This continues the lesson about authority, following a parable the outcome of ignoring authority. This is the lesson of that parable.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 21:43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
Through this, I tell you, it shall be lifted up from you, the realm of the Divine, and given to the Gentiles who shall produce its fruits.
Resources are put in the hands of those who can use them more productively.
This verse has a number of surprises. It is one of those verses that has multiple meanings based on the meaning of the verb translated as "taken," which is not the Greek verb usually translated as "taken" but means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "lifted" in the sense of "removed." So it doesn't only mean "removed" but "elevated," put in better hands.
The Greek word for "nation/people" is usually translated as "gentiles" in the plural, but here, in the singular, it is translated more accurately.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "therefore" is not the common word usually translated as "therefore."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "taken" should be something more like "lifted."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "therefore" is not the common word usually translated as "therefore."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "taken" should be something more like "lifted."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "will" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "fruit" is not shown in the English translation.
There- -- (CW) The "therefore" is not from the usual word translated as "therefore" but from two words. The first is dia which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
-fore - The second means "from there," "this [thing]," or "that [thing]." So the phrase means "through this," referring to the quote about the capstone (Matthew 21:42)and the parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33).
I --This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
say -- The word translated as "I say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative casThe form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell." e 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.
, 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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "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.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
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," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
taken - (WW) "Taken" is from one of Christ's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "lifted" in the sense of "removed." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. It is not the word for "take."
from - The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source ("by"). It also means "after" in time. All these meanings work here.
you, -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
and -- 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."
given - The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is future, passive, so the "shall" and "be" apply here.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
nation - The word translated as "nation" is almost always translated as "gentiles." This is one of the rare situations where it is translated correctly. Its primary meaning is "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. However, Christ uses it to refer to foreign nations, especially those ruling Israel.
bringing forth - "Bringing forth" is from a verb that primarily means "make" but it usually translated as "do" in the NT. In the sense of "make" it means "produce," "bring into existence," "bring about," and "cause." Here, the sense is "producing."
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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
fruits - The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
thereof. - The word translated as "thereof" is the adjective that is normally translated as "his, hers, or its." The form here refers to the "kingdom."
There- -- (CW) The "therefore" is not from the usual word translated as "therefore" but from two words. The first is dia which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of," "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."
-fore - The second means "from there," "this [thing]," or "that [thing]." So the phrase means "through this," referring to the quote about the capstone (Matthew 21:42)and the parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33).
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.
you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
, 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") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "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.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
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," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
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.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
taken - (WW) "Taken" is from one of Christ's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "lifted" in the sense of "removed." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. It is not the word for "take."
away from - The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source ("by"). It also means "after" in time. All these meanings work here.
you, -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
and -- 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."
given - The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is future, passive, so the "shall" and "be" apply here.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
people - The word translated as "people " is almost always translated as "gentiles." This is one of the rare situations where it is translated correctly. Its primary meaning is "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. However, Christ uses it to refer to foreign nations, especially those ruling Israel.
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
produce - "Produce " is from a verb that primarily means "make" but it usually translated as "do" in the NT. In the sense of "make" it means "produce," "bring into existence," "bring about," and "cause." Here, the sense is "producing."
its . - The word translated as "its " is the adjective that is normally translated as "his, hers, or its." This word appears after "fruit" so "of it."
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.
fruits - The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
διὰ (prep) "Therefore" is from dia (with touto below) which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between."
τοῦτο [93 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Therefore" is from touto, (with dia above) which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing]," or "that [thing]."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I tell" is from lego means "pick up," "choose for oneself," "pick out," and "count," "recount," "tell over," "say," "speak," "teach," "mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," "nominate," and "command."
ὑμῖν (pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is from humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
ἀρθήσεται [56 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind pass)"Shall be taken" is from airo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to raise up," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove."
ἀφ (prep)᾽ "From" is from 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.
ὑμῶν (pron 2nd pl gen) "You" is from humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." -- The word translated as "your" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners.
ἡ (article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
βασιλεία [98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign." -- The word translated as "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.
τοῦ (article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θεοῦ (noun sg masc gen) "God" is from theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is from 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."
δοθήσεται [147 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
ἔθνει [22 verses](noun sg neut dat) "The gentiles" is ethnos, which means "a number of people living together," "company," "body of men," "tribe," "a people," "nation," and (later) "foreign, barbarous nations."
ποιοῦντι [168 verses](part sg pres act neut dat) "Bringing forth" is from poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do."
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
καρποὺς (noun pl masc acc) "Fruit" is from karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
αὐτῆς. (adj sg fem gen) "Thereof" is from 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."
The word translated as "shall be taken" means "to be raised up" and means removed in the sense of removing a burden. It also means to "exhalt" and "to bear."