Parables, the Sower
Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Matthew 13:7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Others, however, fell upon the thorns and those thorns climbed up and choked them.
The verb translated as "sprung up/grew up' has more the sense of "climbed up", which gives a clearer picture of the relationship between the thorns and the plants.
There are a lot of pricks in the world.
And(WW) some fell among (MW) thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "however."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "thorns" is not shown in the English translation.
(MW) Other seed(IW) fell among (MW) thorns, which(WW) (MW) (MW) grew(WW) up and choked [the plants(IP)] (MW).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "seed" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "thorns" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "thorns" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "grew" should be something more like "mount."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "the plants" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "them" is not shown in the English translation.
And - (WW) "And" is the Greek word for "but" that joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
some - The word translated as "some" means "other" and "different.' It is a more negative word than the English "some," also meaning "wrong," "untrue," and unworthy." Again, Christ doesn't say what is scattered among thorns.
fell "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on.
among - The word translated as "among" means "upon," "against," "before," "by" or "on."
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.
thorns; - "Thorns" is a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
thorns - "Thorns" is a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
sprung - "Sprung up" is NOT the "sprung up" from Matt 13:6, but a different word that means "to go up," "to mount," and "to turn up." For plants, it is used specifically to describe when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "mounting" them.
up, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "up."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
choked - "Choked" is a verb that means "to choke," "to suffocate," and "to be drowned." As in English, it is used to denote being choked with rage or annoyance.
them: - The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but it singular not plural.
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word "but" that joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
Other - The word translated as "other" means "other" and "different.' It is a more negative word than the English "some," also meaning "wrong," "untrue," and unworthy." Again, Christ doesn't say what is scattered among thorns.
seed -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "seed" in the Greek source.
fell "Fell" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on.
among - The word translated as "among" means "upon," "against," "before," "by" or "on."
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.
thorns; - "Thorns" is a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
which -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "which" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "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.
missing "thorns" -- (MW) The untranslated word is a noun which means "thorns," "prickle" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult," "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question."
grew - (WW) "Grew" is a word that means "to go up," "to mount," and "to turn up." For plants, it is used specifically to describe when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "mounting" them.
up, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "up."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
choked - "Choked" is a verb that means "to choke," "to suffocate," and "to be drowned." As in English, it is used to denote being choked with rage or annoyance.
the plants. -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the plants" in the Greek source.
missing "them" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English.
ἄλλα (adj pl neut nom) "Some" is from allos, which means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," {with numerals: "yet," "still," "further"), "of other sort," "other than what is," "untrue," "unreal," "other than right," "wrong," "bad," "unworthy," [with an article] "the rest," "all besides," and [in series] "one...another."
δὲ (conj) "But" is from 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 cause ("so").
ἔπεσεν (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Fell" is from the verb pipto, which means "to fall," "to fall down," "to be cast down," "fall upon," "intersect (geometry)," "meet," "pass through," "fall violently upon," "attack," "fall in battle," "sink{in water)," "fall short i.e. fail," " fall out of," "lose a thing," "escape from," "fall asleep," "to be accessible to perception," "to fall (between her feet, i.e. to be born)," "to let fall[dice)," "turn out," and "fall under (belong to a class)."
ἐπὶ (prep pl fem acc) "Among" is from epi. which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." -
τὰς (article pl fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀκάνθας, [8 verses](noun pl fem acc) "Thorns" is akantha, which means "thorns," "prickly" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for difficult, as in "a thorny question."
καὶ "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."
ἀνέβησαν [14 verses](3rd pl aor ind act) "Sprung up" is from anabainô, which means "to go up," "to mount," and "to turn up." It is the word used for mounting a horse, going aboard a ship, or ascending to heaven. For plants, it is used specifically to describe when plants grow on sticks or other plants, entwining them, or "mounting" them.
αἱ (article pl fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄκανθαι [8 verses] (noun pl fem nom) "The thorns" is akantha, which means "thorns," "prickly" or a thorny or prickly plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for difficult, as in "a thorny question."
καὶ "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."
ἀπέπνιξαν [3 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Choked" is apopnigô, which "to suffocate," "to choke," "to cut off," "to kill," "to suffocate," and "to be drowned." As in English, the is used to denote being choked with rage or frustration.
αὐτά. (adj pl neut acc) "Them" is from 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."
“Others, however, fell upon the thorns,” the Master continued, fixing his gaze on a thorn bush on the shore. “And they climbed up, those thorn...”
His right hand climbed up his left arm to the wrists.
“And choked them,” he said, as his right hand choked his left wrist until his left hand fell over as if dead.
The crowd laughed.