Verse in Greek
ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· ἐὰν εἴπῃ ἄνθρωπος τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί, κορβᾶν, ὅ ἐστι, δῶρον, ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς,
Focus Topic: Conditional Clauses and Parenthetical Explanation
This verse involves a nested conditional sentence, with explanatory gloss, and a relative clause inside a conditional protasis. The structure reflects both legalistic reasoning and linguistic complexity found in rabbinic-style traditions.
Main Verb: λέγετε
λέγετε is present active indicative, 2nd person plural, from λέγω (“you say”). It introduces direct speech that reports a hypothetical legalistic statement attributed to the religious leaders.
Conditional Clause: ἐὰν εἴπῃ ἄνθρωπος…
This is a third-class conditional clause: ἐὰν + subjunctive (εἴπῃ) introduces a future hypothetical situation — “if a man says…”
| Greek Word | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|
| ἐὰν | Subordinating conjunction | Introduces the protasis (if-clause) |
| εἴπῃ | Aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular | “he says” — hypothetical statement |
Dative Indirect Objects: τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί
These datives indicate the people to whom the man speaks — his father or mother. The structure implies speech addressed directly to them.
Parenthetical Explanation: κορβᾶν, ὅ ἐστι, δῶρον
This is a parenthetical gloss, where ὅ ἐστι (“which is”) introduces a translation or explanation:
- κορβᾶν — Aramaic term for a gift dedicated to God
- ὅ ἐστι — “which is” (present indicative of εἰμί)
- δῶρον — “gift” (nominative in apposition to κορβᾶν)
The phrase clarifies that the term “κορβᾶν” refers to something set apart as a sacred offering, thus unavailable for parental support.
Relative Clause Within Condition: ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς
This is a relative clause governed by ὃ (“that which”), followed by a conditional subjunctive:
- ὃ — relative pronoun, accusative neuter singular: “that which”
- ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς — “you might benefit from me”
ὠφεληθῇς is aorist passive subjunctive, 2nd person singular from ὠφελέω (“to benefit”). This suggests the son has declared that whatever the parent might otherwise receive from him is now unavailable due to the vow.
Key Observations
- ἐὰν εἴπῃ introduces an unreal legal scenario.
- The explanatory ὅ ἐστι clause is inserted for readers unfamiliar with Hebrew/Aramaic terms.
- The clause ὃ ἐὰν…ὠφεληθῇς functions as the content being restricted by the vow.
Legalistic Syntax and Theological Irony
The sentence’s complex structure mirrors the intricate legal casuistry Jesus critiques. Through layered conditionality and religious terminology, the syntax exposes how human tradition can override divine commandments — in this case, using vows to avoid honoring father or mother. The grammar becomes the vehicle for theological rebuke.
