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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) [ref]From the time of Yohan-the-immerser through to the present time, the heavenly kingdom has been opposed, and the opposition is grabbing at it.
OET-LV And from the days of_Yōannaʸs the immerser until now, the kingdom of_the heavens is_forcing, and forceful_men they_are_snatching it.
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SR-GNT Ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι, ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν. ‡
(Apo de tōn haʸmerōn Yōannou tou Baptistou heōs arti, haʸ Basileia tōn Ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autaʸn.)
Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
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 But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.
UST From the time when John the Baptizer began to preach publicly until this time, people have attacked God’s heavenly kingdom. Indeed, violent people try to conquer it.
BSB From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence,[fn] and [the] violent lay claim to it.
11:12 Or has been forcefully advancing
MSB (Same as BSB above including footnotes)
BLB And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence and the violent seize it.
AICNT “But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing,[fn] and forceful men seize it.
11:12, forcefully advancing: Or “suffering violence.”
OEB From the time of John the Baptist to this very hour, the kingdom of heaven has been taken by force, and people using force have been seizing it.
WEBBE From the days of John the Baptiser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.[fn]
11:12 or, plunder it.
WMBB From the days of Yochanan the Immerser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.[fn]
11:12 or, plunder it.
NET From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it.
LSV And from the days of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence, and violent men seize it by force,
FBV From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack and violent people are trying to seize it by force.
TCNT From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent try to take it by force.
T4T From the time that John the Baptizer preached until now, other people have violently attacked the people who have allowed God [MTY/EUP] to rule their lives, and they have suffered (OR, people have very eagerly been asking God to take control of their lives, OR, Israelite people who have thought that I would become their king have been extremely eager to be included in my kingdom) (OR, have been violently attacked and made to suffer).
LEB But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is treated violently, and the violent claim[fn] it.
11:12 Or “seize”
BBE And from the days of John the Baptist till now, the kingdom of heaven is forcing its way in, and men of force take it.
Moff From the days of John the Baptist till now the Realm of heaven suffers violence, and the violent press into it.
Wymth But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.
ASV And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
DRA And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.
YLT 'And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,
Drby But from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and [the] violent seize on it.
RV And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
(And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence, and men of violence take it by force. )
SLT From the days of John the Immerser till now the kingdom of the heavens is achieved by force, and they committing violence seize it eagerly.
Wbstr And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
KJB-1769 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
( And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. )
KJB-1611 And from the dayes of Iohn the Baptist, vntill now, the kingdome of heauen [fn]suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)
11:12 Or, is gotten by force, and they that thrust men.
Bshps From the dayes of Iohn the Baptist vntyll nowe, the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence, & the violent plucke it vnto them.
(From the days of Yohn the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence, and the violent pluck it unto them.)
Gnva And from the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto, the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(And from the time of Yohn Baptist hither/hereto, the kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. )
Cvdl From the tyme of Ihon baptist hither to, ye kyngdome of heauen suffreth violence, and the violent plucke it vnto them.
(From the time of Yohn baptist hither/hereto, ye/you_all kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence, and the violent pluck it unto them.)
TNT From the tyme of Ihon Baptist hytherto the kyngdome of heven suffreth violence and they that go to it with violence pluck it vnto them.
(From the time of Yohn Baptist hither/hereto the kingdom of heaven suffereth/suffers violence and they that go to it with violence pluck it unto them. )
Wycl And fro the daies of Joon Baptist til now the kyngdom of heuenes suffrith violence, and violent men rauyschen it.
(And from the days of Yohn Baptist till now the kingdom of heavens suffereth/suffers violence, and violent men ravish/seizen it.)
Luth Aber von den Tagen Johannes des Täufers bis hieher leidet das Himmelreich Gewalt, und die Gewalt tun, die reißen es zu sich.
(But from the days Yohannes the Baptiser until here suffers the heaven_riches/kingdom violence, and the violence do/put, the tear/snatch it to/for itself/yourself/themselves.)
ClVg A diebus autem Joannis Baptistæ usque nunc, regnum cælorum vim patitur, et violenti rapiunt illud.[fn]
(From days however Yoannis Baptists until now, kingdom of_the_heavens force suffers, and violenti rapiunt it/this/that. )
11.12 A diebus Joannis. Apostolos Dominus ad oves quæ perierunt domus Isræl ire jusserat, ut ad regnum reducerentur. Sed hæc prædicatio ad profectum publicanorum et peccatorum versa est qui crediderunt. Cæterum Joanni a plebe non creditur, Christi opera non auctorisantur, quia crux est scandalo. Jam prophetia cessat, jam lex expletur; Christus aliis prædicatur, et ab aliis recipitur: sui respuunt, inimici accipiunt. Itaque regnum cœlorum vim patitur, quia gloria Isræl patribus debita, a prophetis nuntiata, a Christo oblata, fide gentium occupatur et rapitur. Vel a diebus Joannis, qui præsentiam prædicavit, qua peccator reviviscit: et non ante, quia lex pœnam intulit et non per pœnitentiam vivificavit. Patria cœlestis vim patitur dum peccator ad eam quasi in alienum locum intrat per pœnitentiam. Grandi violentia est in terra nasci et cœlum capere, et habere per virtutem quod non possumus per naturam.
11.12 From days Yoannis. Apostolos Master to sheep which they_perished home Israel ire yusserat, as to kingdom reducerentur. But these_things preaching to progressm publicanorum and of_sins/sinners versa it_is who/which they_believed. However Yoanni from plebe not/no it_is_believed, of_Christ works not/no authorisantur, because stake/cross it_is scandalo. Now prophecy ceases, already the_law expletur; Christ/Messiah to_others is_preached, and away to_others is_received: self respuunt, enemies they_accept. Itaque kingdom of_the_heavens force suffers, because glory Israel to_the_fathers debita, from prophets nuntiata, from to_Christ/Messiah offered, with_faith nations occupatur and rapitur. Or from days Yoannis, who/which presence preached, which sinner reviviscit: and not/no ante, because the_law punishment brought and not/no through repentance aliveficavit. Patria heavenly force suffers while sinner to her as_if in/into/on foreign place enters through repentance. Grandi violentia it_is in/into/on earth/land to_be_born and sky to_catch, and to_have through virtue that not/no we_can through nature.
UGNT ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι, ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.
(apo de tōn haʸmerōn Yōannou tou Baptistou heōs arti, haʸ Basileia tōn Ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autaʸn.)
SBL-GNT ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.
(apo de tōn haʸmerōn Yōannou tou baptistou heōs arti haʸ basileia tōn ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autaʸn.)
RP-GNT Ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.
(Apo de tōn haʸmerōn Yōannou tou baptistou heōs arti haʸ basileia tōn ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autaʸn.)
TC-GNT Ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν [fn]Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.
(Apo de tōn haʸmerōn Yōannou tou baptistou heōs arti haʸ basileia tōn ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autaʸn. )
11:12 ιωαννου ¦ ιωανου WH
Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).
11:12 the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing: Or the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered from violence. These alternatives reflect either a positive or negative nuance of the Greek verb. In Luke 16:16, a different verb (“preached”) makes it a clearly positive statement.
• violent people are attacking it: This phrase may also have a positive or negative sense. If negative, it might refer to those who imprisoned John (see Matt 11:2; 14:1-12), and attacking might mean either that they were trying to attack the Kingdom but were unable to thwart God’s sovereign plans, or that they were attacking it by persecuting its members. In Luke 16:16 this statement has the positive sense that they were “eager to get in” and were forcefully laying claim to the Kingdom through radical trust and obedience.
Long before Jesus was born, God spoke of a messenger who would prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1). John the Baptist was that messenger. When John’s ministry was ending, he began to doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. So John sent some of his disciples to verify that Jesus was the Messiah (11:3). Jesus indicated that his miracles and preaching were proof that he was the expected Messiah whom God spoke of (11:4–5).
Jesus then showed that John was very important in God’s eyes (11:7–14).
Jesus and John did God’s work in very different ways, but most people refused to listen to either person (11:16–19).
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The question of John the Baptist
Jesus talked about John the Baptizer
Messengers from John the Baptist (NRSV)
Jesus and John the Baptizer’s actions prove who they are
There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 7:18–35.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
From the day John the Baptist began preaching until now,
From the time that John the Baptist began his work/preaching until today,
From the days of John the Baptist: This phrase refers to the period of time that began with John the Baptist’s preaching.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
And from the time John the Baptist began preaching (NLT)
From the time John preached his message (GNT)
From the beginning of the work of John
until now: The phrase until now refers to the period of time up till the time when Jesus said these words.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
until this very day (GNT)
up to today
until this present time
up to this time
the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence,
the kingdom of heaven/God has been violently attacked,
violent people are attacking God’s rule/chieftaincy,
the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the BSB translates as has been subject to violence:
The verb is passive and means that the kingdom is being violently attacked. According to this interpretation, this clause refers to persecution from evil spiritual beings or evil humans who are attacking God’s kingdom. One example of the kingdom being “violently attacked” was that Herod put John in prison and later killed him. Later, Jesus and many of the disciples were also killed. For example:
the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks (GNT) (BSB, NIV2011, RSV, GNT, NJB, NET, NASB, REB, KJV, CEV, ESV)
The verb has an active sense and means that the kingdom has been forcefully advancing. According to this interpretation, this clause indicates that God is defeating evil, and he is gathering people into his kingdom. Some examples of the kingdom “forcefully advancing” were that John forcefully preached, and Jesus cast out demons and did other miracles. For example:
the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength (NCV) (NIV, NLT, GW, NCV)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation best fits with the next clause “the violent take it by force.” Also, the majority of English versions and commentaries follow this interpretation.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Use a passive verb. For example:
the kingdom of heaven has been attacked with force
Use an active verb. In this case, the subject should be “the violent” referred to in 11:12c. For example:
violent people have been attacking the kingdom of heaven
and the violent lay claim to it.
and fierce/evil people are trying to seize it.
and they are trying to grab/capture it by force.
the violent: The Greek word that the BSB translates as the violentThere are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as the violent:(1) It has a negative meaning and refers to violent people. Violent people are those who are attacking the kingdom of heaven. For example, the GNT says: violent men (BSB, NIV2011, RSV, GNT, NJB, NASB, REB, KJV, CEV, ESV)(2) It has a neutral meaning and refers to forceful people. Forceful men such as John the Baptist have seen the value of the kingdom of heaven and strongly desire to enter it. For example, the NET says: forceful people (NIV, GW, NET, JBP)It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The majority of English versions and commentaries follow this interpretation. Also, if you followed interpretation (1) for the clause “the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,” you should follow interpretation (1) here.Generally, when an English version follows interpretation (1) for the clause “the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,” it also follows interpretation (1) for the phrase “violent men.” There are two exceptions:(a) the NLT which follows the interpretation that “the kingdom is forcefully advancing” (interpretation 2), but then follows interpretation (1) for “violent men.” For example: the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. (NLT)(b) and the JBP which seems to do the opposite of the NLT: it follows interpretation (1) then interpretation (2). For example: the kingdom of Heaven has been taken by storm and eager men are forcing their way into it (JBP) refers to violent/fierce people who are attacking the kingdom.
Here is another way to translate this word:
fierce/evil people
lay claim to it: This clause means that violent men are trying to “seize” the kingdom of God. This again refers to evil people persecuting believers. It also refers to the battle between good and evil.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
grab it using force/strength
capture/plunder it
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
δὲ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀπό Δέ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καί βιασταί ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν)
Based on how this verse is interpreted (see the following notes and the chapter introduction), the word But could introduce: (1) a contrast with what Jesus said in the previous verse about how great the kingdom of the heavens is. In contrast with that, the kingdom of the heavens is attacked violently. Alternate translation: [However,] (2) a development of what Jesus said in the previous verse about how great the kingdom of the heavens is. The kingdom advances and grows forcefully. Alternate translation: [Now,]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom
τῶν ἡμερῶν
the days
The word days refers to a specific period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the time period]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ
˱of˲_John the Baptist
Jesus is using the possessive form to describe days in which John the Baptist preached. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [when John the Baptist ministered]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism
ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν
the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens ˓is˒_forcing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀπό Δέ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καί βιασταί ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν)
If you understand these two clauses to say similar things (see the following notes and the chapter introduction), then the second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the clauses with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: [the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence; yes, violent men take it by force]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται
the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens ˓is˒_forcing
Christians disagree about what exactly this clause means. See the chapter introduction for more information and options. Most likely, the clause could mean: (1) that people attack God’s kingdom. Alternate translation: [the kingdom of the heavens is attacked violently] (2) that God’s kingdom triumphs forcefully in the world. Alternate translation: [the kingdom of the heavens triumphs forcefully]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
βιάζεται
˓is˒_forcing
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of violence, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [is violently treated] or [is attacked violently]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀπό Δέ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καί βιασταί ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν)
Christians disagree about what exactly this clause means. See the chapter introduction for more information and options. Most likely, the clause could mean: (1) that the men are evil and violent, and they attack the kingdom. Alternate translation: [violent men attack it forcefully] (2) that the men are forceful and want to be part of the kingdom. Alternate translation: [forceful men take hold of it]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
βιασταὶ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀπό Δέ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καί βιασταί ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν)
Although the term men is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [violent men and women]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν
˱they˲_˓are˒_snatching it
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of force, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [take it forcefully]