KJV :
Listeners Heard:
This is because when that one might be ashamed of me and these my ideas also the child of the man is going to be ashamed of him when he shows up in that reputation of his and that Father of his and the devoted messengers.
Lost in Translation:
This verse is a somewhat shortened version of the verse that appears in Mark 8:38.
The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why."
The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
An untranslated Greek word appears here meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".
The word translated as "shall be ashamed" means "to be ashamed", but it is not in the future tense but a form indicates something that might happen. The shame that Christ talks about here is a social embarrassment.
"Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."
The Greek article, "the," appears here, followed by the word for "my". While this is a common construction, the sense is somewhat different because of it. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
"My" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me".
"Words" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it.
The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense is "the child of the man." The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant". The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
The word translated as "is going to be ashamed" means "to be ashamed", but it is not in the future tense but a form indicates something that might happen. The shame that Christ talks about here is a social embarrassment. This verb is is in the future tense, not the tense of possibility.
The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
The word translated as "he cometh" 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 "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas.
The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."
"Glory" from a Greek word that means "expectation", "notion", "opinion", "repute," and "popular repute." Translations as "glory" or "splendor" are applied to external appearances but are found primarily in translating the Bible. The words "recognition" and "reputation" come closest to capturing the way Christ uses the word, especially if we consider how he uses the verb form.
"Of father" is the common word that Christ uses to address his own Father, though it can mean any male ancestor. When referring to others, Christ uses it to refer to their ancestors, that is, "forefathers."
The word translated as "holy" means "devoted to God".
The word translated as "angels" means "messengers"
WORD-BY-WORD COMPARISON OF THE GREEK TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS:
ὃς (pron sg masc nom) "This" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings. -- The word translated as "who" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause..
γὰρ (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." --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why."
ἂν (conj) Untranslated is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. -- The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".
ἐπαισχυνθῇ [uncommon] (verb 3rd sg aor subj mp) "Shall be ashamed" is from epaischynomai, which means "to be ashamed at or of", "to be ashamed of doing or having done something," and "to feel or show shame."
με (noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I", "me", and "my". -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
καὶ (conj) "And" 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."
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) 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." --
ἐμοὺς (noun sg masc acc) "My" is emou, which means "me", and "mine". -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me".
λόγους, (noun pl masc acc) "Words" is logos, which means "word", "computation", "relation", "explanation", "law", "rule of conduct", "continuous statement", "tradition", "discussion," "reckoning," and "value." -- "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it.
τοῦτον (adj sg masc acc ) "This" 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." -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why." It is not typically used as an adjective.
ὁ υἱὸς (noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." It is used generally to refer to any male descendant.
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
ἐπαισχυνθήσεται, (verb 3rd sg fut ind mp) "Shall be ashamed" is from epaischynomai, which means "to be ashamed at or of", "to be ashamed of doing or having done something," and "to feel or show shame."
ὅταν (adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)." -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
ἔλθῃ (verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "He cometh" 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. --
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". -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."
τῇ δόξῃ (noun sg fem dat) "Glory" is doxa, which means "expectation", "notion", "opinion", "repute," and "popular repute." Translations as "glory" or "splendor" are applied to external appearances but are found primarily in translating the Bible. The words "recognition" and "reputation" come closest to capturing the way Christ uses the word, especially if we consider how he uses the verb form.
αὐτοῦ (adj sg masc gen) "His" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
καὶ (conj) "And" 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."
τοῦ πατρὸς () "The Father" is pater, which means "father", "grandfather", "author", "parent," and "forefathers." -- "Father" is the common word that Christ uses to address his own Father, though it can mean any male ancestor. When referring to others, Christ uses it to refer to their ancestors, that is, "forefathers."
καὶ (conj) "And" 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." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
τῶν ἁγίων (adj pl masc gen) "Holy" is from hagios ( hagios ), which means "devoted to the gods", "pure", "holy," and on the negative side "accursed."
ἀγγέλων. (noun pl masc gen) "Angels" is from aggelos, which means "messenger" and "envoy."