Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master:

Spoken to
audience

Jesus begins teaching in the plain of Judea, attracting people from all over wanting to be healed.

KJV

Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

NIV

Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

LISTENERS HEARD

A student is not above the teacher. Having been prepared, however, everyone will be like that teacher of his. 

MY TAKE

We can be prepared without being perfect.

GREEK ORDER

οὐκ ἔστιν    μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ   τὸν διδάσκαλον, κατηρτισμένος             δὲ            πᾶς          ἔσται
not  is      a  student   above the teacher.         Having been prepared, however, everyone will be

ὡς       διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ.
like that teacher       of his. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The verb translated as "perfect" in the KJV doesn't mean that. More recent translations use "perfectly trained" or "fully trained" but that is a stretch as well. The verb means "to furnish", "to equip," and "to prepare." It is a metaphor for being restored to one's right mind.  It is a past-perfect, passive participle, "having been prepared."

"Disciple" doesn't mean a religious followed, but simply "learner", "pupil", "student," and "apprentice." "Disciple" is a religious spin on this concept. "Master" in the KJV simply means "teacher." Putting this in terms of a  student and a teacher is what Jesus said.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
12
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the"  doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "disciple" is more specific than the word's meaning.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "his " existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "master" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "master."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "is" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "have been perfected."
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "perfect."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "perfect" is not a simple adjective but a participle, "perfected."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "master."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "disciple" is more specific than the word's meaning.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "the."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "is" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been prepared."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "perfectly  "  doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "trained" is not a simple adjective but a participle, "has been prepared."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "master" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV

The  -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source

disciple  -- (CW) "Disciple" is from the Greek meaning "learner," "pupil," "student," and "apprentice." "Disciple" is a religious spin on this concept, but that sense is not in the Greek word. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

above -- "Above" is a preposition that means "over" "beyond," "concerning," "on behalf of,"  and "instead of" with many other specific uses.

his -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "his " in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

master: -- (CW)  "Master" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher." The Greek word is often translated as "Master" in the sense of one in charge of others or the "master" of knowledge but it is confusing. This is not the word usually translated as "master."

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.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so").  When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."

every one -- The word translated as "every one" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

is --(WT, WV) This helping verb seems to be the verb "to be" but it should indicate the passive form of the verb. It also is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been."

perfect - (CW, WF) "Perfect" is from a verb which means "to furnish," "to equip," and "to prepare." It is a metaphor for being restored to one's right mind. This is not the word usually translated as "perfect." This word is a participle, not a simple adjective.

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 -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and related words. It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful."  

his -- The word translated as "his/him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people.  The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

master: -- (WW)  "Master" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher." The Greek word is often translated as "Master" in the sense of one in charge of others or the "master" of knowledge but it is confusing. This is not the word usually translated as "master."

EACH WORD of NIV

A -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

disciple  -- (CW) "Disciple" is from the Greek meaning "learner," "pupil," "student," and "apprentice." "Disciple" is a religious spin on this concept, but that sense is not in the Greek word. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

above -- "Above" is a preposition that means "over" "beyond," "concerning," "on behalf of,"  and "instead of" with many other specific uses.

his -- (WW) The "his" is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

teacher: --  "Teacher" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is often translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher."

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.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so").  When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."

everyone -- The word translated as "everyone" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

who-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

is --(WT) This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been."

perfectly  -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "perfectly  " in the Greek source

trained - (WF) "Trained" is from a verb which means "to furnish," "to equip," and "to prepare." It is a metaphor from being restored to one's right mind.  This word is a participle, not a simple adjective.

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 -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

like -- The word translated as "like" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and related words. It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful."  

his -- The word translated as "his/him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people.  The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

teacher: -- "Teacher" is translated from a Greek word that means "teacher," and "trainer." It is usually translated as "Master" in the Gospels, but the main sense is always "teacher."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."  With the dative object, the object acts like a possessive and "it is to him" becomes "it is his."  With the preposition, εἰς, the sense is "consist of."

μαθητὴς [13 verses] (noun sg masc nom) "Disciple" is mathetes, which means "learner," "pupil," "student," and "apprentice."

ὑπὲρ [17 verses](prep) "On our part" is hyper (huper), which means "over" (of place), "above' (in a state of rest), "off' (ships at sea), "over" and "across (in a state of motion), "over," "beyond," "on behalf of one (metaphor), "for," "instead of," "in the name of," "as a representative of" (in an entreaty), "for" and "because of" (of the cause or motive), "concerning," "exceeding" "above" and "beyond" (of measure), "above" and "upwards" (of numbers), "before" and "earlier than" (of time), "over much" and "beyond measure" (as an adverb), "for" and "in deference of" (doing a thing), and "above measure." 

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

διδάσκαλον, [10 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Master" is didaskalos, which means "teacher," "master," "trainer," and "producer."

κατηρτισμένος [2 verses](part sg perf mp masc nom ) "Is perfect" is katartizô, which means "to adjust," "to put in order," "to restore," "to mend," "to furnish," "to equip," and "to prepare." It is a metaphor meaning to "restore to a right mind," It also means to "compound," or "prepare" dishes or medicines, 

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is 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 indirect cause ("so"). In an  "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."

πᾶς [212 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Every one" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."

ἔσται  [614 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Is"  is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."  With the dative object, the object acts like a possessive and "it is to him" becomes "it is his."  With the preposition, εἰς, the sense is "consist of."

ὡς (167 verses](adv/conj) "As" is hos, an adverb which means to "thus," "as," "when," "where," "like," "just as," "so far as," "as much as can be," "that," "in order that," "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that." It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful."

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

διδάσκαλος [10 verses] (noun sg masc nom) "Master" is didaskalos, which means "teacher," "master," "trainer," and "producer."

αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His/Him" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

parallel comparison

This verse starts like Matthew 10:24, which goes into much more detail. 

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