Jesus says this to his followers telling them about he time of his return.
Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Luke 17:34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.
I tell you, there, that night, two will be upon one couch, the one will be admitted/received and the other will be let loose/set free.
The two verbs translated as "taken" and "left" have multiple meanings so that we cannot easily say which is positive and which is negative. The "taken" could mean "taken" as in the negative sense of "taken prisoner" or the positive sense of "invited." The "left" could mean "sent away" or "set free."
The Greek word translated as "shall be taken" is very uncommon in the Gospels, but very common in Greek though the spelling here is non-standard. One of the reasons it is so common in is that it has a wide variety of different uses. It is from a verb that means to "to receive from", "to take upon oneself", "to get control of", "to find", and "to undertake". The root word is very common in the Gospels and its meaning is both to "take" and to "receive" as we use the word "get" in English. The literal meaning is something to "to get with" or "to get from". It also has a number of special meaning such as "to invite" and "to take a prisoner." It doesn't quite mean "taken" except in the sense of taking prisoners. The ending is a future passive ending so "shall be admitted" comes closest.
The word translated as "shall be left" primarily means "to let go" "to pass by", or "to send away." This word is common both in Greek and in the Gospels. This word translated in a wide variety of ways, however, in the Gospels, "leave", "forgive", "suffer," (in the sense of "put up with") and "let" (in the sense of "to leave alone") in the New Testament.
I would like to be both set free and invited.
I tell you, in that night there shall be two men(IW) in(CW) one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "men" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in."
I tell you, on (MW) that night two people(IW) will be in(CW) (MW) one bed; one will be taken and the other left.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "there" after "night" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "people" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "one" is not shown in the English translation.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
tell -- 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."
you,-- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
in -- This word "in" 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.
that - -- The word translated as "that" 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.
night -- "Night" is the noun that means "night," "midnight," and is a metaphor for darkness. --
there - The "there" is an adjective 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." As an adverb it means "in this way," "therefore," and "that is why."
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.
be -- The verb "be" 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.
two -- The Greek word for "two" means "two" or a "couple." -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
men -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
in -- (CW) The word translated as "in" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." This is not the word usually translated as "in."
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.
bed; -- The word translated as "bed" means "that on which one lies," but it also means a "grave-niche."
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.
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.
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.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
taken,-- "Taketh " is a Greek verb that means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate oneself." It also means "invite" which works well with all the verses in which Jesus uses it. It is a compound verb, with a prefix meaning "beside" and to common verb primarily meaning "get," but usually translated as in the KJV as "receive."
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.
other -- The word translated as "another" means "one of two," "other," "another," or "different." It is an adjective used as a noun.
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.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
left. -- " The word translated as "left" primarily means "to let go," "to leave," "let loose," or "to send away." It can also mean "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. It has the sense of leaving something alone and letting it drop. See this article for more.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
tell -- 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."
you,-- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.
on -- This word "on" 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.
missing "there" -- (MW) The untranslated word "there" is an adjective 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." As an adverb it means "in this way," "therefore," and "that is why."
that - -- The word translated as "that" 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.
night -- "Night" is the noun that means "night," "midnight," and is a metaphor for darkness. --
two -- The Greek word for "two" means "two" or a "couple." -- The "two" is the numeral, "two," which, like numbers in English, plays a lot of roles. Often, it acts as an adjective, but without a noun to modify, so it takes on the role of a noun. The Greek word is "duo," which of course means "a pair of singers" or "couple" like a married couple.
people -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
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.
be -- The verb "be" 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.
in -- (CW) The word translated as "in" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." This is not the word usually translated as "in."
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.
bed; -- The word translated as "bed" means "that on which one lies," but it also means a "grave-niche."
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.
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.
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.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
taken,-- "Taketh " is a Greek verb that means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate oneself." It also means "invite" which works well with all the verses in which Jesus uses it. It is a compound verb, with a prefix meaning "beside" and to common verb primarily meaning "get," but usually translated as in the KJV as "receive."
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.
other -- The word translated as "another" means "one of two," "other," "another," or "different." It is an adjective used as a noun.
left. -- " The word translated as "left" primarily means "to let go," "to leave," "let loose," or "to send away." It can also mean "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. It has the sense of leaving something alone and letting it drop. See this article for more.
λέγω [264 verses]( verb 1st sg pres ind act ) "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."
ταύτῃ [16 verses] (adv/adj sg fem dat) "There" is taute, which can be either an adverb or adjective (houtos). As an adverb this it means "in this way," "therefore," and "that is why." As an adjective, it means "this," "that," "there," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage.
τῇ [821 verses] (article sg fem dat) "That" 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."
νυκτὶ [11 verses]( noun sg fem dat ) "Night" is from nyx, which means "night," "midnight," and is a metaphor for darkness.
ἔσονται [614 verses] ( verb 3rd pl fut ind mid ) "There shall be" 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."
δύο. [36 verses](numeral) "Two" is duo, which means the number "two," "a couple," and "a pair."
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi, which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," "for," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "for" a person, an end, or purpose," "on condition that," and "for" (a price). With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards,"after," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, and judging, it means "in the case of."
κλίνης [6 verses]( noun sg fem gen ) "Bed"is kline, which means "that on which one lies", "couch," and a "grave-niche."
[μιᾶς], [85 verses]( adj sg fem gen ) "One" 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.
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."
εἷς [85 verses](noun sg masc nom) "One" 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.
παραλημφθήσεται [8 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be taken" is from paralambano, which means "to receive from," "to take upon oneself," "to take to oneself," and "to associate 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."
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."
ἕτερος [21 verses]( adj sg masc nom ) "Other" is heteros, which means "one or the other of two," "the second," "the secondary," "the minor," "other things [of like kind]," "another," "different," "other than," "different from," "other than should be," and "in another or a different way." As an adverb, it means "in one or the other way," "differently," "otherwise than should be," "badly," and "wrongly."
ἀφεθήσεται: [73 verses]( verb 3rd sg fut ind pass ) "Shall be left" is aphiemi, which means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "set free," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." The dative is the person it is left to. The accusative object is what is left, given away, etc. It can also mean to "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. With an accusative person as an object and an infinite, it means "to permit one." A genitive object is a thing "let go of."
The forms of the verbs are also interesting in terms of who does what do whom and do not completely agree with versions in Matthew (Matthew 24:40, Matthew 24:41), which are in the present tense.