Opened Eyes and Stern Silence: Syntax and Tension in Matthew 9:30

Καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. (Matthew 9:30)

And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows.”

Healing, Command, and Controlled Revelation

Matthew 9:30 presents the moment immediately after Jesus heals two blind men. What unfolds is a blend of miraculous transformation and strict prohibition, crafted through precise Koine Greek syntax. The verse includes two main narrative clauses and a direct speech command, all coordinated with narrative conjunctions and inflected with grammatical sharpness. Jesus heals, but also warns. This syntactic duality underscores the messianic secret motif that runs throughout the Gospel.

Clause Structure Overview

This verse contains three primary clauses:

1. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί — “And their eyes were opened”
2. καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων — “And Jesus sternly warned them, saying…”
3. ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω — “See to it that no one knows”

Each of these carries distinct syntactic and semantic functions, from passive transformation to authoritative instruction.

Clause 1: Passive Perfect Aorist – ἀνεῴχθησαν

• ἀνεῴχθησαν is the aorist passive indicative 3rd person plural of ἀνοίγω, “to open.”
• The subject οἱ ὀφθαλμοί (“the eyes”) follows the verb.
• The possessive genitive αὐτῶν precedes and modifies the subject: “their eyes.”

The passive form emphasizes that the healing was done to them, not by them. The syntax follows a V–Gen–Nom order: Verb – Possessive Genitive – Subject, a marked but stylistically fitting order in Koine Greek.

Clause 2: Strong Response – ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων

• ἐνεβριμήσατο is aorist middle indicative 3rd person singular of ἐμβριμάομαι, meaning “to sternly charge,” “warn with indignation.”
• αὐτοῖς is dative plural — the recipients of Jesus’ charge.
• ὁ Ἰησοῦς — subject in post-verbal position, as is often the case in narrative Greek.
• λέγων is a present active participle nominative masculine singular — introducing direct discourse: “saying.”

The syntax is linear and formal: Jesus sternly rebukes them and then speaks directly. The participle λέγων introduces the imperative with authoritative force.

Clause 3: The Imperative Command – Ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω

• ὁρᾶτε is present active imperative 2nd person plural from ὁράω: “see to it,” “beware.”
• μηδεὶς is negative indefinite pronoun — “no one.”
• γινωσκέτω is present active imperative 3rd person singular — “let know,” “should know.”

The structure of the command is emphatic:

• ὁρᾶτε = “Be vigilant!”
• μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω = “Let no one come to know!”

The combination of 2nd person plural + 3rd person singular imperative makes this a collective command with external consequences. Jesus holds the healed accountable for the reaction of others.

Syntax Analysis Table

Silent Glory: Theology and Grammar in Harmony

Matthew 9:30 is a perfect example of how Koine syntax carries theological tension. Jesus heals — passively, almost anonymously — but immediately issues a forceful command to withhold the news. The passive aorist ἀνεῴχθησαν emphasizes divine initiative. The aorist middle ἐνεβριμήσατο shows Jesus taking personal responsibility for containment. The dual imperatives warn not only of publicizing but of misunderstanding.

In sum, the syntax of this verse portrays a Jesus who is powerful, purposeful, and paradoxically private. Through grammar, we encounter both miracle and mystery.