Luke 13:4

Authorized King James Version

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἢ
G2228
Or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#2
ἐκεῖνοι
G1565
those
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
#3
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
δεκα
G1176
eighteen
ten
#5
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#6
οκτὼ,
G3638
"eight"
#7
ἐφ'
G1909
upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#8
οὓς
G3739
whom
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#9
ἔπεσεν
G4098
fell
to fall (literally or figuratively)
#10
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
πύργος
G4444
the tower
a tower or castle
#12
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#13
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
Σιλωὰμ
G4611
Siloam
siloam (i.e., shiloach), a pool of jerusalem
#15
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
ἀπέκτεινεν
G615
slew
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
#17
αὐτούς
G846
them
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
#18
δοκεῖτε
G1380
think ye
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
#19
ὅτι
G3754
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#20
οὐτοὶ
G3778
they
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#21
ὀφειλέται
G3781
sinners
an ower, i.e., person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor (against god)
#22
ἐγένοντο
G1096
were
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#23
παρὰ
G3844
above
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
#24
πάντας
G3956
all
all, any, every, the whole
#25
ἀνθρώπους
G444
men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#26
τοὺς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
κατοικοῦντας
G2730
that dwelt
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
#28
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#29
Ἰερουσαλήμ
G2419
Jerusalem
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Luke. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 salvation within the theological tradition of Luke 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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