Introduction: The Grammar of Overwhelming Joy
As the magi finally see the star—confirmation of divine guidance—the text states: “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” The Greek verb ἐχάρησαν {echarēsan} is a grammatical paradox: passive in form, but active in function. It is a second aorist passive deponent of χαίρω {chairō}, “to rejoice.”
This moment captures the fulfillment of hope and divine direction, but the grammar does more than narrate emotion—it intensifies, structures, and highlights it. The deponent nature of the verb, combined with an emphatic cognate accusative, constructs a vivid theological and literary crescendo.
Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.
Matthew 2:10 presents a moment of emotional climax in the journey of the magi: the sight of the star leads to great and overwhelming joy. For this lesson, we’ll focus on the main verb of this clause:
ἐχάρησαν — a second aorist passive deponent of χαίρω, meaning “they rejoiced.”
Though passive in form, ἐχάρησαν functions actively in meaning, revealing a fascinating grammatical feature in Greek: deponent verbs. This form, along with the emphatic accusative phrase χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα, creates an intense expression of inner joy—grammatically rich and theologically vibrant.
Morphological Breakdown of ἐχάρησαν
- ἐχάρησαν {echarēsan} –
Root: χαίρω {chairō};
Form: second aorist passive deponent, indicative, 3rd person plural;
Tense: second aorist (completed action with narrative vividness);
Voice: passive in form, deponent in usage (active in meaning);
Mood: indicative (factual);
Meaning: “they rejoiced,” “they were joyful”;
Notes: Deponent verbs like χαίρω use passive forms but carry active meaning. No true passive sense is intended here.
Syntactical Analysis: Deponent Verb with Cognate Accusative
The verb ἐχάρησαν governs the accusative phrase χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα (“great joy exceedingly”). This is a cognate accusative, where the noun is semantically related to the verb:
– Verb: ἐχάρησαν (“they rejoiced”)
– Accusative object: χαρὰν (“joy”)
The adjective μεγάλην modifies the noun, and σφόδρα is an adverb meaning “exceedingly” or “intensely.”
The structure intensifies the joy:
– Basic statement: “They rejoiced.”
– Emphatic expansion: “They rejoiced a great joy.”
– Superlative elevation: “They rejoiced a great joy exceedingly.”
This use of cognate accusative with an emotive deponent verb creates rhetorical and affective power.
Semantic and Theological Implications
Though grammatically passive, the verb conveys active and spontaneous human response. This is joy unleashed, but also rooted in divine revelation—the star signifying fulfillment.
The theological significance is layered:
– Epiphany theme: the Gentile magi rejoice upon recognizing the divinely guided sign.
– Fulfillment and emotion: their joy confirms that faith in divine guidance is not in vain.
– Contrasts Herod’s fear (2:3) with joy of the faithful—grammar mirrors theology.
The deponent nature of the verb reminds us that God initiates joy, but human beings must receive and express it.
Literary and Discourse Significance
This clause is a culmination of tension:
– The magi have traveled far.
– They have sought guidance.
– They are near their goal.
The use of ἐχάρησαν slows the pace just enough to emphasize emotion before moving into the narrative climax: the encounter with the Christ child.
The triple emphasis (verb + noun + adjective + adverb) conveys almost poetic exuberance—a literary flash of brilliance at a critical turning point.
They Rejoiced with Exceedingly Great Joy
The verb ἐχάρησαν, though passive in form, pulses with active spiritual energy. It invites the reader not merely to observe joy but to enter into it.
Through this deponent verb, Matthew gives us more than grammar—he gives us a grammar of worship:
A rejoicing that flows from revelation, fulfilled in presence, and intensified through language.
