John 3:19 And this is the condemnation,

Spoken to
an individual

Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. They discuss the nature of man's origin. Nicodemus asked how anyone is able to know these things himself.

KJV

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

NIV

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

LISTENERS HEARD

This, however, is the judgment: that the light had shown up in this world order, and they cared, these people, more for the dark than the light because it was their failures, those deeds.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Jesus uses the definite article, meaning "the" or "this," before "light" and "darkness." So he is not talking about light and darkness generally, but a specific "light," "this light." In the large context, this would be the "light" of trusting in Jesus's words.

The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. Here, it is used as a plural noun, so "failures" works. This article explores its meaning in more detail.

The Greek word that is translated as "condemnation" and "verdict" is the noun form of the verb translated as "condemned" in the previous verse. Both words primarily mean "separate" or "distinguish." The KJV usually translates these words as "judgment" and "to judge." It is translated more harshly here to make a theological point that Jesus doesn't seem to be making. Jesus's basic idea was to separate the valuable from the worthless using the light.

The "loved" here expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus, however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love" is used for relationships of affectionate friendships. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

MY TAKE

People prefer to hide their mistakes by obscuring the truth.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "however."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "condemnation" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "light" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is come" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has shown up."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "darkness" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "light" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "deeds" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "evil" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  1. MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
  2. CW - Confusing Word -- The "verdict" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  3. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "light" is not shown in the English translation.
  4. WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
  5. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "men" is not shown in the English translation.
  6. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "darkness" is not shown in the English translation.
  7. CW - Confusing Word -- The "instead of" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  8. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "light" is not shown in the English translation.
  9. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "deeds" is not shown in the English translation.
  10. CW - Confusing Word -- The "evil" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
EACH WORD of KJV

And - (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but," "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. 

This -- "This" is translated from a Greek word that means "this," "that," "the nearer."

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. 

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. 

condemnation: -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "condemnation" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Jesus uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means an "issue" and a "turning point." It is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Secondarily it means "judgment," as in a court "trial."

that -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

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

light -- The Greek word translated as "light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"

is - (WT) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is the present tense but it is the past perfect,  indicating an action completed in the past.

come-- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

into -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.

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. 

world, -- Jesus uses the word translated as "world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.

and -- The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

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

men -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."

loved -- The word translated as "loved" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love" is used for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

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

darkness -- The Greek word translated as "darkness" has the general meaning of "darkness," "gloom," "blindness," but it also has the sense of "hidden," "obscure," and "deceit."

rather - "Rather" is the comparative form of the Greek word that means "very," "exceedingly," "more certainly," "especially," "more," "to a greater degree," and "rather."

than -- "Than" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison.

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

light -- The Greek word translated as "light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"

because --The word translated as "because" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause." 

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

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

deeds -- The Greek word translated as "works" means "deeds," "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

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. 

evil. -- (CW) The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.

EACH WORD of NIV

This -- "This" is translated from a Greek word that means "this," "that," "the nearer."

missing "however"  -- (MW) The untranslated word means "but," "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. 

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. 

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. 

verdict: -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "verdict" means distinguishing among choices and "separating" things. Jesus uses it in a variety of ways, though the KJV usually translates it as "judgment." It also means an "issue" and a "turning point." It is the source of the meaning of "crisis" has in English. Secondarily it means "judgment," as in a court "trial."

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

Light -- The Greek word translated as "the light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"

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

come-- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

into -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.

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. 

world, -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.

but -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

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

people -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

loved -- The word translated as "loved" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love" is used for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

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

darkness -- The Greek word translated as "darkness" has the general meaning of "darkness," "gloom," "blindness," but it also has the sense of "hidden," "obscure," and "deceit."

instead of - (CW) This is from the two Greek words translated as "rather than" in the KJV, but the sense is specifically "more than." The "more" is the comparative form of the Greek word that means "very," "exceedingly," "more certainly," "especially," "more," "to a greater degree," and "rather." "Than" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison.

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

light -- The Greek word translated as "light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"

because --The word translated as "because" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause." 

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

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

deeds -- The Greek word translated as "works" means "deeds," "actions," and "things" in the sense of "every thing."

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. 

evil. -- (CW) The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

αὕτη [137 verses]((adj sg fem nom)  "This" is houtos, which means "this", "that", "the nearer."

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so")

ἐστιν [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."

[821 verses](article sg fem nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

κρίσις (noun sg fem nom) "Condemnation" is krisis, which means "separating", "distinguishing", "judgment", "choice", "election", "trial", "dispute", "event," and "issue."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

φῶς [21 verses](noun sg neut nom)"The light" is phos, which means "light," "daylight [primarily], "illumination [of things and of the mind]," "light [of the eyes], "window," "opening," "public visibility," and "publicity." Christ uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge," but in Greek it is also a metaphor for "deliverance," "happiness," "victory," and "glory."

ἐλήλυθεν [198 verses](3rd sg perf ind act) "Come" is  erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."

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

κόσμον [63 verses](noun sg masc acc) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.

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." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

ἠγάπησαν [32 verses] (3rd pl aor ind act) "Loved" is agapao, which means "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with."  This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated. Jesus uses another word. Jesus uses another word, phileô, which means "to love," "to like," "to be fond of doing," and "to show affection" to express "love" in the sense of like and dislike.He never uses the word eros, which describes romantic, sexual love.

οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

ἄνθρωποι [209 verses](noun plural masc nom) "Men" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.

μᾶλλον [13 verses](adv) "Much" is mallon, which is the comparative of mala which means "very," "exceedingly," "more certainly," "especially," "more," "to a greater degree," and "rather." 

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

σκότος [7 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Darkness" is from skotos, which means "darkness," "gloom," "blindness," and "dizziness." It also means "obscurity," "deceit," and "hidden."  It is a metaphor in Greek for ignorance.

[92 verses](conj/adv)  "Or" is e which is a particle meaning "either," "or," or "than."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

φῶς [21 verses](noun sg neut acc)"The light" is phos, which means "light," "daylight [primarily], "illumination [of things and of the mind]," "light [of the eyes], "window," "opening," " public visibility," and "publicity." Christ uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge," but in Greek it is also a metaphor for "deliverance," "happiness," "victory," and "glory."

ἦν [614 verses](3rd sg imperf ind act) "Were" 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

γὰρ [205 verses](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."

αὐτῶν [720 verses](adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Their" 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." 

πονηρὰ [38 verses](adj pl masc nom)"Evil" is poneros, which means "burdened by toil," "useless," and "worthless." In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

ἔργα [31 verses] (noun pl neut nom) "The works" is ergon, which means "works," "tasks," "deeds," "actions," "thing," and "matter."

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