Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Spoken to: 

audience

Jesus addresses a large crowd that has when you want to build a tower, you must sit down and calculate the cost.

KJV: 

Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

NIV : 

Luke 14:30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Saying that this one here, this person, started to build and isn't capable enough to finish.

MY TAKE: 

The more visible our failures, the more embarassing they are.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

λέγοντες ὅτι  Οὗτος                ἄνθρωπος ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ἐκτελέσαι.
Saying    that this one here, this person,    started   to build      and isn't able to finish.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Building a tower and failing is a more visible failure than most because of its deep foundations.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

3

Saying, (MWthat)  This(CW) (MWthis)  man began to build, and was not able to finish.

  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that"  after "saying" is not shown in the English translation.CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" works better in this situation as "this one here."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.

saying,  (MWthat) ‘This(CW) (MWthis)  person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that"  after "saying" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" works better in this situation as "this one here."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Saying, -- 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."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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."

This -- (CW) The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "the nearer,"  "here," or "there." Referring to time, it means "which time."  It often  follows the noun to further identify it as the one "here" or there."  When preceded by a definite article that also functions as a "this," this word more clearly means "here."

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.

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

began --  "Ye begin" 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 "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

build, --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

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."

was -- The word translated as "was...able" is a verb that means "to be strong", "to be able," or "to have powerful."

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. 

able -  - This completes the meaning of the verb.

to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

finish. -- The word translated as "to finish" is uncommon and used for the first time here. It means to "bring to an end", "accomplish", and "achieve", "fulfill" a promise, and in the passive, "will be accomplished".  However, it is a form of a very common Greek word that means "to finish" or "fulfill" with the addition of a common prefix meaning "out of". 

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Saying, -- 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."

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "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."

This -- (CW) The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "the nearer,"  "here," or "there." Referring to time, it means "which time."  It often  follows the noun to further identify it as the one "here" or there."  When preceded by a definite article that also functions as a "this," this word more clearly means "here."

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.

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

began --  "Ye begin" 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 "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

build, --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

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."

was -- The word translated as "was...able" is a verb that means "to be strong", "to be able," or "to have powerful."

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. 

able -  - This completes the meaning of the verb.

to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

finish. -- The word translated as "to finish" is uncommon and used for the first time here. It means to "bring to an end", "accomplish", and "achieve", "fulfill" a promise, and in the passive, "will be accomplished".  However, it is a form of a very common Greek word that means "to finish" or "fulfill" with the addition of a common prefix meaning "out of". 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

λέγοντες [264 verses](part pl pres act masc nom) "Saying" 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."

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.

οὗτός [83 verses](adj sg masc nom) "This" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer." When οὗτος 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"

[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."  -- 

ἄνθρωπος [209 verses](noun sg masc nom) "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. Used as a form of address, it is a bit contemptuous, "sir."

ἤρξατο[14 verses] (verb 3rd sg 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."

οἰκοδομεῖν [18 verses](verb pres inf act) "To build"is oikodomeo,which means to "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify."

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." -

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.

ἴσχυσεν [8 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Was...able" is ischyo, which means "to be strong", "to be powerful", "to prevail", "to be worth," and "to be equivalent to."

ἐκτελέσαι.  [2 verses](verb aor inf act) "To finish" is ekteleō , which means to "bring to an end", "accomplish", and "achieve", "fulfill" a promise, and in the passive, "will be accomplished".

Front Page Date: 

Sep 22 2024