Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh

Spoken to: 

group

After a story talking about servants waiting for their Master.

KJV: 

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

NIV : 

Luke 12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Also you yourselves get ready. Because, at this hour you don't expect, the son of the man shows up.

MY TAKE: 

The Master can sneak into our lives and disrupt them unless we are prepared for his coming.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

καὶ    ὑμεῖς               γίνεσθε      ἕτοιμοι, ὅτι ὥρᾳ οὐ δοκεῖτε υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται
Also you yourselves get            ready. Because, at this hour you don't expect, the son of the man shows up.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The punchline at the end is self-deprecating humor. The one showing up in the previous verse is "a thief." In this verse, the Son of the Man becomes a "thief" that his listeners should be ready for so their houses are not "dug through."

The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state.  With the word "ready" below, it works like "get ready" or "get prepared" in English. The phrase translated as "at an hour" is "at this hour," or, more precisely, "at this, an hour that you don't expect."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

7

Be(CW) ye (MW) therefore(OS) ready also: for the Son of (MW) man cometh at an(WW) hour when(IW) ye think(CW) not.

  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "be" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "therefore " existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.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 "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "an" should be something more like "this."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "when " after "when " doesn't exist in the source.
  •  CW --Confusing Word -- The "think" doesn't precisely mean "law."

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

7

You(MW) also must(IW) be(CW) ready, because the Son of (MW) Man will(IW) come at an(WW) hour when(IW) you do not expect him.

  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "must  " after "also" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "be" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "come" after "man" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "an" should be something more like "this."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "when " after "hour" doesn't exist in the source.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Be -- (CW) The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen," "to occur," or "take place." For things, it can be "to be produced." When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. The form of the verb's object can indicate the time or to whom it "happens." In English, we say "get ready" not "become ready." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.

ye -- (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."

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

ready -- Ready" is an adjective that means "at hand," "ready," and of persons, "ready," and "active."

also: -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."

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. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word 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. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, 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.

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

cometh -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

at -- This word "at" comes from the indirect object form 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.

an --  (WW) -- The word translated as "an" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."This word doesn't mean "an." 

hour - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour." More generally, it means a period of time, like a "season."

when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. IW - Inserted Word-- The "word" after "when " doesn't exist in the source.

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

think -- (CW) The word translated as "think" doesn't mean think as much as it means "expect" or "imagine." This word doesn't precisely mean "think."

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. 

EACH WORD of NIV : 

You -- (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."
also - The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
must  -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
be -- (CW) The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen," "to occur," or "take place." For things, it can be "to be produced." When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. The form of the verb's object can indicate the time or to whom it "happens." In English, we say "get ready" not "become ready." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.

ready -- Ready" is an adjective that means "at hand," "ready," and of persons, "ready," and "active."

because -- The word translated as "because " introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."

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. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word 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. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, 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.

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

will -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

come -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

at -- This word "at" comes from the indirect object form 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.

an --  (WW) -- The word translated as "an" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."This word doesn't mean "an." 

hour - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour." More generally, it means a period of time, like a "season."

when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

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

do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

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. 

expect-- The word translated as "expect" doesn't mean think as much as it means "expect" or "imagine." This word doesn't precisely mean "think."

him -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences..

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis, which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "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 sometimes precedes a verbal adjective or infinitive where it is not part of the verb. It is plural. missing "yourselves" 

γίνεσθε  [117 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind/imperat mp) "Be"" is ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," of things "to be produced," of events "happen," (passive) "take place," "come to pass," "to be engaged in," math "to be multiplied into," "become one of," "turn into." It means changing into a new state of being. When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. This verb also has a number of special meanings with different prepositions. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state. A genitive object indicates the time during which it "happens" or a date on which it "falls." A dative object indicates to whom it happens.

ἕτοιμοι, [8 verses](adj pl masc/fem nom) "Ready" is hetoimos, which means "at hand," "ready," "prepared," of persons, "ready," "active," "zealous," of the mind, "ready," "bold," and as an adverb, "readily," "willingly."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" 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." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.

[294 verses](pron sg neut dat) "an" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."

ὥρα [37 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).

οὐ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.

δοκεῖτε  [17 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind act/opt/imperative) "As ye think" is dokeo, which means "expect," "suppose," "imagine," "have an opinion," "seem," "seem good," and "to be reputed."

[821 verses] (article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

υἱὸς [157 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child."

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

ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate. -- The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.

ἔρχεται  [198 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Cometh" is  erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

Wordplay: 

The word translated as "in such" means "when" "its lets go" and "for this". 

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

A lot of little differences from the parallel verse in Matthew 24:44. As usual, the translation makes them seem more alike than they are. The KJV rearranges the words, changing their emphasis, but that meaning is still close.

Front Page Date: 

Jul 17 2024