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Greek Lessons
- 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
- When Need Becomes Grammar: The Quiet Theology of τὸ ὑστέρημά μου
- When Fear Speaks in the Present Tense: The Urgency Hidden in νῦν ἐζήτουν
- When Testimony Meets Opposition: The Grammar of Conflict in Revelation 11:7
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Category
Author Archives: New Testament Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from John 14:1
Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία· πιστεύετε εἰς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ πιστεύετε. (John 14:1)
Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, and believe also in me.
Prohibition with Subjunctive and Ambiguous Indicative-Imperative ParallelThis verse opens Jesus’ farewell discourse with a calm imperative and dual directives for belief. The grammar includes a third-person prohibition with the present subjunctive and two second-person plural present forms that could be read as either imperative or indicative depending on the translation and punctuation.
Prohibition: Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδίαταρασσέσθω is a present passive imperative, 3rd person singular, from ταράσσω (“to be troubled, stirred up”).… Learn Koine Greek
1 Corinthians 13:12 and the Greek of Mystery and Revelation
Βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
For now we see through a mirror, in a riddle; but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know, just as I also have been fully known.
Mirror, Riddle, and the Horizon of Knowing βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι The present indicative βλέπομεν (“we see”) frames perception as current and continuous. The preposition δι’ + genitive ἐσόπτρου (“through a mirror”) suggests indirectness. In Classical usage, ἔσοπτρον refers to polished metal surfaces—not the glass mirrors we think of—often with dim or reversed images (cf.… Learn Koine GreekThe Day of His Glory: Divine Vindication in 2 Thessalonians 1:10
2 Thessalonians 1:10 forms part of Paul’s eschatological encouragement to the persecuted Thessalonian believers (vv. 5–10). The context speaks of divine justice: affliction for the oppressors and relief for the afflicted when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven (v. 7). Verse 10 shifts from judgment to glory — highlighting the revelation of Christ’s majesty “in his saints” and the astonishment he will evoke among all who believed. It is a climactic vision of eschatological hope.
Structural Analysisὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ θαυμασθῆναι ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς πιστεύσασιν, ὅτι ἐπιστεύθη τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς, ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ.… Learn Koine Greek
Why Do You Speak to Them in Parables? A Question of Revelation in Matthew 13:10
Καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· διὰ τί ἐν παραβολαῖς λαλεῖς αὐτοῖς; (Matthew 13:10)
And the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Matthew 13:10 introduces a pivotal dialogue between Jesus and his disciples that opens up one of the richest theological discussions in the Gospels—why Jesus teaches in parables. The Greek grammar is straightforward but loaded with implication, setting the stage for a distinction between spiritual insiders and outsiders.
Grammatical FoundationsΚαὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ—“And the disciples came and said to him.”
προσελθόντες—aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural from προσέρχομαι, “having approached” or “having come near.”… Learn Koine Greek“I Am”: Deception, Identity, and the Future Tense in Mark’s Eschatology
Πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, καὶ πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν. (Mark 13:6)
For many will come in my name, saying, “I am,” and they will lead many astray.
A Prophetic Warning Framed in VerbsIn Mark 13:6, Jesus issues a solemn warning during His eschatological discourse on the Mount of Olives. While the surface message is clear — deception is coming — the Greek grammar beneath His words gives it weight and precision. The interplay of future tense, participles, and prepositional constructions intensifies the danger and divine foresight of this prophecy. Let us walk through this verse word by word, guided by its grammatical force.… Learn Koine Greek
Adorning the Doctrine: Faithfulness and Beauty in Titus 2:10
Μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν (Titus 2:10)
Not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of our God and Savior in all things.
μὴ νοσφιζομένους: A Prohibition of TheftThe participle νοσφιζομένους is the present middle/passive participle, accusative masculine plural, from νοσφίζω, meaning “to pilfer,” “to embezzle,” or “to withhold.” It is used here with the negative particle μὴ, forming a prohibition: “not stealing” or “not holding back.”
This participle likely refers to bondservants or workers, continuing Paul’s ethical instruction. It stresses integrity in handling what belongs to others.… Learn Koine Greek
Stability through Grace: Passive Verbs and Dative Anchors in Hebrews 13:9
In διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις μὴ παραφέρεσθε· καλὸν γὰρ χάριτι βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν, οὐ βρώμασιν, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν οἱ περιπατήσαντες (Hebrews 13:9), the author of Hebrews exhorts believers to remain anchored in grace rather than swept away by foreign teachings. The sentence is grammatically intricate, but its centerpiece is the passive infinitive βεβαιοῦσθαι — “to be strengthened” — and its agent, not fleshly food (βρώμασιν), but grace (χάριτι). This construction — passive stability through a dative of means — is rare and elegant. The grammar doesn’t just describe the doctrine; it performs it.
Morphological Breakdown διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις – Root: διδαχή, ποικίλος, ξένος Form: dative feminine plural noun + two adjectives Lexical Meaning: “by various and foreign teachings” Contextual Notes: Dative of means or cause.… Learn Koine GreekAlready Come: Fulfilled Prophecy in Mark 9:13
Ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν, καθὼς γέγραπται ἐπ’ αὐτόν (Mark 9:13)
But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.
ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν: A Prophetic ContrastThe phrase ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν (“but I say to you”) is a formula used frequently by Jesus to introduce authoritative teaching that corrects or deepens prior understanding.
– ἀλλὰ introduces a strong contrast. – λέγω is present active indicative — “I am saying.” – ὑμῖν is dative plural — “to you.”
This line prepares the hearers for a startling revelation, clarifying their misconceptions about the coming of Elijah.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Revelation 8:13
Καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἀετοῦ πετομένου ἐν μεσουρανήματι, λέγοντος φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῶν λοιπῶν φωνῶν τῆς σάλπιγγος τῶν τριῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν μελλόντων σαλπίζειν. (Revelation 8:13)
And I saw and heard one eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.”
Genitive Absolute and Participles of Imminence and MotionThis apocalyptic verse features a vivid sensory narrative constructed with multiple participles, a genitive absolute, and dramatic word repetition.… Learn Koine Greek
“Why Break My Heart?”: The Resolve of Love in Acts 21:13
Acts 21:13 records Paul’s response to the pleas of believers who, having heard prophetic warnings, begged him not to go to Jerusalem (cf. Acts 21:10–12). Agabus had just foretold that Paul would be bound and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. This verse is Paul’s deeply emotional but determined reply — revealing the heart of an apostle prepared for suffering and death for the name of Jesus.
Structural Analysisἀπεκρίθη τε ὁ Παῦλος· τί ποιεῖτε κλαίοντες καὶ συνθρύπτοντές μου τὴν καρδίαν; ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐ μόνον δεθῆναι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀποθανεῖν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἑτοίμως ἔχω ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.
The verse contains:
An introductory narrative clause: ἀπεκρίθη τε ὁ Παῦλος — “Then Paul answered.”… Learn Koine Greek