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Greek Lessons
- 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
- Storm Syntax: Subordinate Purpose and Sleeping Sovereignty
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Category
Category Archives: Verbal System
Inside Out: The Verb Morphology of Mark 7:15
Οὐδέν ἐστιν ἔξωθεν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰσπορευόμενον εἰς αὐτὸν ὃ δύναται αὐτὸν κοινῶσαι, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἐκπορευόμενά ἐστι τὰ κοινοῦντα τὸν ἄνθρωπον. (Mark 7:15)
There is nothing outside the person going into him that is able to defile him, but the things coming out are what defile the person.
Five Verbs in a Paradigm ShiftThis radical declaration by Yeshua reframes purity and uncleanness—not as external ceremonial contamination, but as internal corruption. His words turn the purity laws inward through the morphology of five verbs:
ἐστιν — present indicative of being (“is”) εἰσπορευόμενον — present middle/passive participle (“going into”) δύναται — present middle/passive indicative (“is able”) ἐκπορευόμενά — present middle/passive participle (“coming out”) κοινοῦντα — present active participle (“defiling”)Each verb is carefully chosen to contrast inward reception with outward emission—redefining the locus of purity.… Learn Koine Greek
Brilliance in the Verb: Morphology of the Transfiguration
καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς. (Matthew 17:2)
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white like the light.
Introduction: Three Verbs, One GloryMatthew 17:2 describes the transfiguration of Jesus with a burst of vivid imagery. But underneath that glowing scene lies a triad of Greek verbs, each carefully chosen to convey supernatural transformation and divine glory. They are:
μετεμορφώθη — aorist passive indicative, describing the transformation ἔλαμψε — aorist active indicative, describing the radiant shining ἐγένετο — aorist middle indicative, describing the becoming of brightnessEach verb is in the aorist tense, but each contributes differently to the theological portrait.… Learn Koine Greek
Touching Hope: How Greek Verbs Shape a Miracle
ἔλεγεν γὰρ ἐν ἑαυτῇ ὅτι Ἐὰν ἅψωμαι κἂν τῶν ἱματίων αὐτοῦ, σωθήσομαι. (Mark 5:28)
She kept saying to herself, “If I might touch even his garments, I shall be saved.”
Unfolding the Verbal HeartbeatMark 5:28 offers a glimpse into the inner voice of a woman clinging to hope. The verse is brief, yet pulsing with rich verb forms that convey intensity, determination, and theology in motion. In this sacred sentence, three verbs animate her desperate faith:
ἔλεγεν — imperfect indicative, showing repeated thought ἅψωμαι — aorist subjunctive, conveying decisive intention σωθήσομαι — future passive indicative, expressing her expected salvationEach form reveals a layer of meaning not just in what she says, but in how Greek morphology conveys her mindset and theology.… Learn Koine Greek
The Verb Λέγω (“I Say”) in the New Testament
The Greek verb λέγω (legō) is one of the most commonly used verbs in the New Testament, meaning “I say” or “I am saying.” It is highly versatile, appearing in various contexts such as direct speech, teachings, and narratives. In this lesson, we will explore λέγω and its plural form λέγομεν (“we say”) through examples from the Greek New Testament.
Present Active Indicative of ΛέγωThe present active indicative forms of λέγω are as follows:
1st person singular: λέγω (I say) 2nd person singular: λέγεις (you say) 3rd person singular: λέγει (he/she/it says) 1st person plural: λέγομεν (we say) 2nd person plural: λέγετε (you all say) 3rd person plural: λέγουσι(ν) (they say) Examples of Λέγω in the New Testament 1.… Learn Koine Greek
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Visible Righteousness: The Morphology of Matthew 23:5
Three Verbs, One Hypocrisy
In this sharp critique of the Pharisees, Jesus uses three present tense verbs to reveal a pattern of behavior centered on visibility and pride. Let’s examine the verbs:
ποιοῦσι — present active indicative, “they do” πλατύνουσι — present active indicative, “they broaden” μεγαλύνουσι — present active indicative, “they enlarge”All three verbs reinforce the idea of habitual, ongoing religious performance aimed at public attention.
Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ποιοῦσι Lexical Form ποιέω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Ongoing behavior—they habitually do these works Verb: πλατύνουσι Lexical Form πλατύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They habitually enlarge their phylacteries to appear pious Verb: μεγαλύνουσι Lexical Form μεγαλύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They repeatedly and actively increase the size of tassels as visual signals of holiness
The Imperfective Aspect: A Pattern of Display
Each of the three verbs is in the present tense, emphasizing continuous or repeated action:
ποιοῦσι: They continually do their deeds—not as a one-off event but as a pattern of religious performance.… Learn Koine GreekGroaning in the Tent: Verbal Tensions in 2 Corinthians 5:4
καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν, βαρούμενοι ἐφ’ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς. (2 Corinthians 5:4)
For indeed we who are in the tent groan, being burdened—not that we want to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Six Verbs of Mortal LongingThis densely packed verse describes the Christian’s yearning for resurrection glory through six Greek verbs. They capture existential pressure, hope, and eschatological transformation. These verbs are:
ὄντες — present participle, “being” στενάζομεν — present indicative, “we groan” βαρούμενοι — present participle, “being burdened” θέλομεν — present indicative, “we want” (with a negation) ἐκδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be unclothed” ἐπενδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be clothed over” καταποθῇ — aorist passive subjunctive, “might be swallowed up” Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ὄντες Lexical Form εἰμί Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom.… Learn Koine GreekRefreshment and Relationship: Verb Morphology in Philemon 7
Χάριν γὰρ ἔχομεν πολλὴν καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου, ὅτι τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ, ἀδελφέ. (Philemon 7)
For we have much gratitude and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Two Verbs of Emotion and EffectPhilemon 7 contains two Greek verbs that capture both internal response and external result:
ἔχομεν — present active indicative, “we have” ἀναπέπαυται — perfect passive indicative, “has been refreshed”One expresses the present gratitude felt by Paul, the other describes the completed benefit experienced by others through Philemon.
Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ἔχομεν Lexical Form ἔχω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 1st Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Describes Paul’s and possibly Timothy’s current, continuous possession of joy and encouragement Verb: ἀναπέπαυται Lexical Form ἀναπαύω Tense Perfect Voice Passive Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Singular Aspect Stative/Resultative Semantic Force The hearts have been refreshed and remain in that state—a lasting comfort through Philemon’s love Tense and Relationship: Present and Perfect in Harmony– ἔχομεν (present): Expresses ongoing emotional response—Paul’s thanksgiving is not momentary but continues.… Learn Koine Greek
Brought In, Carried Out: Verb Morphology and Eternal Perspective
οὐδὲν γὰρ εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, δῆλον ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι δυνάμεθα·
(1 Timothy 6:7)
For we brought nothing into the world; it is clear that we are not able to carry anything out either.
Three Verbs Framing a Life TruthThis compact verse expresses a profound theological truth about human existence and material detachment, using three critical Greek verbs:
εἰσηνέγκαμεν — aorist active indicative, “we brought in” ἐξενεγκεῖν — aorist active infinitive, “to carry out” δυνάμεθα — present middle/passive indicative, “we are able”Each verb not only serves its syntactic function but also shapes how Paul communicates the transience of material gain and the limits of human power.… Learn Koine Greek
When Trials Work: Greek Verbs in James 1:3
Γινώσκοντες ὅτι τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως κατεργάζεται ὑπομονήν· (James 1:3)
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Two Verbs, One ProcessThis verse opens with a participle and concludes with a powerful present indicative. These two verbs serve as the scaffolding for understanding the theology of trials in the Epistle of James. Let’s examine them:
γινώσκοντες — present active participle, modifying the subject implicitly (“you know”) κατεργάζεται — present middle/passive indicative, the main verb of the clause Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: γινώσκοντες Lexical Form γινώσκω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom. Pl. Masc. Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Continuous awareness; the believers are actively knowing Verb: κατεργάζεται Lexical Form κατεργάζομαι Tense Present Voice Middle/Passive (deponent) Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Singular Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Process-oriented; ongoing production of endurance Why Present Tense in Both Verbs?… Learn Koine GreekVerb Structure and Functions in New Testament Greek
Greek verbs (ῥῆματα) are the most structurally rich elements in New Testament grammar, encoding action or state along with tense-aspect, voice, mood, person, and number—all within a single word. These features reveal not just when something happens, but how it unfolds (aspect), who is involved (person and number), and the speaker’s intent (mood). Greek distinguishes between imperfective (ongoing), perfective (completed), and stative (resulting state) aspects, and uses active, middle, and passive voices to show the subject’s role in the action. Moods such as indicative, imperative, subjunctive, and optative express reality, command, or possibility. Non-finite forms like infinitives and participles expand sentence complexity and theological nuance.… Learn Koine Greek
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