Losing and Gaining ...Worlds and Souls

#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #gospel #whatjesussaid

Matthew 16: 24 - 28

There's a few places in this passage where the RSV and other English translations have to change the word order and simplify some Greek phrases.

I hope this following paraphrase and notes will show you why.

By the way folks I do these paraphrases to give you some idea of the word order in Greek not cos I'm too lazy to do a full translation.

Matthew Chapter 16 24 - 28

Jesus is still talking to and teaching the disciples about the whole Son of Man thing and not just to Peter but all of them says

Verse 24

If anyone wants after me to come (many translators simplify this to follow)
 (thelei is not a subjunctive though can function as one it means desire wish want will ... would in the sense of intending to do something)
let him utterly deny  himself
aparneomai in Aorist Imperative form
and lift raise take up
aratoo < airoo Aorist Imperative Again !
the cross his and follow me

Verse 25 who for ever wants / would (subjunctive here)  the life / soul his to save will lose / destroy it.

Remember apollumi / apolesei is NOT just misplace or lose an object but lose it because it is destroyed !

Who and ever loses the life / soul his for the sake / because of  me will find it!

Verse 26

what for it profits / benefits ... a human if (ever) the world whole he should gain as profit and the soul / life of should be penalized / fined / pay a penalty
zeemiooo Aorist Subjunctive

 Note the verb Not totally lost but lessened?

Or what gives a human (in) exchange for the soul / life his?

Verse 27

mellei intends plans will come in future for the son of the man to come in the glory of the father his with the angels his and then will pay back to each according to the deeds actions his
 (its singular in greek praxin so actions / activities / deeds  as a whole?)

Verse 28

amen i say to you that they are some of those here standing some
(note use of indefinite relative in greek oitines) not (only implied) double negative in greek emphatic
who will not taste death until they see the son of the man coming in the realm his.

Sometimes unfortunately to get the translation to flow smoothly in English some aspects of the syntax have to be simplified and condensed usages that increase emphasis in Greek and presumably Aramaic too are actually less so in English.

This is why I  and other commentators draw attention in notes to the use of Imperatives and Subjunctives in Greek.

Hope these notes and observations help and not hinder your bible study.

A note for new readers

I use the UBS Aland Greek new Testament.
English RSV though I sometimes consult other versions.
Lexicon Liddell and Scott
Rieneckers Linguistic key I often find helpful too!

If you can afford one do try to acquire Goodwin's Greek Grammar!

I am eternally grateful to the person many years ago who gifted me their copy of Goodwin and Liddell and Scott!