Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers:

Spoken to
group

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

KJV

Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

NIV

Luke 11:48 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.

LISTENERS HEARD

So it is true: you are witnesses and you agree with the deeds of those forefathers of yours because they themselves truly killed them. However, you yourselves build them up.

MY TAKE

People are torn down or built up to serve the needs of the elites,

GREEK ORDER

ἄρα                     μάρτυρές ἐστε      καὶ συνευδοκεῖτε     τοῖς     ἔργοις      τῶν     πατέρων    ὑμῶν,
So it is true that witnesses  you are and you agree       with the deeds    of those forefathers of yours

ὅτι         αὐτοὶ          μὲν   ἀπέκτειναν αὐτοὺς ὑμεῖς           δὲ           οἰκοδομεῖτε.
because themselves truly killed          them.   yourselves, however, you build them up.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Both translated translated the noun "witnesses" as a verb, "bear witness/testify", and ignore the verb "are" here

They also both ignore the emphasis that Jesus puts on "they themselves killed" and "your yourselves build."

They also blow the punchline at the end of the verse. There is no "their sepulchers/tombs" at the end. The object of "build" can only be "them," referring to the prophets. In Greek, the previous object is assumed when the verb has no specific object. When referring to a person, the "build" word means "build them up." So, the forefathers killed them and the current elite build them up,

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "truly."
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "bear" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "that" should be something more like "and."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "those" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "themselves" after "they" for emphasis.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "their sepulchres" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
14
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "testify " should be something more like "are."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "witness  " is not shown in the English translation.- -
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "that" should be something more like "and."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "what" should be something more like "the."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "those" before "ancestors " is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "ancestors " is not a subject but a possessive.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "did"  is not a verb but a noun.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "indeed" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "themselves" after "they" for emphasis.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the prophets" should be something more like "them."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "their tombs" doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

Truly - (CW) The word translated as "truly" means "there and then," "straightway," "then," "next," "mark you!," "for this cause," "so true is it that," and "namely." It is a particle marking a sudden change or explaining or drawing attention to a consequence of an action. It is used in questions that expect a negative answer. With the objective negative, it expects a positive answer.

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

bear  -- The verb "bear" 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. However, in the KJV source, it was the verb form of the following noun, "witness." 
 

witness - -"Witness" is   the source of our word 'martyr', which means "witness." Jesus used this form only here, but he use the female form in a numer of other verses.

that -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "that" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "that." 

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

allow  -- The Greek verb translated as "allow" means "join in approving", "give one's consent", "consent or agree to", and  "agree or sympathize with". The form of "the deeds" indicates the meaning is "you agree with". 

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. 

deeds -- The Greek word translated as "deeds" means "deeds," "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

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.

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, "those," 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: -- "Fathesr" 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.

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.

they-- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

missing "themselves" -- (MW)   "Themselves" is the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves,""yourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. Without a verb, the sense is "they are." --

indeed -- The "indeed" here is a particle, which, when used alone, expresses certainty, "truly" and "certainly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it."  However, when used with the conjunction translated here as "but" takes on the meaning "on one hand..." with the "on the other hand" identified by the "but" phrase.

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.

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." 

ye -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It sometimes precedes a verbal adjective or infinitive where it is not part of the verb. It is plural.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves." 

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.

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

EACH WORD of NIV

So - The word translated as "so "  means "there and then," "straightway," "then," "next," "mark you!," "for this cause," "so true is it that," and "namely." It is a particle marking a sudden change or explaining or drawing attention to a consequence of an action. It is used in questions that expect a negative answer. With the objective negative, it expects a positive answer.

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

testify -- (WW) The verb "testify " 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. This word doesn't mean "testify ." 

missing "witness "  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "witness" means "witness." Jesus used this form only here, but he use the female form in a number of other verses.

that -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "that" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "that."

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

approve of -- The Greek verb translated as "approve of " means "join in approving", "give one's consent", "consent or agree to", and  "agree or sympathize with". The form of "the deeds" indicates the meaning is "you agree with". 

what -- The word translated as "what" 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.  This word doesn't mean "what."

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, "those," 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 : - (WF) - "Ancestors " 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. This is not a subject but an object.

did-- (WF) The Greek word translated as "did" means "deeds," "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing." This is not a verb but a noun.

missing "because"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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.

they-- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

missing "themselves" -- (MW)   "Themselves" is the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves,""yourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. Without a verb, the sense is "they are." --

missing "indeed"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "indeed" here is a particle, which, when used alone, expresses certainty, "truly" and "certainly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it."  However, when used with the conjunction translated here as "but" takes on the meaning "on one hand..." with the "on the other hand" identified by the "but" phrase.

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,"
 

the prophets, .-- (WW) The word translated as "the prophets," is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a plural object of a verb or preposition "them."  This word doesn't mean "the prophets" but refers to them. 

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." 

you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It sometimes precedes a verbal adjective or infinitive where it is not part of the verb. It is plural.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves." 

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.

their tombs. -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἄρα  [ 5 verses ](partic) "Truly" is from ara, which means "there and then," "straightway," "then," "next," "mark you!," "for this cause," "so true is it that," and "namely." -

μάρτυρές [1 verse](noun pl masc nom) "Witness" is martus, which means "witness," and martyr."

ἐστε [614 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind act ) "Ye are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the possessive (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 an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.  "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it."  With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is 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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

συνευδοκεῖτε  [1 verse](verb 2nd pl pres ind ac) "Ye allow" is  syneudokeo, which means "join in approving", "give one's consent", "consent or agree to", and (pers, dat) "agree or sympathize with."

τοῖς [821 verses](article pl neut dat  "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." 

ἔργοις [31 verses] noun pl neut dat) "Deeds" is ergon, which means "works," "tasks," "deeds," "actions," "thing," and "matter."

τῶν [821 verses](article pl gen 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."  --

πατέρων[191 verses] (noun pl masc gen) "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.

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.

αὐτοὶ [32 verses](pron/adj pl masc nom) "Ourselves" is autoi. the nominative case of the third-person, plural adjective that means "themselves," "ourselves," "yourselves," "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."  While other forms of this word are used as pronouns, this form is used for emphasis, since the subject pronoun is part of the verb. --

μὲν [31 verses](partic) "Indeed" is men , which is generally used to express certainty and means "indeed," "certainly," "surely," and "truly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it."  Used with the conjunction de,  it points out the specific word being contrasted after the conjunction. In English, we usually say, "on one hand...on the other hand." See the article here for specific uses with other particles.  

 

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.

ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis, which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."

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 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."

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

Wordplay

A play on the previous verse where the verb translated as "build" was related to memorials, but here it is related to houses because it doesn't have an object. 

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