Jesus is surrounded by sinners and criticized by the Pharisees for it. He has described himself as the good shepherd.
Any person from among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one from among them. Doesn't he abandon the ninety-nine in the desolation and go after the one having departed until he might discover it.
Those of us wandering off rather than joining are more likely to get divine attention.
Τίς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα καὶ ἀπολέσας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἓν
Any person from among you, having a hundred sheep and losing from among them. one
οὐ καταλείπει τὰ ἐ νενήκοντα ἐννέα ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ἀπολωλὸς
Doesn't he abandon the ninety- nine in the desolation and go after the one having departed
The word translated as "wilderness/open country," means "desolate," "lonely," and "solitary." It is an adjective, used as a noun. I translated it as "the desolation," but I also like "the solitude." The sense is that he is abandoning them. This is more extreme than the version of this parable in Matthew, and may also represent a change in location, since the earlier version was grazing in the hills and this one in the deserted areas.
What man of(CW) you, having an hundred sheep, if(WW) he(IW) lose(WT, WF) one of(CW) them, doth not leave the ninety and(IW) nine in the wilderness, and(IW) go after that which is lost(WF), until he (MWshould) find it?
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "if" should be something more like "and."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "he" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "losing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "having" before the verb.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "been lost."
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
Suppose(IW) one of(CW) you has(WF) a hundred sheep and lose(WF) one of(CW) them. Doesn’t he(IW) leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost(WT,WF) sheep(IW) until he (MWshould) finds it?
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "suppose" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "having."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "losing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "having" before the verb.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "been lost."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "sheep " doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
What -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
you,-- The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. A genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time.
having -- The word translated as "having" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.
an -- 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.
hundred - This is the number "a hundred."
sheep, -- "Sheep" is Christ's symbol for his followers. The Greek word refers to any domesticated animal and works better if translated simply as "flock" or "herd." The flock follows the shepherd, which is above them. It is also together, a united group.
if -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "if" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.
he -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
lose -- (WF) The word translated as "lose" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "losing."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
them, -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
doth -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
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.
leave - "Leave" is from a verb that means "to be left," "left behind," "forsake," "abandon," "leave," and "remaining." It is not the verb that is used in the Gospels to mean "leave" in the sense of leaving a place." It is in the future tense.
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.
ninety -- This is the Greek number ninety.
and -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
nine = The "nine" is the Greek word from "nine."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "on," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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."
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.
wilderness, -- "Wilderness" is from an adjective meaning "desolate," "lonely," and "solitary." It has the sense of the English phrase "the middle of nowhere."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.
go -- The word translated as "go," means, in the passive, used here, to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT but Jesus uses it to mean "depart." This word uniquely means "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." Jesus also uses it for a play on words referring to its "depart from life" meaning.
after -- The word translated as "after" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
that -- The word translated as "that" 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.
missing "have" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "have," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the verb.
which is lost, -- (WF) The word translated as "lost" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "having been lost." WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "word."
until -- The word translated as "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "as far as," "up to the point," "in order that."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur.
find -- The term used for "find" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
it? - The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. Here it is neuter in the form of a subject or object of a verb or preposition.
Suppose -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
one - The "one" doesn't exist in the source. The Greek word translated as "suppose " in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
you,-- The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. A genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time.
has -- (WF) The word translated as "has " means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "word."
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.
hundred - This is the number "a hundred."
sheep, -- "Sheep" is Christ's symbol for his followers. The Greek word refers to any domesticated animal and works better if translated simply as "flock" or "herd." The flock follows the shepherd, which is above them. It is also together, a united group.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.
loses -- (WF) The word translated as "loses" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "losing."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
them, -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition. As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
Does -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
n't -- 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.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
leave - "Leave" is from a verb that means "to be left," "left behind," "forsake," "abandon," "leave," and "remaining." It is not the verb that is used in the Gospels to mean "leave" in the sense of leaving a place." It is in the future tense.
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.
ninety -- This is the Greek number ninety.
nine = The "nine" is the Greek word from "nine."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "on," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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."
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.
open country, -- "Wilderness" is from an adjective meaning "desolate," "lonely," and "solitary." It has the sense of the English phrase "the middle of nowhere."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.
go -- The word translated as "go," means, in the passive, used here, to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT but Jesus uses it to mean "depart." This word uniquely means "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." Jesus also uses it for a play on words referring to its "depart from life" meaning.
after -- The word translated as "after" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
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.
missing "have" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "have," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the verb.
lost -- (WF) The word translated as "lost" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.
sheep -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
until -- The word translated as "until" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "as far as," "up to the point," "in order that."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur.
find -- The term used for "find" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
it? - The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. Here it is neuter in the form of a subject or object of a verb or preposition.
Τίς [252 verses](pron sg fem nom) "What" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "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." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; "to what point?" to "what end? τί ὅτι "why it is that,"
ἄνθρωπος [209 verses] (noun sg masc nom) "Man" 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. Used as a form of address, it is a bit contemptuous, "sir."
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek , which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 7) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 7) cause, instrument, or means "by." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.-- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from." The word has a number of different meanings based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
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.
ἔχων [181 verses] (part sg pres act masc nom) "Having" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to indulge in," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." In reference to habits or states, it means "indulge in." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "to have the means or power," or "to be able" not "it must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English.Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
ἑκατὸν [10 verses](numeral) "Hundred" is from hekaton, which is the number "a hundred."
πρόβατα [26 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Sheep" is probaton, which means any domesticated four-footed animal, "sheep," "cattle," "herds," and "flocks.
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."
ἀπολέσας [43 verses] (part sg aor act masc nom) "Loses" apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose" things, "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from."
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek , which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 7) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 7) cause, instrument, or means "by." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.
αὐτῶν [86 verses](pron/adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Their" is auton, is the genitive case of the third-person, plural 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."
ἓν [85 verses] (noun sg neut acc) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
οὐ [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.
καταλείπει [3 verses] (verb 2nd/3rd sg pres ind act) "Doth he ....leave" is kataleipo, which means "to be left," "left behind," "forsake," "abandon," "leave," and "remaining."
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."
ἐνενήκοντα [4 verses]] (numeral)"nine" is enenekonta that is the Greek number ninety. The article preceding it makes it a noun and the object of the verb.
ἐννέα [5 verses](numeral) "Nine" is ennea, the number "nine." = The "nine" is the Greek word from "nine."
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."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg 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."
ἐρήμῳ [3 verses](adj sg neut dat) "Wilderness" is from eremos, which is an adjective (used as a noun) that means "desolate," "lonely," "solitary," "reft of," "destitute of," "bereft of," "unclaimed," "vacant," [of places] "deserted," [of people] "friendless," and "not gregarious."
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."
πορεύεται [54 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Go" is poreuomai (poreuo) which means , in the active voice, "make to go," "carry," "convey," and "bring." In the passive, it means to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT. Jesus uses it to mean "depart." He sometimes uses it in situations where it "depart from life" meaning comes into play.
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi, which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," "for," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "for" a person, an end, or purpose," "on condition that," and "for" (a price). With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," after," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, and judging, it means "in the case of."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc) "That" 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."
ἀπολωλὸς [43 verses](part sg perf act neut acc) "Lost" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose" things, "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from."
ἕως [63 verses](conj) "While" is heos which means "until," "till," "while," "as long as," "up to the point," and "in order that" "as far as," and "up to the point that." Takes a genitive object when referring to time "until something." With the particle of possibility and the subjunctive form of the verb, the sense is until some unknown time.
εὕρῃ [43 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj ) "He find" is heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."
αὐτό [24 verses](pron/adj sg neut nom/acc) "It" is auto, which means "it," the neuter pronoun as a subject or object. It also means "itself," and "the same." When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same." An accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Event may show the amount of time -
When comparing this version to the one in Matthew 18:12, we notice the change of scenery from a mountain to a desert. He also makes the story stronger by using more negative words so this is perhaps a later version.