Matthew 20:21 What do you want?...

Spoken to
an individual

Salome, James and John's mother, asks Jesus for a place of honor for her sons.

KJV

Matthew 20:21 What wilt thou?

NIV

Matthew 20:21What is it you want?

LISTENERS HEARD

What do you desire?

MY TAKE

We must know what we want.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page)

Matthew 20:21 Τί θέλεις;

LOST IN TRANSLATION

This is a short phrase, addressed to the mother of two of his apostles, requesting a favor. As with most of Jesus's casual conversations, it is straightforward language. However, it is the most basic question in life.

 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
0
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
1
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "is it" doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

What  - There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone," but in short questions it means "who," "what," or "why"

wilt  - The Greek word translated as "wilt thou" is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English, which primarily expresses the future tense. Its primary purpose is to express consent and even delight in doing something. It means "to be resolved to a purpose" and "to desire."

thou? - This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

 

 

EACH WORD of NIV

What  - There word translated as "what" means "anything" or "anyone," but in short questions it means "who," "what," or "why"

is it -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it is" in the Greek source.

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

want - The Greek word translated as "want" is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English, which primarily expresses the future tense. Its primary purpose is to express consent and even delight in doing something. It means "to be resolved to a purpose" and "to desire."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Τί (irreg sg neut nom/acc) "What" is from tis which can mean "someone," "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."

θέλεις; [64 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind act) "Wilt thou" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event)." As an adverb, "willingly," and "gladly." and "to desire." As an adjective, it means "wished for" and "desired." --

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings

Anything you want?

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