Matt.24v35 – “ou me”
Matthew 24:35 – The Greek word phrase: “ou me” – meaning absolute. It is a double negative to emphasize a reality that is to occur. It will happen with an assured confirmation in the scripture.
Matthew 24:35 ESVM2435 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not (“ou mie”) pass away.
Note the two words with Strongs ID as G3756 ou and G3361 – me (Here the ESV uses “will not”.
The “absolute” being the use of a double negative to create an absolute. An absolute that will occur or an event that happen as declared.
Strongs: 3756 οὐ [ou, before, a, vowel), ouk, and (before an aspirate) ouch /oo/] particle. A primary word, the absolute negative (cf 3361) adverb; GK 4024; 1453 occurrences; AV translates as “not” 1214 times, “no” 136 times, “cannot + 1410” 55 times, and translated miscellaneously 48 times. 1 no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer. Additional Information: Wigram’s frequency count is 1535 not 1453.
Strongs: 3361 μή, μήγε, μήπου [me /may/] particle. A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); GK 3590 and together with Strongs 1065 as GK 3591, together with Strongs 4225 as GK 3608; 674 occurrences; AV translates as “not” 487 times, “no” 44 times, “that not” 21 times, “God forbid + 1096” 15 times, “lest” 14 times, “neither” seven times, “no man + 5100” six times, “but” three times, “none” three times, not translated 51 times, and translated miscellaneously 23 times. 1 no, not lest.[1]
NLT – Matthew 24:35 – 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never (“ou mie”) disappear.[2]
Note how used in the New Living Translation: NLTM2435 The NLT “will never” would be used to express an absolute occurrence.
Here the two Greek words that the Greek Text used to be “ou – me” – is translated to “Never” instead of just “not”. This would be a more accurate translation of the two Greek words as it stresses an ‘absolute’ in the meaning. (Note above)
The NASB at Matthew 24:34-35 (In both verses the “Will Not” “G736, G3361” pass away is the Greek double negative. “ou me”)
34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Isaiah 53 is this confirmation of an ‘absolute’ that Jesus brings the opportunity of salvation for all mankind. This is granted to the people that recognize their inability to save themselves and submit to the eternal King, Jesus Christ.
Chapter 53 – NLT
1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
9 He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the
sins of many and interceded for rebels. [3]
[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 24:35). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Is 53). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.