After the verse about not have power in ourselves.
Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!
If then foliage in the fields existing for this day--and tomorrow? Being tossed into an oven! The Divine in this way clothes you how very much more? You tiny trustees!
The "is" before "today" is a participle, "existing." The "is caste/tossed" is also a participle, "being caste/thrown." This verb is one of the most common words Jesus uses "caste/thrown" in a casual sense, which is captured more by "tossed."
The noun translated as "grasses" means "foliage" or "fodder." The "oven/fire" is Greek for a small, clay vessel used for baking bread (see picture above). The ovens Jesus describes are different than ours. The fire is burned in the vessel. The dough for the bread is attached to the vessel's sides. The "grass," that is, the foliage, is the fuel. So, they are used for something productive, not thrown away.
Things of this world are temporary, but the have their uses.
If then (MW) God so clothe the grass, which(IW) is(WF) to day in the(IW) field, and to morrow is cast(WF) into the(IW) oven; how much more will he clothe you, O(IW) ye of (IW) little faith?
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "which " doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "is" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "existing."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "is cast" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "being caste."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "O" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
If (MW) that is how (MW) God clothes the grass of(WW) the field, which(IW) is(WF) here(IW) today, and tomorrow is thrown(WF) into the(IW) fire(WW), how much more will he clothe you—you of(IW) little faith!
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "of" should be something more like "in."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "which " doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "is" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "existing."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "here " doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "is cast" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "being tossed."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "fire" should be something more like "oven."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
If -- 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." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as." The verb is not subjunctive, which means it is citing a fact. This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb. CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.
then -- The Greek word translated as "then" 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. When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then."
missing "the/this" -- (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.
God -- 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. When a definite article does not introduce it, it refers more generally to "divinity," the nature of God.
so -- The word translated in KJV as "so" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
clothe - - The Greek verb translated as "clothe" means "to cloth" much more than the other verbs Christ uses in this section, but this verb is uncommon for Christ. This means "put on" or "wrapped around," but its secondary meanings all involved putting on clothing.
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.
grass, - - - The term translated as "grass" means "an enclosed place," and food generally, as well, specifically various forms of animal fodder, "foliage." It is also used to describe the "expanse" of heaven as we might say, "the pastures of heaven."
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
is -- (WF) 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 word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "existing."
to day -- The Greek word translated as "to day" is an adverb that means "for today" and "on this day." Jesus sometimes uses it as a noun by adding an article before it.
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. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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.
field, -- "Field" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."," "lands," or "country."
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."
to morrow -- The term translated as "to morrow," may be the closest Greek comes to "tomorrow," but the form is an adverb. However, it is introduced by an article ("the") which allows it to act like a noun. The word is an adverb meaning something more like "until tomorrow", "until the morning" meaning "shortly" or "presently." Unlike the noun "tomorrow" in English, this adverb doesn't take in the entire future like we use "tomorrow" to mean "the future". This Greek word always communicates the idea of "in a short time." The term indicates not now but the immediate future.
is --This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
cast -- (WF) The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. It is a word that he frequently uses in a light-hearted way. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky. See this article about a related word. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "being caste."
into -- The word translated as "to" 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 -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
oven; - - The oven is Greek for a small, clay vessel used for baking bread (see picture above). The ovens Jesus describes are different than ours, which have the fire is on the outside and bread on the inside. These ovens are clay vessels. The fire is burned in the vessel. The dough for the bread is attached to the vessel's sides. The "grass," that is, the foliage, of "the lilies of the field" (Matthew 6:28) becomes the fuel for baking bread. This image is similar to the one evoked by the "Parable of the Weeds," where the weeds are bundled to be burned in ovens. The wheat, gathered into barns (Matthew 13:30) for flour, makes the dough cooked by these weeds.
how much -- The adjective translated as "how much" means "of what quantity," [in distance] "how far." [of number] how far," [of time] "how long," [of value] "how much," "how great," "how many," and "how much."
more - "More" is the comparative form that means "much more," "very much," "more and more" indicating increase, and is used to strengthen related words.
will he clothe --- There is no Greek for these words, but they can be assumed from the context of the previous clause, and the similar forms of the surrounding words.
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
O -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
ye - This is from the vocative form of the noun that means it names the person being talked to.
of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
little faith? ``- - The "little faith" means "small trust" or "little faith." Since it is addressed to the listeners, we can the "you" to it, though it doesn't appear in the Greek.
If -- 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." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as." The verb is not subjunctive, which means it is citing a fact. This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb. CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.
missing "then" -- (MW) The untranslated word "then" 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. When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then."
that is how -- The word translated in KJV as "that is how" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
missing "the/this" -- (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.
God -- 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. When a definite article does not introduce it, it refers more generally to "divinity," the nature of God.
clothes - - The Greek verb translated as "clothes" means "to cloth" much more than the other verbs Christ uses in this section, but this verb is uncommon for Christ. This means "put on" or "wrapped around," but its secondary meanings all involved putting on clothing.
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.
grass, - - - The term translated as "grass" means "an enclosed place," and food generally, as well, specifically various forms of animal fodder, "foliage." It is also used to describe the "expanse" of heaven as we might say, "the pastures of heaven."
of -- (WW) The word translated as "of" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." 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." This word doesn't mean "of."
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
field, -- "Field" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."," "lands," or "country."
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
is -- (WF) 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 word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "existing."
here -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
today -- The Greek word translated as "today" is an adverb that means "for today" and "on this day." Jesus sometimes uses it as a noun by adding an article before it.
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."
tomorrow -- The term translated as "tomorrow," may be the closest Greek comes to "tomorrow," but the form is an adverb. However, it is introduced by an article ("the") which allows it to act like a noun. The word is an adverb meaning something more like "until tomorrow", "until the morning" meaning "shortly" or "presently." Unlike the noun "tomorrow" in English, this adverb doesn't take in the entire future like we use "tomorrow" to mean "the future". This Greek word always communicates the idea of "in a short time." The term indicates not now but the immediate future.
is --This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
cast -- (WF) The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. It is a word that he frequently uses in a light-hearted way. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky. See this article about a related word. This is not an active verb but a participle, "being tossed."
into -- The word translated as "to" 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 -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
fire; - - (WW) The "fire" is Greek for an oven, a small, clay vessel used for baking bread (see picture above). The ovens Jesus describes are different than ours, which have the fire is on the outside and bread on the inside. These ovens are clay vessels. The fire is burned in the vessel. The dough for the bread is attached to the vessel's sides. The "grass," that is, the foliage, of "the lilies of the field" (Matthew 6:28) becomes the fuel for baking bread. This image is similar to the one evoked by the "Parable of the Weeds," where the weeds are bundled to be burned in ovens. The wheat, gathered into barns (Matthew 13:30) for flour, makes the dough cooked by these weeds. This word doesn't mean "fire." WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "fire" should be something more like "oven."
how much -- The adjective translated as "how much" means "of what quantity," [in distance] "how far." [of number] how far," [of time] "how long," [of value] "how much," "how great," "how many," and "how much."
more - "More" is the comparative form that means "much more," "very much," "more and more" indicating increase, and is used to strengthen related words.
how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!
will he clothe --- There is no Greek for these words, but they can be assumed from the context of the previous clause, and the similar forms of the surrounding words.
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
you - This is from the vocative form of the noun that means it names the person being talked to.
of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
little faith? ``- - The "little faith" means "small trust" or "little faith." Since it is addressed to the listeners, we can the "you" to it, though it doesn't appear in the Greek.
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) "Then" 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."
ἀγρῷ; [22 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Field" is agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "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." --
χόρτον [4 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Grass" is chortos, which means "an enclosed place", "pastures", "herbage", "growing crops", "any feeding-ground," "green crop", "the expanse [of heaven]", "fodder", "provender", "food generally", "farmyard," and "growing grass."
ὄντα [614 verses] (part sg pres act masc acc) "Is" 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."
σήμερον. [14 verses](adv) "To day" is semeron, which is an adverb that means "for today" and "on this day."
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."
αὔριον [6 verses](adv) "To morrow" is from aurion, which means "tomorrow," "tomorrow at this time", and, as an adverb, "on the morrow", "till morning", "presently," and "shortly."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" 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)."With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to." With time, a limit "until," or a duration "for," "throughout," or a date, "on," "at." Used with ek, it means "from...to."
κλίβανον [2 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Oven" is klibanos, which means "covered earthen vessel [in which bread is baked in a fire], "funnel-shaped vessel [used for drawing water]", "underground channel", "vaulted passage", "hollow," and "cavern in a rock." -
βαλλόμενον [54 verses] (part sg pres mp masc acc) "Is cast"is ballo, which means "to throw," "to let fall," "to cast," "to put," "to pour," "to place money on deposit," "push forward or in front [of animals]," "to shed," "to place," "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky," "to fall," "to lay as foundation," "to begin to form," "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) 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."
θεὸς [144 verses](noun sg masc nom) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
οὕτως [54 verses](adv) "So" is houtos, an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much" w/gen., "to such an extent," "so very," "so excessively," and "that is why. With an imperative "just," "without more ado."
ἀμφιάζει, [4 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Clothe" is from amphiennymi, which means "put round", "clothed in", "wearing", "clothe one in or with", "put on oneself," and "dress oneself in.
πόσῳ [19 verses](adj sg neut dat) "How much" is posos, which means "of what quantity," [in distance] "how far." [of number] how far," [of time] "how long," [of value] "how much," "how great," "how many," and "how much."
μᾶλλον [13 verses](adv) "More" is mallon, which is the comparative of mala which means "very," "quite," "exceedingly," "more certainly," "especially," "more," "to a greater degree," and "rather." The comparative form would be "much more," "very much," "more and more" indicating increase, and is used to strengthen related words
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.
ὀλιγόπιστοι;[6 verses] (adj pl masc/fem voc ) "Ye of little faith" is oligopistos, which means literally, "small trust." It is a word built of two words. From oligos-, which means "little", "small", "slight", "few," and "weak." As an adverb it means "a little", "slightly," and "little." "Faith" is -pistis, which means "confidence", "assurance", "trustworthiness", "credit", "a trust," "that which give confidence," and, as a character trait, "faithfulness."