-
Greek Lessons
- Why with Sinners? The Syntax of Scandalized Questions in Matthew 9:11
- Stingers and Power: Similitude, Purpose, and Present Force in Revelation 9:10
- Of Shadows and Conscience: Relative Time and Mental Completion in Hebrews 9:9
- The Overflowing Syntax of Grace: Distributive Emphasis and Participial Purpose in 2 Corinthians 9:8
- Who Fights Without Pay? Rhetorical Interrogatives and Negated Expectation in 1 Corinthians 9:7
-
Category
Tag Archives: John 4:1
“ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει”: Compound Present Indicatives of Growth in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
A Ministry in MotionAt the center of the Pharisees’ concern in John 4:1 is the report that: Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει — “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples.”
The Greek here uses two coordinated present active indicative verbs to convey ongoing ministry activity. This compound structure emphasizes both personal transformation (discipling) and ritual action (baptizing)—both of which fuel Yeshuʿ’s increasing influence.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι”: Aorist Perception and Reported Knowledge in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
Who Heard—and What That MeantIn John 4:1, a nested series of clauses brings us to the moment of narrative tension: Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι… “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…”
The clause ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι contains a simple subject-verb construction in the aorist, but it functions as a pivotal narrative report. Theologically, it shows how perception of influence triggers action; grammatically, it reflects a classic example of indirect discourse embedded within another clause.… Learn Koine Greek
“πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ… ἢ Ἰωάννης”: The Grammar of Growth and Comparison in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
When the Crowd Begins to ShiftJohn 4:1 opens with a report of what the Pharisees have heard: “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.” This comparative construction—πλείονας μαθητὰς… ἢ Ἰωάννης—carries both grammatical precision and narrative tension. The focus of this lesson is the adjective πλείονας, the comparative form of πολύς (“many”), and its function in building a theological contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist.… Learn Koine Greek
“Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος…”: Aorist Knowing and Temporal Sequence in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
The Moment Jesus KnewJohn 4:1 begins with a simple yet weighty statement: “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…” The verb ἔγνω (“he knew”) governs the entire clause. It is not just a past action—it is a grammatical hinge that conveys divine awareness and decisive movement. The use of ὡς οὖν (“therefore when”) introduces both a cause-effect link and temporal flow, setting the stage for Jesus’ departure from Judea.… Learn Koine Greek
