Spoken to:
Peter says the apostles have left everything to follow him.
KJV:
Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
NIV :
Mark 10:30 ...will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
LISTENERS HEARD:
Except he gets a hundred time more in the present season, this one, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands after persecution and, in this age, the one arriving, an ageless life
MY TAKE:
We get a lot of things if we follow the path of the Divine.
GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page):
GREEK ORDER:
ἐὰν μὴ λάβῃ ἑκατονταπλασίονα νῦν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ οἰκίας
Except he gets a hundred time more present in the season, this one, houses
καὶ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἀδελφὰς καὶ μητέρας καὶ τέκνα καὶ ἀγροὺς
and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands
μετὰ διωγμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
after persecution and, in this age, the one arriving, a life ageless.
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
This is a humorous exaggeration. Who really wants more than a hundred houses and mothers and children? Mothers? This is purposely silly. The humor of repetition is also used as in the previous verse, but now all the "or's" are changed to "and's."
The word translated in the initial phrase as "time" and "age" means "due measure" and "season." The "due measure" meaning plays off "a hundred more times" but the "now" before it tips its meaning to "season."
The word play here between "in this age" and "lasting for ages" are lost in English, where the Greek words are translated as "this world/the age" and "eternal." The concept in Greek translated as "eternal life" (see this article on eternal and eternal life) has more the sense of "ageless."
# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "except."
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "more" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "time" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "time."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "with" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "coming" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "to come" is not an infinitive but a participle, "coming."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES:
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "except" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should."
- "IW - Inserted Word -- The word "fail to" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "age" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "age."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" before "brothers" is not shown in the English translation."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" before "sisters" is not shown in the English translation."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" before "mothers" is not shown in the English translation."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" before "children" is not shown in the English translation."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "along with" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "coming" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "to come" is not an infinitive but a participle, "coming."
EACH WORD of KJV :
But -- (WW) This is from two Greek words that mean literally "if not." It is usually translated as "except." WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "except."
he -- This is form the singular, third-person form of the verb.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an
"if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
receive -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
an - 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.
hundredfold -- This Greek word means literally "hundred forms" but it works like our hundredfold. It is an uncommon word for Jesus.
missing "more" -- (MW) The untranslated word is from the comparative form of the "hundred fold" above. Its sense is "a hundred times more."
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" \means "now," "at the present moment," "presently," and "as it is."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
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.
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It appears after the noun translated as "time" for emphasis, "this one."
time, -- (CW) "Time" is a noun that means "due measure," "season," "opportunity," "time," and "profit." This is not the word usually translated as "time."
houses, --The Greek word translated as "houses," in Christ's time, was not only the physical building but the whole household, its members, its property, business interests, and position in the community, all connected to the "name" of the head of the house.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
brethren, -- The word translated as "brothers" means a biological brother, any kinsmen, and more broadly and friend or associate.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
sisters, -- "Sisters" in an uncommon Greek word for Jesus. It is the female form of the word translated as "brothers."
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
mothers, -- "Mothers" is from the common Greek word for "mother" and "grandmothers," but it also means "the source" of something.
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
children, -- The word translated as "son" means "child" but in the most general sense of "offspring." Christ does not use it to refer specifically to children under seven, which is another term. See this article more about these words for "child."
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
lands, -- "Lands" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."
with -- -- (CW) "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit. This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
persecutions; -- "Persecution" is a very uncommon word for Jesus that means "the chase," "pursuit," and "harassment."
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
world -- (CW) "World" is from aiôn, which means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." This word does not means "world" as such. This is the article on "World"and "Earth."
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.
to -- (WF) This word seems to indicate the following word is an infinitive, but it isn't. The following verb is in the form of an adjective. This word is a participle, not 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. The form is a verbal adjective, "coming" or "showing up." With the article before it, the sense is "the one arriving."
eternal -- "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless." The form of this word and the following one as a direct object could make it either the of object of "receive" or the subject of the word "coming."
life. -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property." Christ uses it to mean "existence" beyond physical life. The form of this word and the previous one as a direct object could make it either the of object of "receive" or the subject of the word "coming."
EACH WORD of NIV :
missing "except" -- (MW) The untranslated two Greek words mean literally "if not." It is usually translated as "except."
will -- (WW) This helping verb indicates that the verb is the future tense, but it isn't. It is in the form of possibility so it needs a "should" or "might." It is not needed if the "except" above started the phrase.
fail to -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "fail to" in the Greek source. The "fail" may be a translation of the negative that begins the verse.
receive -- The word translated as "receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing."
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.
hundred times -- This Greek word means literally "hundred forms" but it works like our hundredfold. It is an uncommon word for Jesus.
as much - This captures the comparative form of the "hundred," which has the sense of a "hundred more."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It appears after the noun translated as "time" for emphasis, "this one."
present -- The Greek word translated as "present" means "now," "at the present moment," "presently," and "as it is."
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.
age: -- (CW) "Age" is a noun that means "due measure," "season," "opportunity," "time," and "profit." This is not the word translated as "age."
homes, --The Greek word translated as "houses," in Christ's time, was not only the physical building but the whole household, its members, its property, business interests, and position in the community, all connected to the "name" of the head of the house.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
brothers, -- The word translated as "brothers" means a biological brother, any kinsmen, and more broadly and friend or associate.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
sisters, -- "Sisters" in an uncommon Greek word for Jesus. It is the female form of the word translated as "brothers."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
mothers -- "Mothers" is from the common Greek word for "mother" and "grandmothers," but it also means "the source" of something.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
children, -- The word translated as "son" means "child" but in the most general sense of "offspring." Christ does not use it to refer specifically to children under seven, which is another term. See this article more about these words for "child."
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
fields, -- "Fields" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."
along with -- (CW) "Along with" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit. This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.
persecutions; -- "Persecution" is a very uncommon word for Jesus that means "the chase," "pursuit," and "harassment."
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 can be translated as "not only...but also."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
age -- "Age" is from aiôn, which means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." This is the article on "World"and "Earth."
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.
to -- (WF) This word seems to indicate the following word is an infinitive, but it isn't. The following verb is in the form of an adjective. This word is a participle, not an active 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. The form is a verbal adjective, "coming" or "showing up." With the article before it, the sense is "the one arriving."
eternal -- "Eternal" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless." The form of this word and the following one as a direct object could make it either the of object of "receive" or the subject of the word "coming."
life. -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property." Christ uses it to mean "existence" beyond physical life. The form of this word and the previous one as a direct object could make it either the of object of "receive" or the subject of the word "coming."
COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV :
ἐὰν μὴ [30 verses](conj particle) "But" is ean me, which means "if not." "If" 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. "Not" is mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."
λάβῃ [54 verse]( verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "He shall receive" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," in Logic, "assume," "take for granted," "understand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," and "to take hold of." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion." In the middle voice, has a much stronger sense of "take," that is, "get for himself." What is taken is in the genitive.
ἑκατονταπλασίονα [2 verses] ( adj pl neut nom/acc comp ) "Hundredfold" is hekatontaplasion, which means "a hundred times as much or many." We say "a hundred-fold" but the Greek said "a hundred forms." The first part of this word is for a hundred, hekaton, and the last part is from plassô, which describes the molds used for casting and means "mold," "form," "form an image (in the mind)," "fabricate," and "forge." The comparative form is from tonta, which gives it the sense of "more than."
νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now," "at the present moment," "at the present time," "just now," "presently," and "as it is.
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
καιρῷ [21 verses]( noun sg masc dat ) "Time" is kairos, which means "due measure," "proportion," "fitness," "exact time," "season," "opportunity," "time," "critical times," "advantage," and "profit."
τούτῳ [51 verses]( adj sg masc/neut dat ) is toutos, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar."
οἰκίας [40 times]( noun pl fem acc ) "House" is oikia, which means "house," "building," and "household." -- The Greek word translated as "house," refers to the building itself, all the people that dwell in it, including slaves and servants, all property owned by that family, and all the descendants of the continued line. We might say "estate" in English to capture this idea.
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."
ἀδελφοὺς [37 verses] (noun pl masc acc) "Brethren" is adelphos, which means "son of the same mother," "kinsman," "colleague," "associate," and "brother."
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."
ἀδελφὰς [5 verses] noun pl fem acc) "Sisters" is adelphe, which means "daughter of the same mother," "kinswoman," and it a term of endearment.
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."
μητέρας [27 verses] (noun pl fem acc) "Mothers" is meter, which means "mother," "grandmother," "mother hen," "source," and "origin."
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."
τέκνα [25 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Children" is teknon (techion), which means "that which is born," "child," and "the young."
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."
ἀγροὺς [22 verses] (noun pl masc acc )"Lands" is agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country.
μετὰ [103 verses](prep) "With" is meta, which means "with," "in the midst of," "among," "between," "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," "in one's dealings with," "into the middle of," "coming into," "in pursuit of," "after," "behind," "according to," "after," "behind," and "next afterward." With genitive, it means generally, "with," "together with," "in the midst of," "among," "between." "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," and "in conjunction with." With dative, "between," "among," "in company with," with a number "complete," and "over and above." With accusative, generally, "among" and "between" as with dative, of motion, "into the middle of," "coming into or among," "in pursuit or quest of," of place, "after," "behind," of time, "after," "next to," of worth/rank, "next after," of ideas, "after," "according to."
διωγμῶν, [3 verses]( noun pl masc gen ) "Persecution" is diogmos, which means "the chase," "pursuit," and "harassment."
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."
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."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
αἰῶνι [41 verses] (noun sg masc dat ) "World" is aion, which means "life," "lifetime," "age," or "generation."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc/neut dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἐρχομένῳ [198 verses](part sg pres mp masc/neut dat ) "To 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
ζωὴν [42 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.
αἰώνιον. [23 verses] (adj sg fem acc ) "Eternal" is aionios, which means "lasting for an age," "perpetual," and "eternal." From "aion" which is used in the bible to mean an "age."
Wordplay:
The word play here between "in this age" and "lasting for ages" are lost in English, where the Greek words (aion and aiônios) are translated as "this world" and "eternal." The concept in Greek translated as "eternal life" can also be understood as living outside or beyond of our own era, escaping from our own limited time emotionally.
Related Verses:
Possible Symbolic Meaning:
Notice, that as Jesus lists relationships in this verse, he doesn't simply repeat the list in the previous verse. He leaves out one relationships. The Father. He also leaves out "wife" but that wasn't in the Greek of the previous verse.
In that previous verse, Christ says that getting the rewards of the good news doesn't require us giving up our relationships. Here, he goes on to say that if we do have to let go of our relationships, we will get them back a hundred times in an ageless life.