Fear and Silence at the Tomb: Syntax and Emotion in Mark 16:8

Καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ. (Mark 16:8)

And going out, they fled from the tomb; for trembling and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax

• καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι: Aorist active participle, nominative feminine plural of ἐξέρχομαι. It describes antecedent action — “having gone out.” The feminine plural aligns with the subject, the women at the tomb.
• ἔφυγον: Aorist active indicative 3rd plural of φεύγω, “they fled.” The main verb in this clause; tense indicates a punctual, completed action.
• ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου: Prepositional phrase (ἀπό + genitive), “from the tomb.” Indicates source or separation.
• εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς: Imperfect active indicative 3rd singular of ἔχω with accusative object. The verb precedes its subject — an idiomatic Koine structure indicating continuing possession: “was holding them.”
• τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις: Subjects of the verb εἶχε. Abstract nouns signifying intense emotional states: trembling and ecstasy/astonishment.
• καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον: Double negation for emphatic denial — “they said nothing to no one.” Dative (οὐδενί) shows indirect object; accusative (οὐδέν) is direct object.
• ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ: Imperfect middle/passive indicative 3rd plural of φοβέομαι. The γάρ provides causal explanation: “for they were afraid.”

Comparison with Classical Greek Usage

• Classical Greek generally avoids piling abstract emotional nouns as Koine does here. A Classical author might prefer subordinate clauses or metaphorical description over “τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις.”
• The Koine use of εἶχε with emotional states is a Hebraizing structure (cf. Hebrew “to have”), while Classical Greek often uses verbs like λαμβάνω or παραλαμβάνω for such effects.
• Double negation (οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν) is more common in Koine; Classical Greek avoids or resolves such constructions using μήτε…μήτε or by phrasing differently.
• ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ reflects the Koine tendency to place γάρ at the end of a thought, whereas Classical Greek would front the explanatory clause more cleanly.
• The participial construction ἐξελθοῦσαι before the main verb ἔφυγον is consistent with both Koine and Classical usage but more common in Koine narrative for succinct sequential actions.

Semantic and Stylistic Shifts

• This verse emphasizes emotional intensity and abrupt cessation. The syntax is punchy and urgent, mirroring the psychological state of the women.
• Koine’s linear structure — participle then main verb — gives the reader a sense of unfolding drama, while Classical Greek might delay key verbs or embed them in longer periodic sentences.
• The use of abstract nouns for emotional states (τρόμος, ἔκστασις) without elaboration suggests a Koine preference for direct, experiential narration over ornate style.
• Mark’s use of imperfect tense verbs (εἶχε, ἐφοβοῦντο) heightens the sense of emotional continuation — something Classical Greek might express via aspectual adverbials or dependent constructions.

Summary Comparison Table