Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest;

Spoken to: 

Apostles

Explaining the Parable of the Sower to followers.

KJV: 

Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

NIV : 

Luke 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Because it is not hiding which will not become open nor obscure that might never be learned and show up into [the] open. 

MY TAKE: 

We are naturally curious, seeking out secrets.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

οὐ  γὰρ          ἔστιν κρυπτὸν          οὐ  φανερὸν γενήσεται,
not Because  it is    hiding    which not open        will become

οὐδὲ ἀπόκρυφον     οὐ μὴ  γνωσθῇ               καὶ  εἰς            φανερὸν ἔλθῃ.
nor   obscure      that  never might be learned and until [the] open      show up

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

A word is used twice here, at the beginning and end of the verse, but its importance is lost in translation because it is translated in two different ways. The word is translated as "manifest," "abroad," and "open."  The Greek word means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open." It is used as an object of a word that means "become" that is mistranslated as "made" and "brought." And it is used as the ending with a verb ends the verse that means "show up" which primarily means "start" and secondarily, "come" and "go." It is usually biblically translated as "come." With that verb, this word meaning "visible" is used with a preposition that means "into" with the sense of "into the open."

There is no word meaning "nothing", but the translations of this verse are trying to make it look the similar verses in Matthew and Mark.

There is something in this verse that is hard to resolve. The negative in the  second clause (translated as

"that shall not be made manifest" and  "that will not be disclosed") does not negate the verb, but the adjective, "manifest." that negative the word meaning "visible" and "open," not the verb "become." It seems to say, "that will become not visible." Becoming not visible means the opposite of becoming visible, so this is confusing.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nothing."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is "secret" not an adjective, but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. " 
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "made" here is translated as passive but it is active.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "made" should be something more like "happen."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "anything" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is one of those places where this "come" is best translated as "start," its primary meaning."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated better as "manifest" in the verse.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

13
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nothing."
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb  "hidden" is the past tense, but Greek is in the present "hiding."
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "made" here is translated as passive but it is active.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "disclosed" should be something more like "become."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "visible" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "nor."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "nothing " doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "brought" should be something more like "start."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "out" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

For -The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause."

nothing - (CW)  The Greek word translated as "nothing" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "nothing."

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.

secret,  -- (WF) "Secret" is from a verb meaning   "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," and "conceal."It is in the form of a participle. This is in the present tense, "hiding."

that -- The word translated as "that" 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.

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into 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.

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

made -- (WW) The word translated as "made" 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." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.

manifest; -- "Manifest" is from an adjective that means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open."

neither -- The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.

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

hid, -- "hid" is an adjective that means "hidden", "concealed", "underhand", "unknown",  "obscure", "recondite", and "hard to understand".

that -- The word translated as "that" 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.

shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an
"if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.

not  -- (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

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

known -- "Known" is a verb that means  "to learn to know,""to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "learn" seems to translate this word better so it isn't confused with the verb meaning "have seen" which is also used to mean "know." This verb is more versatile because it can be used in more tenses.

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

come -- (CW) 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

abroad. -- (CW) "Abroad" is from an adjective that means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open." This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translated as "manifest" elsewhere here.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

For -The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause."

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.

nothing - (CW)  The Greek word translated as "nothing" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "nothing."

hidden ,  -- (WT) "Hidden" is from a verb meaning   "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," and "conceal."It is in the form of a participle. This is in the present tense, "hiding."

that -- The word translated as "that" 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.

will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into 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.

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

disclosed-- (WW) The word translated as "disclosed" 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." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation. \

missing "visible"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is from an adjective that means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open."

and -- (WW)The Greek word for "and" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.

nothing  -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

concealed , -- "Concealed " is an adjective that means "hidden", "concealed", "underhand", "unknown",  "obscure", "recondite", and "hard to understand".

that -- The word translated as "that" 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.

will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might."

not  -- (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

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

known -- "Known" is a verb that means  "to learn to know,""to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "learn" seems to translate this word better so it isn't confused with the verb meaning "have seen" which is also used to mean "know." This verb is more versatile because it can be used in more tenses.

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

brought -- (WW) 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

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

into -- The word translated as "into" 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.

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

open. -- "Open" is from an adjective that means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open." This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translated as "manifest" elsewhere here.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

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. -

γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what." -

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."

κρυπτὸν [9 verses](part sg pres act neut nom) "Hidden" is from krypto, which means "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," "conceal," "argue so that the opponent is unwarily led to an adverse conclusion," "lie hidden," in passive, "conceal oneself from," "hide oneself," and "lie hidden,"

 [294 verses](pron sg neut nom) "That" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

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.

φανερὸν [2 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Manifest" is from phaneros which means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open."

γενήσεται, [117 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Be made" " 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.

οὐδὲ [51 verses](partic) "Neither" is oude, which, as a conjunction, means "but not," "neither," and "nor." As an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however."

ἀπόκρυφον [2 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Secret" is apokryphos, which means "hidden", "concealed", "underhand", "unknown",  "obscure", "recondite", and "hard to understand".   

 [294 verses](pron sg neut nom) "That" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Never" is ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.

γνωσθῇ [62 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "Shall...be known," is ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."

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."

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)."

φανερὸν [2 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Abroad" is from phaneros which means "visible", "manifest", "shining", "illustrious", "conspicuous," and "open."

ἔλθῃ[198 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Come" 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.

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 17 2024