What Does Luke 7:40 Mean in the King James?
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
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
Jesus answers the judgment Simon keeps inside, because in Greek even the hidden thought is already a saying.
THE MEANING
The verse meets you where a judgment remains inside: what you have not spoken is still within the reach of response. Jesus addresses Simon by name and asks for room to speak; Simon’s “Master, say on” opens a hearing in which his view of the woman can be exposed.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
What I keep unspoken cannot be seen or answered.
THE ROOT
ἀποκριθείς
apokritheis
GROWS FROM
κρίνω (krinō), stem κριν-
To separate or distinguish; by extension, to decide or judge.
The Greek verb for “answering” is built on the κριν- word family, which includes judging and deciding. Jesus’ response lands where Simon has formed a silent verdict; the Greek lets the judgment-response connection be heard.
ALSO GROWS
krinō: To judge, decide, or distinguish.
κρίνω
The family carries the language of judgment alongside the response Jesus gives Simon.
krisis: Judgment or decision.
κρίσις
Jesus’ answer arrives at the moment Simon has already formed an inward verdict about the woman.
apokrisis: An answer or response.
ἀπόκρισις
This related word preserves the direct response sense of the verb in the verse.
εἰπεῖν
eipein eipe
GROWS FROM
λέγω (legō), stem λεγ-
To say, speak, or tell.
Jesus’ “said” and Simon’s “say on” are forms of λέγω, the same verb used for Simon “saying within himself” in the preceding verse. His inward verdict and Jesus’ spoken reply belong to one field of saying: what Simon holds silently is already speech, and it is answered with speech.
ALSO GROWS
legōn: Saying; the present participle of λέγω.
λέγων
Luke 7:39 uses this form for Simon’s private “saying,” linking his inward verdict directly to the words exchanged here.
logos: A word, message, or account.
λόγος
Jesus begins to offer an account that can reshape the story Simon is telling himself about the woman.
dialogos: Conversation or discourse.
διάλογος
Simon’s “say on” keeps the exchange open for the parable that follows.
THE PATTERN
An inward word is already present to divine knowledge, and what is hidden can be answered directly.
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?THE THREAD
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.Luke 7:39 uses λέγων, “saying,” from the same λέγω family as Jesus’ “said” and Simon’s “say on” here. Simon’s private verdict is already framed as speech; Jesus answers it before Simon voices it aloud.
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