Do not no way use double negatives

In "correct" English, one is not to use double negatives.

I do not have none.
I don't have none.
I ain't got none.

Most languages of the world use double negatives to emphasize the negative aspect of what is being said. So too does Ancient (and modern) Greek. This can create certain translation issues in the GNT (Greek New Testament).

A double negative, translated as "no wise", is used in Greek to be an emphatic negative as in "absolutely no way".

"ου" ≈ "no" and "μη" ≈ "not".
"ου μη" ≈ "no not" and appears in 137 verses in the GNT. Aristotle uses this combination so it appears to be not just an Hebrew or Aramaic idea that shows through in Greek.

Greek has a number of words for negation.

"δε" ≈ "(but) not" as a qualified negation (but).
"μη" ≈ "not, no" with something more abstract and potential. For example, of a thought or wish.
"ου" ≈ "not, no" with something more physical and actual. For example, an objective statement of fact.

These can be combined for emphasis.
Don't even think of parking here!

"ου μη" ≈ "no not" appears in 137 verses in the GNT. This is an emphatic negative and includes both the abstract/potential and the physical/actual.

Other uses of the double negative are usually in the logical sense where two negations make a positive. Yeah, right!

Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [kjv]

αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]

A double negative, translated as "no wise", is used in Greek to be an emphatic negative as in "absolutely no way".

"ου" ≈ "no" and "μη" ≈ "not".
"ου μη" ≈ "no not" and appears in 137 verses in the GNT.

Using the "one cookie rule", the emphatic not "one" "jot" and not "one" "tittle" shall "pass by" means the following where there appears to be a double meaning here.

God's view: All the "jots" and all the "tittles" shall "pass by" (since they are man's additions to God's law).
Man's view: None of the "jots" (personal opinions, blemishes) and none of the "tittles" (invalid logic, extra rules) shall "pass by" (since man's organizations do not to change what they using to oppress others).

More: One cookie rule

More: Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles

The professor said, "two positives make a positive".

The student did not agree and replied, "yea, yea" as in "right".

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [kjv]

ουτε υψωμα ουτε βαθος ουτε τις κτισις ετερα δυνησεται ημας χωρισαι απο της αγαπης του θεου της εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων [gnt]

nether heiyth, nether depnesse, nether noon othir creature may departe vs fro the charite of God, that is in`Crist Jhesu oure Lord. [wy]

Note the use of the not uncommon double negative by Wycliffe as the Middle English phrase "nether noon" ≈ "neither none, neither no one" .

More: Ephesians 3:18 : From lowest depth to highest height

Romans 8:39

All

KJV: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Greek: ουτε υψωμα ουτε βαθος ουτε τις κτισις ετερα δυνησεται ημας χωρισαι απο της αγαπης του θεου της εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων

Wycliffe: nether heiyth, nether depnesse, nether noon othir creature may departe vs fro the charite of God, that is in`Crist Jhesu oure Lord.

Tyndale: nether heyth nether loweth nether eny other creature shalbe able to departe vs fro ye love of God shewed in Christ Iesu oure lorde.

Gothic: nih hauhitha nih diupitha nih gaskafts (anthara) magi uns afskaidan af friathwai gudis thizai in xristau iesu, fraujin unsaramma.

Luther: weder Hohes noch Tiefes noch keine andere Kreatur mag uns scheiden von der Liebe Gottes, die in Christo Jesu ist, unserm Herrn.

Mark 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτω ορα μηδενι μηδεν ειπης αλλα υπαγε σεαυτον δειξον τω ιερει και προσενεγκε περι του καθαρισμου σου α προσεταξεν μωυσης εις μαρτυριον αυτοις [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "μηδείς" ≈ "and not one"and comes from two words.

"μηδέ" ≈ "and not".
"εἷς" ≈ "one".

The KJV (King James Version) has Jesus saying "nothing" whereas the Greek has a double negative. Most languages other than English use the double negative for emphasis of negation. English uses it for negating the logic of the negation. This causes a number of translation issues.

More: Mark 1:40-45 Deception by ignoring fault tolerance principles

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. [kjv]

οτι ουκ αδυνατησει παρα του θεου παν ρημα [gnt]

Luke 1:37
Strong	Used	Unique	Word	Part of speech
G3754	1282	1282	οτι	conjunction
G3756	1604	823	ουκ	participle negative
G101	2	2	αδυνατησει	verb future active indicative 3rd person singular
G3844	187	129	παρα	preposition
G3588	19706	2480	του	article genitive singular masculine
G2316	1305	683	θεου	noun genitive singular masculine
G3956	1225	75	παν	adjective nominative singular neuter
G4487	66	22	ρημα	noun nominative singular neuter

Note the double negative of "not impossible" is translated as "nothing" and "impossible". It appears to be a fallacy that Greek always uses a double negative as emphasis.

Possible paraphrase (using all the words): that it is (potentially) possible according to every word of God

The KJV translates as "with God" what would appear to be "of God". It appears that the idiom excuse is used to make the text say what was decided it should say. In doing so, the Greek for "of" and for "spoken word" were removed sometime in the Middle Ages so that the Greek "of God every word" changed to "with God".

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [kjv]

παντα ουν οσα εαν ειπωσιν υμιν ποιησατε και τηρειτε κατα δε τα εργα αυτων μη ποιειτε λεγεουσιν γαρ και ου ποιουσιν [gnt]

Three Greek words for negation appear in this verse.

"δε" ≈ "(but) not". This is a qualified negation (but).
"μη" ≈ "not, no" with something more abstract and potential. For example, of a thought or wish. This is used with "do not after their works" (thought or wish).
"ου" ≈ "not, no" with something more physical and actual. For example, an objective statement of fact. This is used with "do not" for what they "say" (objective statement).

What does Jesus think of their "works" (abstract and potential) compared to their "say" (physical and actual)?

Greek, as most languages except English, use the double negative for an emphatic "not". The English requires that the middle "not" not be translated.

"ου μη" ≈ "no not" and appears in 137 verses in the GNT.

Greek, as most languages, uses the logical negation when both words are not a plain "not".

More: Matthew 23:1-4 Jesus fingers the talk about works