In the Greek New Testament, the interrogative pronouns τίς and τί serve as linguistic keys that unlock profound theological inquiry and rhetorical depth. These forms—distinguished by their acute accent and declined by case, gender, and number—pose questions not merely of grammar but of existential weight: “Who is this?” “What is truth?” Appearing at pivotal moments in the Gospels, they function as subjects, objects, complements, and even adverbials, often expressing awe, challenge, or divine confrontation. Their presence invites readers into the drama of revelation, where parsing a pronoun becomes an act of theological reflection.
The Nature of the Interrogative Pronoun
The interrogative pronouns τίς (masculine/feminine) and τί (neuter) are used to ask questions of identity, nature, or quality. They are equivalent to “who?” and “what?” in English. These forms occur frequently in the Greek New Testament and are central to both dialogue and rhetorical style. They can stand alone as pronouns or function adjectivally with nouns (“what man?” or “what thing?”).
Paradigm of τίς, τί
The interrogative pronouns decline according to case, gender, and number. Their acute accent distinguishes them from the indefinite pronouns (τις, τι), which are enclitic and mean “someone” or “something.”
| Case | Masculine/Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative Singular | τίς | τί |
| Genitive Singular | τίνος | τίνος |
| Dative Singular | τίνι | τίνι |
| Accusative Singular | τίνα | τί |
| Nominative Plural | τίνες | τίνα |
| Genitive Plural | τίνων | τίνων |
| Dative Plural | τίσι(ν) | τίσι(ν) |
| Accusative Plural | τίνας | τίνα |
Note: Neuter forms are identical in nominative and accusative. Context determines function.
Distinguishing Interrogative from Indefinite
- τίς ἐστιν οὗτος; – “Who is this?” (interrogative)
- τις ἄνθρωπος ἦλθεν. – “A certain man came.” (indefinite)
Examples from the Greek New Testament
Matthew 21:10: “Καὶ ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἐσείσθη πᾶσα ἡ πόλις λέγουσα· Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος;”
Translation: “And when he had entered into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’”
Parsing: τίς = nominative masculine singular interrogative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν.
Mark 2:7: “Τί οὗτος οὕτως λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς, ὁ Θεός;”
Translation: “Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins except one, God?”
Parsing: τί = nominative/accusative neuter singular interrogative used adverbially (“why?”).
τίς = nominative masculine singular interrogative pronoun, subject of δύναται.
Mark 4:41: “Καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν, ὅτι καὶ ὁ ἄνεμος καὶ ἡ θάλασσα ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ;”
Translation: “And they feared greatly and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”
Parsing: τίς = nominative masculine singular interrogative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν.
John 18:38: “Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Πιλᾶτος· Τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια;”
Translation: “Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’”
Parsing: τί = nominative neuter singular interrogative pronoun, predicate nominative with ἐστιν.
Syntactic Functions
- Subject: Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος; – “Who is this?” (Matt 21:10)
- Object: Τίνα ζητεῖτε; – “Whom do you seek?” (John 18:4)
- Predicate Complement: Τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια; – “What is truth?” (John 18:38)
- Adverbial: Τί ταῦτα ποιεῖτε; – “Why are you doing these things?” (Mark 11:5)
Stylistic and Rhetorical Use
Questions with τίς and τί often extend beyond mere requests for information. They frequently express amazement, challenge, or theological reflection. Jesus himself employs such questions to provoke thought and unsettle assumptions. The rhetorical force of τίς in Mark 4:41 leads directly to Christological reflection: Who truly commands creation?
Theological and Interpretive Value
The interrogative pronouns give voice to the questions of humanity within the Gospels: “Who is this man?” “What is truth?” “Who can forgive sins?” These are not only grammatical forms but existential queries that invite reflection. The inspired use of τίς and τί preserves the searching tone of those who encountered Jesus and found themselves confronted with divine reality.
Grammar that Provokes Wonder
The pronouns τίς and τί embody astonishment and inquiry. They appear at critical junctures in the New Testament, highlighting the mystery of Jesus’ identity and mission. Mastery of their forms and functions equips readers not only to parse Greek sentences but also to enter into the theological drama of the text, where the grammar of a single word carries the weight of revelation.
