-
Greek Lessons
- 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
- Sent with Purpose: Subjunctive Aims and Pastoral Comfort in Ephesians 6:22
-
Category
Category Archives: Grammar
“τὰ ἐμὰ… τῶν ἐμῶν”: Possessive Adjectives and Personal Ownership in John 10:14
Introduction: The Language of Possession
Jesus says:
γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν “I know the things that are mine, and I am known by those who are mine.”
In both clauses, the possessive adjective ἐμός (“mine”) appears in distinct grammatical forms: – τὰ ἐμὰ – accusative neuter plural – τῶν ἐμῶν – genitive masculine (or mixed gender) plural
Though similar in form, each plays a unique role in its clause—and reveals something profound about belonging to Christ.
γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν Morphological Breakdown τὰ ἐμὰ {ta emá} – Form: neuter plural accusative (article + possessive adjective); From: ἐμός, ἐμή, ἐμόν – 1st person singular possessive adjective; Translation: “the things (or ones) that are mine”; Function: Direct object of γινώσκω (“I know”); Notes: Though grammatically neuter, context clearly implies people, not objects—Christ’s sheep.… Learn Koine Greek“γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν”: Reciprocal Knowing and Shepherd Identity in John 10:14
Introduction: The Shepherd Who Knows and Is Known
In John 10:14, Jesus states:
Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν. “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me.”
This verse hinges on two reciprocal clauses: – γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ – “I know those who are mine” – γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν – “I am known by those who are mine”
The parallelism and grammatical symmetry deepen the theological truth: intimacy between Christ and His followers.
Let’s explore the rich grammar and theology of John 10:14, focusing especially on the reciprocal verbs and the identity formula in:
Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν.… Learn Koine GreekWhen the Crowd Gathers: A Scene Unfolds in Mark 9:14
The Verse in Focus (Mark 9:14)
Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς εἶδεν ὄχλον πολὺν περὶ αὐτοὺς, καὶ γραμματεῖς συζητοῦντας αὐτοῖς
Temporal Action: ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰςThe participle ἐλθὼν is the aorist active participle of ἔρχομαι, meaning “to come” or “to go.” It is nominative masculine singular and refers to Jesus. As an aorist participle, it indicates action prior to the main verb — “after coming” or “when he came.”
The phrase πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς (“to the disciples”) shows the goal of this arrival. This scene follows the Transfiguration, and Jesus is now rejoining the disciples who had remained below.
Main Verb: εἶδενεἶδεν is the aorist active indicative of ὁράω — “he saw.”… Learn Koine Greek
“Voice as Identity: ἡ προβιβασθεῖσα and the Middle Voice in a Dance of Deceit”
Matthew 14:8
ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς, Δός μοι, φησίν, ὧδε ἐπὶ πίνακι τὴν κεφαλὴν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ.Introduction: The Middle Between Motion and Agency
In Matthew 14:8, the narrative tension surrounding Herod’s tragic promise to Salome reaches its chilling climax. The phrase ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς — “the one having been sent forward by her mother” — introduces Salome at the decisive moment. Yet the verb προβιβάζω, appearing here in the aorist middle participle form προβιβασθεῖσα, raises intriguing syntactic and semantic questions. Why is this verb cast in the middle voice when it seems to denote an action performed on Salome by another agent (her mother)?… Learn Koine Greek
When Abundance Meets Lack: Equity in 2 Corinthians 8:14
The Verse in Focus (2 Corinthians 8:14)
ἵνα καὶ τὸ ἐκείνων περίσσευμα γένηται εἰς τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα, ὅπως γένηται ἰσότης
ἵνα… ὅπως: Coordinated Purpose and ResultThe structure of this verse features a double purpose/result expression — first with ἵνα and then with ὅπως. While both conjunctions introduce result or purpose clauses, ἵνα is often stronger and more direct, whereas ὅπως can nuance intention or ultimate goal. The layering of these two clauses in succession builds rhetorical force and draws attention to the divine ideal of balance among believers.
τὸ ἐκείνων περίσσευμα: Their AbundanceThe noun περίσσευμα means “overflow,” “abundance,” or “surplus.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Optative That Prays: Volition, Irony, and Ethical Grammar in 2 Corinthians 13:7
In 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), Paul delivers a stunningly paradoxical prayer. Not only is the ethical center of the passage complex — his longing that the Corinthians do good even if it makes him appear disqualified — but the grammar, too, is intricate. The rare optative verb ὦμεν emerges in the final clause, signaling wish, possibility, and rhetorical humility. When Paul employs the optative, he steps into the realm of uncertain volition — a space reserved in Greek for wishes and hypotheticals.… Learn Koine Greek
Seventy-Five Souls: Syntax and History in Acts 7:14
The Verse in Focus (Acts 7:14)
ἀποστείλας δὲ Ἰωσὴφ μετεκαλέσατο τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ Ἰακὼβ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν συγγένειαν αὐτοῦ ἐν ψυχαῖς ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε
The Aorist Participle: ἀποστείλαςThe participle ἀποστείλας comes from the verb ἀποστέλλω, meaning “to send.” It is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular, agreeing with Ἰωσὴφ — “Joseph.” In Greek, the aorist participle often conveys an action prior to the main verb. Thus, “having sent” introduces the cause or means for what follows.
Joseph, having sent a message or delegation, performs the next action: he summons.
Main Verb: μετεκαλέσατομετεκαλέσατο is the aorist middle indicative of μετακαλέομαι, meaning “to summon” or “to call for.”… Learn Koine Greek
Questions That Divide: Syntax of Rhetorical Polarization in 2 Corinthians 6:14
In Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; τίς δὲ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος; (2 Corinthians 6:14), Paul commands separation — not by shouting, but by asking. The verse begins with a direct prohibition and follows with two rhetorical questions that define the heart of the argument. Greek excels at making polarity sharp, and Paul uses grammar here not only to persuade, but to polarize. These are not queries for information; they are instruments of exclusion. The syntax of question becomes the syntax of holiness.
Morphological Breakdown Μὴ γίνεσθε – Root: γίνομαι Form: present middle/passive imperative, 2nd person plural + negative particle Lexical Meaning: “do not become” Contextual Notes: Present imperative with μή expresses a general prohibition; not just a momentary action but an enduring identity to be avoided.… Learn Koine GreekA Beautiful Work: Defending Devotion in Mark 14:6
The Verse in Focus (Mark 14:6)
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· ἄφετε αὐτήν· τί αὐτῇ κόπους παρέχετε; καλὸν ἔργον εἰργάσατο ἐν ἐμοί
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν: The Teacher RespondsThis narrative begins with the subject and verb in classical sequence: ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς (“but Jesus”) followed by εἶπεν (“said”). The conjunction δὲ introduces contrast, showing Jesus’ reply in response to previous indignation. The use of the aorist verb εἶπεν presents the statement as a complete, decisive utterance.
Ἄφετε αὐτήν: A Sharp ImperativeThe verb ἄφετε is a second person plural aorist active imperative of ἀφίημι — “let go,” “release,” or “permit.” It functions as a direct command: “Leave her alone.”… Learn Koine Greek
Mercy in the Pit: Legal Logic in Luke 14:5
The Verse in Focus (Luke 14:5)
καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπε· τίνος ὑμῶν υἱὸς ἢ βοῦς εἰς φρέαρ ἐμπεσεῖται, καὶ οὐκ εὐθέως ἀνασπάσει αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου;
A Legal Counterquestion: ἀποκριθεὶς… εἶπεThe verse begins with καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπε — “and answering to them, he said.” The verb ἀποκριθεὶς is an aorist passive participle of ἀποκρίνομαι, functioning idiomatically as “answering.” Though passive in form, this deponent verb has active meaning in context.
The main verb εἶπε is aorist active indicative — a narrative mainstay in direct discourse. This grammatical pairing is typical of Gospel dialogue and sets up Jesus’ pointed legal-rhetorical question.… Learn Koine Greek
