Ὁ δὲ ἐπιτιμήσας αὐτοῖς παρήγγειλε μηδενὶ λέγειν τοῦτο, (Luke 9:21)
This short verse captures a frequent motif in Luke and the Synoptic Gospels –the so-called “Messianic Secret.” After Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus immediately commands silence. The grammar highlights both the authority of the command and the careful management of revelation. By attending closely to the participle, the main verb, and the infinitive construction, we see how syntax conveys both urgency and restraint.
The Subject in Focus: Ὁ δὲ ἐπιτιμήσας αὐτοῖς
The phrase opens with ὁ δὲ ἐπιτιμήσας, an aorist active participle of ἐπιτιμάω (“to rebuke, warn sternly”). The participle functions circumstantially, introducing Jesus as the one who speaks with authority. The dative pronoun αὐτοῖς specifies the recipients –’his disciples. The nuance of ἐπιτιμάω is stronger than a casual instruction; it suggests a forceful warning or authoritative restriction.
The Main Verb: παρήγγειλε
The verb παρήγγειλε (aorist active indicative of παραγγέλλω, “to command, give orders”) carries the weight of official instruction. The aorist tense emphasizes the decisive moment: Jesus issued a firm directive. This is no suggestion but an authoritative command. The singular verb underscores his personal initiative in giving the order.
The Infinitive Clause: μηδενὶ λέγειν τοῦτο
The command is expressed in an infinitive of indirect discourse: μηδενὶ λέγειν τοῦτο (“to tell this to no one”). The dative μηδενί (“to no one”) marks the prohibition’s universality – there are no exceptions. The present infinitive λέγειν (from λέγω, “to say, tell”) suggests ongoing prohibition: they are not to begin or continue telling anyone. The demonstrative τοῦτο refers back to Peter’s confession, i.e., that Jesus is the Christ.
Syntax Table: The Grammar of a Command
| Greek Phrase | Grammar Role | Interpretive Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Ὁ δὲ ἐπιτιμήσας αὐτοῖς | Aorist participle + dative | Depicts Jesus sternly warning his disciples |
| παρήγγειλε | Aorist indicative | Main verb: decisive command issued |
| μηδενὶ λέγειν | Infinitive of prohibition | Expresses ongoing restriction: “to tell no one” |
| τοῦτο | Demonstrative pronoun | Refers to the confession of Jesus’ identity |
Grammar as Controlled Revelation
Luke 9:21 is grammatically economical yet theologically profound. The aorist participle shows Jesus’ authoritative posture, the aorist indicative records his decisive command, and the infinitive clause conveys a prohibition of continued speech. Through these structures, grammar mirrors Jesus’ strategy: the time for open proclamation had not yet come, and the confession of his messiahship had to be carefully guarded until the cross and resurrection revealed its full meaning.
