Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to John, Chapter 2ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ Β′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ·

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

Narrative openingΚαὶThe temporal marker 'on the third day' (τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ) continues the sequence of days that has structured ch.1; some interpret a symbolic echo of resurrection. The aorist ἐγένετο introduces the new episode; the imperfect ἦν sets the static scene with Mary's presence.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; dative of time continues the chain of days from ch.1.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive)
τρίτῃthirdDativeordinal adjective, attributiveτρίτος: 'third'; possibly anticipates resurrection on the third day.
γάμοςweddingNominativesubject of ἐγένετογάμος: 'wedding, marriage feast'; the setting that makes the wine shortage socially acute.
ἐγένετοtook placeAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιexistential main verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, happen, take place'; standard narrative introduction.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΚανὰCanaDativedative of placeΚανά: a village of Galilee; identified with Khirbet Qana north of Nazareth.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ΓαλιλαίαςGalileeGenitivegenitive of place (region)Γαλιλαία: the northern region; specifies Cana's location and sets it apart from Judea.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; imperfect sets the background scene.
theNominativearticle
μήτηρmotherNominativesubjectμήτηρ: 'mother'; John never names Mary; her role anticipates vv.3–5.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive of relationshipἸησοῦς: Jesus.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place
2

ἐκλήθη δὲ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν γάμον.

Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the wedding.

Narrative continuationδὲThe mildly contrastive δὲ advances the scene: Mary was there already (ἦν, imperfect); Jesus and the disciples were invited (ἐκλήθη, aorist). The aorist passive ἐκλήθη implies a formal invitation, reinforcing the social setting.
ἐκλήθηwas invitedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (passive)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, invite'; the passive marks formal invitation to the feast.
δὲandmildly adversative / continuative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial καί (also)
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativecompound subjectμαθητής: 'learner, disciple'; those called in ch.1 (Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/goal)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
γάμονweddingAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)γάμος: 'wedding feast'; the goal of the invitation.
3

καὶ ὑστερήσαντος οἴνου λέγει ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν· Οἶνον οὐκ ἔχουσιν.

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'

Complication / inciting momentκαὶThe genitive absolute ὑστερήσαντος οἴνου introduces the crisis. The historic present λέγει (John's most characteristic narrative tense) gives Mary's statement vividness. Her laconic report implies an implicit petition: she states the need without explicitly requesting action.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
ὑστερήσαντοςhaving run outAor Act Ptc Gen Sg M · ὑστερέωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist participleὑστερέω: 'lack, fall short, run out'; the wine failing at a feast was a social embarrassment.
οἴνουof wineGenitivegenitive absolute subjectοἶνος: 'wine'; the subject of the genitive absolute; its deficiency is the catalyst.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid narration)λέγω: 'say, speak'; historic present narrates past speech with vividness.
theNominativearticle
μήτηρmotherNominativesubjectμήτηρ: 'mother'; Mary, unnamed throughout John.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive of relationshipἸησοῦς: Jesus.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (indirect addressee)
ΟἶνονwineAccusativeobject (fronted for emphasis)οἶνος: 'wine'; placed first for emphasis — the critical lack.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχουσινthey havePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb of reported speech→ simple presentἔχω: 'have, possess'; the host party is the implied subject.
4

καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι; οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου.

And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.'

Response / deflectionκαὶJesus' response is a double movement: (1) the Semitic idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί distances his action from Mary's prompting without dismissiveness; (2) the statement about his ὥρα (hour) is the chapter's most significant theological crux, pointing forward to the cross (12:23; 13:1; 17:1). The verb ἥκει (present of arrival) is climactic: the hour 'has not yet arrived.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; historic present, John's dominant narrative verb.
αὐτῇto herDativedative of indirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
ΤίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (idiomatic)τί: the neuter interrogative in an idiomatic formula; 'What is it to me and to you?'
ἐμοὶto meDativedative of reference / interest (idiom)ἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; the idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί is Semitic (cf. Judg 11:12 LXX).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (within idiom)
σοίto youDativedative of reference (idiom)σύ: second-person pronoun; the idiom signals a refusal to be directed.
γύναιwomanVocativevocative of addressγυνή: 'woman'; a respectful address in Greek idiom (cf. 19:26); not cold or harsh.
οὔπωnot yettemporal negative adverbοὔπω: 'not yet'; the crucial qualifier — the hour is coming but has not arrived.
ἥκειhas comePres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb→ present of arrivalἥκω: 'have arrived, be present'; a present with perfect force — 'the hour has not yet come.'
theNominativearticle
ὥραhourNominativesubjectὥρα: 'hour'; a Johannine theological term for the time of Jesus' glorification through death (7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
5

λέγει ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ τοῖς διακόνοις· Ὅ τι ἂν λέγῃ ὑμῖν, ποιήσατε.

His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'

Preparation / implicit complianceasyndetonMary's response is not direct address back to Jesus but an instruction to the servants — implying she expects him to act despite his apparent refusal. The indefinite relative clause ὅ τι ἂν λέγῃ with ἂν + subjunctive is a generalizing construction: 'whatever he may say.' The aorist imperative ποιήσατε is urgent and unqualified.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; historic present throughout the Cana narrative.
theNominativearticle
μήτηρmotherNominativesubjectμήτηρ: 'mother'; Mary acts in quiet confidence despite Jesus' deflection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
τοῖςtheDativearticle
διακόνοιςservantsDativedative of indirect objectδιάκονος: 'servant, deacon'; attendants at the feast; their obedience is key to the sign.
whateverAccusativeindefinite relative pronoun (object of ποιήσατε)ὅς: relative pronoun in the indefinite relative ὅ τι ἂν.
τιeverindefinite particle (with ὅ: 'whatever')
ἂν[modal]modal particle (with subjunctive: generalizing)
λέγῃhe saysPres Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ generalizing present subjunctiveλέγω: 'say'; the subjunctive with ἂν generalizes across whatever he might command.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object
ποιήσατεdoAor Act Imper 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist imperative (urgent command)ποιέω: 'do, make'; aorist imperative — a crisp, complete-action command.
6

ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ λίθιναι ὑδρίαι ἓξ κατὰ τὸν καθαρισμὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων κείμεναι, χωροῦσαι ἀνὰ μετρητὰς δύο ἢ τρεῖς.

Now there were six stone water-jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding two or three metrêtai.

Setting / background detailδὲThe imperfect ἦσαν with the participle κείμεναι establishes background. The six stone jars (λίθιναι, stone being preferred for ritual purity because stone does not contract uncleanness under Pharisaic halakah), their Jewishness, and their capacity (roughly 450–680 litres total) are all theologically loaded: Jesus fills Jewish purification vessels to overflowing with wine, a sign of eschatological abundance.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential, background)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; sets the background scene with the jars' presence.
δὲnowtransitional / background-marking conjunction
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place
λίθιναιstoneNominativeattributive adjective (material)λίθινος: 'made of stone'; stone vessels did not contract ritual impurity under Pharisaic rules (cf. m. Kelim 10:1).
ὑδρίαιwater-jarsNominativesubjectὑδρία: 'water-jar, hydria'; vessels for storing water, here for purification rites.
ἓξsixNominativecardinal numeral (predicate/appositive)ἕξ: 'six'; the number may signal incompleteness (lacking the seventh of fullness) now filled to overflowing.
κατὰforpreposition + accusative (purpose/standard)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καθαρισμὸνpurificationAccusativeobject of κατά (purpose: 'for the purification')καθαρισμός: 'purification, cleansing'; the Jewish ritual washings of hands and vessels before meals.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίωνJewsGenitivegenitive of reference (whose custom)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Judean, Jew'; John uses the term consistently with insider-outsider nuance.
κείμεναιstandingPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl F · κεῖμαιcircumstantial participle (manner/position)→ descriptive present participleκεῖμαι: 'lie, stand, be placed'; describes the jars as set in their place.
χωροῦσαιholdingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl F · χωρέωcircumstantial participle (capacity)→ descriptive present participleχωρέω: 'have room for, contain'; specifies the jars' capacity.
ἀνὰeachpreposition + accusative (distributive)ἀνά: distributive use, 'each (holding) two or three.'
μετρητὰςmetrêtaiAccusativeobject of ἀνά (distributive measure)μετρητής: 'metrêtês,' a liquid measure of approximately 39 litres; two or three = c.78–117 L per jar.
δύοtwoAccusativecardinal numeral
ordisjunctive conjunction
τρεῖςthreeAccusativecardinal numeral (alternative)
7

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γεμίσατε τὰς ὑδρίας ὕδατος. καὶ ἐγέμισαν αὐτὰς ἕως ἄνω.

Jesus said to them, 'Fill the jars with water.' And they filled them to the brim.

Command and complianceasyndetonThe two aorists — the imperative γεμίσατε and the indicative ἐγέμισαν — are paired for command-and-compliance. The phrase ἕως ἄνω ('up to the top / to the brim') stresses completeness, setting up the abundance of the transformed contents.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; historic present continues.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
ΓεμίσατεfillAor Act Imper 2 Pl · γεμίζωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeγεμίζω: 'fill, load'; aorist imperative for a single complete act.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ὑδρίαςjarsAccusativedirect objectὑδρία: 'water-jar'; the vessels of purification now to be filled anew.
ὕδατοςwith waterGenitivegenitive of material (content)ὕδωρ: 'water'; genitive of content with γεμίζω.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative sequence)
ἐγέμισανthey filledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γεμίζωmain verb (compliance)→ constative aoristγεμίζω: 'fill'; the servants obey completely.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object
ἕωςup topreposition + adverb (extent)ἕως: 'until, up to'; with ἄνω marks the maximum extent.
ἄνωthe brimadverb of place (limit)ἄνω: 'above, to the top'; ἕως ἄνω = 'to the very brim' — complete, overflowing fullness.
8

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἀντλήσατε νῦν καὶ φέρετε τῷ ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ. οἱ δὲ ἤνεγκαν.

And he said to them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.' And they took it.

Second command and complianceκαὶA second pair of commands (aorist imperative ἀντλήσατε + present imperative φέρετε) followed by compliance (imperfect-like aorist ἤνεγκαν). The ἀρχιτρίκλινος (lit. 'head of three dining couches') is the master of ceremonies or chief steward — not the host — whose verdict will validate the miracle without Jesus being its public agent.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; historic present.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
Ἀντλήσατεdraw outAor Act Imper 2 Pl · ἀντλέωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeἀντλέω: 'draw (water)'; the same action as water-drawing, but now the content has changed.
νῦνnowadverb of time (immediacy)νῦν: 'now'; signals the moment of action after filling.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φέρετεbringPres Act Imper 2 Pl · φέρωmain verb (imperative, coordinate)→ present imperative (ongoing/directional action)φέρω: 'bring, carry'; present imperative for the continuous carrying action.
τῷto theDativearticle
ἀρχιτρικλίνῳmaster of the feastDativedative of indirect object (recipient)ἀρχιτρίκλινος: 'master of the triclinium (three-couch dining room)'; the banquet steward or head waiter who oversees service and can pronounce judgment on quality.
οἱtheyNominativearticle (substantival: 'they')
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ἤνεγκανbroughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb (compliance)→ constative aoristφέρω: 'bring'; suppletive aorist of φέρω; they carry it to the steward.
9

ὡς δὲ ἐγεύσατο ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος τὸ ὕδωρ οἶνον γεγενημένον, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει πόθεν ἐστίν, οἱ δὲ διάκονοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ ἠντληκότες τὸ ὕδωρ, φωνεῖ τὸν νυμφίον ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom

Temporal climax / ironic disclosureὡς δὲThe temporal ὡς + aorist ἐγεύσατο marks the moment of climax. The perfect participle γεγενημένον ('having become') indicates the transformation is complete. The parenthetical ignorance of the ἀρχιτρίκλινος contrasted with the servants' knowledge (οἱ ᾔδεισαν) creates dramatic irony: the one who pronounces judgment is the last to know the source.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunctionὡς: 'when, as'; temporal — marks the moment of tasting.
δὲnowtransitional particle
ἐγεύσατοtastedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γεύομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristγεύομαι: 'taste, eat'; middle in form; the act of tasting is the pivot of the scene.
theNominativearticle
ἀρχιτρίκλινοςmaster of the feastNominativesubject of ἐγεύσατοἀρχιτρίκλινος: the banquet steward; his unknowing verdict validates the miracle.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐγεύσατοὕδωρ: 'water'; the narrator names it 'the water' even though it is now wine — preserving the continuity of substance.
οἶνονwineAccusativepredicate accusative (with γεγενημένον)οἶνος: 'wine'; the result of the transformation.
γεγενημένονhaving becomePerf Mid Ptc Acc Sg N · γίνομαιattributive/predicative participle (result of transformation)→ intensive perfect participle (completed change)γίνομαι: 'become'; the perfect marks the transformation as complete and present.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ᾔδειhe knewPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (parenthetical ignorance)→ pluperfect of stateοἶδα: 'know'; pluperfect functions as an imperfect of state: 'he did not know.'
πόθενwhere … frominterrogative adverb of source (indirect question)πόθεν: 'from where'; introduces indirect question; a Johannine motif of hidden origin (cf. 3:8; 8:14).
ἐστίνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of indirect question→ simple presentεἰμί: 'be'; the origin of the wine.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantival)
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
διάκονοιservantsNominativesubject (parenthetical)διάκονος: 'servant'; they know because they drew and carried.
ᾔδεισανknewPlpf Act Indic 3 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (parenthetical)→ pluperfect of stateοἶδα: 'know'; the servants' knowledge contrasts with the steward's ignorance — Johannine irony.
οἱthe ones whoNominativearticle (substantival, resumptive)
ἠντληκότεςhaving drawnPerf Act Ptc Nom Pl M · ἀντλέωattributive participle (identifying the servants)→ intensive perfect participleἀντλέω: 'draw'; the perfect marks their completed act of drawing as the basis of their knowledge.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἠντληκότεςὕδωρ: 'water'; they drew 'the water' and know it went in as water.
φωνεῖcallsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φωνέωmain verb (historic present, resumptive)→ historic presentφωνέω: 'call, summon'; the steward summons the bridegroom to speak.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νυμφίονbridegroomAccusativedirect objectνυμφίος: 'bridegroom'; the host responsible for the feast; the one to whom the steward reports.
theNominativearticle
ἀρχιτρίκλινοςmaster of the feastNominativesubject (resumptive)ἀρχιτρίκλινος: the steward.
10

καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πᾶς ἄνθρωπος πρῶτον τὸν καλὸν οἶνον τίθησιν, καὶ ὅταν μεθυσθῶσιν τότε τὸν ἐλάσσω· σὺ τετήρηκας τὸν καλὸν οἶνον ἕως ἄρτι.

and said to him, 'Every man serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the inferior; you have kept the good wine until now.'

Verdict / evaluative speechκαὶThe steward's verdict is the climactic pronouncement of the sign. His gnomic present (τίθησιν, 'one puts') describes universal custom, against which the bridegroom's behavior stands out. The perfect τετήρηκας ('you have kept') is an intensive perfect — the keeping is done and the superior wine is now present. He unknowingly praises what Jesus has done.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; historic present.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
ΠᾶςeveryNominativeuniversal adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'every, all'; gnomic subject — the universal custom.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (gnomic)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; generic — 'everyone does this.'
πρῶτονfirstadverb of sequence (temporal)πρῶτον: 'first'; establishes the conventional order.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καλὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'good, fine, of good quality'; the superior wine served first.
οἶνονwineAccusativedirect objectοἶνος: 'wine.'
τίθησινservesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (gnomic)→ gnomic presentτίθημι: 'put, set, place'; here 'serve, set out'; gnomic present stating universal custom.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (indefinite: ὅτε + ἄν)ὅταν: 'whenever'; indefinite temporal = 'when (eventually) they have drunk their fill.'
μεθυσθῶσινthey have drunk freelyAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · μεθύσκωverb of temporal clause (ὅταν + subj.)→ constative aorist subjunctiveμεθύσκω: 'make drunk'; passive 'become drunk / drink freely'; euphemistic for when guests' palates are less discriminating.
τότεthencorrelative temporal adverbτότε: 'then'; the apodosis of the ὅταν clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἐλάσσωinferiorAccusativedirect object (elliptical: sc. οἶνον)ἐλάσσων: 'lesser, inferior, cheaper'; the comparative adjective; the inferior wine served when discrimination is lowered.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronounσύ: emphatic, contrasting with πᾶς ἄνθρωπος — 'but you have done the opposite.'
τετήρηκαςhave keptPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · τηρέωmain verb→ intensive perfect (completed action with present result)τηρέω: 'keep, guard, preserve'; the perfect underscores that the good wine is here, now, as a present result — the steward unknowingly praises Jesus' act.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καλὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'fine, superior.'
οἶνονwineAccusativedirect objectοἶνος: 'wine.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + adverb (temporal extent)ἕως: 'until'; with ἄρτι marks the endpoint as 'now.'
ἄρτιnowadverb of time (present moment)ἄρτι: 'just now, at this very moment'; the superlative moment at which the good wine appears.
11

Ταύτην ἐποίησεν ἀρχὴν τῶν σημείων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας καὶ ἐφανέρωσεν τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ.

This, the beginning of his signs, Jesus did at Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Narrative conclusion / theological summaryasyndetonThe narrator's closing summary is carefully structured: (1) the sign is named the 'beginning of signs' (ἀρχὴν τῶν σημείων) — a Johannine numbering that implies a series; (2) Jesus 'manifested his glory' (ἐφανέρωσεν τὴν δόξαν), linking the Cana sign to the Logos theology of the prologue (1:14: ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ); (3) the disciples' faith (πιστεύω εἰς + accusative) is the sign's proper response. All three aorists are constative.
ΤαύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (fronted direct object)οὗτος: 'this (thing)'; fronted for emphasis, resuming the action just described.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make'; the standard Johannine verb for signs (σημεῖα); cf. 20:30.
ἀρχὴνbeginningAccusativepredicate accusative / double accusativeἀρχή: 'beginning'; Johannine numbering — 'as the first of his signs'; echoes 1:1 and Gen 1:1.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
σημείωνsignsGenitivegenitive of the whole (partitive)σημεῖον: 'sign'; John's distinctive term for the miracles — they point beyond themselves to Jesus' identity.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (delayed)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΚανὰCanaDativedative of placeΚανά: Cana of Galilee; the place is named again for the summary.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ΓαλιλαίαςGalileeGenitivegenitive of placeΓαλιλαία: Galilee.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐφανέρωσενmanifestedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φανερόωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make visible, reveal, manifest'; a theological term in John for the self-disclosure of divine reality (cf. 1:31; 17:6); links the sign to the prologue's 'glory.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect objectδόξα: 'glory, splendor, honor'; the Shekinah-like radiance of God seen in Jesus (1:14; 12:41).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπίστευσανbelievedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aorist (inceptive nuance)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; with εἰς + acc. is John's characteristic expression of personal faith-commitment (contrast simple dative or ὅτι).
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (object of belief)εἰς: with πιστεύω marks committed trust directed toward a person.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of εἰς (πιστεύω εἰς)
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; those called in ch.1 now respond with faith to the sign.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
12

Μετὰ τοῦτο κατέβη εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ αὐτὸς καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκεῖ ἔμειναν οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας.

After this he went down to Capernaum, he and his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for not many days.

Transitional travel noticeΜετὰ τοῦτοThe formula μετὰ τοῦτο ('after this') is a Johannine transitional bridge (cf. 3:22; 5:1; 6:1; 7:1). The aorist κατέβη ('went down') is geographical — from highland Cana toward the lake at Capernaum. The brief stay (οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας) sets up the Passover journey to Jerusalem in v.13.
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of μετά (temporal)οὗτος: 'this'; the Johannine transitional formula μετὰ τοῦτο.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down'; Cana sits in the hills; going to Capernaum on the lake is physically 'going down.'
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
ΚαφαρναοὺμCapernaumAccusativeobject of εἰς (place)Καφαρναούμ: the town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee; Jesus' base in the Synoptics (Matt 4:13).
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeemphatic pronoun (first of compound subject)αὐτός: emphatic pronoun heading the list.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
μήτηρmotherNominativecompound subjectμήτηρ: 'mother'; Mary's last appearance until the cross (19:25).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativecompound subjectἀδελφός: 'brother'; Jesus' brothers appear again in 7:3–10, still unbelieving.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativecompound subjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; those who just believed at Cana (v.11).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place
ἔμεινανthey stayedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μένωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristμένω: 'remain, stay, abide'; a key Johannine word (abiding); here purely geographical.
οὐnotnegative particle
πολλὰςmanyAccusativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many, much.'
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; accusative of time duration.
13

Καὶ ἐγγὺς ἦν τὸ πάσχα τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ὁ Ἰησοῦς.

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Scene transition / festival settingΚαὶThe Passover notice (τὸ πάσχα τῶν Ἰουδαίων) is the first of three Passovers in John (2:13; 6:4; 11:55), providing the chronological spine of the ministry. The verb ἀνέβη ('went up') is the standard Jewish idiom for pilgrimage to Jerusalem (geographic and cultic elevation).
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐγγὺςnearpredicate adjective / adverbἐγγύς: 'near, close'; temporal proximity to the feast.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; descriptive imperfect for background setting.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πάσχαPassoverNominativesubjectπάσχα: the Passover feast; from Hebrew פֶּסַח; John's three Passovers structure the ministry.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίωνJewsGenitivegenitive of reference / ownershipἸουδαῖος: 'Judean, Jew'; the qualifying genitive marks the feast as belonging to the Jewish religious calendar.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the standard pilgrimage idiom (ἀναβαίνω εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ); Jerusalem sits at higher elevation.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeobject of εἰς (place)Ἱεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; John uses both Ἱεροσόλυμα (Greek) and Ἱερουσαλήμ (Semitic transliteration).
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
14

καὶ εὗρεν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τοὺς πωλοῦντας βόας καὶ πρόβατα καὶ περιστερὰς καὶ τοὺς κερματιστὰς καθημένους,

And he found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there,

Discovery / scene descriptionκαὶThe aorist εὗρεν ('found') is eyewitness discovery. The three categories of animals (βόας, πρόβατα, περιστεράς) represent sacrificial animals for different economic levels (doves for the poor; cf. Lev 12:8; Luke 2:24). The κερματισταί ('small-coin changers') exchanged foreign currency for the Tyrian shekel required for the temple tax. The participial κaθημένους ('sitting') sets the scene of settled commerce.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὗρενfoundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find, discover'; marks unexpected discovery.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἱερῷtempleDativedative of placeἱερόν: the temple complex (the whole precinct, including the Court of the Gentiles); distinct from ναός (the inner sanctuary, v.19).
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantival)
πωλοῦνταςsellingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl M · πωλέωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ descriptive present participleπωλέω: 'sell'; the temple traders sold animals for sacrifice.
βόαςoxenAccusativedirect object of πωλοῦνταςβοῦς: 'ox, cattle'; the most expensive sacrifice.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πρόβατον: 'sheep'; the standard Passover animal.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περιστερὰςpigeonsAccusativedirect object (coordinate)περιστερά: 'dove, pigeon'; the offering of the poor (Lev 12:8); Jesus will address the dove-sellers separately (v.16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantival)
κερματιστὰςmoney-changersAccusativedirect object (coordinate)κερματιστής: 'small-coin changer'; they exchanged Roman/Greek coinage for Tyrian shekels required by the temple tax (m. Sheqalim).
καθημένουςsittingPres Mid Ptc Acc Pl M · κάθημαιpredicative participle (circumstantial: manner)→ descriptive present participleκάθημαι: 'sit'; they were settled at their tables — entrenched commerce.
15

καὶ ποιήσας φραγέλλιον ἐκ σχοινίων πάντας ἐξέβαλεν ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ, τά τε πρόβατα καὶ τοὺς βόας, καὶ τῶν κολλυβιστῶν ἐξέχεεν τὰ κέρματα καὶ τὰς τραπέζας ἀνέστρεψεν,

And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.

Prophetic actionκαὶThe aorist participle ποιήσας ('having made') is attendant circumstance: Jesus deliberately constructs the φραγέλλιον before acting — an act of deliberate prophetic judgment, not uncontrolled anger. Three verbs of forceful action follow in sequence: ἐξέβαλεν (drove out), ἐξέχεεν (poured out), ἀνέστρεψεν (overturned). The animals and money-changers are distinguished: animals are driven out, tables are overturned (the dove-sellers will be addressed verbally in v.16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ποιήσαςhaving madeAor Act Ptc Nom Sg M · ποιέωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist participle (action prior to main verb)ποιέω: 'make'; Jesus constructs the whip deliberately — a premeditated prophetic act.
φραγέλλιονwhipAccusativedirect object of ποιήσαςφραγέλλιον: 'whip, scourge'; from Latin flagellum; appears only here in the NT; made of rush-cords.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (material)
σχοινίωνcordsGenitivegenitive of materialσχοίνιον: 'rush-cord, rope'; the material of the improvised whip.
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object (universal)πᾶς: 'all'; drove out everyone in the trading zone.
ἐξέβαλενhe drove outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκβάλλω: 'throw out, drive out, expel'; forceful expulsion — the same verb used of exorcisms.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἱεροῦtempleGenitivegenitive of separationἱερόν: the temple precinct.
τάtheAccusativearticle (substantival, explanatory)
τεbothcorrelative particle (τε … καί)τε: correlative with καί — 'both … and.'
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object (explanatory apposition)πρόβατον: 'sheep.'
καὶandcorrelative conjunction (τε … καί)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
βόαςoxenAccusativedirect object (coordinate)βοῦς: 'ox.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
κολλυβιστῶνmoney-changersGenitivegenitive (possessive, with κέρματα)κολλυβιστής: 'money-changer'; from κόλλυβος (the exchange fee); a different word from κερματιστής (v.14) — probably synonymous.
ἐξέχεενhe poured outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristἐκχέω: 'pour out, spill'; scattered the coins onto the ground.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
κέρματαcoinsAccusativedirect objectκέρμα: 'small coin' (neut. pl.); the small-denomination foreign coins to be exchanged.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
τραπέζαςtablesAccusativedirect objectτράπεζα: 'table'; the exchange tables, overturned as an enacted judgment.
ἀνέστρεψενoverturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristἀναστρέφω: 'turn upside down, overturn'; dramatic symbolic inversion.
16

καὶ τοῖς τὰς περιστερὰς πωλοῦσιν εἶπεν· Ἄρατε ταῦτα ἐντεῦθεν, μὴ ποιεῖτε τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου οἶκον ἐμπορίου.

And to those who were selling the pigeons he said, 'Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.'

Verbal command (divine-filial claim)καὶJesus addresses the dove-sellers with speech rather than physical force — because releasing doves would create chaos. The command is two-fold: the aorist imperative ἄρατε ('take away') plus the present prohibition μὴ ποιεῖτε ('stop making'). The climactic phrase οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου ('my Father's house') is Jesus' first explicit filial claim in the fourth Gospel, establishing his authority for the action.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantival, dative)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
περιστερὰςpigeonsAccusativedirect object of πωλοῦσινπεριστερά: 'dove, pigeon.'
πωλοῦσινsellingPres Act Ptc Dat Pl M · πωλέωsubstantival participle (with τοῖς: 'those who sell')→ descriptive present participleπωλέω: 'sell.'
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; here the aorist εἶπεν replaces the historic present λέγει, marking a shift to verbal address.
Ἄρατεtake awayAor Act Imper 2 Pl · αἴρωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeαἴρω: 'lift, take away, remove'; an emphatic command to remove the trade apparatus.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect objectοὗτος: 'these'; the cages, equipment, animals.
ἐντεῦθενfrom hereadverb of place (source)ἐντεῦθεν: 'from here, away from this place.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative: prohibition)μή: negates the imperative — a command to stop/cease.
ποιεῖτεmakePres Act Imper 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (present imperative prohibition)→ present imperative (cessation: stop doing)ποιέω: 'make, do'; present imperative with μή often implies 'stop doing what you are doing.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect objectοἶκος: 'house, household, dwelling'; the temple as God's house.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive)πατήρ: 'father'; 'my Father's house' is Jesus' first explicit filial claim in the fourth Gospel — grounding his authority for the temple action.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive pronoun)
οἶκονhouseAccusativepredicate accusative (double-accusative of result)οἶκος: 'house'; the second οἶκον is the predicate accusative: 'make [it] a house of commerce.'
ἐμπορίουof tradeGenitivegenitive of description / purposeἐμπόριον: 'marketplace, emporium'; the house of prayer has become a place of commerce; cf. Zech 14:21: 'no trader in the house of the LORD.'
17

Ἐμνήσθησαν δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι γεγραμμένον ἐστίν· Ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου καταφάγεταί με.

His disciples remembered that it is written, 'Zeal for your house will consume me.'

Scriptural recollectionδὲThe aorist ἐμνήσθησαν ('they remembered') marks a moment of scriptural illumination during the event (not yet post-resurrection; contrast v.22). The citation is from Ps 69:9 (LXX 68:10): ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου κατέφαγέν με. John changes the aorist κατέφαγεν to the future καταφάγεταί, pointing forward — the zeal that drives the temple action will ultimately consume/destroy Jesus himself (the passion).
ἘμνήσθησανrememberedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb→ constative aoristμιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember, recall'; the aorist passive is deponent in meaning; a key Johannine motif of post-event scriptural recognition (cf. vv.22; 12:16).
δὲandtransitional / continuative conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; the same ones who believed at Cana (v.11).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὅτιthatcomplementary conjunction (introducing content of memory)ὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what was remembered.
γεγραμμένονwrittenPerf Pass Ptc Nom Sg N · γράφωpredicative participle (periphrastic with ἐστίν)→ intensive perfect participle (standing text)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect passive 'it stands written' is the standard citation formula.
ἐστίνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with γεγραμμένον)→ present of stateεἰμί: 'be'; forms the perfect-periphrastic γεγραμμένον ἐστίν = 'it stands written.'
theNominativearticle
ζῆλοςzealNominativesubject of the citationζῆλος: 'zeal, ardor, jealousy'; the passionate devotion to God's honor that drives the temple action; from Ps 69:9.
τοῦforGenitivearticle
οἴκουhouseGenitiveobjective genitive ('zeal for the house')οἶκος: 'house'; the temple as God's dwelling.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσύ: 'you' (God); the psalmist's address to God, quoted of Jesus' Father.
καταφάγεταίwill consumeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · κατεσθίωmain verb of citation (future)→ futuristic future (forward-pointing)κατεσθίω: 'eat up, consume, devour'; John's future (vs. the LXX aorist κατέφαγεν) projects forward to the cross — the zeal will consume Jesus.
μεmeAccusativedirect objectἐγώ: 'me'; in the psalm, the righteous sufferer; applied here to Jesus.
18

Ἀπεκρίθησαν οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Τί σημεῖον δεικνύεις ἡμῖν, ὅτι ταῦτα ποιεῖς;

So the Jews answered and said to him, 'What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?'

Challenge / demand for authorizationοὖνThe inferential οὖν links the demand to the temple action. The Judeans' question is for a legitimating sign (σημεῖον) — the same word used at v.11. The irony is deep: they demand a sign to authorize the sign-worker; Jesus' answer in v.19 will be the ultimate sign that they will not understand until after the resurrection.
ἈπεκρίθησανansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply'; deponent passive in form; the standard response verb.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, so then'; inferential, connecting the demand to the temple action.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubjectἸουδαῖος: 'Judeans'; the Jerusalem authorities who question Jesus' authorization.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (hendiadys with ἀπεκρίθησαν)
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the ἀπεκρίθη … εἶπεν formula is Semitic/Johannine idiom for formal address.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object
ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (direct object of δεικνύεις)τί: 'what?'; introduces the demand.
σημεῖονsignAccusativedirect objectσημεῖον: 'sign'; the key word — they demand a legitimating miracle for the temple action.
δεικνύειςdo you showPres Act Indic 2 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (interrogative)→ simple presentδείκνυμι: 'show, display, demonstrate'; they demand a public demonstration of authority.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of indirect object
ὅτιthat / sincecausal conjunction (grounds the demand)ὅτι: 'since, because, seeing that'; the causal ὅτι gives the reason for the demand.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect objectοὗτος: 'these things'; refers to the temple action.
ποιεῖςyou doPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of causal clause→ simple presentποιέω: 'do, make'; your doing these things requires justification.
19

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Λύσατε τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον, καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερῶ αὐτόν.

Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'

Enigmatic reply / sign-promiseasyndetonJesus' reply is the chapter's central riddle. The aorist imperative Λύσατε is a conditional or concessive command — 'if/when you destroy' — not an instruction. The noun ναός (inner sanctuary, the sacred cella) is theologically loaded: more specific than ἱερόν (the precinct). The future ἐγερῶ ('I will raise up') plays on both the temple and resurrection. The three-day timeline (ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις) is a standard resurrection interval (cf. Hos 6:2; Matt 12:40).
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; deponent.
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (ἀπεκρίθη … εἶπεν formula)
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
ΛύσατεdestroyAor Act Imper 2 Pl · λύωmain verb (conditional/concessive imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeλύω: 'loose, destroy, dissolve, break down'; the imperative is conditional — 'if you destroy'; it will also be understood as accusation at the trial (Mark 14:58).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ναὸνsanctuaryAccusativedirect objectναός: the inner sanctuary or cella, distinct from ἱερόν (the whole precinct); John uses ναός — his body is the true ναός (v.21).
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'; pointing at the present temple structure, but meaning his body.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (apodosis)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time within)
τρισὶνthreeDativecardinal numeral (dative of time)τρεῖς: 'three.'
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (within)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'in three days' is the resurrection interval (Hos 6:2; 1 Cor 15:4).
ἐγερῶI will raiseFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureἐγείρω: 'raise, raise up'; the word for raising both a building and the dead — the key double entendre of the verse.
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect objectαὐτός: 'it' (the temple/his body); the pronoun is masculine, naturally referring to ναός, but also to himself.
20

εἶπαν οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι· Τεσσεράκοντα καὶ ἓξ ἔτεσιν οἰκοδομήθη ὁ ναὸς οὗτος, καὶ σὺ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερεῖς αὐτόν;

The Jews then said, 'This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?'

Misunderstanding / incredulous retortοὖνThe Judeans' retort is the Johannine misunderstanding: they take the literal, lower-level meaning (Herod's temple, begun c.19 BCE; forty-six years = c.27/28 CE, consistent with the early ministry). The perfect-passive-in-function aorist οἰκοδομήθη ('has been built') describes the ongoing construction project. Their use of the same future ἐγερεῖς in a scoffing question shows they understood the temporal claim but not its referent.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say.'
οὖνtheninferential / transitional conjunctionοὖν: 'then, therefore'; moves from Jesus' statement to their response.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubjectἸουδαῖος: the Jerusalem authorities.
Τεσσεράκονταfortycardinal numeral (dative of time, with ἔτεσιν)τεσσεράκοντα: 'forty.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (arithmetic)
ἓξsixcardinal numeral (continuation of compound number)ἕξ: 'six'; 46 years from the start of Herod's temple project (c.19/20 BCE) = c.27/28 CE.
ἔτεσινyearsDativedative of time (duration)ἔτος: 'year'; dative of time over which the building has been under construction.
οἰκοδομήθηwas builtAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (describing ongoing building project)→ constative aoristοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; the aorist summarizes the forty-six years of construction; the temple was not completed until 64 CE.
theNominativearticle
ναὸςtempleNominativesubjectναός: 'sanctuary'; they repeat his word ναός — indicating they understood his literal claim.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (emphatic)οὗτος: 'this'; points to the standing Herodian structure.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force in retort)
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (contrast)σύ: emphatic — 'and you (one person!) will raise it in three days?'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
τρισὶνthreeDativecardinal numeral (dative of time)τρεῖς: 'three.'
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (within)ἡμέρα: 'day.'
ἐγερεῖςwill you raiseFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (incredulous rhetorical question)→ predictive future (ironic)ἐγείρω: 'raise up'; they echo his claim in a scoffing question.
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect objectαὐτός: 'it'; the temple as they understand it.
21

ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔλεγεν περὶ τοῦ ναοῦ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ.

But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Narrator's clarifying asideδὲThe imperfect ἔλεγεν with the contrastive ἐκεῖνος ('that one,' emphatic) signals a retrospective narrative clarification: the narrator steps in to decode the riddle for the reader. The phrase τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ ('of his body') identifies the ναός with Jesus himself — the incarnate Word (1:14) is the new locus of divine presence.
ἐκεῖνοςheNominativeemphatic demonstrative pronoun (subject)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one, he himself'; the emphatic pronoun in John often marks a significant subject, here clarifying who is speaking (Jesus, not the authorities).
δὲbutcontrastive / explanatory conjunction
ἔλεγενwas speakingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (retrospective clarification)→ descriptive imperfectλέγω: 'say, speak'; the imperfect looks back at what he was saying — a narratorial comment.
περὶabout / concerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ναοῦtempleGenitiveobject of περίναός: 'sanctuary, temple'; the same word as vv.19–20 — the narrator applies it to his body.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
σώματοςbodyGenitivegenitive of apposition (the body = the naos)σῶμα: 'body'; the incarnate body of the Logos is the true ναός — the place where God dwells (cf. 1:14: ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
22

ὅτε οὖν ἠγέρθη ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐμνήσθησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τοῦτο ἔλεγεν, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν τῇ γραφῇ καὶ τῷ λόγῳ ὃν εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς.

So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Post-resurrection fulfillment / anamnesisὅτε οὖνThe temporal ὅτε + inferential οὖν marks the post-resurrection moment as the interpretive key. The aorist passive ἠγέρθη ('was raised') is the standard resurrection announcement. The second ἐμνήσθησαν (cf. v.17) is the full Easter anamnesis: the disciples, scripture, and the word of Jesus converge and are believed. This is the Johannine pattern: events → later remembering → full understanding.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunctionὅτε: 'when'; definite temporal — marks the resurrection as the interpretive event.
οὖνthereforeinferential / transitional particleοὖν: links the fulfillment to what preceded.
ἠγέρθηhe was raisedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; the divine passive — God raised him; the standard resurrection formula (cf. 1 Cor 15:4).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitivegenitive of separationνεκρός: 'dead (person)'; ἐκ νεκρῶν = 'from (among) the dead.'
ἐμνήσθησανrememberedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristμιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember'; the full post-resurrection anamnesis, completing what v.17 anticipated.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'; the same group throughout ch.2.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὅτιthatcomplementary conjunction (content of memory)ὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of their remembrance.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of ἔλεγενοὗτος: 'this'; refers to the temple-body saying.
ἔλεγενhe had saidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of ὅτι-clause→ descriptive imperfect (in past reference)λέγω: 'say'; the imperfect in indirect discourse recalls his past speech.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπίστευσανthey believedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe'; here with dative (τῇ γραφῇ, τῷ λόγῳ) — believe in, trust — distinct from the ambiguous faith of vv.23–24.
τῇtheDativearticle
γραφῇScriptureDativedative (object of πιστεύω)γραφή: 'scripture, writing'; the Psalm citation (v.17) and the body-temple saying are now mutually illuminating.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῷtheDativearticle
λόγῳwordDativedative (object of πιστεύω)λόγος: 'word'; the specific saying of v.19; the Logos-word of the Son.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶπεν)ὅς: relative pronoun, masculine acc. agreeing with λόγῳ.
εἶπενhad spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say, speak.'
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject of relative clauseἸησοῦς: Jesus.
23

Ὡς δὲ ἦν ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ἐν τῷ πάσχα ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ, πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, θεωροῦντες αὐτοῦ τὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐποίει.

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

Scene summary / qualified faithὩς δὲThe closing scene introduces the Jerusalem crowd's sign-based faith. The construction πιστεύω εἰς τὸ ὄνομα (belief in the name) is the Johannine formula for genuine personal trust (cf. 1:12; 3:18); yet the following verses (24–25) will qualify it as insufficient, since Jesus 'does not entrust himself' to them. The imperfect ἐποίει suggests signs plural being performed during the feast.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunctionὡς: 'when, as'; temporal introducing the setting.
δὲnowtransitional particle
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, temporal clause)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalemDativedative of placeἹεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; the neuter plural form (used elsewhere as feminine singular Ἱερουσαλήμ).
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time/occasion)
τῷtheDativearticle
πάσχαPassoverDativedative of time (occasion)πάσχα: the Passover festival.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (appositional occasion)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἑορτῇfeastDativedative of time (appositional to πάσχα)ἑορτή: 'feast, festival'; the Passover feast — the wider festival setting.
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubjectπολύς: 'many'; a large but unspecified group.
ἐπίστευσανbelievedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (inceptive nuance)πιστεύω: 'believe'; with εἰς τὸ ὄνομα = the Johannine formula for faith commitment.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (object of faith)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of εἰς (πιστεύω εἰς τὸ ὄνομα)ὄνομα: 'name'; in Jewish thought the name encodes the person's identity and authority; cf. 1:12: 'those who believe in his name.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
θεωροῦντεςseeingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl M · θεωρέωcircumstantial participle (causal: because they saw)→ descriptive present participleθεωρέω: 'observe, behold, perceive'; more than seeing — attentive beholding; but the faith rests only on signs, which is the problem (cf. 4:48).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive (possessive, with σημεῖα)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
σημεῖαsignsAccusativedirect object of θεωροῦντεςσημεῖον: 'sign'; plural here — implying multiple miraculous works during the Passover period.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (direct object of ἐποίει)ὅς: neut. pl. acc. relative pronoun.
ἐποίειhe was doingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing activity)ποιέω: 'do, perform'; the imperfect indicates an ongoing series of signs during the feast.
24

αὐτὸς δὲ Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἐπίστευεν αὑτὸν αὐτοῖς, διὰ τὸ αὐτὸν γινώσκειν πάντας,

But Jesus himself did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

Qualification / Jesus' withholdingδὲThe sharp contrast is marked by αὐτὸς δὲ Ἰησοῦς ('but Jesus himself'). The verb πιστεύω is repeated but now in a different construction: the crowd 'believed in him' (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα); Jesus 'did not entrust himself (αὑτόν, reflexive) to them.' The imperfect ἐπίστευεν is durative — a sustained withholding. The reason is his comprehensive knowledge (γινώσκειν πάντας), which follows in vv.24b–25.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeemphatic pronoun (subject)αὐτός: emphatic; 'Jesus himself' — sets up the sharp contrast.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (in apposition to αὐτός)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπίστευενwas entrustingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (durative withholding)πιστεύω: here 'entrust' (πιστεύω + accusative + dative); 'he was not entrusting himself to them' — a sustained stance of not committing himself to them.
αὑτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (direct object)αὑτός: the reflexive pronoun (αὐτός with spiritus asper); Jesus does not entrust his person to their kind of faith.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά + accusative: causal — 'because of, on account of.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (articular infinitive)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitiveαὐτός: the subject of the articular infinitive γινώσκειν.
γινώσκεινknowingPres Act Inf · γινώσκωarticular infinitive (with διά: causal)→ present infinitive (ongoing state)γινώσκω: 'know, come to know'; here Jesus' comprehensive relational knowledge of persons.
πάνταςall peopleAccusativedirect object of γινώσκεινπᾶς: 'all, everyone'; he knows every person — a claim to divine omniscience.
25

καὶ ὅτι οὐ χρείαν εἶχεν ἵνα τις μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου· αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐγίνωσκεν τί ἦν ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ.

and because he had no need for anyone to testify about a person, for he himself knew what was in a person.

Elaboration / grounding of Jesus' self-knowledgeκαὶ ὅτιThe second ὅτι-clause elaborates the first: Jesus' knowledge of 'all' (v.24) means he needs no external testimony (μαρτυρία) about a human being. The imperfect εἶχεν + ἐγίνωσκεν sustains the durative tone. The phrase τί ἦν ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ('what was in a person') resonates forward to ch.3 (Nicodemus) and ch.4 (the Samaritan woman) — Jesus already knows what each person will need.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second ὅτι-clause)
ὅτιthat / becausecomplementary conjunction (second reason clause)ὅτι: coordinates with the first ὅτι of v.24 — a second causal clause.
οὐno / notnegative particle
χρείανneedobject of εἶχεν (idiom: χρείαν ἔχω = 'have need')χρεία: 'need, necessity'; χρείαν ἔχω is the standard idiom for 'need'; here negated.
εἶχενhe hadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (idiom: χρείαν εἶχεν)→ descriptive imperfectἔχω: 'have'; imperfect of sustained state.
ἵναthatsubordinating conjunction (with subj.: object clause of χρείαν εἶχεν)ἵνα: here object-content (complementary) with χρείαν — 'the need that someone testify.'
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject of ἵνα-clause)τις: 'anyone, someone'; indefinite.
μαρτυρήσῃtestifyAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μαρτυρέωverb of ἵνα-clause (subjunctive)→ constative aorist subjunctiveμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify'; a key Johannine term; Jesus needs no human testimony about humans.
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (generic)
ἀνθρώπουpersonGenitiveobject of περί (generic: 'a person')ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; generic — any person's inner nature.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeemphatic subject pronounαὐτός: emphatic — the γάρ clause makes the ground explicit with αὐτός for emphasis.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; gives the ground for the preceding negation.
ἐγίνωσκενknewImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing omniscience)γινώσκω: 'know'; the imperfect is durative: he was always knowing — a persistent, comprehensive knowledge.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (indirect question, subject of ἦν)τί: 'what'; introduces the indirect question.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of indirect question→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; what was/is in a person's interior.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle (generic)
ἀνθρώπῳpersonDativedative of place (location: 'in a person')ἄνθρωπος: 'person'; the inner constitution — motives, character, genuineness of faith — that Jesus reads without testimony.