A prudent approach to a wise understanding

The KJV (King James Version) translates as "wise" what is often the Greek word for "prudent".

Book	wise	understand	prudent
Matthew	5
Mark	1
Luke	7
John	0

Here we look at each usage of the Greek word for "wise" by Jesus in the Gospels. Some uses by others in the GNT (Greek New Testament) are then covered.

Many verses in Matthew are repeated in a similar form in Luke (or Mark).

The ancient Greek word "σοφός" ≈ "clever, cunning" and is often translated as the English word "wise". This word may be from the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "SEHP" ≈ "to taste, to try out".

The modern Greek word "σοφός" (so-FOS) ≈ "wise" and is the source of English words such as "sophomore" (wise fool).

The Latin word "sapiens" ≈ "discerning, wise, prudent" (related to the Greek) and is the source of the English phrase "homo sapiens" as "wise human being". Other English words from this word include "savant" and "sapient".

This Latin word is related to the Latin word "sapio" ≈ "taste of, smack of" and over time became associated with "good taste" as in "discernment" and "wisdom". Related English words include "savor" and "savvy" (and the ones above related to "sapiens").

More: A wise opportunity to be prudent

Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. [kjv]

ηλθεν ο υιος του ανθρωπου εσθιων και πινων και λεγουσιν ιδου ανθρωπος φαγος και οινοποτης τελωνων φιλος και αμαρτωλων και εδικαιωθη η σοφια απο των εργων αυτης [gnt]

Luke 7:35 But wisdom is justified of all her children. [kjv]

και εδικαιωθη η σοφια απο παντων των τεκνων αυτης [gnt]

To whom is the "wisdom" referring?

Matthew 11:19

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KJV: The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Greek: ηλθεν ο υιος του ανθρωπου εσθιων και πινων και λεγουσιν ιδου ανθρωπος φαγος και οινοποτης τελωνων φιλος και αμαρτωλων και εδικαιωθη η σοφια απο των τεκνων εργων αυτης

Luke 7:35

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KJV: But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Greek: και εδικαιωθη η σοφια απο παντων των τεκνων αυτης παντων

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. [kjv]

εν εκεινω τω καιρω αποκριθεις ο ιησους ειπεν εξομολογουμαι σοι πατερ κυριε του ουρανου και της γης οτι εκρυψας ταυτα απο σοφων και συνετων και απεκαλυψας αυτα νηπιοις [gnt]

… sapientibus … prudentibus … revelasti … parvulis [v]

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. [kjv]

εν αυτη τη ωρα ηγαλλιασατο τω πνευματι τω αγιω και ειπεν εξομολογουμαι σοι πατερ κυριε του ουρανου και της γης οτι απεκρυψας ταυτα απο σοφων και συνετων και απεκαλυψας αυτα νηπιοις ναι ο πατηρ οτι ουτως ευδοκια εγενετο εμπροσθεν σου [gnt]

What does it mean by "wise"?

Luke 10:21

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KJV: In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Greek: εν αυτη τη ωρα ηγαλλιασατο τω πνευματι ο ιησους τω αγιω και ειπεν εξομολογουμαι σοι πατερ κυριε του ουρανου και της γης οτι απεκρυψας ταυτα απο σοφων και συνετων και απεκαλυψας αυτα νηπιοις ναι ο πατηρ οτι ουτως εγενετο ευδοκια εγενετο εμπροσθεν σου

Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. [kjv]

βασιλισσα νοτου εγερθησεται εν τη κρισει μετα της γενεας ταυτης και κατακρινει αυτην οτι ηλθεν εκ των περατων της γης ακουσαι την σοφιαν σολομωνος και ιδου πλειον σολομωνος ωδε [gnt]

Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. [kjv]

βασιλισσα νοτου εγερθησεται εν τη κρισει μετα των ανδρων της γενεας ταυτης και κατακρινει αυτους οτι ηλθεν εκ των περατων της γης ακουσαι την σοφιαν σολομωνος και ιδου πλειον σολομωνος ωδε [gnt]

What was the "wisdom" of Solomon?

Matthew 12:42

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KJV: The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Greek: βασιλισσα νοτου εγερθησεται εν τη κρισει μετα της γενεας ταυτης και κατακρινει αυτην οτι ηλθεν εκ των περατων της γης ακουσαι την σοφιαν σολομωντος σολομωνος και ιδου πλειον σολομωντος σολομωνος ωδε

Luke 11:31

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KJV: The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Greek: βασιλισσα νοτου εγερθησεται εν τη κρισει μετα των ανδρων της γενεας ταυτης και κατακρινει αυτους οτι ηλθεν εκ των περατων της γης ακουσαι την σοφιαν σολομωντος σολομωνος και ιδου πλειον σολομωντος σολομωνος ωδε

Matthew 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? [kjv]

και ελθων εις την πατριδα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους εν τη συναγωγη αυτων ωστε εκπλησσεσθαι αυτους και λεγειν ποθεν τουτω η σοφια αυτη και αι δυναμεις [gnt]

Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? [kjv]

και γενομενου σαββατου ηρξατο διδασκειν εν τη συναγωγη και οι πολλοι ακουοντες εξεπλησσοντο λεγοντες ποθεν τουτω ταυτα και τις η σοφια η δοθεισα τουτω και αι δυναμεις τοιαυται δια των χειρων αυτου γινομεναι [gnt]

Mark uses the Greek word for "wise" one time.

Matthew 13:54

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KJV: And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Greek: και ελθων εις την πατριδα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους εν τη συναγωγη αυτων ωστε εκπληττεσθαι εκπλησσεσθαι αυτους και λεγειν ποθεν τουτω η σοφια αυτη και αι δυναμεις

Mark 6:2

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KJV: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Greek: και γενομενου σαββατου ηρξατο διδασκειν εν τη συναγωγη διδασκειν και οι πολλοι ακουοντες εξεπλησσοντο λεγοντες ποθεν τουτω ταυτα και τις η σοφια η δοθεισα αυτω οτι τουτω και αι δυναμεις τοιαυται δια των χειρων αυτου γινονται γινομεναι

Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [kjv]

δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν [gnt]

Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: [kjv]

δια τουτο και η σοφια του θεου ειπεν αποστελω εις αυτους προφητας και αποστολους και εξ αυτων αποκτενουσιν και διωξουσιν [gnt]

Matthew uses "wise men" while, years later, those interviewed by Luke appear to have said the "wisdom of God".

Matthew 23:34

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KJV: Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

Greek: δια τουτο ιδου εγω αποστελλω προς υμας προφητας και σοφους και γραμματεις και εξ αυτων αποκτενειτε και σταυρωσετε και εξ αυτων μαστιγωσετε εν ταις συναγωγαις υμων και διωξετε απο πολεως εις πολιν

Luke 11:49

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KJV: Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

Greek: δια τουτο και η σοφια του θεου ειπεν αποστελω εις αυτους προφητας και αποστολους και εξ αυτων αποκτενουσιν και εκδιωξουσιν διωξουσιν

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. [kjv]

το δε παιδιον ηυξανεν και εκραταιουτο πληρουμενον σοφια και χαρις θεου ην επ αυτο [gnt]

2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. [kjv]

και ιησους προεκοπτεν τη σοφια και ηλικια και χαριτι παρα θεω και ανθρωποις [gnt]

The Greek word for "stature" is that of "maturity" or "age" and not "height".

More: Luke 19:1-11 A short discussion on stature

Luke 2:40

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KJV: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Greek: το δε παιδιον ηυξανεν και εκραταιουτο πνευματι πληρουμενον σοφιας σοφια και χαρις θεου ην επ αυτο

Luke 2:52

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KJV: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Greek: και ιησους προεκοπτεν τη σοφια και ηλικια και χαριτι παρα θεω και ανθρωποις

Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. [kjv]

εγω γαρ δωσω υμιν στομα και σοφιαν η ου δυνησονται αντιστηναι η αντειπειν απαντες οι αντικειμενοι υμιν [gnt]

Luke 21:15

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KJV: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Greek: εγω γαρ δωσω υμιν στομα και σοφιαν η ου δυνησονται αντειπειν ουδε αντιστηναι παντες η αντειπειν απαντες οι αντικειμενοι υμιν

… sapientibus … prudentibus … revelasti … parvulis [v]

The word translated as "prudent" is not the usual Greek word for "prudent". That idea appears to come through the Latin Vulgate which uses the Latin word "prudentibus" ≈ "prudent" and is the source of the English word "prudent".

The way Jesus says this, it is clear that being "wise" and the second Greek word, which appears not to mean "prudent", is not a compliment. Jesus repeats the same idea in Matthew 15:16 when talking to the disciples.

15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? [kjv]

ο δε ειπεν ακμην και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε [gnt]

… adhuc … sine intellectu … [v]

It appears that the word "wise" means that one knows a lot of "facts" but not necessarily "rules" and how to apply them with any consistency.

It appears that the above word as "understanding" means that one knows a lot of "rules" but not necessarily "facts" to go with them.

It appears that the word "prudent" means knowing how to use some "facts" and some "rules" and account for what is not known to balance multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives.

Details are left as a future topic.

Matthew 11:25

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KJV: At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Greek: εν εκεινω τω καιρω αποκριθεις ο ιησους ειπεν εξομολογουμαι σοι πατερ κυριε του ουρανου και της γης οτι απεκρυψας εκρυψας ταυτα απο σοφων και συνετων και απεκαλυψας αυτα νηπιοις

Latin: in illo tempore respondens Iesus dixit confiteor tibi Pater Domine caeli et terrae quia abscondisti haec a sapientibus et prudentibus et revelasti ea parvulis

Wycliffe: In thilke tyme Jhesus answeride, and seide, Y knowleche to thee, fadir, lord of heuene and of erthe, for thou hast hid these thingis fro wijse men, and redi, and hast schewid hem to litle children;

Tyndale: At yt tyme Iesus answered and sayd: I prayse ye o father lorde of heve and erth because thou hast hid these thinges fro the wyse and prudet and hast opened the vnto babes:

Luther: Zu derselbigen Zeit antwortete Jesus und sprach: Ich preise dich, Vater und Herr Himmels und der Erde, daß du solches den Weisen und Klugen verborgen hast und hast es den Unmündigen offenbaret.

Matthew 15:16

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KJV: And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Greek: ο δε ιησους ειπεν ακμην και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε

Latin: at ille dixit adhuc et vos sine intellectu estis

Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [kjv]

ασυνετους ασυνθετους αστοργους ανελεημονας [gnt]

insipientes … [v]

In Romans, Paul uses the word in the negative.

Romans 1:31

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KJV: Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Greek: ασυνετους ασυνθετους αστοργους ασπονδους ανελεημονας

Latin: insipientes inconpositos sine affectione absque foedere sine misericordia

Tyndale: with out vnderstondinge covenaunte breakers vnlovinge trucebreakers and merciles.

Luther: Unvernünftige, Treulose, störrig, unversöhnlich, unbarmherzig

Spanish: necios, desleales, sin afecto natural, implacables, sin misericordia;

Portuguese: estúpidos, desleais, inclementes, impiedosos.

Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. [kjv]

οδοι ζωης διανοηματα συνετου ινα εκκλινας εκ του αδου σωθη [lxx]

… eruditum … [v]

23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. [kjv]

εις ωτα αφρονος μηδεν λεγε μηποτε μυκτηριση τους συνετους λογους σου [lxx]

… loquaris … despicient doctrinam eloquii … [v]

The "despise" in the LXX (Septuagint) is an idiom having to do with the nose or nostrils.

More: To mock a mocking mock

Proverbs 15:24

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KJV: The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Hebrew: ארח חיים למעלה למשכיל למען סור משאול מטה׃

Greek: οδοι ζωης διανοηματα συνετου ινα εκκλινας εκ του αδου σωθη

Latin: semita vitae super eruditum ut declinet de inferno novissimo

Wycliffe: The path of lijf is on a lernyd man; that he bowe awei fro the laste helle.

Luther: Der Weg des Lebens gehet überwärts klug zu machen, auf daß man meide die Hölle unterwärts.

Proverbs 23:9

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KJV: Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Hebrew: באזני כסיל אל תדבר כי יבוז לשכל מליך׃

Greek: εις ωτα αφρονος μηδεν λεγε μηποτε μυκτηριση τους συνετους λογους σου

Latin: in auribus insipientium ne loquaris quia despicient doctrinam eloquii tui

Wycliffe: Speke thou not in the eeris of vnwise men; for thei schulen dispise the teching of thi speche.

Luther: Rede nicht vor des Narren Ohren; denn er verachtet die Klugheit deiner Rede.

*G801 *5 ἀσύνετος (as-oon'-ay-tos) : from G1 (as a negative particle) and G4908 συνετός; unintelligent; by implication, wicked:--foolish, without understanding.

Usage

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ασυνετοι *2

Matthew 15:16 ... ye also yet without understanding?
Mark 7:18 ... Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not ...

ασυνετος

Romans 1:21 ... imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

ασυνετους

Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

ασυνετω

Romans 10:19 ... them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

*G4908 *4 συνετός (soon-et'-os) : from G4920; mentally put (or putting) together, i.e. sagacious:--prudent. Compare G5429.

Usage

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συνετων *3

Matthew 11:25 ... from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Luke 10:21 ... from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them ...
1 Corinthians 1:19 ... and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

συνετω

Acts 13:7 ... the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for ...

*G801 *5 ἀσύνετος (as-oon'-ay-tos) : from G1 (as a negative particle) and G4908 συνετός; unintelligent; by implication, wicked:--foolish, without understanding.

*G4908 *4 συνετός (soon-et'-os) : from G4920; mentally put (or putting) together, i.e. sagacious:--prudent. Compare G5429.

Words: ασυνετοι=2 ασυνετος ασυνετους ασυνετω συνετω συνετων=3