Tag Archives: Luke 6:30

παντὶ δὲ τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντος τὰ σὰ μὴ ἀπαίτει. (Luke 6:30) Radical Commands in Simple Grammar

In Luke 6:30, Jesus delivers a stark command that forms part of His ethical teaching in the “Sermon on the Plain.” Despite its simplicity in form, the grammar of this verse introduces us to essential features of Koine participles, imperative verbs, and Greek prepositions — all working together to communicate a revolutionary ethic of self-giving grace. The structure underscores both individual obligation and unconditional generosity.

1. Indirect Object with a Definite Participle: παντὶ δὲ τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε παντὶ – Dative singular of πᾶς, “to everyone” δὲ – Coordinating conjunction, “but” or “and” (softens the shift in emphasis) τῷ αἰτοῦντί – Dative singular masculine participle of αἰτέω, “the one asking” σε – Accusative singular pronoun, “you” (object of the participle)

This phrase identifies the recipient of the action: “But to everyone who asks you…”

The participle αἰτοῦντι is in the dative case, functioning as the indirect object of the command that follows.… Learn Koine Greek