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

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Sun Dec 26 11:14:40 EST 2004


Oscar, you might want to look at earlier discussions of this question in the
Archives:

August 7-8, 1999 "Re: Lk 18:13; TWi hAMARTWLWi"
December 1-2, 2001 "Re: Lk 18:13; TWi hAMARTWLWi"





Oscar Villa wrote:
"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!). 

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Emeritus)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconra



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