After the verse about seeking food and drink.
Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luke 12:30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
For these things all the foreigners of this society seek after. However, yours, this Father has seen that you have need of these things.
The Greek term translated as "the nations/pagan" means generally "a tribe of men" but it also means "nations." Jesus uses it to refer to nations other than Judea, that is the non-Jewish people. However, more broadly, it means those who do not concern themselves with God. In Jesus's time, both the Judean and various foriegn people lived together.
The word translated as "world" meant "the world order" often focusing on its power structures, which is more like "society."
People everywhere need food and drink and the Divine knows it.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and(WW) your (MW) Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
For the pagan(WF,WN) (MW) world (WF) runs(WW) after all such(CW) things, and(WW) your (MW) Father knows that you need them(CW).
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "pagan" is not an adjective but a noun.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "pagan" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- This "world" is not a subject but a possessive.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "run" should be something more like "seek."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "such."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "them."
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
these - The "these" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. When the noun already has an article, it meaning is "here." It is often used in the neuter plural without a noun to refer to "these things."
things -- This "things" is from the plural, neuter form of the previous adjective.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
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.
nations -- The word translated as "nations" means "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. Jesus used it to mean "non-Judean" people.
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
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
world -- Jesus uses the word translated as "world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
seek - The Greek term translated as "seek after" means "seek after," "wish for," and "miss." The Greek root of this word is translated as "seek" in the KJV but Christ uses it more like we use "aim." This version of that word has the prefix that means "on," "at," or "upon," so "aim at" or "focus on" is the closest in English. This version of the word is usually used only negatively by Jesus.
after: - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" means "and," "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."
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case.
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.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
knoweth -- The word translated as "know" means primarily "to see" and is used to mean "know' as we use the word "see" to mean "know" in English. It is the past perfect tense so "have seen" but it is translated as the present tense of "know." What someone "has seen" is what they "know" in the present.
that -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," 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 means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
have need- The verb translated as "have need" means "want", "lack", "have need of", and "desire". Again, it is in the present tense. Notice how its meaning overlaps with the earlier verb translated as "seek after". The KJV doesn't reflect this, but it seems important. Both "need" and "want" combine its sense of a lack and a desire.
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
these - The "these" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. When the noun already has an article, it meaning is "here." It is often used in the neuter plural without a noun to refer to "these things."
things -- This "things" is from the plural, neuter form of the previous adjective.
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."
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.
pagan-- (WF, WN) The word translated as "pagan" means "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. Jesus used it to mean "non-Judean" people. This is not an adjective but a noun. This word is not singular but plural.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "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
world -- (WF) Jesus uses the word translated as "world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words. This is not a subject but a possessive.
runs - (WW) The Greek term translated as "runs after" means "seek after," "wish for," and "miss." The Greek root of this word is translated as "seek" in the KJV but Christ uses it more like we use "aim." This version of that word has the prefix that means "on," "at," or "upon," so "aim at" or "focus on" is the closest in English. This version of the word is usually used only negatively by Jesus. This word doesn't mean "run."
after: - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
such - (CW) The "such " is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. When the noun already has an article, it meaning is "here." It is often used in the neuter plural without a noun to refer to "these things." This is not the word usually translated as "such."
things -- This "things" is from the plural, neuter form of the previous adjective.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" means "and," "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."
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case.
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.
knows -- The word translated as "know" means primarily "to see" and is used to mean "know' as we use the word "see" to mean "know" in English. It is the past perfect tense so "have seen" but it is translated as the present tense of "know." What someone "has seen" is what they "know" in the present.
that -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," 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 means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
need- The verb translated as "need" means "want", "lack", "have need of", and "desire". Again, it is in the present tense. Notice how its meaning overlaps with the earlier verb translated as "seek after". The KJV doesn't reflect this, but it seems important. Both "need" and "want" combine its sense of a lack and a desire.
them- (CW) The "them" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. When the noun already has an article, it meaning is "here." It is often used in the neuter plural without a noun to refer to "these things." This is not the word usually translated as "them."
ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. When ταῦτα and ἐκεῖνος refer to two things ἐκεῖνος, which normally means "the nearer" as well belongs to the more remote, "the latter" in time, place, or thought, οὗτος to "the nearer".
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."
πάντα [212 verses] (adj pl neut acc ) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl 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."
ἔθνη [22 verses](noun pl neut nom) "Gentiles" is ethnos, which means "a number of people living together," "company," "body of men," "tribe," "a people," "nation," and (later) "foreign, barbarous nations."
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." .
κόσμου [63 verses](noun sg masc gen) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
ἐπιζητοῦσιν: [4 verses](3rd pl pres ind act) "Seek after" is epizeteo, which means "seek after," "wish for," "miss," "request," desire" and "demand" as well as searching for something.
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."
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.
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." --
πατὴρ [191 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
οἶδεν [38 verses](3rd sg perf ind act) "Know" is oida which has the sense of "to know." This listing is not a root word, but the past perfect tense of eido, which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know." That which "has been seen" is that which is "known." This is a somewhat legalistic idea because the truth can only be established by eyewitnesses. Since the past perfect of "see" forms the present tense of "know" the pluperfect tense used here, which indicates an action completed before some other action in the past, is used as the simple past tense, "knew."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "that" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.
χρῄζετε [3 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Have need" is from chrezo, which means "want", "lack", "have need of", "desire", "long for", "crave", "if one will", "if one chooses," and, as an adjective, "needy," and "poor."
τούτων [154 verses](adj pl neut gen) "Of these things" is toutos, (touto, toutou)which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here." In the neuter plural form, it is often used as the object of the verb to means "these things."