Greek Grammar Lesson from John 13:1

Verse in Greek

Πρὸ δὲ τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ πάσχα εἰδὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἐλήλυθεν αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα ἵνα μεταβῇ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, ἀγαπήσας τοὺς ἰδίους τοὺς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, εἰς τέλος ἠγάπησεν αὐτούς.

Focus Topic: Circumstantial Participle, Content Clause, and Purpose Clause

This verse serves as a theological preamble to the passion narrative in John. The syntax weaves together a temporal phrase, a perfect participle, a content clause, and a climactic indicative verb expressing the fullness of Jesus’ love. The grammar is richly layered and intentionally reflective.

Temporal Phrase: Πρὸ δὲ τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ πάσχα

This prepositional phrase introduces the setting: “Before the Feast of the Pesaḥ (Passover).” The genitive construction τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ πάσχα shows possession or identification — the feast that is the Passover.

Circumstantial Participle: εἰδώς

εἰδώς is a perfect active participle, nominative masculine singular, from οἶδα (“to know”). It modifies ὁ Ἰησοῦς, expressing a circumstance concurrent with the following actions — “knowing that…” This participle introduces a content clause marked by ὅτι.

Content Clause: ὅτι ἐλήλυθεν αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα

This clause gives the content of Jesus’ knowledge:

  • ὅτι — “that” (introduces content clause)
  • ἐλήλυθεν — perfect active indicative, 3rd singular from ἔρχομαι: “had come” or “has come”
  • αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα — “his hour” (possessive genitive)

The perfect tense of ἐλήλυθεν expresses a completed arrival with ongoing consequence — the climactic moment is now at hand.

Purpose Clause: ἵνα μεταβῇ…

ἵνα introduces a purpose clause — “in order that he might depart…”

  • μεταβῇ — aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular, from μεταβαίνω (“to depart, pass over”)
  • ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα — directional phrase: “from this world to the Father”

The purpose of Jesus’ “hour” is not death alone, but return to the Father — a theme central to Johannine theology.

Aorist Participle: ἀγαπήσας

ἀγαπήσας is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular, from ἀγαπάω (“to love”), modifying ὁ Ἰησοῦς. It sets up the final indicative verb ἠγάπησεν. The participial phrase includes:

  • τοὺς ἰδίους — “his own” (accusative plural; a term of intimate belonging)
  • τοὺς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ — a restrictive appositive: “those who were in the world”

Main Verb of Climax: ἠγάπησεν… εἰς τέλος

ἠγάπησεν is aorist active indicative, 3rd singular, from ἀγαπάω — “he loved.” The prepositional phrase εἰς τέλος (“to the end” or “utterly”) intensifies the expression — either in degree (completely) or duration (to the end).

Key Observations

  • εἰδώς (knowing) frames the entire scene theologically — Jesus acts with full awareness.
  • ἵνα μεταβῇ reflects a heavenly return motif central to John.
  • ἀγαπήσας… ἠγάπησεν forms an elegant participle + verb pairing: he who loved, now loved them to the full.
  • εἰς τέλος may imply sacrificial completeness — possibly even a foreshadowing of the cross.

Theological Framing Through Syntax

This verse is more than narrative introduction — it is theological overture. The participial constructions, perfect tenses, and Johannine vocabulary serve to anchor Jesus’ upcoming actions in eternal knowledge, divine purpose, and limitless love. The grammar quietly declares: everything about what follows — footwashing, betrayal, and crucifixion — is grounded in deliberate, covenantal affection.

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