LUKE 12:56 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, magenta:vocative, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the sky and of the earth, but how do you not know how to interpret this time?

UST You hypocrites! By observing the clouds and the wind, you are able to discern what is happening regarding the weather. You should be able to discern what God is doing at this present time!

BSB [You] hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret [the] present time?

MSB [You] hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky.[fn] Why can’t you interpret[fn] [the] present time?

12:56 GOC, F35, and Scrivener TR sky and earth

12:56 CT Why don’t you know how to interpret

BLB Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the earth and of the sky, but how do you not know to discern this time?

AICNT “Hypocrites, you know how to discern the appearance of the earth and the sky, {but how do you [not][fn] know how to discern the time}?[fn]

12:56, not: Absent from Latin(ff²).

12:56, but how do you not know how to discern the time?: 𝔓75 ℵ(01) B(03) NA28 SBLGNT THGNT ‖ Some manuscripts read “but this time, how do you not test?” 𝔓45 A(02) W(032) BYZ TR ‖ Some manuscripts read “but this time you do not discern?” D(05) Latin(it) Syriac(sy^c)

OEB Hypocrites! You know how to judge of the earth and the sky; how is it, then, that you cannot judge of this time?

WEBBE You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how can you not know how to interpret the present time?

LSV hypocrites! You have known to discern the face of the earth and of the sky, but how do you not discern this time?

FBV You hypocrites, how is it that you know how to rightly interpret the weather but you don't know how to interpret the present time?

TCNT Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the [fn]earth and the sky, so why [fn]can you not interpret this present time?

12:56 earth and the sky ¦ sky and the earth ANT PCK SCR

12:56 can you not 94.3% ¦ do you not know how to CT 0.8%

T4T You hypocrites! By observing the clouds and the wind, you are able to discern what is happening regarding the weather. It is disgusting that you are not able to discern what God is doing at this present time [RHQ]!

LEB Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it you do not know how to evaluate this present time?

BBE O false ones! the face of the earth and the heaven is clear to you; how is it that the signs of these times are not as clear to you?

Moff You hypocrites, you know how to decipher the look of earth and sky;
⇔ how is it you cannot decipher the meaning of this era?

Wymth Vain pretenders! You know how to read the aspect of earth and sky. How is it you cannot read this present time?

ASV Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?

DRA You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth: but how is it that you do not discern this time?

YLT hypocrites! the face of the earth and of the heaven ye have known to make proof of, but this time — how do ye not make proof of [it]?

Drby Hypocrites, ye know how to judge of the appearance of the earth and of the heaven; how [is it then that] ye do not discern this time?

RV Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?
(Ye/You_all hypocrites, ye/you_all know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye/you_all know not how to interpret this time? )

SLT O hypocrites, ye know to judge the face of the earth and of heaven; and how do ye not judge this time?

Wbstr Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, and of the earth; but how is it, that ye do not discern this time?

KJB-1769 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
( Ye/You_all hypocrites, ye/you_all can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye/you_all do not discern this time? )

KJB-1611 Ye hypocrites, ye can discerne the face of the skie, and of the earth: but how is it that yee doe not discerne this time?
(Ye/You_all hypocrites, ye/you_all can discern the face of the skie, and of the earth: but how is it that ye/you_all do not discern this time?)

Bshps Ye hypocrites, ye can discerne the outwarde appearaunce of the skye, and of the earth: but howe is it that ye cannot discerne this tyme?
(Ye/You_all hypocrites, ye/you_all can discern the outward appearance of the sky, and of the earth: but how is it that ye/you_all cannot discern this time?)

Gnva Hypocrites, ye can discerne the face of the earth, and of the skie: but why discerne ye not this time?
(Hypocrites, ye/you_all can discern the face of the earth, and of the skie: but why discern ye/you_all not this time? )

Cvdl O ye ypocrytes, ye can discerne the fashion of the skye and of the earth: Why can ye not discerne this tyme also?
(Oh ye/you_all ypocrytes, ye/you_all can discern the fashion of the sky and of the earth: Why can ye/you_all not discern this time also?)

TNT Ypocrites ye can skyll of the fassion of the erth and of the skye: but what is the cause that ye cannot skyll of this time?
(Ypocrites ye/you_all can skill of the fassion of the earth and of the sky: but what is the cause that ye/you_all cannot skill of this time? )

Wycl Ypocritis, ye kunnen preue the face of heuene and of erthe, but hou preuen ye not this tyme.
(Ypocritis, ye/you_all kunnen prove the face of heaven and of earth, but how preuen ye/you_all not this time.)

Luth Ihr Heuchler, die Gestalt der Erde und des Himmels könnt ihr prüfen, wie prüfet ihr aber diese Zeit nicht?
(You(pl) Heuchler, the shape(n) the/of_the earth/land/ground and the heavens can you(pl)/their/her check/examine, as/like checks/examines you(pl)/their/her but this/these time/period not?)

ClVg Hypocritæ ! faciem cæli et terræ nostis probare: hoc autem tempus quomodo non probatis?[fn]
(Hypocritæ ! face heavens and of_the_earth/land you_knows probare: this however time/season how not/no approvesis? )

12.56 Hypocritæ, etc. Et ne aliqui rudes in turba de imperitia sua sibi blandientes se excusarent, dicentes se legem et prophetas ignorare, supponit eos per naturalem rationem posse discernere, vel eum qui opera facit quæ nullus alius fecerat, supra hominem et Deum esse: vel post tot sæculi injustitias, justum Creatoris judicium esse venturum.

12.56 Hypocritæ, etc. And not some rude in/into/on crowd from/about imperitia his_own to_himself blandientes himself excusarent, saying himself the_law and a_prophets to_ignore, supposes them through naturalm reason posse discernere, or him who/which works he_does which none another had_done, above man and God to_be: or after so_many of_the_world/of_the_ages injustices, just creator judgement to_be will_come.

UGNT ὑποκριταί! τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν, τὸν καιρὸν δὲ τοῦτον, πῶς οὐκ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν?
(hupokritai! to prosōpon tou ouranou kai taʸs gaʸs oidate dokimazein, ton kairon de touton, pōs ouk oidate dokimazein?)

SBL-GNT ὑποκριταί, τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς καὶ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν, τὸν ⸂δὲ καιρὸν⸃ τοῦτον πῶς ⸂οὐκ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν⸃;
(hupokritai, to prosōpon taʸs gaʸs kai tou ouranou oidate dokimazein, ton ⸂de kairon⸃ touton pōs ⸂ouk oidate dokimazein⸃;)

RP-GNT Ὑποκριταί, τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς καὶ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν· τὸν δὲ καιρὸν τοῦτον πῶς οὐ δοκιμάζετε;
(Hupokritai, to prosōpon taʸs gaʸs kai tou ouranou oidate dokimazein; ton de kairon touton pōs ou dokimazete;)

TC-GNT Ὑποκριταί, τὸ πρόσωπον [fn]τῆς γῆς καὶ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν· τὸν [fn]δὲ καιρὸν τοῦτον πῶς [fn]οὐ δοκιμάζετε;
(Hupokritai, to prosōpon taʸs gaʸs kai tou ouranou oidate dokimazein; ton de kairon touton pōs ou dokimazete; )

12:56 της γης και του ουρανου ¦ του ουρανου και της γης ANT PCK SCR

12:56 δε καιρον ¦ καιρον δε NA TH WH

12:56 ου δοκιμαζετε 94.3% ¦ ουκ οιδατε δοκιμαζειν CT 0.8%

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:54–59: Jesus told the people to prepare for what was about to happen

In this section Jesus again spoke to the crowd. He first rebuked them because they understood signs that the weather was going to change, but they did not understand what God was about to do. They did not know what to expect from God by the things that they saw Jesus doing. What he taught, the miracles he did, and the things that were happening to him showed that God had sent him. The people should have known and believed that he was the Messiah, and that they needed to listen to him and repent of their sins (12:54–57). Jesus warned them about this by telling them a parable about a legal dispute. The parable showed that they should reconcile with God before the time of judgment arrived (12:58–59).

Other possible headings for this section are:

Understanding the Times (NCV)

Discern What God Wants You to Do in These Days

There is a parallel passage for 12:54–56 in Matthew 16:2–3. There is a parallel passage for 12:57–59 in Matthew 5:25–26.

12:56a

You hypocrites!

You hypocrites!
You people think that you are very intelligent.

You hypocrites!: The Greek word that the BSB translates as hypocrites (adding the word You to show that this is direct address) refers to people whose words are inconsistent with their behavior. They may pretend to be different than they really are, or they may not realize that their beliefs about themselves are not true. In this context the people were intelligent enough to recognize the signs that rain or hot weather was coming. But they refused to recognize that Jesus’ miracles were signs that he was the one whom God had sent to save the world.

Translate hypocrites with a term in your language that fits this context. In some languages you may have an idiom to express it. Some other ways to translate it in English are:

You frauds! (JBP)

You inconsistent people (TRT)

You people think you know so much

See the note on “hypocrisy” in 12:1d. See also the note on “hypocrite” in 6:42d. In some languages, the term for “hypocrite” may be general enough to fit all these contexts. In other languages, it may be necessary to use a different term for different kinds of hypocrisy.

12:56b

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky.

You^(plur) understand the meaning of the signs on the earth and in the sky about the weather.
You^(plur) can look at the earth and the sky and know what kind of day/weather to expect.

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky: This clause indicates that the people in the crowd could understand the weather signs (clouds and wind) that they could see on the earth and in the sky. Other ways to translate this clause are:

You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky (NLT)

You can predict the weather by looking at the earth and sky (CEV)

12:56c

Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?

So why don’t you^(plur) know the meaning of the events that are happening now?
So surely you^(plur) should understand the meaning of what God has been doing through me in these days!

Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. Jesus was rebuking the crowd for not knowing how to interpret the events that were happening at that time. He implied that they should know how to interpret them.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why don’t you understand what is happening now? (NCV)
As a statement. For example:
But for some reason you don’t know how to judge the time in which you’re living. (GW)
You should know how to interpret the present time!

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

interpret the present time: The phrase that the BSB translates as interpret the present time refers to interpreting what was happening in that period of time. Jesus was referring specifically to the years when he was teaching and doing miracles among the people. The people did not know how to interpret what Jesus was doing. They did not understand that God had sent him, and they did not know what God was going to do through him.

In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

interpret what I am doing at this time

understand the meaning of the signs that God is causing me to show at this time

interpret: The Greek word that the BSB translates as interpret refers to examining or considering something and making a decision about its worth and value. In this context Jesus probably implied that the people should carefully consider the signs that Jesus had done and decide what the signs meant.

the present time: The phrase the present time refers here to the period of history in which Jesus and his listeners were living. It does not refer only to the time when Jesus was speaking to that particular crowd.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὑποκριταί!

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὑποκριταί τό πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς καί τοῦ οὐρανοῦ Οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν τόν καιρόν δέ τοῦτον πῶς οὒ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν)

The implication, which Jesus draws out in the rest of this verse, is that people who could understand the weather from signs such as wind and clouds also ought to be able to understand what God was doing through Jesus from the signs surrounding his ministry. So if they did not welcome him, it was not because they did not see or understand these signs. Rather, it was because they were pretending not to see or understand them. Alternate translation: [You are pretending not to understand!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ πρόσωπον

Jesus uses the term face to mean “appearance.” Alternate translation: [the appearance]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τὸν καιρὸν δὲ τοῦτον, πῶς οὐκ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν?

Jesus is using the question form to rebuke the crowd. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: [so you ought to be able to understand what is happening right now.]

Parallel LUKE 12:56

Section 12:54–59: Jesus told the people to prepare for what was about to happen

12:56a

12:56b

12:56c