What Does Mark 13:37 Mean in the King James?
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
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 call to stay awake moves from a few to everyone: the same word reaches all.
THE MEANING
This word addresses everyone now, making wakefulness a shared posture. “Watch” carries the sense of staying awake and alert to what is unfolding.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The idea that wakefulness belongs only to a select few is undone: the verse explicitly extends this word to all.
THE ROOT
γρηγορεῖτε
grēgoreite
GROWS FROM
γρηγορ- (grēgor-), linked through ἐγρήγορα (egrēgora) to ἐγείρω (egeirō)
To be awake and alert; the related verb ἐγείρω means to wake or raise.
The command translated “watch” carries the sense of being awake, with a word history that reaches back to waking or being raised. The English can sound like looking outward for a sign; the Greek also holds the more basic state of being awake.
ALSO GROWS
egeirō: To wake, awaken, or raise.
ἐγείρω
The word family behind “watch” reaches toward awakening, placing attention in a state of wakefulness.
egersis: A raising or awakening; resurrection.
ἔγερσις
This noun from ἐγείρω shows how the same family can name a rising into wakefulness.
THE PATTERN
Watchfulness is wakeful attention where what comes next is not yet visible.
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.THE THREAD
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.“Watching” uses the same Greek word family as the command here: being awake and ready. The scene turns that readiness into a surprising image, the master finds the servants awake, then serves them.
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