Jesus's language is in the KJV is toned down from the Greek. For example, the word translated as "appear" and "look" actually means "shine." Interestingly, it offers a new word meaning "full" here, different than the word in the previous verse, which was different from the word Jesus uses to mean "full" more often. This "full" means "satisfied." The theme of "inward" and "outward" continues, as does Jesus use of uncommon words. One of those words. hypocrites, used in translation is just a form of the Greek word, not really a translation of the word, "acting"..
For those who want to know what Jesus really said, how he said it, why crowds came to hear him, and shades of meaning lost or hidden in translation.
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Today's Verse Analysis
A long condemnation of the religious leaders of the time, their focusing on outward things not the inward.
Spoken to
audience
KJV Verse
Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
NIV Verse:
Matthew 23:28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
What His Listeners Heard:
In this way, also, you yourselves outwardly certainly appear virtuous to those people. Inwardly, however, you are satisfied of playacting and lawlessness.
Lost In Translation:
KJV w/Translation Issues :
Even so(CW) ye (MW) (MW) also outwardly appear(CW) righteous unto men, but within ye are full(CW) of hypocrisy(UW) and iniquity(CW).
KJV List (See full page for word-by-word analysis):
For analysis of each word of original Greek and biblical verses, click here.
Constantly Updated
My analysis standards and methods are constantly improving. New information on each verse is provided as articles are updated. It requires approximately two years for me to work through updating each of Jesus's verses.
What Jesus's Listeners Heard
The everyday meanings of the Greek words Jesus used were different than the definitions they have been given over time in biblical translation. The word translations here are based upon documents of his time such as the Greek Septuagint, not ideas unknown in his time.
About this Site
See what Jesus said in Greek and see how his words are changed in English translation. My goal is to translate Jesus's words as they were heard when he taught, not the way they are interpreted today. The work here resurrects the humor and cleverness of Jesus's words lost in translation.
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Do Your Own Research
Each article provides detailed information on all the Greek words in each verse with links simplifying your own research. It compares the Greek to popular translations to show where words are confused, changed, left out, and added. This site offers research available nowhere else, such as how often Jesus uses a specific Greek word and links to a list of every verse in which he uses a given word.
Verses Being Updated
| Weight | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mark 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, | Jan 21 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:48...Are ye come out, as against a thief, | Jan 21 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. | Jan 20 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:41...Sleep on now, and take your rest: | Jan 19 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. | Jan 18 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:37...Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? | Jan 17 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:36 ...Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup | Jan 16 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:34 ...My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: | Jan 15 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:32 ...Sit ye here, while I shall pray. | Jan 14 2029 | 0 |
| Mark 14:30...That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, | Jan 13 2029 | 0 |