Matthew 17:12

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. Instead, they did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way, the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.'

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν, Ὅτι Ἠλίας ἤδη ἦλθεν, καὶ οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν, ἀλλʼ ἐποίησαν ἐν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μέλλει πάσχειν ὑπʼ αὐτῶν.

Transliteration

Legō de to you, That Ēlias ēdē ēlthen, and not epegnōsan him, all' epoiēsan en him hosa ēthelēsan. Houtōs also the Huios of the anthrōpou mellei paschein hyp' them.

Grammar Details

• *Legō*: present, active, indicative, 1st singular - I say/I tell
• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and
• *Ēlias*: nominative, masculine, singular - Elijah
• *ēdē*: adverb - already/now
• *ēlthen*: aorist, active, indicative, 3rd singular - came/has come
• *epegnōsan*: aorist, active, indicative, 3rd plural - recognized/knew
• *all'*: strong adversative conjunction - but
• *epoiēsan*: aorist, active, indicative, 3rd plural - did/did to
• *en*: preposition with dative - to/with/in
• *hosa*: relative pronoun, accusative, neuter, plural - whatever
• *ēthelēsan*: aorist, active, indicative, 3rd plural - they wished/they wanted
• *Houtōs*: adverb - thus/in this manner
• *Huios*: nominative, masculine, singular - Son
• *anthrōpou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of man
• *mellei*: present, active, indicative, 3rd singular - is about to
• *paschein*: present, active, infinitive - to suffer
• *hyp'*: preposition with genitive - by/from

Word Meanings

• *epegnōsan*: recognized/knew/acknowledged
• *epoiēsan*: did/did to/performed
• *hosa*: whatever/as many as/all that
• *ēthelēsan*: they wished/they wanted/they desired
• *Huios tou anthrōpou*: Son of Man/Human One
• *mellei*: is about to/is going to/intends to
• *paschein*: to suffer/to endure/to experience

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But I say to you, That Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but have done to him whatever they wished. Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer by them.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  but{G1161} I say{G3004} into you,{G5213} that{G3754} Elijah{G2243} is come{G2064} already,{G2235} and{G2532} they knew{G1921} him{G846} not,{G3756} but{G235} did unto{G1722} him{G846} whatsoever{G3745} they would.{G2309} Even{G3779} so{G2532} shall{G3195} the Son{G5207} of man{G444} also{G2532} suffer{G3958} of{G5259} them.{G846}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G1161} I say{G3004}{(G5719)} unto you{G5213}, That{G3754} Elias{G2243} is come{G2064}{(G5627)} already{G2235}, and{G2532} they knew{G1921}{(G5627)} him{G846} not{G3756}, but{G235} have done{G4160}{(G5656)} unto{G1722} him{G846} whatsoever{G3745} they listed{G2309}{(G5656)}. Likewise{G3779} shall{G3195}{(G5719)} also{G2532} the Son{G5207} of man{G444} suffer{G3958}{(G5721)} of{G5259} them{G846}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And I saye vnto you yt Helyas is come alredy and they knewe him not: but have done vnto him whatsoever they lusted. In lyke wyse shall also the sonne of man suffre of the.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But I saye vnto you: Elias is come all ready, & they knewe him not, but haue done vnto him what they wolde. Eue so shal also the sonne of man suffre of them.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  But I say vnto you that Elias is come alreadie, and they knewe him not, but haue done vnto him whatsoeuer they would: likewise shal also the Sonne of man suffer of them.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  But I say vnto you, that Elias is come alredy, and they knewe hym not, but haue done vnto hym, whatsoeuer they lusted.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them."

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and I say to you -- Elijah did already come, and they did not know him, but did with him whatever they would, so also the Son of Man is about to suffer by them.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  but I say into you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  but I say into you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But I say to you that Elijah has come, and they had no knowledge of him, but did to him whatever they were pleased to do; the same will the Son of man undergo at their hands.

• World English Bible (2000)

  but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

Referenced Verses

• Matt 16:21 : 21 From that time on, Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and on the third day be raised to life.
• Isa 53:3-9 : 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment, he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people, he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer. When you make his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After his suffering, he will see the result and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
• Acts 3:14-15 : 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you. 15 You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
• Acts 4:10 : 10 'let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.'
• Acts 13:24-28 : 24 Before His coming, John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, One is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' 26 Brothers, children of Abraham's lineage, and you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to us. 27 The people living in Jerusalem and their rulers, not recognizing Him or the words of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him. 28 Though they found no basis for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.
• Acts 7:52 : 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have betrayed and murdered him—
• Matt 11:2 : 2 Now John, while in prison, heard about the works of Christ and sent his disciples to ask Him,
• Matt 11:9-9 : 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to force, and forceful people lay hold of it. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
• Matt 14:3-9 : 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John had been telling him, 'It is not lawful for you to have her.' 5 Though Herod wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd because they considered John to be a prophet. 6 But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and it pleased Herod. 7 Therefore, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.' 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered it to be given to her. 10 So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison.
• Matt 21:23-25 : 23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, 'By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?' 24 Jesus answered them, 'I will also ask you one question. If you answer it for me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from men?' They discussed it among themselves, saying, 'If we say,
• Matt 21:32 : 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him. And even when you saw it, you did not later change your minds and believe him.
• Mark 6:14-28 : 14 King Herod heard about Jesus, because His name had become well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in Him.' 15 Others were saying, 'He is Elijah,' and still others said, 'He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.' 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, 'John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead.' 17 For Herod himself had sent men to arrest John, and he had him bound and put in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' 19 So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she was unable to do so. 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard John speak, he was greatly perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. 21 Finally, the opportune time came. On his birthday, Herod gave a banquet for his high officials, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.' 23 And he promised her with an oath, 'Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.' 24 She went out and asked her mother, 'What should I ask for?' Her mother answered, 'The head of John the Baptist.' 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with her request. 'I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptist on a platter,' she said. 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 brought back his head on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.
• Mark 9:12-13 : 12 Jesus replied, 'Elijah does come first and restores all things. And how is it written about the Son of Man that he must suffer many things and be rejected?' 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, just as it is written about him.
• Mark 11:30-32 : 30 'Was John's baptism from heaven or from men? Answer me.' 31 They reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, From heaven, he will ask, Then why didn’t you believe him?' 32 But if we say, 'From men,' they were afraid of the crowd, for everyone regarded John as truly a prophet.
• Luke 3:19-20 : 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by John about Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the evil things he had done, 20 added to these things by imprisoning John in prison as well.
• Luke 7:33 : 33 'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon!"'
• Luke 9:21-25 : 21 Jesus strictly warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone. 22 He said, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.' 23 Then he said to them all, 'If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.' 24 'For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it.' 25 'What good is it for someone to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit their very self?'
• John 1:11 : 11 He came to His own, but His own people did not receive Him.
• John 5:32-36 : 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 But I do not accept testimony from a man; rather, I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and shone, and for a time, you were willing to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have testimony greater than John's: the works the Father has given Me to complete, the very works I am doing, testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
• Acts 2:23 : 23 He was delivered up by God’s determined plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.