What Does Luke 3:19 Mean in the King James?
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
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
Reproof here is exposure: even a ruler’s deeds are brought into the light and named.
THE MEANING
This verse places Herod under scrutiny for a specific wrong and for all the evils he has done. His title does not shield his conduct from being named. The reproof makes what he has done visible.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that authority can make wrongdoing untouchable: even a tetrarch is reproved for his actions.
THE ROOT
ἐλεγχόμενος
elenchomenos
GROWS FROM
ἐλέγχω
To expose, bring to light, convict, or reprove.
The verb translated “reproved” carries the sense of making something answerable by exposing it. In this verse, Herod’s wrongs are not left as vague disapproval: they are brought into view and named.
ALSO GROWS
elenchō: To expose or reprove.
ἐλέγχω
This is the verb’s dictionary form; Luke uses its participle for Herod being reproved.
elenchos: Evidence, proof, or conviction.
ἔλεγχος
The related noun can describe what makes something evident, showing how reproof brings what is hidden into view.
THE PATTERN
Naming wrongdoing brings even protected power into the open.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.THE THREAD
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.John uses the same Greek verb, ἐλέγχω (elenchō), as Luke’s “reproved.” The shared root reveals that reproof brings deeds into the light, making the word more than a simple expression of disapproval.
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