The Neuter Articular Aorist Passive Participle in Matthew 1:20: “τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν”

Posted on January 20, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: Participles and the Mystery of Conception

In Matthew 1:20, the angelic message to Ἰωσὴφ {Iōsēph} delivers the revelation that Μαρίαμ is pregnant, but not by human means. The phrase τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν is central to this divine disclosure. At the heart of the sentence lies a neuter articular participle: γεννηθὲν (“that which has been conceived”), governed by the article τὸ and qualified by the prepositional phrase ἐν αὐτῇ.

This construction is not a casual grammatical flourish—it is a deliberate, theologically packed choice that encapsulates incarnation, divine agency, and mystery. Let’s explore the grammar that conveys this truth.

Ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ’ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· Ἰωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυὶδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαρίαμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ πνεύματος ἐστιν ἁγίου.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Transition from Prophetic Arrest to Messianic Proclamation in Mark 1:14: Greek Syntax and Eschatological Messaging

Posted on January 14, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Μετὰ δὲ τὸ παραδοθῆναι τὸν Ἰωάννην, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ· Introduction

Mark 1:14 initiates a major transition in the Gospel narrative. The arrest of Ἰωάννης marks the close of the prophetic age and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The Greek syntax here is structured to emphasize both the theological hinge and the immediate commencement of Jesus’ proclamation. This verse employs an articular infinitive, a historical aorist, and a circumstantial participle, each carrying critical semantic and eschatological weight.

Temporal Clause: Μετὰ δὲ τὸ παραδοθῆναι τὸν Ἰωάννην

– Μετὰ: Preposition governing the accusative, meaning “after.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Comparative Greek Analysis: 1 Corinthians 13:4a in Koine vs. Classical Greek

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Classical Greek
Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,

Love is patient, it is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, it is not puffed up. (1 Corinthians 13:4a)

Grammar and Syntax Analysis (Koine Greek) Ἡ ἀγάπη – Nominative singular with the article, used anaphorically and for emphasis. Repeated three times in this verse for rhetorical force and poetic rhythm. This is a classic example of Semitic influence (parallelism) in Greek style. μακροθυμεῖ – Present active indicative of μακροθυμέω (“to be patient,” “to endure long”). Common in Koine ethical texts, often associated with divine or virtuous patience.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Verb Λέγω (“I Say”) in the New Testament

Posted on January 9, 2025 by New Testament Greek

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 Λέγω

The 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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Understanding ἐστίν and ἦν in New Testament Greek

Posted on January 7, 2025 by New Testament Greek
The verbs ἐστίν (estin) and ἦν (ēn) are forms of the Greek verb εἰμί, meaning “to be.” These forms are crucial in understanding the structure and meaning of many New Testament passages. While ἐστίν is the present tense, ἦν is the imperfect tense, each serving distinct functions in narrative and theological contexts. 1. The Present Tense: ἐστίν

The word ἐστίν (estin) is the third person singular form of εἰμί in the present indicative, meaning “he is,” “she is,” or “it is.” It indicates a current state of being.

Examples of ἐστίν in the New Testament

1. John 1:1 Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.… Learn Koine Greek

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Greek Grammar Lesson from Matthew 5:12

Posted on January 5, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Matthew 5:12

χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· οὕτω γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.

Focus Topic: Imperatives and the Aorist Indicative in Historical Reference

This verse is a rich example of Greek mood usage: imperatives for exhortation and the aorist indicative for historical allusion. Both aspects function together to strengthen the encouragement in the Sermon on the Mount.

Imperatives of Joy: χαίρετε and ἀγαλλιᾶσθε

The verse opens with two present imperatives:

Greek Word Mood Tense Meaning χαίρετε Imperative Present Rejoice! ἀγαλλιᾶσθε Imperative Present Exult!

The present tense of both verbs emphasizes ongoing action — a continuous attitude of joy and exultation, not just a one-time response.… Learn Koine Greek

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Introduction to the Synonyms: ἐκκλησία, συναγωγή, πανήγυρις

Posted on January 4, 2025 by New Testament Greek

In the Greek New Testament, the words ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), συναγωγή (synagōgē), and πανήγυρις (panēgyris) appear with overlapping connotations of gathering, assembly, and community. However, they diverge significantly in origin, usage, and theological weight. This article explores their meanings, usage, and nuances in the New Testament, their Septuagintal background, and how early Christian identity was shaped through the adoption or avoidance of these terms.

Lexical Definitions and Etymology ἐκκλησία – Derived from the verb ἐκκαλέω, “to call out,” originally referring to a summoned political assembly in Greek city-states. In the New Testament, it evolves into the primary term for the Christian church, both local and universal.… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar Lesson from 1 John 1:3

Posted on January 3, 2025 by New Testament Greek
1 John 1:3

ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Focus Topic: Perfect Tense and Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses

This verse offers a brilliant mix of perfect indicative verbs, present indicative, and a purpose clause introduced by ἵνα followed by a present subjunctive. It blends eyewitness testimony with theological intent, structured through careful grammatical choices.

The Perfect Tense: ἑωράκαμεν and ἀκηκόαμεν

These two verbs are both in the perfect active indicative, 1st person plural. The perfect tense in Greek describes a completed action with continuing results:

Greek Word Tense Voice Meaning ἑωράκαμεν Perfect Active We have seen (and still see the result) ἀκηκόαμεν Perfect Active We have heard (and it continues to shape us)

The author is emphasizing not just past experiences, but the enduring witness of what they have seen and heard — a theological strategy to ground their proclamation (ἀπαγγέλλομεν).… Learn Koine Greek

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“γενόμενοι τοῦ λόγου”: Aorist Middle Participle with Genitive in Luke 1:2

Posted on January 2, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: Eye-Witnesses and the Ministry of the Word

In Luke 1:2, the evangelist continues his polished prologue by identifying the sources of the Gospel tradition: those who were both eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Central to this identification is the phrase ὑπηρέται γενόμενοι τοῦ λόγου, which includes the aorist middle participle γενόμενοι {genomenoi} (“having become”) modifying οἱ αὐτόπται.

This phrase is key: it shows that those who passed on the tradition weren’t just observers—they became servants of the message. This participial construction indicates both transition and commitment. This lesson explores the morphology, syntax, semantics, and theological implications of this aorist participle and its genitive complement.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Literary Ambition of ἀνατάξασθαι: Aorist Middle Infinitive in Luke 1:1

Posted on January 1, 2025 by New Testament Greek
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

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