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Jesus began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” … Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” … When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” … Jesus began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” … Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” … Jesus began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.” Luke 3: 23 etc |
On six separate occasions Luke, the biographer of Jesus Christ, records that Jesus “began” something. See them all in bold above.
On all six occasions, the Greek verb used by Luke was archo. It’s normal meaning is “to rule, to be chief, to be leader.” That Greek verb also has the shade of meaning “to be first, to initiate, to commence.”
Many English words have a Greek origin. Amongst those originating from archo is the word “arch” – like the remaining arch at Grosnez Point.
Others in common English usage are: arch-bishop (overseer of overseers in churches); arch-enemy (enemy above all enemies); architect (chief-tect, chief of workmen); architrave (above-trave, above-beam); archangel (principal angel); and many others.
These present-day usages of the Greek verb archo make one think that “began” might well be a poor translation of Luke’s original use of archo some 2000 years ago. What’s the alternative? Let’s try “took the lead”.
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‘A leader has been described as one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.’ (Anon.)
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Taking each of the six occasions in turn we find an interesting picture of how this man Jesus – the one who rose from the dead – took the lead whilst he was here on earth, the Son of God, AD 0 – AD 33.
First, Jesus took the lead by saying in the synagogue at Capernaum, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The Scripture was a (then) 700 year old prophesy of the coming of the long-promised Messiah. He initiated the thought of himself as Messiah.
Second, Jesus took the lead to speak to the crowds concerning John the Baptist, his cousin, who had faithfully instructed the thousands who came to hear him in the wilderness. John has commanded them to show their sorrow for their sin and to turn to seek God. He initiated his own call for a mind-change.
Third, Jesus took the lead to say to the crowds, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” He confirmed John’s message and indicated that the sign that he would give would be his resurrection after three days in the grave. He initiated the prospect that he would conquer death.
Fourth, Jesus took the lead to say to his followers first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”He initiated a the call to his disciples to watch out and avoid any possibility of play-acting when following him – the call to be real.
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‘The pursuit of power can separate the most resolute of Christians from the true nature of Jesus Christ’s leadership.’ (Charles Colson, one-time Special Counsel to President Nixon, 1931-2012)
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Fifth, Jesus took the lead to drive out the sellers from the temple, saying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” He initiated the removal of those who had made their religion a matter of profit to themselves
Sixth, in the week of his own crucifixion, Jesus took the lead to tell to all the people this parable, “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.” He wanted all to know that he had returned to seek fruit from the tenants in his vineyard, was going to be crucified and killed by those tenants – but would return after a long while. He initiated the teaching that he would go away for a very long time.
Six wonderful ways in which to archo, to begin, to take the lead, to initiate.
He’s made a start. It’s up to me to decide whether to follow.
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