Luke 5:34

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
εἶπεν
he said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#4
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#5
αὐτῶν
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
#6
Μὴ
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#7
δύνασθε
Can ye
to be able or possible
#8
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
υἱοὺς
the children
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#10
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
νυμφῶνος
of the bridechamber
the bridal room
#12
ἐν
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#13
while
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
νυμφίος
the bridegroom
a bride-groom (literally or figuratively)
#16
μετ'
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#17
αὐτῶν
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
ἐστιν
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#19
ποιῆσαι
make
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#20
νηστεύειν
fast
to abstain from food (religiously)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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