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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
Prayer for Leaders and Peaceable Living: Theological Civics in 1 Timothy 2:2
Ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι (1 Timothy 2:2)
On behalf of kings and all who are in high position, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:2 is part of Paul’s call to intercessory prayer for all people, with particular emphasis on those in positions of political power. The goal is not political dominance, but the cultivation of a quiet, godly life. The Greek structure flows from intercession to result, highlighting the Christian vision for civic peace rooted in piety and dignity.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἵνα σταυρωθῇ”: Divine Passive and Purpose in Mark 15:15
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)
But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
The Purpose of BetrayalThe final words of Mark 15:15 record the intended outcome of Pilate’s decision: ἵνα σταυρωθῇ — “in order that he might be crucified.”
This is a classic ἵνα-clause, which expresses purpose or result, but what stands out is the verb form: σταυρωθῇ, an aorist passive subjunctive. In context, this passive verb is not merely grammatical—it is theological: Jesus is not just crucified by men, but according to the plan of God.… Learn Koine Greek
“φραγελλώσας”: The Aorist Participle of Brutality and Irony in Mark 15:15
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)
But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
The King’s Coronation Begins in ScourgingMark 15:15 records Pilate’s final act of surrender to the crowd’s demand: ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. “He released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.”
Here we focus on the participle φραγελλώσας {phragellōsas}, an aorist active participle of φραγελλόω—a loanword from Latin flagellum (whip).… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Grammar, Syntax, Theology
Tagged aorist active participle, aorist participle, Mark 15:15
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“παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν”: The Grammar of Surrender and Judgment in Mark 15:15
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ.
But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
When the Judge Becomes the DelivererMark 15:15 reports Pilate’s final act: καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας· ἵνα σταυρωθῇ — “And he handed over Jesus, having scourged him, so that he might be crucified.”
The verb παρέδωκε {paredōken} comes from παραδίδωμι, “to hand over,” and it is rich in judicial and theological nuance. It appears in both secular legal texts and biblical prophecy.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἀπέλυσεν τὸν Βαραββᾶν”: Legal Release and Narrative Irony in Mark 15:15
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)
But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
The Inversion of JusticeMark 15:15 includes this concise but pivotal clause: ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν — “He released Barabbas to them.”
This clause marks a dramatic reversal: Barabbas, a known insurrectionist (Mark 15:7), is set free, while Yeshuʿ, the innocent one, is delivered to death. The verb ἀπέλυσεν {apelusen} is drawn from legal vocabulary, but in this context it functions with narrative irony and theological gravity.… Learn Koine Greek
“τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι”: Idiom of Appeasement in Mark 15:15
Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)
But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
When Justice Bows to Crowd ControlMark 15:15 opens with a participial phrase describing Pilate’s inner intent: βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι — “wishing to satisfy the crowd.”
This expression is built around the idiom τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, literally “to do the sufficient [thing],” or more naturally, “to appease / satisfy.” This polite Greek formulation masks the deeper tension of political expedience, and the grammar expresses Pilate’s willing participation in injustice.… Learn Koine Greek
Ready to Preach: Apostolic Eagerness in Romans 1:15
Romans 1:15 concludes Paul’s opening expression of longing to visit the believers in Rome (vv. 8–15). After describing his prayers, obligations to all people, and desire to impart a spiritual gift (vv. 11–14), Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel even in Rome — the capital of the empire. This verse serves as a hinge, transitioning from the introduction into the main theological thesis (v. 16).
Structural Analysisοὕτω τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ εὐαγγελίσασθαι.
The sentence consists of: (1) the adverbial particle οὕτω (“thus/so”), (2) a nominal clause τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον — “my readiness” or “what is eager in me,” and (3) an infinitive of purpose εὐαγγελίσασθαι (“to preach the gospel”), with its dative object ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ (“to you in Rome”).… Learn Koine Greek
Flattery, Framing, and the Grammar of a Trap
Οἱ δὲ ἐλθόντες λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός· οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλ’ ἐπ’ ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ διδάσκεις. εἶπον οὖν ἡμῖν· ἔξεστι δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ; δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν; (Mark 12:14)
And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and that you do not care about anyone, for you do not look at the face of people, but in truth you teach the way of God. Tell us then, is it lawful to give the poll-tax to Caesar or not? Should we give or not give?”… Learn Koine Greek
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Zeal and Edification: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 14:12
1 Corinthians 14:12 is part of Paul’s sustained discussion of spiritual gifts (chapters 12–14), with a special focus in chapter 14 on regulating tongues and prophecy in the gathered assembly. The Corinthian believers were enthusiastic for spiritual manifestations, especially tongues. Paul redirects that zeal toward a greater goal — the building up (οἰκοδομή) of the church. This verse functions as a corrective exhortation, blending commendation with redirection.
Structural Analysisοὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.
The sentence unfolds in three parts: (1) οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “So also you” — linking the Corinthians to the prior comparison (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek
Abounding with Purpose: Spiritual Zeal and Edification in 1 Corinthians 14:12
Οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the building up of the church.
Οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς: Drawing the Reader InThe phrase οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “so also you” — connects this verse with the preceding discussion on tongues and prophecy. Paul now turns directly to the Corinthian believers, drawing a logical parallel: just as certain principles apply generally, so too must they apply to you.
This opening sets the tone: Paul is not condemning their spiritual zeal but reshaping its direction.… Learn Koine Greek
