John 1:50

Authorized King James Version

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#2
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#3
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#4
εἶπόν
I said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#5
αὐτῷ
unto him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#6
Ὅτι
Because
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#7
εἶπόν
I said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#8
σοι
unto thee
to thee
#9
εἶδόν
I saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#10
σε
thee
thee
#11
ὑποκάτω
under
down under, i.e., beneath
#12
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
συκῆς
the fig tree
a fig-tree
#14
πιστεύεις
believest thou
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#15
μείζω
greater things
larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age)
#16
τούτων
than these
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
#17
ὄψει
thou shalt see
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

Analysis

Within the broader context of John, this passage highlights faith and obedience through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to John's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of faith and obedience within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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