Πάλιν παραλαμβάνει αὐτὸν ὁ διάβολος εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν, καὶ δείκνυσιν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν,
Adverb of Repetition: Πάλιν
The adverb Πάλιν means “again” and marks the continuation of a sequence of temptations. In narrative Koine Greek, it often introduces repeated or resumed actions and enhances narrative flow and structure.
Main Verb: παραλαμβάνει
– παραλαμβάνει: present active indicative, 3rd person singular of παραλαμβάνω, meaning “he takes (along)” or “he takes with him”
The verb is in the present tense, which is a feature of the vivid historical present—a stylistic device in Koine narrative to create immediacy. The subject is ὁ διάβολος and the direct object is αὐτὸν, referring to Jesus.
Subject and Object: ὁ διάβολος and αὐτὸν
– ὁ διάβολος: nominative masculine singular, “the accuser” or “the devil,” functioning as the subject of both παραλαμβάνει and δείκνυσιν
– αὐτὸν: accusative masculine singular pronoun, referring to Jesus, object of both verbs
The coordinated reuse of αὐτὸν keeps the syntax tightly focused and clear despite the compound predicates.
Directional Prepositional Phrase: εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν
This phrase contains several important elements:
– εἰς: preposition with the accusative, indicating motion toward
– ὄρος: accusative singular of ὄρος, “mountain”
– ὑψηλὸν: accusative adjective modifying ὄρος, “high”
– λίαν: adverb meaning “very” or “exceedingly”, modifying ὑψηλὸν
The entire phrase means “to a very high mountain.” The use of both ὑψηλὸν and λίαν intensifies the topographical elevation, enhancing the dramatic visual scope of the temptation.
Coordinated Present Verb: δείκνυσιν
– δείκνυσιν: present active indicative, 3rd person singular of δείκνυμι, “he shows”
This verb continues the vivid present narrative style. It shares the same subject (ὁ διάβολος) and object (αὐτῷ) as the prior clause. The verb governs the large direct object that follows, comprising two coordinated accusative noun phrases.
Dative of Indirect Object: αὐτῷ
– αὐτῷ: dative masculine singular pronoun, referring to Jesus, indicating the recipient of the action of showing
This dative functions grammatically as the indirect object of δείκνυσιν.
Accusative Object Cluster: πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν
This sequence consists of two direct objects:
– πάσας τὰς βασιλείας: accusative plural feminine of βασιλεία, meaning “all the kingdoms”
– τοῦ κόσμου: genitive singular masculine of κόσμος, “of the world”; a genitive of possession
– τὴν δόξαν: accusative singular feminine of δόξα, “the glory”
– αὐτῶν: genitive plural of αὐτός, “of them,” referring back to the kingdoms
This object cluster is carefully constructed to show both the scope (πάσας τὰς βασιλείας) and the allure (τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν) of what is being offered or used as temptation.
Summary of Grammatical Features
- Πάλιν: adverb, introduces repetition
- παραλαμβάνει: historical present, narrative vividness
- αὐτὸν: accusative pronoun, object of both verbs
- εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν: accusative prepositional phrase of motion, emphatic elevation
- δείκνυσιν: present active indicative, coordinated with παραλαμβάνει
- αὐτῷ: dative of recipient
- πάσας τὰς βασιλείας… καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν: complex accusative object with genitives of possession
Stylistic and Theological Observations
Matthew’s use of the historical present tense (παραλαμβάνει, δείκνυσιν) draws the reader into the immediacy of the temptation narrative. The intensified phrase εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν sets the visual stage for a cosmic temptation—viewing “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” The grammatical structure reinforces the dramatic and theological tension between divine mission and satanic offer.
The clarity of coordination, the strategic placement of pronouns, and the use of intensifiers (πάσας, λίαν, δόξαν) together create a precise and weighty sentence that plays a central role in the Gospel’s depiction of Jesus as the obedient Son who resists false glory.
