Mysteries in the New Testament

By the time of the GNT (Greek New Testament), a mystery was an unknown but not too far removed from that secret society group to which one needed to be initiated.

In the Kingdom (of Heaven) Parables of Mathew 13, and the corresponding verses in Mark and Luke, Jesus uses the word "mystery" as secret knowledge for a particular inside group (the disciples) and not to the other people.

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [kjv]

και προσελθοντες οι μαθηται ειπαν αυτω δια τι εν παραβολαις λαλεις αυτοις [gnt]

13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [kjv]

ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν οτι υμιν δεδοται γνωναι τα μυστηρια της βασιλειας των ουρανων εκεινοις δε ου δεδοται [gnt]

What exactly is the "Kingdom of Heaven"? Since some of the parables tend not to make sense otherwise, the "Kingdom of Heaven" is often taken to be the historical time of the church, from the time of Jesus until the end times.

Matthew 13:10

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KJV: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Greek: και προσελθοντες οι μαθηται ειπον ειπαν αυτω δια τι εν παραβολαις λαλεις αυτοις

Matthew 13:11

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KJV: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Greek: ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις οτι υμιν δεδοται γνωναι τα μυστηρια της βασιλειας των ουρανων εκεινοις δε ου δεδοται

Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. [kjv]

After a few verses, Jesus states that this "mystery" has been since the beginning of time.

Matthew 13:17

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KJV: For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Greek: αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν οτι πολλοι προφηται και δικαιοι επεθυμησαν ιδειν α βλεπετε και ουκ ειδον ειδαν και ακουσαι α ακουετε και ουκ ηκουσαν

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [kjv]

ου γαρ θελω υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι το μυστηρ ιον τουτο ινα μη ητε εν εαυτοις φρονιμοι οτι πωρωσις απο μερους τω ισραηλ γεγονεν αχρι ου το πληρωμα των εθνων εισελθη [gnt]

Paul was usually writing to a Greek audience who would have the background of the meaning of the word "mystery" as connected with a somewhat secret society and of initiation into that group to get that knowledge and benefits.

Part of the "mystery" involves the "blindness" of the Jews, until the time of the Gentiles is complete. That is, until the time of the Kingdom of Heaven, or age of the church, is complete.

This "blindness" appears to be stated by Jesus in Luke 13:34-35.

Romans 11:25

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KJV: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Greek: ου γαρ θελω υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι το μυστηριον τουτο ινα μη ητε παρ εν εαυτοις φρονιμοι οτι πωρωσις απο μερους τω ισραηλ γεγονεν αχρις αχρι ου το πληρωμα των εθνων εισελθη

Luke 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. [kjv]

πλην δει με σημερον και αυριον και τη εχομενη πορευεσθαι οτι ουκ ενδεχεται προφητην απολεσθαι εξω ιερουσαλημ [gnt]

13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! [kjv]

ιερουσαλημ ιερουσαλημ η αποκτεινουσα τους προφητας και λιθοβολουσα τους απεσταλμενους προς αυτην ποσακις ηθελησα επισυναξαι τα τεκνα σου ον τροπον ορνις την εαυτης νοσσιαν υπο τας πτερυγας και ουκ ηθελησατε [gnt]

The verse in Luke 13:33 ends with "Jerusalem" and then repeats that word twice more at the start of the next verse.

This is one of three places in the GNT where a word is repeated three times.

More: Words repeated thrice in the GNT

Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! [kjv]

13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. [kjv]

ιδου αφιεται υμιν ο οικος υμων λεγω δε υμιν ου μη ιδητε με εως ειπητε ευλογημενος ο ερχομενος εν ονοματι κυριου [gnt]

Note the use in Greek of a double negative as emphasizing a negative (unlike English).

More: Do not no way use double negatives

Luke 13:34

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KJV: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Greek: ιερουσαλημ ιερουσαλημ η αποκτεινουσα τους προφητας και λιθοβολουσα τους απεσταλμενους προς αυτην ποσακις ηθελησα επισυναξαι τα τεκνα σου ον τροπον ορνις την εαυτης νοσσιαν υπο τας πτερυγας και ουκ ηθελησατε

Luke 13:35

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KJV: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Greek: ιδου αφιεται υμιν ο οικος υμων ερημος αμην λεγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι ου μη με ιδητεμε εως αν ηξη οτε ειπητε ευλογημενος ο ερχομενος εν ονοματι κυριου

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [kjv]

τω δε δυναμενω υμας στηριξαι κατα το ευαγγελιον μου και το κηρυγμα ιησου χριστου κατα αποκαλυψιν μυστηριου χρονοις αιωνιοις σεσιγημενου [gnt]

Back to Paul and "mystery". This "secret" has been since the world began.

Romans 16:25

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KJV: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Greek: τω δε δυναμενω υμας στηριξαι κατα το ευαγγελιον μου και το κηρυγμα ιησου χριστου κατα αποκαλυψιν μυστηριου χρονοις αιωνιοις σεσιγημενου

Latin: ei autem qui potens est vos confirmare iuxta evangelium meum et praedicationem Iesu Christi secundum revelationem mysterii temporibus aeternis taciti

Wycliffe: Amen. And onour and glorie be to hym, that is myyti to conferme you bi my gospel, and prechyng of Jhesu Crist, bi the reuelacioun of mysterie holdun stylle in tymes euerlastinge;

Tyndale: To him that is of power to stablisshe you accordinge to my gospell and preachinge of Iesus Christ in vtteringe of the mistery which was kept secret sence the worlde begane

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [kjv]

αλλα λαλουμεν θεου σοφιαν εν μυστηριω την αποκεκρυμμενην ην προωρισεν ο θεος προ των αιωνων εις δοξαν ημων [gnt]

Here we have the revealing, or "revelation" of the "mystery" for a select group who, for whom it is given, can understand.

1 Corinthians 2:7

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KJV: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Greek: αλλα λαλουμεν σοφιαν θεου σοφιαν εν μυστηριω την αποκεκρυμμενην ην προωρισεν ο θεος προ των αιωνων εις δοξαν ημων

Latin: sed loquimur Dei sapientiam in mysterio quae abscondita est quam praedestinavit Deus ante saecula in gloriam nostram

Wycliffe: but we speken the wisdom of God in mysterie, `which wisdom is hid; which wisdom God bifor ordeynede bifor worldis in to oure glorie,

Tyndale: but we speake ye wysdome of God which is in secrete and lieth hyd which God ordeyned before the worlde vnto oure glory:

1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [kjv]

καν και εαν εχω προφητειαν και ειδω τα μυστηρια παντα και πασαν την γνωσιν καν και εαν εχω πασαν την πιστιν ωστε ορη μεθιστανειν αγαπην δε μη εχω ουθεν ειμι [gnt]

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul states that knowing the "mysteries" and having "knowledge" is not enough, if one has not "love".

1 Corinthians 13:2

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KJV: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Greek: καν και εαν εχω προφητειαν και ειδω τα μυστηρια παντα και πασαν την γνωσιν καν και εαν εχω πασαν την πιστιν ωστε ορη μεθιστανειν αγαπην δε μη εχω ουθεν ειμι

Latin: et si habuero prophetiam et noverim mysteria omnia et omnem scientiam et habuero omnem fidem ita ut montes transferam caritatem autem non habuero nihil sum

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. [kjv]

ο γαρ λαλων γλωσση ουκ ανθρωποις λαλει αλλα θεω ουδεις γαρ ακουει πνευματι δε λαλει μυστηρια [gnt]

Speaking in tongues can be considered a "mystery".

1 Corinthians 14:2

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KJV: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Greek: ο γαρ λαλων γλωσση ουκ ανθρωποις λαλει αλλα τω θεω ουδεις γαρ ακουει πνευματι δε λαλει μυστηρια

Latin: qui enim loquitur lingua non hominibus loquitur sed Deo nemo enim audit Spiritu autem loquitur mysteria

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [kjv]

ιδου μυστηριον υμιν λεγω παντες ου κοιμηθησομεθα παντες δε αλλαγησομεθα [gnt]

1 Corinthians 15:51

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KJV: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Greek: ιδου μυστηριον υμιν λεγω παντες μεν ου κοιμηθησομεθα παντες δε αλλαγησομεθα

Latin: ecce mysterium vobis dico omnes quidem resurgemus sed non omnes inmutabimur

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, [kjv]

οτι κατα αποκαλυψιν εγνωρισθη μοι το μυστηριον καθως προεγραψα εν ολιγω [gnt]

… revelationem … sacramentum … [v]

… Geheimnis … Offenbarung… [lu]

Note that the Latin Vulgate uses the Latin word "sacramentum" ≈ "sacraments" rather than "mystery". Wycliffe uses this for his translation.

Luther uses the German word "Geheimnis" ≈ "secret" which over 400 years later formed the name of the Nazi Secret Police, or "Geheime Staatspolizei" which was abbreviated to "Gestapo".

Ephesians 3:3

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KJV: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words,

Greek: οτι κατα αποκαλυψινεγνωρισεν εγνωρισθη μοι το μυστηριον καθως προεγραψα εν ολιγω

Latin: quoniam secundum revelationem notum mihi factum est sacramentum sicut supra scripsi in brevi

Wycliffe: For bi reuelacioun the sacrament is maad knowun to me, as Y aboue wroot in schort thing,

Luther: daß mir ist kund worden dieses Geheimnis durch Offenbarung, wie ich droben aufs kürzeste geschrieben habe,

1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [kjv]

εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει [gnt]

1 Timothy 3:9

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KJV: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Greek: εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει

Latin: habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura

Wycliffe: that han the mysterie of feith in clene conscience.

Luther: die das Geheimnis des Glaubens in reinem Gewissen haben.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. [kjv]

το μυστηριον των επτα αστερων ους ειδες επι της δεξιας μου και τας επτα λυχνιας τας χρυσας οι επτα αστερες αγγελοι των επτα εκκλησιων εισιν και αι λυχνιαι αι επτα επτα εκκλησιαι εισιν [gnt]

sacramentum … [v]

There are many "mysteries" in the book of Revelation, and the word is used several times. Some of the "mysteries" are explained.

Does this "mystery" have to do with "initiation" in any way?

The Latin Vulgate again sometimes uses the word "sacrament" rather than "mystery", and Wycliffe follows.

Revelation 1:20

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KJV: The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Greek: το μυστηριον των επτα αστερων ων ους ειδες επι της δεξιας μου και τας επτα λυχνιας τας χρυσας οι επτα αστερες αγγελοι των επτα εκκλησιων εισιν και αι επτα λυχνιαι ας ειδες αι επτα επτα εκκλησιαι εισιν

Latin: sacramentum septem stellarum quas vidisti in dextera mea et septem candelabra aurea septem stellae angeli sunt septem ecclesiarum et candelabra septem septem ecclesiae sunt

Wycliffe: The sacrament of the seuene sterris, which thou seiyest in my riyt hond, and the seuene goldun candelstikis; the seuene sterris ben aungels of the seuene chirchis, and the seuene candelstikis ben seuene chirchis.

Luther: das Geheimnis der sieben Sterne, die du gesehen hast in meiner rechten Hand, und die sieben güldenen Leuchter. Die sieben Sterne sind Engel der sieben Gemeinden, und die sieben Leuchter, die du gesehen hast, sind sieben Gemeinden.

Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. [kjv]

και επι το μετωπον αυτης ονομα γεγραμμενον μυστηριον βαβυλων η μεγαλη η μητηρ των πορνων και των βδελυγματων της γης [gnt]

… mysterium Babylon … [v]

17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. [kjv]

και ειδον την γυναικα μεθυουσαν εκ του αιματος των αγιων και εκ του αιματος των μαρτυρων ιησου και εθαυμασα ιδων αυτην θαυμα μεγα [gnt]

17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. [kjv]

και ειπεν μοι ο αγγελος δια τι εθαυμασας εγω ερω σοι το μυστηριον της γυναικος και του θηριου του βασταζοντος αυτην του εχοντος τας επτα κεφαλας και τα δεκα κερατα [gnt]

Daniel wrote from Babylon in the only book in the LXX (Septuagint) that uses the Greek word "mystery" (nine times, eight in chapter 2). In Revelation, Babylon reappears as a "mystery". This "mystery" is not fully explained. What might be a good candidate for this "Babylon"?

John "wondered" with "amazement" and not "admiration".

Revelation 17:5

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KJV: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Greek: και επι το μετωπον αυτης ονομα γεγραμμενον μυστηριον βαβυλων η μεγαλη η μητηρ των πορνων και των βδελυγματων της γης

Latin: et in fronte eius nomen scriptum mysterium Babylon magna mater fornicationum et abominationum terrae

Wycliffe: And a name writun in the forheed of hir, Mysterie, Babiloyn the greet, modir of fornycaciouns, and of abhomynaciouns of erthe.

Tyndale: And in her forhed was a name wrytten a mistery gret Babylon the mother of whordome and abominacions of the erth.

Revelation 17:6

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KJV: And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Greek: και ειδον την γυναικα μεθυουσαν εκ του αιματος των αγιων και εκ του αιματος των μαρτυρων ιησου και εθαυμασα ιδων αυτην θαυμα μεγα

Revelation 17:7

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KJV: And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

Greek: και ειπεν μοι ο αγγελος δια τι εθαυμασας εγω σοι ερω σοι το μυστηριον της γυναικος και του θηριου του βασταζοντος αυτην του εχοντος τας επτα κεφαλας και τα δεκα κερατα

Latin: et dixit mihi angelus quare miraris ego tibi dicam sacramentum mulieris et bestiae quae portat eam quae habet capita septem et decem cornua

Wycliffe: And the aungel seide to me, Whi wondrist thou? I schal seie to thee the sacrament yf the womman, and of the beeste that berith hir, that hath seuene heedis and ten hornes.

Tyndale: And the angell sayde vnto me: wherfore mervayllyst thou? I wyll shewe the ye mistery of the woman and of the best that berith her which hath seven heddes and ten hornes.

Luther: Und der Engel sprach zu mir: Warum verwunderst du dich? Ich will dir sagen das Geheimnis von dem Weibe und von dem Tier, das sie trägt, und hat sieben Häupter und zehn Hörner.