Tag Archives: ἐγένετο

Introduction: The Beginning of Signs

John 2:1 begins with an event introduction: “Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο”—“And on the third day there was a wedding.” The seemingly ordinary statement hinges on the verb ἐγένετο {egeneto}, an aorist middle indicative of γίγνομαι {ginomai}.

In Johannine usage, ἐγένετο regularly functions as a literary hinge, marking transitions in narrative, or the appearance of divinely arranged moments. Its middle voice and aorist tense encapsulate both temporal definiteness and narrative elevation. This article explores how this single verb subtly carries temporal, theological, and narrative weight at the outset of Jesus’ public ministry.

Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ.… Learn Koine Greek