What Does Mark 13:23 Mean in the King James?
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
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
“Take heed” is a call to keep seeing, because the warning has already been spoken.
THE MEANING
You are not left to face deception without warning: what might confuse you has already been spoken, and your attention is called to it. Seeing clearly means holding what you have heard in view as events unfold.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that deception arrives with no warning dissolves here: the warning is already given.
THE ROOT
βλέπετε
blépete
GROWS FROM
βλέπ-
blép-
to see, look at, keep in view
The command translated “take heed” is built on the verb for seeing. Attention here means keeping sight of what has been revealed, not merely feeling cautious.
ALSO GROWS
blépō: to see, look
βλέπω
This is the base verb beneath the command; the verse calls attention an act of seeing.
anablépō: to look up; to regain sight
ἀναβλέπω
This related form makes the root’s connection to clear sight concrete: watchfulness keeps what is seen in view.
ἰδού
idoú
GROWS FROM
εἶδ-
eîd-
to see, perceive
“Behold” carries another seeing word, following the command to pay attention. The verse turns the reader toward what is already in view: the warning has been spoken beforehand.
ALSO GROWS
eîdon: I saw; I perceived
εἶδον
This form belongs to the verb family behind the imperative “behold,” joining the command to direct perception.
horáō: to see, perceive
ὁράω
This is the verb’s present form; the differing forms preserve the same movement of sight and perception.
THE PATTERN
What is spoken beforehand gives present sight for recognizing what unfolds.
I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.THE THREAD
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:“Take heed” in both verses is βλέπετε (blépete, “keep seeing; pay attention”). The opening warns that deception is possible; this verse shows why attention has a ground: the warning is already in view.
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