Luke 22:52 ... Be ye come out, as against a thief,

KJV: 

Luke 22:52 ... Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

LISTENERS HEARD: 

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

This verse is identical to the beginning of Matthew 26:55. It has several hallmarks of Jesus's lightheartedness, including the doujble meaning of the word "staves".

The word translated as "Be ye come out" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." However, in the Greek, it appears later in the sentence, after the "as against a thief" phase. It is from the base word that seems to translate best as "show up" so "show up out here" work well.

The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translating as "how", "when", "where", "just as", "like," and related words.

The word translated as "against" means "against", "at", "by" or "on."

The word translated as "thief" means "robber" or "pirate." In the NIV study Bible, they translated "thief" as "rebel," adding a bit of historical politics into the text.

"With" is from the Greek word that is almost always translated as "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of".

The term for "sword" specifically means a short sword, a weapon like a machete, since the Greek word used here is the source for the term. Christ seems to use "the sword" as a symbol for struggle, which is n necessary. Christ says explicitly that his larger purpose is not to bring peace but the sword in Matthew 10:34. As a symbol of struggle, it is the opposite of the cup, which is the symbol of acceptance. Christ makes this contrast between cup and sword explicit in John 18:11.

The Greek word translated as "staves" means "firewood", a "piece of wood", "cudgel", and various wooden instruments of punishment. It also means the "wood" of a treat or of a table. When referring to a person, it means "blockhead". If the people actually had clubs, it probably meant that, but the double meaning is fun.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Ὡς (adv)"As" is from hos, an adverb which means to "thus", "as", "how", "when", "where", "like", "just as", "so far as", "as much as can be", "that", "in order that", "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that."

ἐπὶ )prep)  "Against" is from epi. which means "on", "upon", "at", "by", "before", "across," and "against." --

λῃστὴν (noun sg masc acc ) "Thief" is from lestes, which means "robber" or "pirate."

ἐξήλθατε (verb 2nd pl aor ind act) "Be ye come out" is from exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of " "to march forth", "go out on", "to stand forth", "to exceed all bounds", "to come to an end", "to go out of office," and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true."

μετὰ "With" is from meta, which means "with", "in the midst of", "among", "between", "in common", "along with", "by the aid of", "in one's dealings with", "into the middle of", "coming into", "in pursuit of", "after", "behind", "according to," and "next afterward."

μαχαιρῶν (noun pl fem gen) "Sword" is machaira, which means a "large knife", "large dagger", "short sword," or "dirk." It specifically the type of weapon used for making sacrifices, by assassins, bodyguards, and jugglers.

καὶ "And" is from 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."

ξύλων [uncommon](noun pl neut gen) "Staves" is from xylon, which means "firewood", "timber", in the singular, a "piece of wood", "log", "beam", "post"; "cudgel", "club", various wooden instruments of punishment" "wooden collar", "stocks", "gallows", "impaling stakes", "bench", "table",of live wood, "tree", and of persons, "blockhead".

Wordplay: 

The word translated as "staves" means "clubs" or "blockheads" when referred to a person. 

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 24 2019