In this tender exchange from the resurrection narrative, the grammar of John 20:13 invites readers into a moment of confusion, sorrow, and implicit hope. The text uses narrative verbs, direct and indirect discourse, interrogatives, and a pair of finely nuanced aorists to show that even grammar can carry tears.
The Greek Text in Focus
Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὅτι ἦραν τὸν κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν (John 20:13)
“And they say to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She says to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him.’”
Grammatical Highlights
- λέγουσιν — present indicative active, 3rd plural; “they say (are saying).”
- αὐτῇ — dative feminine singular pronoun; “to her.”
- ἐκεῖνοι — demonstrative pronoun; “those ones,” emphasizes the speakers.
- γύναι — vocative feminine singular; respectful but emotionally distant address, “Woman.”
- τί κλαίεις; — interrogative pronoun + present indicative; “Why are you weeping?”
- λέγει — present indicative active, 3rd singular; “she says.”
- ὅτι — causal conjunction; “because.”
- ἦραν — aorist indicative active, 3rd plural; “they have taken away.”
- τὸν κύριόν μου — accusative masculine singular noun + possessive pronoun; “my Lord.”
- οἶδα — perfect indicative active, 1st singular; “I know” (with present meaning in NT Greek).
- ποῦ — interrogative adverb; “where.”
- ἔθηκαν — aorist indicative active, 3rd plural; “they placed / put.”
- αὐτόν — accusative masculine singular pronoun; “him.”
Dialogue in the Present: λέγουσιν… λέγει
The dialogue is framed using the historical present: λέγουσιν (they say) and λέγει (she says). This tense draws readers into the immediacy of the exchange, as though the words are unfolding in real time. The use of ἐκεῖνοι adds formality and narrative weight — these are not just men, but “those ones,” i.e., the angels mentioned earlier.
Emotion in the Interrogative: τί κλαίεις;
The question τί κλαίεις; uses the interrogative pronoun τί with the present tense of κλαίω (to weep). The question is gentle yet profound. Greek makes no attempt to soften it — the question is direct, almost surgical. The emotional force lies in its simplicity.
Aorists of Finality: ἦραν… ἔθηκαν
Mary’s response contains two aorist verbs: ἦραν (“they took away”) and ἔθηκαν (“they placed”). These describe completed past actions with final, irreversible effects. She is not speculating — she is grieving. Greek aorists often convey finality, which deepens the sense of loss.
| Word / Phrase | Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| λέγουσιν… λέγει | Present Indicative Active | Dialogue verbs | They say / she says |
| τί κλαίεις; | Interrogative + Present Indicative | Direct question | Why are you weeping? |
| ἦραν… ἔθηκαν | Aorist Indicative Active | Past completed actions | They took / placed |
| οἶδα | Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Singular | State of unknowing | I do not know |
| ποῦ | Interrogative Adverb | Introduces indirect question | Where |
When Grammar Weeps
In John 20:13, the Greek grammar is minimal, but its emotional weight is profound. The historical present pulls us into the scene. The aorists speak of actions that seem irreversible. The syntax of Mary’s grief — a question met with confession — is grammatically elegant, yet raw. Even Greek verbs can tremble in the presence of resurrection not yet revealed.
