Exploration, Part 17

I want to continue hearing with faith1 the truth of the Gospel in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:17-22 ESV).

And he2 came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near [Table]. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God [Table], built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord [Table]. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The Greek is: καὶ ἐλθὼν, And he came, εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην, and preached peace, ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν, to you who were far off, καὶ εἰρήνην τοῖς ἐγγύς, and peace to those who were near. The second instance of εἰρήνην is absent from the Byzantine Majority Text. If I adopt Maurice Robinson’s “view,” that the “Byzantine Priority…was the one that was considered the text from which the other text types or clusters derived over time,” I get: “And He came and preached peace to you, those far off (τοῖς μακρὰν) and those near (καὶ τοῖς ἐγγύς).”

And one of the scribes came up and heard Jesus and the Sadducees disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him (Mark 12:28-34 ESV):

“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one [Table]. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength3 [Table]. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’4 There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher (καλῶς, διδάσκαλε). You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices[Table]. And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far (οὐ μακρὰν) from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Earlier in the 2nd chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul applied the concept far off to the Gentiles by means of the flesh, those called foreskin, and the concept near to those called the circumcision (by means of flesh made by hand).

Therefore remember that at one time you, the Gentiles by means of the flesh, those called foreskin by those called the circumcision (by means of flesh made by hand) since you were by means of that time apart from Christ, had become an outsider of citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and godless by means of the world [Table]. But now by means of Christ Jesus you, who at any time are far off (μακρὰν), have come into existence near at hand (ἐγγὺς) by means of Christ’s bloodshed.5

He recognized, however, that the more significant measure of far off and near was one’s affinity for the Word (Romans 10:5-13 ESV).

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them6 [Table]. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart,7 ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”8 (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’”9 (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near (ἐγγύς) you, in your mouth and in your heart”10 (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone (πᾶς) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”11

One’s starting position as Gentile or Jew has little direct impact upon one’s affinity for the Word: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him,12 John wrote. These were those called the circumcision (by means of flesh made by hand). Not only that, they were those who had believed Jesus. The Greek words translated who had believed are τοὺς πεπιστευκότας, a participle of πιστεύω in the perfect tense.

The basic thought of the perfect tense is that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of the action are continuing on, in full effect…Unlike the English perfect, which indicates a completed past action, the Greek perfect tense indicates the continuation and present state of a completed past action.13

In other words, their faith was in full operation as Jesus’ spoke with them. Their status seems as near as anyone could imagine. Now consider their affinity for the Word as Jesus questions the value of their own estimations of their status (John 8:31-33 ESV):

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” [Table]

Jesus described how one is born from above: abide in my word. He looked forward to the cross, and beyond the cross to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would reside in them, after He had created the one new man. No, I don’t imagine that the Jews who had believed him (and continued in that faith) understood all of this at that particular moment. But the duplicity of their answer demonstrates that they realized He wasn’t talking about political freedom: We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. The Roman occupation of Israel was not quite the same expression of the Lord’s anger as the Babylonian conquest and captivity of Judah (2 Kings 24:20-25:26), but were they not Jews? Did they not chafe under Roman rule? Did they not hope for a Messiah to liberate them from it?

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”14 He was blunt and direct, and translating ποιῶν, the nominative present participle of ποιέω in the active voice, who practices corrupts and dilutes his meaning: “that everyone (πᾶς) who does ( ποιῶν) sin the sin slave (τὴν ἁμαρτίαν δοῦλος) is.” What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit, Jesus said to Nicodemus. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’15 The “sin slave” is synonymous with your old self (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον, e.g., the old human), which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.16 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away (περιελεῖν, a form of περιαιρέω) sins.17

The slave does not remain in the house forever,18 Jesus continued. In other words, “the sin slave,” your old self, the old human does not have eternal life, not now, not ever, never. But, the son remains forever.19 The Son has eternal life: So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.20 How? “If you abide in my wordyou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”21

Then the Truth began to address the difference between being offspring of Abraham (σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ) in the flesh and having Abraham as a father by means of the Spirit (John 8:37, 38 ESV).

I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father[Table].

The Jews who had believed him22 caught the drift of Jesus’ words, even as they rejected their truth: They answered him, “Abraham is our father.”23 So Jesus put a very fine point on the meaning of having Abraham as a father (John 8:39b-41a ESV).

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did [Table], but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did” [Table].

This is an opportune moment to reconsider the words Jesus spoke that the Jews who had believed him heard with faith (John 8:21b-30 ESV).

“I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said24 to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him” [Table]. They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me [Table]. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” [Table]. As he was saying these things (Ταῦτα), many believed in him.

You are from below; I am from above; You are of this world; I am not of this world, were some of the words the Jews who had believed him heard when they believed. Their defensive response to Jesus indicates that they grasped his meaning, at least in part (John 8:41b ESV).

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God” [Table].

So Jesus explained what it means to be born of God (John 8:42 ESV).

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me [Table].

Then He explained what it means to be from below, of this world (John 8:43-47 ESV).

Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do (θέλετε ποιεῖν; literally “you want to do”) your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies [Table]. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [Table] Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

In other words, though they might be considered near as Jews, their lack of affinity for the Word of God demonstrates how far off they actually were. This is the unbridgeable distance that makes the nearness of the circumcised relative to Gentiles relatively insignificant: For He, He is our peace: who has made the both one25 (Romans 3:9-12 ESV):

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one”26 [Table].

The “sin slave,” your old self (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον, e.g., the old human), which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires27 is persistent in its defense of itself, hell-bent to kick against the goads.

Out of the night that covers me,
     Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
     For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
     I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
     My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
     Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
     Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
     How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
     I am the captain of my soul.28

Who then can be saved?” Jesus’ astonished disciples exclaimed after He described the difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”29And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”30 And they have conquered [the great dragon…that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world31] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῶν) even unto death.32

Translating τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῶν their lives focuses too much attention on the flesh. Let’s not use the devil’s abuse of God’s children as the key to interpreting Jesus’ words. Only αὐτῶν is plural: they loved not their soul—“the sin slave,” your old self (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον, e.g., the old human), which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires33even unto death. As Jesus said (John 12:25 ESV):

Whoever loves his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; literally “his soul from below, of this world”) loses it, and whoever hates his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; literally “his soul from below”) in this world will keep it for eternal life [Table].

Ephesians 2:18 and 2:19 continued: ὅτι δι᾿ αὐτοῦ, For through him, ἔχομεν τὴν προσαγωγὴν οἱ ἀμφότεροι, we both have access (or “we have access, the both,”), ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι, in one Spirit (or “by means of one Spirit”), πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, to the Father. Αρα οὖν, So then, οὐκέτι, no longer, ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, you are strangers and aliens (or “are you strangers and aliens”), ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ, but you are, συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων, fellow citizens with the saints (or “fellow-citizens of the holy”), καὶ οἰκεῖοι, and members of the household, τοῦ θεοῦ, of God. In other words you are: the new self (τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον; “the new human”), created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.34

Thus far the truth to be hearing with faith35 is: And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we have access, the both, by means of one Spirit to the Father. So then no longer are you strangers and aliens but you are fellow-citizens of the holy and members of the household of God, Ἐποικοδομηθέντες, built (or “having been built”), ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ, on the foundation (or “by means of the foundation”), τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν, of the apostles and prophets, ὄντος, being, ἀκρογωνιαίου, the cornerstone, αὐτοῦ, himself, Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Christ Jesus, ἐν , in whom (or “by means of whom”), πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ, the whole structure, συναρμολογουμένη, being joined together, αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον, grows into a holy temple, ἐν κυρίῳ, in the Lord (or “by means of the Lord”); ἐν καὶ, In him also (or “By means of whom also”), ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε, you are being built together, εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ θεοῦ, into a dwelling place for God (or “into a dwelling-place of God,” or “into God’s dwelling-place”), ἐν πνεύματι, by the Spirit (or “by means of the Spirit”).

To review Ephesians 2, consider first the multiplexed truths of the dative case (Ephesians 2:1-3 EXP14):

By means of (in)…

To…

And you (as bodies hosting both an old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,36 and a new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness37) are dead (ὄντας νεκροὺς; or “being dead”) by means of your trespasses and sins [Table] by means of which once you walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now at work by means of the sons of disbelief—among whom also we all lived once by means of the passions of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and the understanding, and were children by means of nature of wrath like also the rest [Table]. And you (a new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness38) are dead (ὄντας νεκροὺς; or “being dead”) to your trespasses and sins [Table] by means of which once you walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now at work by means of the sons of disbelief—among whom also we all lived once by means of the passions of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and the understanding, and were children by means of nature of wrath like also the rest [Table].

But God being rich by means of mercy because of his great love who loved us in spite of being us, dead in our trespasses (by means of grace you are, were and continue to be saved and raised up and seated by means of the heavenly by means of Christ Jesus), so that he might show by means of the ages to come the immeasurable riches of his grace by means of kindness toward us by means of Christ Jesus [Table]. For by means of grace you are, were and continue to be saved through faith, and this not from within you, God’s gift [Table], not out from works, so that no one may boast [about oneself]. For we are his workmanship, created by means of Christ Jesus to good works which God prepared beforehand, so that by means of them we may walk.39

Therefore remember that at one time you, the Gentiles by means of the flesh, those called foreskin by those called the circumcision (by means of flesh made by hand) since you were by means of that time apart from Christ, had become an outsider of citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and godless by means of the world [Table]. But now by means of Christ Jesus you, who at any time [by means of the flesh, by means of that time] are far off, have come into existence near at hand by means of Christ’s bloodshed.40

For He, He is our peace: who has made the both one, and who has made the broken down middle wall of partition, who has made the hostility by means of his flesh, who has made the law of commandments nullified by means of dogmas in order that He might create by means of himself the two into one new human, making peace [Table], and might reconcile the both by means of one body to God (by means of God) through the cross, having killed the hostility by means of Him.41

The truth to be hearing with faith42 is (Ephesians 2:17-22 EXP17):

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near [Table]. For through him we have access, the both, by means of one Spirit to the Father. So then no longer are you strangers and aliens but you are fellow-citizens of the holy and members of the household of God [Table], having been built by means of the foundation of the apostles and prophets, being the cornerstone himself, Christ Jesus, by means of whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple by means of the Lord [Table]. By means of whom also you are being built together into God’s dwelling-place by means of the Spirit.

Tables comparing John 8:21 and 8:23 in the KJV and NET follow.

John 8:21 (NET)

John 8:21 (KJV)

Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will look for me but will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 8:21 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 8:21 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 8:21 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Εἶπεν οὖν πάλιν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ ὑπάγω καὶ ζητήσετε με, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ ὑμῶν ἀποθανεῖσθε· ὅπου ἐγὼ ὑπάγω ὑμεῖς οὐ δύνασθε ἐλθεῖν ειπεν ουν παλιν αυτοις ο ιησους εγω υπαγω και ζητησετε με και εν τη αμαρτια υμων αποθανεισθε οπου εγω υπαγω υμεις ου δυνασθε ελθειν ειπεν ουν παλιν αυτοις ο ιησους εγω υπαγω και ζητησετε με και εν τη αμαρτια υμων αποθανεισθε οπου εγω υπαγω υμεις ου δυνασθε ελθειν

John 8:23 (NET)

John 8:23 (KJV)

Jesus replied, “You people are from below; I am from above. You people are from this world; I am not from this world. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 8:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 8:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 8:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ὑμεῖς ἐκ τῶν κάτω ἐστέ, ἐγὼ ἐκ τῶν ἄνω εἰμί· ὑμεῖς ἐκ τούτου τοῦ κόσμου ἐστέ, ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου και ειπεν αυτοις υμεις εκ των κατω εστε εγω εκ των ανω ειμι υμεις εκ του κοσμου τουτου εστε εγω ουκ ειμι εκ του κοσμου τουτου και ειπεν αυτοις υμεις εκ των κατω εστε εγω εκ των ανω ειμι υμεις εκ του κοσμου τουτου εστε εγω ουκ ειμι εκ του κοσμου τουτου

1 Galatians 3:2b (ESV)

2 But now by means of Christ Jesus you, who at any time are far off, have come into existence near at hand by means of Christ’s bloodshed (Ephesians 2:13 EXP15).

3 See Atonement, Part 5 and The Day of the Lord, Part 8 for tables comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation to that of the Septuagint.

4 See The Day of the Lord, Part 8 for a table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation to that of the Septuagint.

5 Ephesians 2:11-13 EXP15

6 See Romans, Part 13 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

7 See Romans, Part 13 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

8 See Romans, Part 13 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

9 See Romans, Part 13 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

10 See Romans, Part 13 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

11 See Romans, Part 38 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

12 John 8:31a (ESV)

14 John 8:34 (ESV)

15 John 3:6, 7 (NET)

16 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

17 Hebrews 10:11 (ESV)

18 John 8:35a (ESV)

19 John 8:35b (ESV)

20 John 8:36 (ESV)

21 John 8:31b, 32 (ESV)

22 John 8:31a (ESV)

23 John 8:39a (ESV) Table

25 Ephesians 2:14a (EXP16) Detail 1, Detail 2

26 See Hannah’s Prayer, Part 1 for a detailed consideration of Paul’s quotation/allusion.

27 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

29 Matthew 19:25b, 26 (ESV) Table

30 John 12:32 (ESV)

31 Revelation 12:9 (ESV) Table

32 Revelation 12:11 (ESV)

33 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

34 Ephesians 4:24b (ESV)

35 Galatians 3:2b (ESV)

36 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

37 Ephesians 4:24b (ESV)

38 Ephesians 4:24b (ESV)

39 Ephesians 2:4-10 (EXP14)

40 Ephesians 2:11-13 (EXP15)

41 Ephesians 2:14-16 (EXP16)

42 Galatians 3:2b (ESV)

Exploration, Part 16

I want to continue hearing with faith1 the truth of the Gospel in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Another essay concluded with (Ephesians 2:11-13 EXP15):

Therefore remember that at one time you, the Gentiles by means of the flesh, those called foreskin by those called the circumcision (by means of flesh made by hand) since you were by means of that time apart from Christ, had become an outsider of citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and godless by means of the world [Table]. But now by means of Christ Jesus you, who at any time are far off, have come into existence near at hand by means of Christ’s bloodshed.

Paul continued (Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV):

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself2 one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

The Greek is: Αὐτὸς γάρ, For himself (literally, “For He”), ἐστιν, he is, εἰρήνη ἡμῶν, our peace. The 3rd person singular verb ἐστιν translates he is as the personal pronoun αὐτός (ESV: himself) adds emphasis. I chose He to remind me that αὐτός is in the nominative case: “For He, He is our peace.”

In one sense, this is a simple practical statement, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (εἰρήνη). It is also profound. Jesus said, (Matthew 10:34-36 ESV):

Do not think that I have come to bring peace (εἰρήνην, a form of εἰρήνη) to the earth. I have not come to bring peace (εἰρήνην, a form of εἰρήνη), but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies (ἐχθροὶ, a form of ἐχθρός) will be those of his own household [Table].3

This seems like an odd thing for the Prince of Peace to say.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (NET)

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (NETS)

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (English Elpenor)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (שָׁלֽוֹם). For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called Wonderful Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (šālôm, שלום). because a child was born for us, a son also given to us, whose sovereignty was upon his shoulder, and he is named Messenger of Great Counsel, for I will bring peace upon the rulers, peace and health to him. For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel, < Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Potentate, Prince of Peace (εἰρήνης), Father of the Age to come >: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him.
Of the increase of his government and peace (וּלְשָׁל֣וֹם) there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. His dominion will be vast, and he will bring immeasurable prosperity (šālôm, ולשלום). He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this. His sovereignty is great, and his peace (τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ) has no boundary upon the throne of Dauid and his kingdom, to make it prosper and to uphold it with righteousness and with judgment from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord Sabbaoth will do these things. His government shall be great, and of his peace (τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ) there is no end: [it shall be] upon the throne of David, and [upon] his kingdom, to establish it, and to support [it] with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.

A comparison of the English translations of identical Hebrew word strings found in Isaiah 9:6, 7 (9:5, 6) from the ESV and The Complete Jewish Bible follows:

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (ESV)

Isaiah 9:5, 6 (The Complete Jewish Bible)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. For a child has been born to us, a son given to us, and the authority is upon his shoulder, and the wondrous adviser, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, called his name, “the prince of peace.” To him who increases the authority, and for peace without end, on David’s throne and on his kingdom, to establish it and to support it with justice and with righteousness; from now and to eternity, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall accomplish this.

The Prince of Peace comes to bring peace without end. The difficulty seems to arise from translating two occurrences of βαλεῖν in Matthew 10:34 to bring. It is a form of βάλλω: “to throw, cast, thrust; to put, place, lay, set up (a mound); to pour; to rush (intrans.); to send forth (roots).” The same word was translated throw it in Jesus’ second response to a Canaanite woman’s request for healing of her demon-possessed daughter (Matthew 15:21-28 ESV).

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us” [Table]. He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me” [Table]. And he answered, “It is not right (καλὸν, a form of καλός; e.g., beautiful) to take the children’s bread and throw it (βαλεῖν, a form of βάλλω) to the dogs.”4 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire (θέλεις, a form of θέλω).” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Behold, the hour is coming, Jesus clarified the relationship of his peace and faith for his disciples, indeed it5 has come, when you will be scattered (σκορπισθῆτε, a form of σκορπίζω), each to his own home, and will leave me6 alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me (ἐν ἐμοὶ; or, “by means of me”) you may have peace (εἰρήνην ἔχητε).7 In the world (ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, or “by means of the world”)8 you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.9 In other words, believing Jesus’ words about them—you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alonerather than arguing that they were better—more faithful—than that, Jesus’ disciples could have shared his peace as they scattered, rather than being confronted with the proof of their lying hearts.

But perhaps they learned something from that experience, as Paul did from his (Romans 7:15, 18b, 19 ESV):

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want (θέλω), but I do the very thing I hate…I have the desire (θέλειν, another form of θέλω) to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want (θέλω), but the evil I do not want (θέλω) is what I keep on doing [Table].

In all fairness, Jesus’ peace was directly related to fervently expressing his desire, not to be tortured to death, to his Father in prayer. Yet still He prayed, not my will (τὸ θέλημα μου), but yours, be done.10 His disciples had the same opportunity to express their desires, to be bold faithful followers of the Lord Jesus, and their own willingness to submit their wills to God’s will, but they slept instead. My purpose here is to understand how He is our peace in a world of tribulation, not to criticize Jesus’ disciples. I’m nearly seventy-two-years-old and am only occasionally as present in the moment as I am suggesting they might have been, despite having the indwelling Holy Spirit of God and the whole Bible at my disposal.

And his disciples did fulfill the prophetic word of Jesus (and the prophet) after Jesus said (Matthew 26:53-56a ESV):

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? [Table] But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me [Table]. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples left him and fled.11 As much as I might wish that Jesus’ words brought them to their senses, that they hurried away to fulfill the prophets’ words, I’m skeptical and suspect that their divided hearts feared those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, more than him (e.g., Jesus) who can destroy both soul and body in hell (γεέννῃ, or “by means of hell”).12

Again, my point is not to criticize Jesus’ disciples but to use the Gospel narratives to contrast who they were before his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and their receiving of the promised indwelling Holy Spirit, and the book of Acts to recognize who they became after. (Frankly, I prefer not to be compared to them at all, though I recognize the same indwelling Holy Spirit in me, causing me to see the transformation He worked in them and leading me on to be more like them.)

Ephesians 2:14 continued: ποιήσας, who has made, τὰ ἀμφότερα ἓν, us both one (literally, “the both one”; e.g., Gentiles…those called foreskin, and those called the circumcision), καὶ, and, τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ, the dividing wall, λύσας, has broken down, τὴν ἔχθραν, of hostility (literally, “the hostility”), ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ, in his flesh (or “by means of his flesh”). Three different English translations of καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας follow:

Ephesians 2:14c (ESV)

Ephesians 2:14c (NET)

Ephesians 2:14c (KJV)

and has broken down…the dividing wall and who destroyed the middle wall of partition and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

These English translations change some with the addition of the words which follow those above: τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ.

Ephesians 2:14cd (ESV)

Ephesians 2:14cd, 15b (NET)

Ephesians 2:14c, 15b (KJV)

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, …in his flesh and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; …in his flesh the enmity

It slows me down and prompts me to wonder what καὶ, and (ESV, NET, KJV), means here. All three translations render τὸ μεσότοιχον, the dividing wall (ESV, though this is more likely the translation of τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ), the middle wall (NET, KJV), in the accusative case as the direct object of the nominative participle λύσας. Both τὸ and μεσότοιχον might be understood in the nominative case as well. I want to consider that possibility if for no other reason than to reject it.

So, if τὸ μεσότοιχον was intended as the subject of its own clause, it needs to do something.

…who has made the both one and the middle wall of partition has broken down the hostility.

Here, and coordinates two relatively independent clauses. The direct object of the second clause, τὴν ἔχθραν, the hostility, is in the accusative case. It fits grammatically, but whose hostility? What hostility is broken down by a middle wall of partition? “For He, He is our peace, who has made the both one and good fences make good neighbors”? If I add ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ, in his flesh, to this word string, things get very strange.

…who has made the both one and the middle wall of partition has broken down the hostility in his flesh.

The second independent clause sounds like the opposite of the truth. Frankly, I would feel better understanding the middle wall as the subject of its own independent clause if it were followed by a verb like λύσῃ or ἔλυσε rather than a nominative participle λύσας, like ποιήσας, has made (ESV), in the previous clause. And that’s a good clue to accepting that τὸ μεσότοιχον, the dividing wall (ESV), the middle wall (NET, KJV), should probably be understood in the accusative case.

The translators of the NET did something interesting: and who destroyed the middle wall of partition. With the addition of the pronoun who, they brought the article across the conjunction and (καὶ), yielding λύσας to mirror ποιήσας, who has made, in the clause preceding the conjunction. They may have been on to something. But why stop at ?

For He, He is our peace, who has made the both one and who has made the middle wall of partition.

Here, and indicates a second dependent clause. But now what do I do with the nominative participle λύσας? I could treat it like the verbal adjective that it is.

For He, He is our peace, who has made the both one and who has made the broken down (ESV, KJV), (or) the destroyed (NET), middle wall of partition.

That the Lord made this middle wall of partition is a given.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Leviticus 20:26 (Tanakh) Table

Leviticus 20:26 (NET)

Leviticus 20:26 (NETS) Table

Leviticus 20:26 (English Elpenor)

And ye shall be holy unto Me; for I HaShem am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples (הָֽעַמִּ֖ים), that ye should be Mine. You must be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the other peoples (ʿam, העמים) to be mine. And you shall be holy to me, for I the Lord your God am holy, who has separated you from all the nations (πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν) to be mine. And ye shall be holy to me; because I the Lord your God [am] holy, who separated you from all nations (πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν), to be mine.

And Israel, notorious for desiring to be like all the nations, has attempted to break down this dividing wall or destroy this middle wall of partition (1 Samuel 8:4-8 ESV).

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations (gôy, הַגּוֹיִם; Septuagint: ἔθνη).” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them [Table]. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you [Table].

And the Lord spoke through the prophet Ezekiel:

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.

“What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations (gôy, כַגּוֹיִם; Septuagint: τὰ ἔθνη), like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.’13

A broken down (ESV, KJV) middle wall of partition corresponds to the nuanced relationship Paul described, though destroyed (NET) is a bit overstated (Romans 11:28-32 ESV).

As regards the gospel, they14 are enemies (ἐχθροὶ, a form of ἐχθρός) for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy [Table]. For God has consigned all (τοὺς πάντας, “the all,” “them all,” rather than τὰ ἀμφότερα, “the both”) to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all (τοὺς πάντας, “the all,” “them all,” rather than τὰ ἀμφότερα, “the both”).

I liked the ESV rendering of Ephesians 2:14bc: who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Then I looked at it in Greek and noticed that the translators had rendered τὴν ἔχθραν, the hostility, in the accusative case as if it were in the genitive case, of hostility. I asked, Is that what You meant? The path He led me on (as recorded above) alerted me to some aspects of the importance of “beloved enemies.”

The “beloved enemies” who translated the Hebrew—and the wondrous adviser, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, called his name, “the prince of peace”15—rather than—and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace16—could become overly persuasive apart from their status as “beloved enemies.” Even the “beloved enemies” who translated the Septuagint struggled with this Hebrew text (see table above). A son called Mighty God, Everlasting Father sounds wrong to monotheists until one meets the Lord Jesus Christ and knows Him personally.

Though they didn’t use the word who, the ESV and KJV translators have effectively brought the article across the and (καὶ) to the next clause: and [who] has broken down (ESV), and [who] hath broken down (KJV). But only the ESV translators brought τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ back across the nominative participle λύσας into the preceding clause.

Ephesians 2:14cd (NA28)

Ephesians 2:14cd (NET Parallel Greek)

Ephesians 2:14c, 15a (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ και το μεσοτοιχον του φραγμου λυσας την εχθραν εν τη σαρκι αυτου

Ephesians 2:14cd (ESV)

Ephesians 2:14cd, 15b (NET)

Ephesians 2:14c, 15b (KJV)

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, …in his flesh and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; …in his flesh the enmity

I favor treating the next phrase in the accusative case, τὴν ἔχθραν, as the beginning of a third dependent clause, second in the list following καὶ, another direct object of ποιήσας, who has made.

…who has made the hostility by means of his flesh…

This rendering clarifies the hostility (Matthew 26:57, 59-68).

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered…Now the chief priests17 and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.18 At last two19 came forward and said,20 “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it21 in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” [Table]. Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death” [Table] Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped22 him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

John didn’t soft pedal the hostility engendered by Jesus’ flesh (1 John 4:1-6 ESV).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already [Table]. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God (ἡμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐσμεν, or “We from God exist”). Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Ephesians 2:15 continued: τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν, the law of commandments, ἐν δόγμασιν καταργήσας, expressed in ordinances by abolishing. Clearly, the ESV word order seemed to make more sense: by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances. Translating καταργήσας by abolishing sounds wrong to me, however.

The plural noun δόγμασιν which precedes καταργήσας is in the dative case and might be understood as the means by which something was accomplished, but καταργήσας is a singular participle in the nominative case. So, I’m inclined to drop by, leaving: abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances. But καταργήσας is in the aorist rather than the present tense. So, I’m inclined to treat this clause as a fourth dependent clause, third in the list following καὶ, another direct object of ποιήσας, and to treat καταργήσας as a verbal adjective describing the state of the law of commandments by means of δόγμασιν.

…who has made the law of commandments abolished by means of ordinances…

A translators’ note (29) in the NET makes a fairly strong case for the word nullify as a translation of καταργήσας:

Or “rendered inoperative.” This is a difficult text to translate because it is not easy to find an English term which communicates well the essence of the author’s meaning, especially since legal terminology is involved. Many other translations use the term “abolish” (so NRSV, NASB, NIV84), but this term implies complete destruction which is not the author’s meaning here. The verb καταργέω (katargeō) can readily have the meaning “to cause someth. to lose its power or effectiveness” (BDAG 525 s.v. 2, where this passage is listed), and this meaning fits quite naturally here within the author’s legal mindset. A proper English term which communicates this well is “nullify” since this word carries the denotation of “making something legally null and void.” This is not, however, a common English word. An alternate term like “rendered inoperative [or ineffective]” is also accurate but fairly inelegant. For this reason, the translation retains the term “nullify”; it is the best choice of the available options, despite its problems.

That gives me: “who has made the law of commandments nullified by means of ordinances,” or “by means of ordinances nullified” for a word order identical to the Greek: ἐν δόγμασιν καταργήσας. The plural noun δόγμασιν is a neuter form of δόγμα, dogma, in the dative case, “nullified by means of dogmas”: “a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.”23 In other words: “who has made the law of commandments (e.g., promises to be pursued by faith) nullified by means of dogmas” (which incite people to pursue a law that would lead to righteousnessas if it were based on works). 

As Paul wrote (Romans 9:31, 32 ESV):

Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law [Table]. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone [Table].

That the Lord made the law of commandments is a given (Exodus 20). And pursuing righteousness as if it were based on works was the upshot of the partial hardening [that] has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.24

For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people, to whom he has said, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose”; yet they would not hear. And the word of the Lord will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.25

What I have, then, in relatively few words is another26 of Paul’s panoramic history lessons: “For He, He is our peace: who has made the both one, and who has made the broken down middle wall of partition, who has made the hostility by means of his flesh, who has made the law of commandments nullified by means of dogmas” ἵνα, that (or “in order that”), τοὺς δύο, the two, κτίσῃ ἐν αὐτῷ, he might create in himself (or “He might create by means of himself”), εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον, “into” one new man (or “into one new human”), ποιῶν εἰρήνην, making peace (Ephesians 2:14, 15 EXP16):

For He, He is our peace: who has made the both one, and who has made the broken down middle wall of partition, who has made the hostility by means of his flesh, who has made the law of commandments nullified by means of dogmas in order that He might create by means of himself the two into one new human, making peace.

Laid out like this I’m more inclined to understand the both who [He] has made one ( ποιήσας) differently from the two He might create (κτίσῃ, a form of κτίζω) into one new human (εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον). The former one is probably more akin to Paul’s insight that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,27 while the latter one is the sum total of all who did receive him (e.g., Jesus: The true light, which gives light to everyone28), who believed in his name, [who were given] the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God29: the new self (τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον), created (κτισθέντα, a participle of κτίζω) after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.30 And remember, the verb κτίσῃ, He might create, a form of κτίζω in the subjunctive mood is both the result and the purpose of the list of things the Lord has made:

…if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.31

This one new human (ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον) is happening, no matter what I see with my eyes or imagine in my mind: For God has consigned all to disobedience, that (ἵνα) he may have mercy (ἐλεήσῃ, a form of ἐλεέω in the subjunctive mood) on all (τοὺς πάντας, “the all,” “them all”).32

Ephesians 2:16 continued: καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ, and might reconcile, τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους, us both (literally “the both”), ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, in one body (or “by means of one body”), τῷ θεῷ, to God (or “by means of God”), διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ, through the cross, ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ, thereby killing the hostility (or “having killed the hostility by means of Him”). The ESV translators seem to have understood ἀποκτείνας in the present tense rather than the aorist tense.

For He, He is our peace: who has made the both one, and who has made the broken down middle wall of partition, who has made the hostility by means of his flesh, who has made the law of commandments nullified by means of dogmas in order that He might create by means of himself the two into one new human, making peace, and might reconcile the both by means of one body to God (by means of God) through the cross, having killed the hostility by means of Him (ἐν αὐτῷ).33

The ESV translators chose thereby for ἐν αὐτῷ. While it encourages me that their customary translation in him means “by means of Him,” it gives me pause to wonder why they chose thereby here. Did they understand αὐτῷ as a neuter, it, referencing the cross? Though the article τοῦ, the, can be neuter, σταυροῦ, cross, is masculine. Were they concerned that in him raised too many questions to whom him might refer? Truly, ἐν αὐτῷ here refers to God the Father, God the Son, through God the indwelling Holy Spirit, and all that He, the One God, has done.

For by means of grace you are, were and continue to be saved through faith, and this not from within you, God’s gift, not out from works, so that no one may boast [about oneself]. For we are his workmanship, created by means of Christ Jesus to good works which God prepared beforehand, so that by means of them we (e.g., the one new human) may walk.34

According to a note (80) in the NET Jesus alluded to Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 26:64. The following table compares the Greek of that allusion with the Septuagint.

Matthew 26:64c (NET Parallel Greek)

Psalm 110:1b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Psalm 110:1b (Septuagint Elpenor)

καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου

Matthew 26:64c (NET)

Psalm 110:1b (NETS)

Psalm 110:1b (English Elpenor)

sitting at the right hand Sit on my right hand Sit thou on my right hand

According to a note (82) in the NET Jesus alluded to Daniel 7:13 in Matthew 26:64. The following table compares the Greek of that allusion with the Septuagint.

Matthew 26:64d (NET Parallel Greek)

Daniel 7:13b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Daniel 7:13b (Septuagint Elpenor)

τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου…ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὡς υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενος ἦν μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὡς υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενος ἦν

Matthew 26:64d (NET)

Daniel 7:13b (NETS)

Daniel 7:13b (English Elpenor)

the Son of Man…coming on the clouds of heaven. as it were a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven coming with the clouds of heaven as the Son of man

Tables comparing Isaiah 9:6; 9:7; 1 Samuel 8:4; 8:5; 8:6; Ezekiel 20:30; 20:31; 20:32; Isaiah 28:11; 28:12 and 28:13 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Isaiah 9:6; 9:7; 1 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 8:4; 8:5; 8:6; Ezekiel 20:30; 20:31; 20:32; Isaiah 28:11; 28:12 and 28:13 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and comparing Ephesians 2:15; John 16:32; Matthew 26:59-61 and 26:67 in the KJV and NET follow.

Isaiah 9:6 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Isaiah 9:6 (NET)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called Wonderful Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 9:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι παιδίον ἐγεννήθη ἡμῖν υἱὸς καὶ ἐδόθη ἡμῖν οὗ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἐγενήθη ἐπὶ τοῦ ὤμου αὐτοῦ καὶ καλεῖται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ μεγάλης βουλῆς ἄγγελος ἐγὼ γὰρ ἄξω εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας εἰρήνην καὶ ὑγίειαν αὐτῷ ὅτι παιδίον ἐγενήθη ἡμῖν, υἱὸς καὶ ἐδόθη ἡμῖν, οὗ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἐγεννήθη ἐπὶ τοῦ ὤμου αὐτοῦ, καὶ καλεῖται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Μεγάλης βουλῆς ἄγγελoς, < θαυμαστὸς σύμβουλος, Θεὸς ἰσχυρός, ἐξουσιαστής, ἄρχων εἰρήνης, πατὴρ τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος· >: ἐγὼ γὰρ ἄξω εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, εἰρήνην καὶ ὑγίειαν αὐτῷ

Isaiah 9:6 (NETS)

Isaiah 9:6 (English Elpenor)

because a child was born for us, a son also given to us, whose sovereignty was upon his shoulder, and he is named Messenger of Great Counsel, for I will bring peace upon the rulers, peace and health to him. For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel, < Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Potentate, Prince of Peace, Father of the Age to come >: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him.

Isaiah 9:7 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 9:7 (KJV)

Isaiah 9:7 (NET)

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. His dominion will be vast, and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 9:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μεγάλη ἡ ἀρχὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅριον ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον Δαυιδ καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ κατορθῶσαι αὐτὴν καὶ ἀντιλαβέσθαι αὐτῆς ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἐν κρίματι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα χρόνον ὁ ζῆλος κυρίου σαβαωθ ποιήσει ταῦτα μεγάλη ἡ ἀρχὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅριον ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον Δαυὶδ καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ κατορθῶσαι αὐτὴν καὶ ἀντιλαβέσθαι αὐτῆς ἐν κρίματι καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· ὁ ζῆλος Κυρίου σαβαὼθ ποιήσει ταῦτα

Isaiah 9:7 (NETS)

Isaiah 9:7 (English Elpenor)

His sovereignty is great, and his peace has no boundary upon the throne of Dauid and his kingdom, to make it prosper and to uphold it with righteousness and with judgment from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord Sabbaoth will do these things. His government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end: [it shall be] upon the throne of David, and [upon] his kingdom, to establish it, and to support [it] with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.

1 Samuel 8:4 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 8:4 (KJV)

1 Samuel 8:4 (NET)

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah.

1 Samuel 8:4 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 8:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συναθροίζονται ἄνδρες Ισραηλ καὶ παραγίνονται εἰς Αρμαθαιμ πρὸς Σαμουηλ καὶ συναθροίζονται ἄνδρες ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ παραγίνονται εἰς ᾿Αρμαθαὶμ πρὸς Σαμουὴλ

1 Reigns 8:4 (NETS)

1 Kings 8:4 (English Elpenor)

And the men of Israel gathered together and came to Harmathaim to Samouel And the men of Israel gather themselves together, and come to Armathaim to Samuel,

1 Samuel 8:5 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 8:5 (KJV)

1 Samuel 8:5 (NET)

And they said unto him: ‘Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways; now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.”

1 Samuel 8:5 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 8:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ ἰδοὺ σὺ γεγήρακας καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου οὐ πορεύονται ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ σου καὶ νῦν κατάστησον ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς βασιλέα δικάζειν ἡμᾶς καθὰ καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἔθνη καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· ἰδοὺ σὺ γεγήρακας, καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου οὐ πορεύονται ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ σου· καὶ νῦν κατάστησον ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς βασιλέα δικάζειν ἡμᾶς, καθὰ καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἔθνη

1 Reigns 8:5 (NETS)

1 Kings 8:5 (English Elpenor)

and said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not go in your way, and now appoint over us a king to judge us just like all the nations.” and they said to him, Behold, thou art grown old, and thy sons walk not in thy way; and now set over us a king to judge us as also the other nations [have].

1 Samuel 8:6 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 8:6 (KJV)

1 Samuel 8:6 (NET)

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said: ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed unto HaShem. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. But this request displeased Samuel, for they said, “Give us a king to lead us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord.

1 Samuel 8:6 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 8:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἦν πονηρὸν τὸ ῥῆμα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Σαμουηλ ὡς εἶπαν δὸς ἡμῖν βασιλέα δικάζειν ἡμᾶς καὶ προσηύξατο Σαμουηλ πρὸς κύριον καὶ πονηρὸν τὸ ῥῆμα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Σαμουήλ, ὡς εἶπαν, δὸς ἡμῖν βασιλέα δικάζειν ἡμᾶς· καὶ προσηύξατο Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Κύριον

1 Reigns 8:6 (NETS)

1 Kings 8:6 (English Elpenor)

And the message was evil in the eyes of Samouel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” and Samouel prayed to the Lord. And the thing [was] evil in the eyes of Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us: and Samuel prayed to the Lord.

Ezekiel 20:30 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 20:30 (KJV)

Ezekiel 20:30 (NET)

Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves like your fathers and engage in prostitution with detestable idols?

Ezekiel 20:30 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 20:30 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ τοῦτο εἰπὸν πρὸς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Ισραηλ τάδε λέγει κύριος εἰ ἐν ταῖς ἀνομίαις τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν ὑμεῖς μιαίνεσθε καὶ ὀπίσω τῶν βδελυγμάτων αὐτῶν ὑμεῖς ἐκπορνεύετε διὰ τοῦτο εἰπὸν πρὸς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ· τάδε λέγει Κύριος· εἰ ἐν ταῖς ἀνομίαις τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν ὑμεῖς μιαίνεσθε καὶ ὀπίσω τῶν βδελυγμάτων αὐτῶν ὑμεῖς ἐκπορνεύετε

Ezekiel 20:30 (NETS)

Ezekiel 20:30 (English Elpenor)

Therefore, speak to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord says: Are you defiling yourselves in the lawless acts of your fathers, and are you playing the whore after their abominations? Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Do ye pollute yourselves with the iniquities of your fathers, and do ye go a-whoring after their abominations,

Ezekiel 20:31 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 20:31 (KJV)

Ezekiel 20:31 (NET)

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you. For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you. When you present your sacrifices—when you make your sons pass through the fire—you defile yourselves with all your idols to this very day. Will I allow you to seek me, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not allow you to seek me!

Ezekiel 20:31 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 20:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἀπαρχαῖς τῶν δομάτων ὑμῶν ἐν τοῖς ἀφορισμοῖς ὑμεῖς μιαίνεσθε ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐνθυμήμασιν ὑμῶν ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας καὶ ἐγὼ ἀποκριθῶ ὑμῖν οἶκος τοῦ Ισραηλ ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει κύριος εἰ ἀποκριθήσομαι ὑμῖν καὶ εἰ ἀναβήσεται ἐπὶ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑμῶν τοῦτο καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἀπαρχαῖς τῶν δομάτων ὑμῶν, ἐν τοῖς ἀφορισμοῖς, οἷς ὑμεῖς μιαίνεσθε ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνθυμήμασιν ὑμῶν ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, καὶ ἐγὼ ἀποκριθῶ ὑμῖν, οἶκος τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ; ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει Κύριος, εἰ ἀποκριθήσομαι ὑμῖν, καὶ εἰ ἀναβήσεται ἐπὶ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑμῶν τοῦτο

Ezekiel 20:31 (NETS)

Ezekiel 20:31 (English Elpenor)

And by the first fruits of your gifts, with what has been set apart, you defile yourselves in all your notions to this day. And am I to answer you, O house of Israel? I live, says the Lord, if I will answer you and if it will come upinto this spirit of yours. and [do ye pollute yourselves] with the first-fruits of your gifts, in the offerings wherewith ye pollute yourselves in all your imaginations, until this day; and shall I answer you, O house of Israel? [As] I live, saith the Lord, I will not answer you, neither shall this thing come upon your spirit.

Ezekiel 20:32 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 20:32 (KJV)

Ezekiel 20:32 (NET)

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. “‘What you plan will never happen. You say, “We will be like the nations, like the clans of the lands, who serve gods of wood and stone.”

Ezekiel 20:32 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 20:32 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὃν τρόπον ὑμεῖς λέγετε ἐσόμεθα ὡς τὰ ἔθνη καὶ ὡς αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς τοῦ λατρεύειν ξύλοις καὶ λίθοις καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὃν τρόπον ὑμεῖς λέγετε· ἐσόμεθα ὡς τὰ ἔθνη καὶ ὡς αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς τοῦ λατρεύειν ξύλοις καὶ λίθοις

Ezekiel 20:32 (NETS)

Ezekiel 20:32 (English Elpenor)

And it shall not be as you say: We will be like the nations and like the tribes of the earth by serving wood and stones. And it shall not be as ye say, We will be as the nations, and as the tribes of the earth, to worship stocks and stones.

Isaiah 28:11 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 28:11 (KJV)

Isaiah 28:11 (NET)

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.

Isaiah 28:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ φαυλισμὸν χειλέων διὰ γλώσσης ἑτέρας ὅτι λαλήσουσιν τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ διὰ φαυλισμὸν χειλέων διὰ γλώσσης ἑτέρας, ὅτι λαλήσουσι τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ

Isaiah 28:11 (NETS)

Isaiah 28:11a (English Elpenor)

because of contempt from lips, through a different tongue, because they will speak to this people, by reason of the contemptuous [words] of the lips, by means of another language: for they shall speak to this people,

Isaiah 28:12 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 28:12 (KJV)

Isaiah 28:12 (NET)

To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. In the past he said to them, “This is where security can be found. Provide security for the one who is exhausted. This is where rest can be found.” But they refused to listen.

Isaiah 28:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

λέγοντες αὐτῷ τοῦτο τὸ ἀνάπαυμα τῷ πεινῶντι καὶ τοῦτο τὸ σύντριμμα καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησαν ἀκούειν λέγοντες αὐτῷ· τοῦτο τὸ ἀνάπαυμα τῷ πεινῶντι καὶ τοῦτο τὸ σύντριμμα, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησαν ἀκούειν

Isaiah 28:12 (NETS)

Isaiah 28:11b, 12 (English Elpenor)

saying to them, “This is the rest for the hungry, and this is the destruction”; yet they would not hear. saying to them, (12) This is the rest to him that is hungry, and this is the calamity: but they would not hear.

Isaiah 28:13 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 28:13 (KJV)

Isaiah 28:13 (NET)

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. So the Lord’s message to them will sound like meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there. As a result, they will fall on their backsides when they try to walk, and be injured, ensnared, and captured.

Isaiah 28:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται αὐτοῖς τὸ λόγιον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ θλῖψις ἐπὶ θλῖψιν ἐλπὶς ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι ἔτι μικρὸν ἔτι μικρόν ἵνα πορευθῶσιν καὶ πέσωσιν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ κινδυνεύσουσιν καὶ συντριβήσονται καὶ ἁλώσονται καὶ ἔσται αὐτοῖς τὸ λόγιον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ θλῖψις ἐπὶ θλῖψιν, ἐλπὶς ἐπ᾿ ἐλπίδι, ἔτι μικρὸν ἔτι μικρόν, ἵνα πορευθῶσι καὶ πέσωσιν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ κινδυνεύσουσι καὶ συντριβήσονται καὶ ἁλώσονται

Isaiah 28:13 (NETS)

Isaiah 28:13 (English Elpenor)

And the oracle of the Lord God will be to them affliction upon affliction, hope upon hope, yet a little, yet a little, in order that they may go and fall backward, and they will be in danger and crushed and taken. Therefore the oracle of God shall be to them affliction on affliction, hope on hope, yet a little, [and] yet a little, that they may go and fall backward; and they shall be crushed and shall be in danger, and shall be taken.

Ephesians 2:15 (NET)

Ephesians 2:15 (KJV)

when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace, Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:15 (NET Parallel Greek)

Ephesians 2:15b (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Ephesians 2:15b (Byzantine Majority Text)

τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν καταργήσας, ἵνα τοὺς δύο κτίσῃ ἐν αὐτῷ εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον ποιῶν εἰρήνην τον νομον των εντολων εν δογμασιν καταργησας ινα τους δυο κτιση εν εαυτω εις ενα καινον ανθρωπον ποιων ειρηνην τον νομον των εντολων εν δογμασιν καταργησας ινα τους δυο κτιση εν εαυτω εις ενα καινον ανθρωπον ποιων ειρηνην

John 16:32 (NET)

John 16:32 (KJV)

Look, a time is coming—and has come—when you will be scattered, each one to his own home, and I will be left alone. Yet I am not alone because my Father is with me. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

John 16:32 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 16:32 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 16:32 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ ἐλήλυθεν ἵνα σκορπισθῆτε ἕκαστος εἰς τὰ ἴδια καμὲ μόνον ἀφῆτε· καὶ οὐκ εἰμὶ μόνος, ὅτι ὁ πατὴρ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν ιδου ερχεται ωρα και νυν εληλυθεν ινα σκορπισθητε εκαστος εις τα ιδια και εμε μονον αφητε και ουκ ειμι μονος οτι ο πατηρ μετ εμου εστιν ιδου ερχεται ωρα και νυν εληλυθεν ινα σκορπισθητε εκαστος εις τα ιδια και εμε μονον αφητε και ουκ ειμι μονος οτι ο πατηρ μετ εμου εστιν

Matthew 26:59-61 (NET)

Matthew 26:59-61 (KJV)

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:59 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 26:59 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 26:59 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ τὸ συνέδριον ὅλον ἐζήτουν ψευδομαρτυρίαν κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὅπως αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν οι δε αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι και το συνεδριον ολον εζητουν ψευδομαρτυριαν κατα του ιησου οπως αυτον θανατωσωσιν οι δε αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι και το συνεδριον ολον εζητουν ψευδομαρτυριαν κατα του ιησου οπως θανατωσωσιν αυτον
But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

Matthew 26:60 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 26:60, 61a (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 26:60, 61a (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ οὐχ εὗρον πολλῶν προσελθόντων ψευδομαρτύρων. ὕστερον δὲ προσελθόντες δύο και ουχ ευρον και πολλων ψευδομαρτυρων προσελθοντων ουχ ευρον (61) υστερον δε προσελθοντες δυο ψευδομαρτυρες και ουχ ευρον και πολλων ψευδομαρτυρων προσελθοντων ουχ ευρον (61) υστερον δε προσελθοντες δυο ψευδομαρτυρες
and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

Matthew 26:61 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 26:61b (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 26:61b (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἶπαν· οὗτος ἔφη· δύναμαι καταλῦσαι τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν οἰκοδομῆσαι ειπον ουτος εφη δυναμαι καταλυσαι τον ναον του θεου και δια τριων ημερων οικοδομησαι αυτον ειπον ουτος εφη δυναμαι καταλυσαι τον ναον του θεου και δια τριων ημερων οικοδομησαι αυτον

Matthew 26:67 (NET)

Matthew 26:67 (KJV)

Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him, Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Matthew 26:67 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 26:67 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 26:67 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Τότε ἐνέπτυσαν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκολάφισαν αὐτόν, οἱ δὲ ἐράπισαν τοτε ενεπτυσαν εις το προσωπον αυτου και εκολαφισαν αυτον οι δε ερραπισαν τοτε ενεπτυσαν εις το προσωπον αυτου και εκολαφισαν αυτον οι δε ερραπισαν

1 Galatians 3:2b (ESV)

2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had αὐτῷ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εαυτω (KJV: himself).

3 Romans, Part 22 for a table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ allusion to Micah 7:6 to that of the Septuagint.

4 NET note 36 reads:

sn The term dogs does not refer to wild dogs (scavenging animals roaming around the countryside) in this context, but to small dogs taken in as house pets. It is thus not a derogatory term per se, but is instead intended by Jesus to indicate the privileged position of the Jews (especially his disciples) as the initial recipients of Jesus’ ministry. The woman’s response of faith and her willingness to accept whatever Jesus would offer pleased him to such an extent that he granted her request.
tn Or “lap dogs, house dogs,” as opposed to dogs on the street. The diminutive form originally referred to puppies or little dogs, then to house pets. In some Hellenistic uses κυνάριον (kunarion) simply means “dog.”

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had νυν (KJV: is now come) preceding has come. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

6 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καμὲ (NET: and I) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και εμε (KJV: and…me).

7 The verb ἔχητε, you may have, is a form of ἔχω in the present tense and subjunctive mood. The clause begins with ἵνα, that, and is a result clause: “The subjunctive mood indicates probability or objective possibility. The action of the verb will possibly happen, depending on certain objective factors or circumstances…However if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.” From Verbal Moods: Subjunctive Mood, Greek Verbs (Shorter Definitions) on Resources for Learning New Testament Greek online.

8 The words ἐμοὶ and τῷ κόσμῳ are in the dative case: “The dative is the case of the indirect object, or may also indicate the means by which something is done.” From Noun Cases: Dative Case, GREEK NOUNS (Shorter Definitions), on Resources for Learning New Testament Greek online.

9 John 16:32, 33 (ESV)

10 Luke 22:42b (ESV) Table

11 Matthew 26:56b (ESV)

12 Matthew 10:28 (ESV) Table

13 Ezekiel 20:30-32 (ESV)

14 …a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25b ESV [Table]).

16 Isaiah 9:6b (ESV)

17 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και οι πρεσβυτεροι (KJV: and elders) following the chief priests. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

18 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουχ ευρον (KJV: yet found they none) repeated here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ψευδομαρτυρες (KJV: false witnesses) following two. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐράπισαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ερραπισαν. These appear to be alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

23 From definition 2 of dogma on Merriam-Webster Dictionary online.

24 Romans 11:25b (ESV) Table

25 Isaiah 28:11-13 (ESV)

27 Romans 3:9b (ESV)

28 John 1:9a (ESV)

29 John 1:12, 13 (ESV)

30 Ephesians 4:24b (ESV)

32 Romans 11:32 (ESV)

33 Ephesians 2:14-16 (EXP16)

34 Ephesians 2:8-10 (EXP14)