After Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 11:20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Since, however, by a finger of a divine, I myself toss out these personal demons, so it caught up to you: this realm of the Divine.
The word translated as "if" only means "if" when used with the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. The verb isn't here. "Tossed out" is citing a fact. When citing a fact the word means "since" or "as sure as."
The verb in last phrase, "come to you" is an very uncommon word. It has the sense of overtaking someone or beating them in a race. This is not the typical word translated as "come" in the NT. In English, we would say "overtook you" or, since a preposition is used, "caught up to you". Coming before "the kingdom of God," it acts as a setup. Jesus says, "it caught up to you." This is followed by a pause so listeners can wonder what has caught up to them. The answer is then given, "the realm of the Divine."
There is not "the" before "finger" so "a finger." Unusually, there is not "the" before the word translated as "God." Jesus refers to the Father as "the God" which I translate as "the Divine," so the sense here as "a finger of a divine" or "a divine finger."
As we saw in the last verse, "I" is emphasized here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." In English, we do something similar saying "I myself".
A divine finger is fashions the realm of the Divine.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- 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 "devil" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word translated as "devil." It means "unseen controller," the invisible causes of disease, especially insanity.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "No doubt" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "god" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "come."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
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 "devil" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word translated as "devil." It means "unseen controller," the invisible causes of disease, especially insanity.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "god" is not shown in the English translation.
- 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 -- This is not the common word usually translated as "come."
But - - The word "but" 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 word doesn't mean "and."
If -- (CW) The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." It only means "if" when used with the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as." Here, it is citing a fact, so "since."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The pronoun "I" is used here. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English. The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself." When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
with -- The word translated as "with" 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."
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
finger - "Finger" is from another uncommon Greek word for Jesus, used only in five verses that means "fingers," "toes," "the thumb" "an inch," and "a digit." It is used in the same sense that we might say, "keeping someone under your thumb." Since the term also means "toes," under someone's foot also works best.
of -- This word "of" 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.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." Jesus typically uses the article before this word, but he doesn't here.
cast . -- "Cast out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "these" -- (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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
devils -- (CW) "Devil" is a word that means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power" so the sense is "an invisible controller." The word doesn't necessarily mean "evil". In Greek is used to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." However, Jesus seems to always use it negatively as "an unseen controller" referring to invisible causes of disease, especially mental disorders (see this article). In English, our word "daemon" retains these same meanings when it isn't used as an alternate spelling of "demon." This is not the word usually translated as "demons."
no doubt -- (CW) The word translated as "no doubt" is a particle marking a sudden change or explaining or drawing attention to a consequence of an action. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.
the -- The word translated as "the" 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.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
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.
God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
come - (CW) "Come" is a Greek verb that actually means "to come or do first." It has the sense of overtaking someone or beating them in a race. This is the only time Christ uses this word. This is no the typical word translated as "come" in the NT. In English, we would say "overtook you" or, since a preposition is used, "caught up to you." This is not the word usually translated as "come."
upon -- The word translated as "upon" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
But - - The word "but" 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 word doesn't mean "and."
If -- (CW) The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." It only means "if" when used with the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as." Here, it is citing a fact, so "since."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The pronoun "I" is used here. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English. The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself." When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
drive . -- "Drive out" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." The possessive object is a place tossed out of. The direct object is the thing tossed out. It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "these" -- (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. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
devils -- (CW) "Devil" is a word that means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power" so the sense is "an invisible controller." The word doesn't necessarily mean "evil". In Greek is used to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." However, Jesus seems to always use it negatively as "an unseen controller" referring to invisible causes of disease, especially mental disorders (see this article). In English, our word "daemon" retains these same meanings when it isn't used as an alternate spelling of "demon." This is not the word usually translated as "demons."
by -- The word translated as "by" 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."
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
finger - "Finger" is from another uncommon Greek word for Jesus, used only in five verses that means "fingers," "toes," "the thumb" "an inch," and "a digit." It is used in the same sense that we might say, "keeping someone under your thumb." Since the term also means "toes," under someone's foot also works best.
of -- This word "of" 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.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." Jesus typically uses the article before this word, but he doesn't here.
then - The word translated as "then" is a particle marking a sudden change or explaining or drawing attention to a consequence of an action.
the -- The word translated as "the" 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.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
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.
God. -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
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.
come - (CW) "Come" is a Greek verb that actually means "to come or do first." It has the sense of overtaking someone or beating them in a race. This is the only time Christ uses this word. This is no the typical word translated as "come" in the NT. In English, we would say "overtook you" or, since a preposition is used, "caught up to you." This is not the word usually translated as "come."
upon -- The word translated as "upon" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct 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 δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." 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, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English. With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.
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 an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
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."
δακτύλῳ [5 verses] (noun sg masc dat) "Finger" is daktylos, which means "finger," "thumb," "toes," a measure of length, "finger's breadth," "date," and "a kind of grape."
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
[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.
ἐκβάλλω [33 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "Cast out"" is ekballo and means "toss out," "throw out of a place,"and "expose." Ek means "out of," "from," and "away from." Ballo is "to throw" or "to scatter." While the sense is usually "to toss outside," it can also mean "to turn out" into a place. It can also means "produce" in the sense of a woman giving birth.
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) 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. -
δαιμόνια. [13 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Devils" is daimonion, which means "divinity," "divine power," "a lower divine being," and "evil spirit." Technically, this word means "belonging to a controlling spiritual power." It is from daimôn, which actually is the noun that is translated as "demon." "Evil spirit" is a New Testament usage or interpretation. However, in the Greek Septuagint, the Greek word was used both for the different Hebrew words for "idols" and for "disease," but Greek used it to refer to a controlling spiritual power, inferior to the gods. It was used to mean "knowing" and "skilled" in the sense that we might say, "He is a demon poker player." In the Stoic philosophy, it was the voice of reason inside of us. Plato described his inner voice of conscience as a daimon.
ἄρα [ 5 verses ](partic) "No doubt" is from ara, which means "there and then," "straightway," "then," "next," "mark you!," "for this cause," "so true is it that," and "namely."
ἔφθασεν [2 verses](3rd sg aor ind act) "Come" is from phthanô, which means to "come or do first," "to act before others," "to be beforehand," "overtake," "outstrip," "arrive first," "make haste," as a participle, to express previous action or happening, with negative, "no sooner had we come," to express immediate futurity, "will soon (or inevitably)."
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi , which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," "for," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "for" a person, an end, or purpose," "on condition that," and "for" (a price). With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, and judging, it means "in the case of."
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")
βασιλεία [98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) 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. -
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity." -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.