Tag Archives: Acts 23:6

γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος ὅτι τὸ ἓν μέρος ἐστὶ Σαδδουκαίων, τὸ δὲ ἕτερον Φαρισαίων, ἔκραξεν ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ· Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ Φαρισαῖός εἰμι, υἱὸς Φαρισαίου· περὶ ἐλπίδος καὶ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν ἐγὼ κρίνομαι. (Acts 23:6) Strategic Grammar in a Divided Sanhedrin

In Acts 23:6, Paul masterfully navigates a volatile courtroom. Surrounded by hostile parties, he declares a theological truth — and simultaneously ignites division between Pharisees and Sadducees. His speech is both true and tactically brilliant.

The grammar of this verse reveals Paul’s rhetorical control. Let us examine:

The use of an aorist participle to mark perceptive awareness An equative verb of being split across parallel clauses A historic present for dramatic emphasis Predicate placement for emphasis A genitive complement construction with κρίνομαι

This verse is an exemplary study in how grammar serves theology, rhetoric, and narrative all at once.… Learn Koine Greek