Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 17ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΘΘΑΙΟΝ ΙΖ′

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 μεθ' ἡμέρας ἓξ παραλαμβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀναφέρει αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ' ἰδίαν.

And after six days Jesus takes along Peter and James and John his brother, and brings them up to a high mountain by themselves.

Scene-setting narrativeΚαὶA temporal hinge ('after six days') ties the Transfiguration to the preceding confession and passion-prediction; the historic presents (παραλαμβάνει, ἀναφέρει) make the scene vivid.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative)
μεθ'afterpreposition + accusative (time)
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeobject of μετά (extent/point of time)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the six-day interval recalls Exod 24:16 (Sinai), framing the mount as a new theophany.
ἓξsixAccusativeattributive numeralἕξ: 'six'; the indeclinable numeral here taking its case from ἡμέρας.
παραλαμβάνειtakes alongPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb (historic present)→ historic/dramatic presentπαραλαμβάνω: 'take to/along, take with'; Jesus selects the inner three to witness.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus; the indeclinable name here nominative as subject.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠέτρονPeterAccusativedirect objectΠέτρος: Peter ('rock'); first of the inner three.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸάκωβονJamesAccusativedirect object (coordinate)Ἰάκωβος: James (Jacob); son of Zebedee.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸωάννηνJohnAccusativedirect object (coordinate)Ἰωάννης: John; James's brother, son of Zebedee.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeapposition to Ἰωάννηνἀδελφός: 'brother'; identifies John as James's sibling.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀναφέρειbrings upPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (historic present)→ historic/dramatic presentἀναφέρω: 'carry/bring up'; the ascent of the mountain — a movement toward theophany.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὄροςmountainAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ὄρος: 'mountain'; traditionally Tabor or Hermon — the mount of revelation.
ὑψηλὸνhighAccusativeattributive adjectiveὑψηλός: 'high, lofty'; heightens the theophanic setting.
κατ'bypreposition + accusative (in the idiom κατ' ἰδίαν)
ἰδίανthemselvesAccusativeobject in idiom κατ' ἰδίαν ('privately')ἴδιος: 'one's own'; κατ' ἰδίαν = 'privately, by themselves' — apart from the crowds.
2

καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς.

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as the light.

The transfiguration eventκαὶThe central event: a metamorphosis of glory. The passive μετεμορφώθη hints at divine action; face and clothing radiate the unveiled heavenly splendor (cf. Exod 34:29).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μετεμορφώθηhe was transfiguredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · μεταμορφόωmain verb→ constative aorist (divine passive)μεταμορφόω: 'transform, change form' (μετά + μορφή); his hidden divine glory shone through — the same verb of Christian transformation in Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 3:18.
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἔμπροσθεν: 'in front of, before'; the three are eyewitnesses.
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθεν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔλαμψενshoneAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λάμπωmain verb→ ingressive/constative aoristλάμπω: 'shine, give light'; the radiance of his face.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πρόσωπονfaceNominativesubjectπρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; like Moses' shining face (Exod 34:29–30), but here his own glory.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ὡςlikecomparative particle
theNominativearticle
ἥλιοςsunNominativeobject of comparison (ὡς)ἥλιος: 'sun'; the standard for blinding brightness.
τὰtheNominativearticle
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἱμάτιαgarmentsNominativesubjectἱμάτιον: 'garment, cloak'; the clothing too shares the radiance.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; here the change of state of the garments.
λευκὰwhiteNominativepredicate adjectiveλευκός: 'white, bright'; the color of heavenly/glorified beings (cf. 28:3; Dan 7:9).
ὡςascomparative particle
τὸtheNominativearticle
φῶςlightNominativeobject of comparison (ὡς)φῶς: 'light'; the garments shine like pure light itself.
3

καὶ ἰδοὺ ὤφθη αὐτοῖς Μωϋσῆς καὶ Ἠλίας συλλαλοῦντες μετ' αὐτοῦ.

And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with him.

Appearance of Moses and Elijahκαὶ ἰδοὺἰδού signals a dramatic intrusion: the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) appear, witnessing to Jesus — perhaps also as two who experienced theophany on a mountain.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'look!, behold'; frozen aorist imperative of εἶδον used as a presentative particle.
ὤφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist (passive of appearance)ὁράω (pass. ὤφθη): 'was seen, appeared'; the standard verb for visionary/theophanic appearances. Singular verb with compound subject.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of reference (to whom they appeared)
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubjectΜωϋσῆς: Moses; the lawgiver, representing the Torah.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἨλίαςElijahNominativesubject (coordinate)Ἠλίας: Elijah; the prophet, who also met God at Horeb (1 Kgs 19).
συλλαλοῦντεςconversingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συλλαλέωpredicate/circumstantial participle (with the subjects)→ present (concurrent action)συλλαλέω: 'talk with, converse' (σύν + λαλέω); they speak together with Jesus.
μετ'withpreposition + genitive (association)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of μετά
4

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν τῷ Ἰησοῦ· Κύριε, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι· εἰ θέλεις, ποιήσω ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς, σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωϋσεῖ μίαν καὶ Ἠλίᾳ μίαν.

And Peter responded and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make here three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Peter's responseδὲPeter's well-meaning but inadequate proposal: to enshrine the moment in three booths, leveling Jesus with Moses and Elijah — a misjudgment the Father's voice will correct.
ἀποκριθεὶςrespondingAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. (Semitic 'answered and said')→ constative aorist (attendant circumstance)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'; the redundant ἀποκριθεὶς … εἶπεν is a Septuagintism.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
theNominativearticle
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubjectΠέτρος: Peter; spokesman, as often.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): 'say, speak'.
τῷtoDativearticle
ἸησοῦJesusDativeindirect object (addressee)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; here dative as the one addressed.
ΚύριεLordVocativevocative of addressκύριος: 'Lord, master'; respectful address.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal)καλός: 'good, fine'; 'it is good [for us to be here].'
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (impersonal copula)→ stative present
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive εἶναι
ὧδεhereadverb of placeὧδε: 'here, in this place'.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίepexegetical infinitive (subject of καλόν ἐστιν)→ stative present
εἰifconjunction (1st-class condition)
θέλειςyou wishPres Act Indic 2 Sg · θέλωverb of protasis→ stative presentθέλω: 'will, wish, want'; Peter defers to Jesus' pleasure.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive/volitive futureποιέω: 'make, do'; he offers to build the booths.
ὧδεhereadverb of place
τρεῖςthreeAccusativeattributive numeralτρεῖς: 'three'.
σκηνάςtentsAccusativedirect objectσκηνή: 'tent, booth, tabernacle'; perhaps evoking the Feast of Booths and the wilderness tabernacle of God's presence.
σοὶfor youDativedative of advantage
μίανoneAccusativeappositional numeral (one tent)εἷς: 'one'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Μωϋσεῖfor MosesDativedative of advantageΜωϋσῆς: Moses; here dative.
μίανoneAccusativeappositional numeral
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἠλίᾳfor ElijahDativedative of advantageἨλίας: Elijah; here dative.
μίανoneAccusativeappositional numeral
5

ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ νεφέλη φωτεινὴ ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης λέγουσα· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα· ἀκούετε αὐτοῦ.

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

The Father's voiceasyndetonThe climax: the Shekinah cloud and the divine voice interrupt Peter mid-sentence. The declaration echoes the baptism (3:17), Ps 2:7, and Isa 42:1, and adds the imperative 'hear him' (cf. Deut 18:15) — Jesus is the prophet to be heeded above Moses and Elijah.
ἔτιstilladverb of timeἔτι: 'still, yet'; the interruption is emphatic.
αὐτοῦheGenitivegenitive subject of absolute
λαλοῦντοςspeakingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · λαλέωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent action)λαλέω: 'speak, talk'; the gen. absolute 'while he was still speaking.'
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold!'
νεφέληcloudNominativesubjectνεφέλη: 'cloud'; the cloud of the divine presence (cf. Exod 40:34–35; the Shekinah).
φωτεινὴbrightNominativeattributive adjectiveφωτεινός: 'bright, luminous'; a cloud of glory, not gloom.
ἐπεσκίασενovershadowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκιάζωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπισκιάζω: 'overshadow, envelop'; the LXX verb for the glory-cloud covering the tabernacle (Exod 40:35) and of the Spirit at the conception (Luke 1:35).
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)
φωνὴvoiceNominativesubject (verbless/with λέγουσα)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; the bath qol, the voice of God from the cloud.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
νεφέληςcloudGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · λέγωattributive/circumstantial ptc. (with φωνή)→ present (concurrent action)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the divine speech.
ΟὗτόςthisNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)οὗτος: 'this (one)'; pointing to Jesus.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
theNominativearticle
υἱόςSonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'Son'; the messianic/divine sonship (Ps 2:7).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
theNominativearticle
ἀγαπητόςbelovedNominativeattributive adjective (second-attributive)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; perhaps also 'only' (cf. Isaac, Gen 22:2 LXX) — the unique, loved Son.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reference)
whomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
εὐδόκησαI am well pleasedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐδοκέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative/timeless aoristεὐδοκέω: 'take pleasure in, be well pleased'; echoes Isa 42:1 (the chosen Servant).
ἀκούετεlisten toPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (general command)ἀκούω: 'hear, listen, obey'; with genitive object = 'heed' — alluding to the prophet-like-Moses of Deut 18:15.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούετε
6

καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

The disciples' terrorκαὶThe proper human response to theophany: prostration and fear (cf. Ezek 1:28; Dan 8:17). The voice, not the vision, triggers it.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωtemporal participle→ antecedent aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; hearing the voice prompts their fall.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; the three on the mountain.
ἔπεσανfellAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall'; prostration in awe.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (direction)
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of ἐπίπρόσωπον: 'face'; idiom 'fell on their faces.'
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐφοβήθησανwere afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb→ ingressive aoristφοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; the numinous dread before the divine voice.
σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degreeσφόδρα: 'exceedingly, greatly'; intensifies their fear.
7

καὶ προσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἁψάμενος αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Ἐγέρθητε καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε.

And Jesus came and touched them and said, "Rise, and do not be afraid."

Jesus' reassuranceκαὶJesus alone remains to comfort: a touch and the word 'do not fear' (a recurring revelation-formula) lift them from the ground.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσῆλθενcame toAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/approach toward'; Jesus draws near to the prostrate three.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἁψάμενοςhaving touchedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἅπτωcircumstantial participle (attendant/temporal)→ antecedent aoristἅπτω (mid. ἅπτομαι): 'touch, take hold of'; the reassuring touch.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἁψάμενος
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἘγέρθητεriseAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (specific command)ἐγείρω: 'raise, rouse'; pass. 'get up, rise.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
φοβεῖσθεbe afraidPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative (cease/refrain)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; μὴ φοβεῖσθε, the classic theophany-reassurance.
8

ἐπάραντες δὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν οὐδένα εἶδον εἰ μὴ αὐτὸν Ἰησοῦν μόνον.

And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

Conclusion of the visionδὲThe vision ends; Moses and Elijah have vanished. 'Jesus only' remains — the visual sermon of the whole scene: he alone is to be heard.
ἐπάραντεςlifting upAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπαίρωtemporal participle→ antecedent aoristἐπαίρω: 'lift up, raise'; they raise their eyes from the ground.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἐπάραντεςὀφθαλμός: 'eye'.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐδέναno oneAccusativedirect object (of εἶδον)οὐδείς: 'no one, nobody'.
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'.
εἰexceptparticle (in εἰ μή 'except')
μὴnotnegative (in εἰ μή 'except')εἰ μή: 'if not, except'.
αὐτὸνhimselfAccusativeintensive pronoun (with Ἰησοῦν)αὐτός: here intensive, 'Jesus himself.'
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeaccusative (object after εἰ μή)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; here accusative.
μόνονaloneAccusativeadjective (predicate/limiting)μόνος: 'alone, only'; the theological keynote — 'Jesus alone.'
9

Καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· Μηδενὶ εἴπητε τὸ ὅραμα ἕως οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγερθῇ.

And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell no one the vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Command of silenceΚαὶThe 'messianic secret' motif: the vision's meaning is unintelligible apart from the resurrection, so it is to be withheld until then.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καταβαινόντωνcoming downPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · καταβαίνωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent action)καταβαίνω: 'go/come down'; the descent from the mount.
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivegenitive subject of absolute
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὄρουςmountainGenitiveobject of ἐκὄρος: 'mountain'.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐντέλλομαι: 'command, charge, order'.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (introducing speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; redundant ptc. of speech.
Μηδενὶto no oneDativeindirect object (emphatic, fronted)μηδείς: 'no one'; with subjunctive of prohibition.
εἴπητεtellAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λέγωprohibitive subjunctive→ aorist subjunctive (prohibition)λέγω: 'tell, say'; μηδενὶ εἴπητε = 'tell no one.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὅραμαvisionAccusativedirect objectὅραμα: 'vision, sight, spectacle'; the transfiguration as a seen revelation.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, in ἕως οὗ)
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (in ἕως οὗ 'until')ἕως οὗ: 'until the time that.'
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubject of ἐγερθῇυἱός: 'son'; in 'the Son of Man,' Jesus' favored self-designation (Dan 7:13).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in title 'Son of Man')ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; the title 'Son of Man.'
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ (partitive/separation)νεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead.'
ἐγερθῇhas been raisedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐγείρωverb of temporal clause (ἕως οὗ)→ aorist subjunctive (future contingency)ἐγείρω: 'raise'; pass. of resurrection — divine passive.
10

καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ λέγοντες· Τί οὖν οἱ γραμματεῖς λέγουσιν ὅτι Ἠλίαν δεῖ ἐλθεῖν πρῶτον;

And the disciples asked him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

The disciples' questionκαὶThe vision of Elijah provokes the scribal puzzle (from Mal 4:5–6): if Elijah must precede the Messiah, how can Jesus already be the risen-to-be Messiah?
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπηρώτησανaskedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπερωτάω: 'ask, question, inquire of'.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (introducing speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'.
Τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial 'why')τίς: 'who/what'; here adverbial τί 'why.'
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, then'; drawing an inference from the vision.
οἱtheNominativearticle
γραμματεῖςscribesNominativesubject (of λέγουσιν)γραμματεύς: 'scribe, scholar of the law'; the official interpreters.
λέγουσινsayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (of question)→ customary/gnomic presentλέγω: 'say, assert'.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of λέγουσιν)
ἨλίανElijahAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive ἐλθεῖνἨλίας: Elijah; here accusative as subject of the infinitive.
δεῖmustPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (necessity)→ stative presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary, must'; divine necessity from prophecy.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'.
πρῶτονfirstadverb (sequence)πρῶτον: 'first'; before the Messiah/the end.
11

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Ἠλίας μὲν ἔρχεται καὶ ἀποκαταστήσει πάντα·

And he answered and said, "Elijah indeed comes and will restore all things;

Jesus' answer (concession)δὲJesus grants the scribal premise (μέν): yes, an Elijah comes to restore — but redefines its fulfillment in the next verse (the answering δέ).
heNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. ('answered and said')→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἨλίαςElijahNominativesubjectἨλίας: Elijah.
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … δέ contrast, anticipating v.12)μέν: 'on the one hand'; concessive, answered by δέ in v.12.
ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic/gnomic presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; present of the prophesied coming.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκαταστήσειwill restoreFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαθίστημιmain verb→ predictive futureἀποκαθίστημι: 'restore, reestablish'; from Mal 4:6 (LXX 3:23), Elijah's restoring work.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (neuter plural)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive restoration.
12

λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι Ἠλίας ἤδη ἦλθεν, καὶ οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτὸν ἀλλὰ ἐποίησαν ἐν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν· οὕτως καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μέλλει πάσχειν ὑπ' αὐτῶν.

but I say to you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they wished; so also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands."

Jesus' answer (correction)δὲThe answering δέ: the Elijah-figure has already come (John the Baptist), was unrecognized and killed — a pattern (οὕτως) the Son of Man will share. Elijah's fate prefigures Jesus' passion.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say'; the authoritative 'I say to you.'
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction (answering μέν, v.11)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἨλίαςElijahNominativesubjectἨλίας: Elijah; here = John the Baptist (v.13).
ἤδηalreadyadverb of timeἤδη: 'already, now'.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπέγνωσανrecognizedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιγινώσκω: 'recognize, fully know' (ἐπί-intensive of γινώσκω); they failed to identify John as the Elijah-figure.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, treat'; with ἐν αὐτῷ, 'did to him.'
ἐνtopreposition + dative (Semitic 'to/with')
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (Hebraism, 'to him')
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἠθέλησαν)ὅσος: 'as much/many as, whatever'.
ἠθέλησανthey wishedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θέλωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'wish, will'; their arbitrary cruelty (Herod's beheading of John, 14:1–12).
οὕτωςsoadverb (comparison)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; the parallel between John's fate and Jesus'.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son'; 'the Son of Man.'
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in title)ἄνθρωπος: 'man'; 'Son of Man.'
μέλλειis aboutPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (impending action)→ present of imminenceμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; the certainty of the coming passion.
πάσχεινto sufferPres Act Inf · πάσχωcomplementary infinitive (of μέλλει)→ present (process)πάσχω: 'suffer, undergo'; the passion.
ὑπ'at the hands ofpreposition + genitive (agency)
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent)
13

τότε συνῆκαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι περὶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς.

Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

The disciples' understandingτότεA Matthean editorial conclusion: the disciples grasp the identification of the 'Elijah who has come' with John the Baptist.
τότεthenadverb of time (Matthean transition)τότε: 'then, at that time'; a favorite Matthean connective.
συνῆκανunderstoodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συνίημιmain verb→ ingressive aoristσυνίημι: 'understand, comprehend' (lit. 'put together'); the disciples' insight.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἸωάννουJohnGenitiveobject of περίἸωάννης: John; here genitive.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
βαπτιστοῦBaptistGenitiveapposition to Ἰωάννουβαπτιστής: 'Baptist, baptizer'; John's title.
εἶπενhe had spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (of ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'speak, say'.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
14

Καὶ ἐλθόντων πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν

And when they had come to the crowd, a man came up to him, kneeling before him

New scene: the desperate fatherΚαὶDescent from the mount of glory to the valley of need: a father kneels in petition, a posture of supplication and reverence.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλθόντωνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the absolute 'when they came.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ὄχλονcrowdAccusativeobject of πρόςὄχλος: 'crowd, multitude'.
προσῆλθενcame upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/approach toward'.
αὐτῷto himDativedative complement of προσῆλθεν
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the distressed father.
γονυπετῶνkneeling beforePres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γονυπετέωcircumstantial ptc. (manner)→ present (concurrent action)γονυπετέω: 'kneel, fall on the knees' (γόνυ + πίπτω); a gesture of urgent entreaty.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of γονυπετῶν
15

καὶ λέγων· Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει· πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ.

and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is moonstruck and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water."

The father's pleaκαὶThe cry for mercy and the symptoms: 'moonstruck' (epileptic/lunatic), with life-threatening fits — Matthew names the affliction medically (σεληνιάζεται) and demonically (v.18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (introducing speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'.
ΚύριεLordVocativevocative of addressκύριος: 'Lord, sir'; respectful address.
ἐλέησόνhave mercy onAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐλεέωmain verb (imperative of petition)→ aorist imperative (urgent request)ἐλεέω: 'have mercy, show compassion'; the prayer of the needy.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship (fronted for emphasis)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object of ἐλέησόνυἱός: 'son'; the afflicted boy.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
σεληνιάζεταιhe is moonstruckPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · σεληνιάζομαιmain verb→ iterative/customary presentσεληνιάζομαι: 'be moonstruck, be epileptic' (σελήνη, 'moon'); the fits were popularly linked to lunar phases.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κακῶςterriblyadverb of mannerκακῶς: 'badly, ill, terribly'; κακῶς πάσχει = 'suffers severely.'
πάσχειsuffersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πάσχωmain verb→ customary presentπάσχω: 'suffer, undergo'.
πολλάκιςoftenadverb of frequencyπολλάκις: 'often, many times'.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πίπτειfallsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb→ iterative presentπίπτω: 'fall'; the dangerous convulsions.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πῦρfireAccusativeobject of εἰςπῦρ: 'fire'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλάκιςoftenadverb of frequency
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeobject of εἰςὕδωρ: 'water'; the twofold danger of fire and water.
16

καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι.

And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.

The disciples' failureκαὶThe crux of the episode: the disciples — earlier given authority over unclean spirits (10:1) — fail, exposing their 'little faith.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσήνεγκαI broughtAor Act Indic 1 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb→ constative aoristπροσφέρω: 'bring to, present'.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple'.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἠδυνήθησανthey were ableAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ constative aoristδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; their inability.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of θεραπεῦσαι
θεραπεῦσαιto healAor Act Inf · θεραπεύωcomplementary infinitive (of ἠδυνήθησαν)→ constative aoristθεραπεύω: 'heal, cure, serve'.
17

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· Ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη, ἕως πότε μεθ' ὑμῶν ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε.

And Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me."

Jesus' lament and commandδὲA prophetic lament (echoing Deut 32:5, 20) over an unbelieving generation — embracing disciples and crowd alike — followed by the brisk command that takes charge of the situation.
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. ('answered and said')→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, respond'.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
Ointerjection (with vocative)ὦ: exclamatory particle of address, conveying emotion.
γενεὰgenerationVocativevocative of addressγενεά: 'generation, age'; the present unbelieving contemporaries.
ἄπιστοςfaithlessVocativeattributive/predicate adjective (vocative)ἄπιστος: 'unbelieving, faithless'; lacking faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διεστραμμένηperversePerf Pass Ptc · Voc Sg Fem · διαστρέφωattributive participle (vocative)→ intensive perfect (settled state)διαστρέφω: 'distort, pervert, twist'; perf. 'twisted, perverse' — echoing Deut 32:5 LXX.
ἕωςhowpreposition/particle (in ἕως πότε 'how long')
πότεlonginterrogative adverb (ἕως πότε 'how long')πότε: 'when?'; ἕως πότε = 'until when, how long.'
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (association)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά
ἔσομαιwill I beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the weary lament of his limited time among them.
ἕωςhowparticle (ἕως πότε)
πότεlonginterrogative adverb (ἕως πότε)
ἀνέξομαιwill I bear withFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀνέχωmain verb→ predictive futureἀνέχω (mid. ἀνέχομαι): 'bear with, endure, put up with'; with genitive object.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀνέξομαι
φέρετέbringPres Act Impv 2 Pl · φέρωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (command)φέρω: 'bring, carry'.
μοιto meDativeindirect object
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ὧδεhereadverb of placeὧδε: 'here, hither'.
18

καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον, καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.

And Jesus rebuked it, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed from that hour.

The exorcism and healingκαὶThree swift coordinate clauses enact Jesus' authority: rebuke, exit of the demon, instantaneous cure. The 'moonstruck' affliction is now disclosed as demonic.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπετίμησενrebukedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτιμάωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιτιμάω: 'rebuke, reprove, command sternly'; the authoritative word against the demon.
αὐτῷitDativedative object of ἐπετίμησεν (the demon)
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go/come out'; the demon's departure.
ἀπ'out ofpreposition + genitive (separation)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἀπό
τὸtheNominativearticle
δαιμόνιονdemonNominativesubjectδαιμόνιον: 'demon, evil spirit'; now named as the cause of the affliction.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐθεραπεύθηwas healedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θεραπεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (passive)θεραπεύω: 'heal, cure'.
theNominativearticle
παῖςboyNominativesubjectπαῖς: 'child, boy, servant'; the afflicted son.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (time)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ὥραςhourGenitiveobject of ἀπό (time)ὥρα: 'hour, moment'; the instantaneous cure.
ἐκείνηςthatGenitivedemonstrative adjectiveἐκεῖνος: 'that'; 'from that very hour.'
19

Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ἰησοῦ κατ' ἰδίαν εἶπον· Διὰ τί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό;

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

The disciples' private questionΤότεAway from the crowd the disciples seek the reason for their failure — setting up the saying on faith.
Τότεthenadverb of time (Matthean transition)τότε: 'then.'
προσελθόντεςhaving come toAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal/attendant)→ antecedent aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/approach toward'.
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: 'disciple'.
τῷtoDativearticle
ἸησοῦJesusDativedative complement of προσελθόντεςἸησοῦς: Jesus; here dative.
κατ'bypreposition (in idiom κατ' ἰδίαν)
ἰδίανthemselvesAccusativeidiom κατ' ἰδίαν ('privately')ἴδιος: 'one's own'; κατ' ἰδίαν 'privately.'
εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
Διὰforpreposition (in διὰ τί 'why')
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (διὰ τί 'on account of what, why')τίς: 'what'; διὰ τί = 'why.'
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatic — 'why could we not?'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἠδυνήθημενwe were ableAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ constative aoristδύναμαι: 'be able, can'.
ἐκβαλεῖνto cast outAor Act Inf · ἐκβάλλωcomplementary infinitive (of ἠδυνήθημεν)→ constative aoristἐκβάλλω: 'cast/drive out, expel'; the standard verb of exorcism.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object (the demon)
20

ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Διὰ τὴν ὀλιγοπιστίαν ὑμῶν· ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ· Μετάβα ἔνθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται· καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν.

And he says to them, "Because of your little faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

The saying on faithδὲThe diagnosis ('little faith') and the promise: faith — even mustard-seed small but genuine — moves mountains; the issue is not quantity but the presence of real trust in God's power. (Note: the critical text omits v.21, the later gloss 'this kind goes out only by prayer and fasting'; the next verse is numbered 22.)
heNominativesubject (article as pronoun)
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
Διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὀλιγοπιστίανlittle faithAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ὀλιγοπιστία: 'littleness of faith' (ὀλίγος + πίστις); a distinctively Matthean term for the disciples' deficient trust.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀμὴνtrulyparticle (solemn affirmation)ἀμήν: 'truly, amen'; the authoritative formula introducing a weighty saying.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say'.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)
ἔχητεyou havePres Act Subj 2 Pl · ἔχωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ present subjunctive (general)ἔχω: 'have, hold'.
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect objectπίστις: 'faith, trust'; the operative quality the disciples lacked.
ὡςlikecomparative particle
κόκκονgrainAccusativeobject of comparison (ὡς)κόκκος: 'grain, seed'; the tiny seed image.
σινάπεωςof mustardGenitivegenitive of material/sourceσίναπι: 'mustard'; proverbially the smallest of seeds (cf. 13:31–32).
ἐρεῖτεyou will sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureλέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say, tell'.
τῷtheDativearticle
ὄρειmountainDativeindirect object (addressee of command)ὄρος: 'mountain'; the proverbial figure of the impossible (cf. 21:21).
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'.
ΜετάβαmoveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · μεταβαίνωmain verb (imperative addressed to the mountain)→ aorist imperative (command)μεταβαίνω: 'move, pass over from one place to another'.
ἔνθενfrom hereadverb of placeἔνθεν: 'from here, hence'.
ἐκεῖto thereadverb of placeἐκεῖ: 'there'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μεταβήσεταιit will moveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · μεταβαίνωmain verb→ predictive futureμεταβαίνω: 'move, pass over'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδὲνnothingNominativesubject (of ἀδυνατήσει)οὐδείς: 'nothing, no one'.
ἀδυνατήσειwill be impossibleFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀδυνατέωmain verb→ predictive future (gnomic)ἀδυνατέω: 'be impossible, be powerless'; 'nothing will be impossible for you' (cf. Gen 18:14; Luke 1:37).
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference/disadvantage
22

Συστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων,

And as they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men,

Second passion prediction (1)δὲThe second of Matthew's three passion predictions (cf. 16:21; 20:18–19): the Son of Man's betrayal-and-death into human hands. (Verse 21 of the Byzantine tradition is omitted by the critical text; this is v.22.)
Συστρεφομένωνgathering togetherPres Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συστρέφωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent action)συστρέφω: 'gather, assemble together' (pass. 'come together'); some witnesses read ἀναστρεφομένων ('while they were staying/moving about').
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivegenitive subject of absolute
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ΓαλιλαίᾳGalileeDativedative of placeΓαλιλαία: Galilee; the northern region of Jesus' ministry.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
Μέλλειis aboutPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (impending action)→ present of imminenceμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'.
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubject (of παραδίδοσθαι)υἱός: 'son'; 'the Son of Man.'
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουManGenitivegenitive (in title)ἄνθρωπος: 'man'; 'Son of Man.'
παραδίδοσθαιto be deliveredPres Pass Inf · παραδίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (of μέλλει)→ present (process)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over, betray, deliver up'; the passion keyword, with a wordplay on human hands.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeobject of εἰςχείρ: 'hand'; 'into the hands of men' — into hostile human power.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivegenitive of possession/sourceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the wordplay 'Son of Man … hands of men.'
23

καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα.

and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were greatly grieved.

Second passion prediction (2)καὶDeath-and-resurrection complete the prediction; the disciples' grief (in place of Mark's incomprehension) shows they grasp the death but cannot yet receive the hope of rising.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκτενοῦσινthey will killFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ predictive futureἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
τρίτῃthirdDativeattributive adjectiveτρίτος: 'third'.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'on the third day' — the resurrection (cf. Hos 6:2; 1 Cor 15:4).
ἐγερθήσεταιhe will be raisedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive future (divine passive)ἐγείρω: 'raise'; pass. of the resurrection by God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλυπήθησανthey were grievedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · λυπέωmain verb→ ingressive aoristλυπέω: 'grieve, distress' (pass. 'be sorrowful'); the disciples' sorrow at the prediction of death.
σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degreeσφόδρα: 'exceedingly, greatly'.
24

Ἐλθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ προσῆλθον οἱ τὰ δίδραχμα λαμβάνοντες τῷ Πέτρῳ καὶ εἶπαν· Ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν οὐ τελεῖ τὰ δίδραχμα;

And when they had come to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?"

New scene: the temple taxδὲThe annual half-shekel temple tax (Exod 30:13) becomes the occasion. The question, put to Peter, probes whether Jesus honors the customary obligation.
Ἐλθόντωνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivegenitive subject of absolute
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ΚαφαρναοὺμCapernaumAccusativeobject of εἰςΚαφαρναούμ: Capernaum; Jesus' Galilean base (indeclinable).
προσῆλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/approach toward'.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
δίδραχμαtwo-drachma taxAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνοντεςδίδραχμον: 'two-drachma (coin)'; the didrachma = the annual half-shekel temple tax.
λαμβάνοντεςcollectingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωsubstantival participle ('the collectors')→ present (customary action)λαμβάνω: 'take, receive, collect'; here 'those who collect the tax.'
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠέτρῳPeterDativedative complement of προσῆλθονΠέτρος: Peter; here dative.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
theNominativearticle
διδάσκαλοςteacherNominativesubjectδιδάσκαλος: 'teacher, master'; the respectful term for Jesus.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
οὐnotnegative particle (expecting 'yes')οὐ: the negative in a question expects the answer 'yes' — 'he does pay, doesn't he?'
τελεῖpayPres Act Indic 3 Sg · τελέωmain verb (of question)→ customary presentτελέω: 'complete, pay (a tax/debt)'; here of discharging the temple tax.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
δίδραχμαtwo-drachma taxAccusativedirect objectδίδραχμον: the temple tax.
25

λέγει· Ναί. καὶ ἐλθόντα εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προέφθασεν αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· Τί σοι δοκεῖ, Σίμων; οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς ἀπὸ τίνων λαμβάνουσιν τέλη ἢ κῆνσον; ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῶν ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων;

He says, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or tax — from their own sons or from strangers?"

Jesus' counter-questionasyndetonJesus, knowing Peter's mind beforehand (προέφθασεν), poses a royal analogy: kings tax outsiders, not their own children. The Son of the King is therefore exempt.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω: 'say'; Peter's terse 'Yes.'
Ναίyesparticle of affirmationναί: 'yes, indeed'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλθόνταhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (agreeing with αὐτόν)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; Peter entering the house.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeobject of εἰςοἰκία: 'house, home'.
προέφθασενanticipatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προφθάνωmain verb→ constative aoristπροφθάνω: 'anticipate, come/speak first' (προ- + φθάνω); Jesus speaks before Peter can raise the matter — implying supernatural knowledge.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (Peter)
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (introducing speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'.
ΤίwhatNominativeinterrogative (subject of δοκεῖ)τίς: 'what'; 'what seems to you?' = 'what do you think?'
σοιto youDativedative of reference (impersonal δοκεῖ)
δοκεῖthinkPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δοκέωmain verb (impersonal)→ stative presentδοκέω: 'seem, think'; τί σοι δοκεῖ = 'what do you think?'
ΣίμωνSimonVocativevocative of addressΣίμων: Simon; Peter's given name.
οἱtheNominativearticle
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubjectβασιλεύς: 'king'; the analogy of earthly monarchs.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (sphere of rule)γῆ: 'earth, land'; 'the kings of the earth.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τίνωνwhomGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (object of ἀπό)τίς: 'who'; 'from whom?'
λαμβάνουσινtakePres Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (of question)→ customary/gnomic presentλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; here 'collect (taxes).'
τέληtollsAccusativedirect objectτέλος: here 'toll, customs duty' (indirect tax).
ordisjunctive conjunction
κῆνσονtaxAccusativedirect object (coordinate)κῆνσος: 'census/poll-tax' (Latin loanword census); a direct head-tax.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
υἱῶνsonsGenitiveobject of ἀπόυἱός: 'son'; the king's own children, exempt from tax.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀλλοτρίωνstrangersGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another, stranger, foreigner'; the subjects/outsiders who do pay.
26

εἰπόντος δέ· Ἀπὸ τῶν ἀλλοτρίων, ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἄρα γε ἐλεύθεροί εἰσιν οἱ υἱοί.

And when he said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.

The conclusion: the sons are freeδέPeter's answer yields the principle Jesus presses: the king's sons are exempt. By analogy, the Son of God (and his own) are free of the temple-tax obligation in principle.
εἰπόντοςhaving saidAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · λέγωgenitive absolute (temporal; subject implied 'he/Peter')→ antecedent aoristλέγω: 'say'.
δέanddevelopmental conjunction
Ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀλλοτρίωνstrangersGenitiveobject of ἀπό (Peter's answer)ἀλλότριος: 'stranger, foreigner'.
ἔφηsaidImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίmain verb→ aoristic imperfect (narrative)φημί: 'say, affirm'; ἔφη, a common narrative 'he said' (form is imperfect, used aoristically).
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
Ἄραtheninferential particleἄρα: 'then, consequently'; drawing the inference.
γεindeedemphatic particle (ἄρα γε)γε: emphatic enclitic; ἄρα γε strengthens the inference.
ἐλεύθεροίfreeNominativepredicate adjectiveἐλεύθερος: 'free, exempt'; the sons are not liable.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οἱtheNominativearticle
υἱοίsonsNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son'; the king's children — by analogy, the children of God.
27

ἵνα δὲ μὴ σκανδαλίσωμεν αὐτούς, πορευθεὶς εἰς θάλασσαν βάλε ἄγκιστρον καὶ τὸν ἀναβάντα πρῶτον ἰχθὺν ἆρον, καὶ ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσεις στατῆρα· ἐκεῖνον λαβὼν δὸς αὐτοῖς ἀντὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ.

"But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and opening its mouth you will find a stater; take that and give it to them for me and you."

The provision: voluntary paymentδὲThough free in principle, Jesus waives the right rather than give needless offense — and provides the exact coin miraculously. The stater pays for two (Jesus and Peter), uniting freedom with condescension.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
σκανδαλίσωμενwe may offendAor Act Subj 1 Pl · σκανδαλίζωverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive (purpose)σκανδαλίζω: 'cause to stumble, give offense'; avoiding a needless stumbling-block.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object (the collectors)
πορευθεὶςgoingAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πορεύομαιcircumstantial ptc. (attendant circumstance, imperatival force)→ antecedent aoristπορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; attendant on the imperative βάλε.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
θάλασσανthe seaAccusativeobject of εἰςθάλασσα: 'sea, lake'; the Sea of Galilee.
βάλεcastAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (command)βάλλω: 'throw, cast'.
ἄγκιστρονa hookAccusativedirect objectἄγκιστρον: 'fishhook'; the only NT mention of hook-and-line fishing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀναβάνταthat comes upAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀναβαίνωattributive participle (with ἰχθύν)→ antecedent aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go/come up'; the first fish to surface.
πρῶτονfirstAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἰχθύν)πρῶτος: 'first'; the very first fish caught.
ἰχθὺνfishAccusativedirect object of ἆρονἰχθύς: 'fish'.
ἆρονtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (command)αἴρω: 'take up, lift, take'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνοίξαςopeningAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀνοίγωcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
στόμαmouthAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίξαςστόμα: 'mouth'.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
εὑρήσειςyou will findFut Act Indic 2 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find, discover'.
στατῆραa staterAccusativedirect objectστατήρ: 'stater'; a four-drachma coin (= two didrachmas), exactly the tax for two persons.
ἐκεῖνονthatAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λαβών)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one'; the stater.
λαβὼνtakingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial ptc. (attendant)→ antecedent aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (command)δίδωμι: 'give'.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (substitution/on behalf of)ἀντί: 'in place of, for'; 'on behalf of.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἀντί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of ἀντί (coordinate)