What does it mean?

June 6, 2020

What does it mean? (Acts 17:20)

“It sounds rather strange

To us.

We would like

To know

What does it mean?”

ξενίζοντα γάρ τινα εἰσφέρεις εἰς τὰς ἀκοὰς ἡμῶν· βουλόμεθα οὖν γνῶναι τίνα θέλει ταῦτα εἶναι.

The author of Acts indicated that they said that these things sounded (τινα εἰσφέρεις) rather strange (ξενίζοντα γάρ) to their ears (εἰς τὰς ἀκοὰς ἡμῶν).  They wanted (βουλόμεθα) to know (οὖν γνῶναι) what did it mean (τίνα θέλει ταῦτα εἶναι)?  These Athenians thought that what Paul was saying was strange or new, so that they wanted to know what it meant.  Paul would then get a chance to speak to these pagan Greek gentile philosophers on their own turf.  Do you know what your belief in Jesus means?

February 17, 2019

What does it mean? (Lk 8:9-8:9)

“Then his disciples

Asked Jesus.

‘What does

This parable mean?’”

 

Ἐπηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τίς αὕτη εἴη ἡ παραβολή.

 

Luke said that the disciples of Jesus asked him (Ἐπηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ) what this parable meant (τίς αὕτη εἴη ἡ παραβολή)?  This question to Jesus can be found in all 3 synoptic gospels, Matthew, chapter 13:10, Mark, chapter 4:10, and Luke here.  Only Mark made a distinction between the disciples and the 12 apostles.  He also mentioned that Jesus was alone.  The disciples were confused about the use of parables.  Thus, they came to Jesus, since they wanted to know why he spoke to the crowds in parables.  Did you understand this parable?