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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
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Category
Category Archives: Grammar
Adorning the Doctrine: Faithfulness and Beauty in Titus 2:10
The Verse in Focus (Titus 2:10)
μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν
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.
ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν: Positive ContrastThis participial phrase is the positive counterpart to the prohibition:
– ἀλλὰ — “but,” marking contrast.… 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
The Verse in Focus (Mark 9:13)
ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν, καθὼς γέγραπται ἐπ’ αὐτόν
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.
καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε: Elijah Has Already ComeThis statement directly addresses the expectation of Elijah’s return (Malachi 4:5).… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Revelation 8:13
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.
Focus Topic: 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. The grammar highlights urgency, authority, and sequential judgment.
Main Verbs: εἶδον καὶ ἤκουσαThese two aorist indicative verbs are 1st person singular from βλέπω and ἀκούω. John personally witnesses and hears, linking vision and auditory proclamation as parallel sources of revelation.… Learn Koine Greek
What I Do Now, You Will Understand Later: Mystery and Timing in John 13:7
The Verse in Focus (John 13:7)
ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ, σὺ οὐκ οἶδας ἄρτι, γνώσῃ δὲ μετὰ ταῦτα
ἀπεκρίθη… εἶπεν: A Formal ResponseThe verbs ἀπεκρίθη and εἶπεν are both used here, forming a typical Johannine speech introduction.
– ἀπεκρίθη is the aorist passive (deponent) indicative of ἀποκρίνομαι, meaning “he answered.” – εἶπεν is the aorist active indicative of λέγω, meaning “he said.”
The pairing emphasizes a deliberate and thoughtful reply. Jesus’ words here follow Peter’s confused objection to the footwashing, and the double verb construction adds weight to Jesus’ explanation.
Ὃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ: The Present MysteryThis relative clause — “What I am doing” — uses:
– Ὃ: neuter singular relative pronoun, meaning “what” or “that which.”… Learn Koine Greek
Ἵνα with the Subjunctive: Purpose in the Shadow of Inadequacy
In ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ Φίλιππος· διακοσίων δηναρίων ἄρτοι οὐκ ἀρκοῦσιν αὐτοῖς ἵνα ἕκαστος αὐτῶν βραχύ τι λάβῃ (John 6:7), Philip responds with incredulity to Jesus’ implied command to feed the crowd. His sentence is logical, almost mathematical — but behind it is a powerful grammatical construction: the ἵνα clause of purpose coupled with the subjunctive verb λάβῃ. This is not merely syntax for wishful thinking — it expresses an unreachable ideal. Even with two hundred denarii worth of bread, it would not suffice in order that each might receive even a little. The grammar of purpose here is darkened by impossibility.… Learn Koine Greek
“Why Are You Weeping?”: Greek Grammar in a Garden of Grief
In this tender exchange from the resurrection narrative, the grammar of John 20:13 invites readers into a moment of confusion, sorrow, and implicit hope. The text uses narrative verbs, direct and indirect discourse, interrogatives, and a pair of finely nuanced aorists to show that even grammar can carry tears.
The Greek Text in FocusΚαὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὅτι ἦραν τὸν κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν (John 20:13)
“And they say to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She says to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him.’”… Learn Koine Greek
Deliver Us from the Evil One: Syntax and Theology in a Sentence
The Verse in Focus (Matthew 6:13)
Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ· ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία, καὶ ἡ δύναμις, καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοῦς αἰῶνας.
Matthew 6:13 is traditionally recognized as the final petition and doxology of the Lord’s Prayer.
Negative Requests and the Subjunctive: μὴ εἰσενέγκῃςThe verb εἰσενέγκῃς is aorist active subjunctive, second person singular, from εἰσφέρω (“to bring in” or “lead into”). Preceded by μὴ, it forms a prohibition or negative entreaty: “Do not lead us.” The subjunctive mood is used here not to express doubt, but as part of a common construction in Greek prayer language — a polite, reverent request directed toward God.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἔλεγε πειράζων… ᾔδει τί ἔμελλε ποιεῖν”: Testing and Knowing in John 6:6
Introduction: A Test With a Known Answer
After asking Philip where to buy bread (John 6:6), the narrator comments:
Τοῦτο δὲ ἔλεγε πειράζων αὐτόν· αὐτὸς γὰρ ᾔδει τί ἔμελλε ποιεῖν. “But this he was saying, testing him; for he himself knew what he was about to do.”
This sentence contrasts Jesus’ apparent uncertainty (posing a question) with his actual foreknowledge. It uses an elegant mix of grammatical forms to present Jesus as a teacher who tests, but also a sovereign who knows.
Τοῦτο δὲ ἔλεγε πειράζων αὐτόν· αὐτὸς γὰρ ᾔδει τί ἔμελλε ποιεῖν.This verse John 6:6 features a powerful present participle (πειράζων) alongside two imperfect indicative verbs (ἔλεγε and ᾔδει) and a periphrastic future construction (ἔμελλε + infinitive).… Learn Koine Greek
The Rock and the Root: A Study in Aspectual Contrast in Matthew 13:5
ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς.
In the parable of the sower, recorded in Matthew 13:5, Jesus uses the familiar imagery of ancient agriculture to reveal profound spiritual realities. This is not merely a lesson about farming—it is a mirror held up to the human heart, exposing how it receives or rejects the Word of the Kingdom.
In this verse, we encounter the second type of soil—the rocky ground:
ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλε διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς.… Learn Koine Greek
