Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent

Spoken to: 

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After Jesus says a prophet is not understood in the land of his father.

KJV: 

Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

NIV : 

Luke 4:26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

And Elijah was sent to none of them. Instead wasn't [he sent] into Zarephath of that Sidon to a widow woman?

MY TAKE: 

The Divine doesn't make things easy.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

καὶ  πρὸς οὐδεμίαν αὐτῶν    ἐπέμφθη      Ἠλείας εἰ          μὴ                  “εἰς   Σάρεπτα  
And to      none      of them, he was sent, Elijah.  instead wasn't [he sent] into Zarephath  

τῆς Σιδωνίας πρὸς γυναῖκα    χήραν.”
of  Sidon      to      a woman, widowed. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Someone must have challenged Jesus's statement about his hometown, because he give examples of Elijah leaving Israel to perform wonders. Here, he most likely responds with a question back them, but it is translated as a statement. It begins the Greek commonly used in negative questions. There is no verb in this clause, so the previous verb is assumed, "Instead, wasn't he sent to Zarephath of that Sidon ?" He uses "that Sidon" in contrast to "this Israel" in the previous verse. Neither the "this" or "that" is translated in the Bible, obscuring his point.  Why a question? To involve the audience in his hometown and create suspense.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5

But(WW) unto(CW) none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city(IW) of (MW) Sidon, unto a woman [that was(IP)] a widow.

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated as "unto" earlier in the verse.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "a city" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "Sidon" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "that was a" doesn't exist in the source.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

6

Yet(WW) Elijah was not(IW) sent to any of them, but(CW) to a widow (MW) in Zarephath [in the region(IP)] of  (MW) Sidon.

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "yet" should be something more like "and."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "not"  doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "woman" after "widow" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "in the region" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "Sidon" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

 But -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" 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."

unto -- The word translated as "to" means "to," "by reason of," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing and motion, it specifically means "towards." With verbs of having and receiving, it means "from."

none -- The Greek adjective translated as "none" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.  However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

them - The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition.  As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

was -- This helping verb "was" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

Elias - -- "Elias" is the Greek form of the name of the prophet we call "Elijah." Jesus refers to Elijah only here and in Mark as a forerunner or harbinger of the Christ. However, he also appears with Jesus along with Moses. More about Jesus's use of OT figures in this article.

sent,-- "Sent" is from a Greek verb that means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort." This is the second most common word Jesus uses that is translated as "send out," but this one doesn't have the prefix that has the sense of "out."

save - "Save" is from Two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except." In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. This is most likely a negative quesion.

unto -- (CW) The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. This is not the same Greek word translated as "unto" earlier and later in the verse.

Sarepta, - "Sarepta" is a Greek spelling of the Biblical city of Zarephath between Tyre and Sidon. 

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

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

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."Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show its role in the sentence. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose here may be demonstrative. See this article

Sidon, "The "Sidon" here is odd because it is introduced with a Greek article.

unto -- The word translated as "to" means "to," "by reason of," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing and motion, it specifically means "towards." With verbs of having and receiving, it means "from."

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

woman -- The word translated as "woman" is  the Greek word that means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)." It is closer to our "female."

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

widow. -- "Widows" is an adjective that means "widowed" or more generally, "bereaved."  Christ uses it as a noun. 

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Yet  -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "yet" 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."

Elijah - -- "Elijah " is the Greek form of the name of the prophet we call "Elijah." Jesus refers to Elijah only here and in Mark as a forerunner or harbinger of the Christ. However, he also appears with Jesus along with Moses. More about Jesus's use of OT figures in this article.

was -- This helping verb "was" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

not -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "not" in the Greek source

sent,-- "Sent" is from a Greek verb that means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort." This is the second most common word Jesus uses that is translated as "send out," but this one doesn't have the prefix that has the sense of "out."

to -- The word translated as "to" means "to," "by reason of," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing and motion, it specifically means "towards." With verbs of having and receiving, it means "from."

any  - The Greek adjective translated as "no" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective.  However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

them - The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition.  As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

but  -  (CW) "But is from Two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except." In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. This is most likely a negative question. This is not the word usually translated as "but." 

to -- The word translated as "to" means "to," "by reason of," "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of," "against," and several other types of "before." With verbs of seeing and motion, it specifically means "towards." With verbs of having and receiving, it means "from."

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

widow. -- "Widows" is an adjective that means "widowed" or more generally, "bereaved."  Christ uses it as a noun.

missing "woman"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is  the Greek word that means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)." It is closer to our "female."

in --  The word translated as "in" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. This is not the same Greek word translated as "unto" earlier and later in the verse.

Zarephath , - "Sarepta" is a Greek spelling of the Biblical city of Zarephath between Tyre and Sidon. 

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

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

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."Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show its role in the sentence. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose here may be demonstrative. See this article

Sidon, "The "Sidon" here is odd because it is introduced with a Greek article.

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."

πρὸς [92 verses](prep)  "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place)," "on the side of," and "toward." Its meaning depends on the form of its object.  A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. 

οὐδεμίαν [69 verses] (adj sg fem acc) "None" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."

αὐτῶν [86 verses](pron/adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Them" is auton, is the genitive case of the third-person, plural adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same," "one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." -

ἐπέμφθη [39 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind pass) "Which has sent" is pempo, which means "send," "send forth," "send away," "conduct," and "escort."

Ἠλείας  [10 verses] (Hebrew Name) - "Elias" is Elias, the Greek form of the biblical name for Elijah.

εἰ μὴ [14 verses](conj particle) "Save" is ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," and "except." It is also used to create negative questions. In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." Used with the historical present (present tense in past time) to express unfulfilled conditions and with aorist to refer the past. The (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."  Followed by an ἀλλὰ clause, the sense is "if not" some word related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least"

εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position),  "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)."

 Σάρεπτα  [1 verse] (noun, Place Name)"Sarepta" is the Greek Sarepta which is a spelling of the Biblical city of Zarephath between Tyre and Sidon. 

τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen)  "Of" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

Σιδωνίας   [1 verse] (noun sg fem gen) "Sidon" is from Sidon, which is the Greek name of the historical city.  - 

πρὸς [92 verses](prep)  "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place)," "on the side of," and "toward." Its meaning depends on the form of its object.  A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. 

γυναῖκα [28 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Woman" is gyne, which means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)."

χήραν.”  [9 verses](adj sg fem acc) "Widow" is from chera, which means "widow" and "bereaved."

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Nov 18 2023