Luke 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me,

KJV

Luke 22:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

LISTENERS HEARD

If, however, I beg, never are you being answered.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page)
LOST IN TRANSLATION

The meaning of this verse is completely changed in translation so are its many plays on words. Also, this verse in Greek doesn't have the last verb. It also has a verb that is changed from passive to active. Jesus is not saying that the person won't answer, but that they won't be answered.  It is also is another example of where  "but" it changed to an "and" because the translators saw no contradiction to Jesus's previous statement. However, if we assume the "but" was correct, it is easy to imagine the kind of unrecorded statement he could have been contradicting. This verse is

The Greek word translated as "and" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. 

The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".

"I...ask" means "to ask" or "to question". This verb is usually one that Jesus used to addresses to his Father, which is why it is often translated as "pray" even though it isn't the most common word translated that way. There word doesn't seem to have the sense of "doubt" that our word "question" has when we question something, as in question its validity. However, it does have the sense of "beg" as in when we ask for something. Given the previous statement, Jesus seems to be making a play on words.

There is no "also" in the Greek we use today.

There is no "you" in the Greek either. Jesus may be referring to asking his Father not those he is talking to.

The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think" or "never."

 "Will you answer" is a verb that means to "set apart," "choose", "answer" a question, "answer charges," and "defend oneself." The root of this word  is usually translated as "judge," and so this word's literal meaning is "judge from". Jesus is being judged at by the elders of the Sanhedrin at the time he says it.  In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated." Here, it is passive so Jesus cannot be saying anything about his listeners answering him. Logically, it means "never are you being answered" since the context is clearly a question from the previous verb.  However, again, this seems to be a play on words conflating "being judged" with "being answered."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἐὰν (conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. --

δὲ (conj/adv) "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 a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). --

ἐρωτήσω verb 1st sg aor subj act ) "I ask" is from erotaowhich means "to ask" or "to question." - "I pray" means "to ask" or "to question".  It is not the word normally translated as "pray" in the NT. The form is "I ask".  --

οὐ μὴ (partic) "Never" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. --

ἀποκριθῆτε. ( verb 2nd pl aor ind pass ) "Ye will...answer" is from apokrinomai that means to "set apart," "choose", "exclude," "reject on examination", "decide", "answer" the question, "answer charges," and "defend oneself" and, in the passive, "to be parted or separated." In the Gospels, it is always translated as "answered." --

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