Luke 2:50

Luke 2:50

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

a. NLT: But they didn’t understand what he meant.

b. NIV: But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

c. Young’s Literal Translation:

d. Amplified Bible: But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them.

e. Worrell Translation: And they understood not the saying that He spake to them.

1. “And they understood not the saying…”

a. And [2532 * kai] [Strong:  apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. they [846 * autos] [Strong: [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. understood [4920 * suniemi] [Strong: from 4862 and hiemi (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously:-- consider, understand, be wise.]

d. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

e. [4487 * rhema] [Strong: from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.]

1). Because this is the Greek word “rhema”, there needs to be some additional information given here.

a). [Zodhiates: That which is spoken, a statement, word.]  [W.E. Vine: “The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.”]

b). Dr. Charles Farah, Jr. Professor of Theology at ORU [This reference is from the 1980’s]: The Logos tends to be universal, while  the Rhema is often used as a particular…the Logos is eternal, while the Rhema is often contemporary…It is a word a man takes action on; a personal word he hears…”The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…” Romans 10:8. Here the word Rhema is used, and I believe, though not all scholars would agree, that Paul is saying this: Because the word is in your heart, it is necessary to use the word Rhema rather than the Logos, because God’s word has become a personal word to you.

c). Advanced Training Institute:  There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos… The second primary Greek word that describes Scripture is rhema, which refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.

d). Don Costello: Hearing logos requires physical ears, hearing rhema requires spiritual ears. Hearing logos produces knowledge, while rhema produces revelation, faith and grace. The literal meaning of Romans 10:17: faith comes from hearing faith, we hear faith when we hear the rhema of God. A logos word can become a rhema word through prayer and meditation and confession. See notes on Joshua 1:8 and Proverbs 4:20-22. If a believer desires any benefit from the logos word, that is, principally to the total inspired Word of God, it must become rhema.

2.  “…which he spake unto them.”

a. which  [3779 * houtos] [Strong:  or (before a vowel houtos hoo'-toce adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]

b. he spake [2980 * laleo] [Strong: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.]

c. them  [846 * autos] [Strong: [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]