Mark 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself,

Spoken to: 

challengers

Writers from Jerusalem say Jesus castes out demons by the power of Beelzebub.

KJV: 

Mark 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

NIV : 

Mark 3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

And when a realm is divided against itself, that realm there doesn't have the power to stand firm.

MY TAKE: 

We can defeat our dark aspects of our natures by pitting them against themselves.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

καὶ   ἐὰν       βασιλεία ἐφ᾽      ἑαυτὴν μερισθῇ,        οὐ       δύναται             σταθῆναι            βασιλεία ἐκείνη:
And when a realm      against itself    is divided, it doesn't have the power to stand firm that realm       there.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The word translated as "can" means "to have power." This is important because the topic is the nature of power, in this case, the power of an adversary or suffering. In the previous verse, Jesus asked the question about an adversary working against itself. This verse says it can, but only temporarily because it will fall.

In Greek, the word translated as "kingdom" describes a realm controlled by one entity, a kingdom or ruler. Like "kingdom" the word is from the root word "king."  The word does not refer to a group  or nation of people, as we might read it today. This statement is a play on the nature of that concept. For a realm to be divided against itself, the ruler must be divided against himself. The word "stand" is passive, "be made to stand." However, that word doesn't specifically mean stand on two legs but it is a more general concept with a lot of meaings like our "set up."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

5
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "kingdom" is not shown in the English translation.
  •  CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinitive.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "stand" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to stand."

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

6
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and " is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "kingdom" is not shown in the English translation.
  •  CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinitive.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "stand" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to stand."

EACH WORD of KJV : 

And  -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." 

if -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his 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.

divided - "Divided" is a verb, in the form of an adjective which means "to divide," "to spit up," and "to be divided." It is in the passive, so, having been divided, have been split up." This is a rare word for Jesus st to use.

against -- The word translated as "against" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."

itself, - "Itself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself", "herself," and so on.

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. Used in the form of an adverb,  it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

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. 

kingdom The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. It includes that article so "the kingdom."

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. 

stand. (WF) The verb translated as "shall stand" means "to make stand," "to set up," "to establish and similar words in the active form. In the passive, it means "to be placed," "to stand," and "to stand firm."  Like the English words "put" and "set," it has a number of specific meanings from "to put down [in writing]," "to bury," "to establish," "to make," "to cause," and "to assign." This is a word Jesus uses because of its multiple meanings. This is not an active verb, but an infinitive.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

missing "And  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." 

if -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.

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

divided - "Divided" is a verb, in the form of an adjective which means "to divide," "to spit up," and "to be divided." It is in the passive, so, having been divided, have been split up." This is a rare word for Jesus st to use.

against -- The word translated as "against" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."

itself, - "Itself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself", "herself," and so on.

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. Used in the form of an adverb,  it means "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."

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. 

kingdom The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. It includes that article so "the kingdom."

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. 

stand. (WF) The verb translated as "shall stand" means "to make stand," "to set up," "to establish and similar words in the active form. In the passive, it means "to be placed," "to stand," and "to stand firm."  Like the English words "put" and "set," it has a number of specific meanings from "to put down [in writing]," "to bury," "to establish," "to make," "to cause," and "to assign." This is a word Jesus uses because of its multiple meanings. This is not an active verb, but an infinitive.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

καὶ  [1089 verses](conj) "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."

ἐὰν ([162 verses]conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event.

βασιλεία [98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "The kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

ἐφ᾽ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "of an end or purpose," "of the condition upon which a thing is done," "on condition that," and "of price." With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, judging, it means "in the case of."

ἑαυτὴν[75 verses] (adj sg fem acc) "Itself" is from heautouis a reflexive pronoun that means "himself", "herself", "itself", "themselves," and "ourselves." It is an alternative to autos.

μερισθῇ,  [5 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "Be divided" is merizo, which means "divide," "distribute," "assign," "sever," "cut-off," (passive) "to be divided," "to be dispersed," and "to be reckoned a part." 

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.

δύναται [61 verses](3rd sg 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."

σταθῆναι[28 verses] (verb aor inf pass) "Stand" is histemi, which means "to make to stand," , "to set up," "to bring to a standstill," "to check," "to appoint," "to establish," "to set upright," "to erected," "to fix by agreement," and "to place." In the passive, it means "to be placed," "to be set," "to stand," "to stand still," "to stand firm," "to arise." --

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

βασιλεία  [98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

ἐκείνη: [107 verses](adj sg fem nom) "That" 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."

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 27 2023