1980 Great Crowd article...

by TheApostleAK 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  TheApostleAK

  Has anybody thought about checking that 1980 Great Crowd article in the Greek language? To see if the WT tried the same tricks that they did in the English version.

  From AK
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  dungbeetle

  Could you be a little more specific what the h**l you are talking about?

  Not just for dummies like me, but also for the 50 or so NEW registered users that come on the forum every day?
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  Prisca

  Umm, are there any modern Greek speakers in the room??

  AK, a reference to which article you are referring would be very helpful.
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  LittleToe

  I have the NWT in Modern Greek, but not the Wt. article that you are alluding to.

  I suspect it will carry the same message as the English version, as the English version has become the basis for translation into other languages (bibles, books, and magazines).
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  TD

  I believe (and correct me if I’m wrong) that AK is alluding to the box on page 15 of the August 15, 1980 issue of The Watchtower This was part of a larger article written to prop up the Witness doctrine of the Great Crowd which was coming under fire at the time.

  To wit:

  The Greek word na-os’ refers often to the inner sanctuary representing heaven itself

  BUT it was the entire temple (na-os) that had been 46 years in the building

  It was the entire temple (na-os) that was destroyed as a judgement from God

  It was from the courts of the outer temple (na-os) that Jesus drove the money changers

  It was in the outer temple (na-os) that Judas threw back the 30 pieces of silver

  HENCE it is consistent that the “great crowd” serve God in the earthly court of the spiritual temple

  Problem is, if you are familiar enough with the Bible to know which scriptures to check (admittedly a tall order for the average JW) you will see that naos is not the word used in the great majority of the instances that were claimed.

  For example:

  It was from the courts of the outer temple (na-os) that Jesus drove the money changers

  Variations of this event are recorded in all four accounts:

  Matthew 21:12
  Mark 11:15
  Luke 19:45-46
  John 2:14-15

  Contrary to what the WTB&TS claimed, the word naos does not appear in any of these scriptures. Hieron is the word used for "temple."

  I think AK has raised a good question. Even though the language has changed tremedously, it would have been risky to pull this stunt in front of a Greek speaking audience.

  It would be interesting to check.
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  TheApostleAK

  Yes, TD you are completely correct.

  From AK
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  SYN

  Now THIS is an interesting screw-up by the WTBTS. I wonder how the Greek congregations took it?

  "Until they become conscious, they will never rebel. Until they rebel, they will never become conscious." - George Orwell