Tag Archives: Matthew 7:22

“Lord, Lord!”: Dative Instruments, Rhetorical Questions, and the Syntax of False Assurance

Πολλοὶ ἐροῦσίν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, κύριε κύριε, οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι προεφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν; (Matthew 7:22) The Day of Reckoning in Syntax

Matthew 7:22 depicts a haunting scene at the final judgment. Many claim supernatural deeds in Jesus’ name, but are ultimately disowned. The Greek grammar intensifies the scene through instrumental datives, rhetorical inversion, and a series of parallel clauses that simulate escalating urgency. This is not only a warning — it’s a masterclass in how grammar mirrors theology.

Πολλοὶ ἐροῦσίν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ: The Judgment Frame Temporal Context:

– ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ: “on that day” — a standard eschatological phrase referring to the final judgment – The demonstrative ἐκείνῃ (feminine dative sg.)… Learn Koine Greek

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