A short essay on semantics

Here is a short entry on why semantics in Bible translations is extremely important. Take for example this short passage from the Gospel of St. Luke. [Emphasis mine]

St. Luke 22:31-32 (English - Confraternity Edition)
(31) And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith may not fail; and do thou, when once thou has turned again, strengthen thy brethren."

In this translation, it would appear that the Lord is telling Simon that Satan desired to have him, that is Peter. However, let us look at the Latin translation which more carefully adheres to the Greek:

St. Luke 22:31-32 (Latin - Vulgate)
(31) ait autem Dominus Simon Simon ecce Satanas expetivit vos ut cribraret sicut triticum (32) ego autem rogavi pro te ut non deficiat fides tua et tu aliquando conversus confirma fratres tuos

vos - plural you; "you all"
cribro - to sift; cribraret - to sift you plural; "to sift you all"
te/tu - singular "you"
tua - singular "you"
tuos - plural "your"

Now we see that Satan demanded "you all", that is to say all Christians, so that he may sift them all like wheat. However, our Lord prayed for Peter that he may have the faith to lead all Christians - that he may strengthen us.

That is to say Christ established Peter in the role to lead all Christians, without whom we are left to Satan, who will sift and destroy us. It is easy to see that this is true in our own times. One need not look further than the multitude of denominations and separations that occurred once people left Peter and the Church.

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Further thoughts -

St. Matthew 16:13-18 (English - Confraternity Edition)
(13) ... "Who do men say the Son of Man is?" (14) But they said, "Some say, John hte Baptist; and others, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." (15) He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" (16) Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (17) Then Jesus answered and said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to thee, but my Father in heaven. (18) And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Jesus asked the disciples who the people said He was, there were a number of responses. There were those in the general population who thought he was one prophet or another. But when Jesus asked his disciples who they thought He was, Peter answered alone and with authority, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." When Jesus answered him, he notes that no man could know that - that it was revealed to him by God the Father. He continues on and calls Simon "Peter" - the rock upon which He will build His Church.

What is in a name? In ancient times names had a lot of meaning and value. Take for example the name Jesus which translates into "God saves" in Hebrew. It is quite intriguing then that Christ would call one of his disciples Peter, which translates quite literally into "Rock."

We find "rock" many times throughout the Bible - most often referring to literal small stones - but other times we find "Rock" (capital "R") - most often referring to God himself. But we know that Peter/Rock is not God. Why, then, is Jesus calling Simon Rock? Christ himself is the Rock - the cornerstone of the one true Church. What he is telling Simon/Peter/Rock is that he will engage in a sort of spiritual marriage with Him. When Simon/Peter speaks, he speaks with the authority of Rock/God. It is with this authority that Christ establishes his Church. He, through Peter, will lead His flock.

This is what the Church has always taught - that Peter and those who succeed Peter (ie. the Popes), when speaking on matters of faith and morals, speaks with the authority of Jesus. It is through the above passages that it is made clear that without this constant voice of Christ leading the Church, that the followers would be sifted like wheat and separated by Satan.

Therefore let us pray for Christian unity - that Christ may lead His one Flock with His one Shepard.