After eating with the risen Jesus. After asking three times if Peter loved him.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked around where you wanted. Whenever you grow old, then you will stretch out those hands of yours, and another will gird you and lead you where you do not want.
The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."
This verse continues this sections streak of words that Jesus only uses here, with "girds," and "grow old."
The second "when" is a different word than the first and it is used with the conjunction that acts like a "when/then" construction in English.
This is interesting because the Gospel writer idenfiies it as how Peter died in the next verse.
ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες:
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked around where you wanted.
ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου,
Whenever then you grow old you will stretch out those hands of yours,
καὶ ἄλλος ζώσει σε καὶ οἴσει ὅπο οὐ θέλεις.
and another will gird you and lead you where not you do want.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when(CW) thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy (MW) hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This "when" is not the same Greek word translated earlier in the verse as "when.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "hands" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "very" should be something more like "truly."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is no a comparative form, "young" not "younger."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This "when" is not the same Greek word translated earlier in the verse as "when.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "hands" is not shown in the English translation.
- . IW - Inserted Word-- The "to go" doesn't exist in the source.
Verily, verily, -- The word translated as "verily" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."
unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
thee, --- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object of a verb or a preposition.
When -- "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
thou-- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
wast -- The verb "was" 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. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
young, -- "Young" is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,"
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
girdedst -- - The Greek verb translated as "gird" means "to gird ", that is to say, "brace". It also means "to put on a defense" so "to fortify."
thyself, - The "yourself" is the second-person reflexive pronoun.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
walkedst - "Walk" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "pace" or "parade."
whither -- The word translated as "whither" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
wouldest: -- The Greek word translated as "would" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. With the following "when" the sense is "when/then."
when - (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen. This translation is inconsistent translating the "when" here is not the "when" earlier in the verse here.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
shalt -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be old, "Be old" is from a verb, which means "go old" and "bring to old age."
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
shalt - This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
stretch forth - "Stretch forth" is a verb that means "to stretch out," but also means "to offer food," "to prostrate yourself," and "to extend." The Greek word for "stretch" has the same meaning as the word in English with all its related ideas of extending yourself and your abilities. This extension of abilities has the same sense of being work and a struggle.
thy -- The "your" here is the singular, possessive (genitive) form the second-person pronoun. When it follows the noun, "of yours." As an object, it indicates movements or positions away from something.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
hands, -- The Greek word translated as "hands" means "the hand and forearm." It can mean both the idea of a helping hand and being in someone's control.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
another -- The "another" here is feminine, making it clear that it refers to another woman more clearly than the English translation. -
shall - This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
gird -- - The Greek verb translated as "gird" means "to gird ", that is to say, "brace". It also means "to put on a defense" so "to fortify."
thee, -- The "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
carry -- The verb translated as "bring" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through."
thou -- -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
whither -- The word translated as "whither" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
wouldest: -- The Greek word translated as "would" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose."
not. . -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
Very, -- (WW) This word doesn't mean "very."
truly -- The word translated as "trul" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
tell -- The word translated as "tell " is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."
you , --- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object of a verb or a preposition.
When -- "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
were-- The verb "were" 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. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
younger, (WF) -- "Young" is the adjective that means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh." It is noy a comparative form, "young" not "younger."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
dressed -- - (CW) The Greek verb translated as "dressed " means "to gird ", that is to say, "brace". It also means "to put on a defense" so "to fortify."
yourself , - The "yourself" is the second-person reflexive pronoun.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
went - "Walk" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "pace" or "parade."
where -- The word translated as "where" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
wanted: -- The Greek word translated as "wanted" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. With the following "when" the sense is "when/then."
when - (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen. This translation is inconsistent translating the "when" here is not the "when" earlier in the verse here.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
are -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
old, "Be old" is from a verb, which means "go old" and "bring to old age."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
will - This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
stretch out - "Stretch out " is a verb that means "to stretch out," but also means "to offer food," "to prostrate yourself," and "to extend." The Greek word for "stretch" has the same meaning as the word in English with all its related ideas of extending yourself and your abilities. This extension of abilities has the same sense of being work and a struggle.
your -- The "your" here is the singular, possessive (genitive) form the second-person pronoun. When it follows the noun, "of yours." As an object, it indicates movements or positions away from something.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
hands, -- The Greek word translated as "hands" means "the hand and forearm." It can mean both the idea of a helping hand and being in someone's control.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
someone else-- The "another" here is feminine, making it clear that it refers to another woman more clearly than the English translation. -
will - This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
you and do no
dress -- - The Greek verb translated as "dress " means "to gird ", that is to say, "brace". It also means "to put on a defense" so "to fortify."
you, -- The "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
lead -- The verb translated as "lead " means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through."
you-- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
where -- The word translated as "where " means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
not. . -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
want : -- The Greek word translated as "want " expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose."
to go. ---- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source
ἀμὴν ἀμὴν [91 verses](exclaim)"Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act ) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. When two accusative objects are used, the sense is "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."
σοι, [81 verses](pron 2nd sg dat) "You" is soi which is the singular, second-person pronoun, "you," in the form of an indirect pronoun.
ὅτε [19 verses](adv/conj) "Then" is hote, which means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes." -
ἦς [614 verses] (verb 3rd sg imperf ind act doric) "Was" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
νεώτερος, [8 verses](adj sg neut acc)"New" is neos, which means "young," "youthful," "suited to a youth," "new," "fresh,." and as an adverb of time, "lately," "just now," "anew," and "afresh,"
ἐζώννυες [1 verse](verb 2nd sg imperf ind act) "Gird" is zōnnymi the root of perizōnnymi, which means "to gird oneself", "to gird and "to put on a defense."
σεαυτὸν (pro 2nd masc sg nom) [3 verses] (pro 2nd masc sg nom) "Yourself" is seautou, which means "of yourself." It is the reflexive form of the second-person pronoun.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Although" 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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." Εἰ καὶ means "although."
περιεπάτεις [13 verses](2nd sg imperf ind act) "Walked" is peripateo, which means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." -
ὅπου[32 verses] (adv/conj) "Whither" is hopou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
ἤθελες: [64 verses](verb 2nd sg imperf ind act) "Thou wouldest" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." It is a prolonged form (only found in NT) of a verb that means "to be resolved to a purpose" so, in a sense, "to decide," and "to desire." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly." In the Hebrew, "will" or "desire" is chaphets, which means "to delight in," "to take pleasure in," and "to be pleased with."
ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)." -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
γηράσῃς, [1 verse](verb 2nd sg aor subj act) "Be old" is from gēraskō, which means "grow old" and "bring to old age."
ἐκτενεῖς [4 verses](verb 2nd sg fut ind act) "Stretch forth" is ekteinô, which means "to stretch out," "to offer food," "to prostrate yourself," "to straighten," "spread out," to extend," "spin out, "prolong," "put forth" and, in the passive, "be unfolded," "be smoothed."
τὰ ς[821 verses](article pl fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
χεῖράς [25 verses] (noun pl fem acc ) "Hand" is cheir,which means "the hand and arm," and "with the help of agency of another." Like "hand" in English, it has a lot of meanings including "an act or deed," "a body of people," and the measurement "handful."
σου,[150 verses] (pron sg masc gen) "Thine" is from sou, the possessive (genitive) form of the second-person, singular pronoun. A genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Although" 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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." Εἰ καὶ means "although."
ἄλλος [34 verses](adj sg fem acc) "Another" is 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." -- The word translated as "other" means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," with numerals: "yet," "still," "further." In a series, this means "one...another."
ζώσει [1 verse](verb 3rd sg fut ind act) "Gird" is zōnnymi the root of perizōnnymi, which means "to gird oneself", "to gird and "to put on a defense." -- - The Greek verb translated as "gird" means "to gird ", that is to say, "brace". It also means "to put on a defense" so "to fortify."
σε [48 verses](pron 2nd sg acc) "You" is from se the accusative (direct objective) form of the second-person, singular pronoun. As an object of a preposition, it indicates movement or the result of movement. --
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Although" 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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." Εἰ καὶ means "although." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
οἴσει [16 verses](verb 2nd sg fut ind mid) "carry" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
ὅπου[32 verses] (adv/conj) "Whither" is hopou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where." -- The word translated as "where" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
οὐ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective
θέλεις. [64 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind act) "Wouldest" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." It is a prolonged form (only found in NT) of a verb that means "to be resolved to a purpose" so, in a sense, "to decide," and "to desire." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly." In the Hebrew, "will" or "desire" is chaphets, which means "to delight in," "to take pleasure in," and "to be pleased with."