Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you,

Spoken to: 

Apostles

Jesus gives instructions to the Apostle as he sends them out.

KJV: 

Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

NIV : 

Mark 6:11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

LISTENERS HEARD: 

And whenever a place does not want to welcome you nor do they hear you, marching yourself out from there, shake out the dirt, that beneath those feet of yours for a testimony against them. 

MY TAKE: 

If we are too grave, we should shake it off.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

καὶ    ὃς    ἂν            τόπος        μὴ   δέξηται  ὑμᾶς μηδὲ ἀκούσωσιν   ὑμῶν,
And  -ever when- a place does not  welcome you  nor  do they hear you,

ἐκπορευόμενοι                     ἐκεῖθεν      ἐκτινάξατε τὸν χοῦν
marching yourselves  out    from there, shake ou  t the dirt,  

τὸν ὑποκάτω τῶν   ποδῶν    ὑμῶν  εἰς     μαρτύριον         αὐτοῖς.
that beneath  those feet     of yours for a testimony against them. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

This verse has a few of untranslated words in the  English translations. The Greek sources we use today don't have the part about "Sodom and Gomorrah" in them. Our more modern Bible translations don't show it.

The verb translated boringly as "depart" and "leave" is not the common verbs translated as "leave" or "depart." It is a funny verb meaning "marching yourselves out of there." This phrase said in the right tone is meant to get a laugh out of the apostles and calm them in the face of rejection.  The word translated as "dust" also means a "grave."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

12
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "place" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "receive" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "depart" is not the common word usually translated as "depart."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "depart" is not an active verb but a participle, "marching out."
  • WV -- Wrong Voice -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "under" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "under" is not the common word usually translated as "under."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" is not the common word usually translated as "for."

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

11
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" is not the common word usually translated as "if."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "will" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "or" is not the common word usually translated as "or."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "leave" is not the common word usually translated as "leave."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "leave" is not an active verb but a participle, "marching out."
  • WV -- Wrong Voice -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object. 
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "under" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word  "underneath" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "under" is not the common word usually translated as "under."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "as" is not the common word usually translated as "as."

EACH WORD of KJV : 

And  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

whosoever  - The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

missing "when"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "if might" that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone so "when" often works well in English. This starts a condition if/then type statement.

missing "place"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  that means "place", "position," and "topic." Thise word is actually the subject of the verb, no the pronoun above.

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. CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.

not  - The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. If it wasn't done or wasn't true, the objective negative of fact would be used.​ The sense is "if they don't want to welcome".

receive  -  (CW) "Receive" is a Greek verb word, when applied to people as it does here, means "to welcome", "accept" or "to receive with hospitality". It is in a form of possibility ("might")  where the subject doing this for or by themselves, "they might welcome you themselves". However, with the negative used, the sense is "they might not want to welcome you themselves". 

you,  - The word translated as "yor" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners.​ This is the object of the verb "welcome."

nor  -  The word for "nor" is the Greek subjective negative plus the Greek word for "but." The negative is the one of opinion.

hear  - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.   It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." This verb is plural, adding a "they", the people there, rather than the place that started as the subject. 

you, -  This form of this second-person plural pronoun makes it the person heard from.

when  - (IW) There is no Greek word here meaning "when." It is added because the form of the verb "depart" is not active, but an adjective.

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

depart   - (CW, WF) The word translated as "depart" is not the common word translated  as "depart," but a different word that has more the sense of "going out." It is in the form of an adjective, "departing" or  "marching out."  The voice is not active, but either passive or midde. The sense is "marching yourselves out."

missing "yourselves"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act on "yourself," "for yourself" or "by yourself."

thence,  -  "Thence" is  an adverb that means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact," and "thenceforward." It was translated in the previous verse as "from that place."

shake off  -  The word translated as "shake off" means "to shake out" while cleaning. Its form could either be a command or a statement about what you do at that time. This is the same word used in the Matthew version but not the same as the word using in Luke. 

the  - The word translated as "the" 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. 

dust  - The word translated as "dust" means "excavated dirt". It use here by Jesus is unique. A different Greek word is used in Matthew 10:14  and Luke 9:5. This word is also a metaphor for the grave. 

missing "that"  -- (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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

under  - (CW)  "Under" is an adverb meaning "below" and "under." This is not the common word that means "under" 

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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

your  -  The word translated as "your" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners. This word follows the noun so "of yours."

feet  -  The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things. Feet were the dirtiest part of the body and are still considered unclean in the Middle East.

for  - (CW) The word translated as "for" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure. It means "for" in the sense of "for a purpose". 

a  -  There is no indefinite article ("a," "an") in Greek, but one can be added in English translated when there is no definite article ("the") in the Greek.

testimony  -  The Greek word for "testimony" means "testimony" and "proof." 

against  -  This comes from the form of the next word. The form of this word requires that addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "for" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect.

them.  - The word translated as "against them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is that of an indirect objects so, "to them" is the normal meaning.

The rest of the verse does not come from the Greek we use today. Its apparent source is Matthew 10:15.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

And  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

if -- (CW) The word  "if " that indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone so "when" often works well in English. This starts a condition if/then type statement. This is not the common "if."

any - The word translated as "any" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

place  --The word  means "place", "position," and "topic." Thise word is actually the subject of the verb.

will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.

not  - The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. If it wasn't done or wasn't true, the objective negative of fact would be used.​ The sense is "if they don't want to welcome".

welcome -   "Welcome " is a Greek verb word, when applied to people as it does here, means "to welcome", "accept" or "to receive with hospitality". It is in a form of possibility ("might")  where the subject doing this for or by themselves, "they might welcome you themselves". However, with the negative used, the sense is "they might not want to welcome you themselves".

you,  - The word translated as "yor" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners.​ This is the object of the verb "welcome."

or  -  (CW) The word for "or" is the Greek subjective negative plus the Greek word for "but." The negative is the one of opinion. It is not the common "or."

listen - -- "Listen" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.   It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." This verb is plural, adding a "they", the people there, rather than the place that started as the subject. 

to - This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.

you, -  This form of this second-person plural pronoun makes it the person heard from.

 leave and shake the dust

leave - (CW, WF) The word translated as "leave" is not the common word translated  as "leave," but a different word that has more the sense of "going out." It is in the form of an adjective, "departing" or  "marching out."  The voice is not active, but either passive or midde voice. The sense is "marching yourselves out."

missing "yourselves"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act on "yourself," "for yourself" or "by yourself."

that place,  -  "That place" is  an adverb that means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact," and "thenceforward." It was translated in the previous verse as "from that place."

shake -  The word translated as "shake off" means "to shake out" while cleaning. Its form could either be a command or a statement about what you do at that time. This is the same word used in the Matthew version but not the same as the word using in Luke. 

the  - The word translated as "the" 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. 

dust  - The word translated as "dust" means "excavated dirt". It use here by Jesus is unique. A different Greek word is used in Matthew 10:14  and Luke 9:5. This word is also a metaphor for the grave. 

off - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

missing "that"  -- (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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

missing "underneath"  -- (MW) The untranslated word isan adverb meaning "beneath," "below" and "under." This is not the common word that means "under" 

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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

your  -  The word translated as "your" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners. This word follows the noun so "of yours."

feet  -  The word translated as "feet" refers to human feet, birds's talons, and trampling things. Feet were the dirtiest part of the body and are still considered unclean in the Middle East.

as - (CW) The word translated as "as" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure. It means "as" in the sense of "for a purpose". 

a  -  There is no indefinite article ("a," "an") in Greek, but one can be added in English translated when there is no definite article ("the") in the Greek.

testimony  -  The Greek word for "testimony" means "testimony" and "proof." 

against  -  This comes from the form of the next word. The form of this word requires that addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "for" for purposes, an "about" (or "for" or "against") indicating interest, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect.

them.  - The word translated as "against them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is that of an indirect objects so, "to them" is the normal meaning.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." 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."

ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "Whoever" is from hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

ἂν [162 verses](conj) Untranslated is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when."

τόπος [16 verses](noun sg masc nom) Untranslated is topos, which means "place", "region", "position", "part [of the body]", "district", "room," and "topic." It is also a metaphor for "opening", "occasion," and "opportunity."​ 

μὴ  [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which 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.

δέξηται  [18 verses]((verb 3rd sg aor subj mid) "Will...receive" is from dechomai, which means "welcome", "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people and "take", "accept," and "receive" when applied to things.)​

ὑμᾶς,  [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is from humas which is the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

μηδὲ [24 verses](partic) "Nor" is from mede, which means "and not", "but not", "nor," and "not." The negative is the one used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."

ἀκούσωσιν [95 verses] (verb 3rd pl aor subj act) "Hear" is akouo,  which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."

ὑμῶν, [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "You" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." --

ἐκπορευόμενοι [11 verses](part pl pres mp masc nom) "Depart" is from ekporeuomai, which means "to make to go out", "to fetch out," and "to march out."

ἐκεῖθεν [6 verses](adv) "Place" is from ekeithen, which means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact," and "thenceforward."

ἐκτινάξατε [2 verses](verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Shake" is from ektinasso, which means "to shake out", "to expel", "to shake off," and "to search thoroughly." Used only here and in similar verse in Matthew.

τὸν [821 verses] (article sg masc acc) "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." --

χοῦν [1 verse](noun sg masc acc) "Dust" is from choos, which means "excavated soil", "dust", and "the grave". 

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

ὑποκάτω  [5 times](adv/prep) "Under" is from hypokato, which means "below" and  "under".

τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc acc )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

ποδῶν  [19 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Feet" is from pous, which means a "foot", "a talon [of a bird]," and the concept of "to trample" or "to tred upon."

ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your" is from humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

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

μαρτύριον [8 verses] (noun sg neut acc) "Testimony" "Testimony" is martyrion, which means "testimony," and proof."

αὐτοῖς. [55 verses] (adj pl masc dat) "Them" (adj sg masc acc) "Him" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Apr 18 2023