The Greek word transliterated as "lego" appears in the New Testament about 2,343 times, and is used to mean three very different things.
First, the word is used to indicate someone is optionally invited to come or go somewhere. When used in this manner, the word should be translated as "invited" rather than "called."
Second, the word is used to indicate something was proclaimed, as in Jesus is proclaimed the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. When the reference is to a person's name, named should be used. But when the reference is to a person's title, proclaimed should be used.
Third, the word is used to indicate someone is summoned or relocated, as in transferred into Christ. If the reference is to our spiritual relocation, transferred should be used.
If these changes were adopted by our translations, using specific English words for each differing meaning, much confusion would be eliminated.
Lets look at a few examples:
Matthew 1:22 NASB
Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled:
Interpretive translation
Now all this took place so that what was proclaimed by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled.
Matthew 2:5 NaSB
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
Interpretive translation
They proclaimed o him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
Matthew 2:23 NASB
and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Interpretive translation
and came and settled in a city named Nazareth. This happened so that what was proclaimed through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be proclaimed a Nazarene.”
Matthew 4:18 NASB
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Interpretive translation
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called named Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Matthew 22:14 NASB
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Interpretive translation
“For many are invited but few are chosen.”
First, the word is used to indicate someone is optionally invited to come or go somewhere. When used in this manner, the word should be translated as "invited" rather than "called."
Second, the word is used to indicate something was proclaimed, as in Jesus is proclaimed the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. When the reference is to a person's name, named should be used. But when the reference is to a person's title, proclaimed should be used.
Third, the word is used to indicate someone is summoned or relocated, as in transferred into Christ. If the reference is to our spiritual relocation, transferred should be used.
If these changes were adopted by our translations, using specific English words for each differing meaning, much confusion would be eliminated.
Lets look at a few examples:
Matthew 1:22 NASB
Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled:
Interpretive translation
Now all this took place so that what was proclaimed by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled.
Matthew 2:5 NaSB
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
Interpretive translation
They proclaimed o him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
Matthew 2:23 NASB
and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Interpretive translation
and came and settled in a city named Nazareth. This happened so that what was proclaimed through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be proclaimed a Nazarene.”
Matthew 4:18 NASB
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Interpretive translation
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called named Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Matthew 22:14 NASB
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Interpretive translation
“For many are invited but few are chosen.”