Introduction: A King Troubled, A City Disturbed
In Matthew 2:3, the reaction to the magi’s inquiry about the “king of the Jews” is immediate and intense: Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. The verb ἐταράχθη {etarachthē} is central to the scene, both grammatically and dramatically. It is an aorist passive indicative form of ταράσσω {tarassō}, a verb often associated with agitation, emotional upheaval, or alarm.
In this passage, the grammatical voice and tense do more than locate the event in time—they convey depth of response, suggesting that Herod is acted upon, overwhelmed by the implications of the magi’s words. This lesson unpacks the morphology, syntax, and theological resonance of ἐταράχθη, placing it in the spotlight as a vehicle of royal fear and narrative tension.
Ἀκούσας δὲ Ἡρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐταράχθη· καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ’ αὐτοῦ·
This verse—Matthew 2:3—is rich with dramatic reaction and psychological nuance. For this lesson, we’ll focus on the aorist passive indicative form ἐταράχθη (“was troubled”), a verb that captures not only grammatical passivity but emotional disruption. This grammatical choice frames Herod’s response not as mere intellectual concern, but as profound internal upheaval.
Morphological Breakdown of ἐταράχθη
- ἐταράχθη {etarachthē} –
Root: ταράσσω {tarassō};
Form: aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular;
Tense: aorist (simple past event);
Voice: passive (subject receives the action);
Mood: indicative (factual);
Meaning: “was troubled,” “was agitated,” “was disturbed”;
Notes: The aorist points to a sudden, completed disturbance; the passive shows that Herod did not control this reaction—it overtook him.
Syntactical Analysis: Passive Emotion in Narrative Action
The clause Ἀκούσας δὲ Ἡρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐταράχθη presents:
– A temporal participle (Ἀκούσας – “having heard”), introducing the cause.
– A main verb in passive voice (ἐταράχθη) to express the effect.
This structure links cause and effect:
– Cause: the hearing of the magi’s question about a rival king.
– Effect: internal agitation overtaking Herod.
Syntactically, the passive verb removes Herod’s agency—he is not acting; he is being acted upon emotionally, psychologically, even spiritually.
The coordinated clause καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ’ αὐτοῦ reflects shared turmoil, broadening the scope of disturbance and setting up a tension-laden context.
Semantic and Theological Implications of the Aorist Passive
The passive voice is not incidental. It signals:
– Involuntary response: Herod did not decide to be troubled—it happened to him.
– Psychological disturbance: ταράσσω is used elsewhere to express emotional dread, even existential fear (cf. John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”).
The aorist tense encapsulates the reaction as a single explosive moment—Herod’s world was shaken in an instant. This reflects the ironic power of the infant king: even in infancy, his presence disrupts kingdoms.
In theological terms, Herod’s passivity contrasts sharply with the active guidance of the magi and the sovereign initiative of God throughout the infancy narrative. The grammar tells us: Herod is not in control—God is.
Literary and Discourse Significance
The placement of ἐταράχθη at the center of the sentence lends it climactic force. The narrative movement pauses here to capture Herod’s internal state, before expanding the disturbance to all Jerusalem.
In Matthew’s broader discourse, Herod’s troubled response introduces:
– The conflict motif: the Messiah provokes worldly resistance.
– The theme of fear and rejection, which will persist throughout the Gospel.
The use of a passive emotion verb subtly elevates the power of the messianic event—Jesus’ arrival does not need violent action to upset power structures; his very presence is sufficient to unseat kings.
“He Was Troubled”: Grammar as Psychological Window
In just one word—ἐταράχθη—Matthew conveys a profound spiritual reaction. The aorist passive indicative functions like a seismic reading: the shockwave has landed. Herod’s composure is lost, his authority shaken.
This verb doesn’t merely tell us that something happened. It reveals that something happened to Herod—and, through grammar, we feel the kingdom quake.
