Luke 20:46:
Ï€Ï�οσÎχετε ἀπὸ τῶν γÏ�αμματÎων (Grammateon) τῶν θελόντων πεÏ�ιπατεῖν á¼�ν στολαῖς καὶ φιλοÏ�ντων ἀσπασμοὺς á¼�ν ταῖς ἀγοÏ�αῖς καὶ Ï€Ï�ωτοκαθεδÏ�ίας á¼�ν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ Ï€Ï�ωτοκλισίας á¼�ν τοῖς δείπνοις,
Which one of these is the right translation? A, B, or C. Now the question is, do Scribes normally get called "The teachers of the Law" or do they get called Scribes? If scribes, did translations such as the following go out of their way to say what they do? Compare to other uses of the word Grammateon in the same translations:
Does it not matter whether "Grammateon" is translated as "Scribes" or "Teachers of the Law"? Are scribes necessarily teachers? διδάσκαλοc or didaskalos = Teacher, and law is Nomian, so I don't see any Nomian or Didaskalos. Is it honest to translate scribe as "teacher of the Law?" Sure, they taught what they were dictated, but why not call the Pharisees the teacher of the Law instead if the context is a teacher of a corrupted form of the Law. Are the NIV and NLT guilty of adding an implication to a simple Greek word?
a) New International Version (©1984)
"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
b) New Living Translation (©2007)
"Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.
c) English Standard Version (©2001)
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
Compare to
Matthew 12:38 Greek Study Bible (Apostolic / Interlinear)
Τότε ἀπεκÏ�ίθησαν αá½�Ï„á¿· τινες τῶν γÏ�αμματÎων καὶ ΦαÏ�ισαίων λÎγοντες· διδάσκαλε, θÎλομεν ἀπὸ σου σημεῖον ἰδεῖν.
KJV with Strong's
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered saying Master we would see a sign from thee
New Living Translation (©2007)
One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."
Grammateon: "Scribe" or "Teacher of the Law&
Moderator: Moderators
Post #2
Most literally (and commonly) it means scribe or one who writes letters. It is related, etymologically, to a similar word: γÏ�αμματιστής. This is the name of one who teaches γÏ�άμματα, letters. Effectively an elementary school teacher. The LSJ gives "scholar" as one of the definitions of γÏ�αμματεÏ�Ï‚, the nominative of γÏ�αμματÎων. (the plural genitive form)
γ�άμμα the root of both words has, among several possible meanings: letters, documents, books, laws and learning. (The last three specifically in the plural)
"Scribes" is a perfectly fine translation for the word, "men of letters" or "scholars" are fine as well. Teachers of Law is very specific and may be chosen because the chapter is set in the temple. The notes in my NIV for Luke 20:46 point to the same scene as described in Mark 12:38. It mentions that "Teachers of the Law" worn long white robes, the"στολαῖς" they are accused of wanting to walk around in. That is my best guess as to the translators' intentions.
γ�άμμα the root of both words has, among several possible meanings: letters, documents, books, laws and learning. (The last three specifically in the plural)
"Scribes" is a perfectly fine translation for the word, "men of letters" or "scholars" are fine as well. Teachers of Law is very specific and may be chosen because the chapter is set in the temple. The notes in my NIV for Luke 20:46 point to the same scene as described in Mark 12:38. It mentions that "Teachers of the Law" worn long white robes, the"στολαῖς" they are accused of wanting to walk around in. That is my best guess as to the translators' intentions.
