A long section about "the end of the world" or, more precisely, "the culmination of an era."
Matthew 24:2 See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Matthew 24:2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Don't you see all these things! Ameni I tell to you. Never might it be left here, a stone upon a stone, that won't be broken down.
Everything we tie down is eventually loosened up.
This begins Jesus's last "sermon," the one that precedes his death. The general topic is the "end of the world."
This verse is a maze of negative statements, working better as spoken words than read. The NIV addresses this by leaving the negatives out of the first and last sentences. Any translator who is willing to leave out a negative is one who is perfecting willing to reverse the meaning of the words. Though the meaning is captured here by adding and changing words.
The punchline here is the word translated as "throw down," in from a root word meaning "loosen" or "untie." Jesus uses the root frequently, this word more rarely. In English, we say "loosened up." Here the literal sense is "loosened down," which seems funny. The general meaning is more like "broken down."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "there" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is the double negative having the sense of "never."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "one" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "another" should be something more like "stone."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is the double negative having the sense of "never."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "one" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "will" does not mean the future tense.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "another" should be something more like "stone."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "every" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "one" should be something more like "that."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
See - The verb translated as "see ye" means "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding "look" in English. It is in a form that could be either a statement or a command. The question here is possible, but not certain. A question mark does not appear here in the Greek source. All punctuation was added to the Greek source hundred of years later but those adding it did not see a question.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
all - The word translated as "all" is from the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
these - The "these things" is from a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." It is not typically used as an adjective.
things? - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
Verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- 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 lik-- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from."-- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from."e 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.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case 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.
There - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "there" in the Greek source.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
not -- (CW) 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, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think."
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.
left - The word translated as "left" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave," "forgive," "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. So not one stone will be left upon another.
here - The word "here" is translated from a Greek word meaning "what is present" and "what can be seen." With verbs of action and with a person, it means "here" as in "here I am" in the sense of "I am present."
one - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "one" in the Greek source.
stone - The Greek word translated as "stone" means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones and altar stones.
upon - The word translated as "upon" means "on," "upon," "at," "against," "before," "by" or "on."
another, - (WW)- The Greek word translated as "another" means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones and altar stones.
that - The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun, but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause.
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.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
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.
thrown - Next, the verb "thrown down" is from the Greek word that means "to dissolve," "to disunite," "destroy," and "break up." It literally means "loosen down" or "break down" from the same root as the word Jesus uses to describe things "loose in heaven" and commandments being "broken." Christ's words in Matthew only used this term once before. He said that he did not come to "destroy" the law but to fulfill it Matthew 5:17 . So his prediction of the destruction of the temple is NOT a prediction that God's law, given in the OT, will be destroyed.
down. -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "down."
“Do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
see - The verb translated as "see ye" means "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding "look" in English. It is in a form that could be either a statement or a command. The question here is possible, but not certain. A question mark does not appear here in the Greek source. All punctuation was added to the Greek source hundred of years later but those adding it did not see a question.
all - The word translated as "all" is from the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
these - The "these things" is from a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." It is not typically used as an adjective.
things? - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
Truly -- The word translated as "truly " is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
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.
not -- (CW) 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, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think."
one - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "one" in the Greek source.
stone - The Greek word translated as "stone" means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones and altar stones.
here - The word "here" is translated from a Greek word meaning "what is present" and "what can be seen." With verbs of action and with a person, it means "here" as in "here I am" in the sense of "I am present."
will -- (CW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
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.
left - The word translated as "left" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave," "forgive," "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. So not one stone will be left upon another.
on - The word translated as "on" means "on," "upon," "at," "against," "before," "by" or "on."
another, - (WW)- The Greek word translated as "another" means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones and altar stones.
every - (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "every" in the Greek source.
one - (WW) The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun, but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause.
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.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
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.
thrown - Next, the verb "thrown down" is from the Greek word that means "to dissolve," "to disunite," "destroy," and "break up." It literally means "loosen down" or "break down" from the same root as the word Jesus uses to describe things "loose in heaven" and commandments being "broken." Christ's words in Matthew only used this term once before. He said that he did not come to "destroy" the law but to fulfill it Matthew 5:17 . So his prediction of the destruction of the temple is NOT a prediction that God's law, given in the OT, will be destroyed.
down. -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "down."
Οὐ [440 verses](conj) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective. -
βλέπετε [46 verses](verb verb 2nd pl pres imperat act or 2nd pl pres/imperf ind act) "See ye" is from of blepo, which means "to look," "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to rely on," "to look longingly," "to propose," "to beware," "to behold," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding.
ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is from tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." -- The "this" is from a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." It is not typically used as an adjective.
πάντα; [212 verses](adj pl neut acc) "All" is from 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."
ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut." -- The word translated as "verily" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." -- The word translated as "I tell" 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.
ὑμῖν, (pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Not" is from 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. --
ἀφεθῇ [73 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "There shall...be left" is aphiemi, which means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself."
ὧδε [29 verses] (adv)(adv) "Here" is hode, the demonstrative adverb that means of manner: "thus," "in this way," "so very"; of condition: "as it is," "as follows"; of places:: "hither" and "here."
λίθος [15 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Stone" is lithos, which means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones, and altar stones.
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "Upon" is from epi. which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against."
λίθον [15 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Another" is from lithos, which means "a stone," "stone as a substance," and various specific types of stones, such as touchstones, and altar stones.
ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "That" is from hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
οὐ [269 verses](partic)"Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
καταλυθήσεται. [4 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Be thrown down" is katalyo, which means "to put down," "to destroy," "to dissolve," "to break up," "to dismiss," "to disband," "to abolish," "to bring to an end," "to unloose," and "to unyoke."
On the way to their camp that night, his followers pointed out the beautiful temple buildings.
"Don't look at them," he said, covering his own eyes, and then peaking though his fingers.
After looking for a while, he shook his head sadly.
"Tell you true," he said in his folksy way. "Never ever are they going to be left in place."
He gestured with his hands, palm out, one on top of the other and commenting, "Stone on that stone, that."
His followers looked at him skeptically.
"No, really\," he assured them, rpopping is hands representing the stones in a falling down motion. "It's going to be knocked down."
His followers were silent as the walked the rest of the way to the grove where they were camped.