New Testament Greek

καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. — Luke 19:5

In this pivotal moment, Jesus addresses Zacchaeus directly, initiating one of the most theologically rich personal encounters in the Gospel of Luke. The Greek grammar intensifies the scene’s emotion and urgency, blending participles, imperatives, and the powerful verb δεῖ (“it is necessary”) to convey both divine appointment and immediacy.

The sentence begins with a temporal clause: καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον—“and as he came to the place.”… Learn Koine Greek

καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι δι’ ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι.

This verse describes Zacchaeus’ eager action to see Jesus. It includes a temporal participle, a purpose clause, and an imperfect verb of intent followed by a complementary infinitive. The grammar contributes to the narrative energy and forward motion.

προδραμών is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular, from προτρέχω (“to run ahead”). It gives background information — “having run ahead.” It is connected to the main verb ἀνέβη.

ἀνέβη is aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular, from ἀναβαίνω (“to go up, to climb”).… Learn Koine Greek