Tag Archives: Mark 14:5

ἠδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ μύρον πραθῆναι ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς· καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ. (Mark 14:5) The Grammatical Voice of Economic Critique

In Mark 14:5, we encounter a moment charged with tension—devotion misjudged as waste. The grammar of this verse features two striking passive infinitives, a weighty monetary reference, and a final emotional verb that echoes with rebuke. The structure reflects not only economic reasoning but also reveals how linguistic choices can dramatize the blindness of human judgment when faced with divine acts of love.

ἠδύνατο… πραθῆναι – “It could have been sold”

The opening clause begins with:

ἠδύνατο – imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person singular of δύναμαι, meaning “it was possible” or “it could have been” τοῦτο τὸ μύρον – “this ointment”; a demonstrative followed by a definite noun with article = emphasis and specificity πραθῆναι – aorist passive infinitive of πιπράσκω, “to be sold”

The passive voice here is crucial.… Learn Koine Greek