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Greek Lessons
- Worry and Growth: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Matthew 6:27
- Seeking the Signs or the Bread? A Grammatical and Stylistic Journey through John 6:26
- Worry and Worth: A Greek Look at Matthew 6:25
- Indirect Discourse and the Weight of Silence: The Interrogative Mood in Mark 6:24–25
- Tense That Breathes Eternity: The Aorist Imperative and Eschatological Joy in Luke 6:23
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Category
Category Archives: Grammar
Learning New Testament Greek: Avoiding Common Student Mistakes
Learning New Testament Greek can be challenging, and students often encounter several common pitfalls. Here are some mistakes that new students typically make and suggestions on how to avoid them:
1. Neglecting VocabularyMistake: Students often focus too much on grammar and overlook the importance of vocabulary, leading to difficulty in reading and comprehension.
Solution: Regularly practice vocabulary using flashcards or apps. Try to learn a set number of new words each week and review them frequently.
2. Ignoring Context
Mistake: Students may translate phrases in isolation without considering the broader context of the passage, leading to misunderstandings.
Solution: Always read the surrounding verses or chapters.… Learn Koine Greek
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If That’s the Case: Marriage and Discipleship in Matthew 19:10
λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ· Εἰ οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ αἰτία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μετὰ τῆς γυναικός, οὐ συμφέρει γαμῆσαι
After Jesus’ strict teaching on divorce, the disciples respond with an almost stunned objection. Their words in Matthew 19:10 are brief but packed with realism—and their grammar reflects that intensity. This isn’t a question, it’s a conclusion. Their reaction reveals just how radical Jesus’ view of marriage sounded in a first-century context.
Grammatical FoundationsThe verb λέγουσιν is present active indicative, 3rd person plural: “they say.” Combined with the dative pronoun αὐτῷ, it introduces direct speech to Jesus. The speakers are identified next: οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ—his disciples.… Learn Koine Greek
When the Evil One Comes”: A Study of Ellipsis and Implicit Action in Matthew 13:19
παντὸς ἀκούοντος τὸν λόγον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ μὴ συνιέντος, ἔρχεται ὁ πονηρὸς καὶ αἴρει τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν σπαρείς.
The Parable of the Sower and the Hidden Verb
In Matthew 13:19, Jesus begins to interpret the parable of the sower — explaining what happens to the seed sown along the path. The verse opens with a participial construction that appears complete but contains a subtle grammatical gap:
> “Every one who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and takes away what was sown in his heart…”
This sentence is elliptical — it omits a finite verb that we instinctively supply based on context.… Learn Koine Greek
Fragments that Speak: Greek Grammar in a Question of Memory
Today we analyze a single interrogative sentence from Jesus that is both grammatically intricate and theologically evocative: ὅτε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους ἔκλασα εἰς τοὺς πεντακισχιλίους, καὶ πόσους κοφίνους κλασμάτων πλήρεις ἤρατε; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· δώδεκα from Mark 8:19. It is a question designed not for information, but for confrontation — and grammar plays a crucial role in shaping that rhetorical impact.
The Greek Text in Focusὅτε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους ἔκλασα εἰς τοὺς πεντακισχιλίους, καὶ πόσους κοφίνους κλασμάτων πλήρεις ἤρατε; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· δώδεκα (Mark 8:19)
“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”… Learn Koine Greek
She Held a Grudge: Imperfects and the Tension of Unfulfilled Malice in Mark 6:19
ἡ δὲ Ἡρῳδιὰς ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ καὶ ἤθελεν αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο· (Mark 6:19)
When Verbs Smolder: The Force of the Imperfect Tense
This compact verse in Mark captures the simmering hatred of Herodias toward John the Baptist. Its power lies not in a dramatic climax, but in the tension between desire and inability, sustained by the grammatical fabric of imperfect verbs. Every verb in this verse is in the imperfect tense, creating a cinematic effect: a long-burning resentment that cannot yet ignite into action.
This article explores:
The repeated use of the imperfect tense to express sustained hostility The lexical and emotional nuance of ἐνεῖχεν The contrastive structure ἤθελεν… καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο The narrative pacing and theological reflection embedded in the verbal aspect ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ – Grudge with a GripThe verb ἐνεῖχεν is from ἐνέχω, meaning “to hold against,” “to bear a grudge,” or “to be hostile toward.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Urgency of Ritual Purity: Final Clauses, Passive Subjunctives, and Coordinated Requests
Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ, ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν· ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου· ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν. (John 19:31)
When Timing Meets Theology
John 19:31 is not just a historical footnote — it’s a theologically dense verse about urgency, religious custom, and human action at the crucifixion. The Greek reveals purpose clauses, passive subjunctives, and a glimpse of how grammatical structure can reflect theological irony. The Jewish leaders seek to preserve Sabbath purity while overseeing the death of the Messiah — and John’s grammar heightens this paradox.… Learn Koine Greek
The Call from the Tree: Imperatives, Aorists, and Divine Necessity in Luke 19:5
καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. — Luke 19:5
The Grammatical Rhythm of EncounterIn this pivotal moment, Jesus addresses Zacchaeus directly, initiating one of the most theologically rich personal encounters in the Gospel of Luke. The Greek grammar intensifies the scene’s emotion and urgency, blending participles, imperatives, and the powerful verb δεῖ (“it is necessary”) to convey both divine appointment and immediacy.
Temporal and Participial FramingThe sentence begins with a temporal clause: καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον—“and as he came to the place.”… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Luke 19:4
Luke 19:4
καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι δι’ ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι.
Focus Topic: Purpose Clause with ἵνα and Complementary Infinitive with Imperfect of IntentionThis verse describes Zacchaeus’ eager action to see Jesus. It includes a temporal participle, a purpose clause, and an imperfect verb of intent followed by a complementary infinitive. The grammar contributes to the narrative energy and forward motion.
Aorist Participle: προδραμώνπροδραμών is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular, from προτρέχω (“to run ahead”). It gives background information — “having run ahead.” It is connected to the main verb ἀνέβη.
Main Verb: ἀνέβηἀνέβη is aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular, from ἀναβαίνω (“to go up, to climb”).… Learn Koine Greek
Aspect and Negation in Koine Greek: The Case of ἠδυνήθησαν in Hebrews 3:19
Text in Focus: Hebrews 3:19
καὶ βλέπομεν ὅτι οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν εἰσελθεῖν δι’ ἀπιστίαν.
Literal TranslationAnd we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
The Grammatical Core: Tense, Aspect, and VoiceThis verse contains a compact but theologically loaded statement. The key verb, ἠδυνήθησαν, raises an essential grammatical question about tense, aspect, and negation in Koine Greek. In this article, we will explore how the aorist passive deponent form interacts with negation and how it affects the temporal and aspectual contours of the statement.
Dissecting the VerbsLet’s examine the two primary verbs in this sentence:
Greek Parsing Meaning βλέπομεν Present active indicative, 1st person plural of βλέπω “We see” — present, continuous action ἠδυνήθησαν Aorist passive deponent indicative, 3rd person plural of δύναμαι “They were not able” — viewed as a whole event What Is a Deponent Passive?… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar Lesson from 1 Timothy 3:6
1 Timothy 3:6
μὴ νεόφυτον, ἵνα μὴ τυφωθεὶς εἰς κρίμα ἐμπέσῃ τοῦ διαβόλου.
Focus Topic: Subjunctive Purpose Clause with Aorist Passive ParticipleThis verse, part of the qualifications for overseers, demonstrates how Greek syntax expresses caution and consequence. It features a negative command, a purpose clause, and a passive participle indicating a precondition.
Adjective Used Substantivally: νεόφυτοννεόφυτον (“newly planted,” i.e., a recent convert) is an accusative singular adjective used substantivally. It is the object of an implied verb such as χειροτονείτω (“he must not appoint”) from the broader context.
Purpose Clause: ἵνα μὴ…ἐμπέσῃἵνα introduces a purpose clause expressing why a νεόφυτος should not be appointed.… Learn Koine Greek
