Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 16ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΘΘΑΙΟΝ ΙϚ′

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 προσελθόντες οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ Σαδδουκαῖοι πειράζοντες ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν σημεῖον ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐπιδεῖξαι αὐτοῖς.

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Scene openingΚαίA fresh confrontation: the two normally opposed parties unite to test Jesus, demanding a heavenly sign — the keynote of the section.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
προσελθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant/temporal)→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near'; a characteristic Matthean verb for approaching Jesus.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesNominativesubjectΦαρισαῖος: the lay piety-movement zealous for the law and traditions.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαδδουκαῖοιSadduceesNominativesubject (coordinate)Σαδδουκαῖος: the priestly-aristocratic party; rivals of the Pharisees, here joined against Jesus.
πειράζοντεςtestingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πειράζωcircumstantial ptc. (purpose/manner)→ present (concurrent)πειράζω: 'test, tempt'; their intent is hostile probing, not honest inquiry.
ἐπηρώτησανthey askedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπερωτάω: 'question, ask of' (ἐπί-intensive); here 'request, demand.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
σημεῖονa signAccusativeobject of ἐπιδεῖξαισημεῖον: 'sign'; a public, authenticating wonder — they demand proof on their own terms.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; a sign 'from heaven' = a direct divine attestation, beyond earthly miracle.
ἐπιδεῖξαιto showAor Act Inf · ἐπιδείκνυμιcomplementary infinitive (content of the request)→ constative aoristἐπιδείκνυμι: 'show, display, demonstrate'; to exhibit publicly.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
2

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ὀψίας γενομένης λέγετε· εὐδία, πυρράζει γὰρ ὁ οὐρανός·

But he answered and said to them: When evening comes you say, 'Fair weather, for the sky is red';

Response (weather-signs)δέJesus' reply opens the bracketed weather-signs saying (vv.2b–3): they confidently read the evening sky for tomorrow's weather.
heNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲbutadversative/continuative conjunction
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. (Semitic 'answered and said')→ constative aorist (deponent)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply'; the redundant 'answering said' renders a Hebraism.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say, speak.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ὀψίαςeveningGenitivegenitive absolute (subject)ὀψία: 'evening, late hour' (sc. ὥρα).
γενομένηςhaving comeAor Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · γίνομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be, happen'; 'when evening has come.'
λέγετεyou sayPres Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: 'say'; the habitual folk-saying about weather.
εὐδίαfair weatherNominativepredicate nom. (verbless exclamation)εὐδία: 'clear/fair weather' (εὖ + δῖος, of the bright sky).
πυρράζειis fiery-redPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πυρράζωmain verb (causal clause)→ stative presentπυρράζω: 'be red as fire' (πῦρ); a rare verb, of the red sky.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
theNominativearticle
οὐρανόςskyNominativesubjectοὐρανός: 'sky' here (not 'heaven'), the visible firmament read for weather.
3

καὶ πρωΐ· σήμερον χειμών, πυρράζει γὰρ στυγνάζων ὁ οὐρανός. τὸ μὲν πρόσωπον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ γινώσκετε διακρίνειν, τὰ δὲ σημεῖα τῶν καιρῶν οὐ δύνασθε;

and in the morning, 'Stormy today, for the sky is red and lowering.' You know how to discern the face of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot?

Response (weather-signs)καίThe saying's point: skilled at weather-reading, they are blind to the eschatological signs already breaking in Jesus' ministry (the bracketed vv.2b–3 close here).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρωΐin the morningadverb (time)πρωΐ: 'early, in the morning.'
σήμερονtodayadverb (time)σήμερον: 'today.'
χειμώνstormy weatherNominativepredicate nom. (verbless)χειμών: 'winter, storm, bad weather'; here 'a storm/foul weather today.'
πυρράζειis fiery-redPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πυρράζωmain verb (causal)→ stative presentπυρράζω: 'be red as fire'; the red dawn presaging storm.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
στυγνάζωνbeing overcastPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · στυγνάζωcircumstantial ptc. (manner, w/ ὁ οὐρανός)→ present (concurrent)στυγνάζω: 'be gloomy/lowering'; of a sullen, overcast sky (and metaphorically of a downcast face, Mark 10:22).
theNominativearticle
οὐρανόςskyNominativesubject
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … δέ correlative)
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of διακρίνεινπρόσωπον: 'face, appearance'; the 'face of the sky' = its visible look.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦskyGenitivegenitive (of the whole/possession)
γινώσκετεyou know howPres Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (governs infinitive)→ customary presentγινώσκω: 'know'; here 'know how to,' have the skill.
διακρίνεινto discernPres Act Inf · διακρίνωcomplementary infinitive→ imperfective infinitiveδιακρίνω: 'distinguish, judge between' (διά + κρίνω); to interpret the weather-signs.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative (answering μέν)
σημεῖαsignsAccusativeobject of διακρίνειν (understood)σημεῖον: 'sign'; the indicators of the decisive epoch now dawning.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
καιρῶνtimesGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitiveκαιρός: 'appointed time, decisive moment'; the eschatological seasons (vs. mere chronos).
οὐnotnegative particle
δύνασθεyou canPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (elliptical: 'cannot [discern]')→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; their incapacity is moral, not intellectual.
4

γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ, καὶ σημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ εἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ. καὶ καταλιπὼν αὐτοὺς ἀπῆλθεν.

An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, and no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. And leaving them he went away.

Verdict & departureasyndetonThe refusal: only 'the sign of Jonah' (cf. 12:39–40, pointing to resurrection) will be given — then Jesus abandons them, closing the scene.
γενεὰgenerationNominativesubjectγενεά: 'generation'; the present faithless contemporaries of Jesus.
πονηρὰevilNominativeattributive adjectiveπονηρός: 'evil, wicked.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μοιχαλὶςadulterousNominativeattributive adjectiveμοιχαλίς: 'adulteress'; the OT image of covenant-unfaithfulness to God (Hos; Ezek 16).
σημεῖονa signAccusativedirect objectσημεῖον: 'sign.'
ἐπιζητεῖseeks afterPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιζητέωmain verb→ customary presentἐπιζητέω: 'seek for, demand' (ἐπί-intensive).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σημεῖονa signNominativesubject (of passive)
οὐnotnegative particle
δοθήσεταιwill be givenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive future (divine passive)δίδωμι: 'give'; the passive implies God as the withholder.
αὐτῇto itDativeindirect object
εἰifconjunction (in εἰ μή, 'except')
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'except')
τὸtheNominativearticle
σημεῖονsignNominativenominative (exception)
Ἰωνᾶof JonahGenitivegenitive (epexegetic/of apposition)Ἰωνᾶς: Jonah; his three days in the fish prefigure the Son of Man's burial-and-rising (12:40).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καταλιπὼνhaving leftAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταλείπωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal/attendant)→ constative aoristκαταλείπω: 'leave behind, abandon'; a deliberate withdrawal from the unbelieving.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of καταλιπών
ἀπῆλθενhe went awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart.'
5

Καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἰς τὸ πέραν ἐπελάθοντο ἄρτους λαβεῖν.

And when the disciples came to the other side, they had forgotten to bring bread.

Scene openingΚαίA transitional note sets up the leaven discourse: the disciples cross the lake with no provisions, the literal lack that triggers their misreading.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; the Twelve.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adverb)
πέρανother sideAccusativeobject of εἰς (the far shore)πέραν: 'the other side, beyond'; the opposite shore of the lake of Galilee.
ἐπελάθοντοthey forgotAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιλανθάνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιλανθάνομαι: 'forget, neglect' (+ inf.).
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativeobject of λαβεῖνἄρτος: 'bread, loaf'; the key term of the misunderstanding.
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, bring along.'
6

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ὁρᾶτε καὶ προσέχετε ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων.

And Jesus said to them, 'See to it and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'

WarningδέJesus' double imperative warns against 'the leaven' of the parties — a metaphor the disciples will at first take literally.
theNominativearticle
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: 'Jesus,' Yeshua.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ὁρᾶτεwatch outPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative→ imperatival present (general)ὁράω: 'see'; imperatively 'look out, take heed.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσέχετεbewarePres Act Impv 2 Pl · προσέχωimperative→ imperatival presentπροσέχω: 'attend to, beware of' (+ ἀπό = 'guard against').
ἀπὸof/againstpreposition + genitive (separation, w/ προσέχω)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ζύμηςleavenGenitiveobject of ἀπόζύμη: 'leaven, yeast'; a stock image of pervasive, corrupting influence (cf. 1 Cor 5:6).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ΦαρισαίωνPhariseesGenitivegenitive of source/possessionΦαρισαῖος: see v.1.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαδδουκαίωνSadduceesGenitivegenitive of source/possessionΣαδδουκαῖος: see v.1.
7

οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο ἐν ἑαυτοῖς λέγοντες ὅτι ἄρτους οὐκ ἐλάβομεν.

And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, 'It is because we took no bread.'

MisunderstandingδέThe disciples take 'leaven' literally and fret over their forgotten provisions — the classic Matthean discipleship dullness.
οἱtheyNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
διελογίζοντοwere reasoningImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · διαλογίζομαιmain verb→ inceptive/iterative imperfectδιαλογίζομαι: 'discuss, reason, deliberate' (back and forth).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἑαυτοῖςthemselvesDativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐν)
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner)→ present (concurrent)
ὅτιthatconjunction (recitative/causal)ὅτι: here 'because' / introducing their reasoning.
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativedirect objectἄρτος: 'bread'; their literal worry.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐλάβομενwe tookAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (their words)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, bring.'
8

γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· τί διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ὀλιγόπιστοι, ὅτι ἄρτους οὐκ ἔχετε;

But Jesus, aware of it, said, 'Why are you reasoning among yourselves, you of little faith, that you have no bread?'

RebukeδέJesus perceives their thoughts and rebukes their 'little faith' — the diagnosis is unbelief, not a bread shortage.
γνοὺςknowingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γινώσκωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal/causal)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, perceive'; Jesus reads their inner debate.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (adverbial accusative)τίς: 'who/what'; here 'why?'
διαλογίζεσθεare you reasoningPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · διαλογίζομαιmain verb (question)→ progressive presentδιαλογίζομαι: 'discuss, reason.'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἑαυτοῖςyourselvesDativereflexive pronoun
ὀλιγόπιστοιyou of little faithVocativevocative (direct address)ὀλιγόπιστος: 'of little faith' (ὀλίγος + πίστις); a distinctively Matthean address to the disciples.
ὅτιthat/becauseconjunction (causal)
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativedirect objectἄρτος: 'bread.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (causal clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold.'
9

οὔπω νοεῖτε, οὐδὲ μνημονεύετε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους τῶν πεντακισχιλίων καὶ πόσους κοφίνους ἐλάβετε;

Do you not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Rebuke (appeal to memory)asyndetonJesus recalls the feeding of the five thousand: their fear of want forgets the abundance he has already supplied.
οὔπωnot yetadverb (time, negative)οὔπω: 'not yet.'
νοεῖτεyou understandPres Act Indic 2 Pl · νοέωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentνοέω: 'perceive, understand'; grasp the deeper meaning.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
μνημονεύετεyou rememberPres Act Indic 2 Pl · μνημονεύωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentμνημονεύω: 'remember, call to mind' (+ acc.).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral (attributive, indeclinable)πέντε: 'five.'
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativedirect object of μνημονεύετεἄρτος: 'loaf'; the five loaves of 14:17–21.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
πεντακισχιλίωνfive thousandGenitivegenitive (for whom the loaves served)πεντακισχίλιοι: 'five thousand'; the crowd of the first feeding.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πόσουςhow manyAccusativeinterrogative adjective (w/ κοφίνους)πόσος: 'how much/many.'
κοφίνουςbasketsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβετεκόφινος: a stout wicker basket; twelve were taken up (14:20).
ἐλάβετεyou took upAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (indirect question)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take up.'
10

οὐδὲ τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἄρτους τῶν τετρακισχιλίων καὶ πόσας σπυρίδας ἐλάβετε;

Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Rebuke (second feeding)asyndetonThe second proof: the feeding of the four thousand (15:32–38) — two miracles of plenty should have cured all anxiety about bread.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral (attributive, indeclinable)ἑπτά: 'seven.'
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativedirect object (of μνημονεύετε, understood)ἄρτος: 'loaf'; the seven loaves of 15:34–37.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
τετρακισχιλίωνfour thousandGenitivegenitive (for whom)τετρακισχίλιοι: 'four thousand'; the second crowd.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πόσαςhow manyAccusativeinterrogative adjective (w/ σπυρίδας)πόσος: 'how many.'
σπυρίδαςbasketsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβετεσπυρίς: a large hamper/basket; seven were taken up (15:37) — a different word from κόφινος, preserving the two feedings' distinct detail.
ἐλάβετεyou took upAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (indirect question)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take up.'
11

πῶς οὐ νοεῖτε ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον ὑμῖν; προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων.

How do you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

ClarificationasyndetonJesus presses the point home: the warning was never about literal bread; he repeats the imperative to beware the leaven.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'
οὐnotnegative particle
νοεῖτεyou understandPres Act Indic 2 Pl · νοέωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentνοέω: 'perceive, understand.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐnotnegative particle
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἄρτωνbreadGenitiveobject of περίἄρτος: 'bread'; the literal sense Jesus disavows.
εἶπονI spokeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (content clause)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say, speak.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
προσέχετεbewarePres Act Impv 2 Pl · προσέχωimperative→ imperatival presentπροσέχω: 'beware of' (+ ἀπό).
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἀπὸof/againstpreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ζύμηςleavenGenitiveobject of ἀπόζύμη: 'leaven'; the corrupting teaching.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ΦαρισαίωνPhariseesGenitivegenitive of source
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαδδουκαίωνSadduceesGenitivegenitive of source
12

τότε συνῆκαν ὅτι οὐκ εἶπεν προσέχειν ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης τῶν ἄρτων ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ τῆς διδαχῆς τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων.

Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

ResolutionτότεThe penny drops: 'leaven' is the doctrine of the parties — the evangelist's own gloss resolves the metaphor and closes the scene.
τότεthenadverb (sequence)τότε: 'then'; a favorite Matthean connective.
συνῆκανthey understoodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συνίημιmain verb→ constative aoristσυνίημι: 'comprehend, understand' (lit. 'bring together'); the goal of the catechetical rebuke is reached.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (content clause)→ constative aorist
προσέχεινto bewarePres Act Inf · προσέχωcomplementary/indirect-discourse infinitive→ imperfective infinitiveπροσέχω: 'beware of.'
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ζύμηςleavenGenitiveobject of ἀπόζύμη: 'leaven.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἄρτωνloavesGenitivegenitive (the literal sense denied)ἄρτος: 'bread'; 'leaven of bread' = ordinary baker's leaven.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
διδαχῆςteachingGenitiveobject of ἀπόδιδαχή: 'teaching, doctrine'; the true referent of 'leaven.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ΦαρισαίωνPhariseesGenitivegenitive of source
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαδδουκαίωνSadduceesGenitivegenitive of source
13

Ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὰ μέρη Καισαρείας τῆς Φιλίππου ἠρώτα τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ λέγων· τίνα λέγουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι εἶναι τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου;

Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'

Scene opening (the great question)δέThe pivotal scene: at the pagan city of Caesarea Philippi Jesus probes public opinion of 'the Son of Man.'
Ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go.'
δὲnowcontinuative conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέρηregionAccusativeobject of εἰςμέρος: 'part, district'; the plural = the territory/environs.
Καισαρείαςof CaesareaGenitivegenitive (of the region named)Καισάρεια: Caesarea; here the northern city near the Jordan springs, rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch.
τῆςthe (of)Genitivearticle (w/ Φιλίππου, distinguishing it)
ΦιλίππουPhilip'sGenitivegenitive of distinction (Caesarea 'of Philip')Φίλιππος: Philip the tetrarch; the name distinguishes this city from coastal Caesarea Maritima.
ἠρώταhe was askingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb→ inceptive imperfectἐρωτάω: 'ask, question.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μαθητὰςdisciplesAccusativedirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner)→ present (concurrent)
τίναwhomAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (subj. acc. of εἶναι)τίς: 'who?'
λέγουσινdo they sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (question)→ customary presentλέγω: 'say.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἄνθρωποιpeopleNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'human, person'; 'people, folk.'
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (indirect discourse)→ stative infinitiveεἰμί: 'be.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativeaccusative of reference (subject of εἶναι)υἱός: 'son'; in 'the Son of Man,' Jesus' self-designation (Dan 7:13).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in the title 'Son of Man')ἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the title evokes the heavenly figure of Daniel 7.
14

οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· οἱ μὲν Ἰωάννην τὸν βαπτιστήν, ἄλλοι δὲ Ἠλίαν, ἕτεροι δὲ Ἰερεμίαν ἢ ἕνα τῶν προφητῶν.

And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

Report of opinionδέPopular guesses cast Jesus as a returned prophet — high honor, yet all falling short of his true identity.
οἱtheyNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say' (Hellenistic 1-aor. εἶπαν).
οἱsomeNominativesubject (οἱ μέν … ἄλλοι δέ partitive)
μὲνon one handparticle (μέν … δέ)
ἸωάννηνJohnAccusativepredicate accusative (object of 'say')Ἰωάννης: John the Baptist; Herod too had thought Jesus the risen John (14:2).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
βαπτιστήνBaptistAccusativeapposition (title)βαπτιστής: 'baptizer'; John's epithet.
ἄλλοιothersNominativesubject (partitive)ἄλλος: 'other.'
δὲandconjunction (correlative)
ἨλίανElijahAccusativepredicate accusativeἨλίας: Elijah; expected to return before the Day of the Lord (Mal 4:5).
ἕτεροιstill othersNominativesubject (partitive)ἕτερος: 'another (of a different kind).'
δὲandconjunction (correlative)
ἸερεμίανJeremiahAccusativepredicate accusativeἸερεμίας: Jeremiah; named only by Matthew here (cf. 2:17; 27:9), the suffering prophet.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἕναoneAccusativepredicate accusative (partitive)εἷς: 'one.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
προφητῶνprophetsGenitivepartitive genitiveπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
15

λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι;

He said to them, 'But you—who do you say that I am?'

The pointed questionasyndetonThe emphatic ὑμεῖς turns the question on the disciples themselves: their own verdict is what matters.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)λέγω: 'say.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, contrastive)ὑμεῖς: 'you (pl.)'; emphatic — 'but you, what of you?'
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τίναwhomAccusativeinterrogative (subj. acc. of εἶναι)τίς: 'who?'
μεmeAccusativeaccusative of reference (subject of εἶναι)
λέγετεdo you sayPres Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (question)→ progressive presentλέγω: 'say.'
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (indirect discourse)→ stative infinitiveεἰμί: 'be.'
16

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος εἶπεν· σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος.

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

The confessionδέPeter's climactic confession: Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God — the theological center of the chapter.
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. ('answered and said')→ constative aorist (deponent)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ΣίμωνSimonNominativesubjectΣίμων: Simon; his original name, paired here with the coming new name.
ΠέτροςPeterNominativeapposition to ΣίμωνΠέτρος: 'Peter, rock-man'; the surname that v.18 will explain.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you (sg.)'; emphatic — 'you yourself.'
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
χριστὸςChristNominativepredicate nominativeχριστός: 'Anointed One, Messiah'; the title, not yet a proper name here.
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativepredicate nom. (apposition to χριστός)υἱός: 'Son'; divine sonship added to messiahship — Matthew's fuller confession.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: 'God.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (w/ θεοῦ)→ present (gnomic/durative)ζάω: 'live'; 'the living God,' the covenant epithet set against dead idols (cf. the pagan shrines of Caesarea Philippi).
17

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· μακάριος εἶ, Σίμων Βαριωνᾶ, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν σοι ἀλλ' ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'

Beatitude on PeterδέJesus pronounces Peter blessed: the confession is no human deduction but the Father's revelation — grace, not flesh and blood.
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. ('answered and said')→ constative aorist (deponent)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
μακάριοςblessedNominativepredicate nominative (beatitude)μακάριος: 'blessed, happy'; the beatitude-form (cf. ch. 5).
εἶare youPres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ΣίμωνSimonVocativevocative (direct address)Σίμων: Simon.
Βαριωνᾶson of JonahVocativevocative (patronymic, in apposition)Βαριωνᾶ: Aramaic bar-Yonah, 'son of Jonah/John'; Peter's patronymic.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
σὰρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; 'flesh and blood' = mere humanity, human capacity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject (coordinate)αἷμα: 'blood'; the idiom for human nature/origin.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀπεκάλυψένrevealedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'unveil, reveal'; the confession is a disclosure from above (cf. 11:27).
σοιto youDativeindirect object
ἀλλ'butstrong adversative conjunction
theNominativearticle
πατήρFatherNominativesubject (of ἀπεκάλυψεν)πατήρ: 'Father'; the source of the revelation.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
the (who)Nominativearticle (w/ prepositional phrase, attributive)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven'; Matthew's frequent plural, 'the heavens.'
18

κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος, καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν καὶ πύλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς.

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Promise to PeterδέThe reciprocal pronouncement: the new name Πέτρος, the rock on which the ἐκκλησία is built, and the assurance that death's gates cannot overpower it — the πέτρα/Πέτρος wordplay is the crux.
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis καὶ ἐγώ, emphatic)κἀγώ: 'and I' (crasis); answering Peter's σύ — reciprocal.
δέmoreovercontinuative conjunction
σοιto youDativeindirect object
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say'; here a solemn declaration.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic)σύ: 'you'; emphatic, answering Peter's own σύ εἶ.
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ΠέτροςPeterNominativepredicate nominative (the bestowed name)Πέτρος: 'Peter' = 'stone, rock'; the masculine name plays on the feminine πέτρα that follows.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (place/foundation)
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'; 'this rock' — whether Peter, his confession, or Christ is the famous crux.
τῇtheDativearticle
πέτρᾳrockDativeobject of ἐπί (foundation)πέτρα: 'bedrock, massive rock' (fem.); the wordplay with Πέτρος, perhaps reflecting a single Aramaic kêphâ underlying both.
οἰκοδομήσωI will buildFut Act Indic 1 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb→ predictive futureοἰκοδομέω: 'build (a house)'; the church as God's edifice/temple-people.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted, emphatic)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐκκλησίανchurchAccusativedirect objectἐκκλησία: 'assembly, congregation'; the eschatological people of God — 'my church,' Christ's own.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πύλαιgatesNominativesubjectπύλη: 'gate'; 'the gates of Hades' = the power/realm of death (cf. Isa 38:10; Job 38:17).
ᾅδουof HadesGenitivegenitive of possession/sourceᾅδης: Hades, the abode of the dead; the gates that lock in the dead will not hold against the church.
οὐnotnegative particle
κατισχύσουσινwill prevailFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κατισχύωmain verb→ predictive futureκατισχύω: 'overpower, prevail against' (+ gen.); death will not win out over the church.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive (object of κατισχύσουσιν)
19

δώσω σοι τὰς κλεῖδας τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.

The keys & binding/loosingasyndetonPeter receives the keys of the kingdom and the authority to bind and loose — the periphrastic future-perfects suggest earthly decisions ratifying heaven's prior verdict.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give, grant.'
σοιto youDativeindirect object
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
κλεῖδαςkeysAccusativedirect objectκλείς: 'key'; the steward's keys (cf. Isa 22:22) — authority to admit and govern.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
βασιλείαςkingdomGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the keys open the kingdom of heaven.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitivegenitive (Matthean 'kingdom of heaven')οὐρανός: 'heaven'; Matthew's reverential circumlocution for God's reign.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δήσῃς)ὅς: relative; ὃ ἐάν = 'whatever.'
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefinite, w/ subjunctive)
δήσῃςyou bindAor Act Subj 2 Sg · δέωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveδέω: 'bind, tie'; rabbinic 'bind/loose' = forbid/permit, or bind/release from sin.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land.'
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic w/ ptc.)→ future (periphrastic perfect)εἰμί: 'be'; ἔσται + perf. ptc. = future-perfect periphrasis.
δεδεμένονboundPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · δέωpredicate ptc. (periphrastic future-perfect)→ consummative perfectδέω: 'bind'; 'will have been bound' — heaven's verdict already standing, earth ratifying it.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λύσῃς)ὅς: relative; ὃ ἐάν = 'whatever.'
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefinite)
λύσῃςyou looseAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λύωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveλύω: 'loose, release'; the counterpart to δέω — permit/absolve.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth.'
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic)→ future (periphrastic perfect)εἰμί: 'be.'
λελυμένονloosedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · λύωpredicate ptc. (periphrastic future-perfect)→ consummative perfectλύω: 'loose'; 'will have been loosed' — earthly decision aligned with heaven's standing verdict.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativedat. of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven.'
20

τότε διεστείλατο τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἵνα μηδενὶ εἴπωσιν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ χριστός.

Then he charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Command to silenceτότεThe 'messianic secret': the confession must not be broadcast yet, for the cross must first redefine what 'Christ' means (leading into vv.21ff.).
τότεthenadverb (sequence)τότε: 'then.'
διεστείλατοhe chargedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · διαστέλλομαιmain verb→ constative aoristδιαστέλλομαι: 'order strictly, charge.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple.'
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose, w/ subj.)
μηδενὶto no oneDativeindirect object (negated)μηδείς: 'no one, nobody.'
εἴπωσινthey should tellAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveλέγω: 'say, tell.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
αὐτόςheNominativesubject (intensive pronoun)αὐτός: 'he himself.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
χριστόςChristNominativepredicate nominativeχριστός: 'Messiah'; the title to be kept secret until the passion reinterprets it.
21

Ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς δεικνύειν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀπελθεῖν καὶ πολλὰ παθεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ ἀρχιερέων καὶ γραμματέων καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆναι.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

First passion predictionἈπὸ τότεA decisive turn ('from that time'): the messiahship just confessed is now defined by a divine 'must' — suffering, death, and resurrection.
Ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (time)
τότεthat timeadverb (object of ἀπό; 'from then')ἀπὸ τότε: 'from that time on'; a Matthean structural marker (cf. 4:17).
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχομαιmain verb (w/ infinitive)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin.'
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
δεικνύεινto showPres Act Inf · δείκνυμιcomplementary infinitive→ imperfective infinitiveδείκνυμι: 'show, make known, explain.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (governs acc.+inf.)→ stative present (divine necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the 'must' of God's saving plan.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitives
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeobject of εἰςἹεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; the goal where the passion must unfold.
ἀπελθεῖνto goAor Act Inf · ἀπέρχομαιinfinitive (subject αὐτόν)→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλὰmany thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect/objectπολύς: 'much, many'; the manifold sufferings.
παθεῖνto sufferAor Act Inf · πάσχωinfinitive (coordinate)→ constative aoristπάσχω: 'suffer, undergo.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (agency/source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitiveobject of ἀπό (agents)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; lay leaders of the Sanhedrin.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀρχιερέωνchief priestsGenitiveobject of ἀπό (agents)ἀρχιερεύς: 'chief/high priest'; the priestly aristocracy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γραμματέωνscribesGenitiveobject of ἀπό (agents)γραμματεύς: 'scribe'; the legal scholars — together, the whole Sanhedrin.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκτανθῆναιto be killedAor Pass Inf · ἀποκτείνωinfinitive (coordinate)→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇon theDativearticle
τρίτῃthirdDativeattributive adjective (ordinal)τρίτος: 'third.'
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedat. of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'on the third day' — the resurrection (cf. Hos 6:2; Jonah).
ἐγερθῆναιto be raisedAor Pass Inf · ἐγείρωinfinitive (coordinate)→ constative aorist (divine passive)ἐγείρω: 'raise (up)'; the passive points to God as raiser — the prediction's hopeful climax.
22

καὶ προσλαβόμενος αὐτὸν ὁ Πέτρος ἤρξατο ἐπιτιμᾶν αὐτῷ λέγων· ἵλεώς σοι, κύριε· οὐ μὴ ἔσται σοι τοῦτο.

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.'

Peter's protestκαίPeter, just blessed, now recoils from a suffering Messiah and presumes to rebuke Jesus — confession without the cross.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσλαβόμενοςtaking asideAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσλαμβάνωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal/attendant)→ constative aoristπροσλαμβάνομαι: 'take to oneself, take aside'; Peter draws Jesus apart.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of προσλαβόμενος
theNominativearticle
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubjectΠέτρος: Peter.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχομαιmain verb (w/ infinitive)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin.'
ἐπιτιμᾶνto rebukePres Act Inf · ἐπιτιμάωcomplementary infinitive→ imperfective infinitiveἐπιτιμάω: 'rebuke, censure'; the same verb Jesus will turn on Peter in v.23.
αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object (of ἐπιτιμάω)
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner)→ present (concurrent)
ἵλεώςmerciful/far be itNominativepredicate adj. (elliptical wish: 'may God be gracious')ἵλεως: 'gracious, propitious'; ἵλεώς σοι = a Septuagintal idiom of horrified protest, 'God spare you!' / 'far be it!'
σοιto youDativedat. of interest (in the idiom)
κύριεLordVocativevocative (direct address)κύριος: 'Lord, sir'; reverent address even as Peter contradicts him.
οὐnotnegative (in οὐ μή, emphatic)
μὴnevernegative (οὐ μή + fut. = emphatic denial)οὐ μή: the strongest negation, 'by no means.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ emphatic future denialεἰμί: 'be, happen.'
σοιto youDativedat. of disadvantage
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; i.e. the suffering and death just foretold.
23

ὁ δὲ στραφεὶς εἶπεν τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, σατανᾶ· σκάνδαλον εἶ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me, for you are not minding the things of God, but the things of men.'

Jesus' rebuke of PeterδέJesus answers rebuke with rebuke: Peter, voicing the tempter's anti-cross logic, becomes 'Satan' and a σκάνδαλον — a sharp reversal of v.18.
heNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
στραφεὶςturningAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · στρέφωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ constative aoristστρέφω: 'turn'; Jesus wheels around to confront Peter.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠέτρῳPeterDativeindirect objectΠέτρος: Peter.
ὕπαγεgetPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ὑπάγωimperative→ imperatival presentὑπάγω: 'go, depart'; ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου = 'get behind me' — either banish or 'fall back into a follower's place.'
ὀπίσωbehindimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὀπίσω: 'behind, after'; the disciple's proper place is behind the master (cf. v.24).
μουmeGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω
σατανᾶSatanVocativevocative (direct address)Σατανᾶς: 'Satan, adversary'; Peter's words echo the wilderness temptation to a crownless-cross-less path (4:8–10).
σκάνδαλονstumbling-blockNominativepredicate nominativeσκάνδαλον: 'trap-stick, snare, stumbling-block'; the once-foundation-stone now a trip-stone.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ἐμοῦto meGenitivegenitive (of disadvantage/reference)
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
φρονεῖςyou mindPres Act Indic 2 Sg · φρονέωmain verb (causal clause)→ progressive presentφρονέω: 'think, set the mind on, side with'; Peter's mindset is fixed on human, not divine, things.
τὰthe thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival article)
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (the things of God)θεός: 'God.'
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival article)
τῶνofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive (the things of men)ἄνθρωπος: 'human'; human reckoning that recoils from the cross.
24

Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'

Call to cross-bearingΤότεDiscipleship is recast as the master's own way: self-denial, cross, and following — the disciple's path mirrors the passion just foretold.
Τότεthenadverb (sequence)τότε: 'then.'
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
εἴifconjunction (1st-class condition)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone.'
θέλειwantsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (protasis)→ stative presentθέλω: 'will, wish, want.'
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὀπίσω: 'after, behind'; 'come after me' = be my disciple.
μουmeGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (of θέλει)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
ἀπαρνησάσθωlet him denyAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · ἀπαρνέομαιimperative (apodosis)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeἀπαρνέομαι: 'deny utterly, disown' (ἀπό-intensive); to renounce self-rule — the verb of Peter's later denial (26:34).
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀράτωlet him take upAor Act Impv 3 Sg · αἴρωimperative→ constative aorist imperativeαἴρω: 'lift, take up, carry'; shouldering the cross as the condemned did to execution.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
σταυρὸνcrossAccusativedirect objectσταυρός: 'cross'; the instrument of shameful Roman execution — readiness to die for Jesus.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκολουθείτωlet him followPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκολουθέωimperative→ imperatival present (ongoing)ἀκολουθέω: 'follow, accompany'; the present tense = continual following on the cross-road.
μοιmeDativedat. complement (of ἀκολουθέω)
25

ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ' ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εὑρήσει αὐτήν.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Paradox of lifeγάρThe grounding paradox: self-preservation forfeits true life; losing life for Christ's sake gains it — the logic of the cross.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject, indefinite)ὅς … ἐάν: 'whoever.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefinite, w/ subj.)
θέλῃwantsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · θέλωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ progressive present subjunctiveθέλω: 'will, want.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὴνlife/soulAccusativeobject of σῶσαιψυχή: 'life, soul, self'; the deliberate double sense — earthly life vs. true self — drives the paradox.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
σῶσαιto saveAor Act Inf · σῴζωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristσῴζω: 'save, preserve, rescue.'
ἀπολέσειwill loseFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, lose, forfeit.'
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject, indefinite)ὅς … ἄν: 'whoever.'
δ'butadversative conjunction (δέ elided)
ἂνeverparticle (indefinite, w/ subj.)
ἀπολέσῃlosesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀπόλλυμι: 'lose, give up.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὴνlife/soulAccusativedirect objectψυχή: 'life, soul.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'on account of, for the sake of.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἕνεκενἐμοῦ: 'of me'; the decisive qualifier — loss 'for my sake.'
εὑρήσειwill findFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find'; recover true, lasting life.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object
26

τί γὰρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ;

For what will it profit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?

The incommensurable soulγάρA commercial metaphor presses the paradox: no profit, not even the whole world, can offset the loss of one's soul, and nothing can buy it back.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (cognate/adverbial accusative)τίς: 'what?'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὠφεληθήσεταιwill be profitedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὠφελέωmain verb (question)→ predictive futureὠφελέω: 'help, benefit, profit.'
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'a human being.'
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativedirect object of κερδήσῃκόσμος: 'world'; the sum of all earthly gain.
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire.'
κερδήσῃhe gainsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κερδαίνωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aorist subjunctiveκερδαίνω: 'gain, profit'; a commercial term.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativedirect object of ζημιωθῇψυχή: 'soul, life'; the true self, weighed against the whole world.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ζημιωθῇhe forfeitsAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ζημιόωsubjunctive (protasis, coordinate)→ constative aorist subjunctiveζημιόω: 'cause loss, forfeit, be fined'; the commercial 'loss' answering the 'gain.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (object of δώσει)τίς: 'what?'
δώσειwill giveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (question)→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give'; here 'pay as a price.'
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'a person.'
ἀντάλλαγμαin exchangeAccusativepredicate accusative (the price)ἀντάλλαγμα: 'something given in exchange, ransom-price' (cf. Ps 48:8 LXX); nothing can buy back a forfeited soul.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ψυχῆςsoulGenitiveobjective genitive (the thing exchanged for)ψυχή: 'soul, life.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
27

μέλλει γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ, καὶ τότε ἀποδώσει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν πρᾶξιν αὐτοῦ.

For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each according to his deeds.

The Son of Man's comingγάρThe eschatological ground of the paradox: the Son of Man will come in glory to judge and repay — making the present choice for or against him decisive.
μέλλειis aboutPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (w/ infinitive)→ future-leaning presentμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; certainty of the coming.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'Son'; in 'Son of Man,' the coming judge (Dan 7:13–14).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in the title)ἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the Danielic Son of Man.
ἔρχεσθαιto comePres Mid Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (of μέλλει)→ imperfective infinitiveἔρχομαι: 'come'; his glorious advent/parousia.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of manner (the splendor of his coming)δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the divine radiance shared with the Father.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρὸςFatherGenitivegenitive of source/possessionπατήρ: 'Father.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitiveobject of μετά (accompaniment)ἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the heavenly retinue of the judgment (cf. 25:31).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb (time)τότε: 'then'; at the parousia.
ἀποδώσειhe will repayFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureἀποδίδωμι: 'give back, repay, recompense' (cf. Ps 61:13 LXX; Prov 24:12).
ἑκάστῳto eachDativeindirect objectἕκαστος: 'each one'; judgment is individual.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πρᾶξινdeedsAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of judgment)πρᾶξις: 'doing, deed, practice'; the singular collectively = one's conduct/way of life.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
28

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσίν τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστώτων οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ.

Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Solemn promiseasyndetonA solemn 'amen' saying: some present will witness the Son of Man's coming in his kingdom — variously read of the Transfiguration (which follows), the resurrection, or the kingdom's powerful inbreaking.
ἀμὴνtrulyparticle (solemn affirmation, indeclinable)ἀμήν: Hebrew 'amen, truly'; Jesus' authoritative opener, 'verily.'
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
εἰσίνthere arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be, exist.'
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'some, certain ones.'
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (partitive, substantizing ptc.)
ὧδεhereadverb (place)ὧδε: 'here.'
ἑστώτωνstandingPerf Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἵστημιsubstantival participle (partitive gen.)→ intensive perfect (present state)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the perfect = 'standing (now present).'
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: 'whoever, such as'; qualitative relative.
οὐnotnegative (in οὐ μή, emphatic)
μὴby no meansnegative (οὐ μή + subj. = emphatic denial)οὐ μή: the strongest negation.
γεύσωνταιwill tasteAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · γεύομαιsubjunctive (emphatic future denial)→ constative aorist subjunctiveγεύομαι: 'taste' (+ gen.); 'taste death' = die (a Semitic idiom).
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive (object of γεύομαι)θάνατος: 'death.'
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, w/ ἄν + subj.)ἕως: 'until.'
ἂνparticle (contingency, w/ ἕως)
ἴδωσινthey seeAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see, perceive.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect object (of ἴδωσιν)υἱός: 'Son'; in 'Son of Man.'
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in the title)ἄνθρωπος: 'man.'
ἐρχόμενονcomingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsupplementary ptc. (w/ ἴδωσιν: 'see him coming')→ present (progressive)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the participle pictures the advent in progress.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
τῇtheDativearticle
βασιλείᾳkingdomDativedat. of sphere (royal power)βασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; 'coming in his kingdom/royal power' — the crux of the saying's referent.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession