Matthew 5:20
λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: légō gàr ymîn hóti eàn mē perisseúsi̱ i̱ dikaiosýni̱ ymōn pleîon tōn grammatéōn kai Pharisáio̱n, ou mḕ eisélthēte eis tēn basileían tōn ouranōn.
Literal English Translation: For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of the heavens.
Koine Greek Grammar Analysis
- λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν – “For I say to you”;
– λέγω: present active indicative 1st singular;
– γὰρ: explanatory particle, “for”;
– ὑμῖν: dative plural pronoun, “to you.” - ὅτι – subordinating conjunction, introducing indirect discourse: “that.”
- ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ – “unless… abounds”;
– ἐὰν: conditional particle with subjunctive;
– μὴ: negative;
– περισσεύσῃ: aorist active subjunctive 3rd singular of περισσεύω, “to exceed, abound.” - ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν – “your righteousness”; subject of περισσεύσῃ.
- πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων – comparative phrase:
– πλεῖον: adverbial comparative, “more, beyond”;
– τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων: genitive of comparison. - οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε – emphatic double negation with aorist subjunctive: “you will certainly not enter.”
- εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν – “into the kingdom of the heavens”; preposition + accusative phrase.
Modern Greek Version
Γιατί σας λέω ότι αν η δικαιοσύνη σας δεν ξεπερνά εκείνη των γραμματέων και των Φαρισαίων, δεν θα μπείτε στη βασιλεία των ουρανών.
Key Differences in Structure
- λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν → σας λέω: Modern syntax brings pronoun before verb, omits γάρ.
- ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ → αν … δεν ξεπερνά: Koine conditional + subjunctive becomes αν + indicative.
- πλεῖον → ξεπερνά: Adverbial comparative replaced with verb “surpasses.”
- οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε → δεν θα μπείτε: Strong Koine negation turns into future negative form.
Grammar Comparison Table
| Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Clause | ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ | αν δεν ξεπερνά | Subjunctive replaced with indicative + future-like sense |
| Comparative Expression | πλεῖον τῶν … | ξεπερνά … | Adverbial comparative rendered with a verb |
| Strong Negation | οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε | δεν θα μπείτε | Koine emphatic negation becomes simple future negative |
| Indirect Discourse | ὅτι … | ότι … | Retained nearly identically in both languages |
Exceeding Righteousness — Then and Now
Matthew 5:20 carries moral weight shaped by grammar. In Koine, conditional subjunctives and emphatic negations drive the warning deep. Modern Greek eases the syntax but holds firm to the meaning: righteousness must exceed surface-level religion. Jesus’ grammar was as purposeful as his message — and both still search the heart.
