A crowd gathers, and Jesus addresses his followers.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luke 12:8 I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.
I say, however, to you, everyone, whoever agrees with me in front of these people, this son of the man will also agree with him in front of the messengers of the Divine.
Jesus wanted people to defend what he said to the world.
Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν, πᾶς ὃς ἂν ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων,
I say, however, to you, every-one whoever he agrees with me in front of these people,
καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁμολογήσει ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀγγέλων τοῦ θεοῦ:
also this son of the man will agree with him in front of the messengers of the Divine.
The beginning of this verse seems to indicate that Jesus was responding to a statement because it starts with a "but" indicating a contrary statement. This was changed in translation to avoid confusion. The KJV changes the but to an "also" and the NIV ignores it entirely.
The first part of this verse is in a "when" statement, "when he agrees with me," but the "when" is ignored in English translation.
This brings us to the most severe distortion of the verse. The Greek word translated as "confess"and "acknowledge" means "to agree with" and "to say the same as another." The actual phrases are "agree with me" and "agree with him," but both of those "with" phrases are mistranslated to agree with the mistranslation of the verb "agree."
"The angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it came to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "also" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "every" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "confess" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "with" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "confess" should be something more like "but."
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "god" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "but" is not shown in the English translation
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "also" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "every" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "publicly " doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "confess" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "others" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "others" should be something more like "people."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "acknowledges" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "with" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "him" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "god" is not shown in the English translation.
Also --. (WW) The Greek word translated as "also" 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 "also."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- The word translated as "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. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might say" or "should say."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
missing "every" -- (MW) The untranslated word ."all" 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."
Whoever -- "Whoever" is from a special construction connecting a pronoun with a conditional particle, meaning "whatever" or "whoever." Together, they begin a relative, conditional clause that refers to each individual person or thing. The verb form required in Greek is one of possibilities that need not be translated in English.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
confess -- . (WW) "Confess" is a word which means "to agree with" and "to say the same as another." This word doesn't mean "confess."
missing "with" -- (MW) The untranslated word . "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me."
before -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
missing "these" -- (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.
men, -- The Greek word for "man" means "men," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
missing "with" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
him - - The word "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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.
man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
also -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
confess -- . (WW) "Confess" is a word which means "to agree with" and "to say the same as another." This word doesn't mean "confess."
before -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
the -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
angels -- (UW) "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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.
God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
missing "but" -- (MW) The untranslated word "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.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell -- The word translated as "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. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might tell" or "should tell."
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
Who-- The word translated as "who-" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."
-ever -- The untranslated word "=ever" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever." It could make a "whoever" but the "all" comes first, changing it to "everyone." This is not the simple "if."
publicly -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
acknowledges -- . (WW) "Acknowledges " is a word which means "to agree with" and "to say the same as another." This word doesn't mean "acknowledges ."
missing "with" -- (MW) The untranslated word . "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me."
before -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
missing "these" -- (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.
others, -- (WW) The Greek word for "others" means "men," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." This word doesn't mean "and."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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.
Man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
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.
also -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
acknowledges -- . (WW) "Acknowledges " is a word which means "to agree with" and "to say the same as another." This word doesn't mean "acknowledges ."
missing "with" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, 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."
missing "him" -- (MW) The untranslated word MW - Missing Word -- The word "him" is not shown in the English translation. "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
before -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
the -- The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of" referring to place and when used to apply to time means "beforehand."
angels -- (UW) "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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.
God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
Λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act/subj) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
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."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
πᾶς [212 verses](adj sg masc nom) Untranslated 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."
ὃς ἂν [36 verses](pron sg masc nom)(partic) "Whosever" is a special construction, hos an, that means "that possibly." "whoever" "whatever," or "who if any." It combines the relative pronoun (hos) or the demonstrative pronoun (hostis) with the particle of possibility (an). The literal sense is "this one might." Together, they begin a relative, conditional clause that refers to each individual. If takes a subjective verb like an "if/when" phrase.
ὁμολογήσει [3 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall confess" is homologeo, which means "to agree with," "to say the same thing as", "to correspond," "to have to do with", "to be coordinated", "to be suitable for", "to agree to a thing," :"to grant", "to concede", "to acknowledge,"to promise to", "to come to terms", "not to deny," and "to praise." Literally, it means "to say the same."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me." An indirect object of a preposition, itn implies no movement, but in a fixed position.
ἔμπροσθεν [18 verses](adv, prep) "Before" is emprosthen, which as an adverb means [of place]"in front of," "before," "forwards," [of time] "before," "of old," and as a preposition, "facing," "opposite," "in front," [of time] beforehand," and [of degree] "preferred before." It also denotes a ranking. Takes a genitive object.
τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc gen) 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." --
ἀνθρώπων, [209 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Men" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
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."
ὁ [821 verses] (article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱὸς [157 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
ὁμολογήσει [3 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall...confess" is homologeo, which means "to agree with," "to say the same thing as", "to correspond," "to have to do with", "to be coordinated", "to be suitable for", "to agree to a thing," :"to grant", "to concede", "to acknowledge,"to promise to", "to come to terms", "not to deny," and "to praise." Literally, it means "to say the same."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Him" is auto, the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same."A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."
ἔμπροσθεν [18 verses](adv, prep) "Before" is emprosthen, which as an adverb means [of place]"in front of," "before," "forwards," [of time] "before," "of old," and as a preposition, "facing," "opposite," "in front," [of time] beforehand," and [of degree] "preferred before." It also denotes a ranking. Takes a genitive object.
τῶν [821 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." -- 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.
ἀγγέλων [25 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Angels" is from aggelos, (aggelos) which means "messenger" and "envoy." "Angels" is aggelos, which means "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use.
τοῦ [821 verses] (article) Untranslated 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."
θεοῦ. [144 verses]( noun sg masc gen ) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity." -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.