not the source of the ideas. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb in the form of something that "might" or "should" happen.
at -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among." When referring to time, it means "during."
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.
right -- The word "right" is an adjective that means "that one" that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there."
time -- The word translated as "time" means a period of time into which the day is divided and, generally, as we might say "moment." It can also mean "time of day" or "time" to do a thing.
ὅταν (adv) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."
δὲ (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 an explanation of cause ("so").
παραδῶσιν (3rd pl aor subj act) "They deliver" is paradidomi, which means "to give over to another," "to transmit," "to hand down," "to grant," "to teach," and "to bestow."
ὑμᾶς, (pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is from humas the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
μὴ (partic) "No" 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.
μεριμνήσητε [6 verses](verb 2nd pl fut ind act or verb 2nd pl aor subj act) "Take...thought" is merimnao , which means to "care for," "be anxious about," "meditate upon," "to be cumbered with many cares,"and "to be treated with anxious care [passive]."
πῶς (adv) "How" is from pos, which means "how," "how in the world," "how then," "in any way," "at all," "by any mean," "in a certain way,"and "I suppose."
ἢ (conj) "Or" is e which is a particle meaning "either," "or," or "than."
τί (irreg sg neut nom/acc) "What" is from tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."
λαλήσητε: (2nd pl aor subj act) "Ye shall speak" is from 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. --
δοθήσεται (3rd sg fut ind pass) "It shall be given" is from didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
γὰρ (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 (pron 2nd pl dat) "You" is from humin, which is a plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
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."
ἐκείνῃ (adj sg fem dat) "Same" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
τῇ (article sg fem dat) "That" 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."
ὥρᾳ (noun sg fem dat) "Hour" is from hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
τί (irreg sg neut nom/ acc ) "What" is from tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."
λαλήσητε: (2nd pl aor subj act) "Ye shall speak" is from 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.
The word translated as "say" actually has the sense of "repeat" and is used, for example, to describe gossip and idle chatter.
“But I don’t know how to talk to such people,” complained Andrew. “I speak like a fisherman, not city people!”
This drew both laughter and agreement from the crowd. Most of them spoke the rough dialect of the country.
“I’m more worried about saying too much,” said Winebag.
Everyone laughed again. Winebag was also called “windbag” behind his back.
“When, however, they might turn you all in,” the Master said confidently. “You don’t want to worry how or whatever you might say.”
“Why not?” asked Handsome.
“Because it is going to be given to you, in that very hour, what you might say,” explained the Master.