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A Sabbath Day's Journey

By: Rev. Paul Landgraf
What is a Sabbath day's journey? First of all, it is a Jewish expression. We measure distances in meters or yards. The Jews had a certain distance that they could walk on Saturday before it would be considered work. So their synagogues that they went to on Saturday could not be very far away. The word appears only in Acts 1:12 and indicates a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.

With that in mind, I think it is important to remember the origins of Christianity. Just because we have an Old Testament, it does not mean that we call it the 'Outdated Testament'. Much of the Old Testament has a literary structure that we are not aware of because of our modern emphasis on chapter and verse divisions. Within many of these blogs, I try to get the reader to see a bigger picture, a larger perspective that often includes the Old Testament and the environment that was present when the New Testament was seeing the Light of the day.

Second, a Sabbath day's journey is intentionally short. These 'journeys' with a text, almost always one of the three readings for that Sunday, are deliberately brief discussions. This blog was never designed to be a comprehensive look at any text. Sometimes a specific word is studied in detail. But, as a whole, a blog entry, by itself, is meant to be quite brief.

Finally, since the term 'Sabbath day's journey' appears in Acts, it is meant to appeal to a wide variety of people. This blog is meant for those who cannot come on Sunday mornings. And it is also for those who do come on Sunday mornings but would also like a further study of the text. It is also for those who live somewhere else in the world (besides Drake and Freedom, Missouri, USA) and would simply like a further study of the text. It was meant to get these different groups of people to start thinking about the biblical texts. Part of the reason for this blog is that I am not able to have a bible class on Sunday mornings with either congregation, and so, to have a blog like this seemed like a good idea. I hope it is helpful for you, in whatever situation you may be.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. And thank you for taking the time to read this!

July 12th, 2025

7/12/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and perhaps you already guessed that this Sunday’s title is the “Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading of Luke 10:25-37 follows quite soon after the Reading of the previous week.

The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, taking the entire work into account, and giving it in the order in which it was laid out by the writer. No verses will be passed over.

We can see within these verses below, the tension between Jesus and his enemies continues to grow. And in the writing below the two groups will be named. The Tax-collectors and the Sinners are on the side of Jesus. And the Pharisees and the Writers (or Scribes) are on the other side.

Last week’s writing was quite short. This week’s writing is unusual in that it will cover an entire chapter within this Gospel account. This chapter is short enough to do that.
It is thought that these chapter divisions were added to the text in the Middle Ages. It does help to divide the entire account into smaller parts. And this chapter does have an inherent structure in that it deals with a lost sheep, a lost coin, and also a lost son.

Things get lost. More importantly is that, sometimes, people can get lost. Hopefully reading this text will help you “find” someone. And perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that Someone has found us.

If this is the first experience with the writings of this website, the biblical text that is below is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text, taking into account even the word order of the text in the original language of the New Testament. There are also some words below that have been chosen to show their close connection to the Greek language. And since the writer of this account is a doctor, the words he has chosen are sometimes very rare ones. An attempt was made to have that factor as well reflected in the words below.

All of this was attempted within this translation, and all of this can also cause some confusion as to what the text means. Many different translations of a text are possible. Looking at another translation or a study bible will probably be quite helpful. And here is Luke 15(:1-32):

Now  they-were  to-him  coming-near,  all  the  Tax-collectors  and  the  Sinners,  to-hear  him.  And  they-were-thoroughly-murmuring,  both  the  Pharisees  and  the  Writers,  saying,  “This-man,  sinners,  he-receives,  and  he-eats-with  them.”

Now  he-spoke  toward  them  the  parable,  this,  saying,  “What  man  from  you,  having  a-hundred  sheep,  and  having-lost  from  them,  one,  not  does-he-leave-down  the  ninety  nine  in  the  desert,  and  he-travels  upon  the-one  having-been-lost  until  he-finds  it?  And  having-found,  he-places-upon,  upon  the  shoulders  of-him,  rejoicing,  and  having-come  into  the  house,  he-calls-together  the  loving-friends  and  the  neighbors,  saying  to-them,  ‘Rejoice-with  me,  because  I-found  the  sheep,  my,  the-one  having-been-lost.’  I-am-saying  to-you  that  so  joy  in  the  heaven  it-will-be,  upon  one  sinner  repenting,  than  over  ninety  nine  righteous  who,  no  need  they-have  of-repentance.” 

“Or  what  woman,  drachmas  having,  ten,  if  she-loses  a-drachma,  one,  not  does-she-light  a-lamp,  and  she-sweeps  the  house,  and  she-seeks  carefully  until  which  she-finds?  And  having-found,  she-calls-together  the-loving-friends  and  neighbors  saying,  ‘Rejoice-with  me,  because  I-found  the  drachma  which  I-lost.’ So,  I-am-saying  to-you,  it-happens,  joy  in-front-of  the  angels  of-the  God  upon  one  sinner  repenting.”

Now  he-said,  “A-man,  a-certain-one,  he-had  two  sons.  And  he-said,  the  younger  of-them  to-the  father,  ‘Father,  give  to-me  the  falling-upon  part  of-the  substance.’  Now  the-one  divided  to-them  the-living.  And  after  not  many  days,  having-synagogued  all-things,  the  younger  son  traveled-abroad  into  a-country,  macron,  and  there  he-thoroughly-scattered  the  substance  of-him,  living  prodigally.  Now  having-spent,  he,  all-things,  it-happened  a-famine,  a-strong-one,  throughout  the  country,  that;  and  he,  he-began  to-hysterect.  And  having-traveled,  he-was-joined  to-one  of-the  politics  of-the  country,  that;  and  he-sent  him  into  the  fields  of-him  to-feed  pigs;  and  he-was-desiring  to-be-fed  from  the  husks  which  they-were-eating,  the  pigs;  and  no-one  was-giving  to-him.  Now  into  himself  having-come,  he-responded,  ‘How-many  hired-workers  of-the  father,  my,  they-have-an-abundance  of-breads;  now  I,  with-famine  here,  I-am-perishing.  Having-risen-up,  I-will-go  toward  the  father,  my;  and  I-will-say  to-him, “Father,  I-sinned  into  the  heaven  and  in-front-of  you,  no-longer  I-am  worthy  to-be-called  a-son  of-you;  make  me  as  one  of-the  hired-workers  of-you.”’  And  having-risen-up,  he-traveled  toward  the  father  of-him.  Now  yet,  he,  macron  being-away,  he-saw  him,  the  father  of-him,  and  the-intestines-hurt,  and  having-run,  he-fell-upon,  upon  the  neck  of-him,  and  he-fervently-kissed  him.  Now  he-said,  the  son  to-him,  ‘Father,  I-sinned  into  the  heaven  and  in-front-of  you;  no-longer  I-am  worthy  to-be-called  a-son  of-you.’  Now  he-said,  the  father  toward  the  servants  of-him,  ‘Quickly  carry-out  a-robe,  the  proton,  and  clothe  him,  and  give  a-ring  into  the  hand  of-him,  and  sandals  into  the  feet,  and  carry  the  calf,  the  fattened,  slaughter,  and  having-eaten,  let-us-be-merry,  because  this,  the  son  of-me,  dead  he-was,  and  he-lived-again,  he-was  having-been-lost,  and  he-was-found.’  And  they-began  to-be-merry.”

“Now  he-was,  the  son  of-him,  the  presbyter,  in  a-field,  and  as  coming,  he-came-near  to-the  house,  he-heard   a-symphonia  and  dances,  and  having-called-toward  one  of-the  children,  he-was-inquiring  what  might  be  these-things.  Now  the-one  said  to-him,  ‘The  brother  of-you,  he-has-come,  and  he-slaughtered  the  father  of-you  the  calf,  the  fattened,  because  being-healthy,  him,  he-received-back.’  Now  he-was-angry,  and  not  he-was-willing  to-come-into;  now  the  father  of-him,  having-come-out,  he-paracleted  him.  Now  the-one  having-answered,  he-said  to-the  father,  his,  ‘Look,  so-many  years  I-served  you  and  never  a-command  of-you  I-came-past,  and  to-me  never  you-gave  a-goat,  that  with  the  loving-friends  of-me  I-might-be-merry;  now  when  the  son  of-you,  this,  the-one  having-devoured  of-you  the  living  with  porn,  he-came;  you-slaughtered  for-him  the  fattened  calf.’  Now  the-one  said  to-him,  ‘Little-child,  you  always  with  me,  you-are;  and  all-things  the  my,  yours  it-is;  now  to-be-merry  and  to-rejoice,  it-was-necessary;  because  the  brother  of-you,  this,  dead  he-was,  and  he-lives;  and  having-been-lost,  and  he-was-found.’”
​

Have you ever tried to run in a long robe? Have your intestines ever hurt because of your love for another? Have you ever fallen on someone’s neck? Have you ever fervently kissed? How very different is the love of our Father in heaven!

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July 5th, 2025

7/5/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday’s title is the “Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading of Luke 10:1-20 follows right after the reading of the previous week. And perhaps the holiday of July 4 will also be taken into account.
The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, taking the whole work into account, in the order in which it was laid out by the writer. The tension between Jesus and his enemies is growing. And the multitudes that are following him are also growing. We are currently looking at what is called the fourteenth chapter of the work, and this happens to be one of the shorter chapters of this account.

If you are unfamiliar with the writings of this website, what is below could be called an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text, taking into account even the word order of the text in the original language of the New Testament. Having such an order can be confusing, and so it is recommended that the reader also look at another translation and/or a study bible to help understand the text.

It should also be mentioned that some of the words in English have been chosen to show their close connection to the Greek language. That can also cause some confusing, since words can change meaning over time. Again, another translation or a study bible will probably be helpful.

With such a gifted writer in this Gospel account, there will be, in all likelihood, some only-doctor-known words that are quite rare. Hopefully they are not too confusing. And here is (hopefully) a helpful translation of a short section this time (and I also hope you do not mind it being so short), Luke 14:25-35:
​
Now  they-were-traveling-with  him,  crowds,  many;  and  having-turned,  he-said  toward  them,  “If  anyone  comes  toward  me  and  not  he-hates  the  father  of-him,  and  the  mother,  and  the  wife,  and  the  children,  and  the  brothers,  and  the  sisters,  still  and  also,  the  psyche  of-him,  not  he-is-able  to-be  my  disciple.  Whoever  not  he-bears  the  cross  of-him,  and  he-comes  after  me,  not  he-is-able  to-be  my  disciple.  For  which  from  you,  desiring  a-tower  to-house-build,  not  proton,  having-sat-down,  he-calculates  the  cost,  if  he-has  into  completion?  That  not-perhaps,  having-laid,  he,  a-foundation,  and  not  having-strength  to-finish-off  all,  the-ones  beholding,  they-begin,  him,  to-mock,  saying,  ‘This,  the  man,  he-began  to-house-build,  and  not  he-had-strength  to-finish-off.’  Or  what  king,  traveling  to-a-hetero  king,  to-throw-together  into  war,  not  having-sat-down  proton,  he-will-deliberate  if  able  he-is,  in  ten  thousands,  to-encounter  the-one  with  twenty  thousands  coming  upon  him?  Now  if  not,  indeed,  still  he,  afar  being,  an-embassy  having-sent-out,  he-asks  the-things  toward  peace.  Therefore,  thus,  all  from  you  who  not  you-separate-from,  to-all  the  his  wealth,  not  he-is-able  to-be  my  disciple.  Therefore,  good  the  salt,  now  if  also  the  salt  is-made-tasteless,  in  what  it-will-be-prepared?  Neither  into  soil  nor  into  manure,  suitable  it-is;  outside  they-throw  it.  The-one  having  ears  to-hear,  let-him-hear.”

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June 28th, 2025

6/28/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday’s title is the “Third Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading follows the reading of the previous week. Sometimes there is a gap between the two Sundays. That certainly happens this Sunday. The previous Sunday’s reading was Luke 8:26-39, and this Sunday’s reading is Luke 9:50-62. It is a significant reading, and Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem. With this text we are nearing his end.

The current writings of this website have also been going through the Gospel according to Luke as well, but we are a bit farther down that road. And we are not skipping sections. We are going through the entire work, a section at a time, in the order in which the writer set it down. And we are currently looking at what is called the fourteenth chapter of the work.

What follows could be called an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text. The translation below even takes into account the order in which the words appear in the original language. This can be confusing, and so it is recommended that the reader also look at another translation and/or a study bible to help with the text.

It should also be mentioned that some of the words in English have been chosen to show their close connection to the Greek language. And with such a gifted writer that we have in this Gospel account, there will, in all likelihood, be some doctor-related words that are quite rare. Hopefully they are not too confusing.  Some of these words are thousands of years old, and the meanings can change.

One more thing should be mentioned. The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. Hopefully this all has been helpful. And here is Luke 14:1-24:

And  it-happened  in  the  to-come,  he,  into  a-house,  of-a-certain-one  of-the  arcs  of-the  Pharisees,  on-a-Sabbath,  to-eat  bread;  and  they,  they-were  keeping-along-side  him.  And,  look,  a-man,  a-certain-one,  was  dropsical  in-front-of  him.  And  having-answered,  the  Jesus,  he-said  toward  the  Lawyers  and  Pharisees  saying,  “Is-it-permitted  on-the  Sabbath  to-be-therapeutic  or  not?”  Now  the-ones  were-silent.  And  taking-upon,  he-cured,  and  he-released.  And  toward  them  he-said,  “Of-certain-ones  of-you,  a-son  or  an-ox  into  a-pit  will-fall,  and  not  immediately  he-will-pull-up  it  in  a-day  of-the  Sabbath?”  And  not  they-had-strength  to-answer-back  toward  these-things.

Now  he-was-saying  toward  the-ones  having-been-called,  a-parable,  having-upon  how  the  proto-recliners  they-were-choosing,  saying  toward  them,  “When  you-are-called  by  a-certain-one  into  a-wedding,  not  do-recline  into  the  proto-recliner,  lest  a-more-honored  of-you,  he,  having-been-called  by  him,  and  having-come,  the-one,  you  and  him  having-called,  he-will-say  to-you,  “Give  to-this-one  a-place,’  and  then  you-will-begin,  with  shame,  the  eschaton  place  to-have-down.  But-on-the-contrary,  when  you-are-called,  having-gone,  recline  into  the  eschaton  place,  that  when  he-comes,  the-one  having-called  you,  he-will-say  to-you,  ‘Friend,  come-up-toward  higher,’  then  it-will-be  to-you  glory,  in-front-of  all  the-ones  reclining-with  you.  Because  all,  the-one  lifting  himself,  he-will-be-humbled,  and  the-one  humbling  himself,  he-will-be-lifted.”

Now  he-was-saying  also  to-the-one  having-called  him,  “When  you-make  a-dinner  or-a  supper,  not  do-sound  the  friends  of-you  nor  the  brothers  of-you  nor  the  relatives  of-you,  nor  neighbors,  abounding,  lest  also  they  anti-call  you,  and  it-becomes  a-repayment  to-you.  But-on-the-contrary,  when  a-banquet  you-make,  call  poor,  crippled,  lame,  blind;  and  blessed  you-will-be,  because  not  they-have  to-give-back  to-you;  for  it-will-be-given-back  to-you  in  the  resurrection  of-the  righteous.”

Now  having-heard,  a-certain-one  of-the-ones  reclining-with,  these-things,  he-said  to-him,  “Blessed  who  will-eat  bread  in  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”​

Now  the-one  said  to-him,  “A-man,  a-certain-one,  he-was-making  a-supper,  a-mega-one,  and  he-called  many,  and  he-sent-out  the  slave  of-him  in-the  hour  of-the  supper,  to-say  to-the-ones  having-been-called,  ‘Come,  because  now,  ready  it-is.’  And  they-began  from  one,  all  to-beg-off.  The  first  said  to-him,  ‘A-farm  I-bought,  and  I-have  an-obligation,  having-come-out,  to-see  it;  I-am-asking  you,  have  me  having-begged-off.’  And  a-hetero  said,  ‘A-yoke  of-oxen  I-bought,  five,  and  I-am-travelling  to-prove  them;  I-am-asking  you,  having  me  having-begged-off;  and  a-hetero  said,  ‘A-wife  I-married,  and  on-account-of  this,  not  I-am-able  to-come.’  And  having-come-along,  the  slave  reported  to-the  lord  of-him,  these-things.  Then  having-become-angry,  the  house-despot  said  to-the  slave  of-him,  ‘Come-out  quickly  into  the  streets  and  lanes  of-the  city,  and  the  poor  and  crippled  and  blind  and  lame,  lead-them-into  here.’  And  he-said,  the  slave,  ‘Lord,  it-has-happened  what  you-commanded,  and  still  room  there-is.’  And  he-said,  the  lord  toward  the  slave,  ‘Come-out  into  the  ways  and  hedges  and  compel  to-come-into,  that  it-may-be-filled  of-me,  the  house;  for  I-am-saying  to-you  that  not-one  of-the  men,  those  of-the-ones  having-been-invited,  they-shall-taste  of-me,  the  supper.

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June 21st, 2025

6/21/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday is called the “Second Sunday after Pentecost.” Such titling will continue on for many weeks. And depending on the date of Easter, the Gospel Reading starts at some point within the Gospel according to Luke, and it will continue on from there. Special festivals will, of course, have the chance to give a reading from a different Gospel account.

The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Luke 8:26-39, the last reading before the second part of the work, where Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. In some ways, this action is like the ox, one of the living creatures of the LORD’s throne. And a throne shows forth the glory of the One sitting upon it.

The writings of this website have most recently been going through the Gospel according to Luke as well. We are going through the entire work, a section at a time, in the order in which the writer set it down. And we are currently looking at what is usually called the thirteenth chapter of the work.

This may be your first time reading this writing. If so, welcome! It should be stated at the forefront that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the original language of the text. This characteristic may confuse things, but it will also help to show which words come early in the sentence and are, in all likelihood, the important ones. And some of the words in English have been chosen to show a close connection to the Greek language. And with such a writer that we have in this Gospel account, there can be some doctor-related words that are quite rare.

The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. It should also be stated that, with such a translation, the strong recommendation is to look also at another translation, or perhaps a study bible, to help you better understand the text below. Although there are countless ways to translate a text, hopefully this is a helpful one. What follows is Luke 13:22-35:

And  he-was-journeying-through,  throughout  cities  and  villages,  teaching  and  journey,  making,  into  Jerusalem.  Now  he-said,  a-certain-one,  to-him,  “Lord,  if  few,  the-ones  being-saved?”

Now  the-one  said  toward  them,  “Agonize  to-come-into  through  the  narrow  door,  because  many,  I-am-saying  to-you,  they-will-seek  to-come-into  and  not  they-have-strength.  From  which  ever  he-rises,  the  house-despot,  and  he-shuts-up  the  door,  and  you-begin,  outside,  to-stand  and  to-knock  the  door,  saying,  ‘Lord,  open-up  to-us,  and  having-answered,  he-will-say  to-you,  ‘Not  I-know  you,  from-where  you-are.’  Then  you-will-begin  to-say,  ‘We-ate  in-front-of  you,  and  we-drank,  and  in  the  streets  of-us  you-taught.’  And  he-will-speak,  saying  to-you,  ‘Not  I-know  you,  from-where  you-are.  Stand-away  from  me,  all  workers  of-unrighteousness.’  There  will-be  the  weeping  and  the  gnashing  of-the  teeth,  when  you-see  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  and  all  the  prophets  in  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  now  you  being-thrown-out,  outside.  And  they-will-come  from  east  and  west,  and  from  north  and  south,  and  they-will-recline  in  the  kingdom  of-the  God.  And  look,  are  eschatons  who  will-be  protos,  and  are  protos  who  will-be  eschatons.”

In  that,  the  hour,  they-came-toward,  some  Pharisees,  saying  to-him,  “Come-out  and  journey  from-here,  because  Herod  wants,  you,  to-kill.
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And  he-said  to-them,  “Having-journeyed,  say-to  the  fox,  that,  “Look,  I-throw-out  demons,  and  cures,  I-accomplish  today  and  fresh,  and  the  third,  I-finish.  Nevertheless,  it-is-necessary  me,  today  and  fresh,  and  in-the  coming,  to-journey,  because  not  it-is-accepted,  a-prophet  to-be-destroyed  outside  Jerusalem.  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  the-one  killing  the  prophets  and  stoning  the-ones  having-been-sent  toward  it;  how-often  I-wished  to-gather-together  the  children  of-you,  which  manner,  a-hen,  the  of-herself,  brood  under  the  wings,  and  not  you-wished.  Look,  it-is-left  to-you  the  house  of-you.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you,  certainly  not  you-will-see  me,  until  it-will-come  when  you-say,  ‘Having-been-blessed,  the-one  coming  in  name  of-Lord.’”
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June 14th, 2025

6/14/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues, with the first Sunday after Pentecost being usually devoted to looking at the doctrine of the Trinity. Hopefully that happens since this year is also the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Certainly the point is not to understand the Trinity, but to receive this knowledge of the Triune, Three-in-One God as a very wonderful thing, a gift.

The Gospel Reading for this special Sunday is from that special Gospel according to John (8:48-59). The readings for the weeks after that, through the long season of Pentecost, will be from the Gospel according to Luke, and they will follow a progression through a majority of that account. The writings of this website have been going through the four gospel accounts, and we are currently going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer.

There is a section of the Gospel according to Luke below that is in italics. The text is given in an EXTREMELY literal translation, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first; these are often the important ones.

The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the immense vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a helpful clue may be given regarding the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

It should also be stated that, with such a translation, the strong recommendation is to look also at another translation, or perhaps a study bible, to help you better understand the text below. Although there are countless ways to translate a text, hopefully this is a helpful one. Now what follows is from Luke 13:1-21:

Now  they-were-present,  some  in  that,  the  time,  messengering  to-him  concerning  the  Galileans,  whose  the  blood  Pilate  mixed  with  the  sacrifices  of-them.  And  having-answered,  he-said  to-them,  “Do-you-think  that  the  Galileans,  these,  sinners,  beyond  all  the  Galileans,  they-became,  because  these-things  they-have-suffered?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  if  not  you-repent,  all  likewise,  you-will-be-destroyed.  Or  those,  the  ten-eight,  upon  whom  it-fell,  the  tower  in  the  Siloam,  and  it-killed  them;  do-you-think  that  they,  debtors,  they-became  above  all  the  men,  the-ones  dwelling-in  Jerusalem?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  if  not   you-repent-now,  all  likewise,  you-will-be-destroyed.”

Now  he-was-saying  this,  the  parable:  “A-fig-tree,  he-had,  a-certain-man,  having-been-planted  in  the  vineyard  of-him,  and  he-came  seeking  fruit  in  it,  and  not  he-found.  Now  he-said  toward  the  vinedresser,  ‘Behold,  three  years  from  of-which  I-come  seeking  fruit  in  the  fig-tree,  this,  and  not  I-find;  therefore  cut-down  it;  why  even  the  ground  does-it-use-up?’  Now  the-one  having-answered,  HE-SAYS  to-him,  ‘Lord,  leave  it  also  this,  the  year,  until  which  I-dig  around  it,  and  I-throw  manure.  And-if,  on-the-one-hand,  it-makes  fruit  into  the  future,  on-the-other-hand,  if  not  indeed,  you-will-cut-down  it.’”

Now  he-was  teaching  in  one  of-the  synagogues  in  the  Sabbath.  And  behold,  a-woman,  a-spirit  having  of-weakness,  years  ten-eight,  and  she-was  being-bent-over  and  not  being-able  to-straighten  into  the  completeness.  Now  having-seen  her,  the  Jesus,  he-called-toward,  and  he-said  to-her,  “Woman,  you-have-been-released  of-the  weakness  of-you.”  And  he-placed-upon  her,  the  hands,  and  at-once  she-was-straightened,  and  she-glorified  the  God.

Now  having-answered  the  synagogue-ruler,  being-angry  that  in-the  Sabbath  he-was-therapeutic,  the  Jesus;  he-was-saying  to-the  crowd,  “Six  days  there-are  in  which  it-is-necessary  to-work,  therefore  in  them,  coming,  be-therapeutic,  and  not  in-the  day  of-the  Sabbath.”

Now  he-answered  him,  the  Lord,  and  he-said,  “Hypocrites,  each-one  of-you  in-the  Sabbath,  not  does-he-loosen  the  ox  of-him  or  the  donkey  from  the  manger,  and  having-led-away,  give-drink?  Now  this-one,  a-daughter  of-Abraham  being,  whom  he-bound,  the  Satan,  behold,  ten  and  eight  years,  not  was-it-necessary  to-be-loosened  from  the  bond,  this,  in-the  day  of-the  Sabbath?”  And  these-things  saying  he,  they-were-being-shamed,  all  the-ones  opposing  him,  and  all  the  crowd  were-rejoicing  over  all  the  glorious-things,  the-ones  happening  by  him.

Therefore  he-was-saying,  “To-what  like,  is  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  and  to-what  may-I-compare  it?  Like  it-is  to-a-grain  of-mustard,  which  having-taken,  a-man  threw  into  a-garden,  his,  and  it-grew,  and  it-became  into  a-dendron,  and  the  birds  of-the  heaven  camped  in  the  branches  of-it.”  And  again  he-said,  “To-what  I-may-compare  the  kingdom  of-the  God?  Compare  it-is  to-leaven,  which  having-taken,  a-woman,  she-hid-in  into  of-flour,  satons  three,  until  of-which  it-was-leavened,  all.”

One may have noted the use of the historical present, where a past tense verb is expected, but a present tense appears. This appears in the text in capital letters, to help make it stand out among the rest of the words. The variety of people in this Gospel account who are connected to the historical present is significant.
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You may have also noticed that, instead of using the name of Jesus, the writer responds to the synagogue leader with the title of “Lord.” This also has a variety of appearances within this account, the first use of it being when Jesus had compassion on a woman whose son had just died. With this title it is hard not to think of Jesus’ own death, and the use of that special title of “Lord” is much more frequent after his resurrection. And Jesus is certainly the Lord for a great variety of people.
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June 07th, 2025

6/7/2025

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 It is now the season of Pentecost, with the festival of Pentecost celebrated this Sunday. The Gospel Reading for this very special day is John 14:23-31, and it may be helpful to look at some of the verses before and after that text, to help see the direction that Jesus is headed. Even on the day of Pentecost, with all the work of the Holy Spirit, the focus should still be Jesus. In that Person of the Trinity, there is a great sacrificial love.

Jesus says and does a lot of things that are not found in the other three gospel accounts, but that should not cause us to doubt the veracity of such a text. This gospel account may be connected to the living creature of the eagle, and an eagle has a very different perspective than the animals on the ground. And John happens to be known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. And you might say that this love has a very different perspective as well, and it is very different from the love that is often seen in this world.
The writings of this website have been going through the four gospel accounts, and we are currently going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer. There is a section of the Gospel according to Luke below that is in italics. The text is given in an EXTREMELY literal translation, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first; these are often the important ones.

The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the immense vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a helpful clue may be given regarding the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

It should be prominently stated that, with such a translation, the strong recommendation is to look also at another translation, or perhaps a study bible, to help you better understand the text below. There are often countless ways to translate a text, and hopefully this is a helpful one. Now what follows is a continuance of Jesus talking, and it is from Luke 12:35-59:
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“Let-be  of-you  the  loins,  having-been-girded,  and  the  lamps  burning;  and  you,  like  people  waiting-for  the  lord  of-themselves,  when  he-may-return  from  the  wedding-festivities,  in-order-that,  having-come  and  having-knocked,  immediately  they-may-open-up  to-him.  Blessed  the  slaves,  those,  whom  having-come,  the  lord,  he-will-find  being-gregarious;  amen,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  he-will-gird-himself  and  he-will-make-to-recline  them,  and  having-come-along,  he-will-be-a-deacon  to-them.  And-if  in  the  second  and-if  in  the  third  watch  he-comes  and  he-finds  thus,  blessed  are  those.  Now  this  know,  that  if  he-had-known,  the  house-despot,  in-what  hour  the  kleptomaniac  comes,  not  would   he-have-allowed  to-be-dug-through,  the  house  of-him.  And  you,  become  prepared,  because  in-what  hour  not  you-think  the  Son  of-the  Man  is-coming.”

Now  he-said,  the  Peter,  “Lord,  toward  us  the  parable,  this,  you-are-saying,  or  also  toward  all?”

And  he-said,  the  Lord,  “Who  then  is  the  faithful  house-lawyer,  the  wise,  whom  he-will-appoint,  the  lord,  over  the  therapists  of-him,  the  to-give  in  right-time,  the  grain-ration?  Blessed  the  slave,  that,  whom  having-come,  the  lord  of-him,  he-will-find  doing  so.  Truly,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  over  all  the  possessions  of-him  he-will-appoint  him.  Now  if  he-says,  the  slave,  that,  in  the  heart  of-him,  ‘He-is-delaying,  the  lord  of-me,  to-come,  and  he-begins  to-strike  the  male-servants  and  the  female-servants,  to-eat  both  and  to-drink  and  to-become-drunk,  he-will-come,  the  lord  of-the  slave,  that,  in  a-day  in-which  not  he-expects  and  in  an-hour  in-which  not  he-knows,  and  he-will-cut-in-two  him,  and  the  portion  of-him  with  the  unbelievers  he-will-put.  Now  that,  the  slave,  the-one  having-known  the  will  of-the  lord  of-him,  and  not  having-prepared  or  having-done  toward  the  will  of-him,  he-will-be-beaten  many;  now  the-one  not  having-known,  now  having-done  things-worthy  of-stripes,  he-will-be-beaten  few;  now  to-all  to-whom  it-was-given,  much;  much  will-be-demanded  from  him,  and  with-whom  it-was-given-over  much,  more-exceedingly  they-will-ask  him.”

“Fire  I-came  to-throw  upon  the  earth,  and  what  I-want  if  already  it-was-kindled.  Now  a-baptism  I-have  to-be-baptized,  and  how  I-am-pressed-together  until  when  it-is-finished.  Do-you-think  that  peace  I-arrived  to-give  in  the  earth?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  rather  division.  For  it-will-be  from  the  now,  five  in  one  house,  having-been-divided,  three  against  two  and  two  against  three,  they-will-be-divided,  father  against  son  and  son  against  father,  mother  against  the  daughter,  and  daughter  against  the  mother,  mother-in-law  against  the  daughter-in-law  of-her,  and  daughter-in-law  against  the  mother-in-law.”
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Now  he-was-saying  also  to-the  crowds,  “When  you-see  the  cloud  rising  upon  west,  immediately  you-are-saying  that  a-rainstorm  is-coming,  and  it-happens  so.  And  when  a-south-wind  blowing,  you-are-saying  that  a-scorching-heat  it-will-be,  and  it-happens.  Hypocrites,  the  face  of-the  earth  and  of-the  heaven  you-know  to-discern,  now  the  time,  this,  how  not  you-know  to-discern?  Now  why  even  from  yourselves  not  you-do-judge  the  righteous-thing?  For  as  you-go-away  with  the  adversary  of-you  upon  a-ruler,  in  the  way  you-give  pains  to-be-rid  from  him,  lest  he-drag  you  toward  the  judge,  and  the  judge,  you,  he-will-deliver-over  to-the  officer,  and  the  officer  you,  he-will-throw  into  prison.  I-am-saying  to-you,  certainly  not  you-may-come-out  from-there  until  even  the  eschaton  lepton  you-pay-back.”
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May 31st, 2025

5/31/2025

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The season of Easter continues on for one more Sunday, and it is also the Sunday after the celebration of the Ascension. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday, no matter what year of the three-year series, is from the Gospel according to John, the seventeenth chapter. This is what is called by some as the high-priestly prayer. This year, since we are in the C-series (and looking mainly at the Gospel according to Luke), we are looking at the last part of that high-priestly prayer, John 17:20—26.

In the writings of this website, for this year, we are going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer. In the last writer, what is called ‘chapter eleven’ was just finished. It could be seen that the popularity of Jesus is increasing. It is interesting that in this account, when Jesus is getting arrested (and—spoiler alert—finally killed), this account does not mention the disciples running away. It is as if his popularity continues to grow. And the book of Acts continues that theme.

As was mentioned, there is a section of text below that is in italics. It may be called an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament, the Greek. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first. These, generally speaking are the more important.

Two more things could be mentioned. The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a hint is given of the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

With that said (actually written), it is recommended that at least one other translation (or a study bible) be nearby to help understand the text below. And what follows is Luke 12:1-34:

In  which-things,  being-assembled,  the  myriads  of-the  crowd,  so-as  to-walk-upon  one-another,  he-began  to-say  toward  the  disciples,  his,  first:  “Take-heed  to-yourselves  from  the  yeast,  which  is  hypocrisy,  of-the  Pharisees.  Now  nothing  having-been-completely-covered,  there-is  which  not  will-be-apocalypse,  and  crypt  which  not  will-be-known.”

“On-account  being,  what-things  in  the  darkness  you-said,  in  the  light  it-will-be-heard,  and   what  toward  the  ear  you-spoke  in  the  private-rooms,  it-will-be-proclaimed  upon  the  roofs.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you,  the  friends,  my,  not  do-be-afraid  from  the  killing  the  body  and  after  these-things  no  having  anything-more  what  to-do.  Now  I-will-warn  you  whom  you-fear;  fear  the-one  after  the  to-kill,  having  authority  to-throw-in,  into  the  Gehenna.   Yes,  I-am-saying  to-you,  this-one  fear.”

“Yes, not  five  sparrows  are-sold  for-farthings  two?  And  one  of  them  not  is  having-been-forgotten  in-front-of  the  God.  But-on-the-contrary,  even  the  hairs  of-the  head  of-you,  all  they-have-been-numbered.  Not  do-fear;  from-many  sparrows  you-differ.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you,  all  who  ever  confesses  in  me  in-front-of  the  men,  also  the  Son  of-the  Man,  he-will-confess  in  him  in-front-of  the  angels  of-the  God;  now  the-one  denying  me  in-front-of  the  men,  he-will-be-denied  in-front-of  the  angels  of-the  God.  And  all  who  shall-say  a-word  into  the  Son  of-the  Man,  it-will-be-forgiven  him;  now  the-one  into  the  Holy  Spirit  blaspheming  not  it-will-be-forgiven.  Now  when  they-bring-into  you  upon  the  synagogues  and  the  rulers  and  the  authorities,  not  be-anxious  how  or  what  you-may-apologize  or  what  you-may-say;  for  the  Holy  Spirit  will-teach  you  in  same,  the  hour,  what-things  it-is-necessary  to-say.”

Now  he-said  someone  out-of  the  crowd  to-him,  “Teacher,  say  to-the  brother  of-me  to-divide  with  me  the  inheritance.”

Now  the-one  said  to-him,  “Man,  who,  me,  appointed  a-judge  or  a-divider  over  you?”  Now  he-said  toward  them,  “Beware  and  guard  from  all  covetousness,  because  not  in  the  to-abound  to-anyone  the  life  of-him  is  of  the  things-existing  to-him.”

Now  he-said  a-parable  toward  them  saying,  “Of-a-man,  a-certain-one,  rich,  it-bore-well,  the  land.  And  he-dialogued  in  himself,  saying,  ‘What  I-may-do,  because  not  I-have  where  I-may-gather  the  fruits  of-me?’  And  he-said,  ‘This  I-will-do;  I-will-pull-down  of-me  the  barns  and  larger-ones  I-will-build,  and  I-will-gather  there  all  the  wheat  and  the  goods  of-me.  And  I-will-say  to-the  soul  of-me:  “Soul,  you-have  many  goods  laid  into  years,  many;  take-rest,  eat,  drink,  be-glad.’”  Now  he-said  to-him,  the  God,  ‘Fool,  this  the  night,  the  soul  of-you  they-demand  from  you;  now  the-things  you-have-prepared,  to-whom  will-they-be?’  Thus  the  one  treasuring  to-himself  and  not  into  God  being-rich.”
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Now  he-said  toward  the  disciples  of-him(?),  “On-account-of  this  I-am-saying  to-you:  Not  do-be-anxious  for-the  life,  what  you-may-eat,  nor  for-the  body  of-you,  what  you-may-put-on.  For  the  life,  more  it-is  of-the  food,  and  the  body,  of-the  clothing.  Consider  the  ravens,  that  neither  they-sow  nor  they-reap,  to-which  not  it-is  storehouse  nor  barn,  and  the  God  feeds  them;  by-how-much  rater  you,  you-differ  from-the  birds.  Now  who  from  you,  being-anxious  is-able  upon  the  stature  of-him  to-add  a-cubit?  Therefore,  if  not  the-least  you-are-able,  why  concerning  the  other-things  are-you-anxious?  Consider  the  lilies,  how  neither  they-spin  nor  they-weave;  now  I-am-saying  to-you,  not  Solomon  in  all  the  glory  of-him,  he-was-arrayed  as  one  of-these.  Now  if  in  a-field,  the  grass  being  today  and  tomorrow  into  an-oven  being-thrown,  the  God  so  clothes,  by-how-much  rather  you,  few-faiths.  And  you,  not  do-seek  what  you-may-eat  and  what  you-may-drink,  and  not  be-meteorize;  for  these-things  all,  the  ethnics  of-the  world  they-seek-after;  now  you,  the  Father  knows  that  you-have-need  of-them;  nevertheless  seek  the  basilica  of-him,  and  these-things  will-be-added  to-you.  Not  do-fear,  the  micron  flock;  because  he-is-well-pleased,  the  Father  of-you,  to-give  to-you  the  basilica.  Sell  the  possessions  of-you  and  give  alms;  make  for-yourselves  purses  not  becoming-old,  a-treasure  unfailing  in  the  heavens,  where  a-thief  not  comes-near  nor  a-moth  corrupts;  for  where  is  the  treasure  of-you,  there  also  the  heart  of-you  it-will-be.”
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May 24th, 2025

5/24/2025

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The season of Easter still continues on, although there is the matter of the ascension of Jesus to consider as well. That is coming this Thursday, forty days after his resurrection. And the presence of Jesus is a good topic of discussion, especially because some Christians consider Jesus’ ascension to be an important part in determining the extent of his presence in the supper which he instituted before he made his sacrificial death. When Jesus says, “This is my body,” it follows that there is to be nothing in the mind that says he is not able to make that happen. As true God, he can do whatever he wants.

A different aspect that takes Jesus into the present is the presence of what is typically called an “historical present”. That means that, instead of the text saying that a person “did” something, the form of the verb is that the person “does” something. The verbs that are in the historical present in the Gospel according to Luke have a great amount of variety when it comes to the persons attached to those verbs. And that characteristic is important if the connection to this account is made to a specific LIVING creature of the Lord’s throne, the living creature of the ox. A throne typically shows the ramifications or the authority of the one who sits on that throne. And the ox is a powerful but gentle creature and able to work with a variety of others, especially when compared to the living creature of the lion. Jesus, true God, was able to work with a huge variety of people.

It should also be said that the verbs in the historical present in the text below are in capital letters. And the hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek.

With all of the above taken into account, and with all the possible choices that a translation could be, the following is called an EXTREMELY literal translation of a particular Greek text. Although the Gospel reading for this Sunday is also a choice, like last Sunday, they are both from the Gospel according to John (16:22-33; 5:1-9). With the writings of this website, we are currently going through the Gospel according to Luke. And we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, a section at a time.

Hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It is highly recommended that at least one other translation or a study bible is nearby to help understand the text below. And what follows is Luke 11:29-54.

Now  the  crowds  pressing-upon,  he-began  to-say,  “The  generation,  this  generation,  evil  it-is;  a-sign  it-seeks,  and  a-sign,  no,  will-be-given  to-it,  if  not  the  sign  of-Jonah.  For  even-as  he-became,  Jonah  to-the  Ninevites,  a-sign,  so  he-will-be  also,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  to-the  generation,  this.  Queen  of-south,  she-will-be-raised  in  the  judgment  with  the  men  of-the  generation,  this,  and  she-will-condemn  them,  because  she-came  from  the  extremities  of-the  earth  to-hear  the  wisdom  of-Solomon,  and  behold,  a-greater-thing  than-Solomon,  here.  Men,  Ninevites,  they-will-rise-up  in  the  judgment  with  the  generation,  this,  and  they-will-condemn  it,  because  they-repented  into  the  proclamation  of-Jonah,  and  behold,  a-greater  than-Jonah,  here.”

“No-one  a-lamp,  having-lit  into  a-crypt,  he-puts,  now-not  under  the  basket,  but-on-the-contrary,  upon  the  lampstand,  that  the-ones  coming-into,  the  light  they-may-see.  The  lamp  of-the  body,  it-is  the  eye  of-you.  When  the  eye  of-you,  single,  it-is,  also  whole,  the  body  of-you,  bright  it-is;  now  when  evil  it-is,  also  the  body  of-you,  dark.  Therefore,  scope,  not  the  light,  the  in  you,  darkness  it-is.  Therefore,  if  the  body  of-you  whole,  bright;  not  having  part  any  dark,  it-will-be  bright,  whole,  as  when  the  lamp,  with-the  ray-of-light,  it-enlightens  you.”

Now  in  the  to-speak,  HE-ASKS  him,  a-pharisee,  that  he-would-dine  beside  him;  now  having-come-into,  he-reclined.  Now  the  pharisee,  having-seen,  he-marveled  that  not  first  he-was-baptized  before  the  dinner.  Now  he-said,  the  Lord,  toward  him,  “Right-now  you,  the  pharisees,  the  outside  of-the  cup  and  of-the  dish,  you-catharsis,  now  the  inside  of-you  is-full  of-robbery  and  wickedness.”

“Unwise-ones,  not  the-one  having-made  the  outside  also  the  inside  he-made?  Nevertheless,  the-things  being-within  give  mercies,  and  behold,  all-things  clean  to-you  they-are.  But-on-the-contrary,  woe  to-you,  to-the  pharisees,  because  you-take-a-tenth-from  the  mint,  and  the  rue,  and  every  herb,  and  you-come-along  the  judgment  and  the  agape  of-the  God;  now  these-things  it-is-necessary  to-do  and-those  not  to-send-along.”

“Woe  to-you,  to-the  pharisees,  because  you-agape  the  proto-cathedral  in  the  synagogues  and  the  greetings  in  the  agoras.  Woe  to-you,  because  you-are  as  the  tombs,  the  unseen,  and  the  people,  the  walking-around  over,  not  they-do-know.”

Now  having-answered,  one  of-the  legalists,  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “Teacher,  these-things  saying,  also  us  you-are-insulting.”

Now  the-one  said,  “Also  to-you,  to-the  legalists,  woe;  because  you-burden  the  people  with-burdens  difficult-to-carry,  and  yourselves  with-one  of-the  fingers  of-you,  not  you-do-touch  the  burdens.”

“Woe  to-you,  because  you-build  the  tombs  of-the  prophets,  now  the  fathers  of-you,  they-killed  them.  So  witnesses  you-are,  and  you-entirely-approve  the  works  of-the  fathers  of-you,  because,  on-the-one-hand,  they,  they-killed  them;  on-the-other-hand,  you,  you-build.  On-account-of  this,  also  the  wisdom  of-the  God  said,  ‘I-will-send-out  into  them  prophets  and  apostles,  and  out-of  them,  they-will-kill,  and  they-will-persecute,  that  it-may-be-sought-out,  the  blood  of-all  of-the  prophets,  the  having-been-shed  from-the  foundation  of-world,  from  the  generation,  this;  from  blood  of-Abel  until  blood  of-Zachariah,  of-the  having-perished  between  the  altar  and  the  house;  yes,  I-am-saying  to-you,  it-will-be-sought-out  from  the  generation,  this.’”

“Woe  to-you,  to-the  legalists,  because  you-took  the  key  of-the  knowledge;  yourselves,  not  you-did-come-into,  and  the-ones  coming-into  you-prevented.”

And-from-there,  coming-out,  he,  they-began,  the  grammatists  and  the  pharisees,  terribly  to-be-angry  and  to-draw-out-from-the-mouth  him  concerning  a-great-number-of-things,  lying-in-wait-for  him,  to-trap  something  out-of  the  mouth  of-him.

Perhaps you “caught” that the vocabulary near the end of this section was quite complicated, and it was also terribly negative. Well, Luke was a doctor, and a doctor usually has a rich vocabulary. A doctor also usually sees a variety of bad bodies, and he knows that these bodies are wasting away. This particular doctor also knows the end of the story about Jesus’ body. And his death is truly not the end of the story. There is more to come. There is MUCH more to come.
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The use of the word “Lord” above in the third paragraph also gives us an indication of what is to come. The word started a few chapters ago when there was compassion for a widow whose son had just died. There is sadness in the world. There is sin. There are a lot of words that keep us distracted from the Lord of sin, the Lord of death, the Lord of life. Here is Jesus.
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May 17th, 2025

5/17/2025

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The season of Easter continues on, and that is a good thing. The resurrection of Jesus is an important thing to remember, especially since this world is so focused on the here and the now.

This Sunday is known as the “Fifth Sunday of Easter”. And this Sunday is somewhat unique in that there are two options for the Gospel Reading, that of John 16:12-22 or John 13:31-35. With both readings, Jesus has that broad perspective that is typical in this Gospel account, as he is getting so close to his death and resurrection. With the weekly writings of this website, we are currently looking at the Gospel according to Luke, we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, a section at a time, and we are approximately half-way through that account.

The reader of this writing has been warned: What follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the Greek text. As a result, what was a familiar text may not be that way below. And you almost certainly have learned the Lord’s Prayer from its gift in the Gospel according to Matthew.

It could be said that what is considered to be the Lord’s Prayer below comes without the additional things which are given within the Sermon on the Mount. Our true Father is the One in heaven. That Father’s will is to hallow his name and to let his kingdom come. And we are delivered from evil when our sins are forgiven and we are kept from temptation. There is some good in the world, and we would like that good to remain, as long as we are also in this world.

The order of the words below is the order that they occur in the Greek, and that may not be helpful in understanding the message. It is a good reminder that the verb is usually near the front of the sentence, and it is usually an important part of the sentence. God could have stayed up in heaven. Instead, he chose to come down to earth, and he did some verbs.

It should also be said that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one-word in Greek. And the words given in English below have been chosen to help the reader see the many connections that the English language has to the Greek. There are a LOT of different ways that these words could have been translated.

Hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It is highly recommended that at least one other translation or a study bible is nearby to help understand the text below. What follows is Luke 11:1-28.

And  it-happened  in  the,  to-be,  he,  in  a-place,  a-certain-one,  praying;  as  he-paused,  he-said,  a-certain-one  of-the  disciples,  his,  toward  him,  “Lord,  teach  us  to-pray,  even-as  also  John  taught  the  disciples,  his.” 

Now  he-said  to-them,  “When  you-pray,  say,  ‘Father,  let-it-be-hallowed,  the  name  of-you;  let-it-come,  the  kingdom  of-you;  the  bread  of-us,  the  supersubstantial,  give  to-us  the,  according-to  day;  and  release  us  the  sins  of-us,  for  also  ourselves,  we-forgive  all  owing  to-us;  and  not  lead-into  us  into  temptation.”

And  he-said  toward  them,  “Which  out-of  you,  he-will-have  a-friend,  and  he-would-go  toward  him  at-midnight,  and  he-would-say  to-him,  ‘Friend,  lend  me  three  breads,  since  a-friend  of-me,  he-arrived  out-of  a-way  toward  me,  and  not  I-have  what  I-may-set-before  him.’  And-that-one  from-within,  having-answered,  he-would-say,  ‘Not  to-me  troubles,  cause;  already  the  door,  it-has-been-shut,  and  the  children  of-me,  with  me  into  the  bed  they-are;  not  I-am-able,  having-risen-up,  to-give  to-you.’  I-am-saying  to-you,  if  also  not  he-will-give  to-him,  having-risen-up  because-of  the,  to-be,  a-friend  of-him,  yet  on-account-of  the  shamelessness  of-him,  having-risen,  he-will-give  to-him  as-much-as  he-needs.”

“And-I,  to-you  I-am-saying,  ask,  and  it-will-be-given  to-you;  seek,  and  you-will-find;  knock,  and  it-will-be-opened  to-you.  For  every,  the-one  asking,  he-receives,  and  the-one  seeking,  he-finds,  and  to-the-one  knocking,  it-will-be-opened.  Now  what  out-of  you,  the  father,  he-will-ask-for,  the  son,  a-fish,  and  anti  fish,  a-serpent  to-him,  he-will-give-over?  Or  also,  he-will-ask-for  an-egg,  he-will-give-over  to-him  a-scorpion?  Therefore,  if  you,  evil  existing,  you-know  gifts,  good,  to-give  to-the  children  of-you,  how-much  more  the  Father,  the-One  out-of  heaven,  he-will-give  Spirit,  Holy,  to-the-ones  asking  him.”

And  he-was  throwing-out  a-demon,  and  it,  it-was  mute;  now  it-happened,  of-the  demon  having-come-out,  he-was-speaking,  the  mute-man;  and  they-marveled,  the  crowds;  now  certain-ones  out-of  them,  they-said,  “In  Beelzebub,  the  arch  of-the  demons,  he-throws-out  the  demons.”  Now  hetero-ones  tempting,  a-sign  out-of  heaven,  they-were-seeking  from  him.
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Now  he,  knowing  of-them  the  thinking-through,  he-said  to-them,  “Every  kingdom  against  itself  having-been-divided,  it-is-made-desolate,  and  a-house  against  a-house,  it-falls.  Now  if  also  the  Satan,  against  himself,  he-was-divided,  how  it-will-stand,  the  kingdom  of-him?  Because  you-say  in  Beelzebub  to-throw-out,  me,  the  demons.  Now  if  I,  in  Beelzebub,  I-throw-out  the  demons,  the  sons  of-you,  in  what  they-do-throw-out?  On-account-of  this,  they  of-you,  judges,  they-will-be.  Now  if,  in  a-finger  of-God  I,  I-throw-out  the  demons,  then  it-has-arrived  upon  you,  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”

“When  the  strong-man,  having-been-well-armed,  he-guards  the  of-himself  a-palace,  in  peace,  it-is  the  belongings  of-him;  now  when  a-stronger  than-him,  having-come-upon,  he-conquers  him,  the  armor  of-him,  he-takes,  upon  which  he-had-trusted,  and  the  spoils  of-him  he-distributes.  The-one  not  being  with  me,  against  me  he-is;  and  the-one  not  gathering-together  with  me,  he-scatters.”

“When  the  unclean  spirit,  he-comes-out  from  the  person,  he-comes-through,  through  waterless  places  seeking  rest,  and  not  finding,  then  he-says,  ‘I-will-turn-back  into  the  house  of-me  from-where  I-came-out,’  and  having-come,  he-finds,  having-been-swept  and  having-been-arranged-in-order.  Then  he-goes,  and  he-takes  other  spirits  more-evil  than-himself,  seven,  and  having-come-into,  he-dwells  there;  and  it-becomes  the  eschaton  of-the  person,  that-one,  worse  of-the  first.” 
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Now  it-happened  in  the  to-say,  him,  these-things,  having-lifted-up,  a-certain-one  a-voice,  a-woman,  out-of  the  crowd,  she-said  to-him,  “Blessed  the  womb,  the  having-borne  you,  and  breasts,  which  you-nursed.” 
Now  he,  he-said,  “Rather,  blessed  the-ones  hearing  the  word  of-the  God  and  guarding.”
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May 10th, 2025

5/10/2025

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The season of Easter continues. And if you guessed that this Sunday is known as the “Fourth Sunday of Easter”, you would be correct. And perhaps you also knew that this Sunday is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is John 10:22-30. And although this is the Easter season, this text is approximately half-way through that Gospel account.

With the weekly writings of this website, we are currently looking at the Gospel according to Luke, we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, and we are approximately half-way through that account as well. It is more of a midway point when it comes to the topic and not to the totals of verses or words. Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration. And now Jesus is headed toward Jerusalem. And that is a significant place, and he is a significant person. With both of those components, this is a significant action.

Last week’s reading ended with the point that, if the Son of God is rejected, then God is rejected as well. That makes for a serious mission, a serious sending.

Before giving the text from the remainder of the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, if this is the first time you are reading this writing, it should be said that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the Greek text. The order of the words below is the order that they occur in the Greek. And that is not always helpful in getting the meaning of the sentence. But the order may be helpful to see what words are more important, since the important ones tend to be the earlier ones in the sentence. It should also be said that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one-word in Greek. And the words in English given below are designed to help the reader see that many English words have at least some connection to the Greek language. It should also be noted with this Gospel account that sometimes this very literal translation gives you an idea of the great vocabulary of the writer, since Luke was a doctor.

In the end, hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It should also be noted that, because of what was stated above, another translation or a study bible nearby may be helpful in your study of the text. So, what follows is Luke 10:17-42:

Now they-returned,  the  seventy  two,  with  joy,  saying,  “Lord,  also  the  demons  submit  to-us  in  the  name  of-you.”

Now  he-said  to-them,  “I-was-beholding  the  Satan,  as  lightning,  out-of  the  heaven,  having-fallen.  Look,  I-have-given  to-you  the  authority  of-the  to-tread  upon  serpents  and  scorpions,  and  upon  all  the  dynamite  of-the  enemy,  and  nothing,  you,  certainly  not,  he-shall-hurt.  Nevertheless,  in  this  do-not  rejoice,  that  the  spirits  to-you  they-submit,  now  rejoice  that  the  names  of-you,  they-have-been-written  in  the  heavens.”

In  same,  the  hour,  he-exulted  in-the  Spirit,  the  Holy,  and  he-said,  “I-confess-out  to-you,  Father,  Lord  of-the  heaven  and  of-the  earth,  that  you-have-hidden  these-things  from  wise  and  intelligent,  and  you  apocalypse  them  to-infants;  yes,  the  Father,  because  such  good-pleasure  it-happened  in-front-of  you.  All-things  to-me  were-given-over  by  the  Father  of-me,  and  no-one  knows  who  is  the  Son,  if  not  the  Father,  and  who  is  the  Father,  if  not  the  Son,  and   to-whom  ever  he-wills,  the  Son,  to-apocalypse.”

And  having-turned  toward  the  disciples,  according-to  their-own,  he-said,  “Blessed  the  eyes,  the-ones  seeing  the-things-which   you-are-seeing.  For  I-am-saying  to-you  that  many  prophets  and  kings,  they-desired  to-see  the-things-which  you,  you-are-seeing,  and  not  they-did-see,  and  to-hear  the-things-which  you-are-hearing,  and   not  they-did-hear.” 

And  look,  a-lawyer,  a-certain-one  stood-up,  tempting-out  him,  saying,  “Teacher,  what  having-done,  life  eternal,  I-may-inherit?”
Now  the-one  said  toward  him,  “In  the  Law,  what  has-been-written?  How  do-you-know-up?”

Now  the-one,  having-answered,  he-said,  “You-will-love  Lord,  the  God  of-you  from  whole  the  heart  of-you,  and  in  whole,  the  soul  of-you,  and  in   whole  the  strength  of-you,  and  in  whole  the  mind  of-you,  and  the  neighbor  of-you  as  yourself.”

Now  he-said  to-him,  “Rightly  you-answered;  this  do,  and  you-will-live.”

Now  the-one,  wanting  to-justify  himself,  he-said  toward  the  Jesus,  “And  who,  he-is  my  neighbor?”

Having-taken-up,  the  Jesus  said,  “a-man,  a-certain-one,  he-was-going-down  from  Jerusalem  into  Jericho,  and  robbers  he-fell-among,  who  both  having-stripped  him  and  blows  having-laid-upon,  they-came-away,  having-left  halfdead.  Now  according-to  coincidence,  a-priest,  a-certain-one,  he-was-going-down  in  the  way,  that,  and  having-seen  him,  he-came-alongside-opposite.  Now  likewise  also  a-Levite,  happening  according-to  the  place,  having-come  and  having-seen,  he-came-alongside-opposite.  Now  a-Samaritan,  a-certain-one,  journeying,  he-came  according-to  him,  and  having-seen,  was-feeling-inward-parts,  and  having-come-toward,  he-bound-up  the  traumas  of-him,  pouring-upon  oil  and  wine;  now  having-caused-to-mount  him  upon  the  own  pack-animal,  he-led  him  into  an-inn,  and  he-cared-for  him.  And  upon  the  morrow,  having-taken-out,  he-gave  two  denarii  to-the  innkeeper,  and  he-said,  ‘Care-for  him,  and  the  what  ever  you-spend-in-addition,  I,  in  the  to-come-back  me,  I-will-repay  you.’  Who  of-these  of-the  three,  a-neighbor,  it-seems  to-you  to-have-become  of-the-one  having-fallen-in,  into  the  robbers?

Now  the-one  said,  “The-one  having-done  the  mercy  with  him.”

Now  he  said  to-him,  the  Jesus,  “Go  and  you,  you-do  likewise.”

Now  in  the  to-go,  they;  he,  he-came-into,  into  a-village,  a-certain-one;  now  a-woman,  a-certain-one,  by-name  Martha,  she-received  him.  And  to-her  was  a-sister,  being-called  Mariam,  who  also  having-sat-beside  toward  the  feet  of-the  Lord,  she-was-hearing  the  word  of-him.  Now  the  Martha  was-drawn-around  concerning  much  serving;  now  having-come-upon,  she-said,  “Lord,  it-does-does-it-not  matter  to-you  that  the  sister  of-me,  alone,  me  she-left-down  to-serve?  Therefore,  tell  her  that  me  she-may-take-up-alongside.”

Now  having-answered,  he-said  to-her,  the  Lord,  “Martha,  Martha,  you-are-anxious  and  you-are-disturbed  about  many-things,  now  of-one-thing  there-is  a-need;  for  Mariam,  the  good  part  she-said-out,  which  not  it-will-be-taken-away-from  her.”
​
There are basically a huge number of ways in which the above words could be translated. But repetition is a good thing. And Jesus repeats himself when he talks to Martha. And the writer of this account repeats himself when he calls Jesus “Lord” and not simply “Jesus”. Now this will be an important title when it comes to the book of Acts. And we also have three other accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, each providing a unique and helpful perspective.
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