Obedience in Motion: Aorist Participles and Coordinated Verbs in Matthew’s Return Narrative

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβεν τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ. (Matthew 2:21)

The Journey Home from Egypt

In Matthew 2:21, we read Joseph’s obedient response to God’s instruction through an angelic dream. The Greek structure reflects decisive obedience, conveyed through aorist forms that move swiftly and intentionally. This verse is a model of syntactic clarity and narrative momentum, driven by sequential actions in past time.

Let’s explore how the Greek grammar emphasizes faithful responsiveness.

1. Aorist Passive Participle: ὁ δὲ ἐγερθείς

• ὁ δὲ ἐγερθείς – “but the one having arisen”
• ἐγερθείς – Aorist Passive Participle, Nominative Masculine Singular of ἐγείρω, “to rise,” “to get up”

This participle functions circumstantially, indicating the first action Joseph took in response to divine instruction. The aorist tense emphasizes a completed, punctual action:
“Having gotten up…”

2. Coordinated Aorist Indicative Verbs: παρέλαβεν … καὶ εἰσῆλθεν

These two aorist indicative verbs describe main actions that follow his rising.

• παρέλαβεν – Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Singular of παραλαμβάνω, “he took (along),” “he received”
• εἰσῆλθεν – Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Singular of εἰσέρχομαι, “he entered”

Each verb is compact and sequential — he took the child and his mother, and he entered the land of Israel. The aorist indicative form continues the tone of deliberate, complete action.

Objects of Care and Trust: τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ

• τὸ παιδίον – “the child,” direct object of παρέλαβεν
• καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ – “and his mother,” also governed by the same verb

This repeated phrase from earlier verses emphasizes Joseph’s role as guardian and faithful steward of the holy family.

Destination: εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ

• εἰς + accusative – indicates motion toward
• γῆν Ἰσραήλ – “land of Israel,” a rare and significant phrase in the New Testament

The return to “land of Israel” is more than geographic — it’s theological, marking fulfillment of prophecy and the return of the Messiah to His people.

Flow of Obedient Action

This verse presents a 3-step sequence, each marked by aorist verbs:

1. ἐγερθείς – He arose (participle)
2. παρέλαβεν – He took the child and mother (main verb)
3. εἰσῆλθεν – He entered the land (main verb)

The aorist forms give the narrative a sense of purposeful, obedient motion — Joseph does not hesitate, he responds.

Grammar that Moves in Faith

Matthew 2:21 shows how aorist tense and logical coordination in Greek grammar can illustrate trust and obedience. The verbs are not just historical — they model the rhythm of faith in action.

When God speaks, the faithful rise, take, and go — and the grammar tells us so.