Matthew 11:21

Vocabulary (Greek word by word)

Οὐαί (exclam) "Woe" is from ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas."

σοι, (pron sg 2nd dat) "Unto thee" is from soi which is the singular, second person dative pronoun, "you."

Χοραζείν: (noun sg voc) "Chorazin" is from the Greek Chorazin, the name of a village in Galilee.

οὐαί (exclam)"Woe" is from ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas."

σοι, (pron sg 2nd dat) Unto thee" is from soi which is the singular, second person dative pronoun, "you."

Βηθσαιδάν:(noun sg voc)  Bethsaida is from the Greek word Bethsaida, which is the name of a village in Galilee.

ὅτι (adv/conj) "For" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." --

εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since."  It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction εἰ δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." The construction  εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). After ὅτι, it introduces a quotation where we use quotation marks. With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention.  When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English.  With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.

ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."

Τύρῳ (noun) "Tyre" is from Tyros, which is the Greek name of the historical city.

καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

Σιδῶνι (noun) Sidon" is from Sidon, which is the Greek name of the historical city.

ἐγένοντο (3rd pl aor ind mid) "Had been done" is from ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," and "to be produced." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi)which indicates existence in the same state.

αἱ (article pl fem nom/acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

δυνάμεις (noun pl fem nom/acc)   "Mighty works" is dynamis (dunamis), which means "power," "might," "influence," "capacity," "elementary force," "force of a word," and "value of money." Elemental forces are forces such as heat and cold.

αἱ (article sg aor mid -nom or dat)  "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

γενόμεναι (part sg aor mid -nom or dat) "Were done" is from ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," and "to be produced." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi) which indicates existence in the same state. Here, it is in the form of a participle, acting as a noun, "the ones that produced themselves."

ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."

ὑμῖν (pron 2nd pl dat)  "You" is from hymin, which is the 2nd person plural dative pronoun.  -

πάλαι [2 verses](adv) "Long ago" is from palai, which means "long ago," "long ," " of old," "before," "just past," and similar ideas. With present, means something lasting to the present. With past, something lasting to the past.

ἂν (partic) [163 verses](conj) "Should" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It canIt can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly,"  "whosoever" or "whatsoever."-

ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."

σάκκῳ  [2 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Sackcloth" is sakkos, which is "a coarse cloth of hair" used for sacks because it was uncomfortable for clothing. This was worn by people as a signing of mourning or penance.

καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

σποδῷ [2 verses](noun sg fem dat ) "Ashes" is spodos, which means "wood ashes" and, more generally, "dust." It was rubbed on sackcloth as a sign of mourning.

μετενόησαν. (3rd pl aor ind act) "Repent," is from metanoeo, which literally means "to perceive afterward," "to perceive too late," "to change one's mind," "to change one's purpose," and "to repent."

KJV — word by word

Woe  - "Woe" is an exclamation meaning "woe" or "alas." It is a lot like the Yiddish "oy vey!" and possibly a source of the popularity of that exclamation in Jewish humor. This term is used many times by Jesus but only once in a serious way that seems completely serious. In every other case, such as this, it is used in an exaggerated statement.

unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

thee, -- The word for "thee" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun. 

Chorazin!  -- This is the name of a village in the north Galilee to the east of Capernaum.

woe -  "Woe" is an exclamation meaning "woe" or "alas." It is a lot like the Yiddish "oy vey!" and possibly a source of the popularity of that exclamation in Jewish humor. This term is used many times by Jesus but only once in a serious way that seems completely serious. In every other case, such as this, it is used in an exaggerated statement.

unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

thee, -- The word for "thee" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun. 

Bethsaida! -- This is the name of a village in the north Galilee to the east of Chorazin.

for -- The Greek source of "for" is a word that means "that" or "because." 

if -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

mighty works,  - (CW)  "Mighty works" is a word that describes abilities and capacities, what actions a person can do or has done so "power," "might," "influence," and "force." Both in its verb and noun forms, it indicates the "power" or "capabilities" a person has. It follows the verb describing what the "they" is in "they had come into being."  Here this sense is "powerful things" or, more precisely "powerful happenings" since this noun is bracketed by the verb that means "to become" or "to happen."

which -- The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

were -- (WT, WV) This indicates a past perfect tense of the verb, but the tense is something that could have taken place at a point in time. It also indicates a passive verb, but the verb is in the middle voice where it acts on itself.

done -- (WW, WF) The word translated as " done" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It is not the Greek verb usually translated as "do" in the NT.  Here, it is a participle ("becoming") uses as a plural noun, "the ones coming into being." It actually appears later in the sentence as a repetition of the verb. The effect seems mostly humorous.  It is used with an article, which makes it into a noun, "the things happening " or "the ones coming into being."

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here. 

you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the plural, second-person pronoun. 

had -- (WT,) This indicates a past perfect tense of the verb, but the tense is something that could have taken place at a point in time.

been -- (WV) This indicates a passive verb, but the verb is in the middle voice where it acts on itself.

done  - (WW) The word translated as "done" is the same verb as the verb above but in the form of an active verb where the thing acts on itself. This is the normal sense of "happens" in English.   It is not the Greek verb usually translated as "do" in the NT.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.

Tyre and Sidon, "Tyre and Sidon" were two ancient Phoenician cities on the coast. According to Mark, Mark 3:8, people came from these cities to hear Christ speak.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

would -- (WF) The word "would" indicates a subjunctive verb, but the verb is not subjunctive or the future tense

have  -- (WT) This word indicates a past perfect tense, but that is not the tense. The tense indicates something happening at a specific point in time, here the sense is the point of time when these powerful events happened.

repented  - (CW) The Greek word that is translated as "repent," primary means to understand something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Is specific meaning is to "understand afterward," or "to change your mind," as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. We might say "re-evaluate." Jesus uses it to mean "change your mind" but this verse gives it the strong sense of our English "repent."

long ago    -  "Long ago" is an adverb means "long ago," "long ," " of old," "before," "just past," and similar ideas.

missing "probably" or   "all over" -- (MW) The untranslated word is either the conjunction or adverb meaning "throughout" "thereupon," "throughout," "all over," "up," and "arising." OR it could be  a Greek particle meaning "probably." It is probably the adverb because the particle would require a subjunctive verb form, which we don't have here.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.

sackcloth - "Sackcloth" is "a coarse cloth of hair" used for sacks because it was uncomfortable for clothing. This was worn by people as a signing of mourning or penance. This is not a common term for Christ to use. 

and  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

ashes  - "Ashes" is a word that means "wood ashes" and, more generally, "dust." It was rubbed on sackcloth as a sign of mourning. this is not a common term for Christ to use. 

NIV — word by word

Woe  - "Woe" is an exclamation meaning "woe" or "alas." It is a lot like the Yiddish "oy vey!" and possibly a source of the popularity of that exclamation in Jewish humor. This term is used many times by Jesus but only once in a serious way that seems completely serious. In every other case, such as this, it is used in an exaggerated statement.

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun. 

Chorazin!  -- This is the name of a village in the north Galilee to the east of Capernaum.

woe -  "Woe" is an exclamation meaning "woe" or "alas." It is a lot like the Yiddish "oy vey!" and possibly a source of the popularity of that exclamation in Jewish humor. This term is used many times by Jesus but only once in a serious way that seems completely serious. In every other case, such as this, it is used in an exaggerated statement.

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun. 

Bethsaida! -- This is the name of a village in the north Galilee to the east of Chorazin.

For -- The Greek source of "for" is a word that means "that" or "because." 

if -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

miracles,  - (CW)  "Miracles" is a word that describes abilities and capacities, what actions a person can do or has done so "power," "might," "influence," and "force." Both in its verb and noun forms, it indicates the "power" or "capabilities" a person has. It follows the verb describing what the "they" is in "they had come into being."  Here this sense is "powerful things" or, more precisely "powerful happenings" since this noun is bracketed by the verb that means "to become" or "to happen."

that -- The word translated as "that " is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

were -- (WT, WV) This indicates a past perfect tense of the verb, but the tense is something that could have taken place at a point in time. It also indicates a passive verb, but the verb is in the middle voice where it acts on itself.

performed -- (WW, WF) The word translated as " performed " means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It is not the Greek verb usually translated as "do" in the NT.  Here, it is a participle ("becoming") uses as a plural noun, "the ones coming into being." It actually appears later in the sentence as a repetition of the verb. The effect seems mostly humorous.  It is used with an article, which makes it into a noun, "the things happening " or "the ones coming into being."

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here. 

you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun.

had -- (WT,) This indicates a past perfect tense of the verb, but the tense is something that could have taken place at a point in time.

been -- (WV) This indicates a passive performed , but the verb is in the middle voice where it acts on itself.

performed - (WW) The word translated as "done" is the same verb as the verb above but in the form of an active verb where the thing acts on itself. This is the normal sense of "happens" in English.   It is not the Greek verb usually translated as "do" in the NT.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.

Tyre and Sidon, "Tyre and Sidon" were two ancient Phoenician cities on the coast. According to Mark, Mark 3:8, people came from these cities to hear Christ speak.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

would -- (WF) The word "would" indicates a subjunctive verb, but the verb is not subjunctive or the future tense

have  -- (WT) This word indicates a past perfect tense, but that is not the tense. The tense indicates something happening at a specific point in time, here the sense is the point of time when these powerful events happened.

repented  - (CW) The Greek word that is translated as "repent," primary means to understand something after the fact, with the sense of seeing it is too late. Is specific meaning is to "understand afterward," or "to change your mind," as seeing the truth after a mistake is made. We might say "re-evaluate." Jesus uses it to mean "change your mind" but this verse gives it the strong sense of our English "repent."

long ago    -  "Long ago" is an adverb means "long ago," "long ," " of old," "before," "just past," and similar ideas.

missing "probably" or   "all over" -- (MW) The untranslated word is either the conjunction or adverb meaning "throughout" "thereupon," "throughout," "all over," "up," and "arising." OR it could be  a Greek particle meaning "probably." It is probably the adverb because the particle would require a subjunctive verb form, which we don't have here.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.

sackcloth - "Sackcloth" is "a coarse cloth of hair" used for sacks because it was uncomfortable for clothing. This was worn by people as a signing of mourning or penance. This is not a common term for Christ to use. 

and  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

ashes  - "Ashes" is a word that means "wood ashes" and, more generally, "dust." It was rubbed on sackcloth as a sign of mourning. this is not a common term for Christ to use.