Verse in Greek
καὶ περιβλεψάμενος αὐτοὺς μετ’ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ· Ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. καὶ ἐξέτεινε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη.
Focus Topic: Participle Chains and Imperative/Indicative Transitions
This verse offers a rich display of Greek participial chaining, emotional expression through datives and prepositions, and a vivid imperative followed by sequential narrative aorists. The syntax captures both Jesus’ emotional state and the dramatic restoration of the man’s hand.
Attendant Participles: περιβλεψάμενος & συλλυπούμενος
Both verbs are participles modifying the implied subject (Jesus), providing background to the main action λέγει (“he says”):
| Participle | Form | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| περιβλεψάμενος | Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular | “having looked around at them” | Temporal/background action |
| συλλυπούμενος | Present middle participle, nominative masculine singular | “being deeply grieved” | Contemporaneous emotional state |
Prepositional Emotions: μετ’ ὀργῆς & ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει
- μετ’ ὀργῆς — “with anger”: expresses the emotional context of Jesus’ glance.
- ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν — “because of the hardness of their heart”: ἐπί with dative often denotes cause or reason.
Main Verb in Historical Present: λέγει
λέγει (“he says”) is present indicative, 3rd person singular. It is a historical present, often used in narrative to add vividness to dialogue. Though the event occurred in the past, the present tense dramatizes the scene.
Imperative Command: Ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου
Ἔκτεινον is aorist active imperative, 2nd person singular from ἐκτείνω (“stretch out”). The aorist imperative emphasizes the command as a single, complete action. The healing hinges on obedience.
Aorist Indicatives of Fulfillment: ἐξέτεινε & ἀποκατεστάθη
The verbs ἐξέτεινε (“he stretched out”) and ἀποκατεστάθη (“it was restored”) are both aorist indicatives indicating completed, punctiliar actions:
- ἐξέτεινε — aorist active, showing the man’s obedient response.
- ἀποκατεστάθη — aorist passive, divine passive voice: the hand was restored (by God).
Simile of Restoration: ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη
The adjective ὑγιὴς (“healthy, sound”) describes the restored hand. The comparison ὡς ἡ ἄλλη (“like the other”) emphasizes that it was made completely normal and functional.
Key Observations
- Participle chains set the emotional and narrative context before the speech.
- The historical present and aorist imperatives highlight Jesus’ authoritative word.
- Passive voice with ἀποκατεστάθη subtly indicates divine agency.
- Vocabulary and syntax together create a powerful portrait of compassion, judgment, and healing.
Syntactical Drama in Healing
The grammar of this verse balances emotion, command, obedience, and miraculous result. The participles immerse us in Jesus’ mood, the imperative reveals His power, and the aorist indicatives report decisive divine healing. The syntax reflects a moment of confrontation, authority, and grace.
