LUKE 23:31 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

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

OET (OET-RV) because if this is what happens while we’re still a nation, what will happen when the country is gone?”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
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 For if they do these things in the moist tree, what will happen in the dry?”

UST Right now it is difficult for people to do bad things to others, just as it is difficult to set fire to fresh wood. But later, people will easily be able to do terrible things to others, just as it is easy to set fire to dry wood.”

BLB For if they do these things in the green tree, what might take place in the dry?"

AICNT For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

OEB If what you see is done while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’

WEBBE For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For if such things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

LSV for if they do these things in the green tree, what may happen in the dry?”

FBV For if they do this to wood that is green, what will happen when it's dried out?”[fn]

23:31 Meaning that things become worse later.

TCNT For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

T4T I am innocent [MET]. I am like a living tree that people do not try to burn. But the people of Jerusalem deserve that their enemies punish them. They are like dry wood that is ready to burn. So if they nail me to the cross, ◄their enemies will certainly do much worse things to them!/what worse things will happen to them?► [RHQ]”

LEB For if they do these things _⌊when the wood is green_⌋,[fn] what will happen _⌊when it is dry_⌋?”[fn]

23:31 Literally “in the green wood”

23:31 Literally “in the dry”

BBE For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will they do when it is dry?

Moff For if this is what they do when the wood is green,
⇔ what will they do when the wood is dry?"

Wymth For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"

ASV For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

DRA For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

YLT for, if in the green tree they do these things — in the dry what may happen?'

Drby for if these things are done in the green tree, what shall take place in the dry?

RV For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

SLT For if they do these in the moist tree, what should be in the dry.

Wbstr For if they do these things in a green tree, what will be done in the dry?

KJB-1769 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

KJB-1611 For if they doe these things in a green tree, what shalbe done in the drie?
(For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the drie?)

Bshps For if they do these thinges in a greene tree, what shalbe done in the drye?
(For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the drye?)

Gnva For if they doe these things to a greene tree, what shalbe done to the drie?
(For if they do these things to a green tree, what shall be done to the drie? )

Cvdl For yf this be done to a grene tre, what shalbe done then to the drye?
(For if this be done to a green tree, what shall be done then to the drye?)

TNT For yf they do this to a grene tree what shalbe done to the drye?
(For if they do this to a green tree what shall be done to the drye? )

Wycl For if in a greene tre thei don these thingis, what schal be don in a drie?
(For if in a green tree they done these things, what shall be done in a drie?)

Luth Denn so man das tut am grünen Holz, was will am dürren werden?
(Because so man the does in/at/on_the greens wood, what/which will in/at/on_the dry become?)

ClVg Quia si in viridi ligno hæc faciunt, in arido quid fiet?[fn]
(Because when/but_if in/into/on mendi wood these_things they_do, in/into/on arido what will_be_done? )

23.31 Quia si in viridi ligno. Viride lignum Christus et sui electi, aridum impii et peccatores, unde ait: Si ergo ego qui peccatum non feci, qui lignum vitæ merito appellatus duodenos fructus gratiæ per singulos menses affero, sine igne passionis de hoc mundo non exeo, quæ tormenta manent illos qui fructibus sunt vacui, insuper et lignum vitæ flammis dare non timent? Et si nunc est tempus, ut incipiat judicium de domo Dei, et omnes qui volunt pie vivere Christo persecutionem patiuntur, qui finis eorum qui non credunt Evangelio? I Petr. IV; I Tim. 3..

23.31 Because when/but_if in/into/on mendi wood. Mende wood/timber Christ/Messiah and self chosen, dry wicked and sinners, from_where/who he_said: When/But_if therefore I who/which sin not/no I_did, who/which wood/timber of_life deservedly appealsus twodenos fruit thanks through each_one a_months affero, without with_fire passion from/about this to_the_world not/no exeo, which torture manent those who/which fruits are vacui, moreover and wood/timber of_life flames dare not/no they_are_afraid? And when/but_if now it_is time/season, as incipiat judgement from/about at_home of_God, and everyone who/which they_want pie to_live to_Christ/Messiah persecution they_suffer, who/which end/limit their who/which not/no they_believe Evangelio? I Petr. IV; I Tim. 3..

UGNT ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ, ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν; ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ, τί γένηται?
(hoti ei en tōi hugrōi xulōi, tauta poiousin; en tōi xaʸrōi, ti genaʸtai?)

SBL-GNT ὅτι εἰ ἐν ⸀τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται;
(hoti ei en ⸀tōi hugrōi xulōi tauta poiousin, en tōi xaʸrōi ti genaʸtai;)

RP-GNT Ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται;
(Hoti ei en tōi hugrōi xulōi tauta poiousin, en tōi xaʸrōi ti genaʸtai;)

TC-GNT Ὅτι εἰ ἐν [fn]τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται;
(Hoti ei en tōi hugrōi xulōi tauta poiousin, en tōi xaʸrōi ti genaʸtai; )

23:31 τω ¦ — WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 23:26–43: Soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

In this section the Roman soldiers did what their commander Pontius Pilate had ordered them to do. They led Jesus outside the town to the place where they crucified criminals. There they nailed Jesus on a cross. They did the same to two other men, who were criminals. Then they made the three men hang there until they died. The Jewish leaders, the soldiers, and even one of the criminals mocked Jesus. But the other criminal believed in him.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Crucifixion (NIV)

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross (CEV)

Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 27:31–44, Mark 15:21–32, and John 19:17–27.

23:31a–b

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces a proverb. It gives a reason why the things that Jesus predicted in 23:29–30 were certain to happen. It also connects what Jesus said about the future in 23:30 with the suffering and death that he was enduring. Some ways to introduce it in English are:

I say this because

This is certain, for

For you see what is happening to me, and

In some languages the connection may be implied without a conjunction.

if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry: This saying is a type of proverb.See Nunnally, “From Ezekiel 17:24 and 21:3 to Luke 23:31: A Survey of the Connecting Jewish Tradition.” Jerusalem Perspective Online. 2009. It is also a rhetorical question. Jesus used it as an emphatic warning to sinful people. It indicates that since Jesus suffered terribly even though he was innocent, we should expect that guilty people will suffer much more. In some languages it is more natural to emphasize the warning without using a rhetorical question. For example:

if men do these things when a tree is green, they will certainly do even more terrible things when it is dry

This warning uses a metaphor. Dry wood burns faster than green wood.See Marshall, p. 865. Burning is an implied metaphor for suffering or punishment. Jesus was like green wood because he did not deserve to burn (suffer). The people who rejected Jesus were like dry wood. They deserved to burn (suffer) because of their sins. In some languages a literal translation of the metaphor implies a wrong meaning. Some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

Use a simile. For example:
if this is what they will do to me who am like not yet dried wood, surely worse is what they will do to you who are like already-driedKankanaey back translation on TW.
Use a simile and make the meaning more explicit. For example:
if this is what they are doing to me who am like a tree that is not yet dried up because I do not have any sin, how much more is it that they will do to you who are like a tree that has already died upWestern Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.
as people are taking me who am like a fresh tree and putting me in the fire like this, will you who are like dry firewood be spared?Back translated into English by Linda Neeley from the Gikyode New Testament.
Translate both the metaphor and the meaning. For example:
since even a green tree burns and an innocent person suffers, a dry tree will certainly burn quickly and guilty people will suffer more terribly
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
if they do like this to a person who has no sin, they will do worse to the people who have sin on that day.Yakan back translation on TW.
you see what is done to me, an innocent person, so think about the terrible things that will be done to guilty people.

You should translate this warning in a meaningful way in your language. Your translation should not imply that Jesus cursed the women. He did not refer to the women as dry trees. He referred to sinful men and women in general.

23:31a

For if men do these things while the tree is green,

For if people do these terrible things to me who am like a green tree,
Since the fire of suffering/judgment burns even me, who am like a green tree,
You^(plur) see how God allows me to suffer as an innocent person

if men do these things: In Greek this clause is more literally:

if they do these things (ESV)

In this context the clause is similar to a passive clause. It does not specify who was doing those things. It may imply that God did them or caused them to happen, or it may refer to the Jews who demanded his crucifixion. It is not likely that Jesus referred to the specific Roman soldiers who did the crucifixion.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Use a passive clause:
if such things as these are done when the wood is green (GNT)
Use an active clause and supply a subject. For example:
If people do this to a green tree (GW)
if they do these things (NASB)
if fire burns even a green tree
Use a clause that indicates that God allowed or caused the events to happen. For example:
If God allows this to happen to a green tree

In this clause the word if introduces a situation that is true. It does not imply that Jesus doubted what was happening. Indicate that in a natural way in your language. Some other ways to translate it in English are:

since people do these things

people are doing these things…so…

the tree: The Greek word that the BSB translates as tree also means “wood,” as in the RSV, or “piece of wood.” The BSB has supplied the word the, which is not in the Greek text. Jesus was using a tree or piece of wood in his proverb. You should translate the word in the most appropriate way for this context in your language.

green: The Greek word that the BSB translates as green means “moist.” Here it describes a tree that is damp or fresh. Green/damp wood is not good for burning. Use a natural way in your language to describe moist trees or wood.

23:31b

what will happen when it is dry?”

what will happen to a dry tree?”
people who are like dry trees will certainly suffer much more.”
so you^(plur) can be sure that the suffering/punishment of a guilty/sinful person will be terrible!”

what will happen when it is dry: The clause what will happen when it is dry is a rhetorical question. It gives a conclusion from the first part of the proverb in 23:31a. Jesus was suffering terribly as an innocent person, so we can conclude that guilty people will suffer much more.

In some languages it may be natural to translate this conclusion as a separate sentence. For example:

So what do you think they will do to dry trees/wood?

So you can be sure that it will much worse when the tree is dry.

See the examples in the notes at 23:31a–b. See also the examples in 23:31a. You should translate 23:31b in a way that fits with your translation of 23:31a.

when it is dry: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as when it is dry is more literally “in the dry.” It probably refers in general to a dry tree or wood. It does not imply that the green tree/wood in 23:31a has dried up. In the proverb it probably represents sinful people who are like dry trees that deserve burning. Another way to translate it is:

to a dry one (GW)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ, ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν; ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ, τί γένηται?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται)

This is a figure of speech based on the idea that dry wood catches fire much more easily than moist wood. The fire, in turn, represents terrible things that people will experience. Jesus is saying that under the present relatively stable conditions, it was difficult for his enemies to arrest him and sentence him to death. In the future, conditions will become so desperate and chaotic that people will be able to do much worse things much more easily. He is probably referring to what conditions will be like during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, which he described in [21:20–24](../21/20.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the meaning of this metaphor in your translation, and you could represent the metaphor itself as a simile, as UST does. Alternate translation: [If people are able to do this when conditions are good, what will they do when conditions become very bad?]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ, ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν; ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ, τί γένηται?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται)

Jesus does not expect the women to tell him what people will do in the future. Rather, he is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Since people are doing this when conditions are good, they will certainly do much worse when conditions become very bad!]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν

these_‹things› ˱they˲_˓are˒_doing

Here Jesus is using the pronoun they in an indefinite sense. Alternate translation: [people are doing these things]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ

in the green tree

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: [when the wood is fresh] or [when the wood is wet]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ξύλῳ

tree

Jesus is using the term tree to refer to wood that comes from a tree. Alternate translation: [wood]

Note 6 topic: translate-unknown

ξύλῳ

tree

A tree is a large plant with a hard exterior that people use for fuel and as building material. If your readers would not know what a tree is, or if people do not use wood from a tree as fuel in your area, you could use the name of something else that they use for fuel, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [burning material]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ

in the in the dry

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: [when the wood is dry]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ

in the in the dry

Jesus is using the adjective dry as a noun. In context, the term means dry wood. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could supply the noun for clarity. Alternate translation: [with dry wood] or [when the wood is dry]

Parallel LUKE 23:31

Section 23:26–43: Soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

23:31a–b

23:31a

23:31b

Jesus’ Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial