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Greek Lessons
- When Nature Becomes a Teacher: The Logic of διδάσκει and the Shame of ἀτιμία
- When the Prophets Reach Their Horizon: A Declension Journey Through Matthew 11:13
- When Eggs Become Scorpions: Conditional Speech and the Living Texture of Koine
- When Greatness Turns Inside Out: The Grammar of Reversal in μείζων and μικρότερος
- When Repetition Becomes Revelation: The Gravity of ἐπὶ τρίς and the Ascent of ἅπαντα
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Category
Author Archives: New Testament Greek
The Declensions of Humiliation: Morphology in Mark 15:20
Καὶ ὅτε ἐνέπαιξαν αὐτῷ, ἐξέδυσαν αὐτὸν τὴν πορφύραν καὶ ἐνέδυσαν αὐτὸν τὰ ἱμάτια τὰ ἴδια, καὶ ἐξάγουσιν αὐτὸν ἵνα σταυρώσωσιν αὐτόν. (Mark 15:20)
And when they had mocked Him, they took off from Him the purple robe and dressed Him in His own garments, and they lead Him out so that they might crucify Him.
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes αὐτῷ (first occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, dative masculine singular Dative of indirect object “To Him” — recipient of the mockery αὐτόν (first occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐξέδυσαν Him — the one being stripped τὴν πορφύραν Noun, accusative feminine singular with article Accusative object, specifying what was removed “The purple robe” — royal mockery garment αὐτόν (second occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐνέδυσαν Him — the one being dressed τὰ ἱμάτια Noun, accusative neuter plural with article Accusative object, what was put on Him “The garments” — His original clothing τὰ ἴδια Adjective functioning substantively, accusative neuter plural Attributive to ἱμάτια “His own” — marks personal possession αὐτόν (third occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐξάγουσιν Him — the one being led out αὐτόν (fourth occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of σταυρώσωσιν Him — the one to be crucified Datives and Accusatives in Narrative FlowThe sole dative (αὐτῷ) anchors the opening clause, marking the target of ridicule.… Learn Koine Greek
Better We Seem Unworthy: Subjunctives, Purpose, and Paradox in 2 Corinthians 13:7
Εὔχομαι δὲ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ’ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν. (2 Corinthians 13:7)
Apostolic Prayer or Apostolic Self-Denial?
This verse captures Paul’s ethical intensity and rhetorical genius. He does not simply express a desire for the Corinthians to avoid evil; he prays for it (εὔχομαι), not for his own vindication, but for their moral excellence—even if it means appearing unapproved himself.
Grammatically, the verse hinges on final clauses introduced by ἵνα, purposefully shaping the logic of Paul’s prayer. Each verb form and clause bears the weight of ethical and theological tension.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in Testimony: How Case and Pronoun Shape Discipleship in John 15:27
Καὶ ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτυρεῖτε, ὅτι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστε. (John 15:27)
And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.
The Syntax of Witness and WithnessThis verse climaxes Jesus’ teaching on the coming of the Paraclete and the witness of His followers. It moves from mission to identity using a series of declined personal pronouns and prepositional phrases. Though short, the verse is rich with grammatical nuance—linking testimony not just to speech, but to a shared relational history “from the beginning.”
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὑμεῖς 2nd person plural personal pronoun, nominative Subject of μαρτυρεῖτε Emphatic due to position and pronoun choice; indicates “you yourselves” ἀρχῆς 1st declension feminine genitive singular noun Genitive object of preposition ἀπό “From the beginning” — temporal genitive defining the witness’s origin ἐμοῦ 1st person singular personal pronoun, genitive Object of preposition μετά “With me” — genitive used after μετά in sense of association Case and Emphasis: The Force of Pronouns– ὑμεῖς (nominative) is not required grammatically since the verb μαρτυρεῖτε already encodes 2nd person plural.… Learn Koine Greek
When Commandments Collide: Conditional Clauses, Subjunctives, and Irony in Legal Justification
ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί, δῶρον ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς, καὶ οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ· (Matthew 15:5–6a)
The Traditions That Undermine the Law
In this striking rebuke, Jesus exposes the religious leaders’ distortion of divine commandments through their man-made traditions. The Greek syntax mirrors this distortion with sharp contrast and layered conditional grammar. Through conditional clauses, subjunctive verbs, and a future denial, Jesus reveals how tradition can be used to nullify the clear command to honor one’s parents.
Let us explore how the grammar communicates this theological irony.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Mark 3:5
Mark 3:5
καὶ περιβλεψάμενος αὐτοὺς μετ’ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ· Ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. καὶ ἐξέτεινε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη.
Focus Topic: Participle Chains and Imperative/Indicative TransitionsThis verse offers a rich display of Greek participial chaining, emotional expression through datives and prepositions, and a vivid imperative followed by sequential narrative aorists. The syntax captures both Jesus’ emotional state and the dramatic restoration of the man’s hand.
Attendant Participles: περιβλεψάμενος & συλλυπούμενοςBoth verbs are participles modifying the implied subject (Jesus), providing background to the main action λέγει (“he says”):
Participle Form Meaning Function περιβλεψάμενος Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular “having looked around at them” Temporal/background action συλλυπούμενος Present middle participle, nominative masculine singular “being deeply grieved” Contemporaneous emotional state Prepositional Emotions: μετ’ ὀργῆς & ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει μετ’ ὀργῆς — “with anger”: expresses the emotional context of Jesus’ glance.… Learn Koine GreekSubmission, Humility, and Divine Favor in 1 Peter 5:5: Participial Structure and Ethical Reciprocity in Koine Greek
Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις, πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις ὑποτασσόμενοι τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε· ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσι χάριν.
Imperative Address to the Young: Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις
– Ὁμοίως: Adverb meaning “likewise” or “in the same way.” – Indicates continuity with previous exhortations to elders (1 Peter 5:1–4). – νεώτεροι: Nominative plural masculine adjective used substantivally—”you who are younger.” – Addresses younger men or younger members of the church. – ὑποτάγητε: Aorist passive imperative, 2nd person plural of ὑποτάσσω, “to submit” or “to subject oneself.” – The passive voice has a reflexive nuance here—”be subject.” – πρεσβυτέροις: Dative plural masculine of πρεσβύτερος, “elders.”… Learn Koine Greek
“ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει”: Compound Present Indicatives of Growth in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
A Ministry in MotionAt the center of the Pharisees’ concern in John 4:1 is the report that: Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει — “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples.”
The Greek here uses two coordinated present active indicative verbs to convey ongoing ministry activity. This compound structure emphasizes both personal transformation (discipling) and ritual action (baptizing)—both of which fuel Yeshuʿ’s increasing influence.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι”: Aorist Perception and Reported Knowledge in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
Who Heard—and What That MeantIn John 4:1, a nested series of clauses brings us to the moment of narrative tension: Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι… “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…”
The clause ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι contains a simple subject-verb construction in the aorist, but it functions as a pivotal narrative report. Theologically, it shows how perception of influence triggers action; grammatically, it reflects a classic example of indirect discourse embedded within another clause.… Learn Koine Greek
“πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ… ἢ Ἰωάννης”: The Grammar of Growth and Comparison in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
When the Crowd Begins to ShiftJohn 4:1 opens with a report of what the Pharisees have heard: “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.” This comparative construction—πλείονας μαθητὰς… ἢ Ἰωάννης—carries both grammatical precision and narrative tension. The focus of this lesson is the adjective πλείονας, the comparative form of πολύς (“many”), and its function in building a theological contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist.… Learn Koine Greek
“Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος…”: Aorist Knowing and Temporal Sequence in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
The Moment Jesus KnewJohn 4:1 begins with a simple yet weighty statement: “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…” The verb ἔγνω (“he knew”) governs the entire clause. It is not just a past action—it is a grammatical hinge that conveys divine awareness and decisive movement. The use of ὡς οὖν (“therefore when”) introduces both a cause-effect link and temporal flow, setting the stage for Jesus’ departure from Judea.… Learn Koine Greek
