A Beautiful Work: Defending Devotion in Mark 14:6

Posted on June 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (Mark 14:6)

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· ἄφετε αὐτήν· τί αὐτῇ κόπους παρέχετε; καλὸν ἔργον εἰργάσατο ἐν ἐμοί

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν: The Teacher Responds

This narrative begins with the subject and verb in classical sequence: ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς (“but Jesus”) followed by εἶπεν (“said”). The conjunction δὲ introduces contrast, showing Jesus’ reply in response to previous indignation. The use of the aorist verb εἶπεν presents the statement as a complete, decisive utterance.

Ἄφετε αὐτήν: A Sharp Imperative

The verb ἄφετε is a second person plural aorist active imperative of ἀφίημι — “let go,” “release,” or “permit.” It functions as a direct command: “Leave her alone.”… Learn Koine Greek

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The Value of Devotion: Passive Verbs and Misguided Indignation

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Greek Insights
ἠδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ μύρον πραθῆναι ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς· καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ. (Mark 14:5) The Grammatical Voice of Economic Critique

In Mark 14:5, we encounter a moment charged with tension—devotion misjudged as waste. The grammar of this verse features two striking passive infinitives, a weighty monetary reference, and a final emotional verb that echoes with rebuke. The structure reflects not only economic reasoning but also reveals how linguistic choices can dramatize the blindness of human judgment when faced with divine acts of love.

ἠδύνατο… πραθῆναι – “It could have been sold”

The opening clause begins with:

ἠδύνατο – imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person singular of δύναμαι, meaning “it was possible” or “it could have been” τοῦτο τὸ μύρον – “this ointment”; a demonstrative followed by a definite noun with article = emphasis and specificity πραθῆναι – aorist passive infinitive of πιπράσκω, “to be sold”

The passive voice here is crucial.… Learn Koine Greek

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Mercy in the Pit: Legal Logic in Luke 14:5

Posted on May 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (Luke 14:5)

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπε· τίνος ὑμῶν υἱὸς ἢ βοῦς εἰς φρέαρ ἐμπεσεῖται, καὶ οὐκ εὐθέως ἀνασπάσει αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου;

A Legal Counterquestion: ἀποκριθεὶς… εἶπε

The verse begins with καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπε — “and answering to them, he said.” The verb ἀποκριθεὶς is an aorist passive participle of ἀποκρίνομαι, functioning idiomatically as “answering.” Though passive in form, this deponent verb has active meaning in context.

The main verb εἶπε is aorist active indicative — a narrative mainstay in direct discourse. This grammatical pairing is typical of Gospel dialogue and sets up Jesus’ pointed legal-rhetorical question.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Indignation Within: Interrogating Waste and Worth in Mark 14:4

Posted on April 9, 2014 by New Testament Greek

Mark 14:4 is part of the account of a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume at Bethany. This act, narrated shortly before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, becomes a flashpoint for conflicting values: generosity vs. waste, worship vs. practicality. In verse 4, a group of bystanders reacts negatively to the woman’s action. Their inner indignation sets the stage for Jesus’ interpretation of the act as a prophetic preparation for his burial (Mark 14:6–9). Thus, the verse acts as a narrative pivot between human judgment and divine commendation.

Structural Analysis

ἦσαν δέ τινες ἀγανακτοῦντες πρὸς ἑαυτούς λέγοντες· εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη τοῦ μύρου γέγονεν;

The verse begins with a circumstantial clause: ἦσαν δέ τινες ἀγανακτοῦντες — “But there were some who were indignant.”… Learn Koine Greek

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It Is Not Lawful: Prophetic Confrontation in Matthew 14:4

Posted on April 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (Matthew 14:4)

ἔλεγεν γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἔχειν αὐτήν

Imperfect with Ongoing Force: ἔλεγεν

The verb ἔλεγεν is the imperfect active indicative of λέγω — “he was saying.” The imperfect tense indicates repeated, habitual, or ongoing past action. John the Baptist didn’t confront Herod once — he kept telling him. This verb choice reflects prophetic persistence, an ongoing voice of conviction.

γὰρ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης: Clarifying Subject and Recipient

The explanatory conjunction γὰρ (“for”) links this statement to the surrounding context — particularly Herod’s troubled conscience.

αὐτῷ is the dative singular masculine pronoun, meaning “to him” — referring to Herod Antipas.… Learn Koine Greek

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Productive Piety in Action: A Greek Study of Titus 3:14

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Classical Greek
Μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. (Titus 3:14)

And let our people also learn to devote themselves to good works for necessary needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.

Training the Church in Good Works μανθανέτωσαν – 3rd person plural present active imperative of μανθάνω, “to learn.” The imperative calls for an ongoing process of disciplined instruction. In Classical Greek, μανθάνω often meant “to understand” or “to become acquainted with,” but here it includes practical lifestyle formation. The use of the plural shows Paul’s concern for the entire community’s spiritual education.… Learn Koine Greek
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One Spring, Two Tastes? A Grammatical Meditation on James 3:11

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Νέα Ελληνικά
Μήτι ἡ πηγὴ ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὀπῆς βρύει τὸ γλυκὺ καὶ τὸ πικρόν; (James 3:11)

Modern Greek Pronunciation: míti i pi̱gí ek ti̱s aftí̱s opí̱s vrýei to glyký kai to pikrón?

Literal English Translation: Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both sweet and bitter water?

Koine Greek Grammar Analysis μήτι – interrogative particle used for rhetorical questions expecting a negative answer (“surely not…”). ἡ πηγὴ – nominative singular feminine noun, “the spring, fountain.” ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὀπῆς – prepositional phrase: – ἐκ = “from” + genitive; – τῆς αὐτῆς = “the same”; – ὀπῆς = genitive singular of ὀπή, “opening, hole, mouth.”… Learn Koine Greek
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The Bond of Perfection: Greek Grammar and the Crown of Love

Posted on March 8, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Ἐπὶ πᾶσι δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ἥτις ἐστὶ σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος (Colossians 3:14)

And above all these, love, which is the bond of perfection.

In this concise yet profound statement, Paul presents love not merely as one virtue among many, but as the cohesive force that perfects all others. The Greek of Colossians 3:14 — ἐπὶ πᾶσι δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ἥτις ἐστὶ σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος — uses a prepositional phrase, an appositional construction, and an explanatory relative pronoun to declare love as the ultimate unifying element of Christian maturity.

Grammatical Highlights ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις — preposition + dative phrase; “above all these things.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Grammatical Contrast and Theological Hesitation in Matthew 3:14: Syntax and Voice in John’s Objection

Posted on March 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με; Introduction

Matthew 3:14 records John the Baptist’s theological resistance to baptizing Jesus. The Greek syntax encapsulates a profound reversal of roles, expressed through tense contrast, passive voice, rhetorical questioning, and emphatic word order. Each grammatical element in this verse serves the narrative’s purpose: to portray John’s astonishment and theological insight regarding Jesus’ superior identity.

Main Clause: Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν

– Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης: Nominative subject with definite article and postpositive conjunction. – ὁ: definite article, masculine singular. – δὲ: mild adversative conjunction—”but,” marking a narrative shift from Jesus’ approach (v.… Learn Koine Greek

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Political Discourse and Future Verbal Strategy in Matthew 28:14: A Study in Conditional Syntax and Koine Greek Persuasion

Posted on February 28, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Καὶ ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος, ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτὸν, καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν. Introduction

Matthew 28:14 presents a case of political strategy expressed through conditional syntax and future-oriented verbal constructions. Spoken by the chief priests to the soldiers, this verse contains conditional modality, implied social manipulation, and legal nuance. The Greek grammar reveals a persuasive structure dependent on mood, aspect, and pronoun emphasis. Every clause is economically constructed yet dense with rhetorical power.

Conditional Clause: ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο

– The clause begins with ἐὰν, a conditional particle used with the subjunctive to form a third-class (future more probable) condition. – ἀκουσθῇ is aorist passive subjunctive, 3rd person singular of ἀκούω, meaning “to hear.”… Learn Koine Greek

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