MAT 12:45 Parallel Verse View

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

OET (OET-RV) So it goes and find seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all go to live there, so the later state of that person is worse that it was at the beginning. So now, it’ll be just like that for this evil generation.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, 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 Then it goes and takes along with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself and they having entered, it resides there. And the last things of that man become worse than the first things. Thus it will be also with this evil generation.”

UST Then this evil spirit goes and gets seven other spirits that are even more evil than it is. They all enter that person and begin living in him. That person experienced bad things before, but now he will experience worse things. Something like that is what you wicked people who are alive right now will experience.”

BLB Then it goes and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself; and having entered in, they dwell there, and the last of that the man becomes worse than the first. So also will it be unto this evil generation."

AICNT Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that person becomes worse than the first. So it will be also with this evil generation.”

OEB Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first. So, too, will it be with this wicked generation.’

WEBBE Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this evil generation as well!”

LSV then it goes, and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man becomes worse than the first; so will it also be to this evil generation.”

FBV Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits even more evil than it is, and it enters and lives there. So the person ends up worse than they were at the beginning. That's the way it will be with this evil generation.”

TCNT Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and dwell there, and the last state of that person becomes worse than the first. So will it be with this evil generation also.”

T4T Then this evil spirit goes and gets seven other spirits that are even more evil, and they all enter that person and begin living there. So, although that person’s condition was bad before, it becomes much worse. That is what you wicked people who have heard me teach will experience.”

LEB Then it goes and brings along with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and[fn] live there. And the last state of that person becomes worse than the first. So it will be for this evil generation also!”

12:45 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go in”) has been translated as a finite verb

BBE Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits worse than himself, and they go in and make it their living-place: and the last condition of that man is worse than the first. Even so will it be with this evil generation.

Moff Then it goes off to fetch seven other spirits worse than itself; they go in and dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. This is how it will be with the present evil generation."

Wymth Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation."

ASV Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.

DRA Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation.

YLT then doth it go, and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man doth become worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.'

Drby Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits worse than himself, and entering in, they dwell there; and the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus shall it be to this wicked generation also.

RV Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
(Then goeth/goes he, and taketh/takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh/becomes worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. )

SLT Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits, worse than he, and having come in, they dwell there: and the last things of that man are worse than the first. So also shall it be to this evil generation.

Wbstr Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.

KJB-1769 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
(Then goeth/goes he, and taketh/takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. )

KJB-1611 Then goeth he, and taketh with himselfe seuen other spirits more wicked then himselfe, and they enter in and dwell there: And the last state of that man is worse then the first. Euen so shal it be also vnto this wicked generation.
(Then goeth/goes he, and taketh/takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked then himself, and they enter in and dwell there: And the last state of that man is worse then the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.)

Bshps Then goeth he, and taketh vnto hym seuen other spirites, worse then hym selfe, and they enter in, and dwell there: And the ende of that man, is worse then the begynnyng. Euen so shall it be also, vnto this frowarde generation.
(Then goeth/goes he, and taketh/takes unto him seven other spirits, worse then himself, and they enter in, and dwell there: And the end of that man, is worse then the beginning. Even so shall it be also, unto this froward/ornery_or_disobedient generation.)

Gnva Then he goeth, and taketh vnto him seuen other spirites worse then himselfe, and they enter in, and dwell there: and the ende of that man is worse then the beginning. Euen so shall it be with this wicked generation.
(Then he goeth/goes, and taketh/takes unto him seven other spirits worse then himself, and they enter in, and dwell there: and the end of that man is worse then the beginning. Even so shall it be with this wicked generation. )

Cvdl Then goeth he his waye, & taketh vnto him seuen other spretes worse then him self: and whan they are entred in, they dwell there: And the ende of that man is worse then the begynnynge. Euen so shal it go wt this euell generacion.
(Then goeth/goes he his way, and taketh/takes unto him seven other spirits worse then him self: and when they are entered in, they dwell there: And the end of that man is worse then the beginning. Even so shall it go with this evil generation.)

TNT Then he goeth his waye and taketh vnto him seven other spretes worsse then himsilfe and so entre they in and dwell there. And the ende of that man is worsse then the beginning. Even so shall it be with this evell nacion.
(Then he goeth/goes his way and taketh/takes unto him seven other spirits worse then himself and so enter they in and dwell there. And the end of that man is worse then the beginning. Even so shall it be with this evil nation. )

Wycl Thanne he goith, and takith with him seuene othere spiritis worse than hym silf; and thei entren, and dwellen there. And the laste thingis of that man ben maad worse than the formere. So it shal be to this worste generacioun.
(Then he goeth/goes, and taketh/takes with him seven other spirits worse than himself; and they entering, and dwell there. And the last things of that man been made worse than the formere. So it shall be to this worst generation.)

Luth So gehet er hin und nimmt zu sich sieben andere Geister, die ärger sind denn er selbst; und wenn sie hineinkommen, wohnen sie allda, und wird mit demselben Menschen hernach ärger, denn es vorhin war. Also wird‘s auch diesem argen Geschlecht gehen.
(So goes he there/therefore and takes to/for itself/yourself/themselves seven other/different spirits/ghosts, the aggravation are because/than he himself/itself; and when they/she/them enter, live/reside they/she/them there, and becomes with the_same people afterwards aggravation, because/than it earlier was. So it_will also this_one argen descendant go.)

ClVg Tunc vadit, et assumit septem alios spiritus secum nequiores se, et intrantes habitant ibi: et fiunt novissima hominis illius pejora prioribus. Sic erit et generationi huic pessimæ.[fn]
(Then goes, and assumes seven others spirit with_him nequiores himself, and enterings they_live there: and are_made latest of_man of_that peyora previous. So will_be and generationi to_this pessimæ. )

12.45 Septem alios spiritus. Septem vitia, septem virtutibus spiritualibus contraria. Nequiores. Quia non modo habet vitia, sed et bona simulat. Tanto nequiores, quanto callidiores. Septem, quia tot erant gratiæ cum Christo destinatæ. Septem vitia, septem dæmonia septem spiritibus contraria spiritui sapientiæ et intellectus, etc. Sic erit, etc. Quod de una sola re dixit, hoc in hac tota gente fit. Immundus Spiritus a Judæis exivit, quando legem acceperunt. Ambulavit ad gentes, quæ cum postea Domino crederent, non invento loco in eis dixit: Revertar in Judæos vacantes præsidio Dei et angelorum, increpationibus et correptionibus mundatos, ornatos superfluis observationibus. Adduntur septem, quia multo majore numero dæmonum possidentur blasphemantes Jesum quam in Ægypto possessi fuerunt. Contra septem spiritus virtutum est numerus vitiorum.

12.45 Septem others spirit. Septem vices, seven virtues spiritual opposites. Nequiores. Because not/no just/only has vices, but and good(s) at_the_same_timeat. Tanto nequiores, how_much callidiores. Septem, because so_many they_were thanks when/with to_Christ/Messiah destinatæ. Septem vices, seven demons seven spirits opposites spiritui of_wisdom and understanding, etc. So will_be, etc. That from/about together alone re he/she_said, this in/into/on this_way the_whole nation fit. Immundus Spirit from To_the_Jews exited/went_out, when the_law they_received. Ambulavit to people/nations, which when/with afterwards Master they_would_believe, not/no invento instead in/into/on to_them he/she_said: Revertar in/into/on Yudahos vacantes defence of_God and of_messengers/angels, reprimands and correptionibus cleansos, ornatos superfluis observationibus. Adduntur seven, because much major/greatere number demons get_itntur blasphemantes Yesus how in/into/on to_Egypt possessi they_were. Contra seven spirit virtues it_is number of_vices.

UGNT τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ’ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ; καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ.
(tote poreuetai kai paralambanei meth’ heautou hepta hetera pneumata ponaʸrotera heautou, kai eiselthonta katoikei ekei; kai ginetai ta esⱪata tou anthrōpou ekeinou ⱪeirona tōn prōtōn. houtōs estai kai taʸ genea tautaʸ taʸ ponaʸra.)

SBL-GNT τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθʼ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ· καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ.
(tote poreuetai kai paralambanei methʼ heautou hepta hetera pneumata ponaʸrotera heautou, kai eiselthonta katoikei ekei; kai ginetai ta esⱪata tou anthrōpou ekeinou ⱪeirona tōn prōtōn. houtōs estai kai taʸ genea tautaʸ taʸ ponaʸra.)

RP-GNT Τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ· καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. Οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ.
(Tote poreuetai kai paralambanei meth' heautou hepta hetera pneumata ponaʸrotera heautou, kai eiselthonta katoikei ekei; kai ginetai ta esⱪata tou anthrōpou ekeinou ⱪeirona tōn prōtōn. Houtōs estai kai taʸ genea tautaʸ taʸ ponaʸra.)

TC-GNT Τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ· καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. Οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ [fn]ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ.
(Tote poreuetai kai paralambanei meth heautou hepta hetera pneumata ponaʸrotera heautou, kai eiselthonta katoikei ekei; kai ginetai ta esⱪata tou anthrōpou ekeinou ⱪeirona tōn prōtōn. Houtōs estai kai taʸ genea tautaʸ taʸ ponaʸra. )

12:45 ταυτη τη πονηρα ¦ τη πονηρα ταυτη ANT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:38–45: Jesus rebuked those who asked for a sign

In this section, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders increases. Jesus had already said several times that he was someone special. He said that he was greater than the temple (12:6). He said that he was Lord of the Sabbath (12:8). In this section, the religious leaders wanted to see a miraculous sign to confirm that he was really from God.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for asking for a sign, and he refused to give them an immediate sign. A sign would come later. It would be the sign of Jonah. By referring to the sign of Jonah, Jesus meant that he would be in the grave three days (12:40) before God resurrected him. He then told two stories and said that he was greater than Jonah and Solomon. Jesus warned them that if they did not recognize God’s work among them, they would be condemned.

Finally, Jesus told a story to warn the religious leaders of the spiritual dangers that faced them if they did not have the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The religious leaders ask for a sign/miracle

The sign of Jonah

There is a parallel passage for 12:38–42 in Luke 11:29–32. There is a parallel passage for 12:43–45 in Luke 11:24–26.

Paragraph 12:43–45

This paragraph warns that removing evil from a person’s life is not enough. The person must also fill himself with good. The way that someone fills himself with good is not explicitly mentioned. The implied way is by following Jesus and having the Holy Spirit fill him.

Jesus used the present tense for all the verbs in 12:43–45. The present tense shows that this is a general example: these events commonly happen for this situation. Use the proper tense in your language to show that this is a general example.

12:45a

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself,

Then it goes away and finds seven other spirits that are more evil than itself. It brings them along,
Then he goes away and invites/calls seven other unclean/evil spirits. They are more evil than he is. He brings them back with him to the person,

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself: This clause means that the unclean spirit goes away, finds seven other unclean spirits, and brings them back to his house. In some languages, it may be necessary to divide this long clause into several sentences. For example:

it goes off and finds seven other evil spirits even worse than itself. They all come (CEV)

Then he goes away and invites seven other unclean/evil spirits. These spirits are even worse than he is. He brings them with him

seven other spirits: These spirits are unclean/evil spirits like the first one. But they are even more evil.

12:45b

and they go in and dwell there;

and they enter that house and remain there.
and they enter the person and live there and possess/control him.

they go in and dwell there: The pronoun they refers to the unclean spirit plus the seven other evil spirits. These eight evil spirits are pictured as entering and living in the person like people enter and live in a house.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the metaphor of the house. For example:
they enter that house and live there
Use terms that refer directly to evil spirits possessing a person. For example:
they all enter the person and live there (NLT)
they possess the person
Use general terms that could refer to either a house or a person. For example:
they go in and live there (NCV)

12:45c

and the final plight of that man is worse than the first.

The later life of that person is worse than his earlier life.
So, that person will suffer more than before.

the final plight of that man is worse than the first: The word plight refers to the man’s “state of being” or his “life.” The eight demons will make this man’s life much worse than when the one demon was controlling his life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the person has even more trouble than before (NCV)

the life of that person is worse than before

the sufferings/troubles of that person will surpass those of before

12:45d

So will it be with this wicked generation.”

And it will be the same with the evil people living today.”
That is the same thing that will happen to you wicked people of today.”

So will it be with this wicked generation: This clause is the conclusion or application of what Jesus said in 12:43–44. In this clause, Jesus compared the people of this evil generation to the person who had the evil spirit. He said that the end of the lives of the people of this generation will be worse than the beginning of their lives.

The people of this evil generation had seen Jesus cast out an evil spirit. If they did not replace the evil in their lives with the Holy Spirit, they would suffer.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

It is the same way with the evil people who live today. (NCV)

That is like what will happen to the evil people who live today.

The lives of the people of this evil generation will be like the life of the person with a demon. The end will be worse than the beginning.

this wicked generation: This phrase refers to the people who lived at the same time as Jesus. Many of them were evil/bad. A similar phrase occurs in 12:39a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

evil people who live today

bad people who are alive now

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / go

πορεύεται

˱it˲_˓is˒_going

In a context such as this, your language might say “comes” instead of goes. Alternate translation: [it comes]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ

˓having˒_come_in ˱it˲_˓is˒_dwelling there

Here Jesus implies that the evil spirits entered the man and lived in him. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [they having entered the man, it resides in him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ

˓having˒_come_in ˱it˲_˓is˒_dwelling there

Here Jesus continues to refer to the person whom the evil spirit formerly controlled as if he were a house. When the evil spirits control the man, it is as if they are living in him as their home. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [having entered, they reside there as if he were their home] or [having overpowered the man, they possess him]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κατοικεῖ

˱it˲_˓is˒_dwelling

Here Jesus speaks of the evil spirit living in the man, but he implies that the seven other spirits also live in the man. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the spirits reside]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων

˓is˒_becoming (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Τότε πορεύεται καί παραλαμβάνει μεθʼ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτά ἑτέρα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ καί εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ καί γίνεται τά ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων Οὕτως ἔσται καί τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ)

Here, the phrase last things refers to the situation or condition of the man after the evil spirits return. The phrase the first things refers to the situation or condition of the man before the first evil spirit left him. Jesus means that the man’s situation or condition is now worse than it was when he only had one evil spirit possessing him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [that man’s condition is now worse than it was before] or [the current situation of that man has become worse than the previous situation]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ

¬the ˱to˲_generation this ¬the evil