What Does Luke 20:39 Mean in the King James?
Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek word translated “well” can name speech as good and fitting, so the scribes’ praise reaches beyond mere correctness.
THE MEANING
A word can arrive with a quality that invites recognition: it is well spoken and fitting to what is true. The scribes make that recognition audible in their reply. Their approval is a clear witness to understanding happening in the present act of hearing.
THE ROOT
καλῶς
kalōs
GROWS FROM
καλ-
good, beautiful, fitting
The word translated “well” carries the sense of what is good and fitting, beyond speech that is merely correct. Its root links the scribes’ praise to a quality that can be recognized in both words and actions.
ALSO GROWS
kalos: good, beautiful, admirable
καλός
This related form shows the goodness contained in their description of Jesus’ words.
kallos: beauty
κάλλος
The connection to beauty opens “well said” as speech whose form and substance fit together.
THE PATTERN
Fitting goodness can be recognized in the quality of words and works.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.THE THREAD
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.Luke’s “well said” and Mark’s “done all things well” use the same Greek word, καλῶς (kalōs). The shared word connects fitting goodness in speech with fitting goodness in action.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us