Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom,

Spoken to: 

John the Baptist

After Jesus appoints the seventy and is sending them out.

KJV: 

Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

NIV : 

Luke 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

I tell you because it will be more comfortable on that day there for those Sodomites than for that city there. 

MY TAKE: 

Sodomites aren't comfortable.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι      Σοδόμος      ἐν  τῇ   ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀνεκτότερον       ἔσται
I tell  you that  for Sodomites on that day      there   ore comfortable it will be

          τῇ     πόλει ἐκείνῃ.
than for that city    there. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The word translated as "Sodom" is plural, referring to the inhabitants, Sodomites. The words translated as "that" before "day" and "city" means "there."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "but" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "here" or "there."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" before "day" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WN  --Wrong Number- The word "Sodom" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "here" or "there."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "city" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "here" or "there."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" before "day" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WN  --Wrong Number- The word "Sodom" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "here" or "there."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "city" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

But -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

say  -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."    It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form 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. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

that-- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.

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

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.

be -- The verb "be" 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 word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

more tolerable -- "More tolerable" is the comparative form ("more") of an adjective which "bearable" or "sufferable."

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  With the direct object form, 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."

that -- (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Used in the form of an adverb,  it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

day -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

for -- This word "for" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

Sodom, -- (WN) "Sodom" is from Greek spelling of  the biblical town of Sodom, destroyed in the OT alone by a hail of fire. The odd thing is that the word has a plural ending on it, which refers to the residents, not the city itself. This word is not singular but plural.

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

for -- This word "for" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

that -- (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Used in the form of an adverb,  it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

city. -- The Greek word for "city" meant not only a city but a nation, culture, or a society. It worked something like the word "community" today.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."    It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.

it -- This is from the third-person, singular 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.

be -- The verb "be" 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 word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.

more bearable -- "More tolerable" is the comparative form ("more") of an adjective which "bearable" or "sufferable."

on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  With the direct object form, 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."

that -- (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Used in the form of an adverb,  it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

day -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

for -- This word "for" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

Sodom, -- (WN) "Sodom" is from Greek spelling of  the biblical town of Sodom, destroyed in the OT alone by a hail of fire. The odd thing is that the word has a plural ending on it, which refers to the residents, not the city itself. This word is not singular but plural.

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

for -- This word "for" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

that -- (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

city. -- The Greek word for "city" meant not only a city but a nation, culture, or a society. It worked something like the word "community" today.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

λέγω [264 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I tell" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name."  It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."

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

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" 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."

Σοδόμοις [5 verses](noun, pl masc dat) "Sodom" is from Sodoma, which means the biblical town of Sodom, destroyed in the OT alone by a hail of fire.

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

τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

ἡμέρᾳ [96 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Day" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."

ἐκείνῃ [107 verses](adj sg fem dat) "That" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." With certain preposition, it has a specific meaning:ἐξ ἐκείνου from that time, κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνα in that place, there, μετ᾽ ἐκεῖνα afterwards.

ἀνεκτότερον [5 verses](adj sg neut nom comp ) More tolerable" is anektoteros (the comparative "more" form of anektos), which "bearable," "sufferable," "that which can be endured," or "tolerable."

ἔσται [614 verses](3rd sg fut ind mid) "It shall be" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.  "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it."  With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

[92 verses](conj/adv)  "Than" is e, which is a particle used as a disjunctive, "either," "or," , or as a comparative, "than" or "rather than." It is (explam) also an exclamation, "hi!" and an adverb,(adv)  meaning "in truth" and "of a surety." It is used with comparative forms of adjective or with positive adjective implying a comparison.

τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

πόλει [26 verses](noun sg fem dat) "For...city" is polis, which means "city," "citadel," "one's city," "one's country," "community," "state," "state affairs," and "civic duties."

ἐκείνῃ [107 verses](adj sg fem dat) "That" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." With certain preposition, it has a specific meaning:ἐξ ἐκείνου from that time, κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνα in that place, there, μετ᾽ ἐκεῖνα afterwards.

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

This is a shorten version of what we see in Matthew 10:15. The biggest different is that the day is defined in Matthew as the day of judgment or time of crisis. 

Front Page Date: 

Apr 4 2024