Ἤκουον δὲ ταῦτα πάντα οἱ Φαρισαῖοι φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες, καὶ ἐξεμυκτήριζον αὐτόν.
Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were hearing all these things, and they were ridiculing him. (Luke 16:14)
How Grammar Discloses Character
Luke 16:14 exposes the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus’ teachings on money and faithfulness. But this revelation isn’t only in the content—it’s also in the grammar. The participles, pronouns, and declined nouns carry narrative weight. Greek declensions subtly reveal who the Pharisees are and what drives them.
Declension Analysis Table
| Greek Word | Morphology | Case & Syntactic Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ταῦτα πάντα | Demonstrative + adjective, accusative neuter plural | Direct object of ἤκουον | “All these things”—refers to Jesus’ prior teaching |
| οἱ Φαρισαῖοι | 2nd declension masculine nominative plural noun with article | Subject of ἤκουον and ἐξεμυκτήριζον | The religious group in view, cast in grammatically definite terms |
| φιλάργυροι | 2nd declension masculine nominative plural adjective | Predicate adjective modifying οἱ Φαρισαῖοι | “Lovers of money”—not incidental, but grammatically attached to their identity |
| ὑπάρχοντες | Present participle, nominative masculine plural | Circumstantial participle modifying οἱ Φαρισαῖοι | “Being” or “existing as” lovers of money—adds a continuous state of character |
| αὐτόν | 3rd person singular masculine personal pronoun, accusative | Direct object of ἐξεμυκτήριζον | Refers to Jesus—“they were ridiculing *him*” |
Nominative Chain: Layering Identity through Declension
Luke doesn’t simply say, “The Pharisees heard and mocked.” Instead, he layers their identity:
– οἱ Φαρισαῖοι — article + noun = definite identification.
– φιλάργυροι — predicate adjective attached directly, not in a separate clause.
– ὑπάρχοντες — participial clause, suggesting a state of being rather than a one-time trait.
This nominative string reveals that their very nature is being exposed. They are grammatically constructed as people whose love of money defines their actions.
Case Contrast: Accusatives that Frame Reaction
– ταῦτα πάντα — what they were hearing.
– αὐτόν — whom they were mocking.
These accusatives show the tension: the teaching (likely on stewardship, humility, etc.) contrasted with their contempt for its speaker. The grammar underlines irony: they reject what they most need to hear.
When Declensions Reveal Hypocrisy
In Luke 16:14, the grammar functions almost prophetically. The nominatives diagnose the heart. The participle ὑπάρχοντες is not mere background detail—it uncovers the ongoing spiritual condition of the Pharisees. The accusatives display their rejection of Jesus, while the article-noun-adjective linkage locks in their identity. In this verse, declensions become the divine highlighter, exposing those who scorn truth because it threatens their wealth.
