Greedy Pharisees deride Jesus after parables of unjust steward.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Luke 16:16 The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
These traditions and these luminaries were up to John. From then, the realm of the Divine bring good news itself and everyone constrains himself in it.
The final verb, the punchline, is mistranslated as it is put in the wrong form so that the entire point of this saying is lost. First, the verse doesn't say "preached”. The word means "bring good news" and it is in the middle voice, so "the realm of the Divine brings itself”. The result is "everyone constrains himself" in it. They live within the good news, we avoid bad behavior from within ourselves.
If everyone doesn't constrain themselves, they must be constrained by the force of law.
The law and the prophets(UW) were until John: since that time the kingdom of (MW) God is preached(CW), and every man(IW) presseth(WV) into it.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "luminaries”. It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This religious "preached" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "man" doesn't exist in the source.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The "presses" here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
The Law and the Prophets(UW) were proclaimed(IW) until John. Since that time, [the good news of(IP)] the kingdom of (MW) God is being(WF) preached, and everyone is(WF) forcing [their way(IP] into it.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "luminaries." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "proclaimed" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "the good news of" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The present, progressive tense of "preached" doesn't exist in Greek.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This religious "preached" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The present, progressive tense of "force" doesn't exist in Greek.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "their way " doesn't exist in the source.
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.
law -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition", "common practice” or the "laws”. Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.
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."
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.
prophets -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God”, "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt, but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "luminaries”, "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT. It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English. It means "one who speaks for God", "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. It does not mean "one who sees the future" as it does in English. The sense is more a "luminary" because the Greek word comes from "light shining”. Read this article for more information.
were -- There is no verb "were" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
until - The Greek word translated as "until" means "up to” and "until”.
John: - "John" is the Greek word translated as the English proper name.
since--- The word translated as "since" 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 "since”. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after”.
that time -- The Greek word for "that time" means "at this time" or "then”. With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when”.
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.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
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.
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. However, it can also mean "belonging to”, "part of”, "which is”, "than" (in comparisons), or "for”, "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity”. When used by Jesus and in the Septuagint to mean "God”, it is introduced with an article, so "the God”, "the Divine" or "the divine one”. The definite article identifies it as specific. When a definite article does not introduce it, it refers more generally to "divinity", the nature of God.
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.
preached, -- (CW) "Preach" is translated from a Greek word that means to "bring good news", and, in the passive, "receive good news", It is either passive, or in a form which indicates the subject acting on itself. It is in the form of "to bring good news”. It comes before the word translated as "must." This religious "preached" is more specific than the word's meaning.
and -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition", "common practice” or the "laws”. Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.
every -- The word translated as "every" 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”.
man -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
presseth - (WV) "Presseth" is a verb that means "to constrain”, "to force” and "to use violence”. However, it not a true passive, but in the form where the subject is acted upon by or for itself. This is an uncommon word for Christ to use, so it stands as chosen specifically to make his point. It is either in the passive voice, "is constrained" or the middle voice, "constrains himself". The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
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”.
it. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
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.
Law -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.
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."
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.
Prophets -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt, but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "luminaries," "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT. It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English. It means "one who speaks for God", "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. It does not mean "one who sees the future" as it does in English. The sense is more a "luminary" because the Greek word comes from "light shining." Read this article for more information.
were -- There is no verb "were" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
proclaimed -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
until - The Greek word translated as "until" means "up to," and "until."
John: - "John" is the Greek word translated as the English proper name.
Since --- The word translated as "from" since"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."
that time -- -- The Greek word for "that time" means "at this time" or "then." With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when."
the good news of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
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.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
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.
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. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." When used by Jesus and in the Septuagint to mean "God, it is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." The definite article identifies it as specific. When a definite article does not introduce it, it refers more generally to "divinity," the nature of God.
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.
being -- (WF) The verb "being" is used here to form the English present, progressive tense, but that form doesn't exist in Greek. WF -- Wrong Form - The present, progressive tense doesn't exist in Greek.
preached, -- (CW) "Preach" is translated from a Greek word that means to"bring good news," and, in the passive, "receive good news." It is either passive, or in a form which indicates the subject acting on itself. It is in the form of "to bring good news. It comes before the word translated as "must." This religious "preached" is more specific than the word's meaning.
and -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.
everyone -- The word translated as "every" 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."
is -- (WF) The verb "is" is used here to form the English present, progressive tense, but that form doesn't exist in Greek.
forcing - "Presseth" is a verb that means "to constrain," "to force," and "to use violence." However, it not a true passive, but in the form where the subject is acted upon by or for itself. This is an uncommon word for Christ to use, so it stands about a chosen specifically to make his point. It is either in the passive voice, "is constrained" or the middle voice, "constrains himself". The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
their way -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
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."
it. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
νόμος [16 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Law" is nomos, which means "anything assigned", "a usage", "custom”, "law”, "ordinance” or "that which is a habitual practice". It is the basis of the English words "norm" and "normal”.
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”.
οἱ [821 verses](article pl 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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the”. See this article for more.
προφῆται [37 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Prophets" is prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will”, "interpreter”, "keepers of the oracle”, "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt”, "interpreter”, and "herald”. It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine light forth” or "to shine light before". Its roots are pros ("before"), phos ("light”) and phaino ("shine”).
μέχρι [3 verses](prep/conj/adv) "Until" is from mechri, which means "as far as", "even to”, "so far as”, "up to”, "until”, "about” and "nearly”.
Ἰωάνου [17 verses](noun sg masc gen)e "John" is from Ioannes, which is the Greek form of the name "John”. -
ἀπὸ [190 verses](prep) "Since" 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”.
τότε [53 verses](adv) "That time" is tote, which means "at that time”, "when” and "then”.
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem 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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
βασιλεία [98 verses](adj sg fem nom) "Kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom”, "dominion”, "hereditary monarchy”, "kingly office”, (passive) "being ruled by a king” and "reign”.
τοῦ [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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God”, "divine” and "Deity”.
εὐαγγελίζονται: [5 verses] (3rd pl pres ind mp) "Preach" is from euaggelizo. which means "bring good news”, "announce good things”, "preach or proclaim as glad tidings”, and, in the passive, "receive good news”.
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”. -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
πᾶς [212 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Every man" 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”.
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”.
αὐτὴν [39 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is auten, in the form of the singular, object, feminine pronoun "her/it." It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same”. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
βιάζεται, [2 verses](3rd sg pres ind mp) "Presseth" is from biazo, which means to "constrain”, "be hard pressed or overpowered”, "be forced or constrained to do”, "forcibly made slaves”, "make good”, "suffice to discharge” (a debt)”, "carry by force”, "act with violence”, "use force" and "contend or argue vehemently”. - "Suffers violence" is a verb that means "to constrain," "to force," and "to use violence." However, it not a true passive, but in the form where the subject is acted upon by or for itself. This is an uncommon word for Christ to use, so it stands as chosen specifically to make his point.