Question 1

What does "Suffer" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Suffer" means "let." The dual meaning where allowing something required patience and even personal cost. When Jesus said 'suffer the little children,' the word conveyed both his welcoming permission and his willingness to bear the disciples' objections to do so.

Question 2

Why did the word "Suffer" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

The pain/endurance meaning of 'suffer' overtook its older sense of 'permit/allow,' making the verse sound like Jesus wanted children to experience pain. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by ~1800.

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Suffer"?

Accepted Answer

"Suffer" was replaced by: "let" (though this too casual and permissive; suffer-as-allow carried an undertone of patience and deliberate forbearance); "allow" (though this bureaucratic and neutral; suffer implied the allower was actively making space despite difficulty or opposition); "permit" (though this formal and impersonal; suffer carried warmth and willingness).

What Does “Suffer” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost