Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 10ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΘΘΑΙΟΝ Ι′

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 προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτὰ καὶ θεραπεύειν πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν.

And summoning his twelve disciples he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out and to heal every disease and every sickness.

CommissioningΚαὶThe mission discourse opens: Jesus calls the Twelve and delegates his own healing-and-exorcism authority to them — the bestowal that grounds all that follows.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
προσκαλεσάμενοςhaving summonedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσκαλέομαιtemporal/attendant-circumstance ptc.→ constative aoristπροσκαλέομαι: 'call to oneself, summon' (πρός + καλέω); the middle stresses Jesus' own initiative in calling the Twelve.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
δώδεκαtwelveAccusativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)δώδεκα: 'twelve'; the number evokes the twelve tribes — a reconstituted Israel (cf. 19:28).
μαθητὰςdisciplesAccusativeobject of προσκαλεσάμενοςμαθητής: 'learner, disciple'; from μανθάνω — a follower attached to a teacher's instruction and way.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the authority is a delegated gift, not the disciples' own possession.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ἐξουσίανauthorityAccusativedirect objectἐξουσία: 'authority, right'; delegated power to act — here over the spirit-world and disease.
πνευμάτωνover spiritsGenitiveobjective genitive (authority over)πνεῦμα: here malevolent 'spirit'; the genitive marks the sphere the authority commands.
ἀκαθάρτωνuncleanGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean, impure'; the standard Synoptic epithet for demonic spirits.
ὥστεso asconjunction (result, + infinitive)ὥστε: 'so that, so as to'; introduces the result/purpose realized by the authority.
ἐκβάλλεινto cast outPres Act Inf · ἐκβάλλωinfinitive of result (after ὥστε)→ present (general)ἐκβάλλω: 'throw out, expel' (ἐκ + βάλλω); the standard verb of exorcism.
αὐτὰthemAccusativeobject of ἐκβάλλειν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θεραπεύεινto healPres Act Inf · θεραπεύωinfinitive of result (coordinate)→ present (general)θεραπεύω: 'serve, care for, heal'; medical/restorative healing of the whole person.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
νόσονdiseaseAccusativeobject of θεραπεύειννόσος: 'disease, illness'; chronic or serious ailment (cf. 4:23).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
μαλακίανsicknessAccusativeobject (coordinate)μαλακία: 'weakness, infirmity, sickness'; the pairing νόσος/μαλακία (cf. 4:23; 9:35) covers the whole range of bodily ailment.
2

Τῶν δὲ δώδεκα ἀποστόλων τὰ ὀνόματά ἐστιν ταῦτα· πρῶτος Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννης ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ,

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Roster of the TwelveδὲThe list of apostles begins, in pairs of brothers: Peter heads it ('first'), with Andrew, then the sons of Zebedee — the first call-narrative quartet (4:18–22).
Τῶνof theGenitivearticle
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
δώδεκαtwelveGenitiveattributive numeral (indeclinable)
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivepossessive/partitive genitiveἀπόστολος: 'one sent, envoy'; Matthew's sole use of the title — those now commissioned with delegated authority.
τὰtheNominativearticle
ὀνόματάnamesNominativesubjectὄνομα: 'name'; the roster heading.
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula; sg. with neut. pl. subject)→ stative present
ταῦταtheseNominativepredicate (demonstrative)
πρῶτοςfirstNominativepredicate adj./apposition (rank)πρῶτος: 'first'; marks Peter's primacy in the list (and arguably among the Twelve), not merely sequence.
ΣίμωνSimonNominativeapposition to ταῦτα (nom. of name)Σίμων: 'Simon' (Heb. Shimʿon); the apostle's given name, paired with the conferred Πέτρος.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λεγόμενοςcalledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattributive participle→ present (customary)λέγω (pass.): 'be called, named'; the surname by which Simon is known.
ΠέτροςPeterNominativepredicate nom. (name conferred)Πέτρος: 'Rock' (Gk. for Aram. Kēphâ); the name Jesus gave Simon (cf. 16:18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἈνδρέαςAndrewNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Ἀνδρέας: 'Andrew'; a Greek name ('manly'), Simon's brother, paired with him here.
theNominativearticle
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Ἀνδρέαςἀδελφός: 'brother'; the kinship binding the first pair.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸάκωβοςJamesNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Ἰάκωβος: 'James' (Heb. Yaʿaqob, Jacob); the elder son of Zebedee.
the (son)Nominativearticle (with gen. = 'son of')
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΖεβεδαίουZebedeeGenitivegenitive of relationship (filiation)Ζεβεδαῖος: 'Zebedee'; the father of James and John, the fishermen of 4:21.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Ἰωάννης: 'John' (Heb. Yôḥanan); James's brother, the younger son of Zebedee.
theNominativearticle
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Ἰωάννης
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
3

Φίλιππος καὶ Βαρθολομαῖος, Θωμᾶς καὶ Μαθθαῖος ὁ τελώνης, Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ἁλφαίου καὶ Θαδδαῖος,

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Roster of the Twelve (continued)asyndetonThe middle quartet of the list; Matthew alone among the Gospels labels himself 'the tax collector' (cf. 9:9) — a self-effacing badge of grace.
ΦίλιπποςPhilipNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Φίλιππος: 'Philip' ('lover of horses'); a Greek name, fifth in the list.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΒαρθολομαῖοςBartholomewNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Βαρθολομαῖος: 'Bartholomew' (Aram. bar-Talmai, 'son of Talmai'); often identified with Nathanael.
ΘωμᾶςThomasNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Θωμᾶς: 'Thomas' (Aram. tᵉʾômâ, 'twin'); the seventh apostle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΜαθθαῖοςMatthewNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Μαθθαῖος: 'Matthew' (Heb. Mattityahu, 'gift of YHWH'); the evangelist himself (9:9).
theNominativearticle
τελώνηςtax collectorNominativeapposition to Μαθθαῖοςτελώνης: 'tax-farmer, toll collector'; a despised collaborator-class — Matthew's frank self-designation.
ἸάκωβοςJamesNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Ἰάκωβος: 'James'; here the son of Alphaeus, distinct from the son of Zebedee — 'James the Less.'
the (son)Nominativearticle (with gen. = 'son of')
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἉλφαίουAlphaeusGenitivegenitive of relationship (filiation)Ἁλφαῖος: 'Alphaeus'; the father of the second James.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΘαδδαῖοςThaddaeusNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Θαδδαῖος: 'Thaddaeus'; tenth in the list (the Byzantine text adds 'Lebbaeus'); likely the 'Judas of James' of Luke/Acts.
4

Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν.

Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed him.

Roster of the Twelve (close)asyndetonThe final pair; the list ends ominously with Judas, marked already by the participle 'who betrayed him' — the shadow over the band.
ΣίμωνSimonNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Σίμων: 'Simon'; the second Simon, distinguished as 'the Cananaean.'
theNominativearticle
ΚαναναῖοςCananaeanNominativeapposition to ΣίμωνΚαναναῖος: 'Cananaean' (Aram. qanʾān, 'zealot'); not 'of Cana/Canaan' but a partisan epithet — Luke's ὁ ζηλωτής.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸούδαςJudasNominativeapposition (coordinate name)Ἰούδας: 'Judas' (Heb. Yᵉhûdâ); the twelfth and the betrayer.
theNominativearticle
ἸσκαριώτηςIscariotNominativeapposition to ἸούδαςἸσκαριώτης: 'Iscariot' (prob. Heb. ʾîš-Qᵉrîyôt, 'man of Kerioth'); the surname distinguishing this Judas.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
παραδοὺςwho betrayedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · παραδίδωμιsubstantival participle (proleptic)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up, betray' (παρά + δίδωμι); the technical term for Judas's act, here a fixed epithet.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of παραδούς
5

Τούτους τοὺς δώδεκα ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς παραγγείλας αὐτοῖς λέγων· Εἰς ὁδὸν ἐθνῶν μὴ ἀπέλθητε καὶ εἰς πόλιν Σαμαριτῶν μὴ εἰσέλθητε·

These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, saying: Do not go off into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a town of the Samaritans;

Mission charge: scopeasyndetonThe sending proper begins. The first directive restricts the mission's scope: not yet to Gentiles or Samaritans — the gospel goes first to Israel (cf. 15:24; the universal mission waits till 28:19).
ΤούτουςtheseAccusativedirect object (demonstrative)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
δώδεκαtwelveAccusativeapposition (indeclinable numeral)
ἀπέστειλενsent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send forth with a commission' (ἀπό + στέλλω); the verb behind ἀπόστολος — sending with authority.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: 'Jesus' (Heb. Yēšûaʿ, 'YHWH saves').
παραγγείλαςchargingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · παραγγέλλωattendant-circumstance/temporal ptc.→ constative aoristπαραγγέλλω: 'instruct, command, give orders'; a quasi-military term for passing down orders.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωptc. of speech (introduces direct discourse)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the Semitic 'saying' that opens quoted speech.
Εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὁδὸνwayAccusativeobject of εἰς (direction)ὁδός: 'road, way'; 'the way of the Gentiles' = the direction/route leading to Gentile territory.
ἐθνῶνof GentilesGenitivegenitive (of destination/quality)ἔθνος: 'nation'; pl. = the Gentiles/non-Jews.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
ἀπέλθητεgo offAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart' (ἀπό + ἔρχομαι); the μή + aor. subj. forbids the action outright.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
πόλινa townAccusativeobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city, town.'
Σαμαριτῶνof SamaritansGenitivegenitive (of quality/possession)Σαμαρίτης: 'Samaritan'; the mixed-descent neighbors of Judea, religiously estranged from the Jews.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
εἰσέλθητεenterAor Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter' (εἰς + ἔρχομαι).
6

πορεύεσθε δὲ μᾶλλον πρὸς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ.

but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mission charge: positive scopeδὲThe positive counterpart: the destination is Israel, imaged as straying sheep (Jer 50:6; Ezek 34) — the flock without a shepherd of 9:36.
πορεύεσθεgoPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · πορεύομαιimperative (main command)→ present (general/iterative)πορεύομαι: 'go, proceed, travel'; the journeying verb of the mission.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparative/preference)μᾶλλον: 'rather, more'; marks the redirected priority — to Israel instead.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πρόβαταsheepAccusativeobject of πρόςπρόβατον: 'sheep'; the OT image of God's people needing a shepherd.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ptc.)
ἀπολωλόταlostPerf Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · ἀπόλλυμιattributive participle→ intensive perfect (settled state of lostness)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, lose'; perf. mid./act. = 'be lost, perish' — the sheep are in a state of lostness.
οἴκουof the houseGenitivepartitive/appositional genitiveοἶκος: 'house, household'; 'house of Israel' = the covenant people as a whole (Semitic idiom).
Ἰσραήλof IsraelGenitivegenitive of apposition (indeclinable)Ἰσραήλ: 'Israel'; the covenant nation, indeclinable.
7

πορευόμενοι δὲ κηρύσσετε λέγοντες ὅτι Ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven has drawn near.'

Mission charge: the messageδὲThe content of the proclamation — the very message of John (3:2) and of Jesus (4:17): the kingdom's nearness.
πορευόμενοιas you goPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πορεύομαιtemporal/attendant-circumstance ptc.→ present (concurrent)πορεύομαι: 'go'; the ptc. frames preaching as a 'going-and-proclaiming.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
κηρύσσετεproclaimPres Act Impv 2 Pl · κηρύσσωimperative (main command)→ present (iterative)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim as a herald, announce'; public heraldic announcement of the kingdom.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωptc. of speech (content)→ present (concurrent)
ὅτιthatconjunction (ὅτι recitativum)ὅτι: here introduces direct quotation ('that' = quotation marks).
Ἤγγικενhas drawn nearPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγγίζωmain verb (quoted clause)→ perfect (resultative — 'has come near and is near')ἐγγίζω: 'come near, approach'; the perfect stresses the realized nearness of the reign of God.
theNominativearticle
βασιλείαkingdomNominativesubjectβασιλεία: 'kingship, reign, kingdom'; God's saving rule breaking in.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitivegenitive (Matthean reverential periphrasis)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; 'kingdom of the heavens' is Matthew's reverent circumlocution for 'kingdom of God.'
8

ἀσθενοῦντας θεραπεύετε, νεκροὺς ἐγείρετε, λεπροὺς καθαρίζετε, δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλετε· δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Mission charge: the worksasyndetonFour imperatives extend Jesus' own ministry (chs. 8–9) to the Twelve; the maxim 'freely received, freely give' guards the gift from commercialization.
ἀσθενοῦνταςthe sickPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀσθενέωsubstantival participle (object)→ present (general)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak, sick'; the ailing as a class.
θεραπεύετεhealPres Act Impv 2 Pl · θεραπεύωimperative→ present (iterative)θεραπεύω: 'heal, cure.'
νεκροὺςthe deadAccusativedirect objectνεκρός: 'dead one'; the raising of the dead among the kingdom-signs (cf. 11:5).
ἐγείρετεraisePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐγείρωimperative→ present (iterative)ἐγείρω: 'raise up, wake'; here of resurrection.
λεπροὺςlepersAccusativedirect objectλεπρός: 'leprous, leper'; sufferer of a defiling skin-disease (cf. 8:2–4).
καθαρίζετεcleansePres Act Impv 2 Pl · καθαρίζωimperative→ present (iterative)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse, make clean'; both ritual and physical purity restored.
δαιμόνιαdemonsAccusativedirect objectδαιμόνιον: 'demon, evil spirit'; the objects of exorcism.
ἐκβάλλετεcast outPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκβάλλωimperative→ present (iterative)ἐκβάλλω: 'cast out, expel.'
δωρεὰνfreelyadverbial accusative (manner)δωρεάν: 'as a gift, without payment, freely'; acc. of δωρεά used adverbially.
ἐλάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (ground)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive'; the gift of authority and the gospel came to them gratis.
δωρεὰνfreelyadverbial accusative (manner)
δότεgiveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δίδωμιimperative→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the gift is to be passed on without charge.
9

μὴ κτήσησθε χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰς ζώνας ὑμῶν,

Do not acquire gold, nor silver, nor copper for your belts,

Mission charge: travel lightasyndetonThe traveling rule begins: no money is to be procured for the journey — the messengers must depend on God through their hosts (v.10b).
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
κτήσησθεacquireAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · κτάομαιprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristκτάομαι: 'procure, acquire, get for oneself'; not merely 'carry' but 'provide yourselves with' — do not stock up.
χρυσὸνgoldAccusativedirect objectχρυσός: 'gold'; the most valuable coinage.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ἄργυρονsilverAccusativedirect objectἄργυρος: 'silver'; the common coin metal.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
χαλκὸνcopperAccusativedirect objectχαλκός: 'copper, bronze'; small change — the descending series gold→silver→copper means 'no money at all.'
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ζώναςbeltsAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ζώνη: 'belt, girdle'; the money-belt in which travelers carried coin.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
10

μὴ πήραν εἰς ὁδὸν μηδὲ δύο χιτῶνας μηδὲ ὑποδήματα μηδὲ ῥάβδον· ἄξιος γὰρ ὁ ἐργάτης τῆς τροφῆς αὐτοῦ.

no bag for the road, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the worker is worthy of his food.

Mission charge: travel light (ground)asyndetonThe list of forbidden extras, capped by the proverb that grounds the whole rule: the laborer deserves his keep — God will provide through those who receive them.
μὴnonegative (elliptical, continuing κτήσησθε)
πήρανbagAccusativedirect object (verb implied)πήρα: 'knapsack, traveler's bag'; possibly a beggar's collection-bag — either way, no provision-sack.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
ὁδὸνthe roadAccusativeobject of εἰςὁδός: 'road, journey'; 'for the road' = for travel provisions.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
δύοtwoAccusativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)
χιτῶναςtunicsAccusativedirect objectχιτών: 'tunic'; the inner garment — no spare change of clothes.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ὑποδήματαsandalsAccusativedirect objectὑπόδημα: 'sandal'; i.e. no spare pair beyond what is worn.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ῥάβδονa staffAccusativedirect objectῥάβδος: 'staff, rod'; the traveler's stick (Mark permits one — a famous Synoptic divergence).
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; the laborer has a just claim to support.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (ground)
theNominativearticle
ἐργάτηςworkerNominativesubjectἐργάτης: 'worker, laborer'; the missionary as a kingdom-laborer (cf. 9:37–38).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
τροφῆςfoodGenitivegenitive after ἄξιος (the thing deserved)τροφή: 'nourishment, food, keep'; the maintenance owed the worker (Luke: 'wages').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
11

εἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν πόλιν ἢ κώμην εἰσέλθητε, ἐξετάσατε τίς ἐν αὐτῇ ἄξιός ἐστιν· κἀκεῖ μείνατε ἕως ἂν ἐξέλθητε.

And into whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and there remain until you depart.

Mission charge: the worthy hostδ’Lodging instructions: seek a 'worthy' host and stay put — no shopping for better hospitality, which would dishonor the message.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
ἣνwhateverAccusativerelative adjective (with ἄν, indefinite)
δ’anddevelopmental conjunction
ἂν-everparticle (generalizing, + subjunctive)ἄν: marks the relative clause as indefinite/generalizing.
πόλινtownAccusativeobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city, town.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
κώμηνvillageAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate)κώμη: 'village'; the smaller unsettlement, paired with πόλις to cover any locale.
εἰσέλθητεyou enterAor Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ ingressive aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter.'
ἐξετάσατεfind outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξετάζωimperative (main command)→ constative aoristἐξετάζω: 'inquire carefully, search out, examine'; investigate who is fit to host.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (indir. question)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν (the town)
ἄξιόςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy'; a fit/receptive host, deserving of the peace-blessing (v.13).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, indir. question)→ stative present
κἀκεῖand thereadverb (crasis καί + ἐκεῖ)κἀκεῖ: 'and there' (crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖ).
μείνατεremainAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μένωimperative→ constative aoristμένω: 'remain, stay, abide'; settle in one house, not roving.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, + ἂν subj.)ἕως: 'until.'
ἂνparticle (with subjunctive)
ἐξέλθητεyou departAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ ingressive aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart'; i.e. until you leave that town.
12

εἰσερχόμενοι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν ἀσπάσασθε αὐτήν·

And as you enter the house, greet it;

Mission charge: the greetingδὲThe peace-greeting (shalom) is to be pronounced over the house — a performative blessing that either rests or returns (v.13).
εἰσερχόμενοιas you enterPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰσέρχομαιtemporal participle→ present (concurrent)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeobject of εἰςοἰκία: 'house, household'; the host's home.
ἀσπάσασθεgreetAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιimperative (main command)→ constative aoristἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute'; here the peace-greeting of v.13 — a blessing of shalom.
αὐτήνitAccusativeobject of ἀσπάσασθε (the household)
13

καὶ ἐὰν μὲν ᾖ ἡ οἰκία ἀξία, ἐλθάτω ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν ἐπ’ αὐτήν· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ ἀξία, ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω.

and if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Mission charge: peace rests or returnsκαὶA balanced μέν…δέ pair: the spoken peace is no empty courtesy — it settles on a worthy house or, refused, comes back to the messengers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; with subjunctive, a probable/general condition.
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … δέ correlative)
isPres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (protasis)→ stative present
theNominativearticle
οἰκίαhouseNominativesubjectοἰκία: 'house, household.'
ἀξίαworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy'; the receptive household.
ἐλθάτωlet comeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἔρχομαι3rd-person imperative (apodosis)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the peace 'comes upon' the house as a real bestowal.
theNominativearticle
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubjectεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew shalom — wholeness and blessing, here almost a tangible gift.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of source
ἐπ’uponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)
αὐτήνitAccusativeobject of ἐπί
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)
δὲbutadversative (answering μέν)
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
isPres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (protasis)→ stative present
ἀξίαworthyNominativepredicate adjective
theNominativearticle
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of source
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ἐπιστραφήτωlet returnAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφω3rd-person imperative (apodosis)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return'; the blessing recoils to its bearers when refused.
14

καὶ ὃς ἂν μὴ δέξηται ὑμᾶς μηδὲ ἀκούσῃ τοὺς λόγους ὑμῶν, ἐξερχόμενοι ἔξω τῆς οἰκίας ἢ τῆς πόλεως ἐκείνης ἐκτινάξατε τὸν κονιορτὸν τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν.

And whoever will not receive you or listen to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake off the dust from your feet.

Mission charge: refusal answeredκαὶWhere the message is rejected, the symbolic act of shaking off the dust (as Jews did on leaving Gentile soil) declares the town's self-exclusion — a prophetic testimony against it.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (indefinite, + ἄν)
ἂν-everparticle (generalizing)
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
δέξηταιreceivesAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · δέχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aoristδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; to take in as a guest and accept the message.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of δέξηται
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ἀκούσῃlistens toAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀκούωsubjunctive (coordinate)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear, listen, heed'; here with accusative — give a hearing to.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
λόγουςwordsAccusativeobject of ἀκούσῃλόγος: 'word, message'; the gospel proclamation of v.7.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of source
ἐξερχόμενοιas you leavePres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιtemporal participle→ present (concurrent)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart.'
ἔξωoutsideadverb/improper preposition + genitiveἔξω: 'outside, out of.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
οἰκίαςhouseGenitiveobject of ἔξωοἰκία: 'house.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πόλεωςtownGenitiveobject of ἔξω (coordinate)πόλις: 'town, city.'
ἐκείνηςthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective
ἐκτινάξατεshake offAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκτινάσσωimperative (main command)→ constative aoristἐκτινάσσω: 'shake out/off' (ἐκ-intensive); the prophetic gesture of disassociation and testimony (cf. Acts 13:51).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κονιορτὸνdustAccusativedirect objectκονιορτός: 'dust, fine powder'; the town's dust, repudiated as defiling.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ποδῶνfeetGenitivegenitive of separation (from your feet)πούς: 'foot.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
15

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται γῇ Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρων ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ.

Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Mission charge: judgment warningasyndetonA solemn 'amen' saying closes the charge: rejecting the kingdom-messengers incurs a doom worse than Sodom's — the greater the light refused, the heavier the reckoning.
ἀμὴνtrulyparticle (solemn affirmation)ἀμήν: Heb. 'truly, verily'; Jesus' characteristic asseveration prefacing weighty pronouncements.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)λέγω: 'say'; 'amen I say to you' is Jesus' authoritative formula.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἀνεκτότερονmore bearableNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἀνεκτός: 'bearable, endurable'; comparative — the judgment will be relatively lighter for Sodom.
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive future
γῇfor the landDativedative of advantage/referenceγῆ: 'land, region'; the territory of the doomed cities.
Σοδόμωνof SodomGenitivegenitive of identityΣόδομα: 'Sodom'; the byword for judged wickedness (Gen 19).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΓομόρρωνGomorrahGenitivegenitive (coordinate)Γόμορρα: 'Gomorrah'; Sodom's twin city of destruction.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)
ἡμέρᾳthe dayDativedative of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'day of judgment' = the eschatological assize.
κρίσεωςof judgmentGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitiveκρίσις: 'judgment, verdict'; the final reckoning.
thanparticle (comparison after comparative)
τῇtheDativearticle
πόλειfor townDativedative of reference (second member)πόλις: 'town'; the rejecting town fares worse than Sodom.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective
16

Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων· γίνεσθε οὖν φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί.

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

Persecution: the disciples' exposureasyndetonThe discourse turns to coming hostility. The vulnerable 'sheep among wolves' image demands a paradoxical blend of serpent-shrewdness and dove-innocence — wariness without malice.
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; a deictic particle (frozen aor. impv. of εἶδον) summoning attention.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἀποστέλλωam sendingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ futuristic/progressive presentἀποστέλλω: 'send with a commission'; the emphatic ἐγώ underscores Jesus' personal authority behind the sending.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ὡςascomparative particle
πρόβαταsheepAccusativepredicate accusative (comparison)πρόβατον: 'sheep'; defenseless prey — the disciples' vulnerability.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
μέσῳthe midstDativeobject of ἐν (substantival adj.)μέσος: 'middle, midst'; surrounded on all sides.
λύκωνof wolvesGenitivepartitive/possessive genitiveλύκος: 'wolf'; the predatory hostile world (and false teachers, cf. 7:15).
γίνεσθεbePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιimperative (main command)→ present (general/iterative)γίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; 'show yourselves to be.'
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
φρόνιμοιshrewdNominativepredicate adjectiveφρόνιμος: 'prudent, shrewd, sensible'; practical wisdom that reads danger rightly.
ὡςascomparative particle
οἱtheNominativearticle (generic)
ὄφειςserpentsNominativepredicate nom. (comparison)ὄφις: 'snake, serpent'; proverbial for wary cunning.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκέραιοιinnocentNominativepredicate adjectiveἀκέραιος: 'unmixed, pure, innocent' (lit. 'unadulterated'); guileless, harmless.
ὡςascomparative particle
αἱtheNominativearticle (generic)
περιστεραίdovesNominativepredicate nom. (comparison)περιστερά: 'dove, pigeon'; proverbial for harmless simplicity.
17

προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων· παραδώσουσιν γὰρ ὑμᾶς εἰς συνέδρια καὶ ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν μαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς·

But beware of men; for they will hand you over to councils, and in their synagogues they will flog you;

Persecution: courts and synagoguesδὲThe concrete forms of the coming hostility — Jewish judicial bodies (συνέδρια) and synagogue floggings — anticipate the experience of the post-Easter church.
προσέχετεbewarePres Act Impv 2 Pl · προσέχωimperative (main command)→ present (ongoing vigilance)προσέχω: 'pay attention, take heed'; with ἀπό = 'be on guard against.'
δὲbutdevelopmental/adversative conjunction
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (separation/source of danger)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitiveobject of ἀπόἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; here hostile humanity in general.
παραδώσουσινthey will hand overFut Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb (ground)→ predictive futureπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up'; judicial surrender to a tribunal — the word of Jesus' own passion.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
συνέδριαcouncilsAccusativeobject of εἰςσυνέδριον: 'council, court'; local Jewish tribunals (and the Sanhedrin).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativeobject of ἐν (place)συναγωγή: 'synagogue, assembly'; the local congregation also functioned as a disciplinary venue.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
μαστιγώσουσινthey will flogFut Act Indic 3 Pl · μαστιγόωmain verb (coordinate)→ predictive futureμαστιγόω: 'whip, scourge, flog'; synagogue discipline of 'forty lashes less one' (cf. 2 Cor 11:24).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
18

καὶ ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνας δὲ καὶ βασιλεῖς ἀχθήσεσθε ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν.

and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

Persecution: before rulersκαὶ … δὲThe arena widens from Jewish to Gentile authority; persecution 'for my sake' becomes the very occasion of witness to rulers and nations — the mission advances through suffering.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + accusative (before/against)
ἡγεμόναςgovernorsAccusativeobject of ἐπίἡγεμών: 'leader, governor'; Roman provincial rulers (e.g. Pilate, Felix, Festus).
δὲindeedparticle (with καί, intensive 'and even')
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βασιλεῖςkingsAccusativeobject of ἐπί (coordinate)βασιλεύς: 'king'; client-kings and emperors (e.g. Herod Agrippa, cf. Acts 25–26).
ἀχθήσεσθεyou will be broughtFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἄγωmain verb→ predictive futureἄγω: 'lead, bring'; passive — dragged before tribunals.
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'on account of, for the sake of.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἕνεκεν (emphatic pronoun)
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (purpose/result)
μαρτύριονa testimonyAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)μαρτύριον: 'testimony, witness'; the trial becomes a witness-stand for the gospel.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of advantage/reference
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativedative of reference (coordinate)ἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; the witness reaches the nations — the mission of 28:19 foreshadowed.
19

ὅταν δὲ παραδῶσιν ὑμᾶς, μὴ μεριμνήσητε πῶς ἢ τί λαλήσητε· δοθήσεται γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τί λαλήσητε·

But when they hand you over, do not be anxious how or what you should speak; for it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;

Persecution: the promise of speechδὲAgainst the dread of the dock, a promise: no need to rehearse a defense — the words will be granted on the spot, for it is God who speaks (v.20).
ὅτανwhenconjunction (indefinite temporal, + subj.)ὅταν: 'whenever, when' (ὅτε + ἄν).
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
παραδῶσινthey hand overAor Act Subj 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
μεριμνήσητεbe anxiousAor Act Subj 2 Pl · μεριμνάωprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristμεριμνάω: 'be anxious, worried, preoccupied'; the same verb as the cares of 6:25–34.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (indir. question)
ordisjunctive conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of λαλήσητε)
λαλήσητεyou should speakAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λαλέωdeliberative subjunctive (indir. question)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the act of speaking, as in a defense.
δοθήσεταιit will be givenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (ground)→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give'; divine passive — God supplies the words.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective
τῇtheDativearticle
ὥρᾳhourDativedative of timeὥρα: 'hour, moment'; the very moment of trial.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)
λαλήσητεyou should speakAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λαλέωdeliberative subjunctive (indir. question)→ constative aorist
20

οὐ γὰρ ὑμεῖς ἐστε οἱ λαλοῦντες ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν τὸ λαλοῦν ἐν ὑμῖν.

for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Persecution: the Spirit speaksγὰρThe ground of the promise: the testimony is finally not the disciple's but the Father's Spirit speaking through him — divine speech in the human witness.
οὐnotnegative (with indicative)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐστεarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λαλοῦντεςspeakingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαλέωsubstantival ptc. (predicate)→ present (durative)λαλέω: 'speak'; 'the ones speaking' = the real source of the words.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject (the true speaker)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, here 'the Spirit of your Father.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitivegenitive of source/relationshipπατήρ: 'Father'; God as the disciples' Father — the Spirit is his.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
τὸthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λαλοῦνwho speaksPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · λαλέωattributive participle (with πνεῦμα)→ present (durative)λαλέω: 'speak'; neuter agreeing with πνεῦμα.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/instrument)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
21

παραδώσει δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον καὶ πατὴρ τέκνον, καὶ ἐπαναστήσονται τέκνα ἐπὶ γονεῖς καὶ θανατώσουσιν αὐτούς.

And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death.

Persecution: family betrayalδὲThe hostility penetrates the closest bonds; the sword of v.34 falls within the household — an eschatological-tribulation motif (Mic 7:6).
παραδώσειwill hand overFut Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureπαραδίδωμι: 'betray, hand over'; now within the family.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother.'
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
θάνατονdeathAccusativeobject of εἰς (outcome)θάνατος: 'death'; the betrayal is unto death.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πατὴρa fatherNominativesubject (verb implied)πατήρ: 'father.'
τέκνονchildAccusativedirect objectτέκνον: 'child, offspring.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπαναστήσονταιwill rise upFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπανίστημιmain verb→ predictive futureἐπανίστημι: 'rise up against, rebel' (ἐπί + ἀνά + ἵστημι); insurrection within the family.
τέκναchildrenNominativesubjectτέκνον: 'child.'
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostility)
γονεῖςparentsAccusativeobject of ἐπίγονεύς: 'parent'; pl. 'parents.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θανατώσουσινwill put to deathFut Act Indic 3 Pl · θανατόωmain verb→ predictive futureθανατόω: 'put to death, kill'; causative of θάνατος.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
22

καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου· ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος οὗτος σωθήσεται.

And you will be hated by all on account of my name; but the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved.

Persecution: hatred and enduranceκαὶUniversal hatred 'for my name' is matched by a promise: salvation belongs to the one who endures to the end — perseverance as the mark of genuine discipleship.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσεσθεyou will beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with ptc.)→ predictive future
μισούμενοιhatedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · μισέωpredicate ptc. (periphrastic future)→ present (durative — ongoing hatred)μισέω: 'hate, detest'; ἔσεσθε + ptc. = 'you will be (continually) hated.'
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
πάντωνallGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent)πᾶς: 'all, everyone'; comprehensive hostility.
διὰon account ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ὄνομα: 'name'; allegiance to Jesus is the ground of the hatred.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ὑπομείναςwho enduresAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑπομένωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristὑπομένω: 'remain under, endure, persevere' (ὑπό + μένω); steadfastness under pressure to the very end.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent)
τέλοςthe endAccusativeobject of εἰς (terminus)τέλος: 'end, goal'; either life's end, the persecution's end, or the consummation — endurance throughout.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (resumptive demonstrative)
σωθήσεταιwill be savedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save, rescue, deliver'; eschatological deliverance (divine passive).
23

ὅταν δὲ διώκωσιν ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ, φεύγετε εἰς τὴν ἑτέραν· ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ τελέσητε τὰς πόλεις τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

And when they persecute you in this town, flee to the other; for truly I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Persecution: flight and the Son of ManδὲFlight is permitted, not cowardice; and a famously difficult 'amen' saying caps the section: the mission to Israel's towns will be unfinished when the Son of Man comes — its referent (the resurrection, Pentecost, the fall of Jerusalem, or the Parousia) is the chapter's chief crux.
ὅτανwhenconjunction (indefinite temporal)ὅταν: 'whenever, when.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
διώκωσινthey persecutePres Act Subj 3 Pl · διώκωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ present (durative)διώκω: 'pursue, persecute'; harass and hunt down.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
πόλειtownDativeobject of ἐνπόλις: 'town.'
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective
φεύγετεfleePres Act Impv 2 Pl · φεύγωimperative (main command)→ present (iterative)φεύγω: 'flee, escape'; strategic flight to keep preaching, not apostasy.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἑτέρανotherAccusativesubstantival adj. (object of εἰς)ἕτερος: 'other, another'; the next town.
ἀμὴνtrulyparticle (solemn affirmation)ἀμήν: 'truly, verily.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
οὐnotnegative (emphatic οὐ μή)
μὴnotnegative (emphatic οὐ μή + subj.)οὐ μή: the strongest negation — 'by no means.'
τελέσητεyou finishAor Act Subj 2 Pl · τελέωsubjunctive of emphatic negation→ constative aoristτελέω: 'complete, finish, bring to an end'; here 'finish going through' (the circuit of towns).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
πόλειςtownsAccusativedirect objectπόλις: 'town, city'; the towns of Israel, the mission field.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸσραὴλIsraelGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)Ἰσραήλ: 'Israel.'
ἕωςbefore/untilconjunction (temporal, + ἂν subj.)ἕως: 'until, before.'
ἂνparticle (with subjunctive)
ἔλθῃcomesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the 'coming' of the Son of Man — variously identified, the crux of the verse.
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son'; 'the Son of Man' — Jesus' self-designation, with Danielic overtones (Dan 7:13).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitivegenitive (Semitic idiom 'the Man')ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου renders the Aramaic bar ʾenāš of Dan 7.
24

Οὐκ ἔστιν μαθητὴς ὑπὲρ τὸν διδάσκαλον οὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ.

A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above his master.

Disciple and master: the principleasyndetonA double proverb grounds the call to share the master's fate: the disciple/slave cannot expect treatment better than his teacher/lord receives.
Οὐκnotnegative (with indicative)
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
μαθητὴςa discipleNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner.'
ὑπὲρabovepreposition + accusative (superiority)ὑπέρ: 'above, beyond'; here of rank — superior to.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
διδάσκαλονteacherAccusativeobject of ὑπέρδιδάσκαλος: 'teacher'; Jesus as the disciples' master-instructor.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
δοῦλοςa slaveNominativesubject (parallel clause)δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant.'
ὑπὲρabovepreposition + accusative (superiority)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονmasterAccusativeobject of ὑπέρκύριος: 'lord, master'; the slave's owner.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
25

ἀρκετὸν τῷ μαθητῇ ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ. εἰ τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην Βεελζεβοὺλ ἐπεκάλεσαν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

Disciple and master: shared reproachasyndetonThe application: if Jesus, the head of the house, was slandered as 'Beelzebul,' his household must expect the same — an a fortiori binding the disciples to their Lord's reproach.
ἀρκετὸνenoughNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal)ἀρκετός: 'sufficient, enough'; 'it suffices.'
τῷfor theDativearticle
μαθητῇdiscipleDativedative of advantage/referenceμαθητής: 'disciple.'
ἵναthatconjunction (epexegetic/content)ἵνα: here introduces the content of 'enough' (not purpose).
γένηταιhe becomeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be.'
ὡςascomparative particle
theNominativearticle
διδάσκαλοςteacherNominativepredicate nom. (comparison)διδάσκαλος: 'teacher.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
δοῦλοςslaveNominativesubject (verb implied)δοῦλος: 'slave.'
ὡςascomparative particle
theNominativearticle
κύριοςmasterNominativepredicate nom. (comparison)κύριος: 'master, lord.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἰifconjunction (1st-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with indicative, a condition assumed true for argument.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκοδεσπότηνmaster of the houseAccusativedirect objectοἰκοδεσπότης: 'householder, master of the house' (οἶκος + δεσπότης); Jesus as head of his household.
ΒεελζεβοὺλBeelzebulAccusativedouble accusative (predicate/object complement)Βεελζεβούλ: 'Beelzebul' (prob. 'lord of the height/dwelling,' or 'lord of dung'); a name for the prince of demons (cf. 12:24) — the slander against Jesus.
ἐπεκάλεσανthey calledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπικαλέωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristἐπικαλέω: 'call, name, give a surname to'; here applied as a slur.
πόσῳhow muchDativedative of degree of differenceπόσος: 'how much/many'; πόσῳ μᾶλλον = 'how much more.'
μᾶλλονmoreadverb (comparative)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
οἰκιακοὺςhousehold membersAccusativeobject (verb 'will they call' implied)οἰκιακός: 'member of a household'; the disciples as Jesus' family — sharing his reproach.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
26

μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς· οὐδὲν γάρ ἐστιν κεκαλυμμένον ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται.

So do not fear them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

Fear not (1): all will be revealedοὖνThe first of three 'fear not' sayings: present concealment is temporary — truth, vindication, and the gospel will all come to light, so present hostility need not intimidate.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
οὖνsoinferential conjunction
φοβηθῆτεfearAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristφοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; deponent passive.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
οὐδὲνnothingNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one, nothing.'
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, periphrastic)→ gnomic present
κεκαλυμμένονconcealedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · καλύπτωpredicate ptc. (periphrastic perfect)→ resultative perfect (in a covered state)καλύπτω: 'cover, conceal, veil.'
thatNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
οὐκnotnegative
ἀποκαλυφθήσεταιwill be revealedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover, reveal' (ἀπό + καλύπτω); the antithesis of κεκαλυμμένον.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κρυπτὸνhiddenNominativepredicate adj. (subject, verb implied)κρυπτός: 'hidden, secret.'
thatNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
οὐnotnegative
γνωσθήσεταιwill be made knownFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureγινώσκω: 'know, come to know'; the hidden becomes known.
27

ὃ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, εἴπατε ἐν τῷ φωτί· καὶ ὃ εἰς τὸ οὖς ἀκούετε, κηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.

Fear not (1): proclaim openlyasyndetonThe corollary: the private teaching is destined for the public square — disciples must broadcast, not bury, what they have been given, fearlessly.
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object, fronted)
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (customary)λέγω: 'say, tell.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
σκοτίᾳdarkDativeobject of ἐνσκοτία: 'darkness'; here 'in private, secretly.'
εἴπατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωimperative (main command)→ constative aoristλέγω/εἶπον: 'say, speak.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
φωτίlightDativeobject of ἐνφῶς: 'light'; 'in the open, publicly.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object, fronted)
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
οὖςearAccusativeobject of εἰςοὖς: 'ear'; 'into the ear' = whispered confidentially.
ἀκούετεyou hearPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (customary)ἀκούω: 'hear.'
κηρύξατεproclaimAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κηρύσσωimperative (main command)→ constative aoristκηρύσσω: 'proclaim as a herald'; shout it abroad.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place upon)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
δωμάτωνhousetopsGenitiveobject of ἐπίδῶμα: 'housetop, roof'; the flat rooftop, a place of public announcement.
28

καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν μὴ δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι· φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον τὸν δυνάμενον καὶ ψυχὴν καὶ σῶμα ἀπολέσαι ἐν γεέννῃ.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Fear not (2): fear God, not menκαὶThe second 'fear not' reorders all fear: human persecutors reach only the body, but God holds soul and body, time and eternity — the one rightly to be feared (most read 'the one' as God, some as Satan; flagged).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative (with imperative)
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιimperative (prohibition)→ present (general — 'stop fearing')φοβέομαι: 'fear'; here with ἀπό (Semitic), 'be afraid of.'
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (Semitic 'fear of')
τῶνthe (ones)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀποκτεννόντωνwho killPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἀποκτείνωsubstantival participle (object of ἀπό)→ present (general)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'; the persecutors' utmost reach.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativeobject of ἀποκτεννόντωνσῶμα: 'body'; the mortal physical life, all men can touch.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativeobject of ἀποκτεῖναιψυχή: 'soul, life'; here the inner/eternal self beyond human power.
μὴnotnegative
δυναμένωνablePres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · δύναμαιattributive ptc. (with τῶν)→ present (durative)δύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the killers' incapacity over the soul.
ἀποκτεῖναιto killAor Act Inf · ἀποκτείνωcomplementary infinitive (after δυναμένων)→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill.'
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιimperative (main command)→ present (general)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; the right object of fear now named.
δὲratheradversative conjunction
μᾶλλονratheradverb (preference)
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δυνάμενονwho is ablePres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · δύναμαιsubstantival ptc. (object of φοβεῖσθε)→ present (durative)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the One whose power reaches soul and body — most take as God.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καί … καί)
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativeobject of ἀπολέσαιψυχή: 'soul.'
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
σῶμαbodyAccusativeobject of ἀπολέσαισῶμα: 'body'; the whole person, in eternal ruin.
ἀπολέσαιto destroyAor Act Inf · ἀπόλλυμιcomplementary infinitive (after δυνάμενον)→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, ruin'; not annihilate but bring to final ruin.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
γεέννῃGehennaDativeobject of ἐν (place)γέεννα: 'Gehenna' (Heb. gê-Hinnom, the Valley of Hinnom); the place of final fiery judgment — 'hell.'
29

οὐχὶ δύο στρουθία ἀσσαρίου πωλεῖται; καὶ ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ πεσεῖται ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἄνευ τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Fear not (3): the Father's careasyndetonThe third 'fear not' rests on providence: if the cheapest bird does not fall outside the Father's knowing will, the disciple's life is safe in his hands.
οὐχὶnotinterrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introduces a question anticipating affirmation.
δύοtwoNominativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)
στρουθίαsparrowsNominativesubjectστρουθίον: 'sparrow, small bird'; the cheapest of marketed creatures.
ἀσσαρίουfor a pennyGenitivegenitive of priceἀσσάριον: 'assarion'; a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius — a trifling sum.
πωλεῖταιare soldPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · πωλέωmain verb (neut. pl. subj., sg. verb)→ gnomic presentπωλέω: 'sell, offer for sale.'
καὶyetcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
ἓνoneNominativesubject (numeral substantive)εἷς: 'one'; not even one of them.
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (partitive)
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive
οὐnotnegative
πεσεῖταιwill fallFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb→ predictive future (gnomic)πίπτω: 'fall'; of the sparrow dropping to the earth (or being trapped).
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνgroundAccusativeobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, ground.'
ἄνευapart fromimproper preposition + genitive (without)ἄνευ: 'without, apart from'; i.e. apart from the Father's knowledge/will.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveobject of ἄνευπατήρ: 'Father'; the providential care of God over the least creature.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
30

ὑμῶν δὲ καὶ αἱ τρίχες τῆς κεφαλῆς πᾶσαι ἠριθμημέναι εἰσίν.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not (3): minute providenceδὲThe care intensifies: God's knowledge extends even to the count of one's hairs — nothing about the disciple is overlooked.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted, emphatic)
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
αἱtheNominativearticle
τρίχεςhairsNominativesubjectθρίξ: 'hair'; the most trivial, uncountable detail to us — counted by God.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κεφαλῆςheadGenitivegenitive of source/locationκεφαλή: 'head.'
πᾶσαιallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; every single one.
ἠριθμημέναιnumberedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · ἀριθμέωpredicate ptc. (periphrastic perfect)→ resultative perfect (counted and on record)ἀριθμέω: 'count, number'; perf. — already counted and kept.
εἰσίνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with ptc.)→ stative present
31

μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε· πολλῶν στρουθίων διαφέρετε ὑμεῖς.

So do not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Fear not (3): conclusionοὖνThe 'fear not' is repeated and grounded a fortiori: if sparrows are under the Father's eye, how much more his children, who far surpass them in worth.
μὴnotnegative (with imperative)
οὖνsoinferential conjunction
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιimperative (prohibition)→ present (general)φοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid.'
πολλῶνthan manyGenitivegenitive of comparison (with διαφέρετε)πολύς: 'many.'
στρουθίωνsparrowsGenitivegenitive of comparisonστρουθίον: 'sparrow.'
διαφέρετεyou are worth morePres Act Indic 2 Pl · διαφέρωmain verb→ stative/gnomic presentδιαφέρω: 'differ, surpass, be worth more'; with gen. of comparison — 'you are of more value.'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
32

Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς·

Everyone therefore who will confess me before men, I also will confess him before my Father who is in heaven;

Confession and denial: the positiveοὖνThe discourse moves to ultimate stakes: open confession of Jesus before men is met by his confession of the disciple before the Father — the Semitic 'confess in' implies covenant solidarity.
ΠᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'every, all.'
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
ὅστιςwhoNominativeindefinite relative pronounὅστις: 'whoever'; generalizing relative.
ὁμολογήσειwill confessFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge, profess'; ὁμολογέω ἐν (Semitism) = 'acknowledge, own.'
ἐνpreposition + dative (Semitic w/ ὁμολογέω)
ἐμοὶmeDativeobject of confession (emphatic pronoun)
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (in front of)ἔμπροσθεν: 'before, in front of.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενἄνθρωπος: 'person'; the public arena of confession.
ὁμολογήσωI will confessFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureὁμολογέω: 'confess, acknowledge'; Jesus' reciprocal owning of the confessor.
κἀγὼI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ)κἀγώ: 'and I, I also.'
ἐνpreposition + dative (Semitic w/ ὁμολογέω)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of confession
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενπατήρ: 'Father'; the heavenly court before which Jesus testifies.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
τοῦwho isGenitivearticle (attributive phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativeobject of ἐνοὐρανός: 'heaven'; 'my Father in the heavens' — Matthew's recurrent phrase.
33

ὅστις δ’ ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

but whoever will deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

Confession and denial: the negativeδ’The dark counterpart: denial before men is answered by Jesus' denial before the Father — the two verses frame discipleship's decisive, public test.
ὅστιςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative pronounὅστις: 'whoever.'
δ’butadversative conjunction
ἂν-everparticle (generalizing, + subj.)
ἀρνήσηταίdeniesAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἀρνέομαιsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀρνέομαι: 'deny, disown, refuse'; the opposite of ὁμολογέω — to repudiate allegiance.
μεmeAccusativedirect object
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἔμπροσθεν: 'before, in front of.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενἄνθρωπος: 'person.'
ἀρνήσομαιI will denyFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀρνέομαιmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureἀρνέομαι: 'deny, disown.'
κἀγὼI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ)κἀγώ: 'and I, I also.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενπατήρ: 'Father.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
τοῦwho isGenitivearticle (attributive phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativeobject of ἐνοὐρανός: 'heaven.'
34

Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· οὐκ ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἀλλὰ μάχαιραν.

Do not think that I came to bring peace upon the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

The cost: not peace but a swordasyndetonA jarring 'mission statement' caps the discourse on division: Jesus' coming forces a decision that cleaves even households — the 'sword' is the inevitable division his claim provokes, not violence he commands (cf. v.35; Mic 7:6).
Μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
νομίσητεthinkAor Act Subj 2 Pl · νομίζωprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristνομίζω: 'suppose, think, consider'; 'do not get the idea that.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of thinking)
ἦλθονI cameAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (content clause)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the 'I came' of mission-purpose (cf. 5:17).
βαλεῖνto bringAor Act Inf · βάλλωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'throw, cast, put'; here 'cast/bring' peace upon the earth.
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeobject of βαλεῖνεἰρήνη: 'peace'; not a false ease — Jesus does bring peace with God, but not the world's undisturbed calm.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνearthAccusativeobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land.'
οὐκnotnegative
ἦλθονI cameAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
βαλεῖνto bringAor Act Inf · βάλλωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aorist
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativeobject of βαλεῖν
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
μάχαιρανa swordAccusativeobject (βαλεῖν implied)μάχαιρα: 'sword, knife'; metaphor for the division Jesus' coming provokes (Luke's parallel reads 'division').
35

ἦλθον γὰρ διχάσαι ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ θυγατέρα κατὰ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς καὶ νύμφην κατὰ τῆς πενθερᾶς αὐτῆς,

For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

The cost: division explainedγὰρAn echo of Micah 7:6: allegiance to Jesus splits the closest kin along the line of faith — the very tribulation-image of v.21, now traced to its purpose.
ἦλθονI cameAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διχάσαιto divideAor Act Inf · διχάζωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristδιχάζω: 'divide in two, set at variance' (from δίχα, 'apart'); to turn one against another.
ἄνθρωπονa manAccusativeobject of διχάσαιἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; here a son.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostility)κατά: with gen., 'against.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρὸςfatherGenitiveobject of κατάπατήρ: 'father.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θυγατέραa daughterAccusativeobject (διχάσαι implied)θυγάτηρ: 'daughter.'
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostility)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
μητρὸςmotherGenitiveobject of κατάμήτηρ: 'mother.'
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νύμφηνa daughter-in-lawAccusativeobject (διχάσαι implied)νύμφη: 'bride, daughter-in-law.'
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostility)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πενθερᾶςmother-in-lawGenitiveobject of κατάπενθερά: 'mother-in-law.'
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship
36

καὶ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οἱ οἰκιακοὶ αὐτοῦ.

and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.

The cost: enemies at homeκαὶThe clinching line of the Micah citation: the dividing line of the kingdom runs through the front door — one's own household may become one's foes.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐχθροὶenemiesNominativepredicate nominativeἐχθρός: 'hostile, enemy'; those at enmity.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουmanGenitivegenitive (whose enemies)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
οἰκιακοὶhousehold membersNominativesubject (copula implied)οἰκιακός: 'member of one's household'; one's own family (cf. v.25).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
37

Ὁ φιλῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος, καὶ ὁ φιλῶν υἱὸν ἢ θυγατέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος·

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

The cost: supreme allegianceasyndetonJesus claims a love surpassing the deepest natural ties; to be 'worthy of him' is to set him above father, mother, child — a claim only God could rightly make.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
φιλῶνwho lovesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φιλέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (durative)φιλέω: 'love, have affection for'; family love, here measured against love for Jesus.
πατέραfatherAccusativeobject of φιλῶνπατήρ: 'father.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
μητέραmotherAccusativeobject of φιλῶνμήτηρ: 'mother.'
ὑπὲρmore thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)ὑπέρ: with acc., 'beyond, more than.'
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of ὑπέρ (emphatic pronoun)
οὐκnotnegative
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
μουof meGenitivegenitive after ἄξιος
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; fit to be Jesus' disciple.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
φιλῶνwho lovesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φιλέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (durative)φιλέω: 'love.'
υἱὸνsonAccusativeobject of φιλῶνυἱός: 'son.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeobject of φιλῶνθυγάτηρ: 'daughter.'
ὑπὲρmore thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of ὑπέρ
οὐκnotnegative
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
μουof meGenitivegenitive after ἄξιος
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy.'
38

καὶ ὃς οὐ λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου, οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος.

and whoever does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

The cost: taking up the crossκαὶThe first 'cross' saying in Matthew: discipleship means shouldering the instrument of one's own death and walking behind Jesus — a startling demand before the crucifixion is even foretold.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (generic)
οὐnotnegative
λαμβάνειtakesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (gnomic)λαμβάνω: 'take, take up'; here 'take up' (the cross).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
σταυρὸνcrossAccusativedirect objectσταυρός: 'cross, stake'; the condemned man's beam — a metaphor of total self-denial unto death.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκολουθεῖfollowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκολουθέωmain verb (coordinate)→ present (durative)ἀκολουθέω: 'follow, accompany as a disciple'; the verb of discipleship.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (behind)ὀπίσω: 'behind, after'; following in Jesus' train.
μουmeGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω
οὐκnotnegative
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
μουof meGenitivegenitive after ἄξιος
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy.'
39

ὁ εὑρὼν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολέσει αὐτήν, καὶ ὁ ἀπολέσας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εὑρήσει αὐτήν.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

The cost: losing and finding lifeasyndetonThe great paradox of discipleship closes the section: grasping at self-preservation forfeits true life, while losing one's life for Jesus' sake secures it — the cross-logic of v.38 stated as a principle.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὑρὼνwho findsAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὑρίσκωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find, secure'; here 'find/preserve' one's life by saving it from danger.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὴνlifeAccusativeobject of εὑρώνψυχή: 'life, soul, self'; the wordplay turns on its double sense — earthly life vs. true/eternal life.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀπολέσειwill loseFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb→ predictive futureἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, lose'; forfeit it ultimately.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀπολέσαςwho losesAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀπόλλυμιsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι: 'lose'; willingly surrender one's life.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὴνlifeAccusativeobject of ἀπολέσαςψυχή: 'life, soul.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'on account of, for the sake of.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἕνεκεν (emphatic pronoun)
εὑρήσειwill findFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find'; gain true/eternal life.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object
40

Ὁ δεχόμενος ὑμᾶς ἐμὲ δέχεται, καὶ ὁ ἐμὲ δεχόμενος δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με.

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Rewards: the chain of representationasyndetonThe closing section on reward opens with the law of agency (shaliach): to welcome the messengers is to welcome Jesus, and through him the Father who sent him — a chain of identity binding sender, sent, and host.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δεχόμενοςwho receivesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general)δέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; to take in as a guest and accept the message.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of δεχόμενος
ἐμὲmeAccusativedirect object (emphatic, fronted)
δέχεταιreceivesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δέχομαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of δεχόμενος (fronted)
δεχόμενοςwho receivesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general)δέχομαι: 'receive.'
δέχεταιreceivesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δέχομαιmain verb→ gnomic present
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀποστείλαντάwho sentAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀποστέλλωsubstantival participle (object)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send with a commission'; the Father, the ultimate Sender.
μεmeAccusativeobject of ἀποστείλαντα
41

ὁ δεχόμενος προφήτην εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου μισθὸν προφήτου λήμψεται, καὶ ὁ δεχόμενος δίκαιον εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου μισθὸν δικαίου λήμψεται.

Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

Rewards: prophet and righteous manasyndetonWelcoming a prophet or righteous person 'in the name' — because of who he is — makes the host a partner in his calling and so a sharer in his reward.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δεχόμενοςwho receivesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general)δέχομαι: 'receive, welcome.'
προφήτηνa prophetAccusativeobject of δεχόμενοςπροφήτης: 'prophet'; God's spokesman.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (reference/cause)
ὄνομαthe nameAccusativeobject of εἰς ('because he is')ὄνομα: 'name'; εἰς ὄνομα = 'on the ground that he is,' for the sake of what he is.
προφήτουof a prophetGenitivegenitive of identity/qualityπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
μισθὸνrewardAccusativedirect objectμισθός: 'wage, reward, recompense'; the share in the prophet's heavenly recompense.
προφήτουof a prophetGenitivegenitive of quality (a prophet's reward)
λήμψεταιwill receiveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: 'receive, get.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δεχόμενοςwho receivesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general)δέχομαι: 'receive.'
δίκαιονa righteous manAccusativeobject of δεχόμενοςδίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; a person right with God.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (reference/cause)
ὄνομαthe nameAccusativeobject of εἰςὄνομα: 'name'; 'because he is righteous.'
δικαίουof a righteous manGenitivegenitive of identity/qualityδίκαιος: 'righteous.'
μισθὸνrewardAccusativedirect objectμισθός: 'reward.'
δικαίουof a righteous manGenitivegenitive of quality
λήμψεταιwill receiveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: 'receive.'
42

καὶ ὃς ἂν ποτίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων ποτήριον ψυχροῦ μόνον εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ.

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, in the name of a disciple — truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Rewards: the cup of cold waterκαὶThe discourse ends at the smallest scale: the least kindness — a cup of cold water — shown to the least disciple, because he is a disciple, is divinely noticed and certainly rewarded. Grace reaches down to the 'little ones.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (generic, + ἄν)
ἂν-everparticle (generalizing, + subj.)
ποτίσῃgives to drinkAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποτίζωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aoristποτίζω: 'give to drink, water'; the smallest act of refreshment.
ἕναoneAccusativedirect object (numeral substantive)εἷς: 'one.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
μικρῶνlittle onesGenitivepartitive genitiveμικρός: 'small, little'; 'these little ones' = the humble disciples, easily overlooked (cf. 18:6).
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative adjective
ποτήριονa cupAccusativeobject of ποτίσῃ (double acc.)ποτήριον: 'cup, drinking vessel.'
ψυχροῦof cold waterGenitivegenitive of content (substantival adj.)ψυχρός: 'cold'; 'cold (water)' — the cheapest, simplest refreshment, costing nothing.
μόνονonly/evenadverb (limiting — 'merely')μόνον: 'only, merely'; stresses the smallness of the gift.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (reference/cause)
ὄνομαthe nameAccusativeobject of εἰς ('because he is')ὄνομα: 'name'; εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ = 'because he is a disciple.'
μαθητοῦof a discipleGenitivegenitive of identity/qualityμαθητής: 'disciple'; the motive — honoring him as Christ's follower.
ἀμὴνtrulyparticle (solemn affirmation)ἀμήν: 'truly, verily.'
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
οὐnotnegative (emphatic οὐ μή)
μὴnotnegative (emphatic οὐ μή + subj.)οὐ μή: emphatic negation — 'by no means.'
ἀπολέσῃwill loseAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιsubjunctive of emphatic negation→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι: 'lose, forfeit'; the reward is utterly secure.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
μισθὸνrewardAccusativedirect objectμισθός: 'reward, recompense'; the divine reward for even the least kindness.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession