John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

Spoken to
Apostles

After the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. Jesus said he picked them out of society.

KJV

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

NIV

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

LISTENERS HEARD

Remember the logic that I myself told you: No slave is greater than that master of his. Since they hounded me, also they will hound you. Since they have taken care of this logic of mine, also they will take care of those of your group.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The verb translated as "persecuted" means "to chase after" and Jesus usually uses it in the negative sense of "hounding" someone but in one verse, Luke 17:23, Jesus uses it in the positive sense of following a leader.

The "if" statements here should be "since" statements. In an "if" statement, the verb is one of possibility, something that might not happen. The verbs here are statements of what happened so a "since" makes more sense. The word translated as "persecuted" is  closer to "hounded" since the Greek verb used primarily means "to chase" or "to pursue." This idea contrasts better with the verb translated as "keep" and "obey," which primarily means "to guard" and "take care of."

Both the KJV and NIV translate the same Greek word in different ways here. In the KJV, it is translated as "word" and "saying." In the NIV, it is ignored in its first occurrence, and translated as "teaching" when it appears again.  The word is the source of our word "logic" and means people's explanations of things.

The "of yours" at the end of this verse is not a common pronoun meaning "yours" but a special word that means "of your group."

MY TAKE

When we are hounded, we must take care of our logic.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
14
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "persecuted" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "persecuted" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  •  MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "saying" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "saying" is the same word translated as "word" above.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "yours" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "yours" is not the common word usually translated as "yours."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
14
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "concept" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "persecuted" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "persecuted" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "obeyed" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  •  MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "teaching" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "teaching" is unrelated to the other "teach" words.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "obey" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "yours" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "yours" is not the common word usually translated as "yours."
EACH WORD of KJV

Remember - "Remember" is from a verb that means to "call to mind," "to remember," and "to think of."

the   -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

word  -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here.  When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

said - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

The -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.

servant -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.

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.

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. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big" or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." When it is introduced by an article, it means "the greater." It is not the superlative form.

than -- This word "than"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  In comparisons, the sense is "than."

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

lord.  -- The word translated as "lord" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Jesus, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."

If -- (CW)  The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." However, when used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact with a declarative verb, indicative, instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as." That is the sense here.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

persecuted -- (CW) The word translated as "persecuted" means "to chase" in both the sense of "chase away" and "seek after." It also means "to prosecute' in a legal sense. In English, we describe someone as being chased and harassed as "being hounded." Jesus usually uses it in the negative sense of "hounding" someone but in one verse, Luke 17:23, Jesus uses it in the positive sense of following a leader. That idea seems to come closest to capturing Jesus's use of this word.

me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

persecute -- (CW) The word translated as "persecuted" means "to chase" in both the sense of "chase away" and "seek after." It also means "to prosecute' in a legal sense. In English, we describe someone as being chased and harassed as "being hounded."  Jesus usually uses it in the negative sense of "hounding" someone but in one verse, Luke 17:23, Jesus uses it in the positive sense of following a leader. That idea seems to come closest to capturing Jesus's use of this word.

you; -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

if --- (CW)  The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." However, when used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact with a declarative verb, indicative, instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as." That is the sense here.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

kept - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."

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

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more.

saying, -- (CW) "Saying" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. This is the same word translated as "word" above.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

keep   - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

yours - (CW) The term translated as "yours" is not the common pronoun, but a special term that refers to a group of people, "your people." Jesus uses it only three times in the Gospels. It is not the common pronoun usually translated as "your."

also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

EACH WORD of NIV

Remember - "Remember" is from a verb that means to "call to mind," "to remember," and "to think of."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

missing "concept"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works.

what -- The word translated as "what" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here.  When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

told - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

 ‘A -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

servant -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.

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.

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. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

greater -- "Greater" is an adjective which is the comparative form of the word meaning "big" or "great." It means "bigger," "higher," "longer," "greater" and simply, "superior." When it is introduced by an article, it means "the greater." It is not the superlative form.

than -- This word "than"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  In comparisons, the sense is "than."

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

lord.  -- The word translated as "lord" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Jesus, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."

If -- (CW)  The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." However, when used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact with a declarative verb, indicative, instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as." That is the sense here.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

persecuted -- (CW) The word translated as "persecuted" means "to chase" in both the sense of "chase away" and "seek after." It also means "to prosecute' in a legal sense. In English, we describe someone as being chased and harassed as "being hounded." Jesus usually uses it in the negative sense of "hounding" someone but in one verse, Luke 17:23, Jesus uses it in the positive sense of following a leader. That idea seems to come closest to capturing Jesus's use of this word.

me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

persecute -- (CW) The word translated as "persecuted" means "to chase" in both the sense of "chase away" and "seek after." It also means "to prosecute' in a legal sense. In English, we describe someone as being chased and harassed as "being hounded." Jesus usually uses it in the negative sense of "hounding" someone but in one verse, Luke 17:23, Jesus uses it in the positive sense of following a leader. That idea seems to come closest to capturing Jesus's use of this word.

you; -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

if --- (CW)  The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever." However, when used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact with a declarative verb, indicative, instead of one of possibility, the sense is more "since" or "as sure as." That is the sense here.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

obeyed - (CW) The word translated as "obey" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for." It doesn't have the concept of "obey" in the sense of following a command.

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

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more.

teaching, -- (CW) "Saying" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. This is the same word translated as "word" above. The problem with "teaching" is that it isn't related to the words for "to teach" or "teacher" or "student" that Jesus commonly uses.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

obey- (CW) The word translated as "obey" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for." It doesn't have the concept of "obey" in the sense of following a command.

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

yours - (CW) The term translated as "yours" is not the common pronoun, but a special term that refers to a group of people, "your people." Jesus uses it only three times in the Gospels. It is not the common pronoun usually translated as "your."

also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

μνημονεύετε [6 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Remember" is mnemoneuo, which means to "call to mind," "to remember," and "to think of." 

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

λόγου [80 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Word" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."

οὗ [294 verses](pron sg masc gen ) "That" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.

εἶπον [162 verses] (verb 1st sg aor ind act ) "Speaketh" is eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer."  This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work.

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

Οὐκ  [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

δοῦλος [56 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The servant" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."

μείζων [22 verses](adj sg masc nom comp ) "Greater" is meizon which means "bigger," "higher," "longer," and "greater" and is the comparative form of megas, which means "big" and "great." The superlative form "greatest" is megistos, μέγιστος.

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

κυρίου [92 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."

αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" is 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." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there."

εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since."  It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction  εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, the sense is "that" (hoti)  with the indicative (not subjunctive). 

ἐμὲ [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means  "me."

ἐδίωξαν, [12 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "They have persecuted" is dioko, which means "to cause to run," "to set into motion," "to pursue," "to chase [away]," to follow," "to seek after," "to be hurried (passive)," "to urge on," "to prosecute [legally]," " or "to drive."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" 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."

ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you."

διώξουσιν: [12 verses](verb 3rd pl fut ind act) "They will persecute" is dioko, which means "to cause to run," "to set into motion," "to pursue," "to chase [away]," to follow," "to seek after," "to be hurried (passive)," "to urge on," "to prosecute [legally]," " or "to drive." -- The word translated as "persecute" means "to chase" in both the sense of "chase away" and "seek after." It also means "to prosecute' in a legal sense. In English, we describe someone as being chased and harassed as "being hounded." That idea seems to come closest to capturing Jesus's use of this word.

εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since."  It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction  εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, the sense is "that" (hoti)  with the indicative (not subjunctive). 

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

λόγον [80 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Word" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."

μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.

ἐτήρησαν, [17 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind ) "They have kept" is tereo, which means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus often uses it with the Greek word meaning "care for" to associate the two ideas.  

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" 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."

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

ὑμέτερον [3 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Your" is hymeteros, which means "your", "yours," your goods," and "your house." 

τηρήσουσιν. [17 verses](verb 3rd pl fut ind act) "They will keep" is tereo, which means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus often uses it with the Greek word meaning "care for" to associate the two ideas.

Wordplay

 There is a contrast here between the idea of "hounding" someone and "watching over them." The word translated as "persecuted" means "to chase" while the word translated as "keep" means primarily "to guard." 

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