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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 Just because we have an Old Testament, it does not mean that we call it the 'Outdated Testament'.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!

September 28th, 2025

9/28/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday is known as the “Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost”. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday, as in many weeks past, skips a few verses after the previous week’s reading. But this time they are literally only a few verses. Last week’s reading was Luke 16:1-15. This week’s reading is Luke 16:19-31.
The writings of this website are not skipping ANY verses within the text. These writings are currently going through the Gospel according to Luke. What is below could be called an EXTREMELY literal translation of a part of the Gospel according to Luke, in a way which is hopefully not too distracting. The distractions of chapter and verse divisions have been left out of the translation, and hopefully that is helpful.

The order of the words in the translation below is the order in which they appear within the language of the New Testament. Usually the verb is at the front of the sentence, and when another part of the sentence is before that, a clear emphasis is to be understood. (Below Peter has the phrase “with you” very early in his words to Jesus, to emphasize his dedication; but it will soon become clear how that turned out.)

The hyphens are below to show how many English words are in a single Greek word. And the English words that are often chosen are designed to show how often the Greek words are somewhat similar to the English. And some of the words in English were chosen to show how rare some of the words in Greek were.

With such a translation, it is highly recommended that the text is studied with the help of another translation or a study bible. And it should be said that there are a large number of ways in which the text could be translated in this way. So here is a unique translation of what could be called the second part of chapter twenty-two of the Gospel according to Luke (22:24-38) This is very much near the end of the account, and Jesus is with his disciples in what is known as the upper room (although the argument as to which disciple is the greatest has been made in other places; and hopefully that is not too surprising):

Now  it-happened  also,  a-love-of-strife  in  them,  the  which  of-them  he-seems  to-be  greater.  Now  the  one  said  to-them,  “The  kings  of-the  ethnics  lord-it-over  them,  and  the-ones  having-authority-over  them,  good-workers  they-are-called.  Now  you,  not  thus,  but-on-the-contrary,  the  greater-one  in  you,  let-him-become  as  the  newer-one,  and  the  one  governing,  as  the  deacon.  For  who  is-greater,  the-one  reclining  or  the-one  being-deacon?  Yes-not  the-one  reclining?  Now  I,  in  the-midst  of-you,  I-am  as  the-one  being-a-deacon.  Now  you,  you-are  the-ones  having-remained-throughout  with  me,  in  the  testings  of-me;  and-I  bequeath  to-you  as  he-bequeathed  to-me,  the  Father  of-me,  a-kingdom;  that  you-may-eat  and  you-may-drink  upon  the  table  of-me  in  the  kingdom  of-me,  and  you-will-sit  upon  thrones,  the  twelve  tribes,  judging  the  Israel.  Simon,  Simon,  behold,  the  Satan  asked-out-for  you,  the  to-sift  as  the  grain;  now  I,  I-requested  concerning  you,  that  not  you-might-leave-out,  the  faith  of-you;  and  you,  when  having-turned,  support  the  brothers  of-you.”

Now  the-one  said  to-him,  “Lord,  with  you,  prepared  I-am,  both  into  prison  and  into  death  to-travel.”

Now  the-one  said,  “I-am-saying  to-you,  Peter,  not  it-will-sound  today,  a-rooster,  until  thrice,  me  you-will-deny,  to-know.”

And  he-said  to-them,  “When  I-sent-out  you  without  a-moneybag  and  a-pouch   and  sandals,  not  of-anything  you-had-a-lacking?”

Now  the-ones  said,  “Nothing.”

Now  he-said  to-them,  “But-on-the-contrary,  at-this-time,  the-one  having  a-moneybag,  let-him-take-up,  likewise  also  a-pouch,  and  the-one  not  having,  let-him-sell  the  garment  of-him,  and  let-him-buy-in-the-agora  a-sword.  For  I-am-saying  to-you  that  this,  the-thing  having-been-written,  it-is-necessary  to-be-finished  in  me,  the-thing.  ‘And  with  lawless-men  he-was-counted’,  for  also  the-thing  concerning  me,  an-end  it-has.”

Now  the-ones  said,  “Lord,  behold,  swords  here,  two.”​

Now  the-one  said,  “Enough  it-is.”
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September 20th, 2025

9/20/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday is known as the “Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost”. (This Sunday also happens to be Mission Observance Sunday at the congregation, but to talk about the texts for Mission Observance Sunday might be a bit distracting for the momentum that has been building for the past several months within the Gospel according to Luke. And the Gospel Reading for Mission Observance happens to be the last few verses of that Gospel account.) This Sunday’s usual Gospel Reading for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost does not jump as far the Mission Observance reading, but it is still a jump. Last week’s reading was Luke 15:1-10, and this week’s reading is Luke 16:1-15.

Within the writings of this website, we are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, but without skipping over any parts. And the writings are much farther along than the sixteenth chapter. These are the last few hours of Jesus’ life, before his death on the cross. That is certainly a memorable and important occasion. And this time a short section is given. But it includes the important institution of what is known as the Lord’s Supper (and it is also called the Eucharist). And the Gospel according to Luke contains a unique perspective with some unique words.

If this is your first encounter with these writings, it should be noted that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal account of the text. It can be difficult in some places, and having a study bible or at least another translation is encouraged so that there can be some understanding when some of those words are EXTREMELY unique.

Seeing the original language of the text is also important, and with such a translation, sometimes more of it can be seen than what is in a typical translation. The order of the words in English below shows the original order of the words in the Greek text. This helps to determine the importance of a word other than the verb, if that word is at or near the beginning of the sentence. 

The hyphens are designed to show how many English words are in a single Greek word. And the English words that are often chosen are designed to show how often the Greek words are somewhat similar to the English, although the meaning can change slightly, since some of these words have been around for many centuries. And do not forget that the writer is a doctor, and doctors may tend to use some rare words that are not used by most people.

So what follows, as was mentioned above, is an EXTREMELY literal translation of what could be called the first part of chapter twenty-two of the Gospel according to Luke (22:1-23):

Now  it-was-drawing-near,  the  Feast  of-the  Unleavened,  the  being-called  Pascha.  And  they-were-seeking,  the  archpriests  and  the  grammatists,  the  how  they-might-take-away  him;  for  they-were-fearing  the  people. 

Now  he-came-into,  Satan,  into  Judas,  the  being-called  Iscariot,  being  out-of  the  arithmetic  of-the  twelve;  and  having-come-away,  he-conversed-with  the  archpriests  and  strategists,  the  how,  to-them,  he-might-betray  him.  And  they-rejoiced,  and  they-agreed,  to-him,  silver  to-give.  And  he-confessed-out,  and  he-was-seeking  a-good-time,  of-the  to-betray  him,  apart-from  a-crowd  to-them.

Now  it-came,  the  day  of-the  Unleavened,  in  which  it-was-necessary  to-be-sacrificed,  the  Pascha;  and  he-sent-out  Peter  and  John,  having-said,  “Having-traveled,  prepare  for-us  the  Pascha,  in-order-that  we-may-eat.”

Now  the-ones  said  to-him,  “Where  do-you-want  we-may-prepare?”

Now  the-one  said  to-them,  “Behold,  having-come-into,  you,  into  the  city,  he-will-meet  you,  a-man,  a-jar  of-water  carrying;  follow  him  into  the  house  into  which  he-travels-into;  and  you-will-tell  to-the  house-despot  of-the  house,  ‘He-says  to-you,  the  Teacher,  “Where  is  the  breaking-up,  where  the  Pascha,  with  the  disciples  of-me,  I-may-eat?”’  That-one,  to-you,  he-will-show  an-upper-room,  mega,  having-been-spread;  there  prepare.”  Now  having-come-away,  they-found  just-as  he-had-told  them,  and  they-prepared  the  Pascha.
And  when  it-happened,  the  hour,  he-reclined,  and  the  apostles  with  him.  And  he-said  toward  them,  “With-desire,  I-desired  this,  the  Pascha,  to-eat  with  you,  before  the  me,  to-suffer.  For  I-am-saying  to-you  that  certainly  not  I-eat  it,  until  when  it-is-fulfilled  in  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”​

And  having-received  a-cup,  eucharistic,  he-said,  “Take  this  and  divide-up  into  yourselves;  for  I-am-saying  to-you  that  certainly  not  I-will-drink  from  the  now,  from  the  produce  of-the  vine,  until  which  the  kingdom  of-the  God  comes.”  And  having-taken  a-bread,  eucharistic,  he-broke,  and  he-gave  to-them,  saying,  “This  is  the-body  of-me,  the  on-behalf-of  you  being-given;  this  do,  into  the  my  remembrance.”  And  the  cup,  likewise,  after  the  to-eat-supper,  saying,  “This  the  cup,  the  new  disposition,  in  the  blood,  my,  the  on-behalf-of  you,  being-poured-out.”

“Nevertheless  behold,  the  hand  of-the  one-betraying  me,  with  me,  upon  the  table.  Because  indeed,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  according-to  the-thing  having-been-determined,  he-travels,  nevertheless  woe  to-the  man,  that-one,  through  whom  he-is-betrayed.”  And  they,  they-began  to-debate  toward  themselves,  the  which  then,  he-is  out-of  them,   the  this-thing  about  to-accomplish.
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September 13th, 2025

9/13/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues, and this Sunday is the “Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost”. And it should be noted that, as previous weeks have jumped over a few verses in the text from the previous Sunday, this Sunday’s Gospel Reading continues immediately after last Sunday’s reading, although it is numbered as the next chapter. The text for this Sunday is Luke 15:1-10.

It may be noted that another chapter number may not indicate a significant change from the previous verses and chapters. And although many of the sections start with the word in English “now”, that may not indicate a chronological connection to the event which follows. The Gospel according to Luke may be described as “orderly” (see the first few verses of the work for more detail), this part of the account deals with various topics, and the current one has to do with sin and repentance. And such a topic is usually not very popular. But it is an important one.

It may also be said that some people may not be fond of the EXTREMELY literal translation of the biblical texts within these writings. One of the reasons for such a translation is to encourage the reader to have another bible translation or a study bible nearby, so that a difficult text could be explained more clearly. To depend only upon on the translations of these writings for understanding may be very difficult.

It should also be said that this that such a translation is helpful to make a transition to the original language of the New Testament, that of ancient Greek. The words given below are in the same order as the words in the Greek text (expect for the postpositive words—those that normally appear as the second word in the sentence, but they are given first in the translation). And the hyphens below are given if there is more than one word in English to explain a single Greek word.

It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language, although the meaning could have changed over the centuries. I have also warned the readers in some of the previous writings that the writer of this gospel account was a doctor that had a huge vocabulary. Some people who know Greek may not know all the words of the text, and there is an attempt to show the rarity of some of these words within the translation.
The following should be stated clearly at the start: What follows is a LONG text. It contains the entire topic of the temple, and the temple is a big topic. And Jerusalem, because of the temple, is an important city.

The first part of the text is the widow’s gift into the treasury, and Jesus has some important things to say about that. Then there is the topic of the destruction of the temple, and that topic goes on for a while, and also connected to that topic is the idea of The End. You may wish to break up your reading into more than one session. So what follows, as was mentioned above, is an EXTREMELY literal translation of what is known as the twenty-first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke:

Now  having-looked-up,  he-saw  the-ones  throwing  into  the  guarded-treasury,  the  gifts  of-them,  rich-ones.  Now  he-saw  a-certain  widow,  poor,  throwing  there  lepta,  two,  and  he-said,  “Truly,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  the  widow,  this,  the  poor,  more  than-all  she-threw,  for  all  these,  out-of  the  thing-abounding  to-them,  they-threw  into  the  gifts,  now  this-one,  out-of  the  deficiency  of-her,  all  the  livelihood  which  she-had,  she-threw.”

And  some  speaking  about  the  temple,  that  with-stones,  good  and  offerings  it-has-been-adorned,  he-said,  “These-things  which  you-behold,  they-will-come,  days,  in  which  not  there-will-be-left,  stone  upon  stone,  which  not  will-be-destroyed-completely.”

Now  they-questioned  him  saying,  “Teacher,  therefore  when  these-things  will-it-be?  And  what  the  sign  when  they-are-about,  these-things,  to-happen?”

Now  the-one  said,  “Look,  that-not  you-are-led-astray;  for  many  will-come  upon  the  name  of-me  saying,  ‘I,  I-am,’  and  ‘The  time  has-drawn-near.’  Do-not  journey  after  them.  Now  when  you-hear  of-wars  and   riots,  do-not  be-terrified,  for  it-is-necessary,  these-things  to-happen  first,  but-on-the-contrary  not  immediately  the  end.” 

Then  he-was-saying  to-them,  “It-will-raise-up,  a-nation  upon  a-nation  and  a-kingdom  upon  a-kingdom;  both  earthquakes,  great  and  according-to  place;  famines  and  pestilences  there-will-be,  both  terrors  and  from  heaven  signs,  great-ones,  there-will-be.  Now  before  these-things,  all,  they-will-throw-upon,  upon  you,  the  hands  of-them,  and  they-will-persecute,  giving-you-over  into  the  synagogues  and  prisons,  being-led-away  upon  kings  and  governors  for-the-sake-of  the  name  of-me;  it-will-turn-out  to-you  into  a-witness.  Therefore,  put  in  the  hearts  of-you  not  to-practice-beforehand  to-make-an-apology.  For  I,  I-will-give  to-you  a-mouth  and  wisdom,  which  not  they-will-be-able  to-withstand  or  to-contradict,  all  the-ones  opposing  you.  Now  you-will-be-given-over  also  by  parents  and  brothers  and  relatives  and  friends,  and  they-will-kill  from  you,  and  you-will-be,  being-hated  by  all,  on-account-of  the  name  of-me.  And  a-hair  out-of  the  head  of-you,  certainly  not  it-will-perish;  in  the  remaining-under  of-you,  you-will-gain  the  souls  of-you.” 
“Now  when  you-see  being-surrounded  by  army-camps,  Jerusalem,  then  know  that  it-has-come-near,  the  desolation  of-it.  Then  the-ones  in  the  Judea,  let-them-flee  into  the  mountains,  and  the-ones  in  midst  of-it,  let-them-depart-out,  and  the-ones  in  the  country,  not  let-them-come-into,  into  it,  because  days  of-vengeance  these  are,  of-the  to-be-fulfilled,  all  the-things  having-been-written.  Woe  to-the-ones  in  gastric  having,  and  to-the-ones  nursing  in  those  the  days,  for  there-will-be  distress,  great,  upon  the  earth,  and  wrath  to-the  people,  this.  And  they-will-fall  by-mouth  of-sword,  and  they-will-be-taken-captive  into  the  nations,  all;  and  Jerusalem  will-be,  being-trampled  by  nations,  until  which  they-are-fulfilled  appointed-times  of-nations.” 
“And  there-will-be  signs  in  sun  and  moon  and  stars,  and  upon  the  earth,  distress  of-nations  in-perplexity  of-roaring  of-sea  and  surf,  fainting  people,  from  fear  and  expectation  of-the  things-coming-upon  the  inhabited-earth,  for  the  powers  of-the  heavens,  they-will-be-shaken.  And  then  they-will-see  the  Son  of-the  Man  coming  in  a-cloud  with  power  and  glory,  much.  Now  beginning,  these-things  to-happen,  stand-up-straight  and  lift-up  the  heads  of-you,  because  it-is-coming-near,  the  redemption  of-you.”

And  he-told  a-parable  to-them,  “See  the  fig-tree  and  all  the  trees.  When  they-throw-before  already,  seeing  from  yourselves  you-know,  that  already,  near  the  summer  is;  Thus  also  you,  when  you-see  these-things  happening,  you-know  that  near  is  the  kingdom  of-the  God.  Amen,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  certainly  not  it-will-pass-away,  the  generation,  this,  until  which  all-things  happen.  The  heaven  and  the  earth,  they-will-pass-away,  now  the  words  of-me  certainly  not  they-will-pass-away.  Now  pay-attention  to-yourselves  in-order-that-not  they-become-burdened  of-you,  the hearts,  with  drinking  and  drunkenness  and  anxieties  of-life,  and  it-come-upon,  upon  you  suddenly,  the  day,  that,  as  a-trap;  for  it-will-come-upon,  upon  all  the-ones  sitting  upon  face  of-all  the  earth.  Now  be-watchful  in  every  time,  begging  that  you-may-be-strong  to-escape  these-things,  all,  the-ones  being-about  to-happen,  and  to-stand  before  the  Son  of-the  Man.”

Now  he-was  the  days  in  the  temple  teaching,  now  the  nights  coming-out,  he-was-lodging  into  the  mountain,  the-one  being-called  “Of-olives”.  And  all  the  people  came-in-the-morning  toward  him  in  the  temple  to-hear  him.​

Congratulations; you made it to the end!

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September 06th, 2025

9/6/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues, and this Sunday is the “Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost”. As in previous weeks, the Gospel Reading for this week continues after a little jump from the text that was last Sunday’s reading. The text for this Sunday is Luke 14:25-35. The jump that was made starts the text by mentioning that MANY crowds were traveling WITH Jesus, and that did not happen too often. Did they know that Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to die on a cross? We will see.

It has also been mentioned before that the current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, from beginning to end, not skipping any parts. And we are currently looking at what is called chapter twenty. And Jesus is in Jerusalem during this time, and the tension is at an all-time high. It was just related that the writers and the arch-priests were trying to lay their hands on Jesus.

It will probably be helpful to relate that the text below has been translated in an EXTREMELY literal fashion. And with that style of translation, there are still many different ways in which the translation could go. Having another bible translation or study bible nearby may be helpful in a study of the text below. The English words are given in the order in which they appear in the appear in the text. The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words have been given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language. (The point should also be made that this English-Greek connection does not take into account that the meanings of words often change over the centuries.) It should also be said that the writer of this biblical text was a doctor, and since doctors tend to have a great vocabulary, some of these Greek words are extremely rare, and the attempt is to reflect that also in the translation. So what follows is an extremely literal translation of Luke 20:20-47:

And  keeping-alongside  they-sent-out  those-in-ambush,  hypocritical  themselves  righteous  to-be,  that  they-might-lay-hold-upon  him  a-word,  so-as  to-give-over  him  to-the  arch  and  to-the  authority  of-the  ruler.  And  they-questioned  him  saying,  “Teacher,  we-know  that  rightly  you-are-saying,  and  you-teach,  and  not  you-receive  a-face,  but-on-the-contrary  upon  truth,  the  way  of-the  God  you-teach;  is-it-lawful  for-us  to-Caesar,  tribute  to-give  or  not?”

Now  fully-knowing  their  the  skill-to-do-all,  he-said  toward  them,  “Show  to-me  a-denarius.  Of-whom  it-has  an-icon  and  epigraph?”

Now  the-ones  said,  “Of-Caesar.”

Now  the-one  said  toward  them,  “So-now  give-over  the-things  of-Caesar  to-Caesar  and  the-things  of-the  God  to-the  God.”  And  not  they-had-strength  to-lay-upon  of-him  a-word  in-the-presence-of  the  people,  and  marveling  upon  the  answer  of-him,  they-were-silent.

Now  having-come-toward,  some  of-the  Sadducees,  the-ones  anti-saying  a-resurrection  not  to-be,  they-questioned  him  saying,  “Teacher,  Moses  wrote  to-us,  ‘If  of-anyone  a-brother  dies,  having  a-wife,  and  this-one  childless  is,  that  he-should-take,  the  brother  of-him,  the  wife,  and  he-should-raise-up  seed  for-the  brother  of-him.’  Therefore,  seven  brothers  there-were,  and  the  first,  having-taken  a-wife,  he-died  childless;  and  the  second  and  the  third  took  her,  now  similarly  also  the  seven,  not  they-left-behind  children,  and  they-died.  Lastly  also  the  woman  died.  Therefore  the  woman  in  the  resurrection,  of-which  of-them  she-becomes  wife?  For  the  seven  had  her,  wife.”

And  he-said  to-them,  the  Jesus,  “The  sons  of-the  eon,  this,  they-marry  and  they-are-given-in-marriage,  now  the-ones  counted-worthy  of-the  eon,  that,  to-obtain  and  of-the  resurrection  of-the,  out-of  dead,  neither  they-marry  nor  they-are-given-in-marriage;  for  not-even  to-die  more  they-are-able,  for  equal-to-angels  they-are,  and  sons,  they-are  of-God,  of-the  resurrection,  sons  being.  Now  that  they-are-raised,  the  dead,  even  Moses  pointed-out  upon  the  bush,  as  he-calls  Lord  the  God  of-Abraham  and  God  of-Isaac  and  God  of-Jacob;  now  God,  not  he-is  of-dead-persons,  but-on-the-contrary  of-living;  for  all  to-him  live.”

Now  having-answered,  some  of-the  writers  said,  “Teacher,  well  you-said.”  For  no-more  they-were-daring  to-question  him  nothing.

Now  he-said  toward  them,  “How  they-say  the  Christ  to-be  of-David  son?  For  himself,  David,  he-says  in  bible  of-psalms,  ‘He-said,  Lord  to-the  lord  of-me:  “Sit  at  right  of-me,  until  when  I-place  the  enemies  of-you,  a-footstool  of-the  feet  of-you.”’  Therefore  David,  Lord,  him  he-calls,  and  how  of-him  a-son  he-is?”

Now  hearing  all  the  people,  he-said  to-the  disciples  of-him,  “Pay-attention-to  from  the  writers,  the-ones  wanting  to-walk-about  in-stoles  and  brotherly-loving  greetings  in  the  agoras  and  proto-seats  in  the  synagogues  and  proto-recliners  in  the  suppers,  the-ones  they-eat-up  the  houses  of-the  widows  and  outward-showing  macro  they-pray;  these  will-receive  more-severe  judgment.”
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August 30th, 2025

8/30/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday is the “Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost”. As in previous weeks, the Gospel Reading for this week continues after a little jump from the text that was last Sunday’s reading. The text for this Sunday is Luke 14:1-14. The jump that was made jumps over Jesus mentioning Jerusalem and how close he was getting to it, and a brief mention is also made to his death. As was said before in the in writings of this website, the tension is heightening. And Jesus is heading up to the cross.

It has also been said before that the current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, from beginning to end, not skipping any parts. And we are currently looking at what is usually called chapter twenty. And Jesus is in Jerusalem during this time, and the tension is at an all-time high. At the end of the last reading there were three groups of people wanting to destroy Jesus. At the end of this reading the first two groups are again mentioned, and this time they are described as wanting to “throw their hands upon him”. The first step toward the attempted destruction is laid out.

It will also probably be helpful to relate that the text below has been translated in an EXTREMELY literal fashion. Having another bible translation or study bible nearby may be helpful in a study of the text. The extremity of the following translation is mainly due to the fact that the order of the English translation below is given in the order in which it appears in the language of the New Testament. It may be said that the verb is often at the beginning of the sentence, so the early appearance of a significant word other than the verb is seen as significant.

The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words have been given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language. It should also be said that the writer of this biblical text was a doctor, and since doctors tend to have a great vocabulary, some of these Greek words are extremely rare, and the attempt is to reflect that also in the translation. So what follows is an extremely literal translation of Luke 20:1-19:

And  it-happened  in  one  of-the  days,  teaching,  he,  the  people  in  the  temple,  and  evangelizing,  they-stood-upon,  the  arch-priests  and  the  writers  with  the  presbyters,  and  they-spoke,  saying  toward  him,  “Say  to-us  in  what  authority,  these-things  you-are-doing,  or  who  is  the-one  having-given  to-you  the  authority,  this?”​

Now  having-answered,  he-said  toward  them,  “I-will-ask  you,  also-I,  a-word,  and  say  to-me:  The  baptism  of-John,  from  heaven  was-it,  or  from  men?”
And  they-syllogized  toward  themselves,  saying,  “If  we-say,  ‘From  heaven’,  he-will-say,  ‘On-account-of  what,  not  did-you-believe  him?’  Now  if  we-say,  ‘From  men’,  the  people,  all,  they-will-stone  us,  for  having-been-persuaded,  it-is  John,  a-prophet,  to-be.  And  they-answered,  “Not  we-know  from-where.”

And  the  Jesus  said  to-them,  “Neither  I,  I-am-saying  to-you  in  what  authority,  these-things  I-do. 

Now  he-began  toward  the  people  to-tell  the  parable,  this:  “A-man,  a-certain-one,  he-planted  a-vineyard,  and  he-gave-out  it  to-tenant-farmers,  and  he-went-abroad  for-periods,  considerable.  And  in-time  he-sent-out  toward  the  tenant-farmers  a-servant,  in-order-that  from  the  fruit  of-the  vineyard  they-will-give  to-him;  now  the  tenant-farmers,  they-sent-out  him,  having-beaten,  empty.  And  he-placed-toward  hetero  to-send  a-servant;  now  the-ones,  also-that-one,  having-beaten  and  having-dishonored,  they-sent-out  empty.  And  he-placed-toward  a-third  to-send;  now  the-ones,  also  this-one,  having-traumatized,  they-threw-out.  Now  he-said,  the  lord  of-the  vineyard,  ‘What  will-I-do?  I-will-send  the  son,  my,  the  loved-one;  perhaps  this-one  they-will-respect.’  Now  having-seen  him,  the  tenant-farmers  were-dialoguing  toward  one-another  saying,  ‘This-one,  he-is  the  heir;  let-us-kill  him,  in-order-that  ours,  it-may-become,  the  inheritance.’  And  having-thrown-out  him,  out-of  the  vineyard,  they-killed.  Therefore,  what  will-he-do  to-them,  the  lord  of-the  vineyard?  He-will-come,  and  he-will-destroy  the  tenant-farmers,  those,  and  he-will-give  the  vineyard  to-others.”

Now  having-heard,  they-said,  “Not  may-it-happen!”

Now  the-one,  having-looked-at  them,  he-said,  “Therefore,  what  is  the  thing-having-been-written,  this,  ‘A-stone  which  they-rejected,  the-ones  building,  this  it-was-made  into  head  of-corner’?  Every,  the-one  having-fallen  upon  that,  the  stone,  he-will-be-shattered;  now  upon  whom  ever  it-falls,  it-will-pulverize  him.”

And  they-sought,  the  writers  and  the  arch-priests,  to-throw-upon,  upon  him,  the  hands  in  that  the  hour,  and  they-feared  the  people,  for  they-knew  that  toward  them,  he-said  the  parable,  this.
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August 23rd, 2025

8/23/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and if you have been following these writings, it should be no surprise that the title for this Sunday is the “Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost”. And it should also be no surprise that the Gospel Reading for this week continues after a little jump from the text that was last Sunday’s reading. The text for this Sunday is Luke 13:22-30. And the context remains the same as in the previous chapters. Jesus is getting closer and closer to Jerusalem. And I do not think you would be surprised to learn that the tension is heightening.

The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, from beginning to end, not skipping any parts. And we are currently looking at what is typically called chapter nineteen. And Jesus is finally entering Jerusalem within this text.

If this is the first time dealing with the writings of this website, it will be helpful to know that the text below has been translated in an extremely literal way. With such a translation, a familiar text may not be so familiar. Having another bible translation or study bible nearby would in all likelihood be helpful.

The text below is given in the order in which it appears in the language of the New Testament, and generally the words closer to the beginning of the sentence are the more important ones. And the verb is usually very early in the sentence. The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words have been given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language.


Since the writer of this biblical text was a doctor, and since doctors tend to have a great vocabulary, some of these Greek words are extremely rare, and the attempt is to reflect that in the translation. As was mentioned above, here is an extremely literal translation of Luke 19:29-48:


And  it-happened  as  he-drew-near  into  Bethphage  and  Bethany,  toward  the  mount,  the-one  being-called  “Of-olives”;  he-sent-out  two  of-the  disciples,  saying,  “Depart  into  the  opposite  village,  in  which,  going-into,  you-will-find  a-colt,  having-been-tied,  upon  which  no-one  ever  of-people  sat,  and  having-loosened  it,  bring.  And  if  a-certain-one,  you,  he-asks,  ‘On-account-of  why  are-you-loosening?’  Thus  you-will-say,  ‘The  Lord  of-it,  a-need,  he-has.’” 
​

Now having-come-away,  the-ones  having-been-sent-out,  they-found  just-as  he-said  to-them.  Now  loosening,  they,  the  colt;  they-said,  the  lords  of-it,  toward  them,  “Why  are-you-loosening  the  colt?”

Now  the-ones  said,  “The  Lord  of-it,  a-need,  he-has.”  And  they-led  it  toward  the  Jesus,  and  having-thrown-upon,  of-them  the  garments,  upon  the  colt;  they-set-upon,  the  Jesus.  Now  going,  he,  they-were-spreading-out  the  garments,  theirs,  in  the  way. 

Now  drawing-near,  he,  already  at  the  descent  of-the  mount  of-the  olives,  they-began,  all  the  multitude  of-the  disciples,  rejoicing,  to-praise  the  God,  with-a-voice,  a-mega-one,  concerning  all  which  they-saw,  the-dynamite-deeds,  saying,  “Having-been-blessed,  the  coming-one,  the  king  in  name  of-Lord;  in  heaven  peace,  and  glory  in  highest-places.”

And  some  of-the  Pharisees  from  the  crowd,  they-said  toward  him,  “Teacher,  rebuke  the  disciples  of-you.”

And  having-answered,  he-said,  “I-am-saying  to-you,  if  these  will-be-silent,  the  stones  will-cry-out.”

And  as  he-drew-near,  having-seen  the  city,  he-wept  over  it,  saying,  “If  you-knew  in  the  day,  this,  even  you  the -things  toward  peace,  now  at-this-present-moment,  it-was-hidden  from  eyes  of-you.  Because  they-will-come,  days,  upon  you,  and  they-will-throw-up-alongside,  the  enemies  of-you,  a-stake  to-you,  and  they-will-encircle  you,  and  they-will-press-in-on  you,  on-every-side,  and  they-will-knock-to-the-ground  you  and the  children  of-you  in  you,  and  not  they-will-leave  a-stone  upon  a-stone  in  you,  because  of-which  not  you-knew  the  appointed-time  of-the  episcopy,  your.”

And  having-come-into,  into  the  temple,  he-began  to-throw-out  the-ones  selling,  saying  to-them,  “It-has-been-written,  ‘And  it-shall-be,  the  house  of-me,  a-house  of-prayer.’  Now  you,  it,  you-made  a-cave  of-robbers.”

And  he-was  teaching,  the  each  day,  in  the  temple;  now  the  archpriests  and  the  writers,  they-were-seeking  him  to-destroy,  and  the  protos  of-the  people,  and  not  they-found  the  what  they-should-do,  for  the  people,  all,  they-were-hanging-upon  him,  hearing.

At the beginning of the text did you catch the contrast between THE Lord and the lords or owners of the colt? That title is often used within this account. And it is an important word that is used even today.

Regarding the last few words of the above text, you can probably guess how many times the verb “to hang upon” is used in the New Testament. It appears nowhere else in the New Testament, and in the Greek translation of the Old Testament it is used only one time, figuratively in Genesis 44:30. But it is interesting that only the Gospel according to Luke (23:39) describes the criminals who were crucified next to Jesus as hanging. That word is the base of the word above.

It is a rare thing for someone who is crucified to be described as “hanging”. People were hanging next to Jesus in life. And they were hanging next to him in death. Jesus is certainly special. And he leads the way in both life and death situations. That pretty much covers it all.
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August 16th, 2025

8/16/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and the name for this Sunday is the “Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading for this week continues on from the text that was last Sunday’s reading, but a small jump is made. The text for this Sunday is Luke 12:49-53, and there is the option this Sunday as well to include verses 54 to 56. The context remains the same as in the previous chapters, with Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. He is getting MUCH closer. And if you hear the words of this Gospel Reading, you will be able to tell that the tension is heightening.

The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, from beginning to end, not skipping any part. And we are currently looking at what is typically called chapter nineteen. In this text Jesus is getting EXTREMELY close to Jerusalem.

If this is the first time dealing with the writings of this website, it will be helpful to know that the text below has been translated in an extremely literal way. Having another bible translation or study bible nearby would in all likelihood be helpful.

The text below is given in the order in which it appears in the language of the New Testament, and generally the words closer to the beginning of the sentence are the more important ones. The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words have been given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language. You probably already knew that there are countless ways to translate various words. And since the writer of this biblical text was a doctor, and since doctors tend to have a great vocabulary, some of these Greek words are extremely rare. Whether rare or not, whether ancient or not, words are important, and this is especially when it comes to the words of the Lord. And we will see that title coming up more than once within the following text.

Here is a translation into English of Luke 19:1-28:

And  having-come-into,  he-was-coming-through  the  Jericho.  And  behold,  a-man  with-name  being-called  Zacchaeus,  and  he,  he-was  a  arch-tax-collector,  and  he,  rich;  and  he-was-seeking  to-see  the  Jesus,  who  he-was,  and  not  he-was-able   from  the  crowd,  because  in-the  stature,  a-micron  he-was.  And  having-run-forward  into  the  front,  he-went-up  upon  a-sycamore-tree,  in-order-that  he-might-see  him,  because  that,  he-was-about  to-come-through.

And  as  he-came  upon  the  place,  having-looked-up,  the  Jesus,  he-said  toward  him,  “Zacchaeus,  having-hurried,  come-down;  for  today  in  the  house  of-you,  it-is-necessary  me  to-remain.”  And  having-hurried,  he-came-down,  and  he-welcomed  him,  rejoicing. 

And  having-seen,  all,  they-were-murmuring,  saying,  “Along-with  a-sinful  man  he-came-into,  to-lodge.”

Now  having-stood,  Zacchaeus,  he-said  toward  the  Lord,  “Behold,  the  half  of-me  of-the  possessions,  Lord,  to-the  poor  I-am-giving,  and  if  anyone,  anything  I-extorted,  I-give-back  tetra-fold.”

Now  he-said  toward  him,  the  Jesus,  “Today  salvation  to-the  house,  this,  it-happened;  because  also  he,  a-son  of-Abram  he-is.  For  he-came,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  to-seek  and  to-save  the-thing  having-been-lost.”

Now  hearing,  they,  these-things,  having-added,  he-said  a-parable,  because  the  near  to-be  Jerusalem,  he;  and  to-think  they,  that  at-once  it-was-about,  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  to-show-up.  Therefore  he-said,  “A-man,  a-certain-one,  well-born,  he-went  into  country,  a-far-one,  to-receive  for-himself  a-kingdom  and  to-return.  Now  having-called  ten  slaves  of-himself,  he-gave  to-them  ten  minas,  and  he-said  toward  them,  ‘Be-pragmatic  in  which  I-am-coming.’  Now  the  political-ones  of-him,  they-hated  him,  and  they-sent-out  a-seniority  after  him  saying,  ‘Not  do-we-want  this-man  to-rule  over  us.’  And  it-happened  in  the  coming-back,  he,  having-received  the  kingdom,  and  he-said  to-be-called  to-him  the  slaves,  these,  to-whom  he-had-given  the  silver,  in-order-that  he-might-know  what  they-gained-through-pragmatism.  Now  he-happened-along,  the  first,  saying,  ‘Lord,  the  mina  of-you,  ten,  it-worked-in-addition  minas.’  And  he-said  to-him,  ‘Great-indeed,  good  slave,  because  in  a-least-thing  faithful  you-became;  be  authority,  having  over  ten  cities.’  And  he-came,  the  second-one,  saying,  ‘The  mina  of-you,  Lord,  it-made  five  minas.’  Now  he-said  also  to-this-one,  ‘And  you,  over,  happen,  five  cities.’  And  the  hetero,  he-came,  saying,  ‘Lord,  behold,  the  mina  of-you,  which  I-had  being-put-away  in  a-handkerchief.  For  I-had-a-phobia-of  you,  because  a-man,  austere,  you-are;  you-take  what  not  you-did-place,  and  you-reap  what  not  you-did-sow.  HE-SAYS  to-him,  ‘Out-of  the  mouth  of-you  I-will-judge  you,  evil  slave.  You-knew  that  I, a-man,  austere,  I-am,  taking  what  not  I-placed,  and  reaping  what  not  I-sowed?  And  on-account-of  what  not  you-did-give  of-me  the  silver  upon  a-banker-table?  And-I  having-come  with  interest  then,  it  I-would-have-collected.’  And  to-the-ones  standing-by  he-said,  ‘Take  from  him  the  mina,  and  give  to-the-one,  the  ten  minas  having.’  And  they-said  to-him,  ‘Lord,  he-has  ten  minas.’  ‘I-am-saying  to-you  that  to-everyone,  the-one  having,  it-will-be-given;  now  from  the  not  having,  even  what  he-has,  it-will-be-taken.  Nevertheless,  the  enemies  of-me,  these,  the-ones  not  having-wanted  me  to-reign  over  them,  lead-them  here  and  slaughter  them  in-front-of  me.’”  And  having-said  these-things,  he-was-going  in-front-of-them,  going-up  into  Jerusalem.
​
Again, if this is the first time with these writings, it should be noted that the verb in capital letters in the above translation is an historical present. That is where a past tense verb is expected, but a present tense is given. Much could be said about such a thing. But it should be noted that in this Gospel account these verbs have a great amount of variety in terms of who is speaking them. But we are getting close to the end. And at this point it is the One in charge who SAYS some important words. And that would make good sense that the Lord of heaven and earth, when things are said by him in the past, they are also extremely important in the present. And it is certainly wonderful that a similar thing happens with the following words, “I forgive you all your sins….”
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August 9th, 2025

8/9/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and the appropriate name for this Sunday is the “Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading for this week continues on from the text that was last Sunday’s reading. The text for this Sunday is Luke 12:22-34, and there is the option this Sunday as well to include verses 35 to 40. The context remains the same as in the previous chapters, with Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. And Jesus’ words certainly help to keep things in a proper perspective, wherever we are on the Journey.

The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, from beginning to end, not skipping any part. And we are currently looking at what is typically called chapter eighteen.

If this is the first time dealing with the writings of this website, it will be helpful to know that the text below has been translated in an EXTREMELY literal way. Having another bible translation or study bible nearby would probably be helpful.

The text below is given in the order in which it appears in the language of the New Testament, and generally the words closer to the beginning of the sentence are the more important ones. The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words have been given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen have been deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language. There are countless ways to translate various words. And since the writer of this biblical text was a doctor, and since doctors tend to have a great vocabulary, some of these Greek words are extremely rare. Whether rare or not, words are important, especially the words of the Lord.

Here is a translation into English of Luke 18:18-43 (a division may be made at the start of this section because there is a difference between “now” and “and”. The word “now” appears more frequently; the word “and” is more rare, and it tends to come up when a more significant change is made in the progression of the text):

And  he-questioned,  a-certain-man,  him,  a-ruler,  saying,  “Teacher,  good,  what  having-done,  life  eternal  will-I-inherit?”
Now  he-said  to-him,  the  Jesus,  “Why  me,  you-are-saying  ‘good’?  No-one  good  if  not  one,  the  God.  The  commandments  you-know,  ‘Do-not  commit-adultery;  do-not  murder;  do-not  steal;  do-not  pseudo-witness;  honor  the  father  of-you  and  the  mother’.”

Now  the-one  said,  “These-things,  all,  I-have-guarded  from  youth.”

Now  having-heard,  the  Jesus,  he-said  to-him,  “Still  one-thing  to-you  is-lacking;  all-things  how-many  you-have,  sell  and  distribute  to-poor,  and  you-will-have  a-thesaurus  in  the  heavens,  and  come,  follow  me.”  Now  the-one,  having-heard  these-things,  very-grieved  he-became,  for  he-was  rich,  extremely.  Now  having-seen  him,  the  Jesus,  very-grieved  having-become,  he-said,  “How  with-difficulty  the-ones  the  possessions  having,  into  the  kingdom  of-the  God  they-go-into;  for  easier  it-is  a-camel  through  eye  of-a-needle  to-come-into,  than  a-rich-man, into  the  kingdom  of-the  God  to-come-into.”

Now  they-said,  the-ones  having-heard,  “And  who  has-the-power  to-be-saved?”
Now  the-one  said,  “The-things  impossible  with  men,  possible  with  the  God,  it-is.”
Now  he-said,  the  Peter,  “Behold,  we,  having-left  the  our-own-things,  we-followed  you.”

Now  the-one  said  to-them,  “Amen,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  no-one  is  who  left  house  or  wife  or  brothers  or  parents  or  children  for-the-sake-of  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  who  not  certainly  he-will-receive  much-more  in  the  time,  this,  and  in  the  age,  the  coming,  life  eternal.”

Now  having-taken-aside  the  twelve,  he-said  toward  them,  “Behold,  we-are-going-up  into  Jerusalem,  and  it-will-be-accomplished  all-things,  the-ones  having-been-written  through  the  prophets  to-the  Son  of-the  Man;  for  he-will-be-given-over  to-the  nations,  and  he-will-be-mocked,  and  he-will-be-insulted,  and  he-will-be-spit-at,  and  having-whipped,  they-will-kill  him,  and  on-the  day,  the  third,  he-will-rise-up.”  And  they,  none  of-these-things  they-understood,  and  it-was,  the  saying,  this,  having-been-hidden  from  them,  and  not  they-knew  the-things  being-said.

Now  it-happened  in  the,  to-draw-near,  he,  into  Jericho,  a-blind-man,  a-certain-one,  he-was-sitting  along   the  way,  begging.  Now  having-heard  a-crowd  traveling-through,  he-was-inquiring  what  might-be  this.  Now  they-reported  to-him,  “Jesus,  the  Nazarene,  is-coming-by.” 

And  he-blurted-out,  saying,  “Jesus,  son  of-David,  have-mercy-on  me.”

And  the-ones  leading-ahead  they-were-rebuking  him,  in-order-that  he-should-be-quiet;  now  he,  by-much  more,  he-was-crying-out,  “Son  of-David,  have-mercy-on  me.”

Now  having-stood,  the  Jesus,  he-commanded  him  to-be-brought toward  him.  Now  having-drawn-near,  he,  he-questioned  him:  “What  for-you  do-you-want  I-do?”​

Now  the-one  said,  “Lord,  that  I-may-see-again.”
And  the  Jesus  said  to-him,  “See-again;  the  faith  of-you  has-saved  you.”  And  instantly  he-saw-again.  And  he-was-following  him,  glorifying  the  God.  And  all  the  people,  having-seen,  gave  praise  to-the  God. 
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August 2nd, 2025

8/2/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and perhaps you knew that this Sunday is called the “Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.” The Gospel Reading for this week makes a slight jump to the next chapter, and the text is Luke 12:13-21. The context is the same as was started in chapter nine; Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.

The current writings of this website are also going through the Gospel according to Luke, not skipping any part, taking the entire work into account. We are a bit farther along in this, and we are currently dealing with chapter seventeen.

If you are unfamiliar with the writings of this website, it should be stated that the section of the text below is given in an EXTREMELY literal translation. The purpose of such a translation is to help the reader delve into the text. Another bible translation or study bible nearby would probably be very helpful.

To be more specific, the text below is given in the order in which it appears in the language of the New Testament. The hyphens are designed to help the reader see how many English words are given to explain one Greek word. It should also be said that some of the English words chosen are deliberately chosen to show how close they are to the Greek language. And some of these Greek words are quite rare (as you might expect someone like a doctor to have), but they are still important, and they certainly deliver an important message. This chapter happens to deal with the second coming of Christ.

What follows is a very different translation of Luke 17:20-37:

Now  having-been-questioned  by  the  Pharisees,  when  it-is-coming,  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  he-answered  them,  and  he-said,  “Not  it-is-coming,  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  with  observation,  nor  they-will-say,  ‘Behold,  here’,  or  ‘There’;  for  behold,  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  in-the-midst  of-you,  it-is.”

Now  he-said  toward  the  disciples,  “They-will-come,  days,  when  you-will-desire  one  of-the  days  of-the  Son  of-the  Man  to-see,  and  not  you-will-see.  And  they-will-say  to-you,  ‘Behold,  there’;  or  ‘Behold,  here’.  Not  do-come-away  nor  pursue.  For  just-as  the  lightning,  flashing  out-of  the  under  the  heaven,  into  the  under  heaven,  it-shines;  so  he-will-be,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  in  the  day  of-him.”

“Now  first,  it-is-necessary,  him,  many-things  to-suffer,  and  to-be-disapproved  from  the  generation,  this.  And  just-as  it-happened  in  the  days  of-Noah,  so  it-will-be  also  in  the  days  of-the  Son  of-the  Man;  they-were-eating,  they-were-drinking,  they-were-marrying,  they-were-being-given-in-marriage,  until  which  day,  he-came-into,  Noah,  into  the  box,  and  it-came,  the  cataclysm,  and  it-destroyed  all.  Likewise  just-as  it-happened  in  the  days  of-Lot;  they-were-eating,  they-were-drinking,  they-were-on-the-agora,  they-were-selling,  they-were-planting,  they-were-building.  Now  on-the  day  he-came-out,  Lot,  from  Sodom,  it-rained  fire  and  sulfur  from  heaven,  and  it-destroyed  all.”

“According-to  the  same-things  it-will-be,  in-which  day  the  Son  of-the  Man,  is-apocalypsed.  In  that,  the  day,  who  will-be  upon  the  roof,  and  the  gear  of-him  in  the  house,  not  let-him-come-down  to-take  them,  and  the-one  in  a-field,  likewise  not  let-him-turn-back  into  the-things  behind.  Remember  the  wife  of-Lot.  Who  ever  seeks  the  psyche  of-him  to-preserve,  he-will-lose  it,  now  who  ever  will-lose,  he-will-give-life-to  it.  I-am-saying  to-you,  in-this  the  night,  there-will-be  two-men  upon  a-couch;  one,  the  one  will-be-taken-away,  and  the  other  will-be-left;  there-will-be  two-women  grinding  upon  the  same,  the  one  will-be-taken-away,  now  the  other  will-be-left.”

And  having-answered,  THEY-SAY  to-him,  “Where,  Lord?” 

Now  the-one  said  to-them,  “Where  the  body,  there  also  the  vultures  will-be-synagogued-upon.”

Much could be said about any text of the scriptures. And much could be said about this section. So that you are not too confused after going through what was above, it should be noted that the words in capital letters near the end of the text are meant to stand out because the verb is in the present tense, and in this situation a past tense verb would normally be used. It should not be too surprising that this event in grammar is called the historical present.

There is not the frequency of the historical present in this account as much as there was in the previous two accounts. Within the Gospel according to Luke though there has been a great variety of people attached to the historical present verbs.
​
Finally we are getting to the disciples having a word that is important enough to come into the present. And it is a question. And that is an okay thing. The followers of Jesus can have questions. The frequent question in the Small Catechism of the Lutheran Church is, in German, Was ist das? In English it is usually translated as “What does this mean?” The faith is as of a child.

The followers of Jesus can also gather together. And this is not a perfect thing. People can easily be disappointed when it comes to seeing some of the actions of some Christians. But the Lord still works among his sinners. He still works among various groups of people. And he still does some amazing things.
​
Whatever the person, whatever the place, whatever the situation, what Jesus did on the cross makes a difference. It does not matter that it happened long ago. The crucified life makes an eternal difference to the follower of Christ.
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July 26th, 2025

7/26/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues on, and this Sunday is the “Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.” And the Gospel Reading of Luke 11:1-13 brings up the topic of prayer. And Jesus continues to make his way toward Jerusalem.

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. And with this week’s writing we a bit farther than the Gospel Reading.
But the reading below also mentions that Jesus was making his way toward Jerusalem. This has been connected to the living creature of this account, the ox, the one who easily will pull some farm machinery through the rough soil, so that it would eventually bear fruit. And it does help for that ox to go in a straight line, if that is what may be helpful for the one planting the crops.

If you have been reading the previous writings of this website, you would know that the previous two writings both covered an entire chapter of the Gospel according to Luke. They were relatively short chapters, and they essentially covered one topic.

If chapter seventeen were divided into two parts, the first would deal with the troubles that come to the follower of Christ. And the second would deal with the second coming of Christ. Both those topics are important, since the first one will happen until the second. (A hint of this perspective is given below by calling the disciples “apostles” and calling Jesus “Lord”.)

If this is the first experience with the writings of this website, there are a couple of things to mention. First of all, it is good to know that there are a LOT of ways to translate a text. The biblical text below is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text. It takes into account the word order of the text in the original language of the New Testament. In general, the earlier in the sentence, the more important the word is. 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, it should not be too surprising that the words he has chosen are sometimes very rare ones. An attempt was made to have that characteristic also reflected in the words below.

All of this was attempted within this translation, and all of this can make it a difficult text to follow. Looking at another translation or a study bible is HIGHLY recommended. And here is Luke 17:1-19:

Now  he-said  toward  the  disciples,  his,  “Impossible  it-is,  of  the  scandals,  not  to-come;  now  woe  through  whom  they-come.  It-profits  him  if  a-stone  of-a-mill,  is-put-around,  around  the  trachea  of-him,  and  he-has-been-thrown  into  the  sea,  than  that  he-should-scandalize  the  microns  of-these,  one.  Take-heed  to-yourselves.  If  he-sins,  the  brother  of-you,  rebuke  him,  and  if  he-repents,  release  him.  And  if,  seven-times  of-the  day  he-sins  into  you,  and  seven-times  he-turns  toward  you  saying,  ‘I-repent,’  you-will-release  him.”

And  they-said,  the  apostles,  to-the  Lord,  “Add  to-us  faith.”

Now  he-said,  the  Lord,  “If  you-have  faith  as  a-grain  of-mustard,  you-would-say,  then,  to-the  sycamine-tree,  to this,  ‘Be-uprooted,  and  be-placed  in  the  sea,  and  it-would-obey,  then,  to-you.  Now  who  of  you,  a-slave  having,  plowing  or  herding,  who  on-the-coming-into,  out-of  the  farm,  he-will-say  to-him,  ‘Immediately  coming-up,  recline.’  But-on-the-contrary,  not  he-will-say  to-him,  ‘Prepare  something  I-may-dine,  and  having-girded-yourself,  be-a-deacon  to-me  until  I-eat  and  I-drink,  and  after  these-things,  eat  and  drink,  you?  Not  he-has  grace  to-the  slave  because  he-did  the-things  completely-arranged?  Thus  also  you,  when  you-do  all  the-things  completely-arranged  to-you,  say,  ‘Slaves  unprofitable,  we-are;  what  we-ought  to-do,  we-have-done.’”

And  it-happened  in  the  to-journey  into  Jerusalem,  and  he,  he-was-coming-through,  through  midst  of-Samaria  and  Galilee.  And  coming-into,  he,  into  a-certain  village,  they-encountered,  for-him,  ten  leprous  men,  who  stood  faraway,  and  they,  they-lifted  a-voice,  saying,  “Jesus,  overseer,  pity  us.”
​
And  having-seen,  he-said  to-them,  “Having-journeyed,  show  yourselves  to-the  priests.”  And  it-happened,  in  the  going-away,  they,  they-had-a-catharsis.  Now  one  from  them,  having-seen  that  he-was-cured,  he-returned  with  a-voice,  a-mega-one,  glorifying  the  God,  and  he-fell  upon  face  next-to  the  feet  of-him,  eucharisting  him;  and  he,  he-was  a-Samaritan.  Now  having-answered,  the  Jesus,  he-said,  “Not  the  ten,  they-had-a-catharsis?  Now  the  nine,  where?  Not  they-were-found,  having-returned  to-give  glory  to-the  God,  if  not  the  other-race-one,  this?”  And  he-said  to-him,  “Having-risen-up,  travel;  the  faith  of-you,  it-has-saved  you.”
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