Τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα. (Mark 10:19)
You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.
Mark 10:19 opens with a declaration of familiarity — τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας (“you know the commandments”). The verb οἶδας is the perfect active indicative of οἶδα (“to know”), a verb whose perfect form functions as a present in meaning. Its grammatical aspect denotes a completed acquisition of knowledge with continuing results. Jesus thus presumes the man’s enduring awareness of the Torah’s ethical demands. Each prohibition that follows employs the aorist subjunctive with μὴ, a construction used in the Greek Bible for general moral injunctions. This grammatical pattern encapsulates the Hebrew Decalogue’s prohibitive structure, where aspectual completeness represents moral definitiveness — “Do not ever do this.”
Syntax of Command and Prohibition
The verse exhibits a classic alternation between negative prohibitions and a final positive imperative. Each clause governed by μὴ introduces a separate prohibition, employing the aorist subjunctive form typical of moral maxims in both the Septuagint and the New Testament. This use of the aorist subjunctive expresses a categorical “Do not ever…” sentiment rather than “Stop doing…” (which would use the present subjunctive). The transition to the imperative τίμα marks a shift from restriction to action—grammarically balancing avoidance with virtue. In Koine discourse, such alternation creates rhythmic moral emphasis: the syntax itself shapes ethical tone.
Semantic Domain of the Verbs
Each prohibition draws from a distinct semantic field of moral transgression: μοιχεύω (sexual violation of covenant), φονεύω (taking life unjustly), κλέπτω (property violation), ψευδομαρτυρέω (false testimony, judicial perjury), and ἀποστερέω (economic exploitation or withholding). These verbs collectively cover relational fidelity, justice, truth, and fairness. The shift to τίμα (“honor”) introduces a verb from the semantic field of respect and valuation. The selection of these verbs reflects a balanced moral scope—each addressing a social dimension of covenant life.
Discourse Flow and Rhetorical Rhythm
Jesus’ statement moves from recognition (“You know”) to reminder (“Do not…”) to restoration (“Honor”). The discourse rhythm is both mnemonic and didactic: six negative clauses lead to a climactic positive imperative. The repeated μὴ gives auditory cadence, resembling the Hebrew lo’ (לֹא) of the Decalogue. Mark’s Greek, however, introduces ἀποστερήσῃς—a command not found in some parallel lists—which localizes the warning within an economic context of first-century Judaea. Thus, the discourse reveals that ethical obedience extends beyond ritual purity to relational integrity and social justice.
Morphology Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Form | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| τὰς | Article | Accusative Plural Feminine | Modifies ἐντολὰς | “The” |
| ἐντολὰς | Noun | Accusative Plural Feminine | Direct object of οἶδας | “Commandments” |
| οἶδας | Verb | Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Singular | Main verb of statement | “You know” |
| μὴ μοιχεύσῃς | Verb | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular | Prohibition (negative command) | “Do not commit adultery” |
| μὴ φονεύσῃς | Verb | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular | Prohibition | “Do not murder” |
| μὴ κλέψῃς | Verb | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular | Prohibition | “Do not steal” |
| μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς | Verb | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular | Prohibition | “Do not bear false witness” |
| μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς | Verb | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular | Prohibition | “Do not defraud” |
| τίμα | Verb | Present Active Imperative 2nd Singular | Positive command | “Honor” |
| τὸν πατέρα | Noun Phrase | Accusative Singular Masculine | Object of τίμα | “Father” |
| σου | Pronoun | Genitive Singular 2nd Person | Possessive modifier | “Your” |
| καὶ | Conjunction | Coordinating | Links two direct objects | “And” |
| τὴν μητέρα | Noun Phrase | Accusative Singular Feminine | Second object of τίμα | “Mother” |
The Aspect of Obedience
The aspectual system of Koine Greek intensifies the moral significance. The aorist subjunctive, expressing single decisive acts, portrays sin as punctiliar—a breach, not a process. Conversely, the imperative τίμα (present tense) portrays honoring one’s parents as a continuous and habitual act. The grammar thus distinguishes between actions to avoid (punctual, definite) and virtues to sustain (durative, ongoing). This interplay of aspect transforms grammatical form into moral form: the perfective aspect of sin contrasts the imperfective aspect of honor.
When Grammar Teaches Ethics
Here grammar and morality intertwine. The perfective mood of “Do not” verbs frames sin as an act that must never begin; the imperfective imperative of “Honor” frames virtue as an act that must never end. Mark’s syntax thus offers a moral theology through morphology: holiness defined not by negation alone, but by perpetual reverence. The disciple who reads these verbs learns that eternal obedience is written first in aspect and then in action—the grammar of command becoming the grammar of the heart.
