Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασεν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. (Matthew 9:1)
And having entered into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own city.
The Verse in Context
Matthew 9:1 transitions the narrative from the dramatic exorcism and healing episodes of chapter 8 into a new phase of Jesus’ ministry. The verse is concise: Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασεν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν — “And getting into a boat he crossed over and came into his own city.” Though brief, its grammar is rich, showing how Greek uses participles, aspect, and coordinated verbs to move the story along with literary precision.
The Key Verbal Forms
The verse contains three main verbal elements:
- ἐμβὰς — aorist participle of ἐμβαίνω, “having entered / when he got into.”
- διεπέρασεν — aorist indicative of διαπεράω, “he crossed over.”
- ἦλθεν — aorist indicative of ἔρχομαι, “he came.”
Together, these verbs form a tight sequence: preparatory action (getting into the boat), main journey (crossing over), and arrival (coming into his city).
Parsing Table
| Greek Form | Parsing | Aspect | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἐμβὰς | Aorist act. participle, nom. masc. sg. of ἐμβαίνω | Perfective | Temporal: action prior to main verb | “having entered / after getting into” |
| διεπέρασεν | Aorist act. ind., 3rd sg. of διαπεράω | Perfective | Main narrative verb, eventive | “he crossed over” |
| ἦλθεν | Aorist act. ind., 3rd sg. of ἔρχομαι | Perfective | Main narrative verb, eventive | “he came” |
The Function of the Aorist Participle
The opening participle ἐμβὰς is an aorist participle functioning temporally: “when he got into a boat.” In Greek narrative, aorist participles often precede the main verb in time, serving as background actions that set the stage. Here, entering the boat is the prerequisite step for crossing over. The participle is nominative singular, agreeing with the subject implied in the main verbs (διεπέρασεν and ἦλθεν) — Jesus himself.
This participial usage exemplifies the narrative style of the Gospels: compact clauses that pack multiple actions into a flowing sequence. Instead of three separate sentences (“He got into a boat. He crossed over. He came to his city.”), Greek condenses them into one elegant construction.
Sequential Aorists: Crossing and Arrival
The two finite verbs, διεπέρασεν and ἦλθεν, are both aorist indicatives. The aorist tense presents each as a complete event, moving the storyline forward. The coordination by καὶ (“and”) underscores the sequence: first the act of crossing the lake, then the act of arriving. This style reflects the typical “snapshot” quality of aorist narratives: discrete, completed actions one after another.
Lexical Notes
- πλοῖον — “boat.” Common term for a fishing vessel, part of everyday Galilean life.
- διεπέρασεν — compound of διά (“through, across”) + περάω (“to pass, cross”). Emphasizes a full traversal.
- ἰδίαν πόλιν — “his own city.” Likely referring to Capernaum, which functioned as Jesus’ base of ministry (cf. Matthew 4:13).
Syntactic Flow
The sentence’s syntax is elegantly simple:
- ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον — participial clause, background action
- διεπέρασεν — main action, the crossing
- καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν — coordinated result, the arrival
This flow mirrors the physical journey: boarding, traveling, arriving. The syntax itself mimics motion.
Theological and Narrative Significance
Matthew’s brevity here contrasts with the fuller accounts of sea crossings in Mark and Luke. Whereas Mark often dramatizes storms and fear, Matthew emphasizes destination. The participle and aorist verbs simply note Jesus’ sovereignty in moving unhindered. Even the demons and nature, confronted in earlier passages, cannot impede his course. His arrival “into his own city” signals authority over both land and people.
Theologically, the verse illustrates the seamless movement of Christ’s mission: from one place of need to another, unhindered by barriers of geography or opposition. The grammar conveys efficiency and inevitability: actions compacted, direction clear, outcome certain.
The Journey Encoded in Grammar
Matthew 9:1 demonstrates how Greek grammar narrates motion with elegance. The participle ἐμβὰς sets the stage, the aorists διεπέρασεν and ἦλθεν propel the action, and the phrase εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν anchors the journey at its destination. Syntax and aspect mirror the crossing itself — swift, purposeful, and complete. In this way, grammar does more than report; it participates in the storytelling. The movement of Jesus across the sea becomes movement within the text, a narrative crossing embedded in verbal forms.
