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Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
1. Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
2. Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
Jesus mentions birds four times in Matthew. According to Jesus:
The birds do not sow.
The birds do not reap.
The birds do not gather into barns.
Who are the birds? What do they do? Might the code word meaning Jesus provides elsewhere be applicable to the generic "birds" or "fowls" of the "air" or "heaven" (same words in Greek) and provide a alternative meaning to the literal sense of the verse?
3. Sports teams
Sports teams with bird names
MLB bird name teams
Baltimore
Orioles
St. Louis
Cardinals
Toronto
Blue Jays
NFL bird name teams
Arizona
Cardinals
Atlanta
Falcons
Baltimore
Ravens
Philadelphia
Eagles
Seattle
Seahawks
Not birds: Blackhawks, Red Wings, Flyers, Hornets
Sports teams with bird names
NBA bird name teams
Atlanta
Hawks
New Orleans
Pelicans
NHL bird name teams
Arizona
Mighty Ducks
Atlanta
Thrashers
Pittsburgh
Penguins
Many sports teams have bird names.
4. Angry birds
At one time, Angry Birds was a very popular game and mobile application that eventually had a movie named after it.
It is still popular.
Behind the scenes, the low level programming is in C/C++ and was scripted at the high level, in part, using the Lua programming language.
5. Birdbrain
The English phrase "birdbrain" conveys the idea of being stupid or a "scatterbrain".
There are many jokes that a "birdbrain" might tell.
6. Birds
Some birds compete for the best "cheap", "cheap", "cheap" and go "cheaper", "cheaper", "cheaper".
The "nest" thing is to cover some bird (or birdbrain) jokes as a special "tweet" for the reader.
When is the best time to buy a bird?
When it is going cheap. That was a fowl joke.
Why did the little bird get in trouble at school?
He was tweeting on a test.
Perhaps these jokes are "for the birds". Instead of "winging it", let us investigate before we go into a "tail spin".
7. Song: Turn! turn! turn!
The current topic is the "birds" and not the "Byrds".
The "Byrds" were an American rock music band from the 1960's. Some band members: David Crosby, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, Jim McGuinn
First four albums:
Mr. Tambourine Man
Turn! Turn! Turn! (lyrics taken from Ecclesiastes 3)
Fifth Dimension
Younger Than Yesterday
Note: The "Yardbirds" were a different rock group at that time period.
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant, a time to reap.
A time to kill, a time to heal.
A time to laugh, a time to weep.
... A time for peace, I swear it's not too late!
9. Birds in Matthew
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
13:4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
13:32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
Jesus often uses nouns as code words. He defines some of them. Here are the four verses that mention "bird" or "fowl" which in Matthew is the same word in Greek. The last two of the four verses are in the first and third kingdom parables in Matthew 13.
*G4071 *14 πετεινόν (pet-i-non') : neuter of a derivative of G4072; a flying animal, i.e. bird:--bird, fowl.
Usage
All
πετεινα *11
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, ...
Matthew 8:20 ... have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but ...
Matthew 13:4 ... by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured ...
Matthew 13:32 ... becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and ...
Mark 4:4 ... by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and ...
Mark 4:32 ... great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge ...
Luke 8:5 ... and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luke 9:58 ... have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but ...
Luke 13:19 ... a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in ...
Acts 10:12 ... and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 11:6 ... and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
πετεινων *3
Luke 12:24 ... are ye better than the fowls?
Romans 1:23 ... corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
James 3:7 ... kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and ...
13. Greek for bird
There is another word for "bird" that is used by Matthew and Luke as "hen" and by John in Revelation is "bird". John apparently does not use the other Greek word for "bird".
The ancient Greek word "ὄρνεον" ≈ "bird" as in a generic bird and is the source of the Old English word "earn" ≈ "eagle" and the English word "ornithology" as the "study of birds" (coined in the 1600's).
*G3732 *3 ὄρνεον (or'-neh-on) : neuter of a presumed derivative of G3733; a birdling:--bird, fowl.
Usage
All
ορνεου
Revelation 18:2 ... unclean and hateful bird.
ορνεοις
Revelation 19:17 ... voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, ...
ορνεα
Revelation 19:21 ... mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
15. Creation story
In the creation story in Genesis, birds are created of every sort.
Genesis 7:14They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. [kjv]
και παντα τα θηρια κατα γενος και παντα τα κτηνη κατα γενος και παν ερπετον κινουμενον επι της γης κατα γενος και πανπετεινονκατα γενος [lxx]
And all the wild beasts after their kind, and all cattle after their kind, and every reptile moving itself on the earth after its kind, and every flying bird after its kind, [bs3]
KJV: They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
Hebrew: המה וכל החיה למינה וכל הבהמה למינה וכל הרמש הרמש על הארץ למינהו וכל העוף למינהו כל צפור כל כנף׃
Greek: και παντα τα θηρια κατα γενος και παντα τα κτηνη κατα γενος και παν ερπετον κινουμενον επι της γης κατα γενος και παν πετεινον κατα γενος
Brenton: And all the wild beasts after their kind, and all cattle after their kind, and every reptile moving itself on the earth after its kind, and every flying bird after its kind,
17. Flying birds
The creation account says that birds of every kind were created. There are non-flying birds, such as "Big Bird".
Here, we are only interested in certain types of bird references.
Let us first mention some of the bird types in which we are not interested in this discussion.
18. Doves and pigeons
Matthew 3:16And Jesus ... saw the Spirit of God descending like a pigeon, and lighting upon him: [kjv]
βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ηνεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσειπεριστεραν ερχομενον επ αυτον [gnt]
… Taube … [lu]
… paloma… [es]
We are interested in the words used for generic birds and not the word for dove or pigeon. Most languages have only one word for this bird.
KJV: And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Greek: και βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ανεβη ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ανεωχθησανηνεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστερανκαι ερχομενον επ αυτον
Latin: baptizatus autem confestim ascendit de aqua et ecce aperti sunt ei caeli et vidit Spiritum Dei descendentem sicut columbam venientem super se
Luther: Und da Jesus getauft war, stieg er bald herauf aus dem Wasser; und siehe, da tat sich der Himmel auf über ihm. Und Johannes sah den Geist Gottes gleich als eine Taube herabfahren und über ihn kommen.
Spanish: Y Jesús, después que fue bautizado, subió luego del agua; y he aquí los cielos le fueron abiertos, y vio al Espíritu de Dios que descendía como paloma, y venía sobreÉl.
20. Sparrows
Luke 12:6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [kjv]
12:7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
We are not interested in "sparrows" although some of the verses are related to the current topic.
We are not interested in "flying dragons" or "flying dinosaurs" such as a "pterodactyl", a name coined by French naturalist and zoologist Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) from two Greek words.
We are not interested in "hens" that brood and sit on nests or in "roosters" as associated with Peter's denial of Christ where Peter is targeted by Satan.
Back to the generic "birds" of the Bible.
24. Matthew 13:31-32 Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
Matthew 13:31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [kjv]
13:32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
The "mustard seed" :
is not the "smallest" of all "seeds".
is not the "greatest" of all "herbs".
grows into a bush, not a tree.
The "birds" do not (usually) nest in small bushes. Are the "birds" good? What is a "mustard seed"? What does a "tree" represent?
The KJV (King James Version) translates as "least" the Greek word that means "smallest". There is another Greek word for "least".
At the request of the disciples, Jesus provides the code-word meaning of the "birds" or "fowls" as those of the "wicked one". This happens when one does "not understand" as in "deception" (including self-deception).
Matthew 13:4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]
The "catcheth away" is related to the word for "rapture". The KJV translates as "evil" or "wicked" the Greek word that means "oppression" or "oppressor".
Matthew 13:4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
και εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσενπαρα την οδονκαι ελθοντα ταπετεινακατεφαγεναυτα [gnt]
13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]
παντος ακουοντος τον λογον της βασιλειας καιμη συνιεντοςερχεται οπονηροςκαιαρπαζειτο εσπαρμενον εν τη καρδια αυτου ουτος εστιν οπαρα την οδονσπαρεις [gnt]
The Greek for "snatch away" is the word used for "rapture" and the source of the English word "harpoon". It is also used as "ravenous" in terms of "wolves".
The "seed" that was "snatched away" in parable 1 appears to have been deposited (by the "birds") in parable 2 as "weeds" and then grows into a "tree" in parable 3 so that those "birds" have a place to make their "nests".
Matthew 8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αιαλωπεκεςφωλεους εχουσιν και ταπετεινα του ουρανουκατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη [gnt]
… Foxis … briddis of heuene … [wy]
Is the "kingdom of heaven" actually "heaven" as in the "kingdom of God"?
Wycliffe uses the phrase "briddis of heuene" or "birds of heaven".
Some will attempt to "fix" a perceived "error" in the Bible text by asserting their opinion (or glory) that "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are the same thing.
If birds represent "evil" or "oppression" (parable 1), are there any birds in heaven?
KJV: And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Greek: και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη
Wessex: Ða cweð se haelend to hym. Foxas haebbeð holo. & heofene fugeles nyst. soðlice mannes sune naefð hwaer he hys heafod änhelde.
Wycliffe: And Jhesus seide to hym, Foxis han dennes, and briddis of heuene han nestis, but mannus sone hath not where`he schal reste his heed.
Tyndale: And Iesus sayd vnto him: the foxes have holes and the bryddes of the ayer have nestes but ye sonne of the man hath not whero to rest his heede.
Luther: Jesus sagte zu ihm: Die Füchse haben Gruben, und die Vögel unter dem Himmel haben Nester; aber des Menschen Sohn hat nicht, da er sein Haupt hinlege.
29. Revelation 18:2 Cagey birds
Revelation 18:2And he criedmightily with a strongvoice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of everyfoulspirit, and a cage of everyunclean and hatefulbird. [kjv]
Revelation 18:2And he criedmightily with a strongvoice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of everyfoulspirit, and a cage of everyunclean and hatefulbird. [kjv]
The ancient Greek word "φυλάσσω" ≈ "watch" is related to "φυλακή" ≈ "watch, prison". The KJV translates the same word as "hold" and then "cage" and takes a viewpoint on who is "watching" and who is being "watched".
Discuss: How might the world be a "cage" or "watch" for a believer?
The Greek word for "cage" is that of a "prison" as in something that is "watched".
The Greek word for "bird" is not the word used in Matthew but is that of "fowl", as used by John, or "hen", as used in Matthew and Luke.
A few chapters later, birds are mentioned again twice.
Revelation 19:17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; [kjv]
19:21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. [kjv]
KJV: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Greek: και ειδον ενα αγγελον εστωτα εν τω ηλιω και εκραξεν εν φωνη μεγαλη λεγων πασιν τοις ορνεοις τοις πετωμενοιςπετομενοις εν μεσουρανηματι δευτε και συναγεσθεσυναχθητε εις το δειπνον το μεγα του μεγαλου θεου
KJV: And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Greek: και οι λοιποι απεκτανθησαν εν τη ρομφαια του καθημενου επι του ιππου τη εκπορευομενηεξελθουση εκ του στοματος αυτου και παντα τα ορνεα εχορτασθησαν εκ των σαρκων αυτων
34. Matthew
The first of the four places that "birds" are mentioned by Jesus in Matthew is in Matthew 6:26. This verse was saved for last so that the background of all the other verses have already beet covered.
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
The full context in Matthew 6 is interesting and relevant but is beyond the scope of the current discussion. Let us look at the verse before and after this verse.
35. Verse before
Here is the verse before the verse with "birds of the air".
Matthew 6:25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [kjv]
KJV: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Greek: δια τουτο λεγω υμιν μη μεριμνατε τη ψυχη υμων τι φαγητε καιη τι πιητε μηδε τω σωματι υμων τι ενδυσησθε ουχι η ψυχη πλειον εστιν της τροφης και το σωμα του ενδυματος
37. Verse after
Here is the verse after the verse with "birds of the air" in Matthew.
Matthew 6:27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [kjv]
The Greek for "stature" has a meaning of "age". The word "cubit" can be taken in the sense of time as in extending the span of life.
KJV: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Greek: τις δε εξ υμων μεριμνων δυναται προσθειναι επι την ηλικιαν αυτου πηχυν ενα
40. Fowls of the air
Let us return to Matthew 6:26 and the "fowls of the air".
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
KJV: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they?
Greek: εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλονδιαφερετε αυτων
Latin: respicite volatilia caeli quoniam non serunt neque metunt neque congregant in horrea et Pater vester caelestis pascit illa nonne vos magispluris estis illis
42. Luke
Luke uses "ravens" for "birds of the air". This is the only place "raven" is used in the GNT.
Luke 12:24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? [kjv]
Since Luke, a Greek, interviewed people and wrote the book of Luke many years later, while Matthew was an eye witness who, as a tax collector, could read, write, take detailed notes in shorthand (as required for his work), etc., Matthew is often taken as being more exact as to what Jesus actually said.
The Greek word for "raven", like the English word for "crow" is onomatopoeic in that it sounds like the sound that the bird makes as a call.
KJV: Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Greek: κατανοησατε τους κορακας οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν οις ουκ εστιν ταμειον ουδε αποθηκη και ο θεος τρεφει αυτους ποσω μαλλον υμεις διαφερετε των πετεινων
Latin: considerate corvos quia non seminant neque metunt quibus non est cellarium neque horreum et Deus pascit illos quanto magis vos pluris estis illis
44. Ecclesiastes 11:4
Ecclesiastes 11:4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. [kjv]
The Greek word is onomatopoeic in that it sounds like what it represents.
Quoth the Raven : "Nevermore." From the poem "The Raven", 1845, by Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) who attended West Point (but did not graduate).
46. Strongs - raven
*G2876 *1 κόραξ (kor'-ax) : perhaps from G2880; a crow (from its voracity):--raven.
Usage
All
κορακας
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow ...
47. Birds
The "birds" do not do the following.
sow
reap
gather into barns
When Jesus talks, what is not said can be as important as what is said.
What step in the literal process is missing that the birds appear to then do?
48. Step 1
The first step is sowing the seed. The "seed" is the word and Jesus in the parable of the sower "sows" the "seed". This is the first kingdom parable in Matthew 13.
The "birds" do not "sow" in this good sense. They could sow "weeds" as in the second kingdom parable. When might they do this?
Let us leave the second step for last.
49. Step 3
The third step is to "reap". In the second kingdom parable in Matthew 13, Jesus says that the "angels" are the reapers.
Matthew 13:39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [kjv]
The "birds" do not "reap" in this sense but they have pecked away "seeds" and sown "weeds". This can be reflexive in that the birds can sow themselves as weeds.
50. Step 4
The fourth step is to "store" into "barns".
This comes after the "reaping" of the "harvest" at the "end of the age".
The "birds" do not "store" into "barns" in this sense.
51. Step 2
That leaves the second step which is to work what grows until the harvest. This is done by the "workers" or "laborers".
Matthew 9:37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [kjv]
Note that the "workers" help to "grow" the "fruit" for the "harvest". A reflexive relationship exists in that the "workers" are also part of the "harvest" as "fruit".
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
The step omitted by Jesus is the "grow" part. The "birds" work the growing harvest by "pecking" and taking part of the harvest (first parable), and, in turn, sowing "weeds" (second parable). You are "rather different" (at least you should be). The KJV, influenced by the Latin, says "much better".
The "birds" are used by Jesus as a symbol of "false teachers" who "prey", rather than "pray", on others. The "wolf" or "wolf-dog", as contrasted to a "sheep-dog", and the "snake" or "viper" appear to be used in the same manner.
The "ask", "seek" and "knock" sequence can be seen in the "sow", "grow" and "harvest" sequence.
The "Holy Spirit" is part of the "worker" process as in the "kingdom of heaven" or the "kingdom of the air" where one must deal with the "birds of the air".
54. Seed picker
A term for "babbler" in Greek is that of a "bird" that goes around pecking at seeds as in talking but not doing real work.
In Acts 17 at Mars Hill, Paul is ridiculed as doing what the people saying it about him are doing.
Acts 17:18Then certain philosophers ... said, What will this babbler say? ... [kjv]
τινες δε και των επικουρειων και στωικων φιλοσοφων συνεβαλλον αυτω και τινες ελεγον τι αν θελοι οσπερμολογοςουτος λεγειν οι δε ξενων δαιμονιων δοκει καταγγελευς ειναι οτι τον ιησουν και την αναστασιν ευηγγελιζετο [gnt]
*G4691 *1 σπερμολόγος (sper-mol-og'-os) : from G4690 and G3004; a seed-picker (as the crow), i.e. (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk):--babbler.
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σπερμολογος
Acts 17:18 ... What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth ...
56. Feeding the birds
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
The "Father" feeds the "birds" even though they sow "weeds". The "birds" appear to "work" but do not do useful "work".
The "laborers" are needed for the future "harvest". We see other verses where the "Father" feeds both the "birds" and the others.
57. The reign/rain of Jesus
Matthew 5:45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [kjv]
7:25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [kjv]
7:27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [kjv]
Jesus says that the Father sends rain on both the just and the unjust. Some of that "rain" is sent on houses built on "sand" and on "rock", with different results.
KJV: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Greek: οπως γενησθε υιοι του πατρος υμων του εν ουρανοις οτι τον ηλιον αυτου ανατελλει επι πονηρους και αγαθους και βρεχει επι δικαιους και αδικους
Geneva: That ye may be the children of your father that is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to arise on the euill, and the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and vniust.
KJV: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Greek: και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθονηλθαν οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεπεσονπροσεπεσαν τη οικια εκεινη και ουκ επεσεν τεθεμελιωτο γαρ επι την πετραν
KJV: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Greek: και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθονηλθαν οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεκοψαν τη οικια εκεινη και επεσεν και ην η πτωσις αυτης μεγαλη
62. Better than birds
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
What does it mean to be "better" or "much better" than the "birds"?
63. Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις ταπετεινατουουρανουοτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδεσυναγουσινεις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμειςμαλλονδιαφερετεαυτων [gnt]
In many places in the GNT, the Greek verb for "difference" as in "making a difference" is translated as "better".
A rephrased ending of the verse might be "Are you not rather different than the birds?".
If the "birds" are the "evil ones", we find other verses in the previous chapter, Matthew 5, that describe this idea that we should be "different" than "birds". Two successive verses in Matthew 5:13-14 (the previous chapter and part of the same discourse) appear to refer to how we are to be "different" than "birds".
Matthew 5:13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
5:14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]
KJV: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Greek: υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθηναιβληθεν εξω και καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
At one time, Angry Birds was a very popular game and mobile application that eventually had a movie named after it.
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
Genesis 7:14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. [kjv]
και παντα τα θηρια κατα γενος και παντα τα κτηνη κατα γενος και παν ερπετον κινουμενον επι της γης κατα γενος και παν πετεινον κατα γενος [lxx]
And all the wild beasts after their kind, and all cattle after their kind, and every reptile moving itself on the earth after its kind, and every flying bird after its kind, [bs3]
The creation account says that birds of every kind were created. There are non-flying birds, such as "Big Bird".
Matthew 3:16 And Jesus ... saw the Spirit of God descending like a pigeon, and lighting upon him: [kjv]
βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ηνεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν ερχομενον επ αυτον [gnt]
… Taube … [lu]
… paloma… [es]
Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [kjv]
12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]
Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
και εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσεν παρα την οδον και ελθοντα τα πετεινα κατεφαγεν αυτα [gnt]
13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]
παντος ακουοντος τον λογον της βασιλειας και μη συνιεντος ερχεται ο πονηρος και αρπαζει το εσπαρμενον εν τη καρδια αυτου ουτος εστιν ο παρα την οδον σπαρεις [gnt]
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη [gnt]
… Foxis … briddis of heuene … [wy]
Revelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [kjv]
και εκραξεν εν ισχυρα φωνη λεγων επεσεν επεσεν βαβυλων η μεγαλη και εγενετο κατοικητηριον δαιμονιων και φυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαθαρτου και φυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαθαρτου και μεμισημενου [gnt]
Revelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [kjv]
και εκραξεν εν ισχυρα φωνη λεγων επεσεν επεσεν βαβυλων η μεγαλη και εγενετο κατοικητηριον δαιμονιων και φυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαθαρτου και φυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαθαρτου και μεμισημενου [gnt]
Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; [kjv]
19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. [kjv]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [kjv]
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [kjv]
Phrase: "One foot in the grave" (distance with time meaning).
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? [kjv]
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. [kjv]
τηρων ανεμον ου σπερει και βλεπων εν ταις νεφελαις ου θερισει [lxx]
Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [kjv]
Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [kjv]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers ... said, What will this babbler say? ... [kjv]
τινες δε και των επικουρειων και στωικων φιλοσοφων συνεβαλλον αυτω και τινες ελεγον τι αν θελοι ο σπερμολογος ουτος λεγειν οι δε ξενων δαιμονιων δοκει καταγγελευς ειναι οτι τον ιησουν και την αναστασιν ευηγγελιζετο [gnt]
… seminiverbius … [v]
… sowere of wordis … [wy]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [kjv]
7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [kjv]
7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [kjv]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
In many places in the GNT, the Greek verb for "difference" as in "making a difference" is translated as "better".
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]
5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]
