Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned,

Spoken to
audience

Jesus continues a story about a man going to a far company. 

KJV

Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

NIV

Luke 19:15 He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

LISTENERS HEARD

And it happened:  In that return of his, getting that realm, and he told the bondsmen there to whom he had given the money to be commanded to him, that he would learn what they accomplished for themselves.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The English translations don't know how to deal with this verse and the more modern, NIV, just throws up their hands and uses a bunch of paraphrase. So much so, I thought that I had copied the NLT. I don't know that I blame them too much because the phrasing here is uncomfortable for English speakers, more so than 95% of Jesus's verses.

This verse gets off to a rough start because it is the setup for a small bit of humor. It start with the phase  "And it happened:" a subtle signal that the story changes.  This is followed by the phrase, "in that return of his," which is a simple setup for the surprises which follows, "getting that realm." His listeners find that the town's delegations with their degree doesn't matter. The following "And" doesn't do anything but create a pause point for people to get the picture.

Then, an unnecessarily complex statement follows, "he told to be commanded to him." This sound especially rough to English speakers because we don't follow "say" or "told" normally a passive infinitive. We expect listeners, the bondmen" which comes later in the sentence. 

The rest is relatively painless until the punchline, the last word, which is a Greek word Jesus only uses here. It means "accomplished, but the English translations need to explain it, which seems unnecessary. 

MY TAKE

Jesus like to ties knots for us to unravel. 

GREEK ORDER

 

Καὶ   γένετο            ἐν τῷ   ἐπανελθεῖν αὐτὸν λαβόντα τὴν βασιλείαν καὶ 
And it happened:  In that return          of his, getting    that realm,      and 

εἶπεν    φωνηθῆναι            αὐτῷ  τοὺς δούλους    τούτους οἷς          δεδώκει         τὸ  ἀργύριον,
he told to be commanded to him the   bondsmen there    , to whom he had given the money 

 ἵνα γνοῖ                  τί              διεπραγματεύσαντο
that he would learn what they accomplished for themselves.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10

And it came to pass, that when(WW) he(WW) was returned, having(WT) received(WF) the kingdom, then(WW) he commanded(CW) these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much(WW) every man(IW)  had(WT) gained by trading.

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "when" should be something more like "in."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "he" should be something more like "the."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but an infinitive used as a noun, "the one returning."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "and."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "commanded."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "might" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "how much" should be something more like "something."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "every man" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
15

(MP2) [He was made king(PP3)], [however, and(IP)] [returned home(PP2)]. Then(WW) [he sent for the servants(PP5)] to whom he had given the money, in order to find(CW) out what they had gained [with it(IP)].

  •  MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "And so it happened"  exists in the source. This should count as two issues. 
  • PP -- Paraphrase - The phrase "getting that realm"  exists in the source but "he was made king" doesn't. This should count as three issues. 
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "however and " doesn't exist in the source. 
  • PP -- Paraphrase - The phrase "in that return of his"  exists in the source but "returned home" doesn't. This should count as two issues. 
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "and."
  • PP -- Paraphrase - The phrase "the bondsmen there to be commanded to him" exists in the source but "he sent for the servants" doesn't.  This should count five issues.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "find."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "with it" doesn't exist in the source. 
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").

 it came to pass, -- The word translated as "it came to pass" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. The sense is "it happened" or "it developed".  The problems with this verse are that this Greek word doesn't quite map into any English one since our "become" works quite differently with other words.

that -- There is no "that" here, but the sentence would read better if there was one. Several spoken phrases seem to have been put together here without the intervening dialogue.

when -- (WW) The word translated as "when" means "in", "within", "with," or "among." This word doesn't mean "when."  

he --  (WW) The word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "and."  

was -- This helping verb "was" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. It could also be the middle voice. 

returned, -- (WF) "Returned" is from an uncommon verb that means "go back", "return", "return to", and "recapitulate". The form is an infinitive, "to return", but used as a noun, that is, being introduced by an article, "the one returning". This is not an active verb but an infinitive used as a noun.  

having -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here. 

received -- The word translated as "received " primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." It is in the form of an adjective, "having gotten". 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

kingdom -- The word translated as "the kingdom," can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate.

then  -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "then" is usually used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). "Then" seems like it would have worked better here but it wasn't used. This word doesn't mean "and."  

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

commanded  -- (CW) "Commanded" is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak". It is not a word Jesus usually uses to say "command". This is not one of the common words usually translated as "commanded." 

these   -- The word translated as "these" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

servants -- The noun translated as "servants" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. This phrase follows the next verb, not the previous one.

to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

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.

called -- "Called" is from a verb that means "to produce a sound or tone", "to speak loudly or clearly" (of men), "uttering cries" (of animals), "affirm" (in court), "call by name", "command," and "speak of." This word is more easily translated as "command" than the previous one. It is in the form of a passive infinitive, "to be commanded".

unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

whom -- The word translated as "to whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

had -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

money  -- The word translated as "money" is very uncommon for Christ. It means "money" in the sense we use the term "cash," referring to the actual metal "silver."

that -- The word translated as "that" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

might -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source

know -- "Know" is a verb that means "to know", "to recognize", "make known", "to know carnally," and "to learn. The form is not the normal form of this verb. In any case, it is not the form that you would add a "might" to, even though the context seems to demand it.

how much -- (WW) There was no word meaning "how much" here. There is a word that means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who", "what", or even "why".  This word doesn't mean "how much."  

 every man  -- (IW) There is no word that can be translated as "every man" unless we go to the plural form of the verb, though it is not necessarily masculine. This word is not in the Greek source

had -- This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the past tense, but the verb is not the past but a form that indicates a specific point in time, past, present, or future. 

 gained by trading. -- "Gained from trading" is from a unique verb that means to "discuss", "examine thoroughly", and "accomplish". This is actually a "combination" word made from a prefix that means "through"  "by (causal)", "among," and "between and  a verb that appeared in Luke 19:13 which means to "busy oneself", "take trouble", "to be engaged in business". The voice is passive or the middle voice, the subject acting on themselves. 

EACH WORD of NIV

Missing "And so it happened:"  In that return of his, getting that realm, and "  -- - -- (MP) The words here aren't translated The word translated as "it happens" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. The sense is "it happened" or "it developed".   The "and" at the end seems to serve no purpose but as a pause point to allow for a laugh.

He was made king  -- (PP) The Greek  words meaning "getting that realm" here  are not translated but instead their assumed meaning is paraphrased into different words. The word translated as "getting" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." It is in the form of an adjective, "having gotten". The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  The word translated as "the kingdom," can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate.

however and --  (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source

returned home -- (PP) The Greek  words meaning "in that return of his" here  are not translated but instead their assumed meaning is paraphrased into different words. word translated as "in" means "in", "within", "with," or "among." This word doesn't mean "when."  The word is the Greek definite article," that," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. "Return" is from an uncommon verb that means "go back", "return", "return to", and "recapitulate". The form is an infinitive, "to return", but used as a noun, that is, being introduced by an article, "the one returning". This is not an active verb but an infinitive used as a noun.  

 to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

Then -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "then" is usually used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). "Then" seems like it would have worked better here but it wasn't used. This word doesn't mean "and."  

he sent for the servants  -- (PP) The Greek  words meaning "the bondsmen there to be commanded to him" here  are not translated but instead their assumed meaning is paraphrased into different words. The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The noun translated as "servants" means "slave" which in Judea, we usually bond servants working off a debt. It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. This phrase follows the next verb, not the previous one. "Commanded" is from a verb that means "to produce a sound or tone", "to speak loudly or clearly" (of men), "uttering cries" (of animals), "affirm" (in court), "call by name", "command," and "speak of." It is in the form of a passive infinitive, "to be commanded".  This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

whom -- The word translated as "to whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

had -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

money  -- The word translated as "money" is very uncommon for Christ. It means "money" in the sense we use the term "cash," referring to the actual metal "silver."

 in order -- The word translated as "in order" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."

he would learned what they accomplished for themselves.

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

might -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source

find out -- (CW) "Find out" is a verb that means "to know", "to recognize", "make known", "to know carnally," and "to learn. The form is not the normal form of this verb. In any case, it is not the form that you would add a "might" to, even though the context seems to demand it. This is not the word usually translated as "find." 

what  -- "What" is a word that means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who", "what", or even "why".  

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

had -- This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the past tense, but the verb is not the past but a form that indicates a specific point in time, past, present, or future. 

gained -- "Gained from trading" is from a unique verb that means to "discuss", "examine thoroughly", and "accomplish". This is actually a "combination" word made from a prefix that means "through"  "by (causal)", "among," and "between and  a verb that appeared in Luke 19:13 which means to "busy oneself", "take trouble", "to be engaged in business".

 with it -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Καὶ (conj/adv) "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."

ἐγένετο (verb 3rd sg aor ind mid) "It came to pass" is ginomai, which means "to become", "to come into being", "to happen", "to be produced," and "to be." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state.

ἐν (prep) "When" is en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  -- 

ἐπανελθεῖν [2 verses](verb pres inf mp)  "Was return" is from epanerchomai,  which means "go back", "return", "return to", and "recapitulate".  - The  word is translated as "come again" means "go back", "return", "return to", and "recapitulate".

αὐτὸν (adj sg masc acc) "He" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there."

λαβόντα ( part sg aor act masc acc ) "Having received" is lambano means to "take", "take hold of", "grasp", "seize", "catch", "overtake", "find out", "detect", "take as", "take [food or drugs]", "understand", "take in hand", "undertake", "take in", "hold", "get", "receive [things]", "receive hospitably", "receive in marriage", "receive as produce", "profit", "admit", "initiate", "take hold of", "lay hold on", "seize and keep hold of", "obtain possession of", "lay hands upon", "find fault with", "censure," "to apprehend with the senses", "to take hold of," and "to seize." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

βασιλείαν (noun sg fem acc) "kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom", "dominion", "hereditary monarchy", "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

καὶ (conj/adv) "Then" 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."

εἶπεν ( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "He commanded" is eipon, which means "to speak", "to say", "to recite", "to address", "to mention", "to name", "to proclaim", "to plead", "to promise," and "to offer."

φωνηθῆναι ( verb aor inf pass ) "To be called" is phoneo which means "to produce a sound or tone", "to speak loudly or clearly" (of men), "uttering cries" (of animals), "affirm" (in court), "call by name", "command," and "speak of."

αὐτῷ (adj sg masc dat) "Him" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there."

τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc)  "These" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

δούλους ( noun pl masc acc ) "The servant" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."

τούτους (adj pl masc acc ) "These" is toutou, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer," and "the familiar." -- "Of these" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer," and "the familiar."

οἷς (pro pl masc dat) "To whom" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

δεδώκει ( verb 3rd sg plup ind act ) "He had given" is didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

ἀργύριον, [5 verses] (noun sg neut acc) "Money" is from argyrion, which means "small coin," "piece of money," "money," "cash," and "silver."

ἵνα (adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when," and "because."

γνοῖ (γνῷ (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "He might know," is ginosko which means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."

τί (pron sg neut acc) "How much" is tis which can mean "someone", "any one", "everyone", "they [indefinite]", "many a one", "whoever", "anyone", "anything", "some sort", "some sort of", "each", "any", "the individual", "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who", "why," or "what."

διεπραγματεύσαντο. [1-verse]( verb 3rd pl aor ind mp) "Had gained from trading" is diapragmateuomai, which means to "discuss", "examine thoroughly", and "accomplish". (prep) From dia which means "through"  "by (causal)", "among," and "between and pragmateuomai, which means to "busy oneself", "take trouble", "to be engaged in business".  

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