If you are using the same Greek Text, why change a word unless you were attempting to update it to a more instantly understandable word? In today’s reading, it seemed as if the NKJV was choosing a couple of words that differed from the KJV based on them not being as harsh as the KJV’s rendering.
16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
Matthew 12:16 (NKJV)16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known,
Charged or Warned?
To be warned doesn’t sound as serious as being charged. To Charge someone is to give them a command. To warn is “to give admonishing advice or counsel.” A warning reminds me more of empty nagging than the Lord giving a clear instruction. Let’s weigh these two English renderings with the Greek word.
The Greek word is ἐπιτιμάω epitimaō and Strong’s defines it as “to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid” The KJV translates this word 29 times . It uses the English word rebuke 24 times, charge 4 times, and straightly charge once.
Warn or charge both have the ideal that is being expressed here, but charged does seem to give the clearer ideal that Jesus is ordering them to not talk about this occurrence. That may seem harsher than a “warning,” but it would seem that this word is more clearly represented that way.
Matthew 12:20 (KJV)
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Matthew 12:20 (NKJV)20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
Judgment or Justice?
Here we have another example of a harsher word becoming a less harsh word. Judgment in English, among it’s several definitions, in this verse would seem to refer to “a divine sentence or decision.” Justice in English, among it’s several definitions, would seem to refer to “the quality of being just.” The ideal that the verse seems to be conveying is that there is Day coming when God will bring forth His judgement on all mankind. In that sense, He will bring true justice into the world with His judgment. Which word relays the original meaning better?
The Greek word is κρίσις krisis and means a decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against). The KJV translates this word 48 times. It uses the English word judgment 41 times, damnation 3 times, accusation twice, and condemnation twice.
It also should be recognized that this word has a Hebrew reference since it is a quote from the Old Testament. The Hebrew word is מִשְׁפָּט mišp̱âṭ and means a verdict (favorable or unfavorable).
While Justice could be an acceptable translation of Krisis or Mispat, anybody who has been around Christianity very long knows that God will bring a Judment on all mankind one day. It seems to me that using justice here actually softens the ideal of the Greek “decision” or Hebrew “verdict.” That ideal is clearer with the word judgment than with justice even if that doesn’t sound as inspirational on a greeting card or Christmas ornament. I would rather hear the clearer, harsher words.
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