καὶ πάντες ἐμαρτύρουν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγον· οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς Ἰωσὴφ;
Coordinated Imperfect Verbs: ἐμαρτύρουν and ἐθαύμαζον
- ἐμαρτύρουν: imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural of μαρτυρέω, “they were bearing witness”
- ἐθαύμαζον: imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural of θαυμάζω, “they were marveling”
The use of the imperfect tense for both verbs expresses continuous or repeated action in the past. The verbs are coordinated by καὶ and have the common subject πάντες (“all”), indicating communal response.
Subject: πάντες
- πάντες: nominative masculine plural of πᾶς, “all (people)”
This plural subject governs both imperfect verbs. It refers to the audience in the synagogue of Nazareth. The placement of πάντες at the beginning emphasizes the universality of their reaction.
Dative of Indirect Object: αὐτῷ
- αὐτῷ: dative masculine singular pronoun, referring to Jesus
This is the indirect object of ἐμαρτύρουν and could be interpreted as either “they bore witness to him” or “they bore witness in his favor,” depending on context. Its ambiguity allows for either admiration or skepticism in tone.
Prepositional Phrase: ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος
- ἐπὶ: preposition with dative, here expressing cause or basis
- τοῖς λόγοις: dative masculine plural of λόγος, “words”
- τῆς χάριτος: genitive feminine singular of χάρις, modifying λόγοις, “of grace”
The phrase means “at (or because of) the words of grace.” This expresses the basis of their amazement—Jesus’ gracious, powerful speech.
Attributive Participle Phrase: τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ
- τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις: present middle/passive participle, dative masculine plural of ἐκπορεύομαι, “going out,” “proceeding”
- ἐκ τοῦ στόματος: preposition + genitive, “from the mouth”
- αὐτοῦ: genitive pronoun, “of him”
This participial phrase modifies τοῖς λόγοις and adds specificity: “the words proceeding from his mouth.” The present participle expresses continuous action and reinforces the vividness of the speech act.
Speech Introduction and Indirect Question: ἔλεγον· Οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς Ἰωσὴφ;
- ἔλεγον: imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural of λέγω, “they were saying”
Another imperfect verb, showing an ongoing or murmuring comment among the people.
- Οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν: rhetorical question, “Is this not…?”
- ὁ υἱὸς Ἰωσὴφ: nominative noun phrase, “the son of Joseph”
The rhetorical form of the question shows incredulity: the speaker of such gracious words is, in their view, merely the carpenter’s son. This question contains theological irony in Luke’s narrative, underscoring Jesus’ hidden identity.
Summary of Key Grammatical Elements
- πάντες: nominative plural subject
- ἐμαρτύρουν & ἐθαύμαζον: imperfect indicative verbs, continuous communal response
- αὐτῷ: dative pronoun, indirect object
- ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος: prepositional phrase expressing cause
- τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ: attributive participial phrase, modifying “words”
- ἔλεγον: imperfect verb of speech, introduces quotation
- Οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς Ἰωσὴφ;: rhetorical question with nominative subject complement
Stylistic and Theological Implications
The coordinated imperfect verbs create a layered narrative of public response: first affirmation, then amazement, then skeptical questioning. Luke constructs a scene of cognitive dissonance—gracious words coming from a seemingly unremarkable man.
Grammatically, the verse builds tension through cumulative participial and prepositional clauses, culminating in a rhetorical question that encapsulates the scandal of the incarnation: the divine appearing in the familiar.
The syntax allows for ambiguity: were the people marveling positively, or were they confused and dismissive? The grammar leaves the tone ambiguous—intentionally so, for theological reflection.
