Μὴ κρίνετε κατ’ ὄψιν, ἀλλὰ τὴν δικαίαν κρίσιν κρίνατε. (Ἰωάννης 7:24)
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
This command is spoken by Yeshua during a heated exchange in the temple courts, challenging the crowd to reject superficial assessments in favor of true justice—a call deeply resonant with the ethical clarity of Koine Greek expression.
Koine Greek Breakdown
μὴ κρίνετε κατ’ ὄψιν, ἀλλὰ τὴν δικαίαν κρίσιν κρίνατε.
- Verb 1: κρίνετε — present active imperative 2nd person plural, negated with μὴ: “do not keep judging.”
- Prepositional Phrase: κατ’ ὄψιν — “according to appearance” (lit. “according to face” or “sight”), an idiom for superficiality.
- Contrasting Imperative: κρίνατε — aorist active imperative 2nd person plural: “render a decisive judgment.”
- Adjective + Noun: τὴν δικαίαν κρίσιν — accusative feminine singular; “righteous judgment,” emphasizing moral correctness.
- Syntax: The structure contrasts two imperatives in parallel, intensifying rhetorical force through antithesis.
Parse This: What tense and mood is “κρίνατε” in?
Answer: Aorist tense, active voice, imperative mood, 2nd person plural.
Classical Greek Comparison
μὴ κατὰ τὴν ὄψιν κρίνετε, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὴν δικαίαν γνώμην κρίνατε.
- Prepositional Structure: Classical Greek often retains full forms: κατὰ τὴν ὄψιν instead of Koine’s elided κατ’ ὄψιν.
- Lexical Variation: γνώμη (judgment, opinion) replaces κρίσις to reflect philosophical vocabulary, common in 5th–4th century BCE prose.
- Adjective Agreement: δικαίαν γνώμην — feminine accusative singular; grammatically correct and stylistically Classical.
- Verbal Parallelism: Use of imperatives retained, though a Classical speaker might substitute optatives for indirect suggestion in philosophical dialogue.
Think Like a Philologist: Why might Plato use “γνώμη” instead of “κρίσις” in this context?
Suggested Answer
In Platonic dialogues, “γνώμη” connotes not just judgment but a considered intellectual opinion—making it more appropriate for moral-philosophical reasoning than the more juridical “κρίσις.”
Semantic and Stylistic Shifts
Koine’s style favors moral directness: κρίσις denotes judgment with divine or ethical force. In Classical Greek, γνώμη represents thoughtful opinion—a shift from judicial action to philosophical reflection.
Koine tends to employ parataxis (short, linked statements), suitable for oral clarity. Classical Greek leans toward hypotaxis (nested, subordinate clauses), signaling literary complexity and elite discourse.
Koine is the courtroom’s call for justice; Classical is the agora’s debate among thinkers.
Cultural Insight
Koine Greek emerged to serve a multi-ethnic world. Its accessible syntax and lexicon served missionaries, merchants, and magistrates. The simplicity of imperatives reflects its didactic function.
Classical Greek evolved in civic dialogue, where persuasion, irony, and subtlety thrived. Words like “γνώμη” arose from a culture steeped in democratic deliberation and philosophical inquiry.
Koine vs. Classical: Summary Table
| Koine Usage | Classical Usage | Learner Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| Elided phrase: κατ’ ὄψιν | Full phrase: κατὰ τὴν ὄψιν | Koine prefers economy of expression; Classical values precision. |
| κρίσις = divine or judicial judgment | γνώμη = considered opinion or philosophical view | Key terms evolve with worldview and usage. |
| Aorist/Present imperatives used directly | Optatives or complex clauses may be used instead | Directness vs. deliberation in style |
Glossary
- Imperative Mood: Used for direct commands or exhortations.
- Aorist Tense: A grammatical aspect used to express simple or undefined actions.
- Parataxis: A literary style where clauses are placed side by side with little subordination.
- Genitive Case: Indicates possession, description, or origin.
- γνώμη: A Classical Greek term meaning opinion, viewpoint, or judgment.
