Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me...

Spoken to: 

Apostles

Some people bring their children to him and his apostles try to stop them.

KJV: 

Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

NIV : 

Mark 10:14 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Permit those little children to come before me and don't prevent them. because to those similar belongs the realms of the Divine.

MY TAKE: 

The realm of the Divine belongs to those who learn by playing.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

Ἄφετε τὰ       παιδία           ἔρχεσθαι πρός   με, μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά,
Permit those little children to come  before me don't prevent them.

τῶν         γὰρ       τοιούτων ἐστὶν        βασιλεία      τοῦ θεοῦ.
to those  because similar   belongs the realm       of the Divine.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

This verse is identical to Luke 18:16 and very similar to Matthew 19:14.

The word translated as "suffer/let" is best translated as "permit" with the form of the object and the infinitive, "to do."

The word translated as "little children" specifically means children under seven years old with a neutral gender. It is one of several words Jesus uses to refer to children, see this article. Though translated as "the little children," the sense is more like "these little kids."

The word translated as "such" is an adjective that means "similar." Since it too is preceded by an article, the sense is "those similar." Jesus most commonly uses this adjective in talking about children. This word and the article introducing it are both in the possessive case, which is used for a lot of purposes. It can mean that the kingdom is made of up of children or that it for the benefit of children or that it is possessed by children.

The last line's, the punchline's meaning is much clearer if we translate the "of such is" as "belongs to them." When the verb "to be" takes this form of object, the sense is "belongs to." The sense of the line is "it belongs to the ones similar, the realm of the skies." The "realm of the skies" is the punchline, saved until the end because the entire verse raises the question, "why are little children specials?" This last line answers that question. Elsewhere Jesus

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "suffer" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "such" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "is" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

4
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/these" before "such" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "is" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Suffer  - (CW) The word translated as "Suffer" primarily means "to let go" or "to pass by." This same word is usually translated as "leave," "forgive," "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. Here, the sense is "pass by" since they are being blocked. This is not the specific meaning of the word. With an accusative person "the children," as an object and an infinite, "to come," it specifically means "to permit one." CW --Confusing Word -- The "suffer" does not capture the word's specific meaning.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

little children "Little  children" is from a noun that means children and infants up to seven years of age. It is a diminutive form as we would say "kids." It has an article, so "these little kids" comes closer. It is one of several words Jesus uses to refer to children, see this article. The word is a diminuitive form of "child" so "little child."

to -- This "to" is from the infinitive form of the verb.

come -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. 

unto -- The word translated as "to" means "towards," "by reason of (for)," and "against." Jesus often uses it to mean "before."

me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

forbid - "Forbid" is from a verb that means "to hinder" and "to prevent."

them -  -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a plural object of a verb or preposition for a neuter noun.

not:-- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used.

for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause." 

of --  (CW) This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession. However, when this form or word is the object of the verb "to be" the sense is "belongs to," so the sense of this word in this situations is "to."

missing "the/these"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

such  - "Such" is an adjective that means "such as this," "comparable," "similar," "alike," "in this way," "just so," and "even so." It is a stronger form of the word that means "such" and "like such."

is -- (CW) The verb "is" 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. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). 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.

of -- The "of" comes from the form of the article and adjective that requires that addition of a proposition in English to capture its meaning.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

God. -- The word translated as "of God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods. The sense is "of the Divine."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Let - The word translated as "Suffer" primarily means "to let go" or "to pass by." This same word is usually translated as "leave," "forgive," "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament. Here, the sense is "pass by" since they are being blocked. This is not the specific meaning of the word.  With an accusative person "the children," as an object and an infinite, "to come," it specifically means "to permit one."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

little children "Little  children" is from a noun that means children and infants up to seven years of age. It is a diminutive form as we would say "kids." It has an article, so "these little kids" comes closer. It is one of several words Jesus uses to refer to children, see this article. The word is a diminuitive form of "child" so "little child."

missing "to"  -- This "to" is from the infinitive form of the verb. However, the word "let" doesn't usually doesn't take an infinitive.

come -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. 

unto -- The word translated as "to" means "towards," "by reason of (for)," and "against." Jesus often uses it to mean "before."

me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

forbid - "Forbid" is from a verb that means "to hinder" and "to prevent."

them -  -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a plural object of a verb or preposition for a neuter noun.

not:-- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used.

for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause." 

of --  (CW) This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession. However, when this form or word is the object of the verb "to be" the sense is "belongs to," so the sense of this word in this situations is "to."

missing "the/these"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

such  - "Such" is an adjective that means "such as this," "comparable," "similar," "alike," "in this way," "just so," and "even so." It is a stronger form of the word that means "such" and "like such."

is -- (CW) The verb "is" 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. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). 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.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the 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."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.

God. -- The word translated as "of God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods. The sense is "of the Divine."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Ἄφετε  [73 verses]( verb 2nd pl aor imperat act ) "Suffer" is from aphiemi, which means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"),.The word translated as "the" [The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

παιδία [13 verses](noun pl neut nom/acc diminutive) "Little children" is from paidion, which means "little child" or "young child," (up to seven years) "infant" or "young slave." The diminutive of  παῖς (pais), the common Greek word that means child that Jesus uses twice. 

ἔρχεσθαι][198 verses](verb pres inf mp) "Come" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

πρός [92 verses](prep) "For" 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."

με [49 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I," "me," and "my." -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from 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."

μὴ [447 verses](conj)"Not" is from me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.

κωλύετε [7 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Forbid" is from kolyo, which means "to hinder," "withhold," and "to prevent."

αὐτὰ [27 verses](adj pl neut acc) "Them"  is auta, in the form of the plural, neuter pronoun "them" in the form of a direct object.

τῶν [821 verses](article pl neut/masc/fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

γὰρ [205 verses](partic)"For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question it means "why" and "what." -

τοιούτων [8 verses](adj pl neut gen) "Of such" is from toioutos, which means "such as this," "comparable," "similar," "alike," "in this way," "just so," and "even so." It is a stronger form of the word that means "such" and "like such."

ἐστὶν [614 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible."

 [821 verses] (article pl neut nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"),.The word translated as "the" The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

βασιλεία [98 verses](noun pl neut nom) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"),.The word translated as "the" [The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

θεοῦ. [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity." -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Jul 3 2023