Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man,

Spoken to: 

challengers

After Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub.

KJV: 

Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

NIV : 

Luke 11:24 When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’

LISTENERS HEARD: 

When this foul spirit, comes out from that person, it goes over through dried-out places, seeking rest, and not discovering it. Then it says, "I will return into that house of mine, from which I came out."

MY TAKE: 

Spirits come and go.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

Ὅταν τὸ    ἀκάθαρτον πνεῦμα ἐξέλθῃ       ἀπὸ  τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, διέρχεται      δι᾽        ἀνύδρων  τόπων
When this foul             spirit,   comes out from that person,       it goes over through dried-out places,

ζητοῦν  ἀνάπαυσιν, καὶ μὴ  εὑρίσκον         [τότε] λέγει   Ὑποστρέψω   εἰς   τὸν οἶκόν      μου     ὅθεν
seeking rest,            and not discovering it. Then it says, " I will return into that house of mine ,from which

ἐξῆλθον:
I came out."

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

A Greek verb meaning "go out" or "come out" is inconsistently translated here, disguising the fact that it is the same word. In the KJV, it is translated as "is gone out" and "came out." In the NIV, it is translated as "comes out" and "left." It can also be translated as "exists" but it should be translated consistently in the same verse.

"Dry" is a Greek word that means literally "no water." It has the specific meaning of referring to dried-out corpses that have not been ritually cleansed. Its use complements the earlier "unclean."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

11
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
  • WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "gone" here is translated as passive but it is active.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
  •  WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "he" should be something more like "it."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "walk."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "none" does not capture the word's subjective meaning of choices.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "then" is in the source we use today.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "he" should be something more like "it."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This "came out" is the same Greek word translated earlier in the verse as "gone out" in the verse.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "an" should be something more like "the."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "find" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "he" should be something more like "it."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of mine" is not shown in the English translation."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This "came out" is the same Greek word translated earlier in the verse as "gone out" in the verse.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

When  -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.

the  -- The word translated as "the" 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," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

unclean   - "Unclean" is an adjective that means "foul," "uncleansed," and "morally unclean." It was the term used to refer to a woman's menses.

spirit -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." See this article.

is -- (WV) This helping verb "is" seems to indicate that the verb is passive but it is active.

gone -- The word translated as "gone" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root.

out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

of --- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." 

a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" 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," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  This word doesn't mean "a." 

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

he -- (WW) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. However, the subject is neuter so it should be "it," not "he."

walketh   - (CW) "Walk" is a Greek verb that means "to go through ," "arrive," and  "goes over," "to pass through." It does not mean "walk."  It has a number of special meanings such as "pass" when applied to time. Its prefix is the same as the following preposition meaning "through." This is not the word usually translated as "walk."

through ---  The preposition translated as "through" with the form of object here means "through,"  "over," " "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method.

dry "Dry" is a Greek word that means literally "no water." It has the specific meaning of referring to corpses that have not been ritually cleansed. Its use complements the earlier "unclean". 

places, "Places" is translated from a Greek word that means "place," "position," and "topic." This is a fairly uncommon word for Christ to use.

seeking -- The Greek verb translated as "seeking " has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine."

rest; - "Rest" is  a Greek noun that means "rest," "repose," "relaxation," and "recreation." It is a compound word meaning a "pause between," what we describe as a "work break," but here, because the context is "breath" (see below).

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

finding -- The term used for "finding" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."

none, -- (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition.

missing "then"  -- (OS) The untranslated word means "at this time" or "then." With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when."

he -- (WW) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. However, the subject is neuter so it should be "it," not "he." 

saith, -- The word translated as "says" 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."

I -- This is from the first-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.

return   - "Return" is a verb which means "turn round or back," "roll up," "return," "turn away," and "elude." 

unto - The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

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. 

my - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my," "me," and "mine." Usually follows the noun so, "of mine."

house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home."

whence - "Whence" is an adverb that means "whence," "from whom or which," "from whatever source," and so on. It is used only four times by Jesus.

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

came -- (CW) The word translated as "came out" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root. This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translatimg came out" as "gone out" earlier in the verse here.

out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

When  -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.

an -- (WW) The word translated as "an" 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," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  This word doesn't mean "an." 

impure - "Impure " is an adjective that means "foul," "uncleansed," and "morally unclean." It was the term used to refer to a woman's menses.

spirit -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." See this article.

comes -- The word translated as "comes " means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root.

out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

of --- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."

a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" 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," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  This word doesn't mean "a." 

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

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

goes - "Goes " is a Greek verb that means "to go through ," "arrive," and  "goes over," "to pass through." It does not mean "walk."  It has a number of special meanings such as "pass" when applied to time. Its prefix is the same as the following preposition meaning "through." 

through ---  The preposition translated as "through" with the form of object here means "through,"  "over," " "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method.

arid - - "Arid" is a Greek word that means literally "no water." It has the specific meaning of referring to corpses that have not been ritually cleansed. Its use complements the earlier "unclean". 

places, "Places" is translated from a Greek word that means "place," "position," and "topic." This is a fairly uncommon word for Christ to use.

seeking -- The Greek verb translated as "seeking " has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine."

rest; - "Rest" is  a Greek noun that means "rest," "repose," "relaxation," and "recreation." It is a compound word meaning a "pause between," what we describe as a "work break," but here, because the context is "breath" (see below).

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

does -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

not , --  The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition.

find -- (WF) The term used for "finding" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."

it -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.

Then --  The word means "at this time" or "then." With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when."

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

says -- The word translated as "says" 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."

‘I will return to house I left.’

I -- This is from the first-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.

return   - "Return" is a verb which means "turn round or back," "roll up," "return," "turn away," and "elude." 

to - The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

the   -- The 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. 

missing "of mine"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  of mine" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my," "me," and "mine." Usually follows the noun so, "of mine."

house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home."

whence - "Whence" is an adverb that means "whence," "from whom or which," "from whatever source," and so on. It is used only four times by Jesus.

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

left-- (CW) The word translated as ";eft" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root. This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translating "left" as "came out" earlier in the verse here.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom)  "The" 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.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or εSee this article

ἀκάθαρτον [3 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Unclean" is akathartos, which means "foul," "uncleansed," "ceremonially unclean" (of food}, "not sifted," "containing impurities," "not fit for cleansing," and "morally unclean." It was the term used to refer to a woman's menses.

πνεῦμα [40 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Spirit" is pneuma, which means "blast," "wind," "breath," "the breath of life," "divine inspiration," "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.

ἐξέλθῃ [54 verses](3rd sg aor subj act) "Gone " is exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of " "to march forth," "go out on," "to stand forth," "to exceed all bounds," "to come to an end," "to go out of office," and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true."

ἀπὸ [190 verses]​(prep) "of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."  Usually takes the genitive object.

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  "The" 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.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or εSee this article.  

ἀνθρώπου, ( [209 verses]noun sg masc gen) "Man" 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.

διέρχεται [4 verses](3rd sg pres ind mp) "Walk" is from dierchomai,which means "to go through," "complete," "shoot through" (of pain), "pass through and reach," "arrive at," "go through in detail," "recount," of Time, "pass," "elapse," and "to pass through." It is the same base word, -erchomai, ("start," "come," "arrive") as many words, but with the prefix dia-, which means "through," "throughout," and "in the midst of" and is used to describe passage through both time and space.

δι᾽   [88 verses](prep) "Through" is dia, which means with the genitive "through," "over," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "for (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of,"  "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."

ἀνύδρων [2 verses] (adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Dry" is from anudros, which means "waterless", "unwatered, "without spring-water," of a corpse "deprived of funeral cleaning," and "wanting water." Literally meaning, "no water."

τόπων [16 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Place" is from topos, which means "place," "region," "position," "part [of the body]," "district," "room," and "topic." It is also a metaphor for "opening," "occasion," and "opportunity." --

ζητοῦν  [36 verses](part sg pres act neut nom) "Seeking" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."

ἀνάπαυσιν [3 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Rest" is anapausis, which means "cessation of motion," "rest," "rest from a thing," and "relaxation." 

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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "None" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative,  and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action:  thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."

εὑρίσκον [43 verses](part sg pres act neut nom) "Findeth"is heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."

τότε [53 verses](adv) "Then" is tote, which means "at that time," "when," and "then."

λέγει  [264 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act or verb 2nd sg pres ind mp) "Saith"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."

Ὑποστρέψω [4 verses](verb 1st sg fut ind act) "I will return" is hypostrepho, which means "turn round or back," "roll up," "return," "turn away," and "elude."

Εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Unto" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position),  "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)." Used with ek, it means "from...to." -

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc 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.   -

οἶκόν ( [29 verses]noun sg masc acc) "House" is oikos, which means "house," "dwelling place," "room," "home," "meeting hall," "household goods," "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house.

μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.  As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.-

ὅθεν [4 verses](adv) "From whence" is from hothen, which means "whence," "from whom or which," "from whatever source," "in what manner soever," "from any other place whatsoever," "where or whither," "whence, "for which reason," and "for what reason." 

ἐξῆλθον[54 verses] (3rd pl aor ind act) "I came out" is exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of " "to march forth," "go out on," "to stand forth," "to exceed all bounds," "to come to an end," "to go out of office," and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true."

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

This verse puts together two verses in Matthew ( Matthew 12:43,  Matthew 12:44) using pretty much the same vocabulary

Front Page Date: 

May 16 2024