Author Archives: Classical Greek

About Classical Greek

Understanding Classical Greek is immensely valuable for mastering New Testament (NT) Greek, also known as Koine Greek. Though NT Greek is simpler in structure and more standardized, it evolved directly from the classical dialects—especially Attic Greek—carrying forward much of their vocabulary, syntactic patterns, and idiomatic expressions. Classical Greek provides the linguistic and philosophical background that shaped Hellenistic thought, including the rhetorical styles and cultural references embedded in the New Testament. A foundation in Classical Greek deepens a reader’s grasp of nuance, enhances translation precision, and opens windows into the broader Greco-Roman world in which early Christianity emerged.

Plotting the Death of a Sign: Classical and Koine Grammar in John 12:10

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Classical Greek
Ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, (John 12:10)

But the chief priests deliberated that they might also kill Lazarus.

1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek ἐβουλεύσαντο: Aorist middle indicative third person plural of βουλεύομαι (“to plan, deliberate”). The middle voice reflects internal deliberation or joint decision-making, common in Koine narrative to depict collaborative intent. δὲ: Postpositive conjunction used here to contrast the priests’ new plot with previous narrative developments. Koine retains δὲ frequently but uses it more loosely than Classical Greek. οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς: Nominative definite article with plural noun ἀρχιερεῖς (“chief priests”) marks the grammatical subject. Koine uses articles more consistently and extensively than Classical Greek.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Ancient Greek | Tagged | Leave a comment

Matthew 12:10 and the Greek of Challenge and Strategy

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Classical Greek
Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐκεῖ τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν· καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς σάββασι θεραπεύειν; ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ. (Matthew 12:10)

And behold, there was a man there having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?”—so that they might accuse him.

Visual Setup and Legal Ambush καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐκεῖ τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν The interjection ἰδοὺ marks narrative alertness—“look!” or “behold!” The imperfect verb ἦν establishes the background: “there was a man.” τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν is a participial phrase modifying the man: “having a withered hand.” ξηρά (“withered”) implies paralysis or muscular atrophy, a detail that draws attention to physical disability.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Ancient Greek | Tagged | Leave a comment


  1. NT Greek Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6
  9. 7
  10. 8