Introduction to the Tenses of the Indicative Mood in New Testament Greek

The indicative mood in New Testament Greek is primarily used to express factual statements and actual occurrences. The tenses in the indicative mood convey both the time of action and the kind of action (aspect). Understanding these tenses is crucial for accurate interpretation of the New Testament texts.

Present Tense

The present tense denotes an action that is occurring in the present time, often with a sense of continuous or repeated action. It can also express general truths or habitual actions, known as gnomic presents. Example: ἀγαπᾷ τὸν θεόν – He/she loves God (with an ongoing sense of love). Gnomic Example: ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν – God is love (a timeless truth).… Learn Koine Greek

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“ἐταράχθη”: The Aorist Passive of Emotional Turmoil in Matthew 2:3

Introduction: A King Troubled, A City Disturbed

In Matthew 2:3, the reaction to the magi’s inquiry about the “king of the Jews” is immediate and intense: Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. The verb ἐταράχθη {etarachthē} is central to the scene, both grammatically and dramatically. It is an aorist passive indicative form of ταράσσω {tarassō}, a verb often associated with agitation, emotional upheaval, or alarm.

In this passage, the grammatical voice and tense do more than locate the event in time—they convey depth of response, suggesting that Herod is acted upon, overwhelmed by the implications of the magi’s words.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Tenses in New Testament Greek

New Testament Greek, or Koine Greek, is a rich and nuanced language that offers profound depth to biblical interpretation. One of the essential aspects of this language is its system of tenses, which not only indicate the time of an action but also reveal the kind of action being described. Understanding the tenses in New Testament Greek is critical for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the original meaning of the Scriptures. This article explores the different tenses, their functions, and how they contribute to a more accurate understanding of the New Testament.

The Nature of Greek Tenses: Time vs. Aspect

Unlike English, where verb tenses primarily convey the time an action occurs (past, present, or future), Greek tenses emphasize aspect—the nature or type of action.… Learn Koine Greek

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Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek

New Testament Greek, also known as Koine Greek, is a rich and expressive language that relies heavily on moods and tenses to convey meaning, intention, and nuance. The syntax of these grammatical features provides a window into the text’s deeper meanings and the author’s intended message. This article delves into the syntax of the moods and tenses in New Testament Greek, exploring how they function, interact, and contribute to the interpretation of the biblical text.

The Importance of Moods and Tenses in Koine Greek Syntax

Understanding the syntax of moods and tenses is crucial for accurately interpreting the New Testament. Unlike English, where word order plays a dominant role, Greek relies on verb forms to express nuances of time, aspect, and mood.… Learn Koine Greek

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

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

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

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 Definite Article in New Testament Greek

The definite article in New Testament Greek—ὁ, ἡ, τό and their declined forms—plays a far more dynamic role than simply marking definiteness like the English word “the.” In Koine Greek, the article has wide-ranging grammatical and semantic functions, including identification, specification, substantivization, and syntactic signaling. Understanding how the article operates is essential for accurate exegesis and interpretation.

1. Definition and Basic Function

The Greek definite article is a grammatical marker that typically functions to make a noun or phrase definite—that is, identifiable or known to the speaker and audience. It corresponds roughly to the English “the,” but is used more broadly in Greek.… Learn Koine Greek

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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 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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Adjectives in New Testament Greek: Definition and Function

Adjectives in New Testament Greek are descriptive words that modify nouns and pronouns. They agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case, and they function in a variety of syntactic roles. Mastery of adjectives is essential for interpreting meaning, nuance, and emphasis in Koine Greek texts.

1. Definition of Adjectives

An adjective (Greek: ἐπίθετον) is a word that qualifies or describes a noun by providing information such as quality, quantity, or identity. In Greek, adjectives are declined—meaning they change form according to case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative), number (singular, plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, neuter).

Examples ἀγαθός – good μέγας – great πιστός – faithful 2.… Learn Koine Greek
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