A man built a vineyard and rented it to wine growers.
Mark 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
Mark 12:2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.
Mark 12:2 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop.
And he sent a slave to the vine dressers at the season so that from those vine dressers he might get from that fruit of that vineyard.
The times comes when everyone must pay their rent
This verse is a great demonstration of the issues in translation, especially in modern translation. The original KJV version has absolutely no translation issues. Each of its words can be explained by the Greek source. However, the NLT version almost has more translation problems than it has words. In only nineteen words, it adds seven words that are not in the Greek source. It leaves out ten words that are in the Greek source. It translates three other words inaccurately. This version clearly doesn't care about how Jesus told his stories.
One of the words that the NLT leaves out is the word "fruit," which is an important word for Jesus. The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit", but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors." Since a single slave is sent, it is unlikely that he was collecting that actual fruit, rather he was collecting the profits.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "harvest time" is a more specific meaning of the general meaning of the word
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "tenants" means "farmers."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" means "where."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "collect" is not an infinitive, but an active verb that should be translated with a helping verb "might" or "should."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "them" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The noun "farmers" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "some" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW - Missing Word -- The conjunction "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "of the grape harvest" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "one of his" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "servants" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- MW - Missing Word -- The preposition "to" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The noun "farmers" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" means "where."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "collect" is not an infinitive, but an active verb that should be translated with a helping verb "might" or "should."
- MW - Missing Word -- The preposition "from" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The noun "farmers" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "his share" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "crop" means "fruit."
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The noun "vineyard" is not shown in the English translation.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
at -- This word comes from the dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
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"). See this article for more.
season -- "Season" is a noun that means "due measure", "proportion", "fitness", "exact time", "season", "opportunity", "time", "critical times", "advantage," and "profit." It is the concept of time as a moment as opposed to a measurement.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
sent -- The "sent" here is a verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards", "by reason of (for)," and "against."
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"). See this article for more.
husbandmen -- "Husbandmen" is a noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
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.
servant, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
that -- The word translated as "that" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
might -- This helping verb "might" in English comes from the form of the following Greek verb that indicates a possibility.
receive -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
from -- The Greek preposition translated "from," primarily means "besides" and "beyond." It also has a number of specialized meanings.
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"). See this article for more.
husbandmen -- "Husbandmen" is noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
of --- (CW) The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
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"). See this article for more.
fruit -- 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."
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
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"). See this article for more.
vineyard. -- "Vineyard" is a noun that means simply "vineyard."
missing "and"-- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
At -- This word comes from the dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
missing "the"-- (MW) The untranslated "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
harvest time -- (CW) "Harvest time" is a noun that means "due measure", "proportion", "fitness", "exact time", "season", "opportunity", "time", "critical times", "advantage," and "profit." It is the concept of time as a moment as opposed to a measurement. This is a more specific meaning of the general meaning of the word.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
sent -- The "sent" here is a verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
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.
servant, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards", "by reason of (for)," and "against."
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"). See this article for more.
tenants -- (WW) "Tenants" is noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
to -- (WW) The word translated as "to" a word that means "there", "where," and "in order that."
collect -- (WF) The word translated as "collect" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. However, the form is one of possibility that should be translated with a "might" or a "should."
from -- The Greek preposition translated "from," primarily means "besides" and "beyond." It also has a number of specialized meanings.
them -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "them" in the Greek source. It is substituted for the repeated phrase describing the farmers.
missing "the"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "farmers"-- (MW) The untranslated word is a noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
some (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "some" in the Greek source.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
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"). See this article for more.
fruit -- 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."
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
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"). See this article for more.
vineyard. -- "Vineyard" is a noun that means simply "vineyard."
missing "and"-- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
At -- This word comes from the dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
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"). See this article for more.
time -- "Time" is a noun that means "due measure", "proportion", "fitness", "exact time", "season", "opportunity", "time", "critical times", "advantage," and "profit." It is the concept of time as a moment as opposed to a measurement.
of the grape harvest, -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "of the grape harvest" in the Greek source.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
sent -- The "sent" here is a verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
one of his -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "one of his" in the Greek source.
servants, -- (WN) The noun translated as "servants" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. The word is singular, not plural.
missing "to"-- (MW) The untranslated word "to" means "towards", "by reason of (for)," and "against."
missing "the"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "farmers"-- (MW) The untranslated word "farmers" is noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
to -- (WW) The word translated as "to" a word that means "there", "where," and "in order that."
collect -- (WF) The word translated as "collect" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. However, the form is one of possibility that should be translated with a "might" or a "should."
missing "from"-- (MW) The untranslated word "from," primarily means "besides" and "beyond." It also has a number of specialized meanings.
missing "the"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "farmers"-- (MW) The untranslated word is a noun that means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
his share (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "his share" in the Greek source.
of -- The preposition translated as "of" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
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"). See this article for more.
crop -- (WW) 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."
missing "of the"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "vineyard"-- (MW) The untranslated is a noun that means simply "vineyard."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."
ἀπέστειλεν [60 verses]( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "He sent" is apostello, which means "to send off", "to send away," or "to dispatch." It is our source of the word "apostle."
πρὸς [92 verses] (prep) "For" is pros, which means "on the side of", "in the direction of", "from (place)", "towards" "before", "in the presence of", "in the eyes of", "in the name of", "by reason of", "before (supplication)", "proceeding from (for effects)", "dependent on", "derivable from", "agreeable,""becoming", "like", "at the point of", "in addition to", "against," and "before."
τοὺς [821 verses] (article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
γεωργοὺς[13 verses] ( adj pl masc acc ) "Husbandmen" is georgos, which means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
καιρῷ [21 verses]( noun sg masc dat) "At the season" is from kairos, which means "due measure", "proportion", "fitness", "exact time", "season", "opportunity", "time", "critical times", "advantage," and "profit." It is the concept of time as a moment as opposed to a measurement. The ideas of good times or bad times as a part from seconds, minutes, and hours.
δοῦλον, [56 verses] ( noun sg masc acc ) "The servant" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."
ἵνα [134 verses] (adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when," and "because."
παρὰ [45 verses] (prep) "Of" is para, which means "beside", "from the side of", "from beside,", "from", "issuing from", "near", "by", "with", "along", "past", "beyond", "parallel (geometry)", "like (metaphor)", "a parody of (metaphor)", "precisely at the moment of (time)," and "throughout (time)." With the genitive object here, the sense is always motion, "from the side of," "from beside," "issuing from", and generally "from."
τῶν [821 verses] (article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
γεωργῶν [13 verses] ( adj pl masc gen) "Husbandmen" is georgos, which means "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener," and "peasant."
λάβῃ [54 verse] ( verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "He might receive" is lambano means to "take", "take hold of", "grasp", "seize", "catch", "overtake", "find out", "detect", "take as", "take [food or drugs]", "understand", "take in hand", "undertake", "take in", "hold", "get", "receive [things]", "receive hospitably", "receive in marriage", "receive as produce", "profit", "admit", "initiate", "take hold of", "lay hold on", "seize and keep hold of", "obtain possession of", "lay hands upon", "find fault with", "censure," "to apprehend with the senses", "to take hold of," and "to seize." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
ἀπὸ [190 verses] (prep) "Of" 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.
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
καρπῶν [21 verses]( adj pl masc gen) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit", "the fruits of the earth", "seed", "offspring", "returns for profit," and "reward."
τοῦ [821 verses] (article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἀμπελῶνος: [19 verses] (noun sg masc gen) "Vineyard" is ampelon,which means simply "vineyard."
In the Greek, the middle of this sentence mirrors the two phrases "sending to the vine dresser" and "from the vine-dressers receiving" reflecting the idea of sending and receiving as mirror concepts. The verb forms, however, are different. The sending being certain (indicative mood) and the receiving just being a possibility (subjunctive mood).