Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα
Genitive Absolute Construction: Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος
This opening clause is a classic example of the genitive absolute, a syntactic feature where a genitive noun or pronoun and a genitive participle form a phrase independent of the main clause.
– Τοῦ Ἰησοῦ: genitive singular of Ἰησοῦς (Jesus)
– γεννηθέντος: aorist passive participle, genitive singular masculine of γεννάω (to be born)
This construction functions temporally: “when Jesus was born”. The particle δὲ is postpositive, softening the transition rather than indicating contrast.
Locative Phrase: ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας
– ἐν Βηθλέεμ: prepositional phrase indicating location; Βηθλέεμ is indeclinable.
– τῆς Ἰουδαίας: genitive of apposition, clarifying which Bethlehem is meant.
Together, the phrase means “in Bethlehem of Judea,” distinguishing it from other places with the same name. The genitive of apposition identifies Ἰουδαία as the region containing Bethlehem.
Temporal Phrase: ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως
This phrase provides the historical context:
– ἐν ἡμέραις: “in the days of”, a Semitic-influenced Greek idiom
– Ἡρῴδου: genitive singular of Ἡρῴδης (Herod)
– τοῦ βασιλέως: genitive singular of βασιλεύς, in apposition to Ἡρῴδου
This entire genitive phrase follows the preposition ἐν and expresses a time frame: “in the days of Herod the king.”
Dramatic Demonstrative: ἰδοὺ μάγοι
– ἰδοὺ: demonstrative particle, functioning as an attention-getter; equivalent to “behold!”
– μάγοι: nominative plural of μάγος, meaning Magi, wise men, or astrologers
This is a new main clause introduced by the dramatic interjection ἰδοὺ. The Magi are presented as the unexpected visitors whose arrival contrasts with the political setting described earlier.
Directional Phrases: ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν… εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα
– ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν: preposition + genitive plural, meaning “from the East.” ἀνατολῶν refers either geographically or symbolically to the direction of rising light.
– εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα: preposition + accusative singular, “to Jerusalem.” The city name is indeclinable and takes the accusative of motion.
These two prepositional phrases frame the journey of the Magi. ἀπὸ marks the origin; εἰς marks the destination. This directional pair is typical of narrative Greek to convey physical movement.
Main Verb: παρεγένοντο
– παρεγένοντο: aorist middle indicative, 3rd person plural of παραγίνομαι, meaning “they arrived” or “they came”
The verb is in the middle voice, which here is likely deponent—morphologically middle but translated actively. The aorist indicates completed action, matching the narrative past tense.
Summary of Grammatical Elements
- Τοῦ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος: genitive absolute, temporal clause
- ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας: locative phrase + genitive of apposition
- ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως: Semitic temporal idiom with apposition
- ἰδοὺ: interjection introducing dramatic new action
- μάγοι: nominative subject
- ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν: prepositional phrase of origin
- εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα: prepositional phrase of destination
- παρεγένοντο: aorist middle indicative main verb
Theological and Stylistic Observations
Matthew opens his second chapter with a dense syntactic structure to establish the theological and geopolitical context of Jesus’ birth. The genitive absolute is used temporally, embedding the incarnation in both sacred space (Βηθλέεμ) and secular time (ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου).
The dramatic ἰδοὺ signals a surprising development: Gentile sages from the East seeking the newborn King. The grammar thus mirrors the narrative flow—moving from Judean roots to global significance.
The careful combination of participles, prepositions, and apposition reflects Matthew’s literary craftsmanship and theological messaging embedded deeply in Greek syntax.
