John 17:2 As thou have given him power over all flesh,

Spoken to
Father

After the Last Supper, Jesus prays for the Apostles. The context is "the father" and "the son."

KJV

John 17:2 As thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

NIV

John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

LISTENERS HEARD

As you give him a power belongin to everything physical, because you have given him this everything, he will give them an ongoing life.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The fact that Jesus refers to himself in the third person here ("he/him") seems odd, but it is a technique that he uses for his humor, so this could be a bit of an exaggerated setup for the following "punchline" verse (John 17:3). Jesus returns to the first person in John 17:4 .

Jesus uses the word "flesh" to refer to the material world as opposed to the spiritual. This is a little clearer if we translate "all flesh" and "everything material." The real stumbling block here is the second "all" or "everything," translated in the KJV as "as many as" and in the NIV as "all" referring to people. It is singular, neuter, so it does not refer to people, nor to "everything material" or "power/authority" since those words are feminine. Nor is it the indirect object as translated in every English translation. It is a direct object but one without a verb. We see this several times in Jesus's words, and it consistently implies an object someone has. Here the sense is "having everything." It is followed by "that" referring to the "everything" in the subordinate clause, "everything that you have given him." The English translations move this clause to the end of the verse, using it to replace the simple "to them" that ends the verse.

MY TAKE

We make our lives out of the control we are given.

GREEK ORDER

καθὼς ἔδωκας    αὐτῷ  ἐξουσίαν  πάσης              σαρκός,
As       you give  him    control     of everything   material,

ἵνα                    πᾶν                δέδωκας             αὐτῷ
so that having everything this you have given   him,

δώσει            αὐτοῖς  ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
he will give  them     a life.   ongoing

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" 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 "over" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "should" indicates the subjective form, but this is the future tense, "will."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "eternal " does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "them" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "as many as" should be something more like "everything."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be something more like "as."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" 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 "over" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "people" should be something more like "flesh."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "might" indicates the subjective form, but this is the future tense, "will."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "eternal " does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "them" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form - The adjective "all" is singular, neuter in the form of a direct object, not a plural, masculine, indirect object.
  • WN  --Wrong Number- The word "those" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
  • WF -- Wrong Form - The adjective "those" is singular, neuter in the form of a direct object, not a plural, masculine, indirect object.
EACH WORD of KJV

As -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."

thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

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

given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

power -- The term translated as "power" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose. To avoid confusing it with the other Greek word for energy power from which we get "dynamic," this word might be best translated as "authority" or "control"  depending on the context.

over -- (CW) This word "over"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. In reference to time, it could instead be translated as "during," "at," or "within."

all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

flesh, -- The Greek word translated as "the flesh" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual. Jesus often contrasts it with "spirit," making it clear that he uses it to refer to the material world. The word is feminine not masculine.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

should -- (WF) This helping verb in English indicates a possibility, but the verb is the future tense so "will."

give -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

eternal -- (CW) "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless." It doesn't really means "eternal or "everlasting" as we used those words today.  See this article

life -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

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

missing "them"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

as many as -- (WW) -- The word translated as "as many as" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." It is neuter, singular, so if doesn't refer to people. This likely refers to Jesus's abilities, not people. This is not the Greek word that means "as many as." It is not an indirect object, requiring the "to" but a direct object, without a verb implying something someone has.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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. It is neuter, singular, so if doesn't refer to people. This likely refers to Jesus's abilities, not people.

thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

hast -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

him. -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.

EACH WORD of NIV

For -- (WW)  "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."

you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

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

granted -- The verb translated as "granted " means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

authority -- The term translated as "authority " isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose. To avoid confusing it with the other Greek word for energy power from which we get "dynamic," this word might be best translated as "authority" or "control"  depending on the context.

over -- (CW) This word "over"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. In reference to time, it could instead be translated as "during," "at," or "within."

all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

people , -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "people" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual.  Jesus often contrasts it with "spirit," making it clear that he uses it to refer to the material world. It is not the word for "people." The word is feminine not masculine.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

might -- (WF) This helping verb in English indicates a possibility, but the verb is the future tense so "will."

give -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

eternal -- (CW) "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless." It doesn't really means "eternal or "everlasting" as we used those words today.  See this article

life -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

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

missing "them"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

all  -- (WF) The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." It is neuter, singular, so it doesn't refer to people. This likely refers to Jesus's ability, not people. It is not an indirect object, requiring the "to" but a direct object, without a verb implying something someone has.

those  -- (WN,  WF) The word  "those" 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. It is neuter, singular, so if doesn't refer to people. This likely refers to Jesus's ability, not people.

you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

 

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

 

given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

him. -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "How" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."

ἔδωκας [147 verses](2nd sg aor ind act) "Thou has given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

αὐτῷ [720 verses](adj sg masc dat) "Him" 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."

ἐξουσίαν  [23 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Power" is exousia which means "control," "the power of choice," "permission," "the power of authority," "the right of privilege," "abundance of means," and "abuse of power."

πάσης [212 verses](adj sg fem gen) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."

σαρκός, [19 verses](noun sg fem gen) "The flesh" is sarx, which means "flesh," "the body," "fleshy," "the pulp of fruit," "meat," and "the physical and natural order of things" (opposite of the spiritual or supernatural).

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because."

πᾶν [212 verses](adj sg neut nom) "As many as" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."

[294 verses](pron sg neut nom/acc) Untranslated is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

δέδωκας [147 verses](2nd sg perf ind act) "Thou hast given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

αὐτῷ [720 verses](adj sg masc dat) "Him" 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."

δώσει [147 verses](3rd sg fut ind act) "He should give" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

αὐτοῖς [720 verses](adj pl masc dat) "As many as" 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."

ζωὴν ,[42 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.

αἰώνιον. [23 verses](adj sg fem acc) "Eternal" is aionios, which means "lasting for an age," "perpetual," and "eternal." From "aion" which is used in the bible to mean an "age."

Wordplay

A play on three different forms of the verb "to give" - past, perfect, and future.  

Possible Symbolic Meaning
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