To his students after saying to let go of others who err.
Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Luke 17:4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
And when he errs seven times during the day in regards to you and seven times turns toward you saying, "I changed my mind", you will let him loose.
All the key words here, those translated as "trespass/sin", "repent" and "forgive" have all been translated to add a religious gloss that obscures the common sense meaning in this verse. These words mean "err", "change his mind", and "leave alone". See this article for more on the meaning of "sin" and "forgive". The Greek word translated as "I repent" means "to perceive afterward", "to perceive too late", "to change one's mind" and "to change one's purpose". The Biblical translators add makes it religious by making it "to repent".
We keep making mistakes and keep needing to be freed from those habits.
And if(CW) he trespass(WW) against(WW) thee seven times in a(WW) day, and seven times [in a day{OS}] turn again to thee, saying, I repent(CW); thou shalt forgive(CW) him.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "trespass" should be something more like "err".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "against" should be something more like "towards".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "against" should be something more like "towards".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the".
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "in a day" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "repented" does not capture the word's specific meaning.-
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "forgive" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
Even if(CW) they(WN) sin(WW) against(WW) you seven times in a(WW) day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent(CW),’ you must(WW) forgive(CW) them(WN).”
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "sin" should be something more like "err".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "against" should be something more like "towards".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the".
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "repented" does not capture the word's specific meaning.-
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "must" should be something more like "will".
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "forgive" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "them" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
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".
if - (CW) "If" is from a word meaning "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly", "whosoever" or "whatsoever". This is not the simple "if".
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
trespass -- (WW) "Trespass" is from the verb which means "to miss the mark", "to fail in one's purpose", "to err", "to be mistaken" and "to neglect". See this article about "sin" for more detail. This word doesn't mean "trespass".
against -- (WW) The word translated as "against" 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". This word doesn't mean "against".
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.
seven times - The "seven times" is a single word that means "seven times" in Greek.
in -- This word "in" 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. In reference to time, it could instead be translated as "during", "at" or "within".
a -- (WW) 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. This word doesn't mean "the".
day,-- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis.
seven times - The "seven times" is a single word that means "seven times" in Greek.
in a day -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
turn again -- "Turn again" is translated from a Greek word "to turn about" or "to turn around", but also means "cause to return" and "to turn one's mind towards" something. In the passive, which is used here, it means "to turn oneself around" or "be turned around".
to -- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards", "by reason of", "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of", "against", and several other types of "before".
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.
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". It is a participle, "paying".
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
repent; -- (CW) The word translated as "repent" has nothing to do with sin or, generally, with religion or asking for forgiveness. The Greek word translated as "repent" has a primary meaning of understanding something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Its specific meaning is to "understand afterward", as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. From this idea, it comes to mean to change your mind, shifting your perspective.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
shalt -- 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.
forgive -- " (CW) The word translated as "forgive" 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.
him. "-- The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
Even -- The Greek word translated as "Even" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
if - (CW) "If" is from a word meaning "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly", "whosoever" or "whatsoever". This is not the simple "if".
they -- (WN)This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. This word is not plural but singular.
sin -- (WW) "sin" is from the verb which means "to miss the mark," "to fail in one's purpose", "to err", "to be mistaken" and "to neglect". See this article about "sin" for more detail. This word doesn't mean "sin".
against -- (WW) The word translated as "against" 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". This word doesn't mean "against".
you -- 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.
seven times - The "seven times" is a single word that means "seven times" in Greek.
in -- This word "in" 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. In reference to time, it could instead be translated as "during", "at" or "within".
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" 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. This word doesn't mean "a".
day,-- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis.
seven times - The "seven times" is a single word that means "seven times" in Greek.
come back -- "Come back" is translated from a Greek word "to turn about" or "to turn around", but also means "cause to return" and "to turn one's mind towards" something. In the passive, which is used here, it means "to turn oneself around" or "be turned around".
to -- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of its object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards", "by reason of", "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of", "against", and several other types of "before".
you , -- 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.
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". It is a participle, "saying".
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
repent; -- (CW) The word translated as "repent" has nothing to do with sin or, generally, with religion or asking for forgiveness. The Greek word translated as "repent" has a primary meaning of understanding something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Its specific meaning is to "understand afterward", as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. From this idea, it comes to mean to change your mind, shifting your perspective.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
must -- This helping verb "must" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This word doesn't mean "must."
forgive -- " (CW) The word translated as "forgive" 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.
them -- (WN) The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun. It is singular not plural.
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".
ἐὰν [163 verses](conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when". It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly", "whosoever" or "whatsoever".
ἑπτάκις [2 verses](adv) "Seven times" is heptakis, which means "seven times".
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "A" 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".
ἡμέρας [96 verses](sg fem gen) "Days" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day", "a state or time of life", "a time" (poetic), "day break" and "day time". It also has a second meaning, of "quiet", "tame" (animals)" "cultivated" (crops), and "civilized (people)".
ἁμαρτήσῃ [7 verses]( verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "He trespass" is from hamartanô, which means "to miss the mark", "to fail in one's purpose", "to err", "to be mistaken" and "to neglect".
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".
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.
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".
ἑπτάκις [2 verses](adv) "Seven times" is heptakis, which means "seven times". - The "seven times" is a single word that means "seven times" in Greek.
ἐπιστρέψῃ [9 times](verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Turn again" is epistrepho, which means "to turn about", "to turn around", "turn towards", "return", "curve", "twist", "go back-and forwards", "pay attention to", "to turn one's mind towards", "regard", "conduct oneself" and "behave", and in the passive to "be converted", "to be distorted", "turn oneself round", "are turned", and as an adjective, "earnest", "vehement".
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place), "on the side of" and "toward". Its meaning depends on the form of its object. An indirect object (dative) implies no movement but in a fixed position. A direct object (accusative) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. In statements about time, it means "at", "near", "about" or "for" a future time. With verbs of motion, "towards", "to", with verbs implying previous motion, "upon", "against"; verbs of addition "to", verbs of seeing "towards", "to face", in hostile sense, "against", "in accusation", without any hostile "to", of various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with", "at the hands of", "incurred by", "inspired by", "before" a witness, of Time, "towards", or "near", of Relation between two objects "in respect of", "touching", "in reference to", "in consequence of", "for a purpose", "in proportion", "in comparison with", of measurements of time "for", "a little past", of Numbers "up to", "about". A possessive object (genitive) indicates movement away or a position away from something, "from", "towards", "from the presence of". Events occur within a specified time. Examples of indirect object: "hard by", "near", "at", "close", "before one", "in the presence of", with verbs denoting motion towards a place "upon", "against", with a notion of clinging closely "clasped to", to express close engagement "at the point of", to express union or addition "besides", "in addition to".
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.
λέγων [264 verses] (part sg 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 it 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".
Μετανοῶ, [9 verses]( verb 1st sg pres ind act ) "I repent," is from metanoeo, which literally means "to perceive afterward", "to perceive too late", "to change one's mind", "to change one's purpose" and "to repent".
ἀφήσεις [73 verses](verb 2nd sg fut ind act) "Thou shalt forgive" 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".
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Him" 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".