Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets

Spoken to
group

After Jesus has fun with the Pharisees, a lawyer takes offense as well.

KJV

Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

NIV

Luke 11:47 Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.

LISTENERS HEARD

Sadly, for you. because you build these memorials of the enlightened, however, those forefathers of yours killed them. 

MY TAKE

Physical memorial do not last as long as written ones.

GREEK ORDER

οὐαὶ     ὑμῖν,    ὅτι        οἰκοδομεῖτε τὰ     μνημεῖα      τῶν   προφητῶν   
Sadly, for you. because you build    these memorials of the enlightened,

οἱ       δὲ            πατέρες        ὑμῶν     ἀπέκτειναν αὐτούς.
 those however, forefathers   of yours killed           them. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The key to the humor in this verse is the repeated, "woe" from previous verses "Woe" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Today we would say "sadly [for you]" or "boo-hoo to you." More about this word in this article.

"Sepulchers/tombs" does not mean "tombs" but "memorials. We saw the same mistakes in Luke 11:44. The point of the earlier verse what that these memorials are forgotten. Here the point is that the fact the their forefathers killed the prophets is remembered.

The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt, but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "luminaries," "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT.   It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English. It means "one who speaks for God", "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. It does not mean "one who sees the future" as it does in English. The sense is more a "luminary" because the Greek word comes from "light shining." Read this article for more information.

"Fathers/ancestors" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Jesus uses to address his own Father.

  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "sepulchers."
  • UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "luminaries." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "those" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
6
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "sepulchers."
  • UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "luminaries." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "those" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "it was" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "who" doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

Woe -- "Woe" is an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you." The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor using exaggeration.

unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form 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.

for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question.

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

build  --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

sepulchres - - (CW) The Greek word translated as "sepulchers" means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Christ does not use the noun frequently, but does use the verb form of this word, which means "to remember." This is not the word usually translated as "sepulchers."

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 - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

prophets, -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt, but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "luminaries," "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT.   It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English. It means "one who speaks for God", "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. It does not mean "one who sees the future" as it does in English. The sense is more a "luminary" because the Greek word comes from "light shining." Read this article for more information.

and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" 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. This word doesn't mean "and." 

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."

missing "those"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) 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. 

fathers  -- "Fathers" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.

killed -- "Killed" is translated from a Greek word that means "slaughter" more than just "kill" because the base word means "slay." The Greek source has the sense of "kill off," that is, "killing" in a more thorough way. When we talk about "slaughtering" someone, we use it to mean destroying their reputation, the strength of their spirit and ideas as well as physically killing them. This is more the sense here. The word "destroy" also works, but a similar word from a different root meaning "kill" works better as "destroy,"

them.-- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a plural object of a verb or preposition.

EACH WORD of NIV

Woe -- "Woe" is an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you." The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor using exaggeration.

to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form 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.

because -- The word translated as "because " introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

build  --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

tombs - - (CW) The Greek word translated as "tombs" means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Jesus does not use the noun frequently, but does use the verb form of this word, which means "to remember." This is not the word usually translated as "tombs."

for -- This word "for "  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. . However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

prophets, -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt, but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "luminaries," "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT.   It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English. It means "one who speaks for God", "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. It does not mean "one who sees the future" as it does in English. The sense is more a "luminary" because the Greek word comes from "light shining." Read this article for more information.

and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" 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. This word doesn't mean "and." 

it was  -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."

missing "those"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) 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. 

ancestors -- "Fathers" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.

who -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

killed -- "Killed" is translated from a Greek word that means "slaughter" more than just "kill" because the base word means "slay." The Greek source has the sense of "kill off," that is, "killing" in a more thorough way. When we talk about "slaughtering" someone, we use it to mean destroying their reputation, the strength of their spirit and ideas as well as physically killing them. This is more the sense here. The word "destroy" also works, but a similar word from a different root meaning "kill" works better as "destroy,"

them.-- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a plural object of a verb or preposition.

 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

οὐαὶ [27 verses](exclam)"Woe" is ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas" but it can be used sarcastically.

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of the pronoun of the second person, "you." As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.

οἰκοδομεῖτε [18 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Ye build"" is oikodomeo,which means to "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  -

μνημεῖα [3 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Sepulchres" is mnêmeion, which means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." 

τῶν821 verses](article pl masc gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

προφητῶν [37 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Prophets" is prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will," "interpreter," "keepers of the oracle," "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt," "interpreter," and "herald." It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine light forth," or "to shine light before." Its roots are  pros ("before"), phos ("light) and  phaino ("shine.) 

οἱ [821 verses](article sg masc nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  --

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "And" 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 an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an  "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").  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."

πατέρες [191 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Fathers" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."

ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.

ἀπέκτειναν [31 verses] (verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Killed"is apokteino, which means "to kill," and "to slay." It combines the word for "to slay" (-kteino) with the proposition, apo, indicating separation, meaning "from" or "away from." but it is a stronger form than the normal verb -kteino. It is more like our "slaughter." It is in the form of a present participle, "slaughtering" acting as a noun ("those destroying").

αὐτοὺς [62 verses](pron pl masc acc) "Them"  is autous, in the form of the plural, masculine pronoun "them" in the form of a direct object.  An accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

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