Jesus describes the end of Jerusalem,
Luke 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luke 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
Then those in Judea, they must flee into the mountains. And those in the middle of it, they must slip out. And those in the countrysides, they must not to enter into it.
This entire verse is written as third-party commands and is a good example of why "must" works well in translating such statements instead of "let them". The three-part structure is typical of Jesus.
Jesus uses one verb here, translated as "depart out" and "get out", only here. The sense is "move out" or "slip out". Jesus has a common way of saying "depart" that he chooses not to use here.
The more modern Biblical translations interpret the "it" here as referring to Jerusalem, but this doesn't quite work. The nearest noun in the problem forms is the province of Judea.
Nothing wrong with running from disaster.
τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη,
Then those in this Judea, they must flee into the mountains.
καὶ οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἐκχωρείτωσαν,
And those in the middle of it, they must slip out.
καὶ οἱ ἐν ταῖς χώραις μὴ εἰσερχέσθωσαν εἰς αὐτήν,
And those in the countrysides, not they must to enter into it.
Then let(CW) them(WF) which(CW) are(IW) in (MW) Judea flee to the mountains; and let(CW) them(WF) which(CW) are(IW) in the midst of it depart out; and let(CW) not them(WF) that are in the countries(CW) enter thereinto.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "they". not an object,
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "which".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "Judea" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "they," not an object,
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "which".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "they", not an object,
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "countries".
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "those", not an object.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "who".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "Judea" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" after "mountains" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "those", not an object,
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the ones" after "those" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the midst" after "in" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the city" should be something more like "it".
- CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "those," not an object,
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the ones" after "those" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "country".
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "country" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "into" after "enter" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the city" should be something more like "it".
Then -- The word translated as "then" means "at that time" when referencing a specific time or "then" in the continuation of a story.
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
them -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
are -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
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 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.
Judea -- "Judea" is translated from a Greek word that means "a Jew", "Jewish", "Judea" or "Jewish". Judea represents civilization.
flee -- "Flee" is translated from a Greek word that means "to flee", "escape" and "to take flight". It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction and "up to" limits in time and measure.
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.
mountains -- The word translated as "mountains" means "mountain" or "hill" but for those raised in Egypt, as Christ was, it also means "desert". In the forms that Christ uses when talking about "moving mountains", it could be a homonym that means "mule" but the form here, with the article, could only mean "mountains".
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 is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
them -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
are -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
the midst -- The word translated as "the midst" generally means "middle" but has a lot of special meanings with different prepositions. One of those with the "in" is "offer for competition" and "middle point". It also means "difference".
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It clearly refers to the province Judea here, the last noun that matches the form of the pronoun.
depart -- "Depart out" is a unique word for Jesus which means "depart", "slip out", "give way" and "cede". This is probably why Jesus uses it. It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
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 is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
not -- The negative "not" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. If it wasn't done or wasn't true, the objective negative of fact would be used.
them -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
that --The word translated as "that" 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.
are -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
in The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among."
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.
countries -- (CW) The word translated as "countries" is uncommon. The word means "a place", "a spot" and "a landed estate". This word is not used in Mark or Matthew, but it is used in John and Luke 15:13 where it is translated as "country". This is not the word usually translated as "countries".
enter -- "Enter" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind". It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
there- -- The word translated as "there" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there".
-into -- The word translated as "into" 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".
Then -- The word translated as "then" means "at that time" when referencing a specific time or "then" in the continuation of a story.
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
those -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
who -- (CW) The word translated as "who" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
are -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
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 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.
Judea -- "Judea" is translated from a Greek word that means "a Jew", "Jewish", "Judea" or "Jewish". Judea represents civilization.
flee -- "Flee" is translated from a Greek word that means "to flee", "escape" and "to take flight". It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
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.
mountains -- The word translated as "mountains" means "mountain" or "hill" but for those raised in Egypt, as Christ was, it also means "desert". In the forms that Christ uses when talking about "moving mountains". it could be a homonym that means "mule" but the form here, with the article, could only mean "mountains".
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 is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
those -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
missing "the ones" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the ones" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
missing "the midst" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the midst" generally means "middle" but has a lot of special meanings with different prepositions. One of those with the "in" is "offer for competition" and "middle point". It also means "difference".
the city -- (WW) The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It clearly refers to the province Judea here, the last noun that matches the form of the pronoun. This word doesn't mean "the city".
get -- "Get out" is a unique word for Jesus which means "depart", "slip out", "give way" and "cede". It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
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 is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must". Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must", changes the subject from the third party to the second.
those -- (WF) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.
missing "the ones" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the ones" 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. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
in The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
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.
country -- (CW, WN) The word translated as "countries" is uncommon. The word means "a place", "a spot" and "a landed estate". This word is not used in Mark or Matthew, but it is used in John and Luke 15:13 where it is translated as "country". This is not the word usually translated as "countries". This word is not singular but plural.
not -- The negative "not" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. If it wasn't done or wasn't true, the objective negative of fact would be used.
enter -- "Enter" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind". It is in the form of a third person command, which isn't used in English. We would typically use the second person command instead or say that someone "must" do these things.
missing "into " -- (MW) The untranslated word "into" 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 city -- (WW) The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. It clearly refers to the province Judea here, the last noun that matches the form of the pronoun. This word doesn't mean "the city". WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "the city" should be something more like "it."
τότε "Then" is from tote, which means "at that time" and "then".
οἱ (article pl masc nom) "Them" 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".
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) 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".
Ἰουδαίᾳ (adj sg fem dat) "Judaea" is from Ioudaia, which means "a Jew", "Jewish", "Judea" or "Jewish".
φευγέτωσαν (verb 3rd pl pres imperat) "Let...flee" is pheugo, which means "to flee", "to take flight", "avoid", "escape", "seek to avoid", "to be expelled", "to be driven out", "go into exile", "go into banishment", "to be accused", "to plead in defense" and "to flee from a charge".
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".
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut 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".
ὄρη, (noun pl neut acc) "The mountains" is from oros, which means "mountain", "hill", "canton" and "parish". In Egypt, it was also used to mean the "desert" and a place of burial. It's homonym means a "boundary", "landmark", "time limits", "decisions of judges", "memorial stones and pillars", "standard", "measure", "term' (in logic), "definition", "terms" and "conditions". Another, similar word, oreus, which matches oros in some forms means "mule".
καὶ (conj/adv) "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".
οἱ (article pl masc nom) "Them which are" 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".
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
μέσῳ ([11 verses](adj sg masc dat)"The midst" is mesos, which means "middle", "middle point", "midway between", "offered for competition", "deposited", "by the middle", "by the waist", "impartial", "inter-mediate", "indeterminate", "things indifferent" (neither good nor bad), "middling", "moderate", "midst", "intervening space", "intervening", "difference", "in a moderate degree", "in the mean" and "equator".
αὐτῆς [29 verses](pro/adj sg fem gen) "Of it" is autes, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs. Though the form is feminine, it refers to feminine words, not people. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same". This form is often used as the object of a preposition. A genitive object means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time.
ἐκχωρείτωσαν, [1 verse]( verb 3rd pl pres imperat act ) "Depart out" is ekchōreō, which means "depart", "slip out", "give way" and "cede".
καὶ (conj/adv) "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".
οἱ (article pl masc nom) "Them that are" 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".
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
ταῖς [821 verses](articl pl fem dat) "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'.
χώραις [8 verses](noun pl fem dat) "Countries" is from chora, which means "space", "the spot in a room where a thing is", "place", "spot", "the position", "the proper place for a thing or person", "land" and "landed estate". It is a metaphor for "station", "place" or "position" in society.
μὴ (partic) "Not" is me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no". As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
εἰσερχέσθωσαν ( verb 3rd pl pres imperat mp ) "Enter" 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." εἰς (prep) "-Into" is eis, which means "into" (of place), "up to" (of time), "until" (of time), "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).
αὐτὴν [39 verses](adj sg fem acc) "There" is auten, in the form of the singular, object, feminine pronoun "her/it". It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same". As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
This verse starts the same as Matthew 24:16, but then add more detail not seen in the other versions of this verse.