Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος καὶ ἡ ὥρα ἤδη παρῆλθεν· ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ὄχλους, ἵνα ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὰς κώμας ἀγοράσωσιν ἑαυτοῖς βρώματα. (Matthew 14:15)
Setting the Scene Through Syntax
In Matthew 14:15, the disciples approach Jesus with a practical concern — the crowds are in a deserted place, and the day is far spent. The verse is rich in grammatical variety: temporal participles, indicative verbs for narrative progression, an imperative request, and a purpose clause with the subjunctive. Each element contributes to a vivid and urgent scene.
1. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης — The Temporal Aorist Participle
Parsing
- ὀψίας — genitive feminine singular of ὀψία, “evening”
- γενομένης — aorist middle participle, genitive feminine singular of γίνομαι, “to become”
This is a genitive absolute construction, indicating time: “When evening came”. The aorist participle views the event as a whole — the day has fully transitioned to evening.
2. προσῆλθον… λέγοντες — Narrative Action with Descriptive Participles
Parsing
- προσῆλθον — aorist active indicative, 3rd plural of προσέρχομαι, “they came”
- λέγοντες — present active participle, nominative masculine plural of λέγω, “saying”
The aorist προσῆλθον marks a completed act (they approached), while the present participle λέγοντες expresses simultaneous speech — they came while speaking. This combination creates narrative flow.
3. Ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος — Emphatic Predicate Position
The predicate adjective ἔρημός (“desolate, deserted”) is placed first for emphasis, followed by the copula ἐστιν and subject ὁ τόπος (“the place”). This word order front-loads the urgency of the setting: “Desolate is the place.”
4. ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ὄχλους — Imperative Urgency
Parsing
- ἀπόλυσον — aorist active imperative, 2nd singular of ἀπολύω, “send away, release”
The disciples’ request is direct and urgent — the aorist imperative here conveys a decisive, single action to be taken immediately.
5. ἵνα ἀπελθόντες… ἀγοράσωσιν — Purpose Clause with Subjunctive
Structure
– ἵνα introduces a purpose clause: “in order that”
– ἀπελθόντες — aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural of ἀπέρχομαι, “having gone away”
– ἀγοράσωσιν — aorist active subjunctive, 3rd plural of ἀγοράζω, “to buy”
This expresses the intended outcome of sending the crowds away: so that after going into the villages, they might buy food for themselves.
6. Reflexive Pronouns and Ownership: ἑαυτοῖς
– ἑαυτοῖς — dative masculine plural reflexive pronoun: “for themselves”
– Indicates personal benefit — the crowds are responsible for securing their own food.
Grammar Table: Matthew 14:15
| Greek Word/Phrase | Parsing | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| γενομένης | Aorist Middle Participle, Gen. Fem. Sg. | Genitive Absolute | Having come (evening) |
| προσῆλθον | Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Plural | Main Verb | They came |
| λέγοντες | Present Active Participle, Nom. Masc. Plural | Manner | Saying |
| ἀπόλυσον | Aorist Active Imperative, 2nd Singular | Command | Send away |
| ἀγοράσωσιν | Aorist Active Subjunctive, 3rd Plural | Verb of Purpose Clause | They might buy |
When Grammar Captures Compassion and Urgency
The Greek of Matthew 14:15 records more than a logistical suggestion — it conveys the disciples’ perception of urgency, the reality of the setting, and their limited perspective. Temporal participles situate the scene, imperatives voice the request, and the purpose clause reveals their plan. Yet in the verses that follow, Jesus will overturn their expectation, showing that divine provision is not limited to human strategy.
