John 9:41 If ye were blind,

Spoken to: 

challengers

After Jesus say that he gives people the choice to see, the Pharisees ask if they are blind.

KJV: 

John 9:41 If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

NIV : 

John 9:41 If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

If you were blind, you might not possibly indulge in an error. Now, however, you say that, "We see," this error of yours remains.

MY TAKE: 

If we think we can see everything, we are making a mistake.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The verb translated as "have/be guilty of"  generally means "to have" or "to possess," but when referring to bodily or mental states or conditions with the form of the word translated as "sin," it has the specific meaning of "indulge in." The verb form is something that "might not possibly" happen.  As always, the word translated as "sin" doesn't really mean that. It means a mistake, failure, and error, not necessarily a violation of a commandment (thus a "sin" in the Jewish sense). See this article for more information and context. The humor here is that blindness is a lack of ability, in this case, the ability to indulge in making mistakes.

The punchline here is the final verb, translated as "remains." The phrasing of the last few clauses is, "Now, however, you say that, 'We see,' this error of yours remains." The sense is that their error is saying that "they see." Translating "error" as "sin" obscures the idea that they might be mistaken about their ability to see.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "sin" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "have."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "guilty of" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "that" doesn't appear here but after "you claim."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "claim" does not capture the general meaning of the word.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be something more like "we."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "can" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "guilt" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "guilt" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

were  -- 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. It is in the form of possibility suitable for an "if" statement.

blind, -- "Blind" is a word that means both physically and mentally blind. It also means all things that are obscure. It has no article "the" before it.

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

should   -- "Should" is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English but "possibly" is close. This word works similarly to the "might" or "should" of a subjunctive verb, but we don't want to confuse it with the subjunctive so using "possibly" provides a consistent translation.  This particle usually suggests the subjunctive form of the verb but can be used without it.

have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it has the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.

no -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Here it preceded the word translated as "should" and the sense is "not possibly."

sin: -- (CW) The word translated as "sin" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.

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.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so").

now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

say, " -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  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.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

We-- This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb.

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 so  "watch" works better.  "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.

therefore -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "therefore" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.

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"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

sin -- (CW) The word translated as "sins" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.

remaineth. -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

were  -- 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. It is in the form of possibility suitable for an "if" statement.

blind, -- "Blind" is a word that means both physically and mentally blind. It also means all things that are obscure. It has no article "the" before it.

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

would   -- "Would" is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English but "possibly" is close. This word works similarly to the "might" or "should" of a subjunctive verb, but we don't want to confuse it with the subjunctive so using "possibly" provides a consistent translation.  This particle usually suggests the subjunctive form of the verb but can be used without it.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Here it preceded the word translated as "should" and the sense is "not possibly."

be -- (WW)  The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "have means to do,"  "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

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

sin: -- (CW) The word translated as "sin" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.

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.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so").

now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."

that -- (WP) The "that" is a word that introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." It follows the "claim" not the "now."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

claim , " -- (CW)  The word translated as "claim" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  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."

you -- (WW) This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb. This is "we" not "you."

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

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 so  "watch" works better.  "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.

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"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

guilt .-- (CW) The word translated as "guilt" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context. This is the same word translated as "sin" above.

remains. -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Εἰ  [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since."  It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.

τυφλοὶ [15 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Blind is typhlos, which means "blind," "lacking vision of the future," "dark," "dim," "obscure," "hidden," and "no outlet (of passages)."

ἦτε,.[614 verses](2nd pl pres subj act) "You were" 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.

οὐκ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , 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.

ἂν [60 verses](particle) "Should" is an, which is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could."

εἴχετε [181 verses](2nd pl imperf ind act) "Have"" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." It can also mean "to without" or "keep back" a thing. 

ἁμαρτίαν: [28 verses](noun sg fem acc )"Sin" is hamartia, which means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin."

νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now," "at the present moment," "at the present time," "just now," "presently," and "as it is."

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 cause ("so").

λέγετε [264 verses](2nd pl pres ind act) "Ye 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." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name."  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.

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."

Βλέπομεν: [46 verses](1st pl pres ind act) "We see"" 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."

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

ἁμαρτία [28 verses](noun pl fem acc )"Sins" is hamartia, which means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin."

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.

μένει. [27 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Remaineth" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."

Front Page Date: 

Jun 25 2022