Matthew 11:30 For my yoke [is] easy,

Spoken to: 

audience

giving rest

KJV: 

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

NIV : 

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Because this yoke of mine? Good! Also, my burden is buoyant.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

This verse is a good example of how a spoken statement in a discussion that is entertaining is different than a written sentence. The first part of the verse doesn't have a verb.  The "because" statement here seems to be the response to a question. The final "light" here is a punchline because it means "buoyant." This exaggeration is typical of Jesus's humor and explains why he uses this uncommon word.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

3
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "yoke" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "easy" primarily means "good" in the sense of capable of use.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "burden" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

3
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "yoke" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "easy" primarily means "good" in the sense of capable of use.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "burden" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

For  - The Greek word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

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. 

yoke  - The Greek word for "yoke" describes the yoke that holds an ox or horse to a plow or carriage, but it was also a metaphor for slavery and the beam in a balancing scale.

is -- There is no verb "is" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.

easy,  - (CW) The word translated as "easy" means "useful," "good of its kind," "serviceable," referring to food "wholesome," referring to people,"good," "honest," "worthy," in war, "valiant," and "true."  For more on this topic, see this article. in a moral sense, it is the opposite of kakos, which means "bad" and "evil," but which is not the word usually translated as "evil" in the NT. For more on this topic, see this article. Jesus only uses this word three times.

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

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

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. 

burden  - "Burden" is a Greek word which means "a load," and "burden." In the plural, it tends to refer to "merchandise" but here it is singular.

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. 

light.  - This is the only time Christ uses this word for "light." It means "light in weight," but when specifically applied to burdens, it means relieving them. It also means "simple-minded" when applied to thinking, which may be a larger topic here. For the fishermen, it would mean "bouyant."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

For  - The Greek word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

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. 

yoke  - The Greek word for "yoke" describes the yoke that holds an ox or horse to a plow or carriage, but it was also a metaphor for slavery and the beam in a balancing scale.

is -- There is no verb "is" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.

easy,  - (CW) The word translated as "easy" means "useful," "good of its kind," "serviceable," referring to food "wholesome," referring to people,"good," "honest," "worthy," in war, "valiant," and "true."  For more on this topic, see this article. For more on this topic, see this article. Jesus only uses this word three times.

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

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

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. 

burden  - "Burden" is a Greek word which means "a load," and "burden." In the plural, it tends to refer to "merchandise" but here it is singular.

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. 

light.  - This is the only time Christ uses this word for "light." It means "light in weight," but when specifically applied to burdens, it means relieving them. It also means "simple-minded" when applied to thinking, which may be a larger topic here. For the fishermen, it would mean "bouyant."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

 (article sg masc nom ) Untranslated is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

γὰρ (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."

ζυγός (noun sg masc nom) "Yoke" is zygos, which is the yoke that holds an ox or horse to a plow or carriage. It was used as a metaphor for slavery. It also means the beam in a balancing scale. It is from a root word (zeugnumi) that means "to join."

μου (pron 2nd sg gen) "My" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."

χρηστὸς [3 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Easy" is chrestos, which means "good," "useful," "good of its kind," and "serviceable;" of persons, "good," "kindly;" "honest," "worthy," in war, "valiant," "true;" of the gods, "propitious," "merciful," "bestowing health or wealth;" of a man, "strong," "able in body for sexual intercourse;" when used as a now, "benefits," "kindnesses," "happy event," "prosperity," and "success.;" in a moral sense, it is the opposite of kakos, which means "bad" and "evil," but which is not the word usually translated as "evil" in the NT. For more on this topic, see this article.

καὶ (prep) "And" is from 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."

τὸ (article sg neut nom) Untranslated  is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

φορτίον  [3 verses] (noun sg neut nom) "Burden" is from phortion, which means "to load," "to burden," "to freight;" in agriculture, "produce," "crops," and "a child in the womb." In plural, it means "merchandise" and "wares."

μου (pron 2nd sg gen) "My" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."

ἐλαφρόν  [1 verses] (adj sg neut nom​) "Light" is elaphros, which specifically means "light in weight," "easy to bear," "not burdensome," "easy," "light in moving," "nimble," "light minded," "thoughtless," "relieved" of a burden, and as an adverb, "lightly," "buoyantly."

ἐστιν.(3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." It can also mean "must" with a dative. -

Wordplay: 

 Christ describes his burden as relieving one of burdens. However, when describing the burden of responsibility, it means simple minded. 

Related Verses: 

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings: 

“That doesn’t make sense,” someone complained. “How can taking on a yoke, that is, being harnessed for work, provide us rest.”
“Because this yoke of mine? Useful!” the Master exclaimed cheerfully, with his hands around his neck  indicating the harness. “And my burden is buoyant!”

Front Page Date: 

Oct 21 2020