Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 11ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΘΘΑΙΟΝ ΙΑ′

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 ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς διατάσσων τοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, μετέβη ἐκεῖθεν τοῦ διδάσκειν καὶ κηρύσσειν ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν.

And it came about, when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, that he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Discourse-closing formula / transitionΚαὶ ἐγένετοThe recurring Matthean formula 'and when Jesus had finished' (cf. 7:28; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) closes the mission discourse of ch. 10 and pivots to a new narrative block.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
ἐγένετοit came aboutAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Septuagintal 'and it came to pass')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο renders the Hebrew wayĕhî, a narrative-transition formula.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
ἐτέλεσενhe finishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τελέωverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristτελέω: 'complete, finish'; the structural marker ending each of Matthew's five great discourses.
Nominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus; the Greek form of Joshua/Yēšûaʿ, 'YHWH saves' (cf. 1:21).
διατάσσωνinstructingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · διατάσσωcomplementary participle (object of ἐτέλεσεν)→ present (in-progress action)διατάσσω: 'give orders, instruct, arrange'; the content finished is the commissioning of ch. 10.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
δώδεκαtwelveDativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)δώδεκα: 'twelve'; the apostolic number echoing the tribes of Israel.
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect object (recipients of instruction)μαθητής: 'learner, disciple'; those taught and sent in ch. 10.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
μετέβηhe went onAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταβαίνωmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristμεταβαίνω: 'move on, depart' (μετά + βαίνω); Jesus moves to his own itinerant ministry.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (separation)ἐκεῖθεν: 'from that place.'
τοῦtoGenitivearticle governing articular infinitive (purpose)
διδάσκεινteachPres Act Inf · διδάσκωarticular infinitive of purpose→ present (general activity)διδάσκω: 'teach'; with κηρύσσειν, the twin verbs of Jesus' public ministry (cf. 4:23; 9:35).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κηρύσσεινpreachPres Act Inf · κηρύσσωarticular infinitive of purpose (coordinate)→ present (general activity)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald'; announcing the nearness of the kingdom.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
πόλεσινcitiesDativedat. of placeπόλις: 'city, town'; the Galilean towns of the surrounding region.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
2

Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης ἀκούσας ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Χριστοῦ πέμψας διὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ

Now John, when he heard in prison about the works of the Christ, sent word by his disciples

Scene shift (new episode)δέδέ introduces the new episode of John's question; the participles ἀκούσας and πέμψας set up the main verb εἶπεν of v.3.
Nominativearticle
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubjectἸωάννης: John (the Baptist); the indeclinable Hebrew Yôḥānān, here in its Greek nominative form.
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωtemporal/causal participle→ antecedent aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; news of Jesus' works reaches John even in confinement.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
δεσμωτηρίῳprisonDativedat. of placeδεσμωτήριον: 'prison, place of bonds' (from δεσμός); John is held by Herod Antipas (cf. 14:3).
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativeobject of ἀκούσαςἔργον: 'work, deed'; the messianic works of chs. 8–9 that prompt the question.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of source/possessionΧριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; Matthew names him 'the Christ' precisely where his messianic credentials are in question.
πέμψαςhaving sentAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πέμπωcircumstantial participle (means)→ antecedent aoristπέμπω: 'send'; John dispatches an embassy of inquiry.
διὰbypreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivegenitive of intermediate agencyμαθητής: 'disciple'; John's own followers, the messengers of the question.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
3

εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἢ ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν;

and said to him, "Are you the Coming One, or should we look for another?"

Direct speech (the question)asyndetonThe main verb of vv.2–3; John's disciples relay his question — the messianic title 'the Coming One' set against the possibility of waiting for someone else.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the singular keeps John the speaker, though disciples convey it.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (to Jesus)
ΣὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; the fronted pronoun stresses 'is it you?'
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula (question)→ stative present
theNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐρχόμενοςComing OnePres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsubstantival participle (predicate nom.)→ present (titular)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; ὁ ἐρχόμενος is a messianic designation (cf. Ps 118:26; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:11; 21:9).
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἕτερονanotherAccusativedirect object of προσδοκῶμενἕτερος: 'another (of a different kind)'; here simply 'someone else.'
προσδοκῶμενshould we look forPres Act Subj 1 Pl · προσδοκάωdeliberative subjunctive→ deliberative presentπροσδοκάω: 'wait for, expect'; the verb of messianic expectation. (Form is identical to the indicative; read as deliberative.)
4

Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Πορευθέντες ἀπαγγείλατε Ἰωάννῃ ἃ ἀκούετε καὶ βλέπετε·

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

ResponseΚαὶJesus' reply: not a self-claim but a directive to relay the evidence of the works — the answer is the deeds themselves.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιredundant/Semitic participle of speech→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply'; ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν is a Septuagintal idiom, 'answered and said.'
Nominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech)→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
Πορευθέντεςhaving goneAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πορεύομαιattendant-circumstance participle (with imper.)→ antecedent aoristπορεύομαι: 'go, proceed'; the participle takes imperatival force alongside ἀπαγγείλατε — 'go and report.'
ἀπαγγείλατεreportAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωimperative (main command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀπαγγέλλω: 'announce, report back' (ἀπό + ἀγγέλλω); carry the message to its sender.
Ἰωάννῃto JohnDativeindirect object
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
ἀκούετεyou hearPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωverb of relative clause→ present (ongoing perception)ἀκούω: 'hear'; aural evidence — Jesus' preaching to the poor.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βλέπετεseePres Act Indic 2 Pl · βλέπωverb of relative clause (coordinate)→ present (ongoing perception)βλέπω: 'see, look at'; visible evidence — the healings just enumerated.
5

τυφλοὶ ἀναβλέπουσιν καὶ χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσιν, λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται καὶ κωφοὶ ἀκούουσιν, καὶ νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται καὶ πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται·

the blind receive sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised and the poor have good news preached to them;

Catalogue of works (evidence)asyndetonA six-fold list woven from Isaiah 35:5–6 and 61:1 (LXX); the climax is the gospel preached to the poor, the sign that the messianic age has dawned.
τυφλοὶthe blindNominativesubject (substantival adj.)τυφλός: 'blind'; first of the Isaianic signs (Isa 35:5; 61:1 LXX).
ἀναβλέπουσινreceive sightPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβλέπωmain verb→ present (current reality)ἀναβλέπω: 'look up; recover sight' (ἀνά + βλέπω); the restoration of sight.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χωλοὶthe lameNominativesubjectχωλός: 'lame'; cf. Isa 35:6, 'the lame shall leap.'
περιπατοῦσινwalkPres Act Indic 3 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb→ present (current reality)περιπατέω: 'walk about'; mobility restored.
λεπροὶlepersNominativesubjectλεπρός: 'leprous, a leper'; the cleansing not in Isaiah's list but in Jesus' works (cf. 8:2–3).
καθαρίζονταιare cleansedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · καθαρίζωmain verb (passive)→ present (current reality)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse, purify'; ritual and physical restoration of the leper.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κωφοὶthe deafNominativesubjectκωφός: 'deaf (or mute)'; cf. Isa 35:5, 'the ears of the deaf unstopped.'
ἀκούουσινhearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ present (current reality)ἀκούω: 'hear'; hearing restored.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νεκροὶthe deadNominativesubjectνεκρός: 'dead'; raising the dead exceeds the Isaiah catalogue (cf. 9:25).
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (passive)→ present (current reality)ἐγείρω: 'raise up'; the divine passive — God raises through Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πτωχοὶthe poorNominativesubjectπτωχός: 'poor, destitute'; the recipients of the good news in Isa 61:1.
εὐαγγελίζονταιhave good news preachedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (passive)→ present (current reality)εὐαγγελίζω: 'preach good news'; the climactic sign (Isa 61:1), placed last for emphasis.
6

καὶ μακάριός ἐστιν ὃς ἐὰν μὴ σκανδαλισθῇ ἐν ἐμοί.

and blessed is whoever is not scandalized because of me."

Beatitude / closing pronouncementκαὶA veiled invitation to John himself: blessed is the one who takes no offense at a Messiah whose works are mercy, not the fiery judgment John announced (3:10–12).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μακάριόςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (fronted)μακάριος: 'blessed, fortunate'; the beatitude form (cf. 5:3–11).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of clause)ὅς ἐάν: 'whoever' — an indefinite relative construction.
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefiniteness)
μὴnotnegative particle
σκανδαλισθῇis scandalizedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · σκανδαλίζωsubjunctive (indefinite relative clause)→ constative aoristσκανδαλίζω: 'cause to stumble, give offense' (from σκάνδαλον, a trap-trigger); to be tripped into unbelief.
ἐνbecause ofpreposition + dative (cause/occasion)
ἐμοίmeDativeobject of ἐν (occasion of offense)ἐγώ: 'me'; the emphatic dative — Jesus himself is the potential stumbling-block.
7

Τούτων δὲ πορευομένων ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγειν τοῖς ὄχλοις περὶ Ἰωάννου· Τί ἐξήλθατε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον θεάσασθαι; κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον;

As these were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?

Scene transition / new speechδέWith John's messengers departing, Jesus turns to the crowds to interpret John — a genitive absolute opening a rhetorical triple question (vv.7–9).
ΤούτωνtheseGenitivesubject of genitive absoluteοὗτος: 'this one'; the departing disciples of John.
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
πορευομένωνgoing awayPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · πορεύομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent)πορεύομαι: 'go, depart'; the messengers leave as Jesus begins to speak.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (ingressive, + inf.)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin'; with λέγειν, a common Synoptic idiom marking the start of discourse.
Nominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
λέγεινto speakPres Act Inf · λέγωcomplementary infinitive→ present (durative)λέγω: 'speak, say.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ὄχλοιςcrowdsDativeindirect object (audience)ὄχλος: 'crowd, multitude'; the public Jesus addresses about John.
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἸωάννουJohnGenitiveobject of περί
ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of θεάσασθαι)τίς: 'what?'; the head of the threefold rhetorical question.
ἐξήλθατεdid you go outAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (question)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the crowds had streamed out to the Jordan to John (cf. 3:5).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeobject of εἰς (place)ἔρημος: 'desert, wilderness'; the locale of John's ministry.
θεάσασθαιto beholdAor Mid Inf · θεάομαιinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristθεάομαι: 'gaze at, behold' (whence 'theater'); to view as a spectacle.
κάλαμονa reedAccusativeobject (elliptical second question)κάλαμος: 'reed, stalk'; the riverbank reed — image of a vacillating, weak man (which John was not).
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
ἀνέμουwindGenitivegenitive of agencyἄνεμος: 'wind.'
σαλευόμενονshakenPres Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · σαλεύωattributive participle (modifies κάλαμον)→ present (ongoing state)σαλεύω: 'shake, agitate'; the wind-tossed reed — instability and inconstancy.
8

ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν; ἄνθρωπον ἐν μαλακοῖς ἠμφιεσμένον; ἰδοὺ οἱ τὰ μαλακὰ φοροῦντες ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων εἰσίν.

But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings.

Rhetorical question (second member)ἀλλὰThe second of three questions: John was no luxuriating courtier; the camel's-hair prophet belonged to the wilderness, not the palace.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)
ἐξήλθατεdid you go outAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (question)→ constative aorist
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see' (aorist ἰδεῖν); to look upon.
ἄνθρωπονa manAccusativeobject (elliptical question)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, man.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (clothing)
μαλακοῖςsoft clothingDativedat. (substantival adj., attire)μαλακός: 'soft, delicate'; the fine garments of the wealthy and effete.
ἠμφιεσμένονdressedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀμφιέννυμιattributive participle (modifies ἄνθρωπον)→ perfect (settled state of being clothed)ἀμφιέννυμι: 'clothe, dress'; the perfect depicts the standing condition of being clad.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (demonstrative particle)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; a Semitic attention-marker.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μαλακὰsoft clothingAccusativeobject of φοροῦντες (substantival adj.)μαλακός: here 'soft (garments).'
φοροῦντεςwho wearPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φορέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (habitual)φορέω: 'wear (habitually)' (frequentative of φέρω); to don as a regular garb.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οἴκοιςhousesDativedat. of placeοἶκος: 'house, household'; the palaces of royalty.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
βασιλέωνkingsGenitivegenitive of possessionβασιλεύς: 'king'; possibly a barb at Herod, in whose prison John actually sat.
εἰσίνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
9

ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν; προφήτην; ναί, λέγω ὑμῖν, καὶ περισσότερον προφήτου.

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Rhetorical question (third member, climax)ἀλλὰThe third question reaches the truth — John is a prophet — and then surpasses it: 'more than a prophet,' for he is himself the prophesied forerunner (v.10).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object)
ἐξήλθατεdid you go outAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (question)→ constative aorist
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aorist
προφήτηνa prophetAccusativeobject (elliptical question)προφήτης: 'prophet'; one who speaks for God — the right answer, but not the whole.
ναίyesparticle of affirmationναί: 'yes, indeed.'
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (solemn assertion)→ present (performative)λέγω: 'say, tell'; λέγω ὑμῖν marks an authoritative pronouncement.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
καὶeven/andascensive conjunction
περισσότερονmore thanAccusativecomparative adjective (object, elliptical)περισσότερος: 'greater, more abundant' (comparative of περισσός); John exceeds the prophetic category.
προφήτουa prophetGenitivegenitive of comparisonπροφήτης: 'prophet'; the standard of comparison John surpasses.
10

οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται· Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου.

This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

Scriptural ground (citation)asyndetonThe reason John is 'more than a prophet': he is the messenger of Malachi 3:1 (blended with Exod 23:20), the herald who readies the Lord's way — and so a figure within the prophecy, not merely its speaker.
οὗτόςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; John, the subject identified with the prophecy.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί)
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (abiding authority)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect γέγραπται = 'it stands written,' the standard formula introducing Scripture.
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjectionἰδού: 'behold!'; opening the cited oracle (Mal 3:1 / Exod 23:20 LXX).
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic, God speaking)ἐγώ: 'I'; the divine speaker of the oracle.
ἀποστέλλωsendPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (citation)→ futuristic/present (prophetic)ἀποστέλλω: 'send (with commission)'; the sending of the herald.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄγγελόνmessengerAccusativedirect objectἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; here the human herald — John.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (precedence)
προσώπουfaceGenitiveobject of πρό (Semitic idiom)πρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; πρὸ προσώπου σου, 'ahead of you,' a Hebraism.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (addressee = Messiah)σύ: 'your'; strikingly, the oracle's 'my' way (Malachi) becomes 'your' way — the Lord's coming is the Messiah's coming.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
κατασκευάσειwill prepareFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κατασκευάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureκατασκευάζω: 'prepare, make ready, construct'; the herald readies the road.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὁδόνwayAccusativedirect objectὁδός: 'road, way'; the path prepared for the coming Lord (cf. Isa 40:3 at 3:3).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἔμπροσθένbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἔμπροσθεν: 'in front of, before.'
σουyouGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθεν
11

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐκ ἐγήγερται ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν μείζων Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ· ὁ δὲ μικρότερος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν μείζων αὐτοῦ ἐστιν.

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Solemn pronouncement (with antithesis)asyndetonAn ἀμήν-saying placing John at the summit of the old era, then the paradoxical δέ: the least in the dawning kingdom outranks him, for they stand on the far side of the turning-point.
ἀμὴνamenparticle (solemn affirmation)ἀμήν: Hebrew 'truly, surely'; Jesus' distinctive prefatory asseveration.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγήγερταιhas arisenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ intensive perfect (standing result)ἐγείρω: 'raise, arise'; here intransitive-passive, of appearing on the human stage.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
γεννητοῖςthose bornDativedat. of sphere (substantival adj.)γεννητός: 'born, begotten'; γεννητοὶ γυναικῶν, a Semitic idiom for 'human beings' (cf. Job 14:1).
γυναικῶνof womenGenitivegenitive of sourceγυνή: 'woman.'
μείζωνgreaterNominativesubject (comparative adj.)μέγας → μείζων: 'greater' (comparative); no one of greater stature than John.
Ἰωάννουthan JohnGenitivegenitive of comparison
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
βαπτιστοῦBaptistGenitiveapposition (title)βαπτιστής: 'baptizer'; John's distinguishing title.
theNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
δὲyetadversative conjunction
μικρότεροςleastNominativesubject (comparative for superlative)μικρός → μικρότερος: 'smaller, least'; the comparative here functions as a superlative, 'the least.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
βασιλείᾳkingdomDativedat. of sphereβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the realm of God's inbreaking rule.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitivegenitive (Matthean reverential circumlocution)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν, Matthew's reverent equivalent for 'kingdom of God.'
μείζωνgreaterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)
αὐτοῦthan heGenitivegenitive of comparison
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
12

ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence / is forcefully advancing, and violent men seize it.

Development (the kingdom and force)δέThe chapter's most contested saying: βιάζεται may be passive ('suffers violence' — opposed/attacked) or middle ('advances forcefully'); βιασταί correspondingly 'violent opponents' or 'forceful claimants' who 'seize' it. The ambiguity is left standing in the gloss.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal source)
δὲdevelopmental conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the days of John' = the era of his ministry.
Ἰωάννουof JohnGenitivegenitive of relationship
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
βαπτιστοῦBaptistGenitiveapposition (title)
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition (temporal limit)ἕως: 'until, as far as.'
ἄρτιnowadverb of timeἄρτι: 'now, at this moment'; the present span since John.
theNominativearticle
βασιλείαkingdomNominativesubjectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitivegenitive (circumlocution)οὐρανός: 'heaven.'
βιάζεταιsuffers violence / advances forcefullyPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · βιάζωmain verb (voice ambiguous)→ present (durative, since John)βιάζω: 'use force'; passive 'is treated violently / forced,' middle 'forces its way, presses forward'; the famous crux — deponent-middle ('advances forcefully') vs. passive ('suffers violence').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βιασταὶviolent menNominativesubjectβιαστής: 'a violent/forceful person'; either hostile assailants of the kingdom or eager people who lay hold of it.
ἁρπάζουσινseizePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἁρπάζωmain verb→ present (durative)ἁρπάζω: 'snatch, seize, plunder'; to grasp forcibly — for ill (plunder) or for good (lay claim).
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object (= the kingdom)
13

πάντες γὰρ οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν·

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John;

Ground (salvation-historical)γὰρExplains the turning-point at John: the whole prophetic-legal economy pointed forward 'until John,' who stands on the hinge between promise and fulfillment.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
προφῆταιProphetsNominativesubjectπροφήτης: 'prophet'; here the prophetic Scriptures (placed before 'the Law' for emphasis on prediction).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
νόμοςLawNominativesubject (coordinate)νόμος: 'law'; the Torah, here joined with the Prophets as a prophesying whole.
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition (temporal limit)
ἸωάννουJohnGenitiveobject of ἕως
ἐπροφήτευσανprophesiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προφητεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (summing the era)προφητεύω: 'prophesy, speak forth'; the whole prior revelation had a forward-pointing, anticipatory character.
14

καὶ εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι, αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι.

and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Identification (conditional)καὶJohn is the eschatological Elijah of Malachi 4:5; the conditional 'if you are willing to accept it' acknowledges the identification can only be received by faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰifconditional conjunction (1st class)
θέλετεyou are willingPres Act Indic 2 Pl · θέλωverb of protasis→ present (state of willing)θέλω: 'wish, be willing'; acceptance is a matter of the will.
δέξασθαιto acceptAor Mid Inf · δέχομαιcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristδέχομαι: 'receive, accept, welcome'; to embrace the identification.
αὐτόςheNominativesubject (emphatic)αὐτός: 'he himself'; emphatic — this very John.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἨλίαςElijahNominativepredicate nominativeἨλίας: Elijah; the prophet whose return was awaited before the Day of the Lord (Mal 4:5–6).
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μέλλωνwho isPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μέλλωattributive participle (with inf.)→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; the expected/coming Elijah.
ἔρχεσθαιto comePres Mid Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with μέλλων)→ present (durative)ἔρχομαι: 'come.'
15

ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

The one who has ears, let him hear.

Call to attentionasyndetonA formulaic summons (cf. 13:9, 43) flagging the saying as weighty and demanding spiritual discernment — not everyone will perceive John's Elijah-identity.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (stative)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the one possessing ears (capacity to hear).
ὦταearsAccusativedirect objectοὖς: 'ear'; figurative of receptive understanding.
ἀκουέτωlet him hearPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (3rd person)→ present imperative (ongoing duty)ἀκούω: 'hear, heed'; here 'truly listen, take heed.'
16

Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶν παιδίοις καθημένοις ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις

But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to the others,

Parable introductionδέA new unit: the parable of the peevish children, indicting 'this generation' for refusing both John's austerity and Jesus' joy — a 'damned if you do' fickleness.
Τίνιto whatDativeinterrogative pronoun (dat. w/ ὁμοιώσω)τίς: 'what?'; the comparison-question opening the parable.
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
ὁμοιώσωshall I compareFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁμοιόωmain verb (deliberative future)→ deliberative futureὁμοιόω: 'liken, compare'; the rabbinic parable formula.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γενεὰνgenerationAccusativedirect objectγενεά: 'generation'; ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη, the present (unresponsive) contemporaries.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifies γενεάν)οὗτος: 'this.'
ὁμοίαlikeNominativepredicate adjectiveὅμοιος: 'like, similar' (+ dat.).
ἐστὶνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
παιδίοιςchildrenDativedat. of comparison (object of ὁμοία)παιδίον: 'little child'; the playing children of the marketplace simile.
καθημένοιςsittingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Neut · κάθημαιattributive participle (modifies παιδίοις)→ present (ongoing posture)κάθημαι: 'sit'; the children seated at their games.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἀγοραῖςmarketplacesDativedat. of placeἀγορά: 'marketplace, public square'; the children's playground.
whoNominativerelative pronoun (neut. pl., subject)
προσφωνοῦνταcall outPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · προσφωνέωcircumstantial/attributive participle→ present (ongoing)προσφωνέω: 'call out to, address'; the children calling to their playmates.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἑτέροιςothersDativeindirect object (substantival adj.)ἕτερος: 'other'; the other group of children.
17

λέγουσιν· Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε· ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε.

saying, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

Direct speech (the children's complaint)asyndetonThe taunt of the seated children: neither the glad tune nor the sad one moved their fellows — an image of a generation that responds to neither John's nor Jesus' summons.
λέγουσινsayingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introduces speech)→ present (vivid)λέγω: 'say.'
Ηὐλήσαμενwe played the fluteAor Act Indic 1 Pl · αὐλέωmain verb (quoted)→ constative aoristαὐλέω: 'play the flute/pipe' (from αὐλός); the merry, wedding-like tune.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedat. of advantage
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ὠρχήσασθεyou dancedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ὀρχέομαιmain verb (quoted)→ constative aoristὀρχέομαι: 'dance'; the expected joyful response not given.
ἐθρηνήσαμενwe sang a dirgeAor Act Indic 1 Pl · θρηνέωmain verb (quoted)→ constative aoristθρηνέω: 'lament, sing a dirge'; the funeral-mourning tune.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκόψασθεyou mournedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · κόπτωmain verb (quoted)→ constative aoristκόπτω (mid.): 'beat (oneself in grief), mourn'; the breast-beating of lamentation.
18

ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Δαιμόνιον ἔχει·

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'

Application (the dirge refused)γὰρThe parable's first application: John's ascetic 'dirge' was dismissed as demonic — they would not 'mourn' with him.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; of John's appearance on the scene.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubject
μήτεneithercorrelative negative conjunctionμήτε … μήτε: 'neither … nor.'
ἐσθίωνeatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ present (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; John's fasting, locust-and-honey austerity (3:4).
μήτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
πίνωνdrinkingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πίνωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ present (characteristic)πίνω: 'drink'; abstaining from wine (cf. Luke 1:15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ present (reported reaction)
Δαιμόνιονa demonAccusativedirect objectδαιμόνιον: 'demon, evil spirit'; the slander cast at John's strangeness.
ἔχειhe hasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (quoted)→ present (stative)ἔχω: 'have'; δαιμόνιον ἔχει = 'he is demon-possessed.'
19

ἦλθεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν. καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτῆς.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.

Application (the flute refused) + aphorismasyndetonThe second application: Jesus' festive 'flute' was scorned as gluttony — they would not 'dance.' The closing aphorism vindicates true Wisdom: 'justified by her deeds' (the printed text; the Lukan parallel reads 'her children').
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son'; ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, Jesus' self-designation (cf. Dan 7:13).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (title-bound)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; 'the Son of Man,' Jesus' favored title.
ἐσθίωνeatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ present (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; Jesus' table-fellowship with all comers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίνωνdrinkingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πίνωcircumstantial participle (manner)→ present (characteristic)πίνω: 'drink.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ present (reported reaction)
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjectionἰδού: 'look!'
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativepredicate/exclamatory nominativeἄνθρωπος: 'man, fellow' (here dismissive).
φάγοςgluttonNominativeapposition (epithet)φάγος: 'glutton'; a term of reproach for the gluttonous (cf. Deut 21:20).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἰνοπότηςdrunkardNominativeapposition (epithet)οἰνοπότης: 'wine-drinker, drunkard' (οἶνος + πότης).
τελωνῶνof tax collectorsGenitiveobjective genitive (with φίλος)τελώνης: 'tax collector'; despised collaborators with Rome.
φίλοςa friendNominativeapposition (epithet)φίλος: 'friend'; intended as slander, but truly Jesus' glory (cf. 9:10–13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἁμαρτωλῶνsinnersGenitiveobjective genitive (with φίλος)ἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; the religiously marginalized.
καὶyetcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
ἐδικαιώθηis justifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (gnomic)→ gnomic aoristδικαιόω: 'justify, vindicate, prove right'; Wisdom is proven right — the gnomic aorist of timeless truth.
theNominativearticle
σοφίαwisdomNominativesubject (personified)σοφία: 'wisdom'; personified divine Wisdom (cf. Prov 8), vindicated by her outworking.
ἀπὸbypreposition + genitive (means/source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἔργωνdeedsGenitiveobject of ἀπό (means)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the printed reading (vs. τέκνων, 'children,' in Luke 7:35) — Wisdom proven by her results.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession
20

Τότε ἤρξατο ὀνειδίζειν τὰς πόλεις ἐν αἷς ἐγένοντο αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐ μετενόησαν·

Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:

Scene transition (woes)ΤότεΤότε introduces the woe-oracle section; the rejection theme of the parable now sharpens into judgment-reproach against the unrepentant Galilean towns.
Τότεthenadverb of time (sequence)τότε: 'then, at that time'; a favorite Matthean transition.
ἤρξατοhe beganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (ingressive, + inf.)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin.'
ὀνειδίζεινto reproachPres Act Inf · ὀνειδίζωcomplementary infinitive→ present (durative)ὀνειδίζω: 'reproach, upbraid, denounce'; to censure for failure.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect objectπόλις: 'city, town'; the Galilean towns of Jesus' ministry.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
ἐγένοντοhad been doneAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'happen, occur'; the miracles took place there.
αἱtheNominativearticle
πλεῖσταιmostNominativeattributive adjective (superlative)πλεῖστος: 'most, very many' (superlative of πολύς).
δυνάμειςmighty worksNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'power; mighty work, miracle'; the deeds of power that should have led to repentance.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
μετενόησανthey repentedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μετανοέωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristμετανοέω: 'repent, change one's mind' (μετά + νοέω); the response the miracles demanded but failed to evoke.
21

Οὐαί σοι, Χοραζίν· οὐαί σοι, Βηθσαϊδά· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν, πάλαι ἂν ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ μετενόησαν.

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Woe-oracle (first pair)asyndetonTwin woes on Chorazin and Bethsaida, with a contrary-to-fact comparison: even the proverbially pagan Tyre and Sidon would have repented — making Galilee's unbelief the more culpable.
Οὐαίwoeinterjection of lament/judgmentοὐαί: 'woe!'; the prophetic cry of impending judgment.
σοιto youDativedat. of disadvantage
ΧοραζίνChorazinVocativevocative of address (place-name)Χοραζίν: Chorazin, a town near Capernaum; the personified city addressed.
οὐαίwoeinterjection
σοιto youDativedat. of disadvantage
ΒηθσαϊδάBethsaidaVocativevocative of address (place-name)Βηθσαϊδά: Bethsaida ('house of fishing'), town on the Sea of Galilee, home of several apostles.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
εἰifconditional conjunction (2nd class, contrary-to-fact)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΤύρῳTyreDativedat. of place (place-name)Τύρος: Tyre, the Phoenician seaport — byword for pagan pride and judgment (Isa 23; Ezek 26–28).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣιδῶνιSidonDativedat. of place (place-name)Σιδών: Sidon, Tyre's sister-city; another Gentile city under prophetic doom.
ἐγένοντοhad been doneAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιverb of protasis→ constative aorist (contrary-to-fact)γίνομαι: 'happen, take place.'
αἱtheNominativearticle
δυνάμειςmighty worksNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'mighty work, miracle.'
αἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γενόμεναιdoneAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · γίνομαιattributive participle (modifies δυνάμεις)→ antecedent aoristγίνομαι: 'happen'; the works actually performed in the Galilean towns.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (the cities)
πάλαιlong agoadverb of timeπάλαι: 'long ago, of old.'
ἂνwouldparticle (potential/contingency)ἄν: marks the contrary-to-fact apodosis.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
σάκκῳsackclothDativedat. of mannerσάκκος: 'sackcloth'; the coarse garment of mourning and penitence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σποδῷashesDativedat. of mannerσποδός: 'ashes'; sackcloth-and-ashes, the conventional sign of repentance (Jonah 3:6).
μετενόησανthey would have repentedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μετανοέωmain verb (apodosis, w/ ἄν)→ constative aorist (contrary-to-fact)μετανοέω: 'repent'; the response the pagan cities would have made.
22

πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ ὑμῖν.

But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Verdict (comparative judgment)πλὴνπλήν ('nevertheless') draws the verdict: greater light brings greater accountability — the pagan cities will fare better than the privileged Galilean towns.
πλὴνbutadversative conjunctionπλήν: 'nevertheless, however, only.'
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
Τύρῳfor TyreDativedat. of advantage (place-name)Τύρος: Tyre.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Σιδῶνιfor SidonDativedat. of advantage (place-name)Σιδών: Sidon.
ἀνεκτότερονmore bearableNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἀνεκτός → ἀνεκτότερον: 'more endurable, more tolerable'; degrees of judgment are implied.
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; future of the eschatological reckoning.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedat. of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; ἡμέρα κρίσεως, the day of judgment.
κρίσεωςof judgmentGenitiveattributive genitiveκρίσις: 'judgment, decision'; the final assize.
thancomparative particle
ὑμῖνfor youDativedat. of (dis)advantage (comparison)
23

καὶ σύ, Καφαρναούμ, μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ; ἕως ᾅδου καταβήσῃ· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον.

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

Woe-oracle (climax: Capernaum)καὶThe climactic woe on Capernaum, Jesus' adopted home, cast in the language of Isaiah 14:13–15 against Babylon: heaven-high pretension, Hades-deep fall — even Sodom would have survived such works.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic, in apposition to voc.)σύ: 'you'; the fronted pronoun isolates Capernaum for special address.
ΚαφαρναούμCapernaumVocativevocative of address (place-name)Καφαρναούμ: Capernaum ('village of Nahum'), Jesus' Galilean base (4:13).
μὴinterrogative particle (expects 'no')μή: introduces a question expecting a negative answer — 'surely not?'
ἕωςtoimproper preposition + genitive (extent)ἕως: 'as far as, up to.'
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἕωςοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the height of presumed exaltation (cf. Isa 14:13).
ὑψωθήσῃwill you be exaltedFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ predictive future (ironic)ὑψόω: 'lift up, exalt'; the divine passive of presumed elevation, ironically denied.
ἕωςtoimproper preposition + genitive (extent)
ᾅδουHadesGenitiveobject of ἕωςᾅδης: 'Hades'; the realm of the dead, the depth of the fall (Isa 14:15).
καταβήσῃyou will go downFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb→ predictive futureκαταβαίνω: 'go down, descend' (κατά + βαίνω); the reversal of the heaven-claim.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
εἰifconditional conjunction (2nd class)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΣοδόμοιςSodomDativedat. of place (place-name)Σόδομα: Sodom, the archetype of judgment (Gen 19); the plural-form noun in the dative.
ἐγενήθησανhad been doneAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιverb of protasis→ constative aorist (contrary-to-fact)γίνομαι: 'happen, occur.'
αἱtheNominativearticle
δυνάμειςmighty worksNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'mighty work.'
αἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γενόμεναιdoneAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · γίνομαιattributive participle (modifies δυνάμεις)→ antecedent aoristγίνομαι: 'happen'; the works performed in Capernaum.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
σοίyouDativeobject of ἐν (= Capernaum)
ἔμεινενit would have remainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb (apodosis, w/ ἄν)→ constative aorist (contrary-to-fact)μένω: 'remain, abide'; Sodom would have escaped destruction and endured.
ἂνwouldparticle (potential)ἄν: marks the contrary-to-fact apodosis.
μέχριtoimproper preposition + genitive (extent of time)μέχρι: 'until, as far as.'
τῆςGenitivearticle (substantizes adv.)
σήμερονtodayadverb (substantized by article)σήμερον: 'today'; 'to this day' — Sodom would still stand.
24

πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι γῇ Σοδόμων ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ σοί.

But I tell you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.

Verdict (comparative judgment, climax)πλὴνThe matching verdict to v.22: Sodom, the byword of wickedness, will fare better than Capernaum — the gravest of indictments on squandered grace.
πλὴνbutadversative conjunctionπλήν: 'nevertheless.'
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (formula)→ present (performative)
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces content)
γῇfor the landDativedat. of advantageγῆ: 'land, earth, region'; 'the land of Sodom,' the destroyed territory.
Σοδόμωνof SodomGenitiveattributive genitive (place-name)Σόδομα: Sodom.
ἀνεκτότερονmore bearableNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἀνεκτός → ἀνεκτότερον: 'more tolerable.'
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedat. of timeἡμέρα: 'day.'
κρίσεωςof judgmentGenitiveattributive genitiveκρίσις: 'judgment.'
thancomparative particle
σοίfor youDativedat. of comparison (= Capernaum)
25

Ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· Ἐξομολογοῦμαί σοι, πάτερ, κύριε τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἔκρυψας ταῦτα ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν καὶ ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ νηπίοις·

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants;

Scene transition / thanksgiving prayerasyndetonA turn from woe to worship: Jesus' jubilant thanksgiving (the 'Johannine thunderbolt') celebrating the Father's sovereign reversal — wisdom hidden from the self-wise, disclosed to the childlike.
Ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative (modifies καιρῷ)ἐκεῖνος: 'that.'
τῷtheDativearticle
καιρῷtimeDativedat. of timeκαιρός: 'time, opportune moment'; the decisive juncture.
ἀποκριθεὶςansweredAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιredundant participle of speech→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; here 'responding' to the situation, not a question.
Nominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech)→ constative aorist
ἘξομολογοῦμαίI praisePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐξομολογέωmain verb (prayer of thanks)→ present (performative)ἐξομολογέομαι: 'confess, acknowledge, praise/thank' (ἐκ-intensive); the LXX verb of grateful confession (Ps 117:1).
σοιyouDativeindirect object (object of praise)
πάτερFatherVocativevocative of addressπατήρ: 'Father'; Jesus' intimate address to God.
κύριεLordVocativevocative in appositionκύριος: 'Lord, master'; Father joined with cosmic sovereignty.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (sphere of lordship)οὐρανός: 'heaven.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (sphere of lordship)γῆ: 'earth'; heaven and earth = the whole of creation.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἔκρυψαςyou have hiddenAor Act Indic 2 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristκρύπτω: 'hide, conceal'; the divine concealment from the self-sufficient.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect objectοὗτος: 'these things'; the secrets of the kingdom.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
σοφῶνthe wiseGenitiveobject of ἀπό (substantival adj.)σοφός: 'wise'; the worldly-wise, the learned.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνετῶνunderstandingGenitiveobject of ἀπό (substantival adj.)συνετός: 'intelligent, discerning'; the clever and shrewd.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπεκάλυψαςyou have revealedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover, reveal'; the antithesis to ἔκρυψας — disclosure to the lowly.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object
νηπίοιςto infantsDativeindirect object (substantival adj.)νήπιος: 'infant, child, simple one'; the unschooled and dependent — recipients of revelation.
26

ναί, ὁ πατήρ, ὅτι οὕτως εὐδοκία ἐγένετο ἔμπροσθέν σου.

yes, Father, for such was your good pleasure.

Affirmation (ground of the prayer)asyndetonThe prayer's resolution: the reversal rests not in human merit but in the Father's sovereign 'good pleasure' — εὐδοκία, the free, gracious choosing.
ναίyesparticle of affirmationναί: 'yes, indeed'; assent to the Father's way.
Nominativearticle (nominative for vocative)
πατήρFatherNominativenominative of address (for vocative)πατήρ: 'Father'; the article+nominative serves as a Semitic-flavored address.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
οὕτωςthus/suchadverb of mannerοὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; 'so it was.'
εὐδοκίαgood pleasureNominativesubject (predicate of ἐγένετο)εὐδοκία: 'good pleasure, gracious will, favor'; the free benevolent purpose of God.
ἐγένετοwasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be, prove to be'; 'it became / was so.'
ἔμπροσθένbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἔμπροσθεν: 'before, in the presence of'; ἔμπροσθέν σου, 'in your sight' — a reverent idiom.
σουyouGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθεν
27

Πάντα μοι παρεδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει τὸν υἱὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ πατήρ, οὐδὲ τὸν πατέρα τις ἐπιγινώσκει εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν βούληται ὁ υἱὸς ἀποκαλύψαι.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Christological declarationasyndetonThe ground of the revelation in v.25: the Son's total commission from the Father and the exclusive, mutual Father–Son knowledge — and so the Son's sovereign freedom to disclose the Father.
Πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality of authority/revelation entrusted.
μοιto meDativeindirect object
παρεδόθηhave been handed overAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (divine passive)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver, entrust' (παρά + δίδωμι); the Father's full delegation to the Son.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitivegenitive of agencyπατήρ: 'Father.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one, none.'
ἐπιγινώσκειknowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ present (timeless)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize' (ἐπί-intensive of γινώσκω); full, intimate knowledge.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect objectυἱός: 'Son'; the absolute 'the Son,' implying unique sonship.
εἰexceptconjunction (εἰ μή, 'except')
μὴnegative particle (with εἰ)εἰ μή: 'except, unless.'
theNominativearticle
πατήρFatherNominativesubject (of implied knows)πατήρ: 'Father.'
οὐδὲnornegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'and not, nor.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect objectπατήρ: 'Father.'
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'anyone, someone.'
ἐπιγινώσκειknowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ present (timeless)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully.'
εἰexceptconjunction (εἰ μή)
μὴnegative particle (with εἰ)
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubject (of implied knows)υἱός: 'Son.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
to whomDativerelative pronoun (indir. obj. of ἀποκαλύψαι)
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefiniteness)ᾧ ἐάν: 'to whomever.'
βούληταιchoosesPres Mid Subj 3 Sg · βούλομαιsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ present (volitional)βούλομαι: 'will, wish, determine'; the Son's sovereign decision to reveal.
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubject of βούληταιυἱός: 'Son.'
ἀποκαλύψαιto revealAor Act Inf · ἀποκαλύπτωcomplementary infinitive (with βούληται)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'reveal, disclose'; the Son's act of unveiling the Father.
28

Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Invitation (the great summons)asyndetonThe revealing Son issues the gracious invitation: those exhausted under their loads (the burden of the law as taught, the toil of life) are called to him for rest — the Wisdom-call (cf. Sir 51:23–27) now in Jesus' own voice.
Δεῦτεcomeadverbial imperative-particle (summons)δεῦτε: 'come!' (a plural hortative adverb functioning as a command of summons; indeclinable).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (modifies the addressees)πᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope of the call.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κοπιῶντεςwho laborPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κοπιάωsubstantival participle (vocatival)→ present (ongoing toil)κοπιάω: 'toil, grow weary, labor to exhaustion'; the active wearying effort.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πεφορτισμένοιare burdenedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φορτίζωsubstantival participle (vocatival)→ perfect (laden state)φορτίζω: 'load, burden' (from φορτίον); the perfect depicts those already laden and still bearing it.
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis καὶ + ἐγώ, emphatic)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'and I'; the emphatic 'I myself' will give rest.
ἀναπαύσωwill give restFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναπαύωmain verb→ predictive future (promise)ἀναπαύω: 'give rest, refresh' (ἀνά + παύω); the promised relief — the gift of the Sabbath-rest of God (cf. Jer 6:16).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
29

ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ' ὑμᾶς καὶ μάθετε ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν·

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls;

Invitation (the means of rest)asyndetonThe 'rest' is paradoxically found under a yoke — but Jesus' own, borne with a gentle and lowly Teacher; the promise echoes Jeremiah 6:16, 'you will find rest for your souls.'
ἄρατεtakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · αἴρωimperative (command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeαἴρω: 'lift, take up, bear'; assume the yoke.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ζυγόνyokeAccusativedirect objectζυγός: 'yoke'; rabbinic image for submission to teaching/Torah — here discipleship to Jesus.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐφ'uponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μάθετεlearnAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μανθάνωimperative (command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeμανθάνω: 'learn' (whence μαθητής, disciple); become Jesus' pupils.
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source of learning)
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
πραΰςgentleNominativepredicate adjectiveπραΰς: 'gentle, meek, humble'; the beatitude-quality (5:5), of the messianic king (21:5; Zech 9:9).
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταπεινὸςlowlyNominativepredicate adjectiveταπεινός: 'lowly, humble'; not status-seeking but self-effacing.
τῇinDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedat. of respect/referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self — Jesus' humility is genuine, from the core.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result)
εὑρήσετεyou will findFut Act Indic 2 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (promise of result)→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the citation of Jer 6:16 LXX, 'you will find rest for your souls.'
ἀνάπαυσινrestAccusativedirect objectἀνάπαυσις: 'rest, repose'; the soul's settled peace.
ταῖςfor theDativearticle
ψυχαῖςsoulsDativedat. of advantageψυχή: 'soul, life, self'; the whole inner person finds rest.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
30

ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.

for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Ground (the gentle yoke)γὰρThe closing rationale: Jesus' yoke is χρηστός — kindly, well-fitting, good — and his burden light, in contrast to the heavy loads laid on by others (cf. 23:4); the chapter ends on grace, not threat.
theNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ζυγόςyokeNominativesubjectζυγός: 'yoke'; the discipleship-bond of v.29.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
χρηστὸςeasy/kindlyNominativepredicate adjectiveχρηστός: 'good, kind, serviceable, well-fitting'; rendered 'easy' — a yoke that fits well and does not chafe, the opposite of harsh.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
φορτίονburdenNominativesubject (coordinate)φορτίον: 'load, burden' (diminutive of φόρτος); a cargo to be carried.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐλαφρόνlightNominativepredicate adjectiveἐλαφρός: 'light, easy to bear'; the antithesis of the crushing loads of v.28 and 23:4.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present