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Greek Lessons
- Following the Teacher: Aorist Participles, Future Intentions, and Conditional Clauses
- Two Witnesses: Pronouns, Participles, and Present Tense in John 8:18
- Blind Minds and Hardened Hearts: Koine Simplicity versus Classical Subtlety
- The Witness Within: Spirit and Identity in Paul’s Koine Expression
- The Grammar of Good Ground: Parsing Luke 8:15
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Category
Category Archives: Theology
The Literary Ambition of ἀνατάξασθαι: Aorist Middle Infinitive in Luke 1:1
Introduction: Historiography and the Greek Infinitive
The Gospel of Luke opens not with theology or miracle, but with a polished historiographical prologue. The evangelist uses elevated Greek to establish credibility and intent. Central to this literary self-positioning is the verb ἀνατάξασθαι {anatáxasthai}, an aorist middle infinitive meaning “to compile” or “to set in order.”
This infinitive isn’t just grammatical—it’s philosophical. It expresses authorial intent, independence, and scope. Luke signals that he is entering a field already worked by “many,” but his use of this rare verb sets him apart. In this article, we examine the form, force, and function of ἀνατάξασθαι in Luke 1:1.… Learn Koine Greek
“τίς με κατέστησε δικαστὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;”: Appointed Authority and Predicate Accusatives in Luke 12:14
Introduction: Who Made Me Judge Over You?
Jesus responds to a man seeking arbitration over an inheritance:
Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἄνθρωπε, τίς με κατέστησε δικαστὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς; “But he said to him, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or divider over you?’”
This question is not simply about legality—it reveals Jesus’ refusal to act as a civil adjudicator. Instead, He redirects attention from temporal disputes to eternal truths, using precise Greek grammar to do it.
Let’s examine Luke 12:14, focusing on the powerful rhetorical question Jesus asks:
ἄνθρωπε, τίς με κατέστησε δικαστὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;“Man, who appointed me a judge or divider over you?”… Learn Koine Greek
Like Nonsense: Grammatical Dismissal and Resurrection Doubt in Luke 24:11
Words Dismissed: Literary and Theological Context of Luke 24:11
Luke 24:11 — καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. (“And their words appeared to them as nonsense, and they did not believe them.”)
This verse captures the initial reaction of the apostles to the report of the women who witnessed the empty tomb and angelic proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection. It stands as a moment of ironic inversion: those who are closest to Jesus and trained by him to expect his resurrection dismiss the testimony of the first witnesses. Luke’s narrative choice to present women as the first bearers of the resurrection news—and the disciples’ rejection of it—carries theological weight and is linguistically intensified through specific grammatical constructions.… Learn Koine Greek
Christ Versus Empty Philosophy: The Grammar of Colossians 2:8
Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν· (Colossians 2:8)
Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:8 is an urgent call to theological clarity and spiritual vigilance. With razor-sharp syntax and loaded vocabulary, he contrasts the truth of Christ with the dangerous pull of human traditions and worldly philosophies. This article explores the rich grammatical structure and theological implications of the verse in its original Greek, offering insights into both form and function.
Watch Out! The Imperative Force of ΒλέπετεThe verse begins with the present active imperative plural verb Βλέπετε — “See to it,” “Watch out,” or “Be careful.”… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis of Luke 24:53
καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν.
Sentence Structure and Clausal Composition
The verse Luke 24:53 is the final sentence of the Gospel of Luke and contains a rich interplay of Greek participial syntax and temporal expressions. The structure comprises:
– A main verb phrase: ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ – Two present active participles: αἰνοῦντες and εὐλογοῦντες – A direct object: τὸν Θεόν
This combination produces a periphrastic verbal construction expressing continuous action, underscoring the disciples’ enduring worship after Jesus’ ascension.
Imperfect Verb ἦσαν and Periphrastic ConstructionThe verb ἦσαν (third person plural imperfect of εἰμί) functions as the auxiliary in a periphrastic construction.… Learn Koine Greek
“τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι;”: The Dative-Dative Idiom of Divine Priority in John 2:4
Introduction: What Is This Between Us?
At the Cana wedding, Mary informs Yeshuʿ that the wine has run out. His enigmatic response begins with the phrase: τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι; Literally, “What to me and to you, woman?”
This construction, grammatically known as a dative-dative idiom, has parallels in both Greek and Hebrew expressions (cf. Hebrew: מָה־לִי וָלָךְ). It often implies disassociation, a challenge of expectation, or a clarification of relational boundaries.
In this lesson, we’ll analyze the syntax, morphology, semantics, and theological import of this phrase, which sets the tone for the Johannine theology of Jesus’ “hour.”
Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι; οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου.… Learn Koine GreekWhen Angels Speak: The Grammar of Divine Favor
καὶ εἰσελθὼν ὁ ἄγγελος πρὸς αὐτὴν εἶπε· χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη· ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν. (Luke 1:28)
Gabriel’s arrival to Mariam in Luke 1:28 is not only a moment of sacred announcement — it is a moment wrapped in grammatical precision. The words are few, but their form is densely theological. Let us walk gently into this angelic sentence and attend to its grammar — not as cold analysis, but as a key to the richness of the moment.
Aorist Participle in Sacred Narrative: εἰσελθὼνThe verse opens with καὶ εἰσελθὼν — “and having entered.” This is an aorist active participle of the verb εἰσέρχομαι, masculine nominative singular, agreeing with the subject ὁ ἄγγελος.… Learn Koine Greek
From Temple to Teaching: Grammatical Movement and Eschatological Signaling in Matthew 24:1
Turning from the Temple: Narrative and Theological Context of Matthew 24:1
Matthew 24:1 — Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐπορεύετο ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ· καὶ προσῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπιδεῖξαι αὐτῷ τὰς οἰκοδομὰς τοῦ ἱεροῦ. (“And Jesus went out and was going away from the temple; and his disciples came to show him the buildings of the temple.”)
This verse opens what is commonly referred to as the “Olivet Discourse” (Matt. 24–25), Jesus’ longest eschatological teaching in Matthew. The narrative shift marked here is not merely physical but symbolic: Jesus leaves the temple and enters into a prophetic discourse concerning its future destruction.… Learn Koine Greek
Doctrinal Divide: Resurrection and Angels in Acts 23:8
Σαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα, Φαρισαῖοι δὲ ὁμολογοῦσι τὰ ἀμφότερα. (Acts 23:8)
Acts 23:8 provides a succinct summary of the theological differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees—one of the most significant internal divisions within first-century Judaism. Paul, aware of this division, strategically references the resurrection in verse 6 to cause division among his accusers. The Greek text here is compact and balanced, using a μὲν…δὲ construction to contrast belief systems.
Grammatical FoundationsΣαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα—“For the Sadducees say there is neither a resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.”… Learn Koine Greek
Say but Do Not Do: Grammatical Structure and Ethical Critique in Matthew 23:3
Instruction and Inconsistency: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 23:3
Matthew 23:3 — πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν τηρεῖν, τηρεῖτε καὶ ποιεῖτε, κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε· λέγουσι γὰρ, καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσι. (“Therefore, all that they tell you to observe, observe and do; but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.”)
This verse introduces Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, a chapter often labeled the “Seven Woes.” It encapsulates Jesus’ critique of religious hypocrisy: verbal instruction without practical obedience. The syntax of Matthew 23:3 juxtaposes imperative obedience to authoritative teaching with prohibition against imitating hypocritical behavior.… Learn Koine Greek
