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Greek Lessons
- “οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον”: Aorist Negation and Reflexive Emphasis in Matthew 25:3
- “λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν”: Aorist Participial Sequence in Matthew 25:3
- “Αἵτινες μωραὶ…”: Indefinite Relative Classification in Matthew 25:3
- “ἐγένετο” as Divine Narrative Marker: The Aorist Middle in John 2:1
- “γέγραπται” as Scriptural Formula: The Perfect Passive Indicative in Mark 1:2
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Category
“ἦν… ἐκεῖ”: The Imperfect Tense of Presence in John 2:1
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}, Study more .....
“οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον”: Aorist Negation and Reflexive Emphasis in Matthew 25:3
Introduction: What They Failed to Bring
The final clause in this verse exposes the foolish virgins’ core mistake:
οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον —
“they did not take oil with themselves.”
The verb ἔλαβον {elabon} is aorist active, and the phrase μεθ’ Study more .....
“λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν”: Aorist Participial Sequence in Matthew 25:3
Introduction: What They Took—And What They Didn’t
Matthew 25:3 reads:
Αἵτινες μωραὶ, λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον.
“Those who were foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with themselves.”
Here Study more .....
“Αἵτινες μωραὶ…”: Indefinite Relative Classification in Matthew 25:3
Introduction: Those Who Were Foolish
In Matthew 25:3, part of Jesus’ parable of the Ten Virgins, the foolish group is introduced with the phrase:
Αἵτινες μωραὶ, λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον.
“Those Study more .....
“ἐγένετο” as Divine Narrative Marker: The Aorist Middle in John 2:1
Introduction: The Beginning of Signs
John 2:1 begins with an event introduction: “Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο”—“And on the third day there was a wedding.” The seemingly ordinary statement hinges on the verb ἐγένετο {egeneto}, an aorist middle Study more .....
“γέγραπται” as Scriptural Formula: The Perfect Passive Indicative in Mark 1:2
Introduction: The Authority of What “Is Written”
In Mark 1:2, the evangelist introduces a prophetic quotation with the phrase Ὡς γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις — “As it is written in the prophets.” The central verb γέγραπται {gegraptai}, from γράφω {graphō}, Study more .....
Holy Devotion or Divine Curse? ἀνάθημα and ἀνάθεμα in the Greek New Testament
The Greek words ἀνάθημα and ἀνάθεμα are among the most striking examples of near-homographs with completely different meanings in the New Testament. Though both stem from the root ἀνατίθημι ("to set up, to dedicate"), their divergence in usage and theological weight is profound. Study more .....
Corrective Language in the Greek New Testament: ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω
The Greek New Testament uses various terms to express rebuke, correction, conviction, and exposure of wrongdoing. Among these, ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω emerge as two major verbs associated with verbal discipline or moral judgment. While both can involve confrontation, they differ in tone, Study more .....
The Temple in Two Dimensions: ἱερόν and ναός in the Greek New Testament
In the Greek New Testament, the terms ἱερόν and ναός both refer to the "temple," yet they carry significantly different nuances and theological implications. Both terms are rooted in Greek religious vocabulary, yet when employed by New Testament writers—especially in the Gospels and Pauline Study more .....
“Ἰδόντες”: Aorist Participle of Perception and Fulfillment in Matthew 2:10
Introduction: The Joy of Seeing
Matthew 2:10 opens with a participle of perception—ἰδόντες {idontes}, from ὁράω, “to see.” The clause reads:
“Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα”
—“And when they saw the star, Study more .....
New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 1:2
Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.
Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John 1:2
The verse John 1:2 follows the highly structured and theologically rich opening of the Gospel of John. It is a short but dense statement that reaffirms the identity and eternal nature of the Study more .....
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New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 21:25
Ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ὃσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ’ ἕν, οὐδὲ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία.
Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John Study more .....
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The Linguistic and Grammatical Significance of Matthew 1:1 in New Testament Greek
Matthew 1:1 Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ·
Introduction
Matthew 1:1 serves as the introduction to the Gospel according to Matthew, framing the genealogy of Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ and establishing His Davidic and Study more .....
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The Progressive Present
The progressive present in New Testament Greek expresses an action that is currently in progress or unfolding at the present moment. It is the closest equivalent to the English present continuous tense ("is doing," "are saying," etc.).
Characteristics of the Progressive Present
- Ongoing Action: The Study more .....
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The Present Indicative in New Testament Greek
The present indicative is one of the most frequently used tenses in the New Testament, serving as a fundamental building block for understanding the Greek text. This tense is pivotal in conveying actions that occur in the present time, but its primary significance extends beyond mere temporality. It Study more .....
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Divine Essence and Nature in the Greek New Testament: θεότης and θειότης
Among the many nuanced terms used to describe the divine in the Greek New Testament, θεότης and θειότης stand out for their subtle distinctions and theological depth. Both derive from the root θεός ("God"), yet their forms and usages convey distinct shades of meaning concerning God's Study more .....
Introduction to the Tenses of the Indicative Mood in New Testament Greek
The indicative mood in New Testament Greek is primarily used to express factual statements and actual occurrences. The tenses in the indicative mood convey both the time of action and the kind of action (aspect). Understanding these tenses is crucial for accurate interpretation of the New Testament texts.
Present Study more .....
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“ἐταράχθη”: The Aorist Passive of Emotional Turmoil in Matthew 2:3
Introduction: A King Troubled, A City Disturbed
In Matthew 2:3, the reaction to the magi’s inquiry about the “king of the Jews” is immediate and intense: Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. The verb ἐταράχθη {etarachthē} is central to the scene, both grammatically and dramatically. Study more .....
The Tenses in New Testament Greek
New Testament Greek, or Koine Greek, is a rich and nuanced language that offers profound depth to biblical interpretation. One of the essential aspects of this language is its system of tenses, which not only indicate the time of an action but also reveal the kind of action being described. Understanding Study more .....
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Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek
New Testament Greek, also known as Koine Greek, is a rich and expressive language that relies heavily on moods and tenses to convey meaning, intention, and nuance. The syntax of these grammatical features provides a window into the text's deeper meanings and the author's intended message. This article Study more .....
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The Neuter Articular Aorist Passive Participle in Matthew 1:20: “τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν”
Introduction: Participles and the Mystery of Conception
In Matthew 1:20, the angelic message to Ἰωσὴφ {Iōsēph} delivers the revelation that Μαρίαμ is pregnant, but not by human means. The phrase τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν is central to this divine disclosure. At the heart Study more .....
