Tag Archives: Matthew 8:9

Καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπός εἰμι ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν, ἔχων ὑπ’ ἐμαυτὸν στρατιώτας, καὶ λέγω τούτῳ, πορεύθητι, καὶ πορεύεται, καὶ ἄλλῳ, ἔρχου, καὶ ἔρχεται, καὶ τῷ δούλῳ μου, ποίησον τοῦτο, καὶ ποιεῖ. (Matthew 8:9)

For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.

Imperatives and Indicatives: Syntax of Obedience

Matthew 8:9 provides a fascinating linguistic window into command structures and response verbs in Koine Greek. The Roman centurion’s speech uses a tightly structured sequence of direct imperatives followed by present indicatives, portraying immediate and unquestioned obedience.… Learn Koine Greek