Spoken to:
Jesus starts a parable about a man fix a big dinner for many.
KJV:
NIV :
LISTENERS HEARD:
And they all as one began to beg off. The first said to him, "I bought A field, " and I have a need for going out to see it. I ask you, bear me having begged off.
MY TAKE:
We should be distracted by new earthly possessions.
GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page):
GREEK ORDER:
καὶ ἤρξαντο ἀπὸ μιᾶς πάντες παραιτεῖσθαι. ὁ πρῶτος εἶπεν αὐτῷ
And they began as one all to beg off. The first said to him,
Ἀγρὸν ἠγόρασα καὶ ἔχω ἀνάγκην ἐξελθὼν ἰδεῖν αὐτόν:
A field,"I bought " and I have a need for going out to see it.
I ask you, bear me having begged off.
ἐρωτῶ σε, ἔχε με παρῃτημένον.
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
The verse starts with a phrase the means "from being one" describing all the invited guest. In English we would say "as one." The "one" is a feminine word and likely refers to having "one heart." "Heart" is a feminine word and is usually the way Jesus describes a shared feeling.
The "must needs" and "must" is a noun that means "needs," but without an active verb, as it sits here, its sense is "have a need for. It is singular. The "I" beginning this sentence is the pronoun since there is no verb.
The punchline, the last verb, translated as "excused," means both to "beg of" and to "beg off." Jesus only uses this word on in this verse and the next. A poor person must beg, but a rich on can beg off.
# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
And they all with(WW) one consent(IW) began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have(WT) bought [a piece of(IP2)] ground(CW), and I (MWmyself) must(IW) needs go(CW,WF) and see(WF) it: I pray thee have me (MWhaving) excused(WF).
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "with" should be something more like "from."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "consent " doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "piece of " doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "ground."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" after "I" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "must" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "go." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "word."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "going out."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to see."
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "having" before the verb.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "having excused."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
But(WW) they all alike(PP2) began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have(WT) just(IW) bought a field, and I must(WF) go(CW,WF) and see(WF) it. Please(WW) (MWyou) (MWhave) (MWhaving) excused(WF) me.’
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- PP - Inserted Phrase-- This "alike" are a paraphrase of what is in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "just" doesn't exist in the source."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "must" is not a verb but a noun.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "go." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "word."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "going out."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to see."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "please" should be something more like "ask."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "you" after "ask" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "have" after "me" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "having" before the verb.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "having excused."
EACH WORD of KJV :
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
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."
with --- (WW) The word translated as "with" 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." This word doesn't mean "with."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
consent -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
began -- "Began" is from a verb in the form of an adjective that means "to be first," "to begin," and "to make a beginning," "to rule," "to govern," and "to command." Jesus often uses it to say "you will be the first" in a negative sense of claiming a surperior position. The two meanings, "to start" and "to command" create different meanings when paired with the following verbs. The form is someone acting on themselves, so "be the first for yourself" or "start yourself."
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
make excuse. -- "To make an excuse" is an uncommon verb that means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off". This word is only used by Jesus twice.
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.
first -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially."
said - The word translated as "said" 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.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
him, -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
bought -- "Bought" is a verb that Jesus only uses nine times that means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself." Jesus always seems to use it in the sense of "buy for oneself."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
piece of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
ground, -- (CW) "Ground" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside." This is not the word usually translated as "ground."
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."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
must -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
needs -- "Needs" is a noun that means "force", "constraint", "necessity," and "natural need." It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are. The sense is "a need". It is in the form of an object without verb so the sense is "have a need" where the "have" is implied.
go -- (CW, WF)The word translated as "go" 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 is not the word usually translated as "go."
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."
see -- (WF)The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In the past perfect tense, it means "to know," and that sense of knowing gives this word a sense of seeing and understanding. This is not an active verb but an infinitive.
it: -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, singular, masculine as a direct object of a verb or preposition.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
pray -- The word translated as "ask" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request."
thee -- The "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
missing "having" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "have," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the verb.
excused. -- (WF) "Excused" is an uncommon verb that means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off". The form is an adjective indicating something completed in the past, "excused".
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. This word doesn't mean "and."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
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."
alike --- -- (PP) This is a paraphrase of "out of one" in the Greek source. The word translated as "with" 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." This word doesn't mean "with."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
began -- "Began" is from a verb in the form of an adjective that means "to be first," "to begin," and "to make a beginning," "to rule," "to govern," and "to command." Jesus often uses it to say "you will be the first" in a negative sense of claiming a surperior position. The two meanings, "to start" and "to command" create different meanings when paired with the following verbs. The form is someone acting on themselves, so "be the first for yourself" or "start yourself."
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
make excuses. -- "To make an excuses" is an uncommon verb that means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off". This word is only used by Jesus twice.
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.
first -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially."
said - The word translated as "said" 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.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
him, -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
just (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
bought -- "Bought" is a verb that Jesus only uses nine times that means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself." Jesus always seems to use it in the sense of "buy for oneself."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
piece of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
field, -- "Field" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."vThis is not the word usually translated as "ground."
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."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
must -- -- (WF)"Must" is a noun that means "force", "constraint", "necessity," and "natural need." It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are. The sense is "a need". It is in the form of an object without verb so the sense is "have a need" where the "have" is implied. This is not a verb but a noun.
go -- (CW, WF)The word translated as "go" 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 is not the word usually translated as "go."
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."
see -- (WF)The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In the past perfect tense, it means "to know," and that sense of knowing gives this word a sense of seeing and understanding. This is not an active verb but an infinitive.
it: -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, singular, masculine as a direct object of a verb or preposition.
Please -- (WW) The word translated as "please" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request." This word doesn't mean "please." WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "please" should be something more like "ask."
missing "you" -- (MW) The untranslated word "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
missing "have" -- (MW) The untranslated word "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.
excuse. -- (WF,WT) "Excuse" is an uncommon verb that means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off". The form is an adjective indicating something completed in the past, "excused". This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "having excused."
me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
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."
ἤρξαντο [14 verses] (verb 3rd pl aor ind mid) "Began" is from archomai, which is a form of archô, which means "to be first," "to begin," "to make a beginning," "to rule," "to govern," and "to command."
*ἀπὸ [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."
μιᾶς [85 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "One" is is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
πάντες [212 verses](adj pl masc nom ) "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."
παραιτεῖσθαι. [2 verses](verb pres inf mp) "To make an excuse" is paraiteomai, which means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off".
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc 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."
πρῶτος [41 verses](article sg masc nom) "First" is protos. In place, this means "before," "in front," and, as a noun, "the foremost." Of time, it means "former," "earlier," and, as a noun, "the initial." In order, it means "the first." In math, it means the prime numbers. Of rank or degree, it means "superior" or, as a noun, "the highest" or "the best."
εἶπεν [162 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Said" 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.
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "It" is is auto, the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same."A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."
Ἀγρὸν [22 verses](noun sg masc acc) "A piece of ground" is agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country."
ἠγόρασα [9 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind act) "I have bought" is agorazo, which means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself."
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."
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.
ἀνάγκην [2 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Needs" is from ananke which means "force", "constraint", " necessity," and "natural need." It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are.
ἐξελθὼν [54 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Go" 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."
ἰδεῖν [166 verses] (verb aor inf act) "Shall see"is 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."
αὐτὸν [124 verses](pron/adj sg masc acc) "It" is auton, is the masculine, accusative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. Masculine pronouns can refer to things as well as people, so it can be it." The word also means "the same," and "of one's own accord." An accusative object of a preposition indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Event may show the amount of time. However, masculine pronouns refer to masculine nouns, not just masculine people so this word can mean "it" as well as "he." As a preposition's object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time.
ἐρωτῶ [17 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I pray" is from erotao, which means "to ask," "beg," or "to question." This word means asking for information.
σε: [48 verses](pron 2nd sg acc) "You" is from se the accusative (direct objective) form of the second-person, singular pronoun. As an object of a preposition, it indicates movement or the result of movement. --
ἔχε [181 verses] (verb 2nd sg pres imperat act) "Have" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to indulge in," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." In reference to habits or states, it means "indulge in." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "to have the means or power," or "to be able" not "it must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English.Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means "me." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
παρῃτημένον. [2 verses](part sg perf mp masc acc) "Excused" is paraiteomai, which means "to beg of", "intercede with", "appeal to" a person, "decline", "deprecate", "demand exemption from", "intercede for", and "beg off".