Jesus looks down on Jerusalem and weeps. After this line, he describes the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
Luke 19:42 If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Luke 19:42 “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
If you knew on this day here, even you yourself, these things proceeding from peace! Now, however, it is buried from your eyes.
This is a hard verse to understand, even in the original Greek. The confusing part of this verse is translated as "the things which belong unto thy peace," (KJV) and "what would bring you peace" (NIV). The NIV version is easier to understand, but it has little in common with what Jesus said.
This phrase begins with the plural pronoun that is usually translated as "these/those things," where the "things" comes from its form. The word also means "what"(NIV) but not in the plural used here.
Next, we have a preposition that has a large range of meaning but doesn't mean "which belongs to"(KJV) and certainly doesn't mean"would bring you"(NIV). One of its common meanings however is "proceeding from" which fits well here. Still, the phrase "If you knew the things proceeding from peace" seems a bit obscure. What does it mean?
While I see my job as translation, not explanation, this suggests that the Judeans could had chosen Jesus instead of a vision of a Messiah who would lead them in war, a different future was possible. However, they had hopes for him as their kind of Messiah and were disappointed in him, leading to his death and resurrection, but, even after his resurrection, most Judeans were looking for war not the kingdom, leading to the destruction of the temple.
We can fight about earthly things or pursue higher things.
If thou had(WT) known, even thou (MW), [at least(IW)] in this(CW) thy(OS) (MW) day, the things [which belong(IP)] unto thy peace! but now they(WN) are hid from thine eyes.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "had" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present or future).
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourself" after "you" for emphasis.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "at least" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" should be either "here" or "there" in most situations.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "thy" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "day" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "which belong" doesn't exist in the source.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "thy" doesn't exist in the source.
If you, even you (MW), had(WT) only known on this(CW) (MW) day what(WN) [would bring you(IP) (MW) peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourself" after "you" for emphasis.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "had" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present or future).
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" should be either "here" or "there" in most situations.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "day" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "what" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "would bring you" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "to" before "peace" is not shown in the English translation.
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever".
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
hadst -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the past tense, but the verb is not the past but a form that indicates a specific point in time, past, present or future.
known -- "Known," is a verb that means "to know", "to recognize", "make known", "to know carnally" and "to learn.
even -- The Greek word translated as "even " is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and "even", as here.
thou -- -- The "you" here is the second-person pronoun in form of a singular subject. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it has a verb, the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use repeats the idea of who is speaking, "you". Saying "you yourself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "yourself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself".
at least -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
this -- (CW) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there." As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this". The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this". It works better as "here", which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there". It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing here".
thy -- (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.
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.
day -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime". The article before the noun can be read as "this" without the pronoun.
the -- -- The word translated as "who" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he", "she", "it", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "when", "for which reason" and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things".
things - --There is no word, "thing", in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, singular form of the previous "the".
which belong -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
unto -- The word translated as "unto" means "towards", "by reason of" (for), and "against".
thy -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
peace -- "Peace" is the Greek term that means "harmony between individuals and nations" and the general idea of safety, security, and prosperity. It is the opposite of the state of war. In Hebrew, the word for peace was used in salutations and as an inquiry as to one's health.
but --The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however" and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now", "at the present moment", "presently" and "as it is".
they -- (WN)This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This word is not plural but singular.
are -- This helping verb "are " indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
hid -- "Hid" is from a verb participle meaning "to hide", "to cover", "to conceal", "to keep secret", "cover in the earth", "bury" and "conceal".
from -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun.
thine -- The "your" here is the singular, possessive (genitive) form of the second-person pronoun. When it follows the noun, "of yours".
eyes -- The Greek word for "eyes" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight". It is a metaphor for "cheer".
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever".
you-- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
even -- The Greek word translated as "even" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and "even", as here.
you -- -- The "you" here is the second-person pronoun in form of a singular subject. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it has a verb, the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use repeats the idea of who is speaking, "you". Saying "you yourself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "yourself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself".
had -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the past tense, but the verb is not the past but a form that indicates a specific point in time, past, present, or future.
only -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
known -- "Known," is a verb that means "to know", "to recognize", "make known", "to know carnally" and "to learn".
on -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
this -- (CW) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there". As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this". The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this". It works better as "here", which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there". It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing 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.
day -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime". The article before the noun can be read as "this" without the pronoun.
what --(WN) The word translated as "what" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he", "she", "it", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "when", "for which reason" and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things". This word is not singular but plural.
would bring you -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
missing " inspired by " -- (MW) The untranslated word "inspired by" 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". But here it has the sense of "inspired by".
peace -- "Peace" is the Greek term that means "harmony between individuals and nations" and the general idea of safety, security, and prosperity. It is the opposite of the state of war. In Hebrew, the word for peace was used in salutations and as an inquiry as to one's health.
but --The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however" and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now", "at the present moment","presently" and "as it is".
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
hidden -- "Hid" is from a verb participle meaning "to hide", "to cover", "to conceal", "to keep secret", "cover in the earth", "bury" and "conceal".
from -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun.
your -- The "your" here is the singular, possessive (genitive) form of the second-person pronoun. When it follows the noun, "of yours".
eyes -- The Greek word for "eyes" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight". It is a metaphor for "cheer".
Εἰ (conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether". It also means "if ever", "in case" and "whenever". It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.
ἔγνως (verb 2nd sg aor ind act) "Thou hadst known", is ginosko which means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation" and "to perceive".
ἐν (prep) "In" is en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
τῇ [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".
ἡμέρᾳ (noun sg fem dat) "Day" 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).
ταύτῃ (adv/adj sg fem dat) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these", "this", "that" and "here". It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why".
καὶ (conj/adv) "Even" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "but". 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".
σὺ (pron 2nd sg nom) "Thou" is su which means "you" and "your".
τὰ (irreg pl neut acc/mon) "The things"is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "it", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "when", "for which reason" and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things".
πρὸς (prep) "Unto" is pros, which means "on the side of", "in the direction of", "from" (place), "towards", "before", "in the presence of", "in the eyes of", "in the name of", "by reason of", "before" (supplication), "proceeding from" (for effects), "dependent on", "derivable from", "agreeable", "becoming", "like", "at the point of", "in addition to", "against" and "before". 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".
εἰρήνην (verb pres inf act or noun sg fem acc ) "Peace" is eirene, which means "time of peace", "national tranquility", "peace", "tranquility", "personal tranquility" and "harmony". It is the name for the goddess of peace.
νῦν (adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now", "at the present moment", "at the present time", "just now", "presently" and "as it is".
δὲ (conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand". It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").
ἐκρύβη [9 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind pass) "They are hid" is from krypto, which means "to hide", "to cover", "to conceal", "to keep secret", "cover in the earth", "bury", "conceal", "argue so that the opponent is unwarily led to an adverse conclusion", "lie hidden", in passive, "conceal oneself from", "hide oneself" and "lie hidden".
ἀπὸ (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.
ὀφθαλμῶν (noun pl masc gen) "Eyes" is ophthalmos, which means "eye", "sight", "the dearest and best", "light", "cheer", "comfort" and "the bud" [of a plant].
σου.(adj sg masc gen) "Thy" is sou which means "of you" and "your".