John 5:28 Marvel not at this:

Spoken to: 

challengers

Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath making himself a god by calling God his Father. While presented as a monologue many of these verses seem to be responses to questions that were not recorded. See the Unrecorded Question Theory.

KJV: 

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

NIV : 

John 5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Take care that you don't wonder at this because it is starting, a time in which all those in the memorials will hear that voice of his.

MY TAKE: 

Those who are remembered can still hear.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

This verse is just the introduction for a longer statement regarding what happens to those who hear repeating the idea of the first "a time is coming" verse back in John 5:25. However, here "the dead" becomes those who are held in memory, so the departed not just those who are spiritually dead. Like those who are "dead," they can still hear.

The Greek word translated as "graves" is not the common word for "grave" or "tomb." It means any symbol of someone who is remembered. It can mean a memorial or a written record. It comes from the Greek word for memory.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "hour" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "he" before "which" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "graves" is not the common word usually translated as "graves."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "voice" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when"doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "in"  is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "which"  is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "who" is not the common word usually translated as "who."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "their" is not the common word usually translated as "their."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "graves" is not the common word usually translated as "graves."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "voice" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Marvel - "Marvel" is from a verb, that means "to wonder", "to marvel", "to honor", "to admire", "to worship," and "to say with astonishment. It is only used by Jesus three times.

not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  Here, it is used because the verb "marvel" assumes thinking. Here it used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care that."

at - - This completes the meaning of the verb.

this: -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing. It comes after the following noun, emphasizing it.

for  --  The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is not the common word that is translated as "for" in the beginning of sentences,

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

hour   - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."

is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.

coming, -- 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.

, in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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

which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

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."

that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article. When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

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

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

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. 

graves - - (CW) The Greek word translated as "graves"  "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Jesus does not use the noun frequently, but does use the verb form of this word, which means "to remember." The is another Greek word Jesus uses to refer to graves.

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

hear -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.  It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."

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"  -- (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. 

voice, -- The noun translated as "voice"  means "sound", "speech", "voice",  "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], and "report."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.

not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  Here, it is used because the verb "marvel" assumes thinking. Here it used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care that."

be amazed - "Be amazed" is from a verb, that means "to wonder", "to marvel", "to honor", "to admire", "to worship," and "to say with astonishment. It is only used by Jesus three times.

at - - This completes the meaning of the verb.

this: -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing. It comes after the following noun, emphasizing it.

for  --  The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is not the common word that is translated as "for" in the beginning of sentences,

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

hour   - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."

is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.

coming, -- 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.

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

missing "in"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

missing "which"  -- (MW) The untranslated word"which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

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."

who -- (CW) The word translated as "who" is the Greek definite article. When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not the normal word translated as "who."

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

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

their -- (CW) 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. 

graves - - (CW) The Greek word translated as "graves"  "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Jesus does not use the noun frequently, but does use the verb form of this word, which means "to remember." The is another Greek word Jesus uses to refer to graves.

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.

hear -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.  It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."

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"  -- (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. 

voice, -- The noun translated as "voice"  means "sound", "speech", "voice",  "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], and "report."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. With pres. or aor. subj. used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care" It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions.

θαυμάζετε [3 verses](2nd pl pres imperat act) "Marvel" is thaumazo, which means "to wonder", "to marvel", "to honor", "to admire", "to worship," and "to say with astonishment." 

τοῦτο [93 verses](adj sg neut acc) "That" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing]," or "that [thing]."

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."

ἔρχονται [198 verses](3rd pl pres ind mp) "Is coming" 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.

ὥρα [37 verses](noun sg fem nom ) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."

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

πάντες [212 verses](adj pl masc nom) "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."

οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τοῖς [821 verses](article pl neut dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

μνημείοις [3 verses]] (noun pl neut dat) "Sepulchres" is mnêmeion, which means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." 

ἀκούσουσιν [95 verses](3rd pl fut ind act) "Shall hear" is akouo, (ἀκούω) which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." -

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

φωνῆς [13 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "Voice" is phone, which means "sound", "tone", "sound of a voice", "speech", "voice", "utterance", "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], "faculty of speech", "phrase", "saying", "rumor," and "report." -- 

αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" (adj sg masc acc) "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." 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."

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 24 2022