John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you,

Spoken to: 

Apostles

At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles.  He just said taking care of his commands put us in this care.

KJV: 

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

NIV : 

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

These things I have relayed to you so that this delight, this one mine own may be in you and this delight of yours may be filled.

MY TAKE: 

We want Jesus to take delight in how we behave.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

These things I have relayed to you so that this delight, this one mine own, in you may be, and this delight of yours may be filled.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The word translated as "spoke" and "told" here is not one of the two common words meaning "spoke" and "told." This verb is one that Jesus uses in a light-hearted way to describe his role of passing on what he is told by his Father. This word means "idle chatter," and "gossip." So it has a self-deprecating feel to it.  However, it also means "the proclamations of an oracle," which may not have been a flattering description. Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying,"  or "relaying" information.  When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.

As we say in the previous verse, John 15:10, Jesus uses a special phrasing to say "my joy." He says, "this joy, this one mine own." The phrase "in you" also has the sense of "with you" if Jesus saw his apostles as the instrument of his joy.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

7
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "spoken" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "mine own" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "my" is not the common word usually translated as "my."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "remain" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "told" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "this" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "these things."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "mine own" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "my" is not the common word usually translated as "my."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

These things-- The "these things" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things."

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

spoken -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "spoken" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying,"  or "relaying" information.  When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.

unto -- This word "unto" 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. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

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.

my -- (CW) "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun. Perhaps "mine own" captures its best.

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. 

joy -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

might  -- -- This helping verb "might" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

remain -- (OS) The verb "remain" here is in today's source the common form of "to be" in Greek. The KJV source had the word usually translated as "abide" that means "remain." It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here. 

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.

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."

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

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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

joy - "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

might  -- -- This helping verb "might" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. 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.

full. -- "Fill" is a verb that means  "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full." It is usually translated as in the Bible as "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

told-- (CW) The Greek word translated as "told" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying,"  or "relaying" information.  When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.

this--  (WN) The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things." It is plural, not singular.

so that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

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.

my -- (CW) "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun. It follows the noun so perhaps "of mine own" captures its best.

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. 

joy -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

may-- -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

be -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. The KJV source had the word "remain."

in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.

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."

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

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."

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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

joy - "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.

may -- -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. 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.

complete ---- "Complete" is a verb that means  "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full." It is usually translated as in the Bible as "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut nom/acc) "These things" is 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."

λελάληκα [49 verses](1st sg perf ind act) "Have spoken" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another. 

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "that," "in order that," "when," and "because."

[821 verses](article sg femnom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

χαρὰ [14verses](noun sg fem nom) "Joy" is chara, which means "joy" and "delight."

[821 verses](article sg fem nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

ἐμὴ [28 verses](adj sg fem nom) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." The form can also be the object of a preposition, "me."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." 

.[614 verses](verb 3rd sg pres subj act) "may be" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

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."

[821 verses](article sg fem nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

χαρὰ [14verses](noun sg fem nom) "Joy" is chara, which means "joy" and "delight." -

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.-

πληρωθῇ. [21 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "Might be full" is pleroo, which means "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full."

Front Page Date: 

Oct 29 2022