Ἀναχωρεῖτε· οὐ γὰρ ἀπέθανε τὸ κοράσιον ἀλλὰ καθεύδει· καὶ κατεγέλων αὐτοῦ. (Matthew 9:24)
A Scene of Tension
Matthew 9:24 captures one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospel. Jesus arrives at the home of a ruler whose daughter is thought to be dead. Mourners have already gathered, but Jesus challenges their perception with a startling declaration: “Go away, for the girl has not died but is sleeping.” Their response? Mockery. This verse is grammatically rich, featuring imperatives, negations, contrasting clauses, and a vivid imperfect verb. Examining its Greek structure reveals how Matthew uses grammar to heighten the theological tension between human perception and divine authority.
Key Verbal Forms in the Verse
- Ἀναχωρεῖτε — “Go away”: present active imperative, 2nd plural of ἀναχωρέω. A command for immediate departure.
- ἀπέθανε — “has died”: aorist active indicative, 3rd singular of ἀποθνῄσκω. A decisive statement of death.
- καθεύδει — “is sleeping”: present active indicative, 3rd singular of καθεύδω. An ongoing condition, metaphorical for death.
- κατεγέλων — “they were mocking”: imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural of καταγελάω. Continuous action, emphasizing persistent derision.
Parsing Table
| Greek Form | Parsing | Aspect | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ἀναχωρεῖτε | Pres. act. imperative, 2nd pl. of ἀναχωρέω | Imperfective | Command of dismissal | “Go away” |
| ἀπέθανε | Aor. act. ind., 3rd sg. of ἀποθνῄσκω | Perfective | Denial of death’s reality | “has died” |
| καθεύδει | Pres. act. ind., 3rd sg. of καθεύδω | Imperfective | Depicts a continuous state, metaphorical sleep | “is sleeping” |
| κατεγέλων | Imperf. act. ind., 3rd pl. of καταγελάω | Imperfective | Describes ongoing mockery | “they were mocking” |
The Imperative Command: Ἀναχωρεῖτε
Jesus begins with a sharp imperative: ἀναχωρεῖτε. The present imperative stresses ongoing departure, not a single act but a complete removal. It is not a polite request but a dismissal of the mourners. Their presence, filled with unbelief, has no place in the miracle about to unfold. The choice of the imperative underscores Jesus’ authority over the situation, silencing chaos before restoring life.
Contrasting Death and Sleep
The heart of the verse lies in the antithesis: οὐ γὰρ ἀπέθανε τὸ κοράσιον ἀλλὰ καθεύδει — “for the girl has not died but is sleeping.” The contrast between the aorist ἀπέθανε and the present καθεύδει is deliberate. The mourners see death as final, but Jesus reinterprets it as temporary rest. In Jewish and Greco-Roman literature, “sleep” was a common euphemism for death, but here it carries theological weight: in the presence of Christ, death is reduced to sleep, awaiting awakening.
The Imperfect of Mockery: κατεγέλων
The reaction is captured in the imperfect tense: κατεγέλων αὐτοῦ — “they were mocking him.” The imperfect portrays continuous action: their laughter was not momentary but sustained. This ongoing scorn underscores the deep unbelief surrounding Jesus. The mockery contrasts with the faith that Jesus requires, and it amplifies the miracle that follows: from ridicule to awe when the girl is raised.
Lexical and Semantic Insights
- κοράσιον — a diminutive form, “little girl.” The tenderness of the word emphasizes the compassion in Jesus’ declaration.
- καθεύδει — beyond euphemism, it conveys hope: death as temporary and reversible under divine authority.
- κατεγέλων — ridicule as a social act, reflecting cultural skepticism toward extraordinary claims.
Theological Significance
The grammar of Matthew 9:24 weaves together theology and narrative. The imperative (ἀναχωρεῖτε) shows Jesus’ authority over both the crowd and the situation. The denial of death (οὐ…ἀπέθανε) and its reinterpretation as sleep (ἀλλὰ καθεύδει) reveals the Christian hope: death is not final but awaits resurrection. The imperfect of mockery (κατεγέλων) illustrates the unbelieving world’s reaction, which only magnifies the glory of the miracle.
Grammar that Awakens Hope
Matthew 9:24 is more than a transition to a miracle. Its grammar embodies the tension between despair and faith, ridicule and hope. The imperative silences unbelief, the contrast of tenses redefines death itself, and the imperfect verb of mockery exposes human blindness. Yet within these forms lies the heartbeat of the Gospel: in Jesus, death is no longer ultimate. Grammar here does not merely report; it awakens hope, showing that divine authority transforms finality into rest and despair into life.
