Luke 7:28 ...Among those that are born of women

Spoken to: 

audience

After John the Baptist leaves, Jesus talks to people about him. This continues the description of John the Baptist ("Dunker").

KJV: 

Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

NIV : 

Luke 7:28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

LISTENERS HEARD: 

I tell you all, among offspring of women, no one is more mature than John. However, the younger one among the realm of the Divine is more mature than him!

MY TAKE: 

Even for the greatest shining light a more to the realm is a promotion.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

λέγω ὑμῖν, μείζων          ἐν       γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν Ἰωάνου οὐδεὶς ἔστιν:
I tell you   more mature among offspring no one is than John .

    δὲ             μικρότερος ἐν         τῇ  βασιλείᾳ    τοῦ   θεοῦ    μείζων           αὐτοῦ     ἐστίν.
the However, lower one    among the realm       of the Divine more mature than him    is 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Though the Greek can be translated as "greater" and "lesser" (not "least,") because Jesus is talking about the realm of the Divine which is the realm of the skies (the term used in Matthew), "higher" and "lower" are more appropriate.

There is only one "is" in the final phrase. The "he that is" and "the one who is" are added.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is the same Greek word translated as "in" later in the verse.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "them that are" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "not."
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "prophet" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "the baptist" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "he that is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "least" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form - Though "he" can work in English, it doesn't  represent the Greek.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

4
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is the same Greek word translated as "in" later in the verse.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "one who  is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form - Though "he" can work in English, it doesn't  represent the Greek.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

-- 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.

Among  - (CW) The word translated as "among" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  While it can mean "among, it s confusing because it is translated as its more common meaning later in the verse.

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

born  - "Born" is an adjective that means "begotten," or "born," and, as a noun, "offspring" or "progeny." It is, however, plural, so "children" is the only English word that works. 

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.

women  -"Of women" is the word for "woman" in the form of a possessive.

there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

is -- 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.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

not -- (CW) The Greek adjective translated as "not" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "not."

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.

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big,"  "more mature," or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." It also means "more mature" from the sense of its root word referring to an "elder" member of a family. When it is introduced by an article, it means "the greater." It is not the superlative form.

prophet -- (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.

than-- 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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

John --  "John" is the Greek word translated as the English proper name. 

the Baptist: -- (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.

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").  When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."

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

is  

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." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

least - "Least" is in a comparative form, meaning "smaller," younger," "lesser."  It is form an adjective that means "small" and "little" applied to anything, size, power, age, quantity, rank, or influence but it is not the superlative form but the comparative, "smaller," "more littles," and "more unimportant." 

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." This word is translated as "among" earlier  the verse.

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") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

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." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

God  -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

is -- 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.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big," "more mature," or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." It also means "more mature" from the sense of its root word referring to an "elder" member of a family.

than-- 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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

he. -- (WF)  The word translated as "he" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English.  Though "he" can work in English, it doesn't represent the Greek.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

-- 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.

Among  - (CW) The word translated as "among" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  While it can mean "among, it s confusing because it is translated as its more common meaning later in the verse.

those  -- There is no Greek article "those" here in the source, but the noun is plural and in English, a definite article "the/this/that/theses/those" is used before plural nouns in phrases like this

born  - "Born" is an adjective that means "begotten," or "born," and, as a noun, "offspring" or "progeny." It is, however, plural, so "children" is the only English word that works. 

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.

women  -"Of women" is the word for "woman" in the form of a possessive.

there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

is -- 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.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

 no one-- The Greek adjective translated as "no one" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "not."

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big" or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "more mature," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." It also means "more mature" from the sense of its root word referring to an "elder" member of a family.

than-- 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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

John --  "John" is the Greek word translated as the English proper name.

yet -- 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").  When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."  This is not the word usually translated as "yet ." CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "yet ."

the -- (MW) The word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.

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

least -  "Least" is in a comparative form, meaning "smaller," younger," "lesser."  It is form an adjective that means "small" and "little" applied to anything, size, power, age, quantity, rank, or influence but it is not the superlative form but the comparative, "smaller," "more littles," and "more unimportant." 

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."

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") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Jesus does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

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." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

God  -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

is -- 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.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big" or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "more mature," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." It also means "more mature" from the sense of its root word referring to an "elder" member of a family.

than-- 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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.

he. -- (WF)  The word translated as "he" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English.  Though "he" can work in English, it doesn't represent the Greek.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act/subj) "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."

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

γεννητοῖς [2 verses](adj pl masc dat) "Them that are born" is gennetos, which is an adjective that means "begotten," "engendered," "propagated," or "born." When used as a noun, we might translate it as "child," "progeny," or "offspring."  - "Born" is an adjective that means "begotten," or "born," and, as a noun, "offspring" or "progeny." Itis, however, plural, so "children" is the only English word that works. 

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

μείζων [22 verses](adj sg masc nom comp ) "Greater" is meizon which means "bigger," "higher," "longer," "more mature," and "greater" and is the comparative form of megas, which means "big" and "great." The superlative form "greatest" is megistos, μέγιστος. The superlative form "greatest" is megistos, μέγιστος.

Ἰωάνου [17 verses](noun sg masc gen)e "John" is from Ioannes, which is the Greek form of the name "John."

οὐδεὶς [69 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Not" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.  "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it."  With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

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 listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."

μικρότερος [3 verses](adj sg masc nom comp ) "Least" is from mikroteros, which is the comparative form of the adjectives that means "small", "little", "unimportant," etc. so "smaller," "more little," and "more unimportant." 

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

[821 verses](article sg fem dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

βασιλεία [98 verses](noun sg fem dat) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."

μείζων [22 verses](adj sg masc nom comp ) "Greater" is meizon which means "bigger," "higher," "longer," and "greater" and is the comparative form of megas, which means "big" and "great." The superlative form "greatest" is megistos, μέγιστος. The superlative form "greatest" is megistos, μέγιστος.

αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His/Him" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.  "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it."  With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

This verse shows not one but two repeated changes made in Luke to common phrases in Matthew. The verse itself is also shorted, eliminating some of the play on words from in the Matthew version (Matthew 11:11).In the Matthew version, this verse begins with the common phrase "verily". This is one of the examples found in Luke where the "verily" part is left off, leaving only "I tell you."  In Matthew, the common phrase "the kingdom of heaven" appears. Here, it is "kingdom of God".

Front Page Date: 

Jan 22 2024