Luke 7:19

A Text-Critical and Lexical Examination of ἄλλος and ἕτερος in Luke 7:19-20

This exegetical study of ALLON & hETERON Luke 7:19,20 is based on a b-greek discussion from Wed Mar 31 14:25:17 EST 1999. The initial post proposes that manuscript evidence for Luke 7:19-20 can inform lexical semantics, specifically regarding the distinction between ἄλλος (‘another of the same kind’) and ἕτερος (‘another of a different kind’), suggesting this distinction may have faded by the New Testament period.

The main exegetical issue under investigation is the semantic range and contextual application of the Greek terms ἄλλος and ἕτερος in Koine Greek, particularly within the narrative of John the Baptist’s inquiry to Jesus in Luke 7:19-20. The discussion centers on whether the classical distinction between these two words, which posited ἄλλος as indicating ‘another of the same kind’ and ἕτερος as ‘another of a different kind’, remained active in the New Testament era. This is critically examined through the lens of textual variants in key manuscripts, where the words are sometimes interchanged, thereby raising questions about their perceived synonymy or nuanced differentiation by scribal traditions and early Christian communities.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

Luke 7:19: καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος δύο τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ ὁ Ἰωάννης ἔπεμψεν πρὸς τὸν κύριον λέγων· σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν;

Luke 7:20: παραγενόμενοι δὲ οἱ ἄνδρες πρὸς αὐτὸν εἶπαν· Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ λέγων· σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἢ ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν;

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• In Luke 7:19, the main text of SBLGNT 2010 reads ἄλλον, aligning with Nestle 1904.
• In Luke 7:20, the main text of SBLGNT 2010 reads ἕτερον, aligning with Nestle 1904.

Note: The SBLGNT main text presents the same reading as Nestle 1904 for these specific words. Differences, where they exist, are typically found in the critical apparatus, which is discussed below.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (BDAG)

Textual Criticism (NA28): The textual evidence for Luke 7:19-20 demonstrates significant variation concerning the use of ἄλλος and ἕτερος. While the critical texts (NA28, UBS5, SBLGNT) consistently present ἄλλον in verse 19 and ἕτερον in verse 20, a notable number of important manuscripts exhibit an interchange. According to NA28’s apparatus:

• In Luke 7:19, where the standard reading is ἄλλον, manuscripts D (Codex Bezae), W, Θ, f1, f13, some Latin versions (lat), and the Syriac Peshitta (syr^p) and Sahidic Coptic (sa) read ἕτερον.
• Conversely, in Luke 7:20, where the standard reading is ἕτερον, the same group of manuscripts (D, W, Θ, f1, f13, lat, syr^p, sa) reads ἄλλον.

This “mirror image” phenomenon, as described in the discussion, is particularly striking in Codex Bezae (D) and indicates a deliberate scribal choice or reflects a variant tradition. The presence of these variants in such diverse and sometimes significant witnesses suggests that the perceived distinction between ἄλλος and ἕτερος was either weak or inconsistent across different textual traditions, leading to their interchangeability in these specific verses. Scribes may have felt that the semantic difference was negligible in this context or aimed to clarify the text in line with their understanding of the terms.

Lexical Notes (BDAG):

• ἄλλος (allos): The primary meaning is “another, other, different” (BDAG, 48a). In classical Greek, it often implies “another of the same kind.” However, BDAG notes that in Koine Greek, the distinction between ἄλλος and ἕτερος frequently became blurred, and ἄλλος could be used interchangeably with ἕτερος, meaning simply “different” or “other.”
• ἕτερος (heteros): This term also translates to “another, other, different” (BDAG, 404a). Classically, it conveyed the sense of “the other of two” or “another of a different kind.” BDAG confirms that while traces of the classical distinction remained, in Hellenistic Greek, the terms were often used without precise differentiation, even though specific contexts might still evoke the sense of “different” or “second of two.” The post-classical usage often renders ἕτερος as synonymous with ἄλλος.

The lexical data from BDAG largely supports the assertion that the classical distinction between ἄλλος and ἕτερος was indeed diminishing in the Koine period. While a nuanced distinction might persist in some authors or contexts (as perhaps implied by Paul in Galatians 1:6-7), their frequent interchangeability in Hellenistic Greek, as well as in the textual variants for Luke 7:19-20, suggests that for many speakers and writers, they had become largely synonymous or their semantic ranges significantly overlapped.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

Luke 7:19-20 presents John the Baptist’s disciples asking Jesus, “Are you the Coming One, or should we expect another (ἄλλον / ἕτερον)?” The standard Greek text, with ἄλλον in verse 19 and ἕτερον in verse 20, subtly shifts the nuance of John’s inquiry. Grammatically, both ἄλλον and ἕτερον function as direct objects of προσδοκῶμεν (‘should we expect’). Rhetorically, the progression from ἄλλον to ἕτερον could imply a shift from a general “another person” (who might be like the expected Messiah) to a more specific “a different kind of person” or “a distinct other” (if Jesus is not the one). If the distinction between “same kind” (ἄλλος) and “different kind” (ἕτερος) is maintained, verse 19 would be a general inquiry for *another* Messiah-like figure, while verse 20, in reiterating the question, could heighten the sense of seeking a truly *different* or *distinct* messianic figure if Jesus is indeed not the one.

However, the significant textual variations, where manuscripts like Codex Bezae interchange the words, undermine the certainty of this nuanced distinction. If scribes felt comfortable swapping these terms, it suggests that for them, the rhetorical force or semantic difference was minimal in this context. A scribe using ἕτερον in 7:19 (as in D) might have seen John’s question as immediately looking for a distinctly different figure, whereas a scribe using ἄλλον in 7:20 (as in D) might simply be repeating the same general query with a largely synonymous term. This textual fluidity supports the view that in Koine Greek, particularly in common usage, these terms had a high degree of overlap, rendering any precise rhetorical distinction based on their classical meanings tenuous for this passage.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The textual and lexical analysis of ἄλλος and ἕτερος in Luke 7:19-20 suggests that while a classical distinction between “another of the same kind” and “another of a different kind” existed, its rigid application likely faded in Koine Greek. The presence of significant manuscript variants that interchange these two terms indicates that for many scribes and communities, the semantic difference was either negligible or contextually overridden. While modern critical editions retain the standard reading (ἄλλον in v. 19, ἕτερον in v. 20), an exegetical appreciation for the textual fluidity cautions against over-interpreting a subtle semantic progression between the verses based solely on these words. The primary concern of John’s question remains clear: to ascertain if Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah or if they should continue their messianic expectation for someone else.

Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions are offered:

1. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” (Luke 7:19)
   “When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”‘” (Luke 7:20)
   This translation maintains the slight variation in the Greek while using common English phrasing, acknowledging a potential subtle shift from a general “another” to a more emphatic “someone else” without over-specifying a distinction in kind.
2. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect a different one?” (Luke 7:19)
   “When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect a different one?”‘” (Luke 7:20)
   This translation reflects the textual variant where ἕτερον is used in both verses (or a general sense of “different” applies to both), emphasizing a search for a distinct individual if Jesus is not the Messiah, aligning with the “faded distinction” argument.
3. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” (Luke 7:19)
   “When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another person?”‘” (Luke 7:20)
   This translation simplifies the rendering, treating ἄλλος and ἕτερος as largely synonymous for “another” or “another person” in Koine usage, reflecting the common scholarly view of their blurred distinction in this period.