Greek word · G2481
ἴσως
isōs
perhaps
Originally 'equally, evenly' (from ἴσος, 'equal'). As an adverb of likelihood it means 'perhaps, probably, it may be'. Context decides whether it leans toward real doubt or confident expectation. LSJ and BDAG give both 'perhaps' and 'probably'.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
ἴσως
(ἴσσς),
adv., [in LXX for אוּלַי, אַךְ, הֵן, Genesis 32:20, Jeremiah 5:4, al. ;]
1. equally.
2. perhaps: Luke 20:13.†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
Originally 'equally, evenly' (from ἴσος, 'equal'). As an adverb of likelihood it means 'perhaps, probably, it may be'. Context decides whether it leans toward real doubt or confident expectation. LSJ and BDAG give both 'perhaps' and 'probably'.
- Against the English
'Perhaps' (BSB, ESV, NASB, NIV) and 'it may be' (KJV, WEB) fit. A version that turns it into 'surely' loses the note of hoping against the evidence. One that leaves it out, as Mark and Matthew do, makes the owner confident.
- Used elsewhere in the period
It occurs only here in the New Testament. It is common in literary Koine and in the papyri, often as a polite hedge. The Gospel of Thomas 65, a separate version of this parable, also has the owner say 'Perhaps they will respect my son', so the 'perhaps' may be an old part of the story and not only Luke's wording.
Where it appears
Luke · 1
-
Luke 20:13 ἴσως perhaps
‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’
Here: It appears only here in the New Testament, and it is Luke's own touch: Mark and Matthew have a flat 'They will respect my son.' The word voices a reasonable hope, 'surely, this time', not a prediction.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.