Mark 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished

Spoken to: 

group

On the first day of the feast of passover, after killing the lamb.

KJV: 

Mark 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

NIV : 

Mark 14:15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.

3RD (NLT, if not otherwise identified): 

Mark 14:15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

And he himself will show you a big upper floor, having been laid out, ready, and there, get it ready for us. 

MY TAKE: 

Even when we think we are ready, we still must get ready.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

Mark 14:15  καὶ αὐτὸς ὑμῖν δείξει ἀνάγαιον μέγα ἐστρωμένον ἕτοιμον: καὶ ἐκεῖ ἑτοιμάσατε ἡμῖν.

GREEK ORDER: 

καὶ αὐτὸς     ὑμῖν  δείξει                 ἀνάγαιον      μέγα ἐστρωμένον              ἕτοιμον: καὶ ἐκεῖ   ἑτοιμάσατε  ἡμῖν.
And himself you  he will show  a  upper floor,  big    having been laid out, ready, and   there, get it ready for us. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

There is a little wordplay in this final verse, the word translated in the KJV as "prepared" and "make ready" are the adjective and verb form of the same root word.  Since the room is already described as "ready" the verb is aimed at the final phase "for us." The sense is that the room may be ready but the meal is not.

Despite the simplicity of this verse, the Living Bible Translation has 17 translation issues. More than half of its words are not justified by the original Greek.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

1

IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the KJV source.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

2
  • MW - Missing Word -- The conjunction "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "and" joins the clauses not the adjectives.

# 3RD TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

17
  • MW - Missing Word -- The conjunction "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "take" means "show."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "you" is not the object but the indired object, not what is "taken" but to whom it was shown.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The preposition "to" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "room."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The conjunction "that" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The verb "is" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "already" is not an adverb but an adjective , "ready."
  • W - Inserted Word -- The conjunction "that" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The verb "is" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The verb  "set up" is not an active verb but a passive participle meaning "having been spread."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The conjunction "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • W - Inserted Word -- The conjunction "that" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The verb "is" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The verb "should" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "our" is not an possessive but an indirect object, "for us" or "to us." 
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The noun "meal" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb. The word translated as "he" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun is not usually used as a subject because the same information is in the verb. It is used only to add emphasis as we would say "he himself."

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

shew -- "Shew" is an uncommon verb for Jesus that means "show", "point out", "make known", "display", "exhibit", and "offer."

you The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc. 

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

large -- The word translated as "large" means "big", "high" "great," and "impressive."

upper room -- "Upper room" is  from a Greek word that only appears in this verse and the parallel verse in Mark. It gets the meaning  "upper room" from its literal meaning "high ground". This word is not used anywhere else in ancient Greek in the Perseus database. Nor does it appear in the Septuagint, which is very unusual. This may have been a local Greek word not in common use elsewhere.

furnished -- "Furnished" is another rare word, but this one does appear in the Septuagint as well as the NT. A version of it with a prefix also appears in other ancient Greek. It is a verb that means means to  "spread", and "spread out". It is in the form of an passive adjective, "having been spread".

and --  (IW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").  This word did not appear in the KJV Greek text, but it does appear in more modern sources, but after the "prepared" below. It joins two sentences, not these two adjectives

prepared: -- The "prepared" is from  an adjective that means "at hand", "ready", "prepared", of persons, "ready", "active", "zealous," of the mind, "ready", "bold," and as an adverb, "readily", "willingly."

there "There" is a word meaning "there", "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."

make ready -- The verb translated as "make ready" means to "get ready," "prepare", "make ready," and "to cause to prepare." It is in a form that indicates the action has been completed. It is a command. This is the same verb used in Luke 22:8, that started this discussion. 

for  -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for the area of effect.

us.  "Us" is the plural form of the first-personal pronoun as an indirect object.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated Greek word is the "and" used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

He -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb. The word translated as "he" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun is not usually used as a subject because the same information is in the verb. It is used only to add emphasis as we would say "he himself."

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

show -- "Show" is an uncommon verb for Jesus that means "show", "point out", "make known", "display", "exhibit", and "offer."

you The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc. 

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

large -- The word translated as "large" means "big", "high" "great," and "impressive."

room upstairs -- "Room upstairs" is  from a Greek word that only appears in this verse and the parallel verse in Mark. It gets the meaning  "upper room" from its literal meaning "high ground". This word is not used anywhere else in ancient Greek in the Perseus database. Nor does it appear in the Septuagint, which is very unusual. This may have been a local Greek word not in common use elsewhere.

furnished -- "Furnished" is another rare word, but this one does appear in the Septuagint as well as the NT. A version of it with a prefix also appears in other ancient Greek. It is a verb that means means to  "spread", and "spread out". It is in the form of an passive adjective, "having been spread".

and --  (WP) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").  This word appears after the "prepared" below. While it could mean "also,"  Icoint seems to join two sentences, not these two adjectives

ready: -- The "ready" is from  an adjective that means "at hand", "ready", "prepared", of persons, "ready", "active", "zealous," of the mind, "ready", "bold," and as an adverb, "readily", "willingly."

Make preparations -- -- The verb translated as "make ready" means to "get ready," "prepare", "make ready," and "to cause to prepare." It is in a form that indicates the action has been completed. It is a command. This is the same verb used in Luke 22:8, that started this discussion. 

for  -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for the area of effect.

us.  "Us" is the plural form of the first-personal pronoun as an indirect object.

there "There" is a word meaning "there", "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."

EACH WORD 3RD (NLT or as noted): 

Missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated Greek word is the "and" used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

He -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb. The word translated as "he" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun is not usually used as a subject because the same information is in the verb. It is used only to add emphasis as we would say "he himself."

will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

take -- (WW) "Take" is the wrong word. This word means "show" or "offer," and it is an uncommon verb for Jesus. It might mean "show", "point out", "make known", "display", "exhibit", and "offer."

you -- (WF) The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.  It is not the object of the verb that means "show" but the indirect object.

upstairs  -- This is from the prefix that means "upwards" and "above" of the noun translated as "room" below.

to -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "to" in the Greek source. It was added because the wrong verb was used earlier. 

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

large -- The word translated as "large" means "big", "high" "great," and "impressive."

room -- (CW) "Room" is  from a Greek word that only appears in this verse and the parallel verse in Mark. It gets the meaning  "upper room" from its literal meaning "high ground". This word is not used anywhere else in ancient Greek in the Perseus database. Nor does it appear in the Septuagint, which is very unusual. This may have been a local Greek word not in common use elsewhere. This is not the word usually translated as "room."

 that -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source.

is -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.

already -- (WF) The "already" is from  an adjective, not an adverb, that means "at hand", "ready", "prepared", of persons, "ready", "active", "zealous," of the mind, "ready", "bold," and as an adverb, "readily", "willingly."

set up. -- (WF) "Set up" is another rare word, but this one does appear in the Septuagint as well as the NT. A version of it with a prefix also appears in other ancient Greek. It is a verb that means means to  "spread", and "spread out". It is in the form of an passive adjective, "having been spread".

Untranslated "and" -- (MW) The missing word is "and" used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). 

That -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source.

is -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.

where -- "Where" is a word meaning "there", "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the following verb.

should -- (IW) This helping verb "should" indicates that the following verb is in a form that indicates possibility at some time. However, this verb is not in the form. It is a command. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

prepare --The verb translated as "prepare" means to "get ready," "prepare", "make ready," and "to cause to prepare." It is in a form that indicates the action has been completed. It is a command.

our -- (WF)  "Our" is the plural form of the first-personal pronoun as an indirect object. It is not the possessive, "our" but the indirect object, "to us."

meal. -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "meal" in the Greek source.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and." 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." --

αὐτὸς [20 verses](adj sg masc nom) "He/It" is autos, which means is the singular adjective used as the subject pronoun in the masculine.  It also means "it" because masculine pronouns refer to things or ideas as much as to people.  -- The word translated as "he/it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  The forme is the singular subject for the sentence, and it is feminine. However, masculine pronouns refer to masculine nouns, not just masculine people so this word can mean "it" as well as "he." Since Greek active verbs include the singular form of the subject, when the subject is clear, this pronoun can be repetitive, emphasizing the subject. This is how we say "he himself" and "it itself" to emphasize the subject. missing "himself/itself" -- (MW)  The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "he himself or "it itself." MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "himself/itself" after "he/it " for emphasis.

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

δείξει [7 verses] ( verb 3rd sg fut ind act ) "Will shew" is from deiknyo, which means "show", "point out", "make known", "display", "exhibit", and "offer."

ἀνάγαιον [2 verses]( noun sg neut acc ) "Upper room" is  anōgeon, which means "upper room" from its literal meaning "high ground".

μέγα  [47 verses]( adj sg neut acc) "Great" is megas, which means "big", "full-grown", "vast", "high", "great", "mighty", "strong (of the elements)","loud" (of sounds), "over-great (with a bad sense), "impressive" (of style), and "long" ( of days). --

ἐστρωμένον: (katastronnyu) [2 verses](part perf pass sg neut acc) "Furnished" is strōnnyō, which means "spread out", and "strewn".

 ἕτοιμον: [8 verses]( adj sg neut acc) "Prepared" is from hetoimos, which means "at hand", "ready", "prepared", of persons, "ready", "active", "zealous," of the mind, "ready", "bold," and as an adverb, "readily", "willingly." --

καὶ  [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and." 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." --

ἐκεῖ [33 verses](adv) "There" is ekei, which means "there", "in that place," and in philosophy means "the intelligible world."

ἑτοιμάσατε [13 verses]( verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Make ready" is hetoimazo, which means to "get ready," "prepare", "make ready," and "to cause to prepare." --

ἡμῖν [15 verses](pron 1st pl masc/fem dat) "For us" is from hemin, which is the first person plural dative pronoun, "to us." A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. Event occurs at a specified time or while the action was being performed.-

Wordplay: 

The adjective and verb form of the same word meaning "ready" and "make ready" are used. It is funny because the room is described as ready but the apostles are told to make it ready.

Related Verses: 

Luke 22:12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: ›

Front Page Date: 

Oct 14 2023