Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are;

Spoken to
audience

When someone asks him if there are few who will be saved. Jesus tells the a parable of the master shutting the door on them.

KJV

Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

NIV

Luke 13:27 But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

LISTENERS HEARD

And he will speak, saying to you, "I haven't seen where you are. You set yourselves apart from me, all you producers of lawbreaking." 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Matthew 7:23 says something very similar, but the keywords are different. The English translation makes this version look more like the Matthew version than it really is.

Jesus never says "I don't know you," but "I don't know where you are." The "know" means "haven't seen." In destribing the Pharisees as "producers of law-breaking," Jesus doesn't mean they are breaking the law, but through all their rules, they are creating law-breakers because no one can follow all their rules.

MY TAKE

When we make everything illegal, we make everyone a lawbreaker.

GREEK ORDER

 

καὶ  ἐρεῖ                  λέγων ὑμῖν
And he will speak, saying to you,

Οὐκ οἶδα            πόθεν ἐστέ:
n't    I have seen where you are.

ἀπόστητε                        ἀπ᾽  ἐμοῦ, πάντες  ἐργάται        ἀδικίας.”
You set yourselves apart from  me,    all you   producers of lawbreaking." 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8

But(WW) he shall say, I(IW) tell(WF) you, I know you(IW) not whence ye are; depart(CW,WV) from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "saying."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "I" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "you" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "depart."
  • WV  --Wrong Voice - The verb in the middle voice requires the concept of "yourselves"  as its object or "by/for themselves."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
But(WW) he will reply, [MP2 saying to you,] ‘I don’t know [you or](IW2) where you come(WW) from(IW). Away(CW,WV) from me, all you evildoers!’
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
  • MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "saying to you"  exists in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "you or" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "come" should be something more like "are."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "from" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "away."
  • WV  --Wrong Voice - The verb in the middle voice requires the concept of "yourselves"  as its object or "by/for themselves."
EACH WORD of KJV

But -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.

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

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

say, - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

I -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source

tell -- (WF)The word translated as "I tell" 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." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "saying."

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

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

know -- 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.

you -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

whence -- "Whence" is from an adverb which means "whence" and "from what source."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

are; -- The verb "are" 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.

depart -  (CW, WV) "Depart" is a verb that means "shall be absent", "shall be away from", and "shall desert".  It means literally, "stand apart" or "set apart." The form is the middle voice, so "stand themselves apart" or "set themselves apart." It is an uncommon verb for Jesus to use and not the common word for "depart." It could be a command, as translated, but it is more likely a simply statement.  

from --- The word translated as "from" 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."

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

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."

ye - This is from the vocative form of the noun that means it names the person being talked to.

workers -- The word translated as "worker " means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.

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.

iniquity. -- The Greek noun translated as "of iniquity" means "wrongdoing", "injustice", "a wrongful act," and "offense." The literal meaning is "law-breaking." It is also an uncommon noun for Jesus to use, appearing a couple of time in Luke.

EACH WORD of NIV

But -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.

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

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

reply, - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak." It is one of the two most common words translated "speak," "say" and "tell," but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

missing "saying to you"  --The word translated as "saying" 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." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "saying." The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

-- (MP) The words here aren't translated with their correct meanings and forms.

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

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

n't -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

know -- 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.

you or -- -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.

where -- "Where" is from an adverb which means "whence" and "from what source."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

come ; -- (WW) The verb "are" 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.

 from. -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

Away "Away" is a verb that means "shall be absent", "shall be away from", and "shall desert".  It means literally, "stand apart" or "set apart." The form is the middle voice, so "stand themselves apart" or "set themselves apart." It is an uncommon verb for Jesus to use and not the common word meaning "away. It could be a command, as translated, but it is more likely a simply statement.  

from --- The word translated as "from" 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."

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

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."

you - This is from the vocative form of the noun that means it names the person being talked to.

evildoers! -- This is from two separate Greek words. The word translated as "doer" means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.  The word "of"  comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The Greek noun  "evil" means "wrongdoing", "injustice", "a wrongful act," and "offense." The literal meaning is "law-breaking."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

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."

ἐρεῖ [162 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind act ) "He shall say" is eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer."  This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. The other word is used more for discussion. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work.

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

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of the pronoun of the second person in the indirect object form, "to you." As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

Οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.

οἶδα  [38 verses](verb 1st sg perf ind act) "I 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."

πόθεν [9 verses](adv indeclform) "Whence" is from pothen, which means "whence" and "from what source."

ἐστέ [614 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Ye are"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."

ἀπόστητε [2 verses] (verb 2nd pl aor ind/subj/imperat acts) "Depart"is from aphistemiwhich means "shall be absent", "shall be away from", and "shall desert".  The word literally means "set yourselves apart."

ἀπ[190 verses]​(prep) "From" 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. As a prefix, means "asunder," "completing," "ceasing,"  "back again," and "by way of abuse."

ἐμοῦ [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine."  It is in a possessive (genitive) form.  As a genitive of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.

πάντες [212 verses] (adj pl masc voc) "All ye" 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."

ἐργάται [8 verses] (noun pl masc voc) "Workers" is ergates, which means "workman," "one who works the soil," "husbandman," "hard-working," "strenuous," "one who practices an art," "practitioner," "doer," and "producer."

ἀδικίας.” [5 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Of iniquity" is from adikia, which means "wrongdoing", "injustice", "a wrongful act," and "offense." The negative prefix of "a" before a form of dikaios meaning "law-abiding" so "law-breaking."

parallel comparison

This verse and Matthew 7:23 sound similar in English translation but all the key words are different in Greek, including the negative, "knew," "depart," "workers," and "inequity."

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