Open a Bible to the Book of Mark. Then Open This Translation. Compare Them.

Some Bibles say: "Gospel" This translation says: "Good-Message"

Most Bibles say: "sin" This translation says: "mistake"

Most Bibles say: "repent" This translation says: "change your mind"

Most Bibles say: "cross" This translation says: "stake"

Most Bibles say: "Holy Spirit" This translation says: "set-apart breath"

Most Bibles say: "demon" This translation says: "daemon"

Most Bibles say: "church" This translation says: "assembly"

Most Bibles say: "Christ" This translation says: "anointed-one"

Most Bibles say: "baptize" This translation says: "dip"

Most Bibles say: "faith" This translation says: "trust"

Most Bibles say: "blessed" This translation says: "spoke-favor-upon"

The Differences Aren't Subtle. They're Systematic. They're Everywhere.

Look at any verse. Any page. The language is fundamentally different.

But here's what should shock you:

Both translations claim to be working from the same ancient Greek manuscripts.

Both claim to be "accurate."

Both claim to represent "what the text says."

So why are they so completely different?

THE ANSWER

Most Bibles are translating Traditions and THEOLOGY.

This translation is translating GREEK.

That simple difference explains everything you're about to see.

Your Bible was most likely created by: - Denominational publishers with theological commitments - Translation committees bound by institutional traditions - Scholars required to uphold specific doctrines - Editorial processes designed to produce "church-friendly" text

This translation was created by: - A single translator accountable only to the earliest known Greek text - No committee, no compromise, no denominational agenda - Etymological analysis of what Greek words actually meant - Complete freedom to translate what the Greek actually says

Your Bible asks: "How can we make the Greek support our traditions and theology?"

This translation asks: "What does the Greek actually say?"

But This Raises an Even Bigger Question:

If every Bible you've ever read — Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Liberal — uses the same theological vocabulary...

And if all of them are so different from what the Greek actually says...

Who decided what you're allowed to read?

PART I: THE PROBLEM

A. How Translation Became Interpretation

1. The Moment Greek Became "Scripture"

When these texts were first written in the 1st century, they were Greek literature — written in ordinary Koine Greek, using everyday vocabulary, following Greek literary conventions.

The words meant what they meant in secular Greek usage: - ἁμαρτία (hamartia) meant "missing the mark" — an archery term, a mistake, an error - σταυρός (stauros) meant an upright stake or pole - μετανοέω (metanoeō) meant "to change one's mind" - εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) meant "good news" or "good message" - βαπτίζω (baptizō) meant "to dip" or "immerse" - ἅγιος (hagios) meant "set apart" for special purpose

But something happened over the next few centuries:

The institutionalized state-sponsored "Christian" movement took these Greek texts and transformed them into "Holy Scripture."

And in that transformation, the language itself was transformed.

Greek words were given theological meanings they never had: - ἁμαρτία became "SIN" — a theological category of moral guilt requiring divine forgiveness - σταυρός became "CROSS" — a symbol of Christian atonement theology - μετανοέω became "REPENT" — a religious conversion experience - εὐαγγέλιον became "GOSPEL" — Christian sacred scripture - βαπτίζω became "BAPTIZE" — a Christian sacrament - ἅγιος became "HOLY" — a mystical theological quality

The Greek words didn't change. But their English translations were chosen to support theological doctrines and traditions of men that were developed centuries after the texts were written.

2. Examples of Theological Corruption

ἁμαρτία → "Sin"

Greek etymology: ἁ- (not) + μαρτάνω (to hit the mark) = "missing the mark"

Secular Greek usage: - In archery: missing the target - In tragedy: a fatal mistake or error in judgment (Aristotle's "tragic flaw") - In general usage: an error, a fault, a mistake

What happened: Christian theology developed the concept of "sin" as: - Moral guilt before God - Rebellion against divine law - A condition requiring salvation - Inherited corruption (original sin)

Result: Every English Bible translates ἁμαρτία as "sin" — importing 2,000 years of theological doctrine into a simple Greek word that meant "mistake."

Actual Greek meaning: mistake, error, missing the mark

In this translation: "mistake"

σταυρός → "Cross"

Greek etymology: An upright stake, or pole

Secular Greek usage: - Fence posts and palisades - Execution stakes (Romans executed people on various wooden structures) - An upright pole or beam

What happened: Christian tradition developed the cross as: - A specific T-shaped or †-shaped structure - The primary symbol of Christianity - A theological instrument of atonement

Result: Every English Bible translates σταυρός as "cross" — even though the Greek word simply meant a stake, and we have no historical evidence of what shape of wood Jesus was executed on.

Actual Greek meaning: stake, upright pole

In this translation: "stake"

μετανοέω → "Repent"

Greek etymology: μετά (after, implying change) + νοέω (to think, to perceive, to understand)

Secular Greek usage: - To change one's mind - To reconsider - To think differently afterward - A change of perspective or understanding

What happened: Christian theology loaded "repentance" with: - Religious conversion - Remorse for sin - Turning away from evil toward God - A spiritual transformation

Result: Every English Bible translates μετανοέω as "repent" — turning a simple Greek phrase meaning "change your mind" into a theological event.

Actual Greek meaning: change your mind, think differently

In this translation: "change your mind" or "change-your-mind"

εὐαγγέλιον → "Gospel"

Greek etymology: εὖ (good/well) + ἄγγελος (messenger/message) = "good message"

Secular Greek usage: - Good news (any good news) - Victory announcement - Imperial proclamations - Reward given for bringing good news

What happened: Christian tradition made "Gospel" mean: - The four canonical books of the New Testament - Sacred Christian scripture - The specific Christian message of salvation

Result: Many English Bibles translate εὐαγγέλιον as "Gospel" (now capitalized) — turning ordinary Greek words for "good news" into a technical religious term.

Actual Greek meaning: good message, good news

In this translation: "good-message"

βαπτίζω → "Baptize"

Greek etymology: From βάπτω (to dip, immerse, plunge into liquid)

Secular Greek usage: - To dip fabric in dye - To immerse something in water - To plunge into liquid - To sink a ship (by filling it with water)

What happened: Christian tradition made "baptism" mean: - A Christian sacrament of initiation - A ritual signifying conversion and church membership - A theological event tied to salvation

Result: Every English Bible doesn't even TRANSLATE βαπτίζω — they transliterate it as "baptize," creating an English word that exists only for the Christian religious ritual.

Actual Greek meaning: to dip, immerse, plunge

In this translation: "dip" (verb) or "dipping" (noun)

ἅγιος → "Holy"

Greek etymology: Set apart, separated for special purpose, consecrated

Secular Greek usage: - Dedicated to the gods - Set apart from common use - Consecrated, sacred - Reserved for special function

What happened: Christian theology made "holy" mean: - Mystical divine quality - Moral perfection - Transcendent purity - Abstract spiritual attribute (Holy Trinity, Holy Ghost)

Result: Every English Bible translates ἅγιος as "holy" — a word now so saturated with theological meaning that it has lost its concrete Greek sense of being "set apart."

Actual Greek meaning: set apart, separated, consecrated

In this translation: "set-apart"

πνεῦμα ἅγιον → "Holy Spirit"

Greek etymology: πνεῦμα (breath, wind, spirit - from πνέω "to blow/breathe") + ἅγιον (set-apart)

Secular Greek usage: - πνεῦμα: breath, wind, air in motion, life-breath, animating principle - Together: set-apart breath/wind/spirit

What happened: Christian theology made "Holy Spirit" mean: - The third person of the Trinity - A divine being coequal with God the Father - An entity with personality and agency

Result: Every English Bible translates πνεῦμα ἅγιον as "Holy Spirit" (capitalized) — importing Trinitarian doctrine developed centuries later at the Council of Nicaea.

Actual Greek meaning: set-apart breath, sacred wind, consecrated spirit/breath

In this translation: "set-apart breath" or "set-apart spirit / breath"

πίστις → "Faith"

Greek etymology: From πείθω (to persuade, convince) — the state of being persuaded or trusting

Secular Greek usage: - Trust, confidence in someone - Belief, being convinced - Faithfulness, reliability - Pledge, assurance, proof

What happened: Christian theology made "faith" mean: - A theological virtue ("faith, hope, and love") - Saving faith vs. dead faith - Faith vs. works debates (Reformation) - A technical term for religious belief system

Result: Every English Bible translates πίστις as "faith" — a word now inseparable from 2,000 years of theological controversy.

Actual Greek meaning: trust, confidence, being convinced

In this translation: "trust" (in contexts where "faith" is too theologically loaded)

3. The Pattern Is Systematic

This isn't an accident. It isn't random.

Every major theological term in your Bible follows this pattern: - Greek word with ordinary secular meaning - Christian theology develops doctrine - English translation chosen to support the doctrine - Original Greek meaning is lost

The result: You're not reading a translation of Greek. You're reading a translation of Christian theology/tradition USING Greek words.

B. The Institutional Corruption of Translation

1. Denominational Agendas

Here's what most people don't know:

Modern English Bible translations are products of denominational publishing houses and theological institutions.

Every major translation has institutional backing:

NIV (New International Version): - Published by Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) - Funded by evangelical organizations - Translated to support evangelical Protestant theology - Committee members selected for theological compatibility

ESV (English Standard Version): - Published by Crossway (evangelical publisher) - Explicitly committed to Reformed/Calvinist theology - Translation committee drawn from conservative evangelical scholars - Marketed as the "literal" Bible for conservative Protestants

NRSV (New Revised Standard Version): - Published by mainline Protestant denominations - Committee represented liberal Protestant academic consensus - Inclusive language policies reflect denominational politics - Used in mainline seminaries and churches

NASB (New American Standard Bible): - Published by Lockman Foundation (conservative evangelical) - Committee committed to verbal plenary inspiration - "Most literal" marketing appeals to fundamentalist audience

Catholic Bibles (NAB, Jerusalem Bible, etc.): - Must include deuterocanonical books - Must conform to Catholic doctrine - Receive imprimatur from Catholic bishops - Cannot contradict Catholic theological positions

What this means:

Every translation committee operates under institutional constraints. They answer to publishers, denominations, and theological traditions — not just to the Greek text.

2. Translation by Committee = Translation by Compromise

The Process:

Step 1: Publisher assembles translation committee - Members selected for theological compatibility - Diversity means different wings of the SAME tradition - Scholars who challenge core doctrines are excluded

Step 2: Committee members propose translations - Individual scholars work from Greek text - Propose renderings based on linguistic analysis - Submit work to committee for approval

Step 3: Committee debates and negotiates - "We can't say that — it contradicts our statement of faith" - "That rendering will offend our readers" - "The publisher won't accept this" - "Let's find compromise language"

Step 4: Consensus emerges - Not based on best Greek scholarship - Based on what the committee can agree on - Based on what fits institutional requirements - Based on what won't lose market share

Step 5: Publisher review - Editorial oversight flags "problematic" choices - Marketing tests language with focus groups - Changes made to ensure "usability" in churches - Final text reflects political negotiation

The Result:

The final translation isn't what the Greek says. It's what the majority members of a committee agreed they could live with, given their traditions and institutional constraints.

Specific Examples of Committee Compromise:

Example 1: "Sin" vs. "Mistake" - Greek scholar on committee: "ἁμαρτία etymologically means 'missing the mark' — we should say 'mistake'" - Committee response: "We can't change 'sin' — it's too central to our theology" - Compromise: Keep "sin," maybe add a footnote about etymology - Result: Theological tradition overrules Greek accuracy

Example 2: "Cross" vs. "Stake" - Greek scholar: "σταυρός just means a pole or stake — we don't know the shape" - Committee response: "The cross is the symbol of Christianity — we can't change that" - Compromise: Keep "cross," ignore the etymological problem - Result: Symbol preservation overrules linguistic accuracy

Example 3: "Holy Spirit" vs. "Set-Apart Breath" - Greek scholar: "πνεῦμα ἅγιον is literally 'set-apart breath' or 'sacred wind'" - Committee response: "The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — we can't make it sound impersonal" - Compromise: Keep "Holy Spirit" to protect Trinitarian doctrine - Result: Theological doctrine overrules Greek etymology

Example 4: "Baptize" vs. "Dip" - Greek scholar: "βαπτίζω just means 'to dip' — should we use the actual English word?" - Committee response: "Baptism is a sacrament — we can't reduce it to 'dipping'" this would offend those who sprinkle instead of immerse - Compromise: Keep the transliteration "baptize" to preserve sacramental theology - Result: Religious ritual overrules simple translation

3. The Publisher's Veto

Religious publishers have business interests that shape translation:

Market Considerations: - Must appeal to denominational buyers (churches, seminaries, bookstores) - Cannot alienate core customer base - Controversial translations don't sell - "Radical accuracy" threatens profitability

The Invisible Hand of the Market: - Publishers know which words are "untouchable" - Committee members know what publishers will accept - Sometimes self-censorship happens before publishers even intervene - The market shapes the text

Financial Reality: - Bible translation is expensive (years of scholarly work) - Publishers need return on investment - Translations that challenge tradition don't make money - Financial pressure ensures theological conformity

4. Upholding "Traditions of Humans"

Every denomination has accumulated interpretive traditions — ways of reading these texts that support their specific doctrines of men.

The Circular Trap:

1. Churches develop theological doctrines (Trinity, atonement, salvation, etc.) 2. Those doctrines are taught based on existing Bible translations 3. New translations must support what churches already teach 4. Translators who challenge traditions are excluded 5. The cycle perpetuates itself

Result: The Greek text must conform to what churches already believe.

Examples:

Trinitarian Tradition: - Requires "Holy Spirit" to be a person (third person of Trinity) - Cannot allow "set-apart breath" (too impersonal) - Translation must support Trinitarian doctrine

Atonement Tradition: - Requires "cross" as instrument of salvation - Cannot allow "stake" (undermines the symbol) - Translation must support atonement theology

Sin/Salvation Tradition: - Requires "sin" as moral guilt requiring divine forgiveness - Cannot allow "mistake" (undermines salvation doctrine) - Translation must support sin/salvation framework

Sacramental Tradition: - Requires "baptize" as sacred Christian ritual - Cannot allow "dip" (sounds too mundane and offends those who sprinkle) - Translation must preserve sacramental theology

5. The Illusion of Objectivity

Modern translations present themselves as: - "Scholarly" - "Accurate" - "Based on the best manuscripts" - "Translated by experts"

All of this is true. And all of it is misleading.

Yes, committee members are credentialed scholars.

Yes, they work from ancient manuscripts.

Yes, they know Greek.

But they're working under institutional constraints that prevent them from translating what the Greek actually says when it conflicts with theological tradition.

The scholarship is real. The constraints are invisible.

The deception: Presenting institutionally compromised work as neutral, objective translation.

6. Why This Translation Is Different

No Committee: - Single translator - No negotiation - No compromise - No institutional pressure

No Publisher Control: - No denominational agenda to uphold - No market pressure to conform - No theological tradition to protect - Freedom to translate what the Greek says

No Theological Constraint: - Not required to support any doctrine - Not required to preserve any tradition - Not required to be "church-friendly" - Accountable only to the Greek text

Result: When the Greek says "mistake," this translation says "mistake"

When the Greek says "stake," this translation says "stake"

When the Greek says "change your mind," this translation says "change your mind"

When the Greek says "good-message," this translation says "good-message"

When the Greek says "dip," this translation says "dip"

When the Greek says "set-apart," this translation says "set-apart"

This is what happens when you remove institutional control.

C. The Exodus Trap: Why Leaving Church Isn't Enough

The Great Departure

Right now, millions of people are leaving traditional churches:

• Rejecting institutional authority
• Questioning inherited doctrines
• Disillusioned with denominational politics
• Seeking authentic spirituality outside organized religion

The "nones" and "dones" are the fastest-growing religious category in America.

People are leaving because they see through institutional control.

But Here's What They Don't Realize:

When they leave the church, they take the church's Bible with them.

Think about it:

You rejected the denomination's authority over your spiritual life.

You questioned the doctrines they taught you.

You saw through their institutional manipulation.

But you're still reading the translation they gave you that upholds their traditions.

The Invisible Chain

The NIV you're reading at home? Created by the evangelical establishment you left.

The NRSV you quote on social media? Committee-approved by mainline denominational structures you rejected.

The ESV you still trust? Funded and controlled by the Reformed tradition you walked away from.

You left their building. But you kept their Bible.

The Irony

"I don't trust the church to tell me what to believe anymore..."

...but let me read what the church decided this Greek text should say in English.

"I rejected their theological control..."

...but I'm still reading the words they chose to support their theology.

"I left because I wanted to think for myself..."

...but I'm thinking in their language, using their theological vocabulary, reading their translation.

The rebellion is incomplete.

You escaped the institution. But not its flawed interpretation.

The Questions You're Not Asking

"Who translated MY Bible?"

Not which version — who actually did the work? What were their theological commitments?

"What denominational agenda shaped these word choices?"

Why "sin" instead of "mistake"? Why "repent" instead of "change your mind"? Why "baptize" instead of "dip"?

"If I don't trust a denomination, why do I trust that denomination's translation?"

The institution you rejected created the text you're reading.

"Am I really reading 'the Bible' — or my former denomination's approved version?"

There's no such thing as a neutral translation. Every Bible is a product of the vested interests of translators.

Still Controlled

You left seeking freedom from institutional interpretation.

But your understanding is still controlled by: - Words the institution chose ("sin," "repent," "Holy Spirit," "cross," "baptize," "holy") - Doctrines embedded in translation choices - Theological frameworks built into the English text - Interpretive traditions disguised as translation

You achieved spiritual independence.

But you're still reading an institutionally dependent text.

The Problem No One Talks About

Many discuss which denomination to leave.

No one discusses which Bible to leave.

Many question denominational teaching.

No one questions denominational translation.

Why?

Because we've been taught that "the Bible" is neutral, objective, above denominational politics.

It's not.

Every translation you've ever read was produced by one or more denominations, specifically for these denominations, reflecting each denomination's theological traditions.

True Liberation Requires Linguistic Liberation

You haven't really left the institution if you are still reading/speaking following its guidebook (bible).

You cannot escape theological control while reading theologically controlled words.

You cannot think independently while using their carefully crafted vocabulary.

Freedom from denominational teaching requires freedom from denominational translation.

To fully reclaim your spiritual autonomy, you must reclaim the Greek.

Why This Translation Matters NOW

For the first time in centuries, massive numbers of people are: - Post-denominational but spiritually engaged - Suspicious of institutional religion - Hungry for unmediated access to ancient texts - Ready for translations that don't protect doctrines - Seeking what was actually written, not what churches want it to say

There's an audience RIGHT NOW that desperately needs this.

They've left the churches and failed "blind-guide" denominations.

Now they need to leave the same denominations' deeply flawed Bibles.

PART II: THE SOURCE - What This Translation Actually Uses

A. Codex Sinaiticus: The Textual Foundation

1. Why Codex Sinaiticus?

Codex Sinaiticus (designated by the symbol א or "Aleph") is one of the two oldest complete manuscripts of the New Testament in existence.

Dating and Provenance: - Written circa 330-360 CE - Produced approximately 300 years after Mark was originally written - One of the fifty Bibles commissioned by Emperor Constantine - Written in Greek uncial (all capital letters) script

Discovery: - Found at St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai - Discovered in stages by Constantin von Tischendorf (1844-1859) - Major portions rescued from being used as kindling - Now digitized and publicly accessible online

Physical Description: - Originally contained entire Old and New Testaments plus additional books - Written on parchment (animal skin) - Four columns per page - Includes corrections by later scribes visible in the manuscript

2. What This Means for This Translation

Only verses present in THE EARLIEST VERSION of Codex Sinaiticus are included in this translation.

This has significant implications:

Excluded Material (not in 4th-century Sinaiticus):

Mark 16:9-20 - The "Longer Ending" of Mark - These verses describing post-resurrection appearances - Not present in earliest manuscripts including Sinaiticus and Vaticanus - Added by later scribes - Theologically significant (snake handling, speaking in tongues) - This translation ends Mark at 16:8 where Sinaiticus ends

The Pericope Adulterae (John 7:53-8:11) - Not in Mark, but example of later addition - The story of the woman caught in adultery - Not in early manuscripts - Beautiful story, but not original text

Individual verse variations: - Where Sinaiticus differs from later manuscripts, this translation follows Sinaiticus - Significant variants are noted

Why This Matters:

By using only what appears in a 4th-century manuscript, this translation: - Avoids material added by later theological development - Presents the earliest recoverable form of Mark - Strips away expansions motivated by doctrinal concerns - Shows you the text before centuries of "improvement"

3. Manuscript Integrity

How Sinaiticus Compares to Other Early Manuscripts:

Codex Vaticanus (B) - Also 4th century - Generally agrees with Sinaiticus on major readings - Together they represent the earliest complete Greek NT text - Both lack the longer ending of Mark

Papyri (P45, P75, etc.) - Earlier fragments (2nd-3rd century) - Support readings found in Sinaiticus/Vaticanus - Fragmentary, not complete books - Confirm reliability of 4th-century manuscripts

Later Manuscripts (Byzantine text) - 5th century onward - Show theological "improvements" and harmonizations - Basis for King James Version - Demonstrably later and expanded

Textual Criticism Conclusion:

The scholarly consensus is that Sinaiticus (along with Vaticanus) represents the most reliable textual tradition - the closest we can get to what Mark originally wrote.

This translation uses that earliest recoverable text.

4. Transparency About Textual Choices

Where significant textual variants exist: - The reading in Sinaiticus is translated - Major alternative readings are noted - No harmonization with other gospels - No "correction" of difficulties

This translation presents Mark as it appears in a 4th-century manuscript, not as later theology wished it to be.

PART III: THE METHOD - How This Translation Works

A. Etymological Translation

1. Definition

Etymological translation means translating words according to their root meanings and constituent parts, not according to traditional theological usage or later interpretive tradition.

The Process: 1. Identify the Greek word 2. Break compound words into their components 3. Determine the root meaning of each part 4. Translate according to those roots 5. Check usage in secular Greek literature (Homer through 3rd century CE) 6. Render in English that preserves the Greek conceptual structure

2. Why This Matters

Greek is a highly compositional language - complex concepts are built by combining simple roots:

εὐ-αγγέλιον: - εὖ = well, good (adverb) - ἄγγελος = messenger, message - Together = "good-message" or "well-message" - Traditional: "Gospel" (which hides the composition)

μετά-νοια: - μετά = after, change - νοέω = to think, perceive - Together = "change-of-mind" or "after-thought" - Traditional: "repentance" (which imports theology)

By showing these compositions, readers see how Greeks actually thought and spoke.

3. Compound Verbs

Greek uses prepositional prefixes to modify verb meanings. This translation preserves these:

Simple Verb + Prefix = Modified Meaning:

ἔρχομαι (to come/go) becomes: - ἐξ-έρχομαι = out-go → "go-out" - εἰσ-έρχομαι = into-go → "go-into" - ἀπ-έρχομαι = away-go → "go-away" - προσ-έρχομαι = toward-go → "go-toward"

στέλλω (to send) becomes: - ἀπο-στέλλω = away-send → "send-away" - ἐπι-στέλλω = upon-send → "send-upon"

βάλλω (to throw) becomes: - ἐκ-βάλλω = out-throw → "throw-out" - ἐπι-βάλλω = upon-throw → "throw-upon" - περι-βάλλω = around-throw → "throw-around"

τίθημι (to place) becomes: - παρα-τίθημι = beside-place → "place-beside" - ἐπι-τίθημι = upon-place → "place-upon" - προσ-τίθημι = toward-place → "add-to/place-toward"

These compositions aren't decorative - they carry meaning that traditional translations obscure.

B. Absolute Avoidance of Anachronism

The Core Principle

No English word is used if it imports a concept that did not exist in 1st-century Greek.

This means rigorously avoiding: 1. Medieval Christian concepts (purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation) 2. Reformation theology (justification, predestination as technical terms) 3. Modern evangelical language (saved, born again as formulas) 4. Ecclesiastical terminology (sacraments, ordinances, church hierarchy)

The test: Would a 1st-century Greek speaker, reading this text in Greek, have understood this concept?

If no → the English translation cannot use that theological term.

C. Systematic Vocabulary Replacement

The Avoided List

These English words are NEVER used because they import later theology:

D. Detailed Vocabulary Decisions

Major Terms Requiring Special Treatment:

1. ἁμαρτία → "Mistake" NOT "Sin"

Etymology: - ἁ- (not, without) + μαρτάνω (to hit the mark) - Literally: "not-hitting" or "missing"

Secular Greek Usage: - Archery: Missing the target - Tragedy: Aristotle's "hamartia" - tragic flaw or error in judgment - General: Any mistake, fault, error, failure

Why NOT "sin": - "Sin" in English has become a technical theological term - Implies moral guilt before God - Assumes a framework of divine law and rebellion - Carries doctrines of original sin, total depravity - Makes assumptions about human nature and salvation

What the Greek actually means: - A mistake - An error - Missing the mark - Falling short - Getting it wrong

In this translation: "mistake" or "error"

2. σταυρός → "Stake" NOT "Cross"

Etymology: - Upright stake, pole, or pale - From verb meaning "to stand upright"

Secular Greek Usage: - Fence posts - Palisade stakes - Execution poles - Any upright wooden structure

Historical Reality: - Romans executed people on various wooden structures - σταυρός was the general term for execution apparatus - Shape varied (†, T, X, I) - We don't actually know what shape Jesus was executed on

Why NOT "cross": - "Cross" assumes a specific † shape - The symbol became central to Christian iconography - Theological meaning (atonement, redemption) attached to the symbol - The English word "cross" now inseparable from Christian theology

What the Greek actually means: - An upright stake - An execution pole - The thing Romans used to kill people

In this translation: "stake"

3. μετανοέω → "Change Your Mind" NOT "Repent"

Etymology: - μετά (after, implying change) - νοέω (to think, perceive, understand) - Literally: "after-think" or "change-think"

Secular Greek Usage: - To change one's mind - To reconsider - To think differently afterward - To have second thoughts - To change one's purpose or plans

Examples in Greek Literature: - Changing military strategy - Reconsidering a decision - Altering one's opinion - Rethinking a course of action

Why NOT "repent": - "Repent" has become technical religious language - Implies sorrow for sin - Assumes religious conversion - Carries emotional weight (remorse, contrition) - Associated with revival preaching and altar calls

What the Greek actually means: - Change your mind - Think differently - Reconsider - Alter your thinking

In this translation: "change your mind" or "change-your-mind"

4. εὐαγγέλιον → "Good-Message" NOT "Gospel"

Etymology: - εὖ (well, good - adverb) - ἄγγελος (messenger, message, announcement) - Literally: "good message" or "well-announcement"

Secular Greek Usage: - Good news of any kind - Victory announcement - Imperial proclamation - Reward for bringing good news - Message of success or favorable outcome

Examples: - Military victory reports - Birth of an imperial heir - Favorable political developments - Any welcome news

Why NOT "gospel": - "Gospel" is now exclusively a religious/Christian term - Refers specifically to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John - Capitalized as a proper noun - Inseparable from Christian scripture concept - Lost any connection to "good news"

What the Greek actually means: - Good message - Good news - Welcome announcement - Favorable report

In this translation: "good-message"

5. βαπτίζω → "Dip" NOT "Baptize"

Etymology: - From βάπτω (to dip, immerse, plunge) - Intensive/causative form - Related to "depth"

Secular Greek Usage: - Dipping fabric in dye - Plunging into water - Immersing completely - Sinking a ship (filling with water) - Overwhelming with liquid - Getting drunk (dipped in wine)

Examples in Greek Literature: - Dipping cloth in purple dye - Ship submerged in sea - Person plunged into water - Sword dipped in blood

Why NOT "baptize": - "Baptize" isn't even a translation - it's transliteration - The English word was invented to preserve Greek sound - Only exists for Christian sacramental ritual - Hides the simple physical act - Makes it sound mystical/supernatural

What the Greek actually means: - To dip - To immerse - To plunge into liquid - To submerge

In this translation: "dip" (verb) or "dipping" (noun/participle)

6. ἅγιος → "Set-Apart" NOT "Holy"

Etymology: - From root meaning "separate, consecrate" - That which is separated for special purpose - Dedicated, reserved

Secular Greek Usage: - Temples set apart for gods - Objects dedicated to divine use - Places reserved for sacred purpose - Priests consecrated for service - Things removed from common use

Why NOT "holy": - "Holy" has become abstract and mystical - Associated with moral perfection - Theological freight (Holy Trinity, Holy Ghost) - Lost concrete meaning of separation - Sounds ethereal rather than functional

What the Greek actually means: - Set apart - Separated from common use - Dedicated to special purpose - Consecrated - Reserved

In this translation: "set-apart"

7. πνεῦμα ἅγιον → "Set-Apart Breath" NOT "Holy Spirit"

Etymology: - πνεῦμα from πνέω (to blow, breathe) - = breath, wind, air in motion - ἅγιον = set-apart

Secular Greek Usage of πνεῦμα: - Physical breath - Wind - Air - Life-breath (animating principle) - Spirit/soul (that which breathes life)

Why NOT "Holy Spirit": - "Holy Spirit" assumes Trinitarian theology - Third person of Godhead (Council of Nicaea, 325 CE) - Divine person with agency and personality - Doctrinal development centuries after Mark written

What the Greek actually means: - Set-apart breath - Sacred wind - Consecrated spirit/breath - The breath that animates, but separated for divine purpose

In this translation: "set-apart breath" or "set-apart spirit / breath"

8. δαιμόνιον → "Daemon" or "Little Daemon" NOT "Demon"

Etymology: - Diminutive of δαίμων (daimon) - δαίμων = divine power, supernatural being, intermediate spirit

Secular Greek Usage: - Intermediate beings between gods and humans - Guiding spirits (like Socrates' daimonion) - Supernatural forces - Divine signs or influences - Not inherently evil

Classical Understanding: - Daimones could be good, bad, or neutral - Spiritual beings of various types - Divine intermediaries

Why NOT "demon": - "Demon" in English = evil spirit - Christian demonology (Satan's minions) - Assumes cosmic battle between good and evil - Devils, hell, spiritual warfare - All later theological development

What the Greek actually means: - Supernatural being - Spirit - Divine power - Intermediate entity

In this translation: "daemon" or "little daemon" (for δαιμόνιον - diminutive)

9. ἐκκλησία → "Assembly" NOT "Church"

Etymology: - ἐκ (out) + καλέω (to call) - = "called-out ones" or "assembly"

Secular Greek Usage: - Civic assembly of citizens (Athens) - Political gathering - Public meeting - Any assembly or congregation

Why NOT "church": - "Church" assumes: - Christian institution - Buildings, clergy, hierarchy - Sacraments and liturgy - Denominational structures - None of which existed in Mark's time

What the Greek actually means: - Assembly - Gathering - Meeting - Congregation (in non-religious sense)

In this translation: "assembly" or "gathering"

10. μαθητής → "Learner" NOT "Disciple"

Etymology: - From μανθάνω (to learn) - = one who learns, student

Secular Greek Usage: - Student - Pupil - Apprentice - Anyone learning from a teacher

Why NOT "disciple": - "Disciple" has become exclusively religious - Implies spiritual follower - Associated with Christian discipleship programs - Carries theological weight about following Jesus

What the Greek actually means: - Learner - Student - One being taught

In this translation: "learner"

11. πίστις → "Trust" (in religious contexts) NOT "Faith"

Etymology: - From πείθω (to persuade, convince) - The state of being persuaded - Confidence, trust

Secular Greek Usage: - Trust in someone - Confidence - Being convinced - Reliability, faithfulness - Pledge, assurance - Proof, evidence

Why "trust" preferred in religious contexts: - "Faith" has become THE central theological term - Faith vs. works debates - Saving faith - The faith (as belief system) - Technical term in systematic theology

What the Greek means: - Confidence - Trust - Being convinced - Reliance

When to use which: - Contexts about trusting people: "trust" - General belief/conviction: "trust" or "faith" (both acceptable) - To avoid theological loading: prefer "trust"

In this translation: Generally "trust" in religious contexts; "faith" acceptable in neutral contexts

12. εὐλογέω → "Speak-Favor-Upon" NOT "Bless"

Etymology: - εὖ (well, favorably) - λογέω (to speak) - = speak well, speak favorably

Important: εὖ is an adverb (well), not the adjective ἀγαθός (good)

Why this matters: Jesus says "Why call me good (ἀγαθός)? No one is good except God" - so avoid "good" where possible

Secular Greek Usage: - To speak well of someone - To praise - To invoke favor through speech - To commend

Ancient Cultural Context: - Speech was believed to have power - Speaking well OVER something invoked benefit - Performative utterance, not just description

Why NOT "bless": - "Bless" has become abstract religious language - Associated with prayer, divine favor - Lost connection to speech-act - Sounds mystical rather than performative

What the Greek means: - Speaking favorably - Invoking good through speech - Declaring benefit - Speech-act that accomplishes something

In this translation: "speak-favor-upon" or "speak-well-of" or "speak-well-over"

13. ἀφίημι → "Release" NOT "Forgive"

Etymology: - ἀπό (away) + ἵημι (to send) - = send away, let go, release

Secular Greek Usage: - Release prisoners - Let go of debts - Dismiss charges - Send away - Let something go - Abandon, leave

Why NOT "forgive": - "Forgive" has become religious/moral language - Implies internal emotional process - Associated with Christian forgiveness theology - Psychological and spiritual dimensions

What the Greek means: - Release - Let go - Send away - Dismiss - Set free from obligation

In this translation: "release" or "let-go"

14. διαθήκη → "Will/Testament" NOT "Covenant"

Etymology: - διά (through) + τίθημι (to place) - = arrangement, disposition

Secular Greek Usage: - Last will and testament - Legal disposition of property - Arrangement, contract - Testamentary document

Why NOT "covenant": - "Covenant" imports Old Testament theology - New Covenant vs. Old Covenant framework - Covenant theology (Reformed tradition) - Biblical covenants as divine-human contracts

What the Greek means: - Will (legal document) - Testament - Disposition of affairs - Arrangement

In this translation: "will/testament" (dual option)

15. ὑπέρ → "On-Behalf-Of / Over"

Etymology: - Root meaning: over, above (spatial)

Semantic Extensions: - On behalf of - For the sake of - Concerning - In place of (rare, controversial)

Why the dual translation matters: - Shows etymological root (over) - Shows functional meaning (on-behalf-of) - Avoids assuming substitutionary atonement - "In place of" (substitution) vs "on behalf of" (representation)

Critical theological distinction: - "For" is vague - could be either - "Instead of" assumes substitution - "On-behalf-of" allows representation without substitution

In this translation: "on-behalf-of / over" (showing both meanings)

16. Φαρισαῖοι → "Separated-Ones (Pharisees)"

Etymology: - From Hebrew פְּרוּשִׁים (perushim) - = separated ones

Historical Meaning: - Religious sect that separated for purity - Set themselves apart from common people - Strict adherence to Torah and tradition

Why translate the etymology: - "Pharisees" is just a proper name to modern readers - Translating shows what the name MEANT - Reveals their self-identity as separatists

In this translation: "separated-ones (Pharisees)" or "separated-ones (religious sect: Pharisees)"

17. τελώνης → "Toll-Collector" NOT "Tax-Collector"

Etymology: - From τέλος (end, completion; also tax, toll, customs duty) - = one who collects τέλος

Historical Function: - Collected indirect taxes: tolls, customs, duties - NOT direct taxes (property, income) - Stationed at borders, ports, toll roads - Revenue farmers who bid for collection rights

Why NOT "tax-collector": - "Tax-collector" suggests modern IRS-type taxation - These were specifically toll and customs collectors - Different function, different social position

What they actually did: - Collected tolls at roads, bridges, gates - Customs duties on goods - Harbor fees - Market fees

In this translation: "toll-collector"

18. βασιλεία → "Kingship / Kingdom"

Etymology: - From βασιλεύς (king) - The abstract noun form

Semantic Range: - Royal power, authority - The office of being king - The realm ruled by a king - The act of reigning

Why dual translation: - Abstract (kingship, royal authority) - Concrete (kingdom, realm) - Both are legitimate - Greek word encompasses both

In this translation: "kingship / kingdom" or "reign / kingdom"

19. σκανδαλίζω → "Trapped [Stumbled]"

Etymology: - From σκάνδαλον (skandalon) - = trap-stick, the stick in a snare that triggers it

Secular Meaning: - To cause to be caught in a trap - To ensnare - To trip up - To cause to stumble (by tripping mechanism)

Why NOT "offend" or "cause to sin": - "Offend" (modern) = hurt feelings (wrong meaning) - "Cause to sin" = theological interpretation - Original image is concrete trap mechanism

What the Greek means: - Caught in a trap - Ensnared - Tripped up - Made to stumble by trap-stick

In this translation: "trapped [stumbled]" (showing both meanings)

20. γραμματεύς → "Writer-Scholar" NOT "Scribe"

Etymology: - From γράμμα (letter, writing) - = one skilled in letters/writing

Historical Function: - Educated legal experts - Teachers of Torah - Interpreters of law - Not mere copyists

Why NOT just "scribe": - "Scribe" sounds like mere copyist - These were educated scholars - Legal authorities - Teachers

What they were: - Learned in written law - Expert interpreters - Educated elite

In this translation: "writer-scholar" or "scribe-scholar"

21. πρεσβύτερος → "Older-[Ones] / Elders (Presbyterōn)"

Etymology: - Comparative of πρέσβυς (old) - = older ones, those more advanced in age

Function: - Those with age-based authority - Respected seniors - Community leaders by virtue of age

Why show etymology: - "Elders" obscures that this is about AGE - The authority comes from being OLDER - Social system based on seniority

In this translation: "older-[ones] / elders (presbyterōn)"

22. τέκτων → "Builder" NOT "Carpenter"

Etymology: - From root meaning "to build, construct" - = builder, craftsman, constructor

Semantic Range: - Worker in wood - Worker in stone - General builder/constructor - Skilled artisan

Critical Point: - τέκτων does NOT specify WHICH material - Could be wood, stone, metal - General term for skilled construction worker

Why NOT "carpenter": - "Carpenter" assumes woodworking - Greek doesn't specify this - No evidence in gospels for woodworking specifically - Could have been stonemason, general builder

In this translation: "builder" or "craftsman" or transliterate "tektōn"

23. λαμβάνω → "Took" (Active) Preferred Over "Received" (Passive)

Etymology: - Primary meaning: to take, seize, grasp

Semantic Range: - To take (actively) - To receive (passively accept) - To get, obtain - To grasp, catch

Why "took" often preferred: - More active than "received" - Shows agency - Concrete action - Greek middle voice often implies active participation

Context determines: - Gift context: "received" acceptable - Active context: "took" preferred

In this translation: Generally "took" unless context requires "received"

24. ψυχή → "Breath-Life (Psychē)"

Etymology: - From ψύχω (to breathe, blow) - = breath, life-breath

Secular Meaning: - The breath that animates - Life-principle - Animating force - Self, person - NOT immortal soul (that's Platonic)

Why NOT "soul": - "Soul" imports Greek philosophy (Plato) and Christian immortality - Assumes soul-body dualism - Eternal, immaterial essence - Not what Hebrew/Greek thought meant

What it means: - Life-breath - Animating principle - The living self - Physical life

In this translation: "breath-life (psychē)" or "life"

25. ἐξ-ίστημι → "Stood-Out / Stood-Outside"

Etymology: - ἐξ (out) + ἵστημι (to stand, place) - = stand outside, displace

Meanings: - Stand outside oneself (lose composure) - Be beside oneself (amazement or madness) - Be amazed, astonished - Go out of one's mind

Related Noun: ἔκστασις (ecstasy) - Literally "standing-out" - State of displacement - Being outside normal state - Amazement, trance

Why preserve etymology: - Shows word family relationship - ἐξέστησαν (they stood-out) + ἐκστάσει (ecstasy) - Same root in verb and noun form - Beautiful wordplay visible in Greek

In this translation: - Verb: "stood-out" or "stood-outside" - Noun: "ecstasy" (which IS the Greek word) - Shows etymological connection

E. Grammatical Features Preserved

1. Participles

Greek uses participles extensively. This translation preserves them:

Present Participles: - "being-indignant" - "having-heard" - "saying" - "coming"

Aorist Participles: - "having-spoken" - "having-seen" - "having-gone-out"

Perfect Participles: - "having-been-hardened" - "having-been-raised"

Why preserve participles: - Shows temporal relationships - Indicates aspect (ongoing vs. completed) - Maintains Greek sentence structure - More literal than converting to finite verbs

2. Word Order

Greek word order is preserved where English permits:

Example: "For not is anything hidden except that it might be clearly visible" - Maintains Greek emphatic structure - Even if slightly awkward - Shows Greek thought patterns

Balance: Readability vs. literalness - Don't sacrifice comprehension - But preserve structure where possible

3. Brackets for Implied Elements

Square brackets [] indicate elements implied in Greek but unstated:

Types: - Implied objects: "they took [them]" - Articles: "[the] ones" - Contextual additions: "[in the] morning" - Grammatical clarifications: "[that]" for ὅτι

Purpose: Transparency - reader sees what's added

4. Dual Options and Glosses

Multiple formats for providing both literal and functional meanings:

Slash format: "will/testament" - Both terms equally valid - Semantic range shown

Parenthetical gloss: "being-indignant (displeased)" - Primary translation + explanation - Context provided

Bracketed transliteration: "breath-life (psychē)" - Translation + Greek term - Gives reader access to original

Compound with multiple options: "older-[ones] / elders (presbyterōn)" - Literal / functional + Greek term - Maximum transparency

F. Editorial Judgment

The Balance

This translation is mechanical and etymological, but not rigidly so.

Editorial decisions are made strategically:

When to decompose compounds: - When it reveals meaning: "whole-burnt-offerings" - When it shows relationships: "good-message" - When it strips theology: "speak-favor-upon"

When to simplify: - When decomposition obscures: "understanding" (vs "putting-together") - When compound is standard: "council" (vs "sitting-together") - When result is incomprehensible: avoiding "toward the to-lead-astray"

The principle: - Maximum transparency about the Greek - Maximum accessibility for readers - Mechanical precision balanced with clarity - Let readers see the Greek structure - But don't sacrifice comprehension

PART IV: THE RESULT - What You're Holding

A. What This Translation Is

1. Greek Literature

This text is a work of 1st-century Greek prose that should be read alongside: - Other Koine Greek texts - Hellenistic literature - Greek historical narratives - Ancient biographical accounts

Not: - Christian scripture (though Christians use it that way) - A theological document (though it contains theological ideas) - Divinely-dictated text (it's human-authored Greek writing)

2. A Secular Document in Sacred Language

The language is secular Greek: - Ordinary vocabulary - Standard grammatical structures - Common Greek literary conventions - Words with everyday meanings

The content may be religious, but the language is ordinary.

This translation treats the Greek as what it is: the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean in the 1st century CE.

3. An Etymological Recovery

Every word has been: - Traced to its roots - Stripped of theological overlay - Translated according to secular usage - Rendered to show Greek composition

Result: What a Greek speaker would have understood, not what later theology imposed.

B. What This Translation Is NOT

1. Not Another "Study Bible"

This translation does NOT include: - Theological commentary - Devotional material - Doctrinal explanations - Application sections - Cross-references to support doctrines

This is translation, not interpretation.

2. Not a Christian Translation

This translation: - Does not assume any theological framework - Does not harmonize with Christian doctrine or any other New Testament book - Does not read backwards from later theology - Treats Mark as Greek literature FIRST

Even though Mark was written by early Christians, the LANGUAGE used is secular Greek.

3. Not an Easy Read

This translation may feel: - Unfamiliar (precisely because it's accurate) - Uncomfortable (challenges assumptions) - Awkward (reflects Greek structure) - Stark (lacks traditional theological comfort)

Difficulty is often a sign of accuracy, not error.

C. How to Use This Translation

1. Reading Approach

Forget what you think you know. - Release assumptions about familiar passages - Let unfamiliar words create space for Greek meanings - Question traditional interpretations

Engage critically: - Compare with other translations - Notice where they differ - Ask WHY they differ - The differences reveal theological choices

2. Comparison with Traditional Translations

Use this translation as a reference tool:

Take any verse: 1. Read it in your traditional Bible 2. Read it in this translation 3. Notice the differences 4. Each difference represents a choice

The question becomes: Why did traditional translations choose theological terms when the Greek doesn't require them?

3. For General Readers

No Greek knowledge required.

This translation provides: - Glosses for unfamiliar terms - Explanations in introduction - Glossary of key vocabulary - Accessibility through transparency

The goal: Give non-scholars access to what scholars already know - that the Greek often says something quite different from traditional translations.

D. Limitations and Acknowledgments

1. What This Translation Cannot Do

It cannot: - Recover authorial intent with certainty - Eliminate ALL interpretive choices (translation IS interpretation) - Provide the experience of reading original Greek - Settle all scholarly debates - Be perfectly literal (no translation can)

2. Inevitable Interpretive Choices

Even "literal" translation requires judgment: - Greek-to-English mapping is imperfect - Some concepts have no exact equivalent - Word order must sometimes change - Ambiguities exist in Greek itself

Transparency about choices: - Decisions are explained - Alternatives are noted - Reasoning is provided

3. Deliberate Independence from Scholarly Tradition

This translation PURPOSEFULLY IGNORES:

• Textual critics who established manuscript traditions
• Lexicographers who compiled Greek dictionaries (LSJ, BDAG)
• Accumulated scholarly consensus

Why?

**Because even "neutral" scholarship operates within paradigms that may themselves be contaminated by:

• Centuries of theological interpretation
• Academic consensus that privileges certain readings
• Lexicographical choices shaped by Christian usage
• Scholarly traditions that assume theological frameworks

**The Approach: This translation works directly from the Greek text itself:

• Raw Greek to English
• No intermediary authorities
• No consulting "what scholars say it means"
• No deference to academic consensus
• Fresh eyes on ancient words

**The Risk: This approach may:

• Miss scholarly insights
• Overlook established meanings
• Make choices that depart from consensus
• Appear amateurish or naive to academics

**The Reward: This approach ensures:

• No unconscious adoption of theological interpretations embedded in lexicons
• No capture by scholarly consensus that may itself be biased
• Complete freedom to translate what the Greek actually says
• Fresh encounter unmediated by centuries of interpretation

**The Acknowledgment: This translation does NOT stand on the shoulders of traditional scholarship. It stands BESIDE the Greek text alone.

4. Invitation to Dialogue

This translation is offered as: - A contribution to understanding - Not the final word - An invitation to discussion - A tool for seeing the Greek clearly

Corrections and critiques are welcomed.

The goal is accuracy to the Greek text, not dogmatic certainty about meaning.

E. Why This Matters

1. Recovering Lost Meanings

What is gained: - Access to what any Greek speaker actually heard - Understanding of how language shapes theology - Awareness of translation as interpretation - Freedom from imposed meanings

The value: Encountering ancient texts on their own terms, not through centuries of theological filters.

2. Intellectual Honesty

Translation should serve the text, not theology.

Readers deserve: - To know what the Greek actually says - Transparency about translation choices - Access to meanings before theological interpretation - The freedom to draw their own conclusions

3. The Act of Reclamation

This text belongs to Greek literature first.

For too long: - Theological appropriation has controlled access - Denominational interests have shaped and altered translations - Institutional agendas have predetermined meanings

This translation reclaims the Greek.

Ancient voices deserve to be heard in their own language, speaking their own meanings, free from centuries of theological overlay.

Reclaiming the Greek is an act of intellectual and historical justice.

CONCLUSION

The Question One More Time

Why is YOUR Bible's Book of Mark so very different from "The Good-Message of Mark: Reclaimed from the Original Greek"?

Now you know the answer:

Your Bible was created by institutions protecting theological traditions.

This translation was created from the Greek text itself, with no theological tradition to defend.

Your Bible translates theology.

This translation translates Greek.

The choice is yours:

Continue reading institutional translations that tell you what blind-guide denominations want you to believe.

Or encounter the Greek text itself - reclaimed, unfiltered, and free.

Read for yourself: The Good-Message of Mark: Reclaimed from the Original Greek.