Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐκεῖ τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν· καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς σάββασι θεραπεύειν; ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ. (Matthew 12:10)
And behold, there was a man there having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?”—so that they might accuse him.
Visual Setup and Legal Ambush
The interjection ἰδοὺ marks narrative alertness—“look!” or “behold!” The imperfect verb ἦν establishes the background: “there was a man.” τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν is a participial phrase modifying the man: “having a withered hand.” ξηρά (“withered”) implies paralysis or muscular atrophy, a detail that draws attention to physical disability. The participial structure (present participle ἔχων + accusative noun) is typical of Koine descriptive grammar and mimics Classical characterization found in tragedy and historical narrative.
Deliberate Question as Trap
ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες – The verb ἐπηρώτησαν (aorist active indicative of ἐπερωτάω) means “they asked,” often implying inquiry or challenge. The use of λέγοντες (“saying”) after it is a Semitic-style redundancy, found commonly in the Synoptics, often introducing direct speech. The plural subject suggests a coordinated questioning.
The Legal Formula: Sabbatical Permission
Εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς σάββασι θεραπεύειν; – “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?” The particle εἰ introduces an indirect question. ἔξεστι is an impersonal verb meaning “it is permitted, lawful.” In Classical texts, it is used in political, religious, or legal contexts (e.g., Isocrates, Xenophon). θεραπεύειν (“to heal”) was a neutral term in Greek, but here it carries halakhic weight—raising a question of what is permitted on the Sabbath.
Motive Revealed Through Purpose Clause
ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ – The subordinate clause reveals intent: “so that they might accuse him.” ἵνα + subjunctive is a classical and Koine construction for purpose. κατηγορήσωσιν (aorist subjunctive of κατηγορέω) means “to accuse, bring charges against.” αὐτοῦ is a genitive of the person charged. This legal vocabulary appears in both forensic rhetoric (e.g., Lysias) and the Gospels—positioning the opponents not as seekers of truth, but as prosecutors.
Summary Table
| Greek Expression | Grammatical Form | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν… ἔχων | Imperfect + participle | “There was a man having…” | Introduces key character visually |
| ἐπηρώτησαν λέγοντες | Aorist + participle | “They asked, saying…” | Sets up dialogue with narrative tone |
| εἰ ἔξεστι… θεραπεύειν | Indirect question | “Is it lawful to heal…” | Tests Jesus within Sabbath law |
| ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν | Purpose clause | “so that they might accuse him” | Reveals hidden intent |
Narrative as Courtroom: The Syntax of Strategy
This verse is a microcosm of legal tension in the Gospels. The grammar is smooth, but the motive is sharp. What seems like a question is a trap; what appears to be dialogue is prosecution in disguise. The Greek captures this tension with legal precision and narrative clarity—rooted in syntax, charged with strategy.
