Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey

Spoken to: 

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Spoken to: 

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Jesus describes the destruction of the temple as an analogy for the end of Israel.

KJV: 

Mark 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

NIV : 

Mark 13:34  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

3RD (NLT, if not otherwise identified): 

Mark 13:34 The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Just as a man abroad, leaving that household of his and giving to those servants of his the authority for each that work of his. And to the door guard, he commanded for himself that he should remain awake.

MY TAKE: 

If we are guarding, we best do it when we are a wake.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

ὡς          ἄνθρωπος ἀπόδημος ἀφεὶς    τὴν οἰκίαν          αὐτοῦ   καὶ   δοὺς     τοῖς     δούλοις  αὐτοῦ τὴν  ἐξουσίαν,
Just as a man          abroad,     leaving that household of his      and  giving to those servants of his  the  authority

ἑκάστῳ   τὸ    ἔργον  αὐτοῦ, καὶ    τῷ    θυρωρῷ      ἐνετείλατο                           ἵνα  γρηγορῇ.
for each  that work  of his . And to the door guard, he commanded for himself that he should remain awake.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

So much is added and changed in "translating" this verse, you should read the detailed analysis of the Greek and its translation below to see what is hidden. The problems start with the description of the man as "going away" in various ways. The actual adjective used seems to indicate that he was "from abroad," not going abroad. This makes complete sense if the householder is an analogy for Jesus.

The Greek word translated as "porter," "one at the door," and "gatekeeper," means literally "door guard." It is a rare word.

The word translated as "watch: and "keep watch" at the end of the verse is not the same word translated as "watch" in previous verses and has nothing to do with seeing. It means "stay away" literally no sleep. Again this ironic because these apostles were those who did fall asleep later. The word translated as "watch" at the end is the punch line, but it more accurately means "stay awake." I can't help but read the word as shouted as if keeping someone awake.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

13
  • IP - Inserted Phrase -- The words "dor the Son of man is" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • WW - Wrong Form -- The word translated as "taking a far journey," means "from people" or "abroad." This is an adjective describing the man.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "who left" is not an active verb but a participle, "leaving."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "authority" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "gave" is not an active verb but a participle, "giving."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "servants" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "work" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "man."
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for himself" or a "himself" as an object. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "to" before "watch" is not an infinite, as translated, but an active verb.
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

12
  • IW- Inserted Word-- The words "it's" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "going away" means "abroad." This is an adjective describing the man.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "he leaves" is not an active verb but a participle, "leaving."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "puts" means "gives."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "puts" is not an active verb but a participle, "giving."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "servants" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "authority" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -- The word translated as "in charge" is a noun that means "authority." 
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "with" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but it is singular, "his."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "work" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "assigned" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not a common word usually translated as "tell."
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for himself" or a "himself" as an object. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Words -- The word translated as "to" means "that."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "keep watch" is not an infinite, as translated, but an active verb, "stay awake,"

# 3RD TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

24
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "like" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "going on a long trip," means "abroad." This is an adjective describing the man.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "he left" is not an active verb but a participle, "leaving."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "home" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of his" after "home" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" after "his" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "gave" is not an active verb but a participle, "giving."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "of" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "servants" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "instructions/authority" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word-- The word translated as "instructions" is a noun that means "authority." 
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "about" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "they" is not a subject but a possessive pronoun, "his."
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but it is singular, "his."
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "were to do" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW - Wrong Words -- The word translated as "told" means "commanded."
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for himself" or a "himself" as an object. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "watch" is not an infinite, as translated, but an active verb, "stay awake."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "to" before "watch" is not an infinite, as translated, but an active verb.
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "for his return" doesn't exist in the source.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

For the Son of man is -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "For the Son of man is" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used. 

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translating as "how", "when", "where", "just as", "like," and related words.

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

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

taking a far journey, --  (WW) This clause is from a single adjective without a verb describing the man. The adjective means literally "away from a one's country," or "abroad." The sense is that the word describes the man as  "from abroad."

who left -- (WF) The word translated as "who left" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave", "forgive", "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective.

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

house, -- The Greek word translated as "house," refers to the building itself, all the people that dwell in it, including slaves and servants, all property owned by that family, and all the descendants of the continued line. We might say "estate" in English to capture this idea.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

gave - -- (WF)- The verb translated as "gave" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective.

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. 

authority -- The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.

to -- This word "to" 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 is the most common use.

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

servants, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.

and -- (OS) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "and" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.

to -- This word "to" 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 is the most common use.

every -- The Greek word translated as "every"  means "each", "all and each severally," and "each by himself."

man -- (CW) This "man" is from the masculine, singular form of the previous word but that can refer to anyone.  It is not the word "man."

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

work, -- The Greek word translated as "works" means "deeds", "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

commanded -- "Commanded" is a verb that means "to enjoin," and "to command."

missing "by/for himself" -- (MW)  The middle voice of the verb indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.

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. 

porter -- "Porter" is a noun that means "doorkeeper," and "porter." It literally means "door guard." Jesus only uses here and in one other verse.

to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The following verb is not an infinitive.

missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.

watch.--- "Watch" is from a verb that means "to be or to become fully awake." In English, we would say "wake up" to someone sleeping and "stay awake" to someone already awake. It comes from a common Greek word that means "awaken" but is usually confusingly translated as "arise. It was the word that was translated as "watch" in  the previous verse, making this verse seem more like a continuation of  the story."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

It’s -- (IW) There are no Greek word that can be translated as "It's" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used. 

like -- The word translated as "like" has a very broad meaning, translating as "how", "when", "where", "just as", "like," and related words.

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

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

going away, --  (WW) This clause is from a single adjective without a verb describing the man. The adjective means literally "away from a one's country," or "abroad." The sense is that the word describes the man as  "from abroad."

He leaves -- (WF) The word translated as "he leaves" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave", "forgive", "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective.

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

house, -- The Greek word translated as "house," refers to the building itself, all the people that dwell in it, including slaves and servants, all property owned by that family, and all the descendants of the continued line. We might say "estate" in English to capture this idea.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

puts -- (WW, WF) The verb translated as "gave" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective.

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

servants, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.

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. 

in charge -- (WF) The word translated as "in charge" is a noun that means the power of authority, control, and the ability to choose.

each -- The Greek word translated as "each"  means "each", "all and each severally," and "each by himself."

with --  (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "with" in the Greek source.

their -- (WN) The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  It is singular, "his," not plural. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

assigned --  (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "assigned" in the Greek source.

task, -- The Greek word translated as "task" means "deeds", "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

tells -- (CW) "Tells" is a verb that means "to enjoin," and "to command." It is not one of the common words translated as "tell" or "say."

missing "by/for himself" -- (MW)  The middle voice of the verb indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.

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. 

one at the door -- "One at the door" is a noun that Jesus only uses here and in the same parable in another Gospel that means "doorkeeper," and "porter." It literally means "door guard."

to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The following verb is not an infinitive.

missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.

keep watch. -- "Keep watch" is from a verb that means "to be or to become fully awake." In English, we would say "wake up" to someone sleeping and "stay awake" to someone already awake. It comes from a common Greek word that means "awaken" but is usually confusingly translated as "arise. It was the word that was translated as "watch" in  the previous verse, making this verse seem more like a continuation of  the story. It is not an infinitive but an active verb in the clause. This is not the common word in earlier verses translated as "watch."

EACH WORD 3RD (NLT or as noted): 

The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used. 

missing "as"-- (MW) The untranslated word "as" has a very broad meaning, translating as "how", "when", "where", "just as", "like," and related words.

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

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

going on a long trip, --  (WW) This clause is from a single adjective without a verb describing the man. The adjective means literally "away from a one's country," or "abroad." The sense is that the word describes the man as  "from abroad."

When -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source

he left -- (WF) The word translated as "he left" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave", "forgive", "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective.

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. 

home, -- The Greek word translated as "house," refers to the building itself, all the people that dwell in it, including slaves and servants, all property owned by that family, and all the descendants of the continued line. We might say "estate" in English to capture this idea.

missing "his" -- (MW) The untranslated word  "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

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

gave--  (WF)The verb translated as "gave" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The form is not an active verb by a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective, "giving."

each -- The Greek word translated as "each"  means "each", "all and each severally," and "each by himself."

of -- (IW) There is no Greek word or word form that can be translated as "of" in the Greek source.

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. This word follows the noun so "of his."

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. 

servants, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.

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.

instructions -- (WW) The word translated as "instructions" is a noun that means the power of authority, control, and the ability to choose.

about --  (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "about" in the Greek source.

the -- This 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.

work, -- The Greek word translated as "work" means "deeds", "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

they -- (WF, WN) The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as possessive pronouns in English.  It is singular, "his," not plural. This word follows the noun so "of his."

were to do, - (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "were to do" in the Greek source.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

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

told -- (WW) "Told" is a verb that means "to enjoin," and "to command." It is not one of the common words translated as "tell" or "say."

missing "by/for himself" -- (MW)  The middle voice of the verb indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.

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. 

gatekeeper -- "Gatekeeper" is a noun that Jesus only uses here and in the same parable in another Gospel that means "door keeper," and "porter."

to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The following verb is not an infinitive.

missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.

watch. --- "Watch" is from a verb that means "to be or to become fully awake." In English, we would say "wake up" to someone sleeping and "stay awake" to someone already awake. It comes from a common Greek word that means "awaken" but is usually confusingly translated as "arise. It was the word that was translated as "watch" in  the previous verse, making this verse seem more like a continuation of  the story. It is not an infinitive but the active verb in the clause. This is not the common word in earlier verses translated as "watch."

for his return. - (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "for his return" in the Greek source.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ὡς (167 verses] (adv/conj) "As" is hos, an adverb which means to "thus", "as", "how", "when", "where", "like", "just as", "so far as", "as much as can be", "that", "in order that", "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that."

ἄνθρωπος [209 verses](noun sg masc nom) "A man" is anthropos, which "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.

ἀπόδημος [1 verse]( adj sg masc nom) "Taking a far journey" is from apodemos,which means "away from a one's country," and "abroad." The literal meaning is "from people." The sense is that the word means "from abroad."

ἀφεὶς [73 verses]( part sg aor act masc nom ) "Who left" is aphiemi, which means "to let fall", "to send away", "give up", "hand over", "to let loose", "to get rid of", "to leave alone", "to pass by", "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself."

τὴν  [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

οἰκίαν [40 times](noun sg fem acc) "House" is oikia, which means "house", "building," and "household."

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."

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."

δοὺς [147 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Gave" is didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe."

τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

δούλοις [56 verses](noun pl masc da) "Servants" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."

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."

τὴν  [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

ἐξουσίαν [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Authority" is exousia which means "control", "the power of choice", "permission", "the power of authority", "the right of privilege", "abundance of means," and "abuse of power."

ἑκάστῳ [9 verses](adj sg masc dat) "To every man""Every man" is from hekastos, which means "each", "all and each severally," and "each by himself."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

ἔργον [31 verses] (noun sg neut acc ) "Work" is ergon, which means "works", "tasks", "deeds", "actions", "thing," and "matter."

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."

καὶ v(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."

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

θυρωρῷ [2 verses]( noun sg masc dat ) "Porter" is from thyrōros, which means "door keeper," and "porter."

ἐνετείλατο [6 verses] ( verb 3rd sg aor ind mid ) "Commanded" is entello, which means "to enjoin," and "to command."

ἵνα [134 verses] (adv/conj) "To" is hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when," and "because."

γρηγορῇ. [14 verses](verb 3rd sg pres subj act "Watch" is from gregoreo, which means "to become fully awake," and "to watch."

Wordplay: 

God's distance from us as the "absent owner" gives us our freedom. We each have our own power to do our own work. However, we are commanded not to be distracted by the Lord's absence into thinking that this distance is permanent. We must wake up to the fact that it is temporary, changing at any moment.

Related Verses: 

Possible Symbolic Meaning: 

Jesus uses the theme of the absentee landlord to describe our relationships to God, but he never explains it specifically. The "house" in this story would be our world or possibly his chosen people. The work we are given to do is what we are taught by the Bible. The doorkeeper would be the leaders to the people, those he is addressing.

Front Page Date: 

Oct 4 2023