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The Gospel according to Mark, Chapter 12ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΡΚΟΝ ΙΒ′

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 ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς λαλεῖν· Ἀμπελῶνα ἄνθρωπος ἐφύτευσεν, καὶ περιέθηκεν φραγμὸν καὶ ὤρυξεν ὑπολήνιον καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν.

And he began to speak to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard, and set a fence around it, and dug a wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went abroad.

Scene-opening narrationΚαὶThe parable opens with deliberate echoes of Isaiah's Song of the Vineyard (Isa 5:1–2); the lavish provisioning marks the owner's care before the betrayal unfolds.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
ἤρξατοhe beganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχομαιmain verb (ingressive)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin'; with complementary infinitive, a Markan idiom marking a new act of teaching.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the leaders of 11:27)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
παραβολαῖςparablesDativedat. of mannerπαραβολή: 'parable, comparison'; the plural is generalizing — his characteristic mode of veiled teaching.
λαλεῖνto speakPres Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (of ἤρξατο)→ imperfective infinitiveλαλέω: 'speak, utter.'
Ἀμπελῶναa vineyardAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)ἀμπελών: 'vineyard'; Israel under the Isa 5 figure (cf. Ps 80).
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (the owner = God)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the allegorical householder.
ἐφύτευσενplantedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φυτεύωmain verb→ constative aoristφυτεύω: 'plant'; echoes Isa 5:2 LXX (ἐφύτευσα).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περιέθηκενset aroundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περιτίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristπεριτίθημι: 'put/place around' (περί + τίθημι).
φραγμὸνa fenceAccusativedirect objectφραγμός: 'fence, hedge, wall'; Isa 5:2's protective enclosure.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὤρυξενdugAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: 'dig.'
ὑπολήνιονa wine-vatAccusativedirect objectὑπολήνιον: the trough beneath the winepress that catches the juice; Mark's term for Isa 5:2's προλήνιον.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ᾠκοδόμησενbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb→ constative aoristοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; the keyword resurfacing in the stone-saying (v.10).
πύργονa towerAccusativedirect objectπύργος: 'tower'; the watchtower of Isa 5:2.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξέδετοlet outAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristἐκδίδωμι (mid.): 'let out, lease'; the owner entrusts the vineyard to managers.
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object (the vineyard)
γεωργοῖςto tenantsDativeindirect objectγεωργός: 'farmer, vinedresser, tenant'; the leaders of Israel entrusted with the people.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπεδήμησενwent abroadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδημέωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποδημέω: 'go on a journey, be away from home'; the absence that sets up the testing.
2

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς τῷ καιρῷ δοῦλον, ἵνα παρὰ τῶν γεωργῶν λάβῃ ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος·

And at the season he sent a servant to the tenants, that he might receive from the tenants some of the fruit of the vineyard;

SequenceκαὶThe first of the sent servants — the prophets — comes to collect the owner's rightful due.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send with a commission'; the verb of prophetic mission.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
γεωργοὺςtenantsAccusativeobject of πρός
τῷat theDativearticle
καιρῷseasonDativedat. of time (harvest time)καιρός: 'appointed time, season'; the vintage when rent fell due.
δοῦλονa servantAccusativedirect objectδοῦλος: 'slave, servant'; in the allegory, a prophet.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
γεωργῶνtenantsGenitiveobject of παρά
λάβῃhe might receiveAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαμβάνωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; collect the owner's share.
ἀπὸof/frompreposition + genitive (partitive source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
καρπῶνfruitGenitivepartitive genitiveκαρπός: 'fruit, produce'; the obedience/righteousness owed to God.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀμπελῶνοςvineyardGenitivegenitive of source
3

καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἔδειραν καὶ ἀπέστειλαν κενόν.

and they took him and beat him, and sent him away empty.

Sequence (the first outrage)καὶThe tenants' first violent rejection of the owner's claim — the servant returns with nothing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, seize'; here with hostile force.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of λαβόντες
ἔδειρανthey beatAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δέρωmain verb→ constative aoristδέρω: 'flay, beat, thrash'; rough physical abuse.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπέστειλανsent awayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: here 'send back, dismiss.'
κενόνemptyAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement)κενός: 'empty, empty-handed'; without the owner's fruit.
4

καὶ πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἄλλον δοῦλον· κἀκεῖνον ἐκεφαλίωσαν καὶ ἠτίμασαν.

And again he sent to them another servant; and that one they struck on the head and treated shamefully.

Escalationκαὶ πάλινThe pattern repeats and intensifies — the owner's patience meets escalating contempt.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; marks the repeated sending.
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of πρός
ἄλλονanotherAccusativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'another (of the same kind)'; a further prophet.
δοῦλονservantAccusativedirect object
κἀκεῖνονand that oneAccusativedemonstrative (crasis καί + ἐκεῖνον), objectκἀκεῖνος: crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖνος; resumes the new servant emphatically.
ἐκεφαλίωσανthey struck on the headAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κεφαλιόωmain verb→ constative aoristκεφαλιόω: a rare verb, 'wound in the head' (from κεφαλή); perhaps a grim play on κεφάλαιον.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἠτίμασανtreated shamefullyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀτιμάζωmain verb→ constative aoristἀτιμάζω: 'dishonor, insult, treat with contempt.'
5

καὶ ἄλλον ἀπέστειλεν· κἀκεῖνον ἀπέκτειναν, καὶ πολλοὺς ἄλλους, οὓς μὲν δέροντες, οὓς δὲ ἀποκτέννοντες.

And he sent another; and that one they killed, and many others — some they beat, and some they killed.

Climactic summaryκαὶThe violence reaches murder, and the singular cases dissolve into a summary of many — the whole prophetic history of rejection.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄλλονanotherAccusativedirect object
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist
κἀκεῖνονand that oneAccusativedemonstrative, object (crasis)
ἀπέκτεινανthey killedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; the climax of the maltreatment, anticipating the son.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλοὺςmanyAccusativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many'; the prophets en masse.
ἄλλουςothersAccusativedirect object (verb 'sent' implied)
οὓςsome (whom)Accusativerelative pronoun (οὓς μέν … οὓς δέ partition)
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ correlative)
δέροντεςbeatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · δέρωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ imperfective (depictive)δέρω: 'beat, thrash.'
οὓςsome (whom)Accusativerelative pronoun (second member)
δὲon the other handparticle (δέ correlative)
ἀποκτέννοντεςkillingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποκτέννωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ imperfective (depictive)ἀποκτέννω: Hellenistic byform of ἀποκτείνω, 'kill.'
6

ἔτι ἕνα εἶχεν, υἱὸν ἀγαπητόν· ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὸν ἔσχατον πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων ὅτι Ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου.

He still had one, a beloved son; he sent him last to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

Turning pointasyndetonThe owner's last resort: not another servant but his own beloved son — the title (ἀγαπητός) echoes the baptism and transfiguration (1:11; 9:7).
ἔτιstilladverb (time)ἔτι: 'yet, still'; one remained after all the servants.
ἕναoneAccusativedirect object (numeral)εἷς: 'one'; the single, unique remaining one.
εἶχενhe hadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ imperfect (state)ἔχω: 'have, hold.'
υἱὸνa sonAccusativeapposition to ἕναυἱός: 'son'; the allegory's Christological center.
ἀγαπητόνbelovedAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the divine-sonship word of 1:11, 9:7 — perhaps also 'only.'
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἔσχατονlastAccusativeadverbial accusative / predicateἔσχατος: 'last'; the final envoy, sealing the owner's appeal.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of πρός
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introduces speech)→ imperfectiveλέγω: 'say.'
ὅτι(that)ὅτι recitativum (introduces direct speech)
Ἐντραπήσονταιthey will respectFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐντρέπωmain verb (quoted thought)→ predictive futureἐντρέπω (pass.): 'be put to shame before,' i.e. 'show respect, regard.'
τὸνthe/myAccusativearticle
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
7

ἐκεῖνοι δὲ οἱ γεωργοὶ πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς εἶπαν ὅτι Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος· δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἡμῶν ἔσται ἡ κληρονομία.

But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'

Adversative (the plot)δὲThe tenants' cynical reasoning: recognizing the heir, they conspire to murder so as to seize the inheritance — the very recognition compounds the guilt.
ἐκεῖνοιthoseNominativedemonstrative (subject)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
γεωργοὶtenantsNominativesubject (apposition to ἐκεῖνοι)
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative
ἑαυτοὺςone anotherAccusativereflexive (reciprocal) pronounἑαυτοῦ: here reciprocal, 'among themselves.'
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ὅτι(that)ὅτι recitativum
ΟὗτόςthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
theNominativearticle
κληρονόμοςheirNominativepredicate nominativeκληρονόμος: 'heir'; the son's status is what marks him for death.
δεῦτεcomehortatory adverb/interjectionδεῦτε: 'come!' — a fixed adverbial summons used with a hortatory verb.
ἀποκτείνωμενlet us killAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποκτείνωhortatory subjunctive→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; the conspiracy verb.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result)
ἡμῶνoursGenitivepredicate genitive of possession (fronted)
ἔσταιwill beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (future copula)→ predictive future
theNominativearticle
κληρονομίαinheritanceNominativesubjectκληρονομία: 'inheritance'; the vineyard itself, coveted by the tenants.
8

καὶ λαβόντες ἀπέκτειναν αὐτόν, καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος.

And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

Sequence (the murder)καὶThe plot executed; the casting-out 'outside the vineyard' foreshadows Jesus' death outside the city (cf. Heb 13:12).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristλαμβάνω: 'seize.'
ἀπέκτεινανthey killedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξέβαλονthey cast outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκβάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκβάλλω: 'throw out, cast out.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἔξωoutsideimproper preposition + genitiveἔξω: 'outside'; cf. Jesus crucified 'outside the gate.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀμπελῶνοςvineyardGenitiveobject of ἔξω
9

τί οὖν ποιήσει ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος; ἐλεύσεται καὶ ἀπολέσει τοὺς γεωργούς, καὶ δώσει τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλοις.

What then will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others.

Inferential applicationοὖνJesus poses and answers the verdict-question himself: the owner's judgment falls on the tenants, and the vineyard passes to 'others.'
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
ποιήσειwill doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (question)→ predictive futureποιέω: 'do, make.'
theNominativearticle
κύριοςlordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'lord, owner'; the householder = God.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀμπελῶνοςvineyardGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐλεύσεταιhe will comeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ predictive futureἔρχομαι: 'come'; the owner's visitation in judgment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπολέσειwill destroyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb→ predictive futureἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, ruin.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
γεωργούςtenantsAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δώσειwill giveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give'; the vineyard reassigned.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀμπελῶναvineyardAccusativedirect object
ἄλλοιςto othersDativeindirect objectἄλλος: 'others'; new stewards — the implied transfer of God's people's leadership.
10

οὐδὲ τὴν γραφὴν ταύτην ἀνέγνωτε· Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας·

Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner;

Scriptural proofasyndetonJesus clinches the parable with Psalm 117:22–23 LXX: the rejected son/stone is vindicated as the cornerstone — rejection reversed into exaltation.
οὐδὲnot evennegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'not even, nor'; rebuking their failure to read Scripture rightly.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γραφὴνScriptureAccusativedirect objectγραφή: 'writing, Scripture.'
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive)
ἀνέγνωτεyou readAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναγινώσκωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read'; the rabbinic challenge 'have you not read?'
ΛίθονstoneAccusativeobject (prolepsis; resumed by οὗτος)λίθος: 'stone'; the rejected-then-chief stone of Ps 117:22.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπεδοκίμασαν)
ἀπεδοκίμασανrejectedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδοκιμάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀποδοκιμάζω: 'reject after testing, disqualify' (cf. 8:31).
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
οἰκοδομοῦντεςbuildersPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἰκοδομέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfectiveοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; the builders = Israel's leaders.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (resumptive subject)
ἐγενήθηhas becomeAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become.'
εἰςthepreposition + accusative (Semitic predicate εἰς)
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativepredicate (with εἰς)κεφαλή: 'head'; κεφαλὴ γωνίας = the chief cornerstone/capstone.
γωνίαςof the cornerGenitiveattributive genitiveγωνία: 'corner, angle.'
11

παρὰ κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν;

this was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Scriptural proof (continued)asyndetonThe second line of the citation: the reversal is God's own doing, marvelous to behold — the divine vindication of the rejected one.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of παρά (source)κύριος: 'Lord'; here YHWH of the psalm.
ἐγένετοcame to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to pass, happen.'
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (subject; fem. by Hebraism)οὗτος (fem.): renders the Hebrew זֹאת, 'this thing' — the whole event.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
θαυμαστὴmarvelousNominativepredicate adjectiveθαυμαστός: 'wonderful, marvelous.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedat. of sphere/referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; 'in our eyes' = in our sight/estimation.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
12

Καὶ ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν κρατῆσαι, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν ὄχλον, ἔγνωσαν γὰρ ὅτι πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὴν παραβολὴν εἶπεν. καὶ ἀφέντες αὐτὸν ἀπῆλθον.

And they were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. And they left him and went away.

Scene-closing reactionΚαὶThe leaders grasp that they are the wicked tenants; murderous intent meets fear of the crowd — the parable's accusation lands, and the conflict deepens.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐζήτουνthey were seekingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ζητέωmain verb→ conative/iterative imperfectζητέω: 'seek'; the imperfect of frustrated, ongoing intent.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of κρατῆσαι
κρατῆσαιto arrestAor Act Inf · κρατέωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristκρατέω: 'seize, take hold of, arrest.'
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (adversative sense)
ἐφοβήθησανthey fearedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb→ constative aoristφοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid of.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ὄχλονcrowdAccusativedirect objectὄχλος: 'crowd'; the popular favor that restrains the leaders.
ἔγνωσανthey knewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, perceive, realize.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause)
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile reference)πρός: here 'with reference to, against.'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of πρός
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παραβολὴνparableAccusativedirect object
εἶπενhe spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀφέντεςhaving leftAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀφίημιcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristἀφίημι: 'leave, let go.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἀφέντες
ἀπῆλθονthey went awayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart.'
13

Καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν πρὸς αὐτόν τινας τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν ἵνα αὐτὸν ἀγρεύσωσιν λόγῳ.

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, that they might catch him in his words.

Scene-opening (the trap)ΚαὶAn unlikely coalition — Pharisees (anti-tax) and Herodians (pro-Rome) — is dispatched to ensnare him on the politically charged tax question.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποστέλλουσινthey sendPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vividness)ἀποστέλλω: 'send'; Mark's vivid present advances the scene.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
τιναςsomeAccusativeindefinite pronoun (direct object)τις: 'someone, certain ones.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ΦαρισαίωνPhariseesGenitivepartitive genitiveΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee'; the religious-law party, resisting the foreign tax.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἩρῳδιανῶνHerodiansGenitivepartitive genitiveἩρῳδιανός: 'Herodian'; partisans of Herod's house, aligned with Rome (cf. 3:6).
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἀγρεύσωσιν
ἀγρεύσωσινthey might catchAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀγρεύωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose)→ constative aoristἀγρεύω: 'hunt, catch (as game)'; trap him in a verbal snare.
λόγῳin a wordDativedat. of means/sphereλόγος: 'word, statement'; the instrument of the entrapment.
14

καὶ ἐλθόντες λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός, οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλ' ἐπ' ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ θεοῦ διδάσκεις· ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ; δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν;

And coming, they said to him, 'Teacher, we know that you are true and care for no one, for you do not regard the face of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Should we give, or should we not give?'

Flattering questionκαὶThe flattery is a snare: praising his fearless integrity to provoke an answer that would offend either Rome or the people.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
ΔιδάσκαλεTeacherVocativevocative of addressδιδάσκαλος: 'teacher'; the respectful address masking the trap.
οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect-as-present (stative)οἶδα: 'know'; perfect with present force.
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause)
ἀληθὴςtrueNominativepredicate adjectiveἀληθής: 'truthful, honest.'
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
μέλειit mattersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλειimpersonal verb→ stative presentμέλει: impersonal, 'it is a care/concern (to someone).'
σοιto youDativedat. of interest (with μέλει)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
οὐδενόςanyoneGenitiveobject of περίοὐδείς: 'no one'; i.e. he is impartial, courting no one's favor.
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
βλέπειςyou lookPres Act Indic 2 Sg · βλέπωmain verb→ gnomic/customary presentβλέπω: 'look at'; βλέπειν εἰς πρόσωπον = a Semitism, 'show partiality.'
εἰςatpreposition + accusative
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of εἰςπρόσωπον: 'face, person'; 'regard the face' = be swayed by status.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'man, person.'
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐπ'inpreposition + genitive (basis/manner)ἐπί: here 'on the basis of, in (truth).'
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ἐπίἀλήθεια: 'truth'; ἐπ' ἀληθείας = 'truly, in accordance with truth.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὁδὸνwayAccusativedirect objectὁδός: 'way, road'; 'the way of God' = his will/manner of life.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
διδάσκειςyou teachPres Act Indic 2 Sg · διδάσκωmain verb→ customary presentδιδάσκω: 'teach.'
ἔξεστινis it lawfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔξεστιimpersonal verb (question)→ stative presentἔξεστι: 'it is permitted/lawful'; the Torah-legality of the tax is the snare.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (subject of ἔξεστιν)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give, pay.'
κῆνσονtributeAccusativedirect objectκῆνσος: a Latin loan (census), the Roman poll-tax paid in denarii.
Καίσαριto CaesarDativeindirect object (proper name)Καῖσαρ: 'Caesar'; the emperor (Tiberius), Rome's sovereign.
ordisjunctive particle
οὔnotnegative (elliptical alternative)
δῶμενshould we giveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · δίδωμιdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristδίδωμι: deliberative, 'are we to give?'
ordisjunctive particle
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
δῶμενshould we giveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · δίδωμιdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristδίδωμι: the pointed press for a yes-or-no.
15

ὁ δὲ εἰδὼς αὐτῶν τὴν ὑπόκρισιν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τί με πειράζετε; φέρετέ μοι δηνάριον ἵνα ἴδω.

But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, 'Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius that I may see it.'

Response (insight)δὲJesus pierces the pretense; rather than answer abstractly, he calls for the coin itself to expose the questioners' own complicity.
heNominativearticle as pronoun (subject)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · οἶδαcircumstantial participle (causal)→ stative perfectοἶδα: 'know, perceive.'
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπόκρισινhypocrisyAccusativeobject of εἰδὼςὑπόκρισις: 'play-acting, hypocrisy'; the false flattery unmasked.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ΤίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (adverbial accusative)
μεmeAccusativedirect object
πειράζετεdo you testPres Act Indic 2 Pl · πειράζωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentπειράζω: 'test, tempt, try'; their intent named outright.
φέρετέbringPres Act Impv 2 Pl · φέρωimperative→ imperatival presentφέρω: 'bring, carry.'
μοιmeDativeindirect object
δηνάριονa denariusAccusativedirect objectδηνάριον: a Latin loan, the silver denarius — a day's wage, bearing Caesar's image.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
ἴδωI may seeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ὁράωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, look at.'
16

οἱ δὲ ἤνεγκαν. καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Καίσαρος.

So they brought one. And he said to them, 'Whose is this image and inscription?' And they said to him, 'Caesar's.'

Sequence (the coin examined)δὲThe questioners' own answer convicts them: the coin bears Caesar's image and title, an admission of his sphere of authority.
οἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject)
δὲsocontinuative conjunction
ἤνεγκανthey broughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb→ constative aoristφέρω: 'bring.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ΤίνοςwhoseGenitiveinterrogative (possessive genitive)τίς: 'who?'; genitive of possession.
theNominativearticle
εἰκὼνimageNominativesubjectεἰκών: 'image, likeness'; the emperor's portrait — and an echo of humanity as God's εἰκών.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἐπιγραφήinscriptionNominativesubject (coordinate)ἐπιγραφή: 'inscription, superscription'; the coin's legend naming Tiberius as son of the divine Augustus.
οἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
ΚαίσαροςCaesar'sGenitivepredicate genitive of possession (proper name)Καῖσαρ: 'Caesar'; the answer that sets up the verdict.
17

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τὰ Καίσαρος ἀπόδοτε Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ. καὶ ἐξεθαύμαζον ἐπ' αὐτῷ.

And Jesus said to them, 'Render the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God.' And they marveled greatly at him.

Verdict (climax)δὲThe famous saying distinguishes the spheres: the coin bearing Caesar's image is his due; but humanity, bearing God's image, owes itself wholly to God — neither a denial of nor an idolatry of the state.
theNominativearticle
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (proper name)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus.'
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
Τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizing) / direct object
Καίσαροςof CaesarGenitivepossessive genitive (proper name)Καῖσαρ: 'Caesar.'
ἀπόδοτεrenderAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιimperative→ constative aorist (command)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give back, pay what is due' (ἀπό-: a debt owed, not a free gift).
Καίσαριto CaesarDativeindirect object (proper name)Καῖσαρ: 'Caesar.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizing) / direct object
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitiveθεός: 'God'; what bears God's image (humanity) belongs wholly to him.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξεθαύμαζονthey marveled greatlyImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκθαυμάζωmain verb→ inceptive/durative imperfectἐκθαυμάζω: 'be utterly amazed' (ἐκ-intensive); their snare turned to astonishment.
ἐπ'atpreposition + dative (cause/object of emotion)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί
18

Καὶ ἔρχονται Σαδδουκαῖοι πρὸς αὐτόν, οἵτινες λέγουσιν ἀνάστασιν μὴ εἶναι, καὶ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες·

And Sadducees came to him, who say there is no resurrection, and they questioned him, saying:

Scene-opening (a new party)ΚαὶThe Sadducees — accepting only the Pentateuch and denying resurrection — bring a reductio ad absurdum drawn from the levirate law.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔρχονταιcomePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentἔρχομαι: 'come.'
ΣαδδουκαῖοιSadduceesNominativesubject (proper name)Σαδδουκαῖος: 'Sadducee'; the priestly-aristocratic party rejecting resurrection and oral tradition.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject)ὅστις: 'who(ever)'; here defining the class — 'such as say.'
λέγουσινsayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary present
ἀνάστασινresurrectionAccusativesubject accusative (of inf. εἶναι)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; the doctrine they deny.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
εἶναιto be/existPres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in indirect discourse→ stativeεἰμί: 'be, exist.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπηρώτωνthey questionedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb→ inceptive imperfectἐπερωτάω: 'ask, question, interrogate.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introduces speech)→ imperfective
19

Διδάσκαλε, Μωϋσῆς ἔγραψεν ἡμῖν ὅτι ἐάν τινος ἀδελφὸς ἀποθάνῃ καὶ καταλίπῃ γυναῖκα καὶ μὴ ἀφῇ τέκνον, ἵνα λάβῃ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ ἐξαναστήσῃ σπέρμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ.

Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if someone's brother dies and leaves a wife but leaves no child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

Premise (levirate law)asyndetonThey cite the levirate law (Deut 25:5–6) — a Pentateuchal text — as the basis for an objection they think fatal to resurrection.
ΔιδάσκαλεTeacherVocativevocative of addressδιδάσκαλος: 'teacher.'
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubject (proper name)Μωϋσῆς: 'Moses'; the lawgiver they revere as sole authority.
ἔγραψενwroteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aoristγράφω: 'write'; the appeal to written Torah.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedat. of advantage
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἐάνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)
τινοςsomeone'sGenitivepossessive genitive (indefinite)τις: 'someone.'
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother.'
ἀποθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καταλίπῃleavesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταλείπωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristκαταλείπω: 'leave behind.'
γυναῖκαa wifeAccusativedirect objectγυνή: 'woman, wife.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
ἀφῇleavesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀφίημιsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'leave, let remain.'
τέκνονa childAccusativedirect objectτέκνον: 'child, offspring.'
ἵναthatconjunction (introducing apodosis as command)
λάβῃshould takeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαμβάνωsubjunctive (apodosis/command)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take (in marriage).'
theNominativearticle
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubject
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξαναστήσῃshould raise upAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐξανίστημιsubjunctive (apodosis)→ constative aoristἐξανίστημι: 'raise up, produce (offspring)'; ironically a 'raising' verb in a denial-of-resurrection argument.
σπέρμαoffspringAccusativedirect objectσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring.'
τῷfor theDativearticle
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedat. of advantage
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
20

ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὶ ἦσαν· καὶ ὁ πρῶτος ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα, καὶ ἀποθνῄσκων οὐκ ἀφῆκεν σπέρμα·

There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and dying left no offspring;

Hypothetical caseasyndetonThe constructed scenario begins — the first of seven successive husbands of one woman, each dying childless.
ἑπτὰsevenNominativenumeral (attributive)ἑπτά: 'seven'; an indeclinable numeral here with nominative subject.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother.'
ἦσανthere wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ imperfect (state)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
πρῶτοςfirstNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πρῶτος: 'first.'
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take (in marriage).'
γυναῖκαa wifeAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποθνῄσκωνdyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωcircumstantial participle (temporal)→ imperfective (at the time of dying)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀφῆκενleftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'leave behind.'
σπέρμαoffspringAccusativedirect object
21

καὶ ὁ δεύτερος ἔλαβεν αὐτήν, καὶ ἀπέθανεν μὴ καταλιπὼν σπέρμα· καὶ ὁ τρίτος ὡσαύτως·

and the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring; and the third likewise.

RepetitionκαὶThe case rolls on through the brothers, the repetition heightening the supposed absurdity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
δεύτεροςsecondNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)δεύτερος: 'second.'
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
καταλιπὼνleavingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταλείπωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ antecedent/coincident aoristκαταλείπω: 'leave behind.'
σπέρμαoffspringAccusativeobject of καταλιπὼν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
τρίτοςthirdNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)τρίτος: 'third.'
ὡσαύτωςlikewiseadverb (manner)ὡσαύτως: 'in the same way'; eliding the repeated narration.
22

καὶ οἱ ἑπτὰ οὐκ ἀφῆκαν σπέρμα. ἔσχατον πάντων καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἀπέθανεν.

And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died.

SummationκαὶThe scenario closes: all seven die childless, and finally the woman herself — setting up the riddle's pointed question.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenNominativenumeral (substantival subject)ἑπτά: 'seven.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀφῆκανleftAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'leave behind.'
σπέρμαoffspringAccusativedirect object
ἔσχατονlastadverbial accusative (ἔσχατον πάντων = 'last of all')ἔσχατος: here adverbial, 'finally, last of all.'
πάντωνof allGenitivepartitive genitiveπᾶς: 'all.'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive) καί
theNominativearticle
γυνὴwomanNominativesubjectγυνή: 'woman, wife.'
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aorist
23

ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει ὅταν ἀναστῶσιν τίνος αὐτῶν ἔσται γυνή; οἱ γὰρ ἑπτὰ ἔσχον αὐτὴν γυναῖκα.

In the resurrection, when they rise, of which of them will she be wife? For the seven had her as wife.

The riddle's questionasyndetonThe punch line: presuming resurrection means a mere resumption of earthly marriage, they think they have produced an insoluble absurdity.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/time)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀναστάσειresurrectionDativeobject of ἐν (temporal sphere)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection.'
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when.'
ἀναστῶσινthey riseAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise, stand up'; the omission of these words by some witnesses is noted in the text-note.
τίνοςof whichGenitiveinterrogative (possessive genitive)τίς: 'who/which?'
αὐτῶνof themGenitivepartitive genitive
ἔσταιwill she beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (question)→ predictive future
γυνήwifeNominativepredicate nominativeγυνή: 'wife.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἑπτὰsevenNominativenumeral (substantival subject)ἑπτά: 'seven.'
ἔσχονhadAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ constative aoristἔχω: 'have, hold'; aorist 'had (as wife).'
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object
γυναῖκαas wifeAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)γυνή: 'wife.'
24

ἔφη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Οὐ διὰ τοῦτο πλανᾶσθε μὴ εἰδότες τὰς γραφὰς μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ θεοῦ;

Jesus said to them, 'Is it not for this reason that you are wrong, that you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?'

Rebuke (diagnosis)asyndetonJesus exposes their double ignorance — of the Scriptures (which they claim to honor) and of God's power (to remake life) — as the root of their error.
ἔφηsaidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίmain verb (speech)→ aoristic imperfectφημί: 'say, affirm.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (proper name)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus.'
Οὐnotnegative (expecting 'yes' answer)οὐ: in a question expects an affirmative reply.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (cataphoric)
πλανᾶσθεyou are wrong/led astrayPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · πλανάωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentπλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; pass. 'go astray, err.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcircumstantial participle (causal)→ stative perfectοἶδα: 'know.'
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
γραφὰςScripturesAccusativeobject of εἰδότεςγραφή: 'Scripture'; even the Torah they revere testifies otherwise.
μηδὲnornegative conjunctionμηδέ: 'and not, nor.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δύναμινpowerAccusativeobject of εἰδότεςδύναμις: 'power'; God's power to raise and transform the dead.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
25

ὅταν γὰρ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῶσιν, οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται, ἀλλ' εἰσὶν ὡς ἄγγελοι ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in the heavens.

Ground (first error answered)γὰρThe riddle dissolves: resurrection life is not a continuation of mortal marriage but a transformed, angel-like existence.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead'; ἐκ νεκρῶν = 'from among the dead.'
ἀναστῶσινthey riseAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise.'
οὔτεneithernegative conjunction (correlative)οὔτε … οὔτε: 'neither … nor.'
γαμοῦσινthey marryPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γαμέωmain verb→ gnomic presentγαμέω: 'marry' (of the man taking a wife).
οὔτεnornegative conjunction (correlative)
γαμίζονταιare given in marriagePres Pass Indic 3 Pl · γαμίζωmain verb→ gnomic presentγαμίζω: 'give in marriage' (of the woman/father giving).
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
εἰσὶνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like.'
ἄγγελοιangelsNominativepredicate nominative (with ὡς)ἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; deathless beings, hence beyond procreative marriage.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven.'
26

περὶ δὲ τῶν νεκρῶν ὅτι ἐγείρονται, οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ Μωϋσέως ἐπὶ τοῦ βάτου πῶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς λέγων· Ἐγὼ ὁ θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ καὶ ὁ θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ καὶ ὁ θεὸς Ἰακώβ;

But concerning the dead, that they are raised — have you not read in the book of Moses, at the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob'?

Scriptural proof (second error answered)δὲJesus meets the Sadducees on their own ground — the Torah — citing Exod 3:6: God's present covenant-relation to the patriarchs implies their life.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
δὲbuttransitional conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
νεκρῶνdeadGenitiveobject of περίνεκρός: 'dead one.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical)
ἐγείρονταιthey are raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (content clause)→ gnomic/futuristic presentἐγείρω: 'raise up, awaken'; theological passive (God raises).
οὐκnotnegative (in question)
ἀνέγνωτεhave you readAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναγινώσκωmain verb (question)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
βίβλῳbookDativeobject of ἐνβίβλος: 'book, scroll'; the Pentateuch.
Μωϋσέωςof MosesGenitivepossessive/authorial genitive (proper name)Μωϋσῆς: 'Moses.'
ἐπὶatpreposition + genitive (at the passage 'about')ἐπί: here 'at, in the passage of' (the section concerning the bush).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
βάτουbushGenitiveobject of ἐπίβάτος: 'thornbush'; the burning bush of Exod 3.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (indirect question)
εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (indirect question)→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introduces quotation)→ imperfective
ἘγὼINominativeemphatic pronoun (subject of implied 'am')
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative
Ἀβραὰμof AbrahamGenitivegenitive of relationship (proper name)Ἀβραάμ: 'Abraham'; indeclinable proper name, here genitive by syntax.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)
Ἰσαὰκof IsaacGenitivegenitive of relationship (proper name)Ἰσαάκ: 'Isaac'; indeclinable, genitive by syntax.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)
Ἰακώβof JacobGenitivegenitive of relationship (proper name)Ἰακώβ: 'Jacob'; indeclinable, genitive by syntax.
27

οὐκ ἔστιν θεὸς νεκρῶν ἀλλὰ ζώντων. πολὺ πλανᾶσθε.

He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are greatly mistaken.

ConclusionasyndetonThe inference clinched: the covenant 'I am their God' binds God to the patriarchs as living; their resurrection is implied. The rebuke of v.24 returns as verdict.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveνεκρός: 'dead.'
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ζώντωνof the livingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ζάωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ imperfectiveζάω: 'live'; the patriarchs live to God, hence resurrection-bound.
πολὺgreatlyadverbial accusative (degree)πολύς: here adverbial, 'much, greatly.'
πλανᾶσθεyou are mistakenPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · πλανάωmain verb→ progressive presentπλανάω: 'go astray, err'; the inclusio with v.24.
28

Καὶ προσελθὼν εἷς τῶν γραμματέων, ἀκούσας αὐτῶν συζητούντων, ἰδὼν ὅτι καλῶς ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς, ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτόν· Ποία ἐστὶν ἐντολὴ πρώτη πάντων;

And one of the scribes came up and, having heard them disputing and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him, 'Which commandment is the first of all?'

Scene-opening (a sincere inquiry)ΚαὶUnlike the hostile delegations, this scribe is impressed by Jesus' answers and asks the rabbinic question of the greatest commandment in earnest.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσελθὼνhaving come upAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'approach, come to.'
εἷςoneNominativesubject (numeral)εἷς: 'one.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
γραμματέωνscribesGenitivepartitive genitiveγραμματεύς: 'scribe'; an expert in the Law.
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἀκούω: 'hear.'
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive (object of ἀκούσας / genitive absolute subject)
συζητούντωνdisputingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συζητέωsupplementary participle (with ἀκούσας)→ imperfectiveσυζητέω: 'discuss, dispute together.'
ἰδὼνseeingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (causal)→ antecedent aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause)
καλῶςwelladverb (manner)καλῶς: 'well, rightly.'
ἀπεκρίθηhe had answeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply.'
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object
ἐπηρώτησενaskedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπερωτάωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπερωτάω: 'ask, question.'
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
Ποίαwhich kind ofNominativeinterrogative adjective (predicate)ποῖος: 'what sort of, which.'
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἐντολὴcommandmentNominativesubjectἐντολή: 'commandment.'
πρώτηfirstNominativepredicate adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first, foremost'; chief in rank.
πάντωνof allGenitivepartitive genitiveπᾶς: 'all.'
29

ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Πρώτη ἐστίν· Ἄκουε, Ἰσραήλ, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν κύριος εἷς ἐστιν,

Jesus answered, 'The first is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one;

Answer (the Shema)asyndetonJesus answers with the Shema (Deut 6:4–5), Israel's daily confession — grounding the supreme command to love God in the oneness of God himself.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer.'
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (proper name)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus.'
ὅτι(that)ὅτι recitativum
ΠρώτηfirstNominativepredicate adjective (subject 'commandment' implied)πρῶτος: 'first.'
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἌκουεHearPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (the Shema's call)→ imperatival presentἀκούω: 'hear, listen'; the opening word of the Shema (Deut 6:4).
ἸσραήλO IsraelVocativevocative of address (proper name)Ἰσραήλ: 'Israel'; indeclinable, here vocative.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; LXX rendering of YHWH.
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativeapposition to κύριοςθεός: 'God.'
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject (of the predication)
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (numeral)εἷς: 'one'; the unity/uniqueness of YHWH.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
30

καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου.

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

The command itselfκαὶThe Shema's demand: total, undivided love of God 'with all' the faculties — heart, soul, mind, strength (Mark's fourfold expansion of Deut 6:5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγαπήσειςyou shall loveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (future of command)→ imperatival futureἀγαπάω: 'love'; the LXX future has the force of a command.
κύριονthe LordAccusativedirect objectκύριος: 'Lord.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeapposition to κύριονθεός: 'God.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐξwith/out ofpreposition + genitive (source/extent)ἐκ: 'out of'; here 'from the whole of,' the wellspring of love.
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἐξκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner seat of will and thought.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ψυχῆςsoulGenitiveobject of ἐξψυχή: 'soul, life'; the whole self/life-force.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
διανοίαςmindGenitiveobject of ἐξδιάνοια: 'mind, understanding'; the LXX expansion adding the intellect.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἰσχύοςstrengthGenitiveobject of ἐξἰσχύς: 'strength, might'; full bodily/energetic devotion.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
31

δευτέρα αὕτη· Ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. μείζων τούτων ἄλλη ἐντολὴ οὐκ ἔστιν.

The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.

The second command joinedasyndetonJesus binds Lev 19:18 to the Shema as inseparable companion — love of God and love of neighbor together summing the whole Law.
δευτέραsecondNominativepredicate adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second.'
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)
Ἀγαπήσειςyou shall loveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (future of command)→ imperatival futureἀγαπάω: 'love.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πλησίονneighborAccusativedirect object (indeclinable adverb substantized)πλησίον: 'near one, neighbor'; an adverb functioning as a noun, with article.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὡςascomparative particle
σεαυτόνyourselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (standard of comparison)σεαυτοῦ: 'yourself.'
μείζωνgreaterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)μέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater.'
τούτωνthan theseGenitivegenitive of comparison
ἄλληotherNominativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'other.'
ἐντολὴcommandmentNominativesubjectἐντολή: 'commandment.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ stative present
32

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γραμματεύς· Καλῶς, διδάσκαλε, ἐπ' ἀληθείας εἶπες ὅτι εἷς ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν αὐτοῦ·

And the scribe said to him, 'Well said, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him;

AffirmationκαὶThe scribe warmly endorses the answer, restating the Shema's monotheism in his own words (echoing Deut 4:35; Isa 45:21).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
γραμματεύςscribeNominativesubjectγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
Καλῶςwell (said)adverb (approval)καλῶς: 'well, rightly'; an exclamation of agreement.
διδάσκαλεTeacherVocativevocative of addressδιδάσκαλος: 'teacher.'
ἐπ'inpreposition + genitive (manner)ἐπί: ἐπ' ἀληθείας, 'truly, in truth.'
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ἐπίἀλήθεια: 'truth.'
εἶπεςyou have saidAor Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (numeral)εἷς: 'one.'
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ stative present
ἄλλοςotherNominativesubject (substantival adjective)ἄλλος: 'another.'
πλὴνbesidesimproper preposition + genitiveπλήν: 'except, besides.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of πλήν
33

καὶ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν αὐτὸν ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς συνέσεως καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος καὶ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν τὸν πλησίον ὡς ἑαυτὸν περισσότερόν ἐστιν πάντων τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων καὶ θυσιῶν.

and to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is far more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Inference (above sacrifice)καὶThe scribe draws the prophetic conclusion (cf. 1 Sam 15:22; Hos 6:6): the love-commands outweigh the entire sacrificial system.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes infinitive)
ἀγαπᾶνto lovePres Act Inf · ἀγαπάωarticular infinitive (subject)→ imperfectiveἀγαπάω: 'love.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἀγαπᾶν
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἐξκαρδία: 'heart.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
συνέσεωςunderstandingGenitiveobject of ἐξσύνεσις: 'understanding, insight'; the scribe substitutes this for 'soul' in his paraphrase.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive
ὅληςallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἰσχύοςstrengthGenitiveobject of ἐξἰσχύς: 'strength.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes infinitive)
ἀγαπᾶνto lovePres Act Inf · ἀγαπάωarticular infinitive (coordinate subject)→ imperfective
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πλησίονneighborAccusativeobject of ἀγαπᾶνπλησίον: 'neighbor.'
ὡςascomparative particle
ἑαυτὸνoneselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (standard of comparison)ἑαυτοῦ: 'oneself.'
περισσότερόνmoreNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)περισσός (compar. περισσότερον): 'more, greater, surpassing.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive (genitive of comparison)πᾶς: 'all.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ὁλοκαυτωμάτωνwhole burnt offeringsGenitivegenitive of comparisonὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; the offering wholly consumed on the altar.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θυσιῶνsacrificesGenitivegenitive of comparisonθυσία: 'sacrifice.'
34

καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ὅτι νουνεχῶς ἀπεκρίθη εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Οὐ μακρὰν εἶ ἀπὸ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ. καὶ οὐδεὶς οὐκέτι ἐτόλμα αὐτὸν ἐπερωτῆσαι.

And Jesus, seeing that he answered wisely, said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And no one any longer dared to question him.

Verdict & scene-closeκαὶJesus commends the discerning scribe as near the kingdom; the section of testing closes — none dares question him further.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (proper name)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus.'
ἰδὼνseeingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (causal)→ antecedent aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἰδὼν (prolepsis)
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause)
νουνεχῶςwiselyadverb (manner)νουνεχῶς: 'sensibly, with understanding' (νοῦν ἔχω, 'have a mind'); NT hapax.
ἀπεκρίθηhe answeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer.'
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
Οὐnotnegative particle
μακρὰνfaradverb (of distance)μακράν: 'far away'; adverbial accusative of μακρός.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
βασιλείαςkingdomGenitiveobject of ἀπόβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the central Markan theme.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)οὐδείς: 'no one.'
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (time; double negative reinforcing)οὐκέτι: 'no longer, no more.'
ἐτόλμαdaredImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · τολμάωmain verb→ customary/durative imperfectτολμάω: 'dare, have the courage.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπερωτῆσαι
ἐπερωτῆσαιto questionAor Act Inf · ἐπερωτάωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἐπερωτάω: 'question, interrogate.'
35

Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν διδάσκων ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ· Πῶς λέγουσιν οἱ γραμματεῖς ὅτι ὁ χριστὸς υἱὸς Δαυίδ ἐστιν;

And Jesus, responding, said as he taught in the temple, 'How is it that the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David?

Scene-opening (counter-question)ΚαὶNow Jesus takes the initiative, raising a riddle from Scripture that probes the Messiah's identity as more than merely David's descendant.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκριθεὶςrespondingAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial participle (Semitic 'answered and said')→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'; here taking up a new topic.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (proper name)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus.'
ἔλεγενsaidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ inceptive imperfectλέγω: 'say.'
διδάσκωνteachingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · διδάσκωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ imperfective (concurrent)διδάσκω: 'teach.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἱερῷtempleDativedat. of placeἱερόν: 'temple (precinct).'
Πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'
λέγουσινdo they sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (question)→ customary present
οἱtheNominativearticle
γραμματεῖςscribesNominativesubjectγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
theNominativearticle
χριστὸςMessiahNominativesubjectχριστός: 'Anointed One, Messiah.'
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; Davidic descent — true, but not the whole truth.
Δαυίδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (proper name)Δαυίδ: 'David'; indeclinable, genitive by syntax.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
36

αὐτὸς Δαυὶδ εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου.

David himself said, in the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.'

Scriptural proofasyndetonQuoting Psalm 109:1 LXX (Ps 110:1): David, inspired, calls the Messiah 'my Lord' — the very text raising the paradox of the next verse.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (with Δαυίδ)αὐτός: 'himself'; emphasizing David as the speaker.
ΔαυὶδDavidNominativesubject (proper name)Δαυίδ: 'David'; indeclinable, here nominative subject.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (means/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of means/sphere (inspiration)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the inspiration grounding the psalm's authority.
τῷtheDativearticle
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy.'
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (quotation)→ constative aorist
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject (= YHWH)κύριος: 'Lord'; the first κύριος = YHWH (the speaker).
τῷtoDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeindirect objectκύριος: the second κύριος = the Messiah, David's 'Lord.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ΚάθουsitPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιimperative (invitation)→ imperatival presentκάθημαι: 'sit'; the enthronement at God's right hand.
ἐκatpreposition + genitive (position)ἐκ δεξιῶν: 'on the right hand,' the position of honor and authority.
δεξιῶνthe right handGenitiveobject of ἐκδεξιός: 'right (hand/side).'
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunctionἕως: 'until.'
ἂνmodal particle (with subjunctive)ἄν: marks contingency with the subjunctive.
θῶI putAor Act Subj 1 Sg · τίθημιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'put, place, set.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativedirect objectἐχθρός: 'enemy, hostile.'
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitiveὑποκάτω: 'underneath, beneath.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ποδῶνfeetGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτωπούς: 'foot'; subjugation imagery.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
37

αὐτὸς Δαυὶδ λέγει αὐτὸν κύριον, καὶ πόθεν αὐτοῦ ἐστιν υἱός; καὶ ὁ πολὺς ὄχλος ἤκουεν αὐτοῦ ἡδέως.

David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son? And the great crowd heard him gladly.

The riddle pressed & scene-closeasyndetonThe paradox: if David calls the Messiah 'Lord,' the Messiah is more than David's descendant — pointing to his transcendent dignity. The crowd's delight closes the temple teaching.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronounαὐτός: 'himself.'
ΔαυὶδDavidNominativesubject (proper name)Δαυίδ: 'David.'
λέγειcallsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: here 'call, name.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (double acc.)
κύριονLordAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)κύριος: 'Lord.'
καὶsocoordinating conjunction (consecutive)
πόθενhow/whenceinterrogative adverbπόθεν: 'from where? how?'; here logical, 'in what sense?'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐστινis hePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (question)→ stative present
υἱόςsonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
πολὺςgreatNominativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'much, great.'
ὄχλοςcrowdNominativesubjectὄχλος: 'crowd.'
ἤκουενheardImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ customary/durative imperfectἀκούω: 'hear, listen to.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object (of ἀκούω)
ἡδέωςgladlyadverb (manner)ἡδέως: 'gladly, with pleasure.'
38

Καὶ ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ ἔλεγεν· Βλέπετε ἀπὸ τῶν γραμματέων τῶν θελόντων ἐν στολαῖς περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς

And in his teaching he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes and want greetings in the marketplaces

Scene-opening (warning)ΚαὶJesus warns the crowd against the ostentatious scribes — a sustained critique of religious leaders who crave honor.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
διδαχῇteachingDativedat. of sphereδιδαχή: 'teaching, instruction.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἔλεγενhe saidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary/durative imperfectλέγω: 'say'; the imperfect of repeated teaching.
ΒλέπετεbewarePres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωimperative→ imperatival presentβλέπω: 'look'; βλέπετε ἀπό = 'beware of, watch out for.'
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (in 'beware of')
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
γραμματέωνscribesGenitiveobject of ἀπόγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
τῶνwhoGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
θελόντωνwishingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · θέλωattributive participle→ imperfectiveθέλω: 'wish, want, desire.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (attire)
στολαῖςlong robesDativedat. of manner/attireστολή: 'long flowing robe'; a mark of distinguished status.
περιπατεῖνto walk aroundPres Act Inf · περιπατέωcomplementary infinitive (of θελόντων)→ imperfectiveπεριπατέω: 'walk about'; parading themselves.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀσπασμοὺςgreetingsAccusativedirect object (verb 'desire' carried over)ἀσπασμός: 'greeting, salutation'; deferential public recognition.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἀγοραῖςmarketplacesDativedat. of placeἀγορά: 'marketplace'; the public square.
39

καὶ πρωτοκαθεδρίας ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ πρωτοκλισίας ἐν τοῖς δείπνοις·

and the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets;

Continuation (the honors craved)καὶThe list of coveted distinctions continues — the best seats in worship and at table, all symbols of social precedence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρωτοκαθεδρίαςchief seatsAccusativedirect objectπρωτοκαθεδρία: 'chief seat' (πρῶτος + καθέδρα); the front bench facing the congregation.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativedat. of placeσυναγωγή: 'synagogue, assembly.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρωτοκλισίαςplaces of honorAccusativedirect objectπρωτοκλισία: 'chief reclining place' (πρῶτος + κλισία); the seat of honor at a meal.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
δείπνοιςbanquetsDativedat. of placeδεῖπνον: 'dinner, banquet.'
40

οἱ κατεσθίοντες τὰς οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν καὶ προφάσει μακρὰ προσευχόμενοι· οὗτοι λήμψονται περισσότερον κρίμα.

those who devour widows' houses and for a pretext pray at length — these will receive the greater condemnation.'

Indictment & verdictasyndetonBeneath the honor-seeking lies predation: exploiting the defenseless under a cloak of piety; the sentence is the heavier judgment. The widow-theme leads straight into vv.41–44.
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.; nom. in loose apposition)
κατεσθίοντεςdevouringPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κατεσθίωsubstantival participle→ imperfective (characteristic)κατεσθίω: 'eat up, devour' (κατά intensive); plundering by abuse of trust.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
οἰκίαςhousesAccusativedirect objectοἰκία: 'house, household estate.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
χηρῶνwidowsGenitivepossessive genitiveχήρα: 'widow'; the OT paradigm of the vulnerable under God's protection.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προφάσειfor a pretextDativedat. of manner/causeπρόφασις: 'pretext, outward show'; the prayers mask the greed.
μακρὰat lengthAccusativeadverbial accusative (extent)μακρός: 'long'; neuter plural adverbial, 'lengthily.'
προσευχόμενοιprayingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσεύχομαιsubstantival participle (coordinate)→ imperfectiveπροσεύχομαι: 'pray.'
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (subject; resumptive)
λήμψονταιwill receiveFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: 'receive.'
περισσότερονgreaterAccusativeattributive adjective (comparative)περισσός (compar.): 'greater, more abundant.'
κρίμαcondemnationAccusativedirect objectκρίμα: 'judgment, condemnation, sentence.'
41

Καὶ καθίσας κατέναντι τοῦ γαζοφυλακίου ἐθεώρει πῶς ὁ ὄχλος βάλλει χαλκὸν εἰς τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον· καὶ πολλοὶ πλούσιοι ἔβαλλον πολλά·

And sitting down opposite the treasury, he watched how the crowd was putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in much.

Scene-opening (observation)ΚαὶFrom the scribes who devour widows' houses, Mark turns to a widow's gift; Jesus deliberately observes the offerings at the temple treasury.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθίσαςhaving sat downAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καθίζωcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristκαθίζω: 'sit down, take a seat.'
κατέναντιoppositeimproper preposition + genitiveκατέναντι: 'opposite, over against.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
γαζοφυλακίουtreasuryGenitiveobject of κατέναντιγαζοφυλάκιον: 'treasury'; the temple offering-receptacles in the Court of the Women.
ἐθεώρειhe watchedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · θεωρέωmain verb→ durative imperfectθεωρέω: 'observe, watch attentively.'
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (indirect question)πῶς: 'how.'
theNominativearticle
ὄχλοςcrowdNominativesubjectὄχλος: 'crowd.'
βάλλειputsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (indirect question)→ progressive presentβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; here 'put in (coins).'
χαλκὸνmoneyAccusativedirect objectχαλκός: 'copper, bronze'; by extension, small coinage/money.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
γαζοφυλάκιονtreasuryAccusativeobject of εἰςγαζοφυλάκιον: 'treasury.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλοὶmanyNominativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many.'
πλούσιοιrichNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πλούσιος: 'rich, wealthy.'
ἔβαλλονwere putting inImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb→ iterative imperfectβάλλω: 'put in'; the imperfect of repeated giving.
πολλάmuchAccusativedirect object (substantival)πολύς: 'much, many things.'
42

καὶ ἐλθοῦσα μία χήρα πτωχὴ ἔβαλεν λεπτὰ δύο, ὅ ἐστιν κοδράντης.

And one poor widow came and put in two lepta, which is a quadrans.

Contrast (the widow's mite)καὶAgainst the rich, a destitute widow gives the two smallest coins in circulation — the narrative's pivot from quantity to sacrifice.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλθοῦσαhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
μίαoneNominativenumeral / indefinite (attributive)εἷς (fem. μία): 'one, a single.'
χήραwidowNominativesubjectχήρα: 'widow'; the very class exploited by the scribes (v.40).
πτωχὴpoorNominativeattributive adjectiveπτωχός: 'destitute, beggarly poor'; the deepest poverty.
ἔβαλενput inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'put in, cast.'
λεπτὰleptaAccusativedirect objectλεπτόν: 'lepton'; the smallest bronze coin in circulation (lit. 'a thin/small thing').
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (attributive)δύο: 'two.'
whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject; explanatory)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
κοδράντηςa quadransNominativepredicate nominativeκοδράντης: a Latin loan (quadrans), the smallest Roman coin — Mark's gloss for his Roman readers.
43

καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἡ χήρα αὕτη ἡ πτωχὴ πλεῖον πάντων ἔβαλεν τῶν βαλλόντων εἰς τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον·

And calling his disciples to him, he said to them, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who are putting into the treasury;

PronouncementκαὶThe solemn 'Amen I say' marks a reversal of values: by heaven's measure she gave the most, not the least.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσκαλεσάμενοςhaving called to himAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσκαλέωcircumstantial participle (attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσκαλέω (mid.): 'call to oneself, summon.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μαθητὰςdisciplesAccusativedirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ἈμὴνtrulyHebrew affirmation particle (asseveration)ἀμήν: 'truly, verily'; Jesus' solemn introductory formula.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ progressive present
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
theNominativearticle
χήραwidowNominativesubjectχήρα: 'widow.'
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive)
theNominativearticle
πτωχὴpoorNominativeattributive adjectiveπτωχός: 'destitute.'
πλεῖονmoreAccusativedirect object (comparative, substantival)πολύς (compar. πλείων): 'more.'
πάντωνthan allGenitivegenitive of comparisonπᾶς: 'all.'
ἔβαλενhas put inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'put in.'
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
βαλλόντωνputting inPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · βάλλωsubstantival participle (genitive of comparison)→ imperfectiveβάλλω: 'put in.'
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
γαζοφυλάκιονtreasuryAccusativeobject of εἰςγαζοφυλάκιον: 'treasury.'
44

πάντες γὰρ ἐκ τοῦ περισσεύοντος αὐτοῖς ἔβαλον, αὕτη δὲ ἐκ τῆς ὑστερήσεως αὐτῆς πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν ἔβαλεν, ὅλον τὸν βίον αὐτῆς.

for they all put in out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had, her whole living.

Ground (the measure of giving)γὰρThe basis of the verdict: giving is weighed not by amount but by cost — the rich gave surplus, the widow gave her very life-sustenance (βίος).
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'all.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
περισσεύοντοςabundancePres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · περισσεύωsubstantival participle (object of ἐκ)→ imperfectiveπερισσεύω: 'abound, overflow'; 'what was surplus to them.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedat. of possession/advantage
ἔβαλονput inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'put in.'
αὕτηsheNominativedemonstrative (subject, contrastive)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ὑστερήσεωςpovertyGenitiveobject of ἐκὑστέρησις: 'want, need, deprivation'; the opposite of the rich man's surplus.
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive
πάνταeverythingAccusativedirect objectπᾶς: 'all, everything.'
ὅσαas much asAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶχεν)ὅσος: 'as much/many as.'
εἶχενshe hadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ durative imperfectἔχω: 'have, hold.'
ἔβαλενput inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'put in.'
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjective (apposition to πάντα)ὅλος: 'whole, entire.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
βίονlivingAccusativeapposition (the sum of her gift)βίος: 'life, livelihood, means of living'; not mere ζωή but the very substance she lived on.
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive