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Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes
1. Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes
This content is being developed.
2. Matthew 23
3. Matthew 23:1-4 Jesus fingers the talk about works
Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [kjv]
23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: [kjv]
23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [kjv]
23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [kjv]
Jesus starts Matthew 23 by distinguishing various groups and then talks about works and works that are talked about, etc. Jesus effectively
"fingers" a serious issue with the religious elite.
There are interesting translation issues with verse 3 having to do with the parsing of "
and" and the use of the comma "
," in English.
4. Matthew 23:5 Broad prison boxes and head shackles
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, [kjv]
παντα δε τα εργα αυτων ποιουσιν προς το θεαθηναι τοις ανθρωποις πλατυνουσιν γαρ τα φυλακτηρια αυτων και μεγαλυνουσιν τα κρασπεδα [gnt]
Jesus uses some play on words in taking it to the birds with allusions to "
birds", "
snakes", "
prisons" and "
altars", and "
heads" and "
shackles".
5. Matthew 23:24 So far as the net gain of a gnat into a canopy
Some Greek words went to other languages, such as Latin, and eventually made their way back to Greek meaning something different.
Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [kjv]
οδηγοι τυφλοι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες [gnt]
This happened to the ancient Greek word for "
mosquito". That word appears once in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) and not in the
LXX (Septuagint).
Rather than a translation by Matthew from the Aramaic, Jesus appears to be using some play on some Greek words that have Semitic origins.
6. Matthew 23:25-26 Verses
Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [kjv]
ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι καθαριζετε το εξωθεν του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν εξ αρπαγης και ακρασιας [gnt]
vae … hypocritae … mundatis … foris … calicis … parapsidis … rapina … inmunditia [v]
23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [kjv]
φαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτου καθαρον [gnt]
… munda … calicis … parapsidis … mundum [v]
7. Matthew 23:27-29 Verses
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. [kjv]
23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. [kjv]
23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, [kjv]
8. Matthew 23:30-32 Verses
Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. [kjv]
23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. [kjv]
23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. [kjv]
9. Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [kjv]
23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
In Matthew 23, Jesus takes it to the
"birds". This culminates at the end of Matthew 23 which leads directly to the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and the parables of the Ten Virgins, Talents and Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25. They appear to be all connected.
10. Matthew 23:33 Snakes
11. Matthew 12:34 Vipers
Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [kjv]
γεννηματα εχιδνων πως δυνασθε αγαθα λαλειν πονηροι οντες εκ γαρ του περισσευματος της καρδιας το στομα λαλει [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἔχιδνα" ≈ "snake, treacherous person" and comes from
"ἔχις" ≈ "snake, adder, viper".
A usual Greek word for a generic "
snake" or "
serpent" is
not used here. The Greek word used refers to a dangerous snake that could be a poisonous snake or a constricting snake. The same word is used for the snake that latches onto Paul in Acts 28 on the shore after the ship wrecks.
Which better describes the religious establishment of that day? Would it be a poisonous snake or a constricting snake (or both)? What about today?
12. Matthew 12:34 Generation of vipers
Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [kjv]
γεννηματα εχιδνων πως δυνασθε αγαθα λαλειν πονηροι οντες εκ γαρ του περισσευματος της καρδιας το στομα λαλει [gnt]
If the religious establishment openly and clearly spoke
"evil" things, this verse would not apply.
If the religious establishment openly and clearly spoke
"good" things, this verse would not apply.
If the religious establishment spoke what appeared to be
"good" things but were really
"evil" things, as in
deceptions, this verse begins to make more sense.
13. Matthew 23:33 Flee the escape
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [kjv]
οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων πως φυγητε απο της κρισεως της γεεννης [gnt]
serpentes genimina viperarum … fugietis … iudicio gehennae [v]
The ancient Greek word
"ἀπο" ≈ "away from" and which has an idea of a "
separating distance". This word appears
not to be translated in the
KJV (King James Version) or may be subsumed as in "
flee" and "
away" being combined into "
escape".
The
KJV translates as
"escape" the Greek word that means
"flee". The ancient Greek word
"φεύγω" ≈ "flee, avoid, get away from" and is the source, through Latin, of the English word
"fugitive". Jesus will use this word for
"flee" again in the upcoming Olivet Discourse.
14. Matthew 24:16-17 Mountains
Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: [kjv]
τοτε οι εν τη ιουδαια φευγετωσαν εις τα ορη [gnt]
24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: [kjv]
ο επι του δωματος μη καταβατω αραι τα εκ της οικιας αυτου [gnt]
This verse sequence is part of the Olivet Discourse where Jesus talks about "
all of it" and the "
end of times" and appears to refer to an actual
"mountain". It is not clear how one would flee to a
"definition".
The ancient Greek word "εις" ≈ "into" (more active and dynamic).
The ancient Greek word "επί" ≈ "on" (more passive and static)
It is unclear how one would flee "
into" the "
mountains" rather than "
on" the "
mountains" (some Greek manuscripts)
What is often attributed to Koine Greek idioms appears to be a bias as to what the translators (and Greek scholars) want the text to say - often made worse by changes in the English language over time.
15. Matthew 23:33 Damnation
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [kjv]
οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων πως φυγητε απο της κρισεως της γεεννης [gnt]
serpentes genimina viperarum … fugietis … iudicio gehennae [v]
The ancient Greek word
"κρίσις" ≈ "decision, trial, dispute" and comes from
"κρίνω" ≈ "separate, arrange". The
"damnation" is inferred from the Latin.
The Greek for
"damnation" is that of
"separation".
Is there a
"damnation" or
"judgment" of "
hell"? There are Christian churches today that deny that "
hell" exists, and/or that Satan exists.
16. Matthew 23:33 Generations of hell
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [kjv]
οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων πως φυγητε απο της κρισεως της γεεννης [gnt]
serpentes genimina viperarum … fugietis … iudicio gehennae [v]
There is a play on words between the similarity of the Greek words for
"generation" and
"hell" as
"Gehenna".
| serpents |
generation |
vipers |
... |
as written |
| forgive |
hell |
vipers |
... |
play on words |
[theological points]
17. Matthew 23:33
KJV: Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Greek: οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων πως φυγητε απο της κρισεως της γεεννης
Latin: serpentes genimina viperarum quomodo fugietis a iudicio gehennae
18. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Prophecy and profits
1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? [kjv]
νυν δε αδελφοι εαν ελθω προς υμας γλωσσαις λαλων τι υμας ωφελησω εαν μη υμιν λαλησω η εν αποκαλυψει η εν γνωσει η εν προφητεια η εν διδαχη [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"προφήτης" ≈ "speaker for a god". Paul continues with
"prophecy" and "
tongues". In English, the word for
"prophet" and
"profit" have the same sound. The Greek words, however, are
different.
Why did the IRS audit the church?
It was a church for a profit and they had false profits.
19. Prophets
A prophet is not (just) someone who foretells the future.
A prophet tells the truth. A prophet is forth-coming.
A false prophet tells others what they want to hear.
Prophets of God foretell the future so that, when it happens, it authenticates them as a prophet of God.
In security, a password might be used to authenticate you.
In security terms, authentication is proving that you are who you claim to be.
In eternal security terms, a prophet of God foretells the future to authenticate them as a prophet of God.
Prophets usually provide some short term prophecies and some long range prophecies. Why?
20. Matthew 23:34 Them are ducks
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
| * |
Masc.
Sing. |
Masc.
Plural |
Fem.
Sing. |
Fem.
Plural |
Neuter
Sing. |
Neuter
Plural |
| Nom. |
αὐτὁς |
αὐτοί |
αὐτἡ |
αὐταί |
αὐτό |
αὐτά |
| Gen. |
αὐτοῦ |
αὐτῶν |
αὐτῆς |
αὐτῶν |
αὐτοῦ |
αὐτῶν |
| Dat. |
αὐτῷ |
αὐτοῖς |
αὐτῇ |
αὐταῖς |
αὐτῷ |
αὐτοῖς |
| Acc. |
αὐτόν |
αὐτούς |
αὐτήν |
αὐτάς |
αὐτό |
αὐτά |
What is
dative plural
"them" (
masculine,
feminine or
neuter)?
It appears to refer to one or more of
"prophets",
"wise (ones)" and/or
"scribes".
21. Matthew 23:34 Wisdom and stature
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἐξ" ≈ "out of" as in the first part of the English word
"exodus" and which as a play on words can be associated with
"ἕξ" ≈ "six" as in the English word
"hex".
The Greek word translated as "
some" is that of "
out (of)". To "
some" this will happen. This means that, to "
some", this will not happen. Who are the "
many"? Who are the "
few"? Which are "
good"? Which are
not "
good"?
22. Matthew 23:34
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
| prophets |
wise (ones) |
scribes |
| kill |
crucify |
? |
scourge in
synagogues |
persecute/pursue
away from city into city |
? |
The Greek word translated as "
out of" is that of "
some of". There are some meaning issues in what is said.
Jesus never uses the word "wise" in a good sense.
The "scourging" is not done in the "synagogues".
The religious elite did not have the power to "crucify".
Where do the "scribes" fit in? This is the only place Jesus uses (plural) "scribes" without the "chief priests".
Perhaps some play on words are in play!
23. Matthew 23:34 Prophets
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"προφήτης" ≈ "speaker for a god" as in a
"prophet" and comes from two Greek words.
"προ" ≈ "before" and source of English words starting with "pro".
"φημί" ≈ "say" and source of the English word "fame".
24. Matthew 15:13 Plants and roots
Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. [kjv]
ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν πασα φυτεια ην ουκ εφυτευσεν ο πατηρ μου ο ουρανιος εκριζωθησεται [gnt]
Every
"plant" not
"planted" by God will be "
rooted up".
"φυτόν" ≈ "plant, tree, creature".
"φύω" ≈ "bring forth, produce, cause to grow".
These words are part of the word
"neophyte" as in
"newly planted" and translated by the
KJV as
"novice".
Two chapters earlier Jesus related the second kingdom parable of the "
wheat" and the "
tares" or "
weeds". The "
weeds" were planted by the "
birds" (of the evil one) and not by God.
25. Matthew 23:34 Newly planted
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
"προφήτης" ≈ "speaker for a god" as in a "prophet"
"πρόβατα" ≈ "sheep" "before" and "walk" as in "walking" "before" in "righteousness".
"φυτόν" ≈ "plant, tree, creature" and "φῠτοῖς" ≈ "plants" (dative plural).
"φύω" ≈ "bring forth, produce, cause to grow".
The play on words is then
"prophet" with a
"newly planted" "
babe" who "
walks" "
before".
26. Matthew 23:34 Newly planted
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
"προφήτας" ≈ "prophets".
"προ" ≈ "before" and "φῠτοῖς" ≈ "plants" as in "planted" "before".
Discuss:
Has anyone claimed that since Jesus says he will send "prophets" that you can be one of the "elect" "prophets" and have a special part of the kingdom?
If what Jesus says is a play on words, can there be problems with making a deep theological point about what was said?
27. Matthew 23:34 Kill the newly planted
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The play on words is then
"prophet" with a
"newly planted" "
babe" who "
walks" "
before". Will these
"newly planted" "
babes" be "
killed"? By whom will they be "
killed"? What will be "
killed".
☐ "
body" but
not the "
soul" (persecution).
☐ "
body" and also the "
soul" (through deception).
In both cases, the "
body" is "
killed". In one case, the "
soul" in addition is "
killed".
28. Matthew 10:28 Soul and body
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [kjv]
και μη φοβεισθε απο των αποκτεινοντων το σωμα την δε ψυχην μη δυναμενων αποκτειναι φοβεισθε δε μαλλον τον δυναμενον και ψυχην και σωμα απολεσαι εν γεεννη [gnt]
Jesus tells us that the "
body" and the "
soul" are different. Jesus tells us who we should
"fear" and it is not
"fear" about the
cares and
concerns of this world. The most dangerous attacks are not from the outside but from the inside and involve
deception.
One cannot "
destroy the soul" by
"killing" the body is in persecution (e.g., by the Roman administrations). The primary way to
"destroy" the "
soul" is through
deception so that you "
sell yourself out" or are "
sold out".
Jesus provides an example in the
next verse.
29. Matthew 10:29-31 Soul and body
30. Matthew 23:34 Newly planted
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
Will these
"newly planted" "
babes" be
"scourged" "
in" the
"synagogue"? By whom will they be
"scourged" "
in" the
"synagogue"?
A play on words of
"synagogue" is that of "
going" "
together" on the "
earth".
"συναγωγή" ≈ "gathering" and is the source of the English word "synagogue"
"συν" ≈ "together" and "αγω" ≈ "go"and "γη" ≈ "earth".
31. Strongs - scourge
*G3146 *7 μαστιγόω (mas-tig-o'-o) : from G3148; to flog (literally or figuratively):--scourge.
 |
Words: εμαστιγωσεν μαστιγοι μαστιγωσαι μαστιγωσαντες μαστιγωσετε μαστιγωσουσιν=2
|
The ancient Greek word
"μάστιξ" ≈ "whip, scourge" and, in a figurative sense,
"lash of eloquence". As a verb it is
"μαστιγόω" ≈ "whip, scourge".
32. Usage - scourge
- *G3146 *7 μαστιγόω (mas-tig-o'-o) : from G3148; to flog (literally or figuratively):--scourge.
- μαστιγωσουσιν *2
- Matthew 10:17 ... up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
- Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon ...
- μαστιγωσαι
- Matthew 20:19 ... to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and ...
- μαστιγωσετε
- Matthew 23:34 ... and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, ...
- μαστιγωσαντες
- Luke 18:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and ...
- εμαστιγωσεν
- John 19:1 ... took Jesus, and scourged him.
- μαστιγοι
- Hebrews 12:6 ... loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
33. Matthew 23:34 Sermoned to death
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"μάστιξ" ≈ "whip, scourge" and, in a figurative sense,
"lash of eloquence". As a verb it is
"μαστιγόω" ≈ "whip, scourge".
Can the
"scourging" be figurative? It is tempting to use the modern English word "
mass" and the Greek word prefix and say they will be, in the Catholic sense,
"massed" in the
"synagogue" as in, using modern terms,
"sermoned" in the
"pews". That is a figurative idea of being
"scourged" "
in" the
"synagogue".
34. Strongs - wise
*G4680 *20 σοφός (sof-os') : akin to saphes (clear); wise (in a most general application):--wise. Compare G5429.
 |
Words: σοφοι=3 σοφοις σοφος=6 σοφους=4 σοφω σοφων=4 σοφωτερον
|
The ancient Greek word
"σοφός" ≈ "clever, cunning" and is often translated as the English word
"wise".
Jesus uses the exact word
"σοφους" ≈ "clever/cunning ones" one time in the
GNT, in Matthew 23:34. Jesus does not use the Greek word translated
"wise" in a good sense.
35. Usage - wise
- *G4680 *20 σοφός (sof-os') : akin to saphes (clear); wise (in a most general application):--wise. Compare G5429.
- σοφους *4 of 20
- Matthew 23:34 ... you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and ...
- Romans 16:19 ... but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and ...
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 ... of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen ...
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 ... For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
36. Matthew 23:34 And wise ones
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
"και" ≈ "and" "σοφους" ≈ "clever/cunning ones"
"Καῖσαρ" ≈ "Caesar" and "πούς" ≈ "foot" and, in military terms, a "foot" soldier.
A
"foot" soldier of
"Caesar" could both
"crucify" someone and
"pursue" from "
city" "
into" "
city". Both of these would happen in the Jewish Revolt (66-70 AD).
37. Matthew 11:23
Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [kjv]
και συ καφαρναουμ μη εως ουρανου υψωθηση εως αδου καταβηση οτι ει εν σοδομοις εγενηθησαν αι δυναμεις αι γενομεναι εν σοι εμεινεν αν μεχρι της σημερον [gnt]
Why is the
"and" "you" (singular) needed at the start of this verse?
"και" ≈ "and".
"συ" ≈ "you" (singular).
"Καῖσαρ" ≈ "Caesar" from the Latin word "Caesar" ≈ "Caesar". Later, the hard "k" or "c" sound, as in the German word "Kaiser" ≈ "Caesar", became a soft "c". The transition sound is the Russian "czar"
In this and the following play on words, think of a Boston accent where the "
r" sound is minimized.
38. Matthew 23:34
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The
KJV translates as
"persecute" the Greek word that means
"pursue". In context, it can mean
"persecute".
What has happened in the past will invariably, due to human nature, happen in the future. Which Bible
"scribes" or "
translators" were, historically, "
persecuted",
"scourged" or "
killed"?
39. Matthew 23:34
KJV: Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Greek: δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις και εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν
40. Philippians 3:6,14 Pursing persecution
The ancient Greek word
"διώκω" ≈ "pursue" in the sense of
"going after" or, in
context,
"persecuting". The Greek word "
blameless" is "
without spots".
Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [kjv]
κατα ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος [gnt]
Paul was
"pursuing" in the
wrong direction in a
"physical" way according to
man's "righteousness". The Greek for "
zeal" is that of "
competing with others for the same goal".
Paul is now
"pursuing" (same word) in the
right direction in a
"non-physical" way.
3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
κατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]
41. Luke 11:49 Sending of sent ones
Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: [kjv]
δια τουτο και η σοφια του θεου ειπεν αποστελω εις αυτους προφητας και αποστολους και εξ αυτων αποκτενουσιν και διωξουσιν [gnt]
Matthew uses
"wise men" while, years later, those interviewed by Luke appear to have said the
"wisdom" of "
God". Luke changes
"scribes" to "
apostles". Luke literally means:
... I will send you ... sent ones .... Had the word for "
sent ones" became a special word "
apostles" by this time?
An "apostle" is one who is "sent" with a message.
An "Apostle" is one who personally knew Jesus and was "sent" with a message by Jesus.
The church has traditionally narrowed words to elevate people to be part of the
"elect" or
"chosen" in a special way.
42. Matthew 10:3 Matthew the tax collector
Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; [kjv]
φιλιππος και βαρθολομαιος θωμας και μαθθαιος ο τελωνης ιακωβος ο του αλφαιου και θαδδαιος [gnt]
Matthew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. The book of
Matthew is assumed to have been written by him.
"Ματταῖος" ≈ "Matthew" or "Ματθαῖος" ≈ "Matthew".
The Greek word comes from the Hebrew/Aramaic word
"מתי" (mattay) ≈ "Matthew" which means, literally, "
gift of the Lord" . Is the book of "
Matthew" a "
gift of the Lord"?
Matthew worked for the
Romans. The Latin word
"Matthaeus" ≈ "Matthew". A good tax collector would have had multiple language skills, reading and writing skills, shorthand skills, a good memory, attention to detail, etc.
43. Matthew 10:3
KJV: Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Greek: φιλιππος και βαρθολομαιος θωμας και ματθαιος μαθθαιος ο τελωνης ιακωβος ο του αλφαιου και λεββαιος ο επικληθεις θαδδαιος
44. Matthew 23:34 Scribes
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]
The Greek for
"and" "scribes" does not fit will with the rest of the verse. A play on words, with Spoonerism, is that of (transliterated) Latin "
Greek" and "
Matthew".
The Latin word
"Graecus" ≈ "Greek" and of uncertain origin. At that time, the Latin "
c" was a hard "
c" as in a "
k" sound. A Greek transliteration would be something like
"γραικους" ≈ "Greek" .
45. Matthew 23:34
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
Perhaps the
"and" "scribes", which does not otherwise fit, is an authentication code that hints of the authorship of the Latin/Greek/Jew Matthew. Jesus could have dictated this without Matthew actually knowing it. That is, as in "
I was a poet, but didn't know it".
[procrastination, Mark Twain]
46. Matthew 23:34 Jest for fun punishment
Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]
There are, then,
three play on words in sequence (as a third level meaning).
| words |
play on words |
complexity |
type |
| prophets |
newly planted ones (sent) before |
simple |
good |
| and clever/cunning (ones) |
Caesar foot (soldiers) |
extended |
bad |
| and scribes |
Latin/Greek/Jew Matthew |
contorted |
ugly |
Punny paraphrase:
... I send you simple puns, extended puns, contorted puns. Out of them, the simple ones will kill you, the extended ones will crucify you, and the contorted ones will scourge (sting) you in your pews, and will pursue you from city (many) to city (many) (you will not be able to un-hear them.)
[tongue in cheek vs. tongue in check]
47. Matthew 23:35
Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. [kjv]
οπως ελθη εφ υμας παν αιμα δικαιον εκχυννομενον επι της γης απο του αιματος αβελ του δικαιου εως του αιματος ζαχαριου υιου βαραχιου ον εφονευσατε μεταξυ του ναου και του θυσιαστηριου [gnt]
Jesus starts at
Abel, son of Adam and Eve.
The ancient Greek word
"αἷμα" ≈ "blood" and is the source of the English word
"anemic".
48. Matthew 23:35
KJV: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Greek: οπως ελθη εφ υμας παν αιμα δικαιον εκχυνομενον εκχυννομενον επι της γης απο του αιματος αβελ του δικαιου εως του αιματος ζαχαριου υιου βαραχιου ον εφονευσατε μεταξυ του ναου και του θυσιαστηριου
49. Matthew 23:36 All these things
Matthew 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. [kjv]
αμην λεγω υμιν ηξει ταυτα παντα επι την γενεαν ταυτην [gnt]
What are
"all" "these" things?
The next chapter, four verses away, is the Olivet Discourse - historically about the End Times.
50. Matthew 23:36
KJV: Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Greek: αμην λεγω υμιν ηξει ταυτα παντα επι την γενεαν ταυτην
51. End of page
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? [kjv]
οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων πως φυγητε απο της κρισεως της γεεννης [gnt]
serpentes genimina viperarum … fugietis … iudicio gehennae [v]
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [kjv]
ουχι δυο στρουθια ασσαριου πωλειται και εν εξ αυτων ου πεσειται επι την γην ανευ του πατρος υμων [gnt]
10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [kjv]
υμων δε και αι τριχες της κεφαλης πασαι ηριθμημεναι εισιν [gnt]
10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
μη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις [gnt]
