John 21:12

Authorized King James Version

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
λέγει
saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#2
αὐτόν
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
#3
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#5
Δεῦτε
Come
come hither!
#6
ἀριστήσατε
and dine
to take the principle meal
#7
οὐδεὶς
none
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#8
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#9
ἐτόλμα
durst
to venture (objectively or in act; while g2292 is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous
#10
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
μαθητῶν
of the disciples
a learner, i.e., pupil
#12
ἐξετάσαι
ask
to test thoroughly (by questions), i.e., ascertain or interrogate
#13
αὐτόν
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
#14
Σὺ
thou
thou
#15
τίς
Who
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#16
εἶ
art
thou art
#17
εἰδότες
knowing
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#18
ὅτι
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
κύριός
the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#21
ἐστιν
it was
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

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 divine love 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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