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Greek Lessons
- “ἐγένετο” as Divine Narrative Marker: The Aorist Middle in John 2:1
- “γέγραπται” as Scriptural Formula: The Perfect Passive Indicative in Mark 1:2
- Corrective Language in the Greek New Testament: ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω
- The Temple in Two Dimensions: ἱερόν and ναός in the Greek New Testament
- “Ἰδόντες”: Aorist Participle of Perception and Fulfillment in Matthew 2:10
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Category Archives: Grammar
“ἐγένετο” as Divine Narrative Marker: The Aorist Middle in John 2:1
Introduction: The Beginning of Signs John 2:1 begins with an event introduction: “Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο”—“And on the third day there was a wedding.” The seemingly ordinary statement hinges on the verb ἐγένετο {egeneto}, an aorist middle … Continue reading
“γέγραπται” as Scriptural Formula: The Perfect Passive Indicative in Mark 1:2
Introduction: The Authority of What “Is Written” In Mark 1:2, the evangelist introduces a prophetic quotation with the phrase Ὡς γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις — “As it is written in the prophets.” The central verb γέγραπται {gegraptai}, from γράφω {graphō}, … Continue reading
“Ἰδόντες”: Aorist Participle of Perception and Fulfillment in Matthew 2:10
Introduction: The Joy of Seeing Matthew 2:10 opens with a participle of perception—ἰδόντες {idontes}, from ὁράω, “to see.” The clause reads: “Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα” —“And when they saw the star, Study more …..
New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 1:2
Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John 1:2 The verse John 1:2 follows the highly structured and theologically rich opening of the Gospel of John. It is a short but dense statement that … Continue reading
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New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 21:25
Ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ὃσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ’ ἕν, οὐδὲ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία. Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John Study more …..
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The Linguistic and Grammatical Significance of Matthew 1:1 in New Testament Greek
Matthew 1:1 Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ· Introduction Matthew 1:1 serves as the introduction to the Gospel according to Matthew, framing the genealogy of Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ and establishing His Davidic and Study more …..
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The Progressive Present
The progressive present in New Testament Greek expresses an action that is currently in progress or unfolding at the present moment. It is the closest equivalent to the English present continuous tense (“is doing,” “are saying,” etc.). Characteristics of the … Continue reading
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The Present Indicative in New Testament Greek
The present indicative is one of the most frequently used tenses in the New Testament, serving as a fundamental building block for understanding the Greek text. This tense is pivotal in conveying actions that occur in the present time, but … Continue reading
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Introduction to the Tenses of the Indicative Mood in New Testament Greek
The indicative mood in New Testament Greek is primarily used to express factual statements and actual occurrences. The tenses in the indicative mood convey both the time of action and the kind of action (aspect). Understanding these tenses is crucial … Continue reading
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“ἐταράχθη”: The Aorist Passive of Emotional Turmoil in Matthew 2:3
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 … Continue reading
The Tenses in New Testament Greek
New Testament Greek, or Koine Greek, is a rich and nuanced language that offers profound depth to biblical interpretation. One of the essential aspects of this language is its system of tenses, which not only indicate the time of an … Continue reading
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Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek
New Testament Greek, also known as Koine Greek, is a rich and expressive language that relies heavily on moods and tenses to convey meaning, intention, and nuance. The syntax of these grammatical features provides a window into the text’s deeper … Continue reading
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The Neuter Articular Aorist Passive Participle in Matthew 1:20: “τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν”
Introduction: Participles and the Mystery of Conception In Matthew 1:20, the angelic message to Ἰωσὴφ {Iōsēph} delivers the revelation that Μαρίαμ is pregnant, but not by human means. The phrase τὸ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν is central to this divine disclosure. … Continue reading
Understanding ἐστίν and ἦν in New Testament Greek
The verbs ἐστίν (estin) and ἦν (ēn) are forms of the Greek verb εἰμί, meaning “to be.” These forms are crucial in understanding the structure and meaning of many New Testament passages. While ἐστίν is the present tense, ἦν is … Continue reading
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“γενόμενοι τοῦ λόγου”: Aorist Middle Participle with Genitive in Luke 1:2
Introduction: Eye-Witnesses and the Ministry of the Word In Luke 1:2, the evangelist continues his polished prologue by identifying the sources of the Gospel tradition: those who were both eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Central to this identification is … Continue reading
The Literary Ambition of ἀνατάξασθαι: Aorist Middle Infinitive in Luke 1:1
Introduction: Historiography and the Greek Infinitive The Gospel of Luke opens not with theology or miracle, but with a polished historiographical prologue. The evangelist uses elevated Greek to establish credibility and intent. Central to this literary self-positioning is the verb … Continue reading
“ἐσπαργάνωσεν”: The Aorist Active Verb of Swaddling and Symbol in Luke 2:7
Introduction: The Hands that Wrapped the Word In Luke 2:7, immediately following the birth of Yeshuʿ, we are told: καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτόν — “and she swaddled him.” This act, grammatically represented by the aorist active indicative verb ἐσπαργάνωσεν {esparganōsen}, Study … Continue reading
“τὸν πρωτότοκον”: Substantival-Adjectival Function and Theological Weight in Luke 2:7
Introduction: Firstborn in Form and Fulfillment In Luke 2:7, we read the terse, solemn line: Καὶ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον — “And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn.” The participial-adjectival form πρωτότοκος {prōtótokos} Study more …..
Understanding NT Greek Particles: Their Functions and Uses
Greek particles are an essential part of understanding New Testament Greek, as they modify or add nuance to sentences. Particles in Koine Greek often lack a direct English translation because they perform a variety of subtle grammatical and rhetorical functions. … Continue reading
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“οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου”: The Perfect Tense of Divine Timing in John 2:4
Introduction: Not Yet, But Coming In response to Mary’s implied request, Yeshuʿ continues: οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου — “My hour has not yet come.” This sentence is the first of many references in John’s Gospel to “the hour”—a recurring symbol … Continue reading
