- *G4816 *8 συλλέγω (sool-leg'-o) : from G4862 and G3004 in its original sense; to collect:--gather (together, up).
- συλλεγουσιν *2
- Matthew 7:16 ... their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, ...
- Luke 6:44 ... of thorns men do not gather figs, nor ...
- συλλεξωμεν
- Matthew 13:28 ... then that we go and gather them up?
- συλλεγοντες
- Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat ...
- συλλεξατε
- Matthew 13:30 ... of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and ...
- συλλεγεται
- Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; ...
- συλλεξουσιν
- Matthew 13:41 ... his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom ...
- συνελεξαν
- Matthew 13:48 ... shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, ...
26. Matthew 13:28-29 Wheat and tares
Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [kjv]
ο δε εφη αυτοις εχθρος ανθρωπος τουτο εποιησεν οι δε αυτω λεγουσιν θελεις ουν απελθοντες συλλεξωμεν αυτα [gnt]
13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [kjv]
ο δε φησιν ου μηποτε συλλεγοντες τα ζιζανια εκριζωσητε αμα αυτοις τον σιτον [gnt]
These two usages of
"gather" are
bad.
27. Matthew 13:28
KJV: He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Greek: ο δε εφη αυτοις εχθρος ανθρωπος τουτο εποιησεν οι δε δουλοι ειπον αυτω λεγουσιν θελεις ουν απελθοντες συλλεξωμεν αυτα
28. Matthew 13:29
KJV: But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Greek: ο δε εφη φησιν ου μηποτε συλλεγοντες τα ζιζανια εκριζωσητε αμα αυτοις τον σιτον
29. Matthew 13:30 Wheat and tares
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. [kjv]
αφετε συναυξανεσθαι αμφοτερα εως του θερισμου και εν καιρω του θερισμου ερω τοις θερισταις συλλεξατε πρωτον τα ζιζανια και δησατε αυτα εις εις δεσμας προς το κατακαυσαι αυτα τον δε σιτον συναγετε εις την αποθηκην μου [gnt]
In Matthew 13:30, Jesus uses two
different Greek words that are translated as
"gather". The first has a
bad connotation. The last has a
good connotation.
The ancient Greek word
"συναγωγή" ≈ "gathering" and is the source of the English word
"synagogue" which is a Greek word and
not a Hebrew word. This word can be a play on words with the three constituent words "
together", "
lead, bring, go" and "
earth".
"συν" ≈ "together" and "αγω" ≈ "go"and "γη" ≈ "earth".
30. Matthew 13:30
KJV: Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Greek: αφετε συναυξανεσθαι αμφοτερα μεχρι εως του θερισμου και εν τω καιρω του θερισμου ερω τοις θερισταις συλλεξατε πρωτον τα ζιζανια και δησατε αυτα εις εις δεσμας προς το κατακαυσαι αυτα τον δε σιτον συναγαγετε συναγετε εις την αποθηκην μου
31. Matthew 13:40-41 Wheat and tares
Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [kjv]
ωσπερ ουν συλλεγεται τα ζιζανια και πυρι κατακαιεται ουτως εσται εν τη συντελεια του αιωνος [gnt]
13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [kjv]
αποστελει ο υιος του ανθρωπου τους αγγελους αυτου και συλλεξουσιν εκ της βασιλειας αυτου παντα τα σκανδαλα και τους ποιουντας την ανομιαν [gnt]
These two usages of
"gather" are
bad.
32. Two or one lambdas
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
This and the other (
five) usages of
"gather", that of
bad, have
two lambdas.
13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. [kjv]
ην οτε επληρωθη αναβιβασαντες επι τον αιγιαλον και καθισαντες συνελεξαν τα καλα εις αγγη τα δε σαπρα εξω εβαλον [gnt]
This last usage of
"gather", that of
good, has
one lambda. Other than inflection, it is not clear why except that one group is
bad and the remaining one is
good.
33. Matthew 13:40
KJV: As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Greek: ωσπερ ουν συλλεγεται τα ζιζανια και πυρι κατακαιεται ουτως εσται εν τη συντελεια του αιωνος τουτου
34. Matthew 13:41
KJV: The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Greek: αποστελει ο υιος του ανθρωπου τους αγγελους αυτου και συλλεξουσιν εκ της βασιλειας αυτου παντα τα σκανδαλα και τους ποιουντας την ανομιαν
35. Matthew 13:48
KJV: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the @MARK(m=[7],t=[good]) into vessels, but cast the @MARK(m=[0],t=[bad]) away.
Greek: ην οτε επληρωθη αναβιβασαντες επι τον αιγιαλον και καθισαντες συνελεξαν τα καλα εις αγγεια αγγη τα δε σαπρα εξω εβαλον
36. Matthew 7:16 Gather thoughts
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"συλλέγω" ≈ "gather, collect, bring together, call together" and, literally,
"arrange together".
All uses of
"gather together" in the
GNT are in Matthew by Jesus except one verse in Luke that repeats what Jesus says in Matthew. Jesus does
not use the word for
"gather together", with
two lambdas, in a
good sense.
37. Genesis 3:18 Thorns and thistles
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
This verse provides the idea that before the flood men were (supposed to be)
vegetarians eating the "
grass" of the "
field".
38. Matthew 7:16 Thorns
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἄκανθος" ≈ "thorny plant" can be thought of as "
opposite" of "
blossom" but comes from
"ἀκή" ≈ "thorn" as a
"point" and
"ἄνθος" ≈ "blossom, bloom". This plant may have a "
flower" but also has
"thorns".
The idea of
"thorns" or "
horns" or extra rules are associated with the "
tittles" which are "
little horns" as in insect "
antennas".
Be aware:
There are three points to keep in mind when drawing a triangle.
39. Old English eth and thorn
Middle and Old English had two sounds for "
th", the "
eth" as "
ð" and the "
thorn" as "
þ". The distinct "
thorn" and "
eth" sounds eventually merged. The thorn as "
the" looked like and was the source of "
ye" for "
the".
French monks (after the Norman conquest of Britain from France) substituted the Latin diphthong "
th" for the sound.
What do devout monks say before fumigating the monastery?
Let us spray.
40. Oxymoron: Losing savor as a dull bloom
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθεν εξω καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων [gnt]
"μωρός" ≈ "foolish, stupid" as in the English word "moron".
"ἄνθος" ≈ "blossom, bloom" as in the English word "anthology".
41. Matthew 5:13 Pigs and sheep
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθεν εξω καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων [gnt]
 |
 |
salt
fruit
|
blocking
the way
|
"Salting" "salt" with
"salt" is a
reflexive process.
13:
You are the salt of the earth. If the salt is false salt, how shall the salt be salted (
pigs).
If you use false salt as in false fruit or works, it is no better than if it had been thrown on the road as a false way (enticement) for men or pigs to follow (as false "fruit").
Sheep: Instead, the "
Holy Spirit" helps create the
true "
fruit" or
"salt" of the "
spirit" to be
"cast" on the
true "way" on "
earth" to "
heaven"
"before" men (not "
pigs").
42. Some grape jokes
Here are some really
"grape" jokes. If
pressed, they are
"wine" for the telling, but they age better over time. Make sure you have a good pair of glasses. These are not my
"grape" jokes. I heard them through the "
grapevine". So do not
"wine" about them.
"σταφυλή" ≈ "bunch of grapes"
"ἀσταφίς" ≈ "dried grape"
It appears that the English word
"grapefruit" started as "
great fruit" or "
greatfruit", due to it's size, and eventually became
assimilated to "
grapefruit". Some think it could be from the grape-like clusters on the tree. A grape cluster grows on a vine, not a tree.
43. Verse 1
Mine eyes have seen the
glory of the
coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage
where the
grapes of
wrath are stored;
he hath loosed the fateful
lightning of his
terrible swift sword;
His
truth is marching on.
44. Refrain
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
45. Mondegreen
A
mondegreen for "
Amazing grace" is "
A maze of grapes, how sweet and round".
The book
Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is from 1939 and is set in the Dust Bowl of the 1930's.
What happens if grape vines get too much sun and not enough water?
It will be hard raising/raisin grapes. I heard it through the grapevine. Juicy it was a great wine.
Why was the farmer upset with his grapes?
Thy were being un-raisin-able!
46. Matthew 7:16 Grapes
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"σταφυλή" ≈ "bunch of grapes" or (anatomy) "
uvula" (in the back of the throut). A dried grape (raisin) is
"ἀσταφίς" ≈ "dried grape".
[grapes of wrath]
47. Matthew 7:16 Great grapes
48. 2 John 1:13
49. 2 John 1:13
KJV: The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Greek: ασπαζεται σε τα τεκνα της αδελφης σου της εκλεκτης αμην
50. Matthew 7:16 Grave grapes
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
"σταφυλᾱ́ς" ≈ "bunch of grapes" (accusative plural).
"τάφος" ≈ "burial, funeral, tomb, grave" (masculine) from "θάπτω" ≈ "bury".
"οἱ τᾰ́φοι" ≈ "the burial, funeral, tomb, grave" (nominative plural).
"τοὺς τᾰ́φους" ≈ "the burials, funerals, tombs, graves" (accusative plural).
"τάφος" ≈ "amazed, astounded" and related to "θάμβος" ≈ "amazement".
"πυρά" ≈ "funeral pyre" (masculine).
51. Hebrew thistles
*H1863 דַּרדַּר (dar-dar') : of uncertain derivation; a thorn:--thistle.
Tares or
weeds or
thistles can look pretty at a distance, but close up are not so nice and have no useful fruit.
Rye-grass may look nice on a lawn, but, again, has no useful fruit. For illustration purposes, a thistle graphic will be used.
The Latin word
"zizanium" ≈ "darnel, tare, cockle" comes from the
ancient Greek word
"ζιζάνιον" ≈ "darnel, rye-grass" which comes from the Semitic Aramaic, Hebrew, etc. It is interesting that the word for
"thistle" in the
OT (Old Testament) and in the
GNT have unknown origins but appear to have sounded similar when spoken. Is there a connection?
52. Tribble with tribbles
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
The ancient Greek word
"τρίβολος" ≈ "prickly plant" as in a plant with
"thistles" on it. The word appears to literally mean "
three arrows" where ancient Greek often uses the prefix of "
three" to mean "
a lot of". The Latin word
"tribulos" ≈ "thistle".
I have wondered since the 1980's (when I started to learn Greek) if the Star Trek episode involving "
Trouble with tribbles" based the word "
tribble" on the Greek
"τρίβολος" ≈ "prickly plant" for
"thistle" since a tribble in that episode looks somewhat like a
"thistle".
As for a better explanation,
"thistle" have to do!
53. Tribulus in Texas - puncturevine
Noxious summer annual, with prostrate stems up to 2.4 m long. Plants produce many stout-spined burrs that can injure people and animals and puncture bicycle tires. Foliage is toxic to livestock, especially sheep, when consumed in quantity. Fruits are used medicinally in India. Puncturevine is currently controlled by the stem weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis) and seed weevil (M. lareynii), introduced from Italy as biocontrol agents in 1961.
https://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_database/detail.php?symbol=TRTE (as of 2025-08-26)
[nail cluster to impede traffic]
54. Matthew 7:16 Thistles
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
"τρίβολος" ≈ "prickly plant"
"τρία" ≈ "three" and "τρίς" ≈ "three times".
"δρῦ" ≈ "tree, timber, oak" (vocative).
"βόλος" ≈ "lump, clod of earth, turf"
"δρῦς" ≈ "tree, timber, oak" and is related to the English word "druid".
"βόλος" ≈ "lump, clod of earth, turf" (genitive) of "βῶλος" ≈ "lump, clod of earth, turf" and could be a "lump" or "nugget" of gold, etc.
"βόλος" ≈ "throw" as in the casting of a net, dice, etc., and is a synonym of "θύρα" ≈ "door, entrance".
Jesus does not use the word, prefix, or even play on words of
three in a good sense.
[three arrows, beams, pole]
55. Matthew 7:16 Longing for figs
56. Matthew 7:16 Fruit
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
"κάρφος" ≈ "twig, splinter"
"καρπός" ≈ "fruit"
You shall know [ fixed , measured , be densely concentrated by ] them by their twigs.
You shall know them by their fruit.
This "
pun" like similarity supports the idea that in the
"beam" and
"twig" (or
"mote") in Matthew 7, the
"beam" represents an
"expectation" while the
"twig" represents
"fruit" or ability to bear fruit (twig needed).
57. Matthew 7:16 From
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἀπό" ≈ "from, away from, because of" (
genitive preposition) and which has an idea of a "
separating distance". This word appears to have been translated as
"by" once and then
not translated twice..
The genitive, as used here, already has the idea of "
of" or even "
by".
58. Wictionary
The ancient Greek word
"ἀπό" ≈ "from, away from, because of" (
genitive preposition) and which has an idea of a "
separating distance".
As is the case with most Greek prepositions, ἀπό (apó) is a versatile word which can take the idiom of a number of English words. To further complicate matters, in Koine Greek, the distinctions between various prepositions are often blurred, leading to ἀπό (apó) fulfilling functions classically reserved for words such as ἐκ (ek), ὑπό (hupó), and παρά (pará). Wictionary (as of 2025-08-27).
What this appears to says is that, effectively, the
GNT Greek uses a lot of opinion to make words mean what they want them to mean. This has happened with many Greek words going through Latin.
Aramaic/Hebrew excuse.
Koine Greek excuse.
Idiom excuse.
Latin whisper chain.
English whisper chain.
59. Strongs - not
60. Usage - not
- *G3385 *16 μήτι (may'-tee) : from G3361 and the neuter of G5100; whether at all:--not (the particle usually not expressed, except by the form of the question).
- μητι *16
- Matthew 7:16 ... by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of ...
- Matthew 12:23 ... and said, Is not this the son of David?
- Matthew 26:22 ... of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
- Matthew 26:25 ... him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said ...
- Mark 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to ...
- Mark 14:19 ... by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
- Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead ...
- Luke 9:13 ... and two fishes; except we should go and buy ...
- John 4:29 ... that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
- John 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own ...
- Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these ...
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent ...
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use ...
- 2 Corinthians 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. ...
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; ...
- James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place ...
61. Matthew 7:16 Untranslated words
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Paraphrase:
... so that nothing (they - wolves) together will collect from (of) thorns grapes or from (of) thistles figs.
The ancient Greek word
"μητι" ≈ "so that nothing, lest anything" does
not appear to be directly translated. The
KJV appears
not to translate the following.
so that nothing
together
from
from
62. Matthew 7:16 Not
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Greek word order:
from of the fruit of them (wolves) (you) will know [ fixed , measured , be densely concentrated by ] them (wolves) so that nothing [skill, counsel, plan] (they - wolves) together will collect/gather from (of the) thorns grapes or from (of the) thistles figs
The Greek does not appear to have a complete sentence or thought. As in previous verses, there appears to be some non-verbal communication involved.
63. Matthew 7:16 Play on words
64. Matthew 7:9-10,16
65. Matthew 7:16
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
| # |
left ‑ good |
right ‑ not good |
| 3‑5 |
[fruit] |
twig |
| 9 |
bread |
stone |
| 10 |
fish |
serpent |
| 16 |
grapes |
thorns |
| 16 |
figs |
thistles |
Greek word order:
from of the fruit of them (you) will know them so that nothing [skill, counsel, plan] (they will) together collect/gather from (of the) thorns grapes or from (of the) thistles figs
66. Matthew 7:15-17 Verse continuity
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [kjv]
ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει [gnt]
Verse 16 ends with
"συκα" ≈ "figs". Does
"from" "(of) thorns" "grapes" "
or"
"from" "(of thistles)" "figs" sound somewhat
convoluted?
Verse 17 starts with
"οὕτως" ≈ "thus, therefore" which indicates that a conclusion is being stated that follows from what has just been said. How does the conclusion stated in verse 17 follow directly from the previous two verses?
67. Matthew 7:17,19 Every tree
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [kjv]
ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει [gnt]
7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [kjv]
παν δενδρον μη ποιουν καρπον καλον εκκοπτεται και εις πυρ βαλλεται [gnt]
Matthew 7:17 and 7:19
could both start with
"every" "tree" but verse 17 starts with
"οὕτως" ≈ "thus, therefore" which indicates a conclusion is being stated that follows from what has just been said. In this case, verse 17 does not appear to follow from verse 16 or before. Perhaps this word goes with the previous verse in same way. Perhaps there is a play on words.
Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses
"οὕτως" ≈ "thus, therefore" which indicates a conclusion is being stated that follows from what has just been said. However, the
KJV does
not indicate this in the translation.
68. Matthew 5:16 Let the light of Jesus shine
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
ουτως λαμψατω το φως υμων εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων οπως ιδωσιν υμων τα καλα εργα και δοξασωσιν τον πατερα υμων τον εν τοις ουρανοις [gnt]
|
Why not "thus" as similarity or contrast?
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Why the neutral "let"?
Which is it?
|
5:15: sheep, light of Jesus, good works, opinion to Father
|
5:14: birds, opinions, false light, house
|
5:13: fish, many, city, mountain
|
5:12: pigs, salt, trample
|
The
ancient Greek word
"οὕτως" ≈ "thus" and indicates a
conclusion follows from what has been said. This could be a
similarity,
contrast, etc. One should look at what was said before this verse.
69. Salt of the earth verses
sheep
 |
 Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
|
birds
 |
 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [kjv]
|
fish
 |
 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]
|
pigs
 |
 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
|
These ideas will be in the summary of the houses built on rock and sand at the end of the Sermon on the Mount.
Words in these verses may be
code words, have
double meanings, be
play on words, etc. The Greek words may have been changed (mistranslated), omitted, etc. [top-down view]
70. Matthew 5:15 Review
Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [kjv]
ουδε καιουσιν λυχνον και τιθεασιν αυτον υπο τον μοδιον αλλ επι την λυχνιαν και λαμπει πασιν τοις εν τη οικια [gnt]
Paraphrase:
... neither is a candle (kingdom, opinion, glory, etc.) put under a measure (for objective evaluation) but on a [voting] platform to lamp [get a handle on] (provide false light or darkness) to all (the many, the city) who are in that house (built on sand).
That
"house" built on "
sand" (end of the Sermon on the Mount) will be "
cut off" and the "
many" (who need the real Good News) will "
fall" (same base word in Greek).
Note: In Greek the space between
"and" and
"being" or
"is" appears to have been removed/ignored to make a questionable translation to
"light" as in
"ignite" to justify the desired translation.
The abstract
"measure" as in an
"objective measure" was changed to the more concrete
"basket" or
"bushel".
71. Matthew 5:14 Review
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]
υμεις εστε το φως του κοσμου ου δυναται πολις κρυβηναι επανω ορους κειμενη [gnt]
Whatever
"definition" or
"mountain" on which the
"city" or
"many" tries to be
"hidden", they cannot
"hide" - for better or worse. Here is a paraphrase of the last part of the verse using the play on words.
Paraphrase:
It is not possible for the many to hide themselves (negative sense) on top of (worldly) mountain/empire/definition and remain/abide there (past their worldly existence).
How hard is it to get someone down off a "mountain"?
How hard is it to get someone down off a "definition"? (same Greek word)
Aristotle covers how that the starting point in refuting invalid logic is to precisely
define the meanings of the words used.
It appears that the "
you are the light of the world" can be in a good sense or in a not so good sense. What type of
"light" does the "
world" desire?
72. Matthew 5:13 Review
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθεν εξω καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων [gnt]
pigs
 |
sheep
 |
bad salt
black pearls
|
good salt
white pearls
|
Paraphrase:
You are the salt/fruit/harvest of the earth. But if the salt/fruit/harvest is a bad bloom, how will it be salted? It is not effective. But if it is not thrown out (cut off), it is (you are) trodden down by men (pigs as bad salt).
The "
pigs" are recruited to be "
leaders" and "
influence" others to achieve the goals of the "
birds".
73. ARMS paraphrase
Here is as
ARMS (Attractive Refrigerator Magnet Sermons) (tongue-in-cheek, not tongue in check) paraphrase. Think Monty Python.
You are the refrigerator magnet sermons of the earth. But if the refrigerator magnet sermon is not attractive, how will it stay on the refrigerator? It is not worth it's salt. But if it is not thrown out, it will fall off the refrigerator and be trodden down by others, perhaps causing men to slip and have a great fall (like the house built on attractive but not solid sand).
Advice: Before you pick up those refrigerator magnet sermons off the floor, make sure they are not bird droppings.
74. Matthew 7:16 Word order
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Why is the Greek word order as follows?
... together gather from (of) thorns grapes or from (of) thistles figs ...
Might the following be more clear?
... together gather grapes from (of) thorns or figs from (of) thistles ...
This word order would, however, break the play on words.
In each case, the word
"απο" ≈ "away from". is not directly needed nor translated since the genitive implicitly has an "
of".
Perhaps the
"away from" is used in a non-verbal way to indicate, in this case, the
bad or "
right" (but a shadow of a) side.
75. Matthew 7:16-17 Continued
76. Matthew 7:16-17 Play on words
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [kjv]
ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει [gnt]
"συκα" ≈ "figs".
"οὕτως" ≈ "thus, therefore"
"συ" ≈ "you" (singular).
"καυτός" ≈ "burnt, red hot".
77. Matthew 7:16 Play on words
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Might this suggest that the
"wolves" or
"birds" may
"burn" you in getting their
"figs" from
"thistles"?
78. Luke 6:43-44 Trees and fruit
Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [kjv]
ου γαρ εστιν δενδρον καλον ποιουν καρπον σαπρον ουδε παλιν δενδρον σαπρον ποιουν καρπον καλον [gnt]
6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. [kjv]
εκαστον γαρ δενδρον εκ του ιδιου καρπου γινωσκεται ου γαρ εξ ακανθων συλλεγουσιν συκα ουδε εκ βατου σταφυλην τρυγωσιν [gnt]
Note how Luke changes the context so that the gathering of
figs,
grapes, etc., follows or is part of the
tree analogy.
Luke is less detailed, loses the context of Matthew, and uses a different word for "
good" and also for
"rotten" that loses the play on word meaning as spoken and recorded by Matthew. The
NA (Nestle Aland) Greek has "
again" which is
omitted in the
TR (Textus Receptus) and the
KJV.
79. Matthew 7:16 Paraphrase
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Greek word order:
from of the fruit of them (wolves) (you) will know them (wolves) so that nothing [skill, counsel, plan] (they - wolves) together will collect/gather from (of the) thorns grapes or from (of the) thistles figs
80. End of page
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]
προσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]
προσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Proverbs 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. [kjv]
εργα δικαιων ζωην ποιει καρποι δε ασεβων αμαρτιας [lxx]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [kjv]
αραγε απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους [gnt]
2 Corinthians 1:13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; [kjv]
ου γαρ αλλα γραφομεν υμιν αλλ η α αναγινωσκετε η και επιγινωσκετε ελπιζω δε οτι εως τελους επιγνωσεσθε [gnt]
1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. [kjv]
καθως και επεγνωτε ημας απο μερους οτι καυχημα υμων εσμεν καθαπερ και υμεις ημων εν τη ημερα του κυριου ημων ιησου [gnt]
Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. [kjv]
οι γαρ φαρισαιοι και παντες οι ιουδαιοι εαν μη πυγμη νιψωνται τας χειρας ουκ εσθιουσιν κρατουντες την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [kjv]
αραγε απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]
προσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
2 John 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. [kjv]
ασπαζεται σε τα τεκνα της αδελφης σου της εκλεκτης [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [kjv]
η τις εξ υμων ανθρωπος ον αιτησει ο υιος αυτου αρτον μη λιθον επιδωσει αυτω [gnt]
7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [kjv]
η και ιχθυν αιτησει μη οφιν επιδωσει αυτω [gnt]
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [kjv]
ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει [gnt]
