The Latin month of Sextilis was renamed for Emperor Augustus in 8 BC.

Middle Age legends attributed the 31 days in August to Augustus not wanting fewer days than July named for Julius Caesar, but the month already had 31 days before it was renamed.

More: Months

Here is a pun I created in the late 1980's using 3 words that each have 2 meanings.

All 2³ = 8 ways make some sense. One can slide the pronunciation between each choice as needed.

☐ Would you take offense to a roaming shepherd?
☐ Would you take offense to a Roman shepherd?
☐ Would you take a fence to a roaming shepherd?
☐ Would you take a fence to a Roman shepherd?
☐ Would a Jew take offense to a roaming shepherd?
☐ Would a Jew take offense to a Roman shepherd?
☐ Would a Jew take a fence to a roaming shepherd?
☐ Would a Jew take a fence to a Roman shepherd?

One might add more to this pun with "defense" and "the fence" or with "rushing" and "Russian", etc.

More: Punishment by punny puns

The ancient Greek word "φωνή" ≈ "voice", as in "phonograph", and appears to come from "φως" ≈ "light" and "νους" ≈ "mind". That is, the "sound" of a "voice" is "light" into the "mind".

More: He that hath ears should not get behind

Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow.
Mark Twain (Author and Humorist, alias Samuel Clemens)

Modern saying: I used to crastinate. I got so good at it I decided to go pro. [eager vs. lazy evaluation]
Can one reason backwards in time?

Today, I'm doing nothing because I started doing it yesterday and I wasn't finished.

Don't give up on dreams. Go back to bed.

More: Matthew 6:11 Our daily bread

More: Mark Twain - Samuel Clemens

Why does Jesus say "and there" when just an "and" would suffice?

• ... gift on the altar and there remember ...
• ... gift on the altar and remember ...

From context it is clear that you are "there" and not somewhere else.

Meaningless sign: You are here. You are not there.

The Madela Effect happens when many people falsely remember the same thing. It is named after Nelson Mandela who many people remember dying in prison in the 1980's.

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

The ancient Greek word "κατά σου" ≈ "against you" as in being "down on you". Using the play on words, the verse is as follows.

5:23: If therefore you offer [resemble] your gift on the altar, [bad (righteousness)], remember [as a groom wooing a bride] that the brother of yours (Jesus) has some things against (down on) you (detailed in Revelation).

The Greek phrase "against you" is only used here and three times by Jesus in Revelation. This provides a hint as to the nature and substance of these things. The next verses will indicate a better way that is in line with what "the" brother (Jesus) desires.

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

For the 5,000, which had just happened in the previous chapter, it was a "κόφινος" ≈ "basket". This word was used in Latin as "cophinus" ≈ "hamper, basket" which is the source of the English word "coffin".

Might the "blind" "feeding" of "bread" to people be a type of "coffin"? Jesus talks of this in John 6.

What does Jesus say here that might be in indication of "oppressive" "reasoning" on the part of the disciples (previous verses)?

More: Matthew 16:5-8 Big ideas connected with a little faith

More: John 6:53-61 Misinterpretation and the disappearing blood

More: Matthew 16:9-10 Basket cases

Jesus reminds the disciples of what had happened before. For the 4,000, it was a "basket" of the size that was used to let Paul down from a wall in Acts 9:24-25. The ancient Greek word "σπυρίς" ≈ "large basket" often used for provisions or to transport money.

How many "baskets" of money might have been taken up?

The word used by Jesus can be a play on words with a Greek word that means the onomatopoeic shrill sound of a "hammer" hitting metal.

What does Jesus say here that might be in indication of "oppressive" "reasoning" on the part of the disciples (previous verses)?

More: Matthew 16:5-8 Big ideas connected with a little faith

More: Matthew 16:9-10 Basket cases

The ancient Greek word "μνημεῖον" ≈ "memorial, monument" and comes from "μνήμη" ≈ "memory" as in something used to "remember". The Greek word is the source of the English word "mnemonic".

The ancient Greek word "τάφος" ≈ "burial, funeral, tomb, grave" and comes from "θάπτω" ≈ "bury". The same Greek word could mean "astonishment" or "amazement" and comes from "θάμβος" ≈ "amazement" and "τέθηπα" ≈ "to be amazed".

The Greek word for "tombs" can be a play on words with "blind". The ancient Greek word "κοσμέω" ≈ "order, arrange, adorn" and is the source of the English word "cosmetics".

More: The adornment of people in the cosmos

More: Matthew 23: 27-32 Measured with the white tombs

More: Matthew 26:1-16 Give it all to the poor

A Caesar cipher was done by wrapping a long strip of paper around a stick or pole, and then writing the message across the wrapped paper.

A substitute is something used in place of something else.

A substitute teacher teaches in place of the regular teacher.

In a sports game, one player may substitute for another player, subject to the rules of the game.

More: Codes: Transposition ciphers

It is said that Julius Caesar used a (simple and not that secure) message encryption system (against the Gauls in what is today France) whereby Latin was transliterated into Greek so that someone who could read Greek could read the transliterated Greek which would then be recognized as Latin.

More: Matthew 1:23 Emmanuel or Immanuel

About a 100 years earlier, in 75 BC, a young 25 year old Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was captured by Cilician pirates while traveling to study oratory at Rhodes.

Plutarch relates the story. Caesar captivated the pirates with stories, etc., and convinced the pirates that the ransom they were asking was too little for his value. He would, at times, banter and joke that he would have them all crucified. When the ransom was paid, Caesar raised a small naval force, returned to the site, captured the same pirates, brought them back, and had them crucified. Caesar was a born leader - for better or for worse.

More: Cilicia and pirates and sackcloth in ancient times

More: Everything being equal: To biff a translation

Sermon analysis analogy: (perhaps from a PhD dissertation)

• The group being asked is plural to show how many need to hear the message of the lost dog.
• The dog is female to show the importance of females (diversity, inclusion, etc.).
• The group asking is plural to show the importance of the group rather than the individual. Better (bitter) together!

More: Attractive refrigerator magnet sermons

More: Everything being equal: To biff a translation

The "Ides of March" is often associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BC.
The Latin word "Idus Martiae" ≈ "Ides of March" was on March 15, eight days after the "nones", where March is named for the god of War. The Latin word "idus" ≈ "divide" from an Etruscan verb.

More: Months

To honor Julius Caesar (100-44 BC), the month of "Quintilis" (Latin for month 5) was named July in honor of him.

"Dog days" begin in early July.

[quintuplets][dog with a fever]
A legend created in the 13th century A.D. is that one day was taken to add to July to honor Julius Caesar, and one day was then taken to add to August to honor Augustus Caesar.

More: Months

The Roman (democratic) Republic (with Senate) essentially ended in 59 BC with the Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompeius and Crassus. The Greek word "democracy" means "people power".

• The Roman Senate never ended. They had no power over anything important.
• The USSR (Lenin, Stalin, etc.) had the Politburo. They had no power over anything important. Their state newspaper was called "Truth" or "Pravda".
• Hitler kept the Reichstag. They had no power over anything important.

In 44 B.C. Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius. Why? This act was made more famous by a play by Shakespeare. Thereafter, Rome was ruled, not by a king, but by a dictators called Caesar.

Antony and Octavian defeated these conspirators at the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C. This is about 90 years before Paul visits the city and about 100 years before the letter to the Philippians by Paul.

More: Philippians: Background and introduction

After the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C., many Roman veterans were settled here and many locals were awarded the coveted Roman citizenship. Paul will remind the Philippians of this twice in his letter. The KJV (King James Version) uses "conversation" as "citizenship".


From these veterans, the importance of law and order is seen in Paul's visit to Philippi in Acts 16 where the Philippians jailer is part of the story.

• Citizenship on earth.
• Citizenship in heaven.

More: Philippians: Background and introduction

Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius (63 BC - 14 AD) took on the name "Augustus" as a more formal title and became know by that name.

The Latin word "augustus" ≈ "majestic, venerable". In English, one can still say that a person is "august" is in "venerable" and/or "majestic".

The English word "august" comes, through French, from the Latin word "augustus" ≈ "majestic, venerable, august". This was a name taken by Roman Emperor Augustus, in part to give him a name meaning majestic, venerable, etc.
The early church father Augustine of Hippo (city in Roman North Africa) was named after the Roman name of Augustus.

More: Augustine of Hippo

That Greek name for "august" or "respected" became the title of Russian Czarina (Augusta) Catherine II who founded the city Sevastopol in 1783.

• "σεβαστός" ≈ "venerable, august".
• "πόλις" ≈ "city".

Combined, one gets "Sevastopol".

• Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War: (1853-1856) and the Siege of Sevastopol (1854-1855).
• Florence Nightingale (care of wounded soldiers at Constantinople, improved nursing and medical treatment)

Sevastopol: Late 18th century. From Ukrainian Севасто́поль (Sevastópolʹ) and Russian Севасто́поль (Sevastópolʹ), from Ancient Greek Σεβαστόπολις (Sebastópolis) from σεβαστός (sebastós, “august”) + πόλις (pólis, “city”), probably after Empress (=Augusta) Catherine II of Russia. Wiktionary: 2022-12-15

More: Luke 2:1-6 Some cents about the need for a census

Note that the Vulgate "Augusti" and King James "Augustus" refer to Emperor at the birth of Jesus. The Greek, however, does not have this word - but it might be inferred from the word «σεβαστου» for "respected". The Luther German has "Kaisers" for "Caesar" which is the origin of the German word "Kaiser". All versions have "Caesar" at the end of this verse.

• The ancient Greek word "Καῖσαρ" ≈ "Caesar" from the Latin word "Caesar" ≈ "Caesar".

Here «διαγωςσιν» is "hearing".

Emperor Tiberius Caesar (on taxes): It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.

At the same time, Jesus was walking and teaching in Judea. Jesus had a different idea about what it meant to be a "good" "shepherd".


9 AD: Arminius organizes Germans and slaughters Roman Legions under Varus at Teutoburg Forest

More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax

• "τίνος" ≈ "what, whose" (genitive singular) or "τινός" ≈ "what, whose" (genitive singular) and "η" ≈ "the" as the (feminine) definite article.
• "τι" ≈ "what" and "νόσοι" ≈ "sicknesses, diseases, illnesses" (nominative plural) from "νόσος" ≈ "sickness, disease, illness, plague, misery, suffering, distress"

More: Matthew 22:15-22 Show me the money

• Greek: Whose the image and the inscription? Why is each "the" needed?
• Play : What sicknesses (of the) house (you) burn epitaph?



More: Matthew 22:15-22 Show me the money

Greek: ... therefore that (of) Caesar [and lizard/serpent] (to) Caesar [and lizards/serpents].

Discuss: How much of a coincidence is it, historically, that the Latin name of Caesar as the leader of the power and might of the world, transliterated into Greek, is a play on words with "lizard/serpent"?

More: Latin words and play on words in Greek

More: Matthew 22:15-22 Show me the money

Why is the "and" "you" (singular) needed at the start of this verse?

• "και" ≈ "and" 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.

More: Matthew 11:20-30 Upgraded baby yokes revealed

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.)

There are, then, three play on words in sequence (as a third level meaning).
[tongue in cheek vs. tongue in check]

More: Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes

The Roman emperor at the time of Paul, and mentioned twice in the GNT was "Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus", after Caligula and before Nero.

Legend has it that the name "Claudius" comes from "lame" or "crippled" however it appears that the name was adapted from an earlier name from a Sabine (from a tribe related to the original founders of Rome) word that was cognate to the Latin word "clausus" ≈ "shut, closed".

[Christopher Columbus sailing from Spain]

If Epaphroditus worked with Paul on the letter, they might have had a unique "synergy" of two individuals who liked to create puns, play on words, etc. This can be annoying to those who do not like it. It appears that Paul was under house arrest at this time since the household of Caesar was mentioned. I have heard pastors say that Paul was in a Roman prison at this time.

If you had been listening to Paul and Epaphroditus crafting such puns, etc., you might be glad to have that synergy gone. You would "greet" those (with pity) to whom this special letter is being sent.

More: Philippians: Epaphroditus

Why was Epaphroditus twice near death? Why was it mentioned twice? The Greek for "sorrow" is that of being "annoyed".

More: Philippians: Epaphroditus

Here is a possible exchange.

• Paul: Epaphroditus. Are you all right? Are you near death again?
• Epaphroditus: This is not funny, but it is so funny, I am dying laughing. Yes, I am near death again for the work of Christ.
• Paul: Write it down.



More: Philippians: Epaphroditus

In Philippians 3:18 Paul is "weeping" having written about the "enemies" of Christ - which appear to be some of the church at Philippi - via puns, play on words, double meanings, etc. Here is a possible exchange.

• Epaphroditus: Paul, you are laughing so hard you are weeping.
• Paul: It's not funny, but yes, I am laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes. I am weeping.
• Epaphroditus: Let's write it down.



More: Philippians: Epaphroditus

Error detection and correction requires controlled redundancy.

Discuss:

• How does Hebrew use redundancy to allow error detection and correction? [sound bites]
• How does Jesus use redundancy to allow error detection and correction? [parables]

[TR (Textus Receptus), model breaking]

More: Matthew 15:1-21 Blind leading the blind

More: Matthew 17-18 The greatest little discourse

More: Error correcting codes

If the bit in error is known, a single-bit error can be corrected.

Fault tolerance detection and correction at the bit level can be extended to a collection of drives each with a huge number bits.

Even parity will detect a one bit error and allow correction if the bit in error can be identified (e.g., a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)).

More: Error correcting codes