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Greek Lessons
- “What to Us and to You?”: Demonic Recognition and Eschatological Grammar in Matthew 8:29
- Whispers of Identity: From Prophets to Pronouns in Mark 8:28
- The Field of Blood: Passive Voice and Temporal Clauses in Matthew 27:8
- Declensions in the Storm: Case Usage in Matthew 8:26
- Testimony on the Road: Aorist Participles and Mission Grammar in Acts 8:25
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Category Archives: Grammar
Boasting in Affliction: A Greek Look at Romans 5:3
Οὐ μόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καὶ καυχώμεθα ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν, εἰδότες ὅτι ἡ θλῖψις ὑπομονὴν κατεργάζεται, (Romans 5:3)
And not only this, but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance,
From Peace to Perseverance οὐ μόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καὶ – “And not only that, but also…” This phrase introduces a progression of thought from peace and hope (Rom 5:1–2) into the paradox of joy in suffering. It’s a rhetorical structure common in both Classical and Pauline Greek to intensify the next claim. Rejoicing in Pressureκαυχώμεθα ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν – “we boast in tribulations.”
καυχώμεθα – present middle indicative of καυχάομαι, “to boast, exult.”… Learn Koine Greek
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The Stillness Before the Call: Greek Grammar in a Moment of Transition
Καὶ εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίμνην· οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς ἀποβάντες ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυνον τὰ δίκτυα (Luke 5:2)
And he saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen, having disembarked from them, were washing the nets.
In this scene from the calling of the first disciples, Luke captures a quiet but significant moment by the lakeshore using vivid participles, perfect tenses, and spatial prepositions: καὶ εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίμνην· οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς ἀποβάντες ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυνον τὰ δίκτυα from Luke 5:2. The grammar here sets the stage for divine encounter by portraying ordinary activity with precise and poetic construction.… Learn Koine Greek
Ascending to Teach: Grammatical Setting and Theological Foreshadowing in Matthew 5:1
The Mountain Scene: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 5:1
Matthew 5:1 — Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος· καὶ καθίσαντος αὐτοῦ προσῆλθαν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ· (“And seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain; and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.”)
This verse opens the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7), establishing both its setting and its theological significance. The grammar of Matthew 5:1—through participial sequencing, narrative aorists, and dative constructions—frames Jesus’ action in ways that recall Mosaic imagery, highlight his authoritative teaching role, and invite the reader into a scene of eschatological instruction.… Learn Koine Greek
Rhetorical Inquiry and Comparative Teaching in Mark 4:30: Hortatory Subjunctives and Parabolic Framing in Greek Narrative
καὶ ἔλεγε· πῶς ὁμοιώσωμεν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἢ ἐν τίνι παραβολῇ παραβάλωμεν αὐτὴν; (Mark 4:30)
Introduction to Teaching Discourse: καὶ ἔλεγε– καὶ: Coordinating conjunction—”and,” linking to the preceding teaching activity. – ἔλεγε: Imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular of λέγω, “he was saying.” – The imperfect tense indicates ongoing or repeated speech during Jesus’ parabolic instruction. – This phrase opens a reflective question within Jesus’ public teaching ministry.
First Hortatory Question: πῶς ὁμοιώσωμεν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ– πῶς: Interrogative adverb—”how.” – ὁμοιώσωμεν: Aorist active subjunctive, 1st person plural of ὁμοιόω, “we liken,” “compare.” – Hortatory subjunctive expressing deliberation: “How shall we compare…?”… Learn Koine Greek
Grant Boldness: Grammatical Petition and Apostolic Courage in Acts 4:29
Prayer Under Threat: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 4:29
Acts 4:29 — καὶ τὰ νῦν, Κύριε, ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὰς ἀπειλὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ δὸς τοῖς δούλοις σου μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης λαλεῖν τὸν λόγον σου (“And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness.”)
This verse is part of the early church’s corporate prayer after Peter and John’s release from the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:23–31). The community does not pray for the threats to be removed, but for boldness to proclaim the word in the midst of opposition. The grammar—marked by imperatives of request, dative constructions, and adverbial phrases—reinforces the posture of humble petition combined with theological courage.… Learn Koine Greek
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Fury in the Synagogue: A Sudden Turn in Luke 4:28
καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες θυμοῦ ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ ἀκούοντες ταῦτα
Luke 4:28 captures the dramatic moment when a congregation’s admiration turns into explosive anger. The Greek structure vividly portrays a collective emotional reaction, showing how swiftly hearts can harden when confronted with uncomfortable truths.
Grammatical Foundationsκαὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες θυμοῦ—”And all were filled with rage.”
ἐπλήσθησαν—aorist passive indicative, 3rd person plural from πίμπλημι, meaning “they were filled” or “became full.” πάντες—nominative masculine plural, “all,” emphasizing the totality of the crowd. θυμοῦ—genitive singular from θυμός, “wrath” or “rage,” functioning as a genitive of content (“filled with anger”).ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ—”in the synagogue.” A prepositional phrase indicating the location where the reaction took place.… Learn Koine Greek
Unseen Growth: The Mysterious Working of the Kingdom in Mark 4:27
καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστάνῃ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός
Mark 4:27 continues the parable of the seed, emphasizing the mystery of growth independent of human effort or understanding. The Greek flows with rhythmic balance, describing natural cycles and unseen processes that symbolize the quiet but unstoppable advance of the Kingdom of God.
Grammatical Foundationsκαθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται—“he sleeps and rises.” Both verbs are present subjunctives:
καθεύδῃ—present active subjunctive, 3rd person singular from καθεύδω, “he might sleep.” ἐγείρηται—present middle/passive subjunctive, 3rd person singular from ἐγείρω, “he might rise.”The repetition emphasizes the daily cycle of human life—sleeping and rising, night and day.… Learn Koine Greek
The Kingdom of God Like a Seed: A Simple but Profound Parable in Mark 4:26
Καὶ ἔλεγεν· οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς ἂν ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
Mark 4:26 opens another parable of Jesus, emphasizing the mystery and natural growth of the Kingdom of God. The Greek construction balances vivid simplicity with profound theological meaning. The parable invites listeners into a vision of God’s reign as something that begins quietly but inevitably bears fruit.
Grammatical FoundationsΚαὶ ἔλεγεν—“And he was saying.” The verb ἔλεγεν is imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular from λέγω. The imperfect tense suggests repeated or continued speech, typical when introducing a parable or teaching moment.
οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ—“Thus is the kingdom of God.”… Learn Koine Greek
Great Crowds Followed Him: The Expanding Reach of Jesus in Matthew 4:25
καὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ Δεκαπόλεως καὶ Ἱεροσολύμων καὶ Ἰουδαίας καὶ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου
Matthew 4:25 records the early and rapidly growing popularity of Jesus as his ministry begins. The Greek text paints a picture of a broad, regional response—crowds gathering from Jewish and mixed territories alike. The structure emphasizes the vastness and diversity of those who came to hear and see him.
Grammatical Foundationsκαὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ—“And they followed him.” The verb ἠκολούθησαν is aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural from ἀκολουθέω—“to follow.” The aorist tense indicates a completed action: large groups actively and decisively began following him.… Learn Koine Greek
Unified Prayer to the Creator: A Confession of Sovereignty in Acts 4:24
οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἦραν φωνὴν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ εἶπον· δέσποτα, σὺ ὁ ποιήσας τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς
Acts 4:24 records the believers’ immediate response to persecution: unified, reverent, and theologically rich prayer. The Greek grammar powerfully captures corporate unity, divine address, and creation theology. The verse blends narrative with liturgy—what begins as historical report turns into doxology and affirmation of God’s sovereign identity.
Grammatical Foundationsοἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες—“And when they heard” or “but having heard”—is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural, from ἀκούω, functioning temporally. It refers to the community of believers who heard the report about Peter and John.… Learn Koine Greek
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