[B-Greek] Force of the article in Luke 18:13

Oscar P Villa oscar_villa at edsamail.com.ph
Sun Dec 26 09:48:28 EST 2004


Dear friends,

Most of the English versions (NKJV, KJV, NIV, TEV, ESV, NRSV, ASV) render the publican's prayer in Luke 18:13: "God be merciful to me, A SINNER (TW hAMARTWLW)." However, the NASB renders it, "THE SINNER." 

Given the context of the passage (the prayer of the publican vs. the prayer of the Pharisee), the original hearers  (it was intended for those who thought themselves righteous and looked down on everyone else in Luke 18:9), the first readers (Luke's readers), it seems to me that the article in the text has the force of being definite (definitive?) as rendered by the NASB.

The translators of the NET Bible seem to think so, rendering it, "God, be merciful to me, SINNER THAT I AM!" I appreciate that they state: 
"The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners." noting Wallace's exegesis (GGBB).

What do you think? I know that this does raise broader issues of the article and its use, but how can I learn from this particular case to grow in my knowledge in Greek?

Thanks!

Oscar Villa

PS As a little Greek, I am concerned by the fact that my understanding of the significance of the article here is against a majority of translators (who have been at it longer than I have!). 

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