Καὶ θεραπεύετε τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ ἀσθενεῖς, καὶ λέγετε αὐτοῖς· ἤγγικεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ. (Luke 10:9)
And heal the sick in it, and say to them: The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.
καὶ θεραπεύετε τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ ἀσθενεῖς: Imperatives of Compassion
The verb θεραπεύετε is a present active imperative, second person plural of θεραπεύω, meaning “to heal” or “to treat medically.” Its imperative mood shows that this is not a suggestion but a commanded action for Jesus’ disciples. The present tense emphasizes ongoing, habitual action — not a one-time miraculous burst, but consistent ministry. The direct object τοὺς…ἀσθενεῖς (“the sick”) is accusative masculine plural, with the embedded phrase ἐν αὐτῇ (“in it”) referring to the city previously mentioned (from verse 8). The entire clause demands action with localized compassion: “heal the sick who are in it.”
καὶ λέγετε αὐτοῖς: Parallel Command in Speech
This clause begins with another present active imperative, λέγετε (“say”), again in the second person plural, forming a stylistic and syntactic parallel with θεραπεύετε. The recipients of the speech are marked by αὐτοῖς — dative masculine plural — referring to the healed residents. The grammar reinforces the two-fold mission of disciples: action (healing) and proclamation (speaking). It’s not enough to relieve symptoms — the message of the kingdom must be declared as well.
ἤγγικεν: Perfect of Proximity
The verb ἤγγικεν is the perfect active indicative, third person singular of ἐγγίζω, meaning “has drawn near” or “has approached.” The perfect tense conveys a completed action with present consequences. In other words, the kingdom is not simply on the way, it has already arrived and remains near. This tense choice creates theological urgency. The message is not that something will happen, but that something momentous has already occurred and is ongoing. The use of the perfect here is rare and deliberate in reference to the kingdom of God.
ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς: Direction and Impact
The preposition ἐπί with the accusative plural pronoun ὑμᾶς denotes motion toward or impact upon — “upon you” or “toward you.” When paired with ἤγγικεν, the phrase ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς intensifies the nearness: the kingdom has not just approached the town generally, but has arrived upon you personally. The choice of ἐπί + accusative stresses encroachment and immediacy, the kingdom is pressing into your reality. This is not vague religiosity; it’s eschatological confrontation.
ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ: Subject and Theme
The phrase ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ (“the kingdom of God”) is the nominative subject of the verb ἤγγικεν. βασιλεία is nominative singular feminine, and τοῦ Θεοῦ is a genitive singular masculine, expressing possession or source. This phrase is one of the central themes of Luke’s Gospel and the synoptic tradition more broadly. Grammatically, it is the acting subject, not a passive idea, but a divinely initiated reign that has advanced to the very threshold of those being addressed.
Syntactic Flow and Thematic Design
This verse exhibits a powerful two-part imperative structure, each with a matching object and action:
• θεραπεύετε → τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς
• λέγετε → ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία
The Greek syntax flows logically and theologically. First, disciples demonstrate the kingdom’s presence through healing. Then, they declare its arrival with a verbal proclamation. Both elements, action and word, are inseparably bound. The grammar of the verse reflects the dual character of mission: compassionate presence and eschatological message.
Parsing Table
| Greek Word | Form | Parsing | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| θεραπεύετε | Verb | Present Active Imperative, 2nd Plural | Main verb of command (healing) |
| τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς | Adjective (Substantival) | Accusative Plural Masculine | Direct object of θεραπεύετε |
| λέγετε | Verb | Present Active Imperative, 2nd Plural | Command to speak |
| ἤγγικεν | Verb | Perfect Active Indicative, 3rd Singular | Main verb of message |
| ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς | Prepositional Phrase | ἐπί + Accusative Plural | Indicates direction and impact |
| ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ | Noun Phrase | Nominative Feminine Singular + Genitive | Subject of ἤγγικεν |
The Nearness That Demands a Response
Luke 10:9 distills the essence of gospel mission into two commands — heal and proclaim. The grammar reveals that the disciples’ healing acts are not random kindnesses but signs of an in-breaking kingdom. The perfect verb ἤγγικεν grounds the announcement in divine reality, not human wishfulness. The preposition ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς shifts the weight of responsibility: the kingdom has come near, not abstractly, but upon you. The syntax leaves no space for neutrality. When the grammar draws near, so does the King.
