Verse in Greek
Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπῆλθον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν οἱ ἄγγελοι, καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ ποιμένες εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Διέλθωμεν δὴ ἕως Βηθλέεμ καὶ ἴδωμεν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τὸ γεγονὸς ὃ ὁ Κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν.
Focus Topic: Temporal Clause with ὡς and Hortatory Subjunctives
This narrative verse shows a shift from heavenly action to human response, structured through a temporal clause and two first-person plural subjunctives. The grammar emphasizes immediacy, resolution, and reverence.
Temporal Clause: ὡς ἀπῆλθον…οἱ ἄγγελοι
ὡς introduces a temporal clause, here meaning “when” or “after.” The main verb ἀπῆλθον is aorist indicative active, 3rd person plural from ἀπέρχομαι (“they departed”). The subject is οἱ ἄγγελοι, and the clause ends with the destination phrase εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν (“into heaven”).
| Clause | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ὡς ἀπῆλθον…οἱ ἄγγελοι | Temporal clause | “When the angels went away from them into heaven” |
Main Narrative Verb: εἶπον
εἶπον is the aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural, from λέγω. The subject is οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ ποιμένες (“the shepherds”). Their speech is directed πρὸς ἀλλήλους (“to one another”).
Hortatory Subjunctives: Διέλθωμεν…καὶ ἴδωμεν
These first-person plural subjunctives express encouragement to act together — “Let us go… and let us see…”
- Διέλθωμεν — aorist active subjunctive from διέρχομαι, “let us go through / travel to”
- ἴδωμεν — aorist active subjunctive from ὁράω, “let us see”
The use of the aorist subjunctive emphasizes the resolution to act decisively and immediately.
Purpose and Object Phrase: ἕως Βηθλέεμ…τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο
- ἕως Βηθλέεμ — “as far as Bethlehem” (goal of the action)
- τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο — “this thing/word/matter” — a neuter accusative direct object referring to what the angels proclaimed
Perfect Participle: τὸ γεγονὸς
γεγονὸς is a perfect active participle, neuter nominative singular, from γίγνομαι, used adjectivally to modify ῥῆμα: “this thing which has happened.” The perfect aspect denotes a completed action with ongoing results.
Relative Clause: ὃ ὁ Κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν
ὃ is a relative pronoun (accusative neuter singular), referring to τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τὸ γεγονός. ἐγνώρισεν is aorist active indicative from γνωρίζω — “has made known.” ἡμῖν is the dative of indirect object: “to us.”
Key Observations
- Temporal clause (ὡς + aorist) sets the background for action.
- Hortatory subjunctives invite unified action and immediacy.
- Perfect participle (γεγονός) highlights a historical event with present relevance.
- Relative clause attributes divine initiative in the shepherds’ revelation.
Syntax That Mobilizes
The grammatical architecture of this verse propels the narrative forward. The temporal clause provides a pivot from angelic to human actors. The hortatory subjunctives express unity and faith. The participial phrase and relative clause give theological weight to the shepherds’ journey — they are not curious wanderers, but witnesses responding to revelation.
