meaning of sēmeron in luke 23:43

8/12/2019 Meaning of smeron in Luke 23:43

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the meaning of Smeron in luke 23:43An exegetical study


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Background

Luke 23:43 , .

Luke 23:43 Truly I tell you, today you will be with me

in Paradise.


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Textual evidenceNT manuscripts were written in the so-called uncial

script, and they do not have separation betweenwords and sentences. There are just a few

occurrences of punctuation used to indicate how thetext was read.

The comma was introduced as late as the ninth

centuryshort pauses were sometimes indicated by apoint on the line (.), and full stops by a superscripted

point ().

Currently, we do not have the autographs, but

manuscript copies.


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Textual evidence

It is probably that Luke

23:43 had no

punctuation at all, as

P75 testifies it.


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Textual evidence

Punctuation marks, therefore, are not an integral part

of the canonical text. In fact, they reveal only how thetext was read and understood by those who copied it.

So, when Luke 23:43 was punctuated, the comma

was placed before smeronnot for grammaticalreasons, but for the theological conviction prevailing atthe time that the final reward of the faithful who die

comes immediately after death.


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Textual evidenceCodex Vaticanus


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Linguistic AnalysisIn Greek, there is no specific rule concerning the

position of the adverb, whether before or after the

verb. Thus, from the grammatical standpoint it isimpossible to determine if smeronin Luke 23:43modifies the preceding verb (to tell) or the followingone (to be).

However, from an exhaustive analysis of the syntacticbehavior of the smeronwithin other amphibologiessimilar to the one of Luke 23:43, it is possible to find a

linguistic argument that supports one of the readings.


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Use of smeronin Luke-

ActsActs 26:2-3 , ,

, .

"In regard to all the things of which I am accused by

the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa,that I am about to make my defense before you today;

especially because you are an expert in all customs

and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to

listen to me patiently.


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Acts

Acts 26:29

.

And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether in a

short or long time, not only you, but also all who hearme this day, might become such as I am, except for

these chains."


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Acts

Luke 4:21 .

And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture

has been fulfilled in your hearing."


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Acts

Acts 4:9 ,

If we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick

man, as to how this man has been made well,


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Acts

Therefore, reading the adverb in Luke 23:43 in

connection to the preceding verb is not only fully

acceptable in terms of grammar but is also in

agreement with Lukes literary style.

meaning of sēmeron in luke 23:43

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