On his way to crucifixion, meeting women mourning for him.
Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luke 23:29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’
Because, look! Days arrive in which they will say, "Fortunate, the barren and the wombs that do not give birth and breasts that do not fatten.
There are many little errors in the English versions, but no real meaning is lost. Some religious gloss is added by using the word "blessed" instead of the meaning of the word, "fortunate." (See this article.)
The "never" words in this verse simply mean "do not".
The word translated as "give suck" and "nurse" simply means "fatten." It is used elsewhere in the Bible to means "feed," but that is not quite its meaning.
It doesn't always suck not to give suck.
For, behold, the days are (MW) coming(WF), in the(IW) which(CW) they shall say, Blessed(CW) are the barren, and the wombs that never(CW) bare, and the paps which never(CW) [gave suck(WW).
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before "days" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" before the verb.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not a participle but, an active verb, "come".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "which".
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "never".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "never".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "give suck" should be something more like "fatten".
For (MW) the time(WN) will(WW) come(WF) when(WW) (MW) you(WP) will say, ‘Blessed(CW) are the childless(CW) women, (MW) the wombs that never(CW) bore and the breasts that never(CW) nursed(WW)!’
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "look" after "for" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should".
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not a participle but, an active verb, "come".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "when" should be something more like "in".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these" after "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP - This should not be the second-person, you, but the third person, they.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "barren" doesn't precisely mean "childless".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" after "women" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "never".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "never".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "give suck" should be something more like "fatten".
For, -- The word translated as "For" introduces a statement of fact or cause. The use of this word often indicates the Jesus is answering a question asked of him.
behold, --- "Behold" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "tah-dah" in a magic show, or "voila" in French. "Look!" or "See!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways. This is an exclamation Jesus commonly uses and we can easily imagined that it is used against him after he is condemned
the -- There is no Greek article "the" here in the source, but the noun is plural and in English, a definite article "the/this/that/these/those" is used before plural nouns in phrases like this.
days -- The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime".
are -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur.
coming -- (WF) -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus 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". Technically, it is in the middle voice meaning the subject acts on itself. In English, this is assumed in our words "come" and "go". Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is not a participle but, an active verb, "come".
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among".
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
say -- "They shall say", is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also. It is in the future tense.
Blessed -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective a noun meaning "happy" or "fortunate", but with the sense of being favored by God. However, it does not refer to a religious blessing. It can also mean "wealthy" with the sense of "the wealthy" (men with a fortune).
are -- There is no verb "to be" here in the Greek. However, when nouns, pronouns or adjectives appear in the form of a subject without a verb, the verb "to be" can be assumed.
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.
barren -- "The barren" is a noun that Jesus used uniquely here that means "has not brought forth young", "barren", "not having had offspring", and "virgin".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
wombs -- "The womb" is from the Greek noun that means the "cavity within the body" (from the Greek, koilos, for "hollow"). It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement," which fills the hollow.
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.
never -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "never" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. It is not the combination of negatives that are usually translated as never. This is not the word usually translated as "never".
bare -- "Bare" is from a Greek verb that means "to beget", "to bring forth", "to produce from oneself", "to create", and "to engender".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
the -- There is no Greek article "those" here in the source, but the noun is plural and in English, a definite article "the/this/that/these/those" is used before plural nouns in phrases like this.
paps -- "Paps" is from another noun that Jesus uses nowhere else. It means "a woman's breast", "udder", "round hill". and "round, breast-shaped object".
which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
never -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "never" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. It is not the combination of negatives that are usually translated as never. This is not the word usually translated as "never".
gave suck. -- (WW) The word translated as "gave suck" doesn't mean "nursed" as much as the idea of "thicken" or "fatten" or "cause to grow"./ It can also mean for a liquid to congeal.
For, -- The word translated as "For" introduces a statement of fact or cause. The use of this word often indicates the Jesus is answering a question asked of him.
missing "look" -- (MW) The untranslated word "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "tah-dah" in a magic show, or "voila" in French. "Look!" or "See!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways. This is an exclamation Jesus commonly uses and we can easily imagined that it is used against him after he is condemned
the -- There is no Greek article "the" here in the source, but the noun is plural and in English, a definite article "the/this/that/these/those" is used before plural nouns in phrases like this.
time -- (WN) The Greek word translated as "time" also means "days", "time" in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime". This word is not singular but plural.
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".
come -- (WF) -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus 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". Technically, it is in the middle voice meaning the subject acts on himself. In English, this is assumed in our words "come" and "go". Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more. This is not a participle but, an active verb, "come".
when -- The word translated as "when" means "in", "within", "with" or "among". This word doesn't mean "when".
missing "these" -- (MW) The untranslated word "these" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. This is not the word usually translated as "which".
you -- (WP) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
say -- "They shall say", is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also. It is in the future tense.
Blessed -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective a noun meaning "happy" or "fortunate" but with the sense of being favored by God. However, it does not refer to a religious blessing. It can also mean "wealthy" with the sense of "the wealthy" (men with a fortune).
are -- There is no verb "to be" here in the Greek. However, when nouns, pronouns or adjectives appear in the form of a subject without a verb, the verb "to be" can be assumed.
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.
childless --(CW) "Childless" is a verb that Jesus used unique here that means "has not brought forth young", "barren", "not having had offspring" and "virgin". This word doesn't precisely mean "childless" because those who are childless can be men and could have had children who died.
women -- There is no "women" here, but the prior word is feminine and could include men as well.
missing "and " -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
wombs -- "The womb" is from the Greek noun that means the "cavity within the body" (from the Greek, koilos, for "hollow"). It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement," which fills the hollow.
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.
never -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "never" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. It is not the combination of negatives that are usually translated as never. This is not the word usually translated as "never".
bore -- "Bore" is from a Greek verb that means "to beget", "to bring forth", "to produce from oneself", "to create" and "to engender".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
the -- There is no Greek article "the" here in the source, but the noun is plural and in English, a definite article "the/this/that/these/those" is used before plural nouns in phrases like this.
breasts -- "Breasts" is from another noun that Jesus uses nowhere else. It means "a woman's breast", "udder", "round hill". and "round, breast-shaped object".
that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this", "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that"), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. This is not the word usually translated as "that".
never -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "never" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. It is not the combination of negatives that are usually translated as never. This is not the word usually translated as "never".
nursed. -- (WW) The word translated as "nursed" doesn't mean "nursed" as much as the idea of "thicken" or "fatten" or "cause to grow". It can also mean for a liquid to congeal.
ὅτι (adv/conj) "For" 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." -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
ἰδοὺ (adv, verb 2nd sg aor imperat mid) "Behold is idou, which means "to behold", "to see" and "to perceive". It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see".
ἔρχονται ( verb 3rd pl pres ind mp ) "Are coming" 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.
ἡμέραι ( 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 also has a second meaning, of "quiet", "tame" (animals), "cultivated" (crops)" and "civilized" (people).
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".
αἷς ( pron pl fem dat ) "The which" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason" and many similar meanings.
ἐροῦσιν ( verb 3rd pl fut ind act ) "They shall say" 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".
Μακάριαι (adj pl fem nom) "Blessed" is makarios which means "blessed", "prosperous", "happy", "fortunate" and "blissful".
αἱ [821 verses](article pl fem 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".
στεῖραι [1 verse]( noun pl fem nom ) "The barren" is steira, which means "has not brought forth young", "barren", "not having had offspring" and "virgin".
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".
αἱ [821 verses](article pl fem 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". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
κοιλίαι (noun pl fem nom) "The wombs" is from the Greek, koilia, which means the "cavity within the body" (from the Greek, koilos, for "hollow"). It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement", which fills the hollow.
αἱ [821 verses](article pl fem 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".
οὐκ (partic) "Not" is ou which is 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.
ἐγέννησαν [10 verse](verb 3rd pl aor ind act ) "Bare" is gennao, which means "to beget", "to bear", "to bring forth", "to produce from oneself", "to create" and "to engender". This is the causal form of gignomai, which is translated as "done" in the NT, but which comes closer in meaning to "become".
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".
μαστοὶ [ [1 verse] ( noun pl masc nom ) "Paps" is mastos, which means "a woman's breast", "udder", "round hill" and round, breast-shaped object.
οἳ (pro pl masc nom) "This" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason" and many similar meanings.
οὐκ (partic) "Not" is ou which is 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.
ἔθρεψαν. [4verses] ( verb 3rd pl aor ind act )"Gave suck" is trepho, which means primarily, to "thicken or congeal" [a liquid], "cause to grow or increase", "bring up", "rear", "rear and keep" [animals, slaves], "tend", "cherish", "let grow" (of parts of the body), "cherish", "foster", "breed", "produce", "teem" [of earth and sea]", "have within oneself", "contain", "maintain", "support", "Pass", "to be bred" and "reared".
After he warned the crying women, one of the Pharisees mocked him using his own words, "Voila, the condemned false prophet!"
Another mocked him using another of his common phrases, "Fortunate, the condemned false prophet!"
Ignoring them, one of the weeping women asked, "How can you console us and our children when these self-righteous are mocking you?"
The Nazarene answered, "Because, voila! They are showing up, days in which they are going to say, 'Fortunate, the barren and the wombs that do not give birth and breasts that do not swell.'"
Jesus ignored them