After the Last Supper, after the apostles cannot understand the "a little" part of his last statement.
John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
John 16:20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
Ameni, Ameni, I tell you that you yourselves might weep and will sing requiems, however, the world order will rejoice for itself. You yourselves will be grieving instead. This grief of yours will turn itself into joy.
What makes us sorry today can be the source of our joy tomorrow
Honestly, honestly, I tell you that you might weep and will sing requiems, you yourselves, that, however, world order will rejoice for itself. You yourselves will be grieving instead. This grief of yours into joy will turn itself.
Jesus uses the introduction "amen, amen" to change the mood of the conversation, making it lighter. See this article about this phrase and Jesus's use of catchphrases.
There is confusion here between what might happen and what will happen. There is also confusion between the passive voice and the middle voice, things happen to someone and things that happen by themselves. The pain will transform itself. This would have to be said lightly because it is non-intuitive. We normally say that the pain of death passes over time. You get over it. However, what Jesus says here is entirely unexpected, at least to the apostles, what they are sorrowful about will be the basis for their joy.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "lament" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sorrowful" does not capture the verb's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sorrow" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb in the middle voice requires the concept of "itself" as its object.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "very" is not the common word usually translated as "very."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "will" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "mourn" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "while" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "will" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "grieve" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "grieve" does not capture the verb's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sorrow" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb in the middle voice requires the concept of "itself" as its object.
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."
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 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.
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.
That -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ye -- -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
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.
weep - The verb translated as "weep" means "to weep", "to lament," and "to cry".
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
lament, -- (CW) "Lament" means singing funeral songs. The singing part refers to cantorial chanting or praying at a funeral service.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
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.
rejoice: -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome."
and -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source.
ye -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
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.
sorrowful, - (CW) "Be sorrowful" is from a verb that means "to grieve," "to vex," "to cause pain," "to cause grief," and, in the passive, "to be grieved," "to be distressed," and "to be in pain." Since the noun form is associated with pain by Jesus in John 16:21.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." Here, it is the object of the previous preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
sorrow-- (CW) The word translated as "sorrow" is better translated as "pain." In John 16:21, it is associated with childbirth, which is a pain, not sorrow.
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 -- (WV) This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. The verb is not passive.
turned into -- The word translated as "turned into" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen," "to occur," or "take place." For things, it can be "to be produced."
joy. -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.
Very, -- (CW) The word translated as "very" 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."
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.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
you -- -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
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.
weep - The verb translated as "weep" means "to weep", "to lament," and "to cry".
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 can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
mourn , -- (CW) "Mourn" means singing funeral songs. The singing part refers to cantorial chanting or praying at a funeral service.
and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
while -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "while" in the Greek source.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
missing "will" -- (MW) The untranslated word "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
rejoices: -- The Greek verb translated as "rejoices" means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome."
You -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
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.
grieve, - (WV, CW) "Grive" is from a verb that means "to grieve," "to vex," "to cause pain," "to cause grief," and, in the passive, "to be grieved," "to be distressed," and "to be in pain." Since the noun form is associated with pain by Jesus in John 16:21.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." Here, it is the object of the previous preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
grief -- (CW) The word translated as "grief" is better translated as "pain." In John 16:21, it is associated with childbirth, which is a pain, not sorrow.
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.
turned to -- (WV) The word translated as "turn to" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen," "to occur," or "take place." For things, it can be "to be produced." This is the middle voice.
joy. -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.
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."
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."
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."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is 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."
κλαύσετε [8 verses](2nd pl aor subj act) "Shall weep" which means "to weep", "to cry", "to lament," and "to wail."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is 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."
θρηνήσετε [3 verses](2nd pl fut ind act) "Lament" is from (threneo), which means "to sing dirges," and "to bewail."
ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" 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 an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand."
κόσμος [63 verses](noun sg masc nom) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
χαρήσεται: [14 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Shall rejoice" i is chairo which means "rejoice," "take pleasure in," and "welcome."
ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."
λυπηθήσεσθε,[3 verses](verb 2nd pl fut ind pass) "Be sorrowful" is lypeo, which means "to cause harm," "to cause grief," "to vex," "to cause pain," and, in the passive, "to be grieved," "to be distressed," and "to be in pain."
ἀλλ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
λύπη [4 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Sorrow" is from lype, which means "pain of the body", "sad plight", "sad condition", "pain of the mind," and "grief."
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition.
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)." -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject,"up to" limits in time and measure, and "for" a purpose or object.
χαρὰν [14verses](noun sg fem acc) "Joy" is chara, which means "joy" and "delight."
γενήσεται. [117 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Shall be turned into" is ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," of things "to be produced," of events "happen," "take place," "come to pass," "to be engaged in," math "to be multiplied into," "become one of," "turn into."and "to be." It means changing into a new state of being. When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state.
A subtle change in verb forms.