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Same as in like or similar
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Same as in like or similar
Verse routeMatthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, [kjv]
Verse routeτινι δε ομοιωσω την γενεαν ταυτην ομοια εστιν παιδιοις καθημενοις εν ταις αγοραιςα προσφωνουντα τοις ετεροις [gnt]

When the word "same" or "like" or "similar" is used, it indicates that an analogy is being made and one must not always take what is said literally. One must find a correspondence in the analogy. The Greek word for "same" is related to the English word for "same".

The ancient Greek word "ὅμοιος""similar, like, resembling" and comes from the ancient Greek word "ὁμός""same, common".

The translations of "liken" in this verse, in the uncommon Greek inflection used, appears to a play-on-words used by Jesus.

Information sign More: Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place

2. Strongs - like

3. Usage - like
*G3664 *45 ὅμοιος (hom'-oy-os) : from the base of G3674; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.
Word usage per chapter Words: ομοια=15 ομοιαι ομοιας ομοιοι=8 ομοιον=9 ομοιος=11


4. Similar words
This is from the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*SEM""same" whose descendants include the following. The modern Greek word "όμοιος" (O-mee-os) ≈ "similar, like, resembling". The modern Greek word "ομός" (o-MOS) ≈ "same, common". Almost no change from ancient Greek.

5. Diagram
Linguistic diagram of similar

6. Jesus
When Jesus uses the word "liken" (or similar word) it means that Jesus (as he often does) is using a figurative analogy and not a literal saying - though the literal sense may make some sense.

7. An opinion on hyperbole compared to code word models
The ancient Greek word "ὑπερβολή""overshooting, superiority, excess" and, in geometry, a "hyperbola". The Greek word is the source of the English word "hyperbole" but has acquired the meaning of exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally and are based on the personal opinion of the person inferring the "hyperbole".

The use of "hyperbole" for inferring the meaning of sayings of Jesus is very popular since anyone can adopt almost any meaning based on personal opinion and then compare that opinion with others to see which people like which opinions.

By contrast, interpreting the meaning of sayings of Jesus using constraint logic and code words where nouns are replaced by other words to get the meaning is not popular.

Unfortunately for those who prefer "hyperbole", Jesus never says that he is using hyperbole but Jesus does explain his approach to replacing nouns with other nouns to derive meaning.

Information sign More: An opinion on hyperbole compared to code word models

8. Snoopy and Woodstock

Text: from Peanuts cartoon of March 23, 1990, by Charles Schultz. Snoopy is talking to Woodstock, who says nothing.
  • SNOOPY: And sometimes when a rabbit is frightened, it will sit very still like this so no one will see it...
  • SNOOPY: Of course you can still see me! I was just giving an example!!
  • SNOOPY: You can't explain anything to a bird!


Many people have trouble with abstraction - looking at similarities and ignoring differences. If they think not, try having them write a small computer program that requires abstraction. Many professional programmers have problems making appropriate abstractions.

Information sign More: Abstraction

9. Synoptic Gospels
Someone started the following and it got repeated enough times that people accept it without thinking. On just a little thought, it does not really make sense. Synoptic means "same" and "view" where the "same" is not an analogy but, rather, "together". Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the "synoptic" gospels.

The synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark and Luke.

10. Synoptic Gospels
Matthew was a tax collector and is written to the Jews. The skills of a tax collector included remembering details and taking shorthand, so many believe that Matthew's discourses of what Jesus said are close to the actual words of Jesus. In writing to the Jews, Matthew provides many Old Testament prophecies of Jesus.

Mark is the writer of the Gospel as related to Mark by Peter for publication. Mark appears to add a few personal touches, as was usually done, and probably with the permission of Peter. The Gospel of Mark is often taken as a Gospel of servant-hood, laking a genealogy as in Matthew and Luke. My personal preference is that Peter thought like a scientist, making many observations, making conclusions based on those observations, and leaving out parts that were either assumed to have been known or not relevant for what he was trying to say.

Luke was a physician for Paul. Medical practice was not like we know it today. As a physician, one could often not do much to help the patient. What one could do is ask questions, listen, console, and do limited things to help. Such skills made for an excellent historian. Luke appears to have sought out, questioned, and collected stories that he could verify. If a story is in the other Gospels but not Luke, it does not mean they are untrue. It means that Luke either did not know about them or could not personally verify their validity.

John is sometimes considered a mystic. On the other hand, John approaches problems and explains them in what today is considered a top-down backward-chaining approach that is embodied in the computer/information science of today.

11. Agreement of a symphony
Verse routeActs 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, [kjv]
Verse routeκαι τουτω συμφωνουσιν οι λογοι των προφητων καθως γεγραπται [gnt]
Verse routeconcordant … [v]

The ancient Greek word "συμφωνία""agreement" and comes from the words for "same voice". The English word "symphony" cames from a group of people with the "same voice".

The Latin word "concordo""agree, harmonize" and is the source of the English word "concordant".

12. Acts 15:15

   Acts 15:15 
 All 
KJV: And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
Greek: και τουτω συμφωνουσιν οι λογοι των προφητων καθως γεγραπται
Greek today: Και με τουτο συμφωνουσιν οι λογοι των προφητων, καθως ειναι γεγραμμενον
Latin: et huic concordant verba prophetarum sicut scriptum est
Slavonic: и сему согласуют словеса пророк, якоже пишет:
Russian: И с сим согласны слова пророков, как написано:

13. Russian
The Russian prefix "со" has the connotation of "together" so that "agree" is to "say together". From the modern Greek word "συμφωνούσιν" (seem-fo-NU-seen) ≈ "agree" comes the English word "symphony", literally to "say together".

14. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640