Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom

Spoken to: 

The Pharisees

The Pharisees ask why Jesus's students to not fast.

KJV: 

Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

NIV : 

Mark 2:20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Days will show up, however, when the bridegroom might be carried off from them, and then they will fast during that there the day. 

MY TAKE: 

Jesus got carried away and so he was carried off.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

ἐλεύσονται              δὲ            ἡμέραι ὅταν  ἀπαρθῇ                                       ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν νυμφίος,
They will show up, however, days     when he might be carried off              from them  the bridegroom

καὶ τότε  νηστεύσουσιν ἐν        ἐκείνῃ      τῇ ἡμέρᾳ.
and then they will fast   during that there the day. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The word translated as "will come" primarily means "to start," but it is always translated as "come" in the NT.  I prefer "show up" because it has more of a sense of a beginning. The Greek word translated as "take" means "to lift off" and is from the same root as the word that Jesus uses to mean lifted up from the dead.  It is not the future tense, but sometimes that "might" or "should" happen. The "might" is usually unnecessary because it is assumed in a when clause, but here it works better because the discussion is about time. The ending, "that there the day" sounds just like a humorous country phrasing in today's English.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "those" is not the common word usually translated as "those."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "days" is not shown in the English translation.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "days" was plural in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WN  --Wrong Number- The word "time" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural, "days."
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "will" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is not the common word usually translated as "that."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then."

the-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.  While sometimes a "the" should be added in English before plural words, this phrase makes a better translation without it. 

days - -- The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

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

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. See this article for more.

when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."

the  -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

bridegroom - The word translated as "bridegroom" is a male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or "son-in-law."

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.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

taken -- The term translated as "shall be taken" means "to lift off", "to carry off," and "to lead away." It is in the passive form, but is not the future tense. It is in a form indicating something that might happen.

away from - --- ( The word translated as "away from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." \

them, -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition.  As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

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." After words implying sameness "as."

then -- The Greek word for "then" means "at this time" or "then." With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when."

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when" clause which implies a possibility.  Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

fast - The term translated as "fast" specifically means a religious fast. It also means "to abstain from" when it has a genitive object.

in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

those  -- (CW) The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on.

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. 

days. -- (OS) The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime." The word was plural in the KJV source but not today's.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.  It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then."

the-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.  While sometimes a "the" should be added in English before plural words, this phrase makes a better translation without it.  Especially if the following word is translated more accurately.

time - -- (WN) The Greek word translated as "days" means "day," "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime." However, because this word is plural, it works better as "days."

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

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. See this article for more.

when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."

the  -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

bridegroom - The word translated as "bridegroom" is a male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or "son-in-law."

will -- (CW) This helping verb "will" 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.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

taken -- The term translated as "shall be taken" means "to lift off", "to carry off," and "to lead away." It is in the passive form, but is not the future tense. It is in a form indicating something that might happen.

from - --- ( The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from."

them, -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural in the genitive form. It is used as a possessive or the object of a verb or preposition.  As a preposition's object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

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." After words implying sameness "as."

missing "then"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation. "then" means "at this time" or "then." With the subjective negative, the sense is "not when."

on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

that -- (CW) The word translated as "that " is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." Jesus often uses it as a term of honor to refer to his father, the Spirit, prophets, and so on.

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. 

day. -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

will --  This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense but the form could also indicate a possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when" clause which implies a possibility.  Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

fast - The term translated as "fast" specifically means a religious fast. It also means "to abstain from" when it has a genitive object.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ἐλεύσονται [198 verses](3rd pl fut ind mid) "Will 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.

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "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 an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an  "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand."

ἡμέραι [96 verses](noun pl fem nom ) "Days" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."

ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."

ἀπαρθῇ [3 verses](3rd sg aor subj pass) "Shall be taken" is apairo, which means "to lead off", "to lift off", "to carry off", "to remove", "to get rid of," and "to lead away."

ἀπ᾽ [190 verses]​(prep) "Away 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. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done.  Usually takes the genitive object.

αὐτῶν [86 verses](pron/adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Their" is autos, is the genitive case of the third-person, plural adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

νυμφίος; [9 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Bridegroom" is nymphios, which means "bridal," "bridegroom" and "son-in-law."

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."

τότε [53 verses](adv) "Then" is tote, which means "at that time," "when," and "then."

νηστεύσουσιν. [10 verses](3rd pl fut ind act or 3rd pl aor subj act) "Fast" is nesteuo, which means "fast" and "to abstain from." 

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."

ἐκείνῃ [107 verses](adj sg fem dat) "Those" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

ἡμέρᾳ[96 verses](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 is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 16 2023