Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Matthew 26:53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

KJV

ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείω δώδεκα λεγιώνων ἀγγέλων;

Greek NT

An putas, quia non possum rogare patrem meum, et exhibebit mihi modo plusquam duodecim legiones angelorum ?

Vulgate

Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

ASV

Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

16 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

δοκέω
dokeo
verb · 62×
δύναμαι
dunamai
verb · 209×
δώδεκα
dodeka
adjective · 75×
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
λεγεών
legeon
noun · 4×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
παρίστημι
paristemi
verb · 41×
παρακαλέω
parakaleo
verb · 108×
πατήρ
pater
noun · 412×
πολύς
polus
adjective · 412×
ἄγγελος
aggelos
verb · 176×
ἄρτι
arti
adverb · 33×
ἐγώ
ego
pronoun · 1720×
ἤ
e
particle · 346×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×
ὅτι
oti
conjunction · 1299×

Textual variants

2 variant units attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

notable
SBLGNT: δύναμαι | WH/Treg/NIV: δύναμαι | RP: + ἄρτι
  • δύναμαι — SBLGNT
  • δύναμαι — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • + ἄρτι — Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus
minor
SBLGNT: ἄρτι πλείω | WH/Treg/NIV: ἄρτι πλείω | RP: πλείους ἢ
  • ἄρτι πλείω — SBLGNT
  • ἄρτι πλείω — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • πλείους ἢ — Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Themes

Historic Christian voices

7 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§333From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"196 Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!"197 They protect Jesus in his infanc…
§609By embracing in his human heart the Father's love for men, Jesus "loved them to the end", for "greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."425 In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men.426 Indeed, out of love for his Father and for men, whom the Father wan…
2. And to His disciples He says these things; but to the others, Have you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me. See how many things He does that might awaken them. He cast them to the ground, He healed the servant's ear, He threatened them with being slain; For they shall perish with th…
1. Oh the folly of the Jews! seeking Him as they did before the Passover, and then having found Him in the midst of them, and having often attempted to take Him by their own or by others' hands without being able; they were not even so awed by His power, but set themselves to their wickedness, and desisted not. For it says, that they continually made the attempt; These words sp…
1. We need everywhere works and actions, not a mere show of words. For to say and to promise is easy for any one, but to act is not equally easy. Why have I made these remarks? Because there are many at this time who say that they fear and love God, but in their works show the contrary; but God requires that love which is shown by works. Wherefore He said to the disciples, If y…
Is there power in God? Is His power infinite? Is He omnipotent? Could He make the past not to have been? Could He do what He does not, or not do what He does? Could He make better what He makes? Article 1. Whether there is power in God? Objection 1. It seems that power is not in God. For as primary matter is to power, so God, who is the first agent, is to act. But primary matte…

Cross-references

  • 2Kgs 6:16 — And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
  • 2Kgs 6:17 — And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of
  • 2Kgs 6:17 — And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of
  • 2Thess 1:7 — And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
  • Dan 7:10 — A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
  • Job 25:3 — Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?
  • John 10:18 — No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
  • John 11:42 — And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
  • John 12:27 — Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
  • John 18:36 — Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Jude 1:14 — And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
  • Luke 8:30 — And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
  • Luke 8:30 — And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
  • Luke 22:22 — And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
  • Luke 22:43 — And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
  • Mark 1:13 — And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
  • Mark 5:9 — And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Matt 4:11 — Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
  • Matt 4:11 — Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
  • Matt 10:1 — And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Matt 25:31 — When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
  • Ps 55:18 — He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
  • Ps 68:17 — The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
  • Ps 103:20 — Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
  • Rev 12:7 — And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
  • Rom 2:3 — And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?