New Testament Greek

Mark’s Greek often feels breathless—its syntax pushes readers into the same emotional velocity as the disciples. In οἱ δὲ περισσῶς ἐξεπλήσσοντο, grammar does the heavy lifting: an imperfect verb charged by an intensifying adverb. The result is not mere surprise but an ongoing inner collapse of confidence. Mark’s clause is not only narrating psychology; it is shaping the canonical story of who can and cannot enter the kingdom.

Before we investigate how the disciples’ stunned grammar opens a window onto the whole biblical narrative of salvation, we begin with the vocabulary’s inner mechanics.… Learn Koine Greek

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus, answering again, says to them: Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

This verse interweaves emotion and doctrine through vivid Greek grammar. The narrative begins with ἐθαμβοῦντο (“were astonished”), an imperfect middle indicative of θαμβέω, denoting a continuing state of amazement. The imperfect tense presents the disciples not as momentarily surprised but as deeply and continuously overwhelmed by Jesus’ saying.… Learn Koine Greek