Jesus starts a parable about a man fix a big dinner for many and after inviting beggars there is room left.
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:23 Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
And that master said in reply to that servant, "Go out into the highways and roadblocks and compel them to come in, that mine, this house, might be stuffed.
The phrases "said unto the servant" and "told the servant" look like a verb with an indirect object, but there is a preposition that is incorrectly translated that means "in reply to”. The master says this as a direct reaction to what he was just told.
The word translated as "hedges" and "country lanes" is unusual. It means "blocked-in" or "fenced in". It could refer to a fenced in area, but it more likely refers to a roadblock. In Jesus's era, roadblocks were common both as to charge tolls and import/export duties and to prevent vehicle from going on roads that were restricted to pedestrians.
The punchline here is the funny verb translated boringly as "filled”. There are many words for "filled" in Greek, but this word refer to being stuffed or gorged as with a meal. It appears before "my house" because it seems to be a reference to being stuffed with the meal not with people. "House" becomes the delayed punchline following this setup.
People get blocked up and stuffed in more than one way.
And the lord said unto(CW) the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my (MWthe) house may be filled.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the indirect object usually translated with "unto”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
Then the master told (MWin-reply-to) his(WW) servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country(IW) lanes(CW) and compel them to come in, so that my (MWthe) house will(WW) be full.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in reply to" after "told" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "the”.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "country" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated as "lane" earlier in Luke 14:21.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "may”.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
lord -- The word translated as "lord" means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family”. It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief". For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
said - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak”. It is one of the two most common words translated "speak”. "say" and "tell”, but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
unto -- (CW) The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of its object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards", "by reason of”, "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "in reply to”, "against” and several other types of "before”. This is not the indirect object usually translated with "unto”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
servant, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave". It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
Go out -- The word translated as "ye go thence" means literally "to go or come out”, but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true”. In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root.
into -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)”, "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
highways -- "Highways" is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life”. In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way”.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
hedges, - "Hedges" is a noun that means "fencing in”, "a place fenced in”, "blocking up”, "fence”, "paling”, nickname of a man "with a bristly beard” and metaph., "partition”.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also”,and "just”.
compel -- An uncommon verb, used by Jesus the first time here, is translated as "compel". It means to "force", "compel", "constrain" (acc. only), "carry through by force", "contend that a thing is necessarily so", and "apply compulsion".
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.
come in, -- "Come in" is a word that means "enter”, "go or come into" of an accuse "come into court” and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind”.
that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that”, "when”, "in order that", "when” or "because". As an adverb it is translated as "there" as an adverb "in that place”. "there”, "where” or "when”.
my - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my”, "me” and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home."
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
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.
filled. - The word translated as "filled" means "fill full of”, "load”, "freight”, "stuff”, "gorge” and "charge with”. The sense is filling or loading to capacity.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
master -- The word translated as "lord" means "lord”, "master of the house”, and "head of the family”. It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
told - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak". It is one of the two most common words translated "speak”, "say" and "tell”, but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
missing "in reply to" -- (MW) The untranslated word "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards”, "by reason of”, "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "against", "in reply to” and several other types of "before”.
his -- (WW)The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
servant, -- The noun translated as "servant" means "slave". It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
Go out -- The word translated as "ye go thence" means literally "to go or come out”, but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true”. In some verses, its sense is "started out" from the primary meaning of its root.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)”, "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
roads -- "Roads " is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life”. In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way”.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”.
country - (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
lanes - (CW) "Lanes" is a noun that means "fencing in”, "blocking up”, "fence”, "paling”, nickname of a man "with a bristly beard”, and metaph., "partition”. (CW) This is not the same Greek word translated as "lane" earlier in Luke 14:21.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
compel -- An uncommon verb, used by Jesus the first time here, is translated as "compel". It means to "force", "compel", "constrain" (acc. only), "carry through by force", "contend that a thing is necessarily so", and "apply compulsion".
them -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.
come in, -- "Come in" is a word that means "enter”, "go or come into" of an accuse "come into court” and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind”.
so that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that”, "when”, "in order that","when” or "because”. As an adverb it is translated as "there". As an adverb "in that place”, "there”, "where”, or "when”.
my - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my", "me” and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home”.
will -- (WW) This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This word doesn't mean "will”.
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.
full. - The word translated as "full" means "fill full of”, "load”, "freight”, "stuff”, "gorge”, and "charge with”. The sense is filling or loading to capacity.
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”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as”.
εἶπεν [162 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "Said" is eipon, which means "to speak”, "to say”, "to recite”, "to address”, "to mention”, "to name”, "to proclaim”, "to plead”, "to promise” and "to offer”. This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. The other word is used more for discussion. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
κύριος (noun sg masc nom) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power”, "being in authority" and "being in possession of". It also means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family". It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Jesus, even though he had no formal authority. It was also the term used for the name of God in the Old Testament. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief". For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master" for humans and "Lord" for the Old Testament usage.
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place)", "on the side of” and "toward”. Its meaning depends on the form of its object. An indirect object (dative) implies no movement but in a fixed position. A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. In statements about time, it means "at”, "near”, "about” or "for" a future time. With verbs of motion, towards, to, with verbs implying previous motion, upon, against; verbs of addition "to”, verbs of seeing "towards”, "to face”, in hostile sense, "against", "in accusation”, without any hostile "to”, of various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with”, "in reply to”,"at the hands of”, "incurred by”, "inspired by”, "before" a witness, of Time, "towards”, or "near”, of Relation between two objects "in respect of”, "touching”, "in reference to”, "in consequence of”, "for a purpose", "in proportion”, "in comparison with”, of measurements of time "for”, "a little past”, of Numbers "up to”, "about". A possessive object (genitive) indicates movement away or a position away from something, "from”, "towards”, "from the presence of". Events occur within a specified time. Examples of indirect object: "hard by”, "near”, "at”, "close”, "before one”, "in the presence of”, with verbs denoting motion towards a place "upon”, "against”, with a notion of clinging closely "clasped to", to express close engagement "at the point of”, to express union or addition "besides", "in addition to”.
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
δοῦλον [56 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Servant" is doulos, which means a "slave", a "born bondsman” or "one made a slave."
Ἔξελθε [54 verses] (verb 2nd sg aor imperat act) "Go out" is exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of ", "to march forth", "go out on’, "to stand forth”, "to exceed all bounds”, "to come to an end”, "to go out of office” and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true”.
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)”, "up to (of time)”, "until (of time)” "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)”, "as far as (of measure or limit)”, "towards (to express relation)”, "in regard to (to express relation)”, "of an end or limit” and "for (of purpose or object)”. With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to". With time, a limit "until” or a duration "for”, "throughout,”, or a date, "on”, "at". Used with ek, it means "from...to”.
τὰς [821 verses](article pl fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
ὁδοὺς [27 verses](noun pl fem acc) "Way" is hodos, which means literally "way" or "road" but it also means "travel" and "journey”. It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in many languages from the west to the east.
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". In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
φραγμοὺς [ 3 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Hedges" is phragmos, which is a noun that means "fencing in”, "blocking up", "fence”, "paling”, "a place fenced in”, nickname of a man "with a bristly beard” and metaph., "partition”.
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”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
ἀνάγκασον [1 verse](verb 2nd sg aor imperat act) "Compel" is anagkazo, which means to "force”, "compel", "constrain" (acc. only), "carry through by force", "contend that a thing is necessarily so", and "apply compulsion".
εἰσελθεῖν, [68 verses](verb aor inf act ) "Come in" is eiserchomai which means both "to go into", "to come in”, "to enter”, "to enter an office”, "to enter a charge”, (as in court) and "to come into one's mind”.
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place”, "there”, "where”, "when” but when beginning a phrase "so that”, "in order that”, "when” and "because”. It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often it is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.
γεμισθῇ [2 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass ) "May be filled" is gemizo, which means to "fill full of", "load”, "freight”, "stuff”, "gorge” and "charge with”.
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me” and "mine”. It is in a possessive (genitive) form. As a genitive of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.-
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
οἶκος [29 verses](noun sg masc nom) "House" is oikos, which means "house”, "dwelling place”, "room”, "home”, "meeting hall”, "household goods”, "substance” and "ruling family”. It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house.