John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

Spoken to
challengers

Jesus tells his audience that they do what their father does and they say that they only have one father, God.Jesus says that it that were true, they would love him.

KJV

John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

NIV

John 8:43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

LISTENERS HEARD

For what reason, this chatter, this one of mine, don't you understand? Because you don't have the power to hear this message, this one of mine.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

When you read the Biblical translation of this verse, you can almost see the humor struggling to get out of its convoluted phrasing. This mistranslation starts with the first phrase offered blandly as "why" when it is not the simple "why" of Greek. It means "thanks to something" or "because of something." This is followed immediately by the explanation of "something," the phrase blandly translated as "my speech" or "my language." Jesus intentionally complicates this phrase and uses a self-deprecating word in it, "this chatter, this of mine." The self-deprecation, the complication, and the light-hearted description of his language as "chatter" set up his punchline.

See this article at Rediscovering Jesus's Words for more on this verse.

He then gives the reason for their not understanding. "Because they don't have the power to hear" is the main message, a shortcoming in their abilities. However, he doesn't criticize their minds, but their ears by saying "to hear" which is the physical form of hearing, not a word that means "comprehending." Then he uses the same complicated phrase to describe what they are missing, "this message, this of mine." The phrasing the same as he used with chatter, but not it is serious. The "message" also means "the logic" so it refers to the intellectual meaning that they don't have the power to grasp.

From the next verse, John 8:44, it seems that the specific word they don't understand was "destroy" which gets mistranslated as "kill" in John 8:37 and John 8:40 because that was how his opponents heard it, but Jesus meant "destroy" in a very specific way that he explains next.

MY TAKE

You can only hear by listening more carefully to chatter.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "why" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "speech" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "speech" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The phrase with "speech" doesn't appear here but right after the introduction, "because of something."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "even" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "hear" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to hear."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
15
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "why" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "language" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "language" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The phrase with "language" doesn't appear here but right after the introduction, "because of something."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "clear" is not a noun but a verb, "understand."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "to" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "you" is not an indirect object but the subject of "understand."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "what" should be something more like "the."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "I" is not a subject but a possessive, "my."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "my" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "say" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "say" should be something more like "message."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "say" is not a verb but a noun.
EACH WORD of KJV

Why --  (CW) This "why" is not a common way to ask "why" in Greek. It is two Greek words, meaning literally "for this reason." The second word alone was enough to say "why." Jesus added the initial prepositon because it has a more specific meaning, and he wanted to make people think a little more deeply about what he was saying.

do -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek

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

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

understand -- "Understand" is a verb that means "to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

my -- "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun.  It follows the noun with an article, so "this of mine.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

speech?  - (CW, WP) This is the first time and only time Jesus used this noun translated as "speech," but he uses its verb form all the time. It refers to casual conversation, passing on information, "chatter" or "gossip." He uses the verb in a self-deprecating way. This phrase, "this chatter this of mine" appears right after the "thanks to something" phrase that starts the verse so this is the something they thank for their not understanding.

even -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "even" in the Greek source.

because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

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

can -  (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

hear - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.  It is the most common verb that Jesus uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." Thisis not the active verb but an infinitive.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

my -- "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun.  It follows the noun with an article, so "this of mine.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

word. -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  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. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works better.

EACH WORD of NIV

Why -- (CW) This "why" is not a common way to ask "why" in Greek. It is two Greek words, meaning literally "for this reason." The second word alone was enough to say "why." Jesus added the initial prepositon because it has a more specific meaning and he wanted to make people think a little more deeply about what he was saying.

is -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

my -- "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun.  It follows the noun with an article, so "this of mine.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

language?  - (CW, WP) This is the first time and only time Jesus used this noun translated as "language ," but he uses its verb form all the time. It refers to casual conversation, passing on information, "chatter" or "gossip." He uses the verb in a self-deprecating way. This phrase, "this chatter this of mine" appears right after the "thanks to something" phrase that starts the verse so this is the something they thank for their not understanding.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

clear -- (WF) "Clear" is a verb that means "to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." This is not a noun but a verb. The "is clear" is not the same form as "you understand."

to -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "is" in the Greek source.

you? -- (WF) This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

Because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

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

are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.

un - -- The Greek word translated as "un-" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

-able -  The word translated as "are -able" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. The

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

hear - --  Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.  It is the most common verb that Jesus uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." Thisis not the active verb but an infinitive.

what   -- (WW) The "what" here 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," "those"). See this article for more. 

I -- (WF) "I" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun.  It follows the noun with an article, so "this of mine.

missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

say. -- (WW, WF) "Say" is translated from a Greek noun that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  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. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works better.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

διὰ  [88 verses](prep) "Through" is dia which means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "for (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of,"  "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."

τί [252 verses](pron sg neut acc) "What" is tis which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."

τὴν[821 verses](article sg fem acc )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  - missing "the"  -- (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," "those"). See this article for more. 

λαλιὰν [1 verse](noun sg fem acc )"Speech" is from lalia, which means "talk", "chat", "common talk", "discussion", "speech", "conversation", "a form of speech," and "style."

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

ἐμήν [28 verses](adj sg fem acc) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." The form can also be the object of a preposition, "me."

οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

γινώσκετε; [62 verses](2nd pl pres ind act) "Do ye...understand," is ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

δύνασθε [61 verses](2nd pl pres ind mp) "Can" is the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities," "to be able," and "to be strong enough." - The word translated as "I can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English.

ἀκούειν [95 verses](pres inf act "Hear" is akouo,  which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

λόγον [80 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Word" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."

τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

ἐμόν. [28 verses](adj sg fem acc) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." The form can also be the object of a preposition, "me."

Front Page Date