Tag Archives: Luke 23:34

Forgiveness Amid Cruelty in Luke 23:34: Imperatives, Ignorance, and Irony in Crucifixion Greek

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγε· Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς· οὐ γὰρ οἴδασι τί ποιοῦσι. διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον κλῆρον.

Imperfective Prayer of the Crucified: ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγε

– ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς: Nominative with article—”but Jesus.” – δὲ: Coordinating conjunction, continuing narrative with mild contrast. – ἔλεγε: Imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular of λέγω, “he was saying.” – The imperfect tense here suggests ongoing or repeated action—Jesus may have uttered this more than once. – This phrase introduces a statement of immense theological and emotional weight.

Cruciform Intercession: Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς

– Πάτερ: Vocative singular—”Father.” – Intimate address to God, echoing Jesus’ consistent filial relationship.… Learn Koine Greek

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