KJV: But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
YLT: and the prudent answered, saying -- Lest there may not be sufficient for us and you, go ye rather unto those selling, and buy for yourselves.
Darby: But the prudent answered saying, We cannot, lest it might not suffice for us and for you. Go rather to those that sell, and buy for yourselves.
ASV: But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
| Ἀπεκρίθησαν | Answered |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: ἀποκρίνομαι Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer. |
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| φρόνιμοι | wise |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural Root: φρόνιμος Sense: intelligent, wise. |
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| λέγουσαι | saying |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Feminine Plural Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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| Μή¦Ποτε | Lest |
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Parse: Adverb Root: μήποτε Sense: that … not, lest, whether perhaps, whether or not, in no way, perhaps. |
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| οὐ | no |
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Parse: Adverb Root: οὐ Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer. |
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| μὴ | not even |
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Parse: Adverb Root: μή Sense: no, not lest. |
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| ἀρκέσῃ | it might suffice |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀρκέω Sense: to be possessed of unfailing strength. |
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| ἡμῖν | for us |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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| πορεύεσθε | Go |
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Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural Root: πορεύομαι Sense: to lead over, carry over, transfer. |
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| μᾶλλον | rather |
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Parse: Adverb Root: μᾶλλον Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather. |
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| τοὺς | those |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| πωλοῦντας | selling |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural Root: πωλέω Sense: to barter, to sell. |
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| ἀγοράσατε | buy |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: ἀγοράζω Sense: to be in the market place, to attend it. |
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| ἑαυταῖς | for yourselves |
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Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Dative Feminine 3rd Person Plural Root: ἑαυτοῦ Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves. |
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Greek Commentary for Matthew 25:9
There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have ουκ ouk instead of ου μη ou mē But even so μη ποτε mē pote has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like γινεστω ginesthō or by a verb of fearing like ποβουμετα phoboumetha (this most likely). Either ουκ ouk or ου μη ou mē would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive αρκεσει arkesei (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 192; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1161,1174). “We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both.” This is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. “It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment” (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, μηποτεου μη mēpote - ou mē f0). [source]
The Greek does not give the blunt negative of the A.V. It is a more courteous form of refusal, making the reason for refusing to supply the place of the negative. Give us of your oil, say the foolish. The wise reply, Lest perchance there be not by any means ( οὐ μὴ , the double negative) enough. The Rev. gives it very happily. Peradventure there will not be enough, etc. [source]