Tag Archives: Matthew 2:21

Obedience in Motion: Aorist Participles and Coordinated Verbs in Matthew’s Return Narrative

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβεν τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ. (Matthew 2:21) The Journey Home from Egypt

In Matthew 2:21, we read Joseph’s obedient response to God’s instruction through an angelic dream. The Greek structure reflects decisive obedience, conveyed through aorist forms that move swiftly and intentionally. This verse is a model of syntactic clarity and narrative momentum, driven by sequential actions in past time.

Let’s explore how the Greek grammar emphasizes faithful responsiveness.

1. Aorist Passive Participle: ὁ δὲ ἐγερθείς ὁ δὲ ἐγερθείς – “but the one having arisen” ἐγερθείς – Aorist Passive Participle, Nominative Masculine Singular of ἐγείρω, “to rise,” “to get up”

This participle functions circumstantially, indicating the first action Joseph took in response to divine instruction.… Learn Koine Greek

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