Anchoring in Ptolemais: The Movement and Fellowship of Acts 21:7

Posted on June 21, 2021 by New Testament Greek
Ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸν πλοῦν διανύσαντες ἀπὸ Τύρου κατηντήσαμεν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἐμείναμεν ἡμέραν μίαν παρ’ αὐτοῖς (Acts 21:7)

And we, having completed the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolemais; and having greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them.

Acts 21:7 doesn’t dwell on drama or detail, but its Greek quietly communicates movement, completion, and the warmth of Christian fellowship. From the ship’s journey to the greeting of the brothers, the sentence is rhythmically tight—narrating transitions both geographical and relational.

Grammatical Foundations

The participle διανύσαντες (having completed the voyage) comes from διανύω, a compound verb stressing completion through or across something.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Revelation 5:13 and the Greek of Cosmic Doxology

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Classical Greek
Καὶ πᾶν κτίσμα ὃ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης ἐστί, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα, ἤκουσα λέγοντας· τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ τιμὴ καὶ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. (Revelation 5:13)

And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the power forever and ever.”… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Ancient Greek, Syntax | Tagged | Leave a comment

Come and See: The Syntax of Testimony and Wonder in John 4:29

Posted on April 29, 2021 by New Testament Greek

John 4:29 is spoken by the Samaritan woman shortly after her transformative encounter with Jesus at Jacob’s well. After Jesus reveals her personal history and hints at his messianic identity, she leaves her water jar and runs back to the town, inviting others to come and see. This verse is not only a moment of personal testimony; it initiates the evangelization of an entire Samaritan village, prefiguring Gentile belief. The syntax of her invitation reflects both excitement and uncertainty — wonder wrapped in witness.

Structural Analysis

Δεῦτε ἴδετε ἄνθρωπον ὃς εἶπέ μοι πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα· μήτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός;

The sentence divides into three movements: (1) an imperative invitation Δεῦτε ἴδετε, (2) a relative clause identifying the man ὃς εἶπέ μοι πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα, and (3) an interrogative clause μήτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός; that poses a leading question about his identity.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Exegesis | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fully Convinced: Faith in God’s Power in Romans 4:21

Posted on April 21, 2021 by New Testament Greek

Romans 4:21 is part of Paul’s exposition on Abraham’s faith, presented as the model of justification by faith. In verses 18–22, Paul describes Abraham’s unwavering trust in God’s promise despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness. This particular verse emphasizes the nature of Abraham’s confidence: it was not blind belief, but conviction rooted in God’s power to fulfill what He had promised.

Structural Analysis

καὶ πληροφορηθεὶς ὅτι ὃ ἐπήγγελται δυνατός ἐστι καὶ ποιῆσαι.

The sentence is built around a participial construction (πληροφορηθεὶς) followed by a content clause (ὅτι…ἐστι). The subject of the clause is ὃ (“that which”), referring to the divine promise.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Exegesis | Tagged | Leave a comment

Declensions Framing the Teaching Scene: Morphology in Mark 4:1

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Advanced Greek Grammar
Καὶ πάλιν ἤρξατο διδάσκειν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν· καὶ συνήχθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος πολύς, ὥστε αὐτὸν ἐμβάντα εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καθῆσθαι ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἦσαν. (Mark 4:1)

And again he began to teach beside the sea, and a very large crowd was gathered to him, so that he got into the boat and sat in the sea, and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.

Declension Analysis Table Greek Form Morphology Case & Function Notes τὴν θάλασσαν (first occurrence) 1st declension feminine singular with article Accusative object of preposition παρά “Beside the sea” — locative sense with accusative after παρά.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Declensions | Tagged | Leave a comment

Approved to Speak: Perfect Passives, Purpose Infinitives, and the Grammar of Divine Commission

Posted on April 2, 2021 by New Testament Greek
Ἀλλὰ καθὼς δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, οὕτω λαλοῦμεν, οὐχ ὡς ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκοντες, ἀλλὰ Θεῷ τῷ δοκιμάζοντι τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν. (1 Thessalonians 2:4) When Approval Comes from Above

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul offers a powerful theological principle: Gospel ministry is not performed to win human favor, but to remain faithful to the God who tests hearts. The Greek grammar provides a compact but potent theological and ethical structure, using perfect passive participles, infinitives of purpose, and contrasting clauses that clarify intent.

Let’s unpack how the language of divine approval and human responsibility is expressed in this verse.

1.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Strength in the Messiah: A Greek Look at Philippians 4:13

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Greek Insights
Πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ. (Philippians 4:13)

I am able for all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Power of Sufficiency πάντα ἰσχύω – “I am strong for all things.” The verb ἰσχύω (present active indicative) means “to be strong,” “to have power or ability.” The direct object πάντα (“all things”) is accusative plural neuter, covering every situation Paul has discussed—from hunger to abundance. The emphasis is not on external achievement, but on inner spiritual sufficiency. Means of Empowerment

ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ – “in Christ who strengthens me.”

ἐν + dative indicates means or sphere—“by” or “through.”… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Exegesis, Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Grammar of Restraint: A Father’s Influence in the Subjunctive Mood

Posted on March 21, 2021 by New Testament Greek
Οἱ πατέρες μὴ ἐρεθίζετε τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ ἀθυμῶσιν. (Colossians 3:21)

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they may not become discouraged.”

In this short but powerful verse, Paul speaks directly to fathers with a grammatical construction that blends prohibition, purpose, and psychological consequence: Οἱ πατέρες μὴ ἐρεθίζετε τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ ἀθυμῶσιν from Colossians 3:21. This sentence reveals how Greek grammar can communicate both authority and caution, both command and compassion — all in one breath.

Grammatical Highlights Οἱ πατέρες — nominative masculine plural; the subject (“fathers”). μὴ ἐρεθίζετε — present imperative active, second person plural with μὴ, forming a negative command (“do not provoke”).… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Overflowing Dawn: Coordinated Infinitives and the Syntax of Sacred Generosity

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Biblical Greek
Καὶ ἔλαβον παρὰ Μωυσῆ πάντα τὰ ἀφαιρέματα ἃ ἤνεγκαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἁγίου ποιεῖν αὐτά καὶ αὐτοὶ προσεδέχοντο ἔτι τὰ προσφερόμενα παρὰ τῶν φερόντων τὸ πρωὶ πρωΐ (Exodus 36:3 LXX) Context of Giving: The Sanctuary and the People

This verse paints a scene of liturgical abundance — a people stirred by divine instruction, responding not once but daily, with gifts for the construction of the holy things (τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἁγίου). But beyond its content, the Greek grammar provides a rich study in coordinated infinitives, aspectual variation, and the use of repeated temporal adverbs.

Coordinated Infinitives: The Syntax of Purpose

One of the syntactic highlights in this verse is the coordinated phrase: εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἁγίου ποιεῖν αὐτά (for all the works of the sanctuary, to do them)

This reveals a purpose construction using: – Preposition εἰς (into/for) + accusative object: πάντα τὰ ἔργα – Followed by a complementary infinitive: ποιεῖν (“to do”)

What’s happening grammatically?… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Septuagint Greek | Tagged | Leave a comment

Resumption of Vocation and Narrative Flow in John 21:3: Dialogue, Aspect, and Disappointment in Post-Resurrection Greek

Posted on March 1, 2021 by New Testament Greek
Λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. (John 21:3) Initiating Dialogue and Personal Initiative: λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν

– λέγει: Present active indicative, 3rd person singular of λέγω, “he says.” – Historical present for vividness. – αὐτοῖς: Dative plural masculine pronoun—”to them.” – Σίμων Πέτρος: Nominative proper name with apposition—”Simon Peter.” – Subject of the verb λέγει. – ὑπάγω: Present active indicative, 1st person singular of ὑπάγω, “I am going,” “I go.” – Expresses initiative and intent. – ἁλιεύειν: Present active infinitive of ἁλιεύω, “to fish.”… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment


  1. NT Greek Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 36
  6. 37
  7. 38
  8. 39
  9. 40
  10. 41
  11. 42
  12. ...
  13. 94