From: Wes Williams (71414.3647@compuserve.com)
Date: Wed Jul 31 1996 - 02:12:19 EDT
Dear Larry,
>
> I notice that in Luke 23:43 'Truly I tell you today you will be with me
> in paradise,' the W&H text has the comma after 'today' whereas the
> common bible translations have the comma before today. Where does the
> comma go ?
Fascinating question.
There was no punctuation in the earliest Greek manuscripts of the Bible.
Punctuation in the modern style did not become common until about the ninth
century C.E. Hence, when punctuation was introduced, Bible copyists and
translators had to insert it according to how they understood the text. Whereas
many translations place a comma before the word "today," some do not.
The issue here is: is the traditional rendering (comma before today) correct?
Did Jesus and the evildoer go to Paradise the day they died? This raises not
insignificant questions such as, but not limited to: How did the evildoer
understand the word paradise? The Hebrew PARDES', Persian PAIRIDAEZA, and
Greek PARA'DEISOS all convey the basic idea of a beautiful park or parklike
garden. For the Edenic "garden" at Gen 2:8, the LXX uses PARA'DEISON.
In a footnote on Luke 23:43, German Bible translator L. Reinhardt uses some
strong words when he says: "The punctuation presently used [by most translators]
in this verse is undoubtedly false and contradictory to the entire way of
thinking of Christ and the evildoer. . . . [Christ] certainly did not understand
paradise to be a subdivision of the realm of the dead, but rather the
restoration of a paradise on earth."
Although many translators punctuate Luke 23:43 according to church tradition,
some punctuate it like Professor Wilhelm Michaelis rendering: "Truly, already
today I give you the assurance: (one day) you will be together with me in
paradise." The Emphasised Bible translated by J. B. Rotherham and the Curetonian
Syriac of the fifth century C.E. give the same thought.
Jesus statement with the comma after SHMERA would be, in effect, 'On this dark
day, yes, this very day, when my claim to a kingdom is to outward appearances
highly unlikely, you express faith. Indeed, when I do get into my kingdom, I
will remember you.' This would require a future resurrection of the evildoer to
obtain this hope. (Due to the theological implications involved, I also copied
the bible forum).
Sincerely,
Wes
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