Tag Archives: ἦν

Introduction: The Mother Was There

The clause καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ appears understated, yet its grammatical structure offers insightful narrative and theological signals. The use of ἦν {ēn}, the imperfect tense of εἰμί, and the adverb ἐκεῖ {ekeī}, meaning “there,” produces a sense of continued, established presence.

This clause is not just background information—it’s a scene-setting device that positions Jesus’ mother at the center of what is about to unfold. The grammar is deliberate and loaded with narrative sensitivity.

Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the verb ἦν (the imperfect active indicative of εἰμί) and how it works with ἐκεῖ (“there”) to communicate durative presence, narrative positioning, and theological resonance.… Learn Koine Greek