Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, temporary and permanent.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Since wherever it is, that stockpile of yours, in that place, it will be [also], this heart of yours.
In the KJV, the word order is adjusted so that the statement reads like a pontification spoken to a crowd, but when we realize it is spoken to an individual, the original Greek word order makes it seem more humorous as well as true. Two definite articles are edited out, but in the original, they emphasize the visible treasure and the hidden heart.
The verse demonstrates Jesus's method of balancing opposing ideas. The first clause begins with "where" and the second, the punchline, begins with "there." The two verbs are the same, but first is the present tense and the second is the future tense. Then both the beginning clause and the ending clause finish with the same pronoun. The final "of yours" acts as a punchline.
The heart can be drawn to what is visible or hidden, temporary or permanent.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "treasure" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "treasure" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
For -- The word translated as "for" means "because" and "since". It can be treated as supporting a dependent clause.
where -- The Greek word translated as "where" is used to indicate many different forms of location and "whereness." It refers to the locations in the previous two verses, "earth" (Matthew 6:19)) and "sky" (Matthew 6:20).
your -- "Your" is the singular, possessive pronoun, following the word heart, not proceeding it. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" means is an "accumulation" of something, "stockpile", "storage". "warehouse", and so on. Its secondary meaning is "valuables". It is in the singular here. In the previous two verses, it was in the plural but those verses were addressed to the plural "you". This verse is addressed to one person.
is, -- The word translated as "is" is the common form of the Greek verb "to be". It appears before the subject so it would normally be read, "it is", since the form includes the pronoun.
there -- The "there" is an adverb meaning "there" indicating "in that place".
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
your -- "Your" is the singular, possessive pronoun, following the word heart, not proceeding it. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heart -- The Greek word translated as "heart" means the physical heart but it has many metaphorical roles both in Greek and Christ's use of it. The term is used to mean the center of anything, such as the heart of the woods or the depths of the sea. The heart is also the center of our nobler emotional desires, those that give a person meaning and purpose. Christ uses the term to mean the energy of purpose.
be -- The verb "be" 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. -
also. -- The word translated as "also" does not appear in all Greek sources. It is the word that normally appears as the conjunction "and" but can also be used as emphasis. as it does here. The Greek word appears right after the verb "will be".
For -- The word translated as "for" means "because" and "since". It can be treated as supporting a dependent clause.
where -- The Greek word translated as "where" is used to indicate many different forms of location and "whereness." It refers to the locations in the previous two verses, "earth" (Matthew 6:19)) and "sky" (Matthew 6:20).
your -- "Your" is the singular, possessive pronoun, following the word heart, not proceeding it. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" means is an "accumulation" of something, "stockpile", "storage". "warehouse", and so on. Its secondary meaning is "valuables". It is in the singular here. In the previous two verses, it was in the plural but those verses were addressed to the plural "you". This verse is addressed to one person.
is, -- The word translated as "is" is the common form of the Greek verb "to be". It appears before the subject so it would normally be read, "it is", since the form includes the pronoun.
there -- The "there" is an adverb meaning "there" indicating "in that place".
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
your -- "Your" is the singular, possessive pronoun, following the word heart, not proceeding it. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heart -- The Greek word translated as "heart" means the physical heart but it has many metaphorical roles both in Greek and Christ's use of it. The term is used to mean the center of anything, such as the heart of the woods or the depths of the sea. The heart is also the center of our nobler emotional desires, those that give a person meaning and purpose. Christ uses the term to mean the energy of purpose.
be -- The verb "be" 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. -
also. -- The word translated as "also" does not appear in all Greek sources. It is the word that normally appears as the conjunction "and" but can also be used as emphasis. as it does here. The Greek word appears right after the verb "will be".
ὅπου (adv) "Where" is from hopou, which means "somewhere", "anywhere", "wherever," and "where."
γάρ (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."
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.
ὁ (article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θησαυρός (noun sg masc nom) "Treasures" is from thesauros, which means a "store", "treasure", "strong-room", "magazine, "granary", "receptacle for valuables", "safe", "casket", "offertory-box", "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon." -
σου, (pron 2nd sg gen) "Your" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
ἐκεῖ (adv) "There" is from ekei, which means "there", "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."
ἔσται (3rd sg fut ind mid) "Will...be" is from eimi, which means "to be", "to exist", "to be the case," and "is possible." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
[καὶ] (conj) "Also" 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."
ἡ (article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
καρδία (noun sg fem nom) "Heart" is from kardia, which means "heart (the physical organ)", "the seat of emotions (especially passion, rage, and anger)", "inclination", "desire," "purpose", "mind", "the pith (in wood), and "the deep (of the sea)."
σου. (pron 2nd sg gen) "Your" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
A contrast of alternative places with "where" and "there".
“Why not temporarily stockpiles here for now,” Enoch asked thoughtfully, “and the sky rewards later?”
This was what many of us were thinking, and we applauded the question.
The Master offered Enoch his hand, summoning him up on the mound from his place standing before it. Enoch dusted off his fine clothing as he approached the Master. For the first time, most of us noticed his beautiful white linen, trimmed in bright silk from the East. His outfit was great advertising for a cloth merchant.
“Because wherever it is, that stockpile of yours,” the Teacher spoke to him personally, “there it will be also.”
“What will be?” Enoch asked sounding a little fustrated.
“This heart of yours!” exclaimed the Teacher, touching the older man’s chest where his heart was.