Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John:

KJV

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

LISTENERS HEARD

These traditions and these prophets up to John. Because then the realm of God is bringing good news and everyone in it is constrained. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

This verse appears in Greek to be the answer to two separate questions. The first phrase has no verb. The second phrase starts with a because and seems to be the response to someone asking for any explanation to the first answer. Neither answer  appears much like the KJV translation. 

The Greek word translated as "the law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Christ also uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses.

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

The Greek word translated as "the prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Christ uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT. It is the verb that means "to shine before." Our word "luminaries" captures the idea very well. 

There is no "were" here. It is assumed because the phrase contains a subject but no verb. This makes the phrase seem to be the answer to a question. 

The Greek word translated as "until" means "up to," and "until." This is a rare proposition for Jesus to use. 

"John" is the Greek word translated as the English proper name. 

The word translated as "since" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.

The Greek word for "that time" means "at this time" or "then." 

The word translated as "the kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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.

"Is preached" is translated from a Greek verb that means to"bring good news," and, in the passive, "receive good news." It is only translated as "preach" in the Gospels, but the concept of "preaching" didn't exist at the time. It is either a passive as translated, or in a form which indicates the subject acting for or by itself. It is in the form of "brings by itself good news."  The realm of God is the subject.

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

The word translated as "every man" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything" or "everyone."  This "all" or "everyone" is followed by the qualifying phrase "in it" referring to the realm

"Presseth" is a verb that means "to constrain," "to force," and "to use violence." This verb is translated as "suffereth violence" in Matthew 11:12.  The form in both verses is the same, not an active form, like here, nor a passive form, like the Matthew version. It is a form where it is passive or the middle voice, where the subject acts on itself . The sense is, "is constrained." 

The phrase "into it" appears after the "all" and before the verb. It could refer to the place constrained, but that seems less likely because the verb acts on the subject. More likely, this phrase refers to the "all." 

The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.

The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form of the word refers back to "realm." 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

νόμος (noun sg masc nom) "Law" is nomos, which means "anything assigned," "a usage," "custom," "law," "ordinance," or "that which is a habitual practice." It is the basis of the English words "norm" and "normal." 

καὶ (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." 

οἱ προφῆται (noun pl masc nom) "The 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 verb that means "to shine forth" It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine forth," or "to shine before." 

μέχρι [uncommon](prep/conj/adv) "Until" is from mechri, which means "as far as," "even to," "so far as," "up to," "until," "about," and "nearly."

Ἰωάνου: (noun sg masc gen) "John" is from Ioannes, which is the Greek form of the name "John."

ἀπὸ (prep) "Since" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. 

τότε (adv) "That time" is tote, which means "at that time" and "then."--

βασιλεία (noun sg fem nom) "The kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign." 

τοῦ θεοῦ (noun sg masc gen) "Of God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."

εὐαγγελίζεται (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Is preached" is from euaggelizowhich means "bring good news," "announce good things," "preach or proclaim as glad tidings," and, in the passive, "receive good news." 

καὶ (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." 

πᾶς (adj sg masc nom) "Every man" 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." 

εἰς (prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)." 

αὐτὴν (adj sg fem acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there." 

βιάζεται. [2 verses](3rd sg pres ind mp) Presseth" is from biazo, which means to "constrain," "be hard pressed or overpowered," "be forced or constrained to do," "forcibly made slaves." " make good," "suffice to discharge (a debt)," "carry by force," "act with violence, " "use force," and "contend or argue vehemently."

Front Page Date