1
Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν τοῖς ὄχλοις καὶ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
The discourse opens with Matthew's characteristic Τότε, addressing a double audience — the crowds and the disciples — though the indictment falls on the scribes and Pharisees in the third person.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Τότεthentemporal adverb (narrative transition)τότε: 'at that time, then'; a favorite Matthean connective marking sequence in the narrative.
ὁtheNominativearticle with Ἰησοῦς
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: 'Jesus,' Gk. form of Heb. Yeshua/Joshua, 'YHWH saves.'
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist — the whole discourse summed as one act of speakingλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; here introducing the extended denunciation that follows.
τοῖςto theDativearticle with ὄχλοις
ὄχλοιςcrowdsDativeindirect object (dative of indirect object)ὄχλος: 'crowd, throng'; the wider audience alongside the disciples.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςto theDativearticle with μαθηταῖς
μαθηταῖςdisciplesDativeindirect objectμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; the inner circle of followers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
2
λέγων· Ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι.
saying: "On the seat of Moses the scribes and the Pharisees have sat down.
The participle λέγων introduces direct speech (Semitic idiom). The opening concession grants the scribes and Pharisees a teaching office — sitting 'on Moses' seat,' the chair of authoritative instruction in the synagogue.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance introducing direct speech→ pleonastic λέγων — Semitic speech-marker opening the quotationλέγω: 'say'; the recitative participle standard in Matthew before quoted speech.
Ἐπὶonpreposition with genitive (position)ἐπί + gen.: 'upon, on'; locating the seat.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with καθέδρας
Μωϋσέωςof MosesGenitivegenitive of possession/relation (whose seat)Μωϋσῆς: Moses, the lawgiver; a proper name here in the genitive, hence kind n (not indeclinable).
καθέδραςseatGenitiveobject of ἐπί (genitive)καθέδρα: 'chair, seat'; the 'seat of Moses' = the office of authoritative teaching of the Law.
ἐκάθισανhave satAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb→ aorist with resultant state — 'have taken their seat,' i.e. occupy the officeκαθίζω: 'sit down, take a seat'; the aorist denotes their settled occupancy of the teaching chair.
οἱtheNominativearticle with γραμματεῖς
γραμματεῖςscribesNominativesubject (compound)γραμματεύς: 'scribe,' expert in the Law; the professional teachers of Torah.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle with Φαρισαῖοι
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesNominativesubject (compound)Φαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee'; the lay party devoted to scrupulous Torah-observance and tradition.
3
πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν ποιήσατε καὶ τηρεῖτε, κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε· λέγουσιν γὰρ καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσιν.
So do and observe everything whatever they tell you, but do not act according to their works; for they say and do not do.
οὖν draws the consequence of their teaching office: heed their words. The δέ antithesis then severs word from deed; the γάρ clause grounds it — they say but do not do.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of ποιήσατε/τηρεῖτεπᾶς: 'all, everything'; the sweep of their authoritative teaching.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, so'; drawing the inference from v.2.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (correlative with πάντα)ὅσος: 'as much/many as, whatever'; generalizing relative.
ἐὰνeverparticle making the relative indefinite (= ἄν)ἐάν: here the conditional particle generalizing ὅσα ('whatever').
εἴπωσινthey tellAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive in a generalizing relative — 'whatever they may tell'λέγω: 'say, tell'; the subjunctive after ἐάν.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
ποιήσατεdoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain imperative→ ingressive/constative aorist imperative — 'do (it)'ποιέω: 'do, perform'; obey their valid teaching.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τηρεῖτεobservePres Act Impv 2 Pl · τηρέωmain imperative→ present imperative — ongoing keeping/observanceτηρέω: 'keep, observe, guard'; sustained obedience.
κατὰaccording topreposition with accusative (norm/standard)κατά + acc.: 'according to'; the standard rejected.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marking the antithesis between word and deed.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ἔργα
ἔργαworksAccusativeobject of κατάἔργον: 'work, deed'; their practice, which belies their preaching.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
μὴnotnegative with imperativeμή: prohibitive negative.
ποιεῖτεdoPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωprohibitive imperative→ present prohibition — 'do not (make a practice of) acting'ποιέω: 'do'; here negated — do not imitate their conduct.
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωverb of γάρ clause→ gnomic/customary present — their habitual sayingλέγω: 'say'; the first half of the indictment.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (grounds the prohibition)γάρ: 'for'; explaining why their works are no model.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative with indicativeοὐ: factual negative.
ποιοῦσινthey doPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωverb of γάρ clause→ customary present — they characteristically fail to actποιέω: 'do'; the damning second half — saying without doing.
4
δεσμεύουσιν δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ δυσβάστακτα καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, αὐτοὶ δὲ τῷ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσιν κινῆσαι αὐτά.
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with their finger.
A concrete picture of saying-without-doing: they load others with crushing burdens (legal demands of tradition) yet will not lift a finger themselves. The αὐτοὶ δέ sharpens the contrast.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
δεσμεύουσινthey tie upPres Act Indic 3 Pl · δεσμεύωmain verb→ customary present — habitual practiceδεσμεύω: 'bind, tie up (into bundles)'; the burdens are 'packed' like loads.
δὲandcontinuative conjunctionδέ: developing the indictment.
φορτίαburdensAccusativedirect objectφορτίον: 'load, burden'; figuratively the weight of their legal demands.
βαρέαheavyAccusativeattributive adjective with φορτίαβαρύς: 'heavy, weighty.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δυσβάστακταhard to bearAccusativeattributive adjective with φορτίαδυσβάστακτος: 'difficult to carry'; bracketed/omitted by some witnesses but read here.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιτιθέασινlayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb→ customary presentἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon, lay on'; loading the burdens onto others.
ἐπὶonpreposition with accusative (motion onto)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon, onto.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with ὤμους
ὤμουςshouldersAccusativeobject of ἐπίὦμος: 'shoulder'; the load-bearing image.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with ἀνθρώπων
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitivegenitive of possessionἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person.'
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativeintensive/emphatic subjectαὐτός: intensive 'themselves,' heightening the contrast.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marking the contrast.
τῷwith theDativearticle with δακτύλῳ
δακτύλῳfingerDativedative of instrument/meansδάκτυλος: 'finger'; proverbial of the least effort.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐnotnegative with θέλουσινοὐ: factual negative.
θέλουσινthey are willingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · θέλωmain verb (governs infinitive)→ present — their settled unwillingnessθέλω: 'wish, will, be willing'; negated, their refusal to help.
κινῆσαιto moveAor Act Inf · κινέωcomplementary infinitive→ aorist infinitive — the single act they refuseκινέω: 'move, shift'; not even budge the burdens.
αὐτάthemAccusativedirect object of κινῆσαι
5
πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσιν πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις· πλατύνουσιν γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσιν τὰ κράσπεδα,
All their works they do to be seen by people; for they make their phylacteries broad and their tassels long,
The root motive: display. πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι ('to be seen') states the purpose; the γάρ clause gives two showy instances — broad phylacteries and long tassels.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πάνταallAccusativeattributive with ἔργαπᾶς: 'all, every.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ἔργα
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object (fronted)ἔργον: 'work, deed.'
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ποιοῦσινthey doPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ customary presentποιέω: 'do, perform.'
πρὸςforpreposition with articular infinitive (purpose)πρός + acc. + artic. inf.: expressing purpose, 'in order to.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle governing the infinitive
θεαθῆναιto be seenAor Pass Inf · θεάομαιarticular infinitive of purpose→ aorist passive infinitive — the goal of being viewedθεάομαι: 'behold, gaze at'; passive — to be a spectacle for others.
τοῖςby theDativearticle with ἀνθρώποις
ἀνθρώποιςpeopleDativedative of agent (with passive infinitive)ἄνθρωπος: 'people'; the audience they court.
πλατύνουσινthey broadenPres Act Indic 3 Pl · πλατύνωverb of γάρ clause→ customary presentπλατύνω: 'make wide, broaden'; enlarging for display.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (grounds the display motive)γάρ: 'for'; introducing the proof.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with φυλακτήρια
φυλακτήριαphylacteriesAccusativedirect objectφυλακτήριον: 'phylactery,' tefillin — the small leather boxes bound on arm and forehead (Deut 6:8).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μεγαλύνουσινthey enlargePres Act Indic 3 Pl · μεγαλύνωverb (second instance)→ customary presentμεγαλύνω: 'make large, lengthen.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle with κράσπεδα
κράσπεδαtasselsAccusativedirect objectκράσπεδον: 'tassel, fringe' (tzitzit) commanded in Num 15:38–39; lengthened for show.
6
φιλοῦσιν δὲ τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν ἐν τοῖς δείπνοις καὶ τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς
and they love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues
A list of cravings for status: the best couch at dinners, the front benches in synagogue — completed in v.7.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
φιλοῦσινthey lovePres Act Indic 3 Pl · φιλέωmain verb→ customary present — their settled appetite for honorφιλέω: 'love, be fond of, like'; here of craving status.
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with πρωτοκλισίαν
πρωτοκλισίανplace of honorAccusativedirect objectπρωτοκλισία: 'chief reclining-place' at a meal, the seat of highest honor.
ἐνatpreposition with dative (location)ἐν + dat.: 'in, at.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle with δείπνοις
δείπνοιςbanquetsDativeobject of ἐνδεῖπνον: 'dinner, banquet,' the main meal.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with πρωτοκαθεδρίας
πρωτοκαθεδρίαςchief seatsAccusativedirect object (second)πρωτοκαθεδρία: 'chief seat,' the front bench facing the congregation.
ἐνinpreposition with dative (location)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle with συναγωγαῖς
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativeobject of ἐνσυναγωγή: 'synagogue,' assembly/place of worship.
7
καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς καὶ καλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων Ῥαββί.
and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by people.
The list ends with public deference — greetings in the markets and the honorific 'Rabbi' — which sets up the prohibition of titles in vv.8–10.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with ἀσπασμοὺς
ἀσπασμοὺςgreetingsAccusativedirect object (still under φιλοῦσιν)ἀσπασμός: 'greeting, salutation'; public marks of respect.
ἐνinpreposition with dative (location)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle with ἀγοραῖς
ἀγοραῖςmarketplacesDativeobject of ἐνἀγορά: 'marketplace, public square.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καλεῖσθαιto be calledPres Pass Inf · καλέωinfinitive (object of φιλοῦσιν)→ present passive infinitive — the ongoing honor of the titleκαλέω: 'call, name'; passive — to be addressed by an honorific.
ὑπὸbypreposition with genitive (agent)ὑπό + gen.: 'by,' marking the agent.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with ἀνθρώπων
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitivegenitive of agentἄνθρωπος: 'people.'
ῬαββίRabbiindeclinable title (predicate of καλεῖσθαι)Ῥαββί: transliterated Heb. 'my master/teacher'; an honorific address, indeclinable in Greek.
8
ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ κληθῆτε Ῥαββί· εἷς γάρ ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ διδάσκαλος, πάντες δὲ ὑμεῖς ἀδελφοί ἐστε.
But you—do not be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
Emphatic ὑμεῖς turns from the Pharisees to the disciples: refuse the title 'Rabbi.' The γάρ grounds it — there is one Teacher, and all the rest are brothers, leveling the community.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject (contrast)σύ (pl.): emphatic 'you,' set against the Pharisees.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marking the contrast.
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive (prohibition)μή: prohibitive negative.
κληθῆτεbe calledAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · καλέωprohibitive subjunctive→ aorist subjunctive prohibition — 'do not get called'καλέω: 'call, name'; passive — accept no such title.
ῬαββίRabbiindeclinable title (predicate)Ῥαββί: 'my master/teacher'; the honorific to be refused.
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (fronted for emphasis)εἷς: 'one'; the sole Teacher.
γάρforcausal conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounding the prohibition.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relation (with ὁ διδάσκαλος)
ὁtheNominativearticle with διδάσκαλος
διδάσκαλοςTeacherNominativesubject (with εἷς as predicate)διδάσκαλος: 'teacher'; read here over the later καθηγητής (reserved for v.10).
πάντεςallNominativeattributive with ὑμεῖςπᾶς: 'all.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativepredicate nominativeἀδελφός: 'brother'; the leveling identity of the disciple-community.
ἐστεarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
9
καὶ πατέρα μὴ καλέσητε ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, εἷς γάρ ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ πατὴρ ὁ οὐράνιος.
And call no one your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly one.
The second prohibition, parallel to v.8: do not call anyone 'father' as a religious title — there is one Father, the heavenly one.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object of καλέσητεπατήρ: 'father'; here a title of religious authority to be withheld from any human.
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive (prohibition)μή: prohibitive negative.
καλέσητεcallAor Act Subj 2 Pl · καλέωprohibitive subjunctive→ aorist subjunctive prohibitionκαλέω: 'call, name.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relation (with πατέρα)
ἐπὶonpreposition with genitive (location)ἐπί + gen.: 'on, upon.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with γῆς
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, ground'; the earthly sphere, contrasted with 'heavenly.'
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (fronted)εἷς: 'one.'
γάρforcausal conjunctionγάρ: 'for.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relation
ὁtheNominativearticle with πατὴρ
πατὴρFatherNominativesubjectπατήρ: 'Father'; God.
ὁtheNominativearticle with οὐράνιος
οὐράνιοςheavenlyNominativeattributive adjective with πατὴροὐράνιος: 'heavenly'; distinguishing the one true Father.
10
μηδὲ κληθῆτε καθηγηταί, ὅτι καθηγητὴς ὑμῶν ἐστιν εἷς ὁ Χριστός.
Nor be called instructors, because your Instructor is one, the Christ.
The third prohibition: no title 'instructor/leader,' for the one Instructor is the Christ — the triad (Teacher, Father, Instructor) all point beyond human authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
μηδὲnornegative conjunction (continuing prohibition)μηδέ: 'and not, nor.'
κληθῆτεbe calledAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · καλέωprohibitive subjunctive→ aorist subjunctive prohibitionκαλέω: 'call, name.'
καθηγηταίinstructorsNominativepredicate nominative (with passive κληθῆτε)καθηγητής: 'guide, instructor, leader'; a teacher-title.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because, that.'
καθηγητὴςInstructorNominativesubject (predicate before εἷς)καθηγητής: 'instructor'; here the unique title of Christ.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relation
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
εἷςoneNominativepredicateεἷς: 'one.'
ὁtheNominativearticle with Χριστός
ΧριστόςChristNominativeapposition to εἷς (identifying the Instructor)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; here the one true καθηγητής.
11
ὁ δὲ μείζων ὑμῶν ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος.
And the greatest among you shall be your servant.
The kingdom's inversion of status (cf. 20:26): greatness is measured by service, not by titles.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ὁtheNominativearticle substantizing μείζων
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
μείζωνgreatestNominativesubstantival comparative (subject)μέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater, greatest'; the one ranking highest.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive/comparative genitive
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival future — a binding norm, 'is to be'εἰμί: 'be'; the future expressing obligation.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relation (with διάκονος)
διάκονοςservantNominativepredicate nominativeδιάκονος: 'servant, attendant'; greatness defined as service.
12
ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
A chiastic proverb sealing vv.8–11: the divine passives ('will be humbled/exalted') point to God's eschatological reversal of human self-assertion.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὅστιςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅστις: 'whoever'; generalizing.
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ὑψώσειexaltsFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑψόωverb of relative clause→ gnomic future — a general truthὑψόω: 'lift up, exalt'; here self-exaltation.
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself.'
ταπεινωθήσεταιwill be humbledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωmain verb (divine passive)→ divine passive future — God will humbleταπεινόω: 'humble, abase'; the passive implies God as agent.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅστιςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅστις: 'whoever.'
ταπεινώσειhumblesFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωverb of relative clause→ gnomic futureταπεινόω: 'humble'; self-humbling.
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἑαυτοῦ: 'himself.'
ὑψωθήσεταιwill be exaltedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (divine passive)→ divine passive future — God will exaltὑψόω: 'exalt'; the eschatological reversal.
13
Οὐαὶ δὲ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι κλείετε τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων· ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε, οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν.
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces; for you neither enter, nor do you allow those entering to go in.
The first of the seven woes. The refrain 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites' recurs; here the charge is shutting the kingdom — neither entering nor letting others. (The critical text prints no v.14 after this verse; see the text-note.)
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'; a prophetic cry of lament/judgment.
δὲbuttransitional conjunctionδέ: turning from the community to the woes.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of (dis)advantage with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe'; addressed directly.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'play-actor, hypocrite'; the keyword of the woes.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the woe)ὅτι: 'because.'
κλείετεyou shutPres Act Indic 2 Pl · κλείωmain verb→ customary present — habitual actionκλείω: 'shut, close'; barring entry to the kingdom.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with βασιλείαν
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect objectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; God's rule.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with οὐρανῶν
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitivegenitive (Matthean idiom 'kingdom of heaven')οὐρανός: 'heaven'; Matthew's reverential periphrasis for God's kingdom.
ἔμπροσθενbeforeimproper preposition with genitiveἔμπροσθεν + gen.: 'in front of, before.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with ἀνθρώπων
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενἄνθρωπος: 'people'; in whose faces the door is shut.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subjectσύ (pl.): emphatic 'you.'
γὰρforcausal conjunction (explains the shutting)γάρ: 'for.'
οὐκnotnegative with εἰσέρχεσθεοὐ: factual negative.
εἰσέρχεσθεyou enterPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ customary presentεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter.'
οὐδὲnornegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'and not, nor.'
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle substantizing the participle
εἰσερχομένουςenteringPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · εἰσέρχομαιsubstantival participle (object of ἀφίετε)→ present participle — those in the act of enteringεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the would-be entrants barred.
ἀφίετεyou allowPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb→ customary presentἀφίημι: 'let, permit, allow.'
εἰσελθεῖνto go inAor Act Inf · εἰσέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive→ aorist infinitive — the act of entering they preventεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter.'
15
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι περιάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον, καὶ ὅταν γένηται ποιεῖτε αὐτὸν υἱὸν γεέννης διπλότερον ὑμῶν.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
The second woe (asyndeton — the woes now stand without δέ). Missionary zeal that produces converts twice as fit for hell — the multiplier 'twofold' is bitter irony.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because.'
περιάγετεyou traversePres Act Indic 2 Pl · περιάγωmain verb→ customary present — their roving missionary practiceπεριάγω: 'go around, travel about, traverse.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with θάλασσαν
θάλασσανseaAccusativedirect object (extent traversed)θάλασσα: 'sea.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ξηρὰν
ξηρὰνdry landAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)ξηρός: 'dry'; ἡ ξηρά = 'dry land.'
ποιῆσαιto makeAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose→ aorist infinitive — the aim of the travelποιέω: 'make.'
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeral with προσήλυτονεἷς: 'one'; the single convert.
προσήλυτονproselyteAccusativeobject of ποιῆσαι (object-complement)προσήλυτος: 'proselyte,' a Gentile convert to Judaism.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction with subjunctiveὅταν: 'whenever, when.'
γένηταιhe becomes oneAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of temporal clause→ aorist subjunctive — once the conversion is accomplishedγίνομαι: 'become, come to be.'
ποιεῖτεyou makePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ customary presentποιέω: 'make.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
υἱὸνsonAccusativeobject-complement (predicate accusative)υἱός: 'son'; Semitic idiom 'son of X' = belonging to/destined for X.
γεέννηςof hellGenitivegenitive of relation/destinationγέεννα: 'Gehenna, hell'; the valley of Hinnom as figure of final judgment.
διπλότερονtwice as muchAccusativecomparative adjective (predicate)διπλοῦς (compar. διπλότερος): 'twofold, double'; doubly damnable.
ὑμῶνthan youGenitivegenitive of comparison
16
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοὶ οἱ λέγοντες· Ὃς ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ ναῷ, οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δ’ ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ χρυσῷ τοῦ ναοῦ ὀφείλει.
Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound.'
The third woe, addressed to 'blind guides.' It exposes their oath-casuistry, which inverts the true hierarchy — making the gold greater than the temple that sanctifies it.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
ὁδηγοὶguidesVocativevocative of addressὁδηγός: 'guide, leader'; here ironically of blind guides.
τυφλοὶblindVocativeattributive adjective (vocative)τυφλός: 'blind'; spiritual blindness (cf. 15:14).
οἱthe onesNominativearticle substantizing λέγοντες
λέγοντεςwho sayPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωsubstantival/appositional participle→ present participle — their habitual rulingλέγω: 'say'; introducing their casuistic maxim.
ὋςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅς ... ἄν: 'whoever.'
ἂνevermodal particle with subjunctiveἄν: generalizing particle.
ὀμόσῃswearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive in a generalizing relativeὀμνύω: 'swear, take an oath.'
ἐνbypreposition with dative (oath formula)ἐν + dat.: instrumental of the thing sworn by.
τῷtheDativearticle with ναῷ
ναῷtempleDativeobject of ἐνναός: 'temple, sanctuary'; the holy house itself.
οὐδένnothingNominativepredicate nominativeοὐδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the oath counts for nothing (non-binding).
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅς ... ἄν: 'whoever.'
δ’butadversative conjunction (elided δέ)δέ: marking the contrasting ruling.
ἂνevermodal particle with subjunctiveἄν: generalizing particle.
ὀμόσῃswearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (generalizing)ὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dative (oath formula)ἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with χρυσῷ
χρυσῷgoldDativeobject of ἐνχρυσός: 'gold'; the temple's golden treasure/ornament.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with ναοῦ
ναοῦtempleGenitivegenitive of source/relationναός: 'temple.'
ὀφείλειis boundPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb→ stative present — 'is under obligation'ὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated, be bound (by the oath).'
17
μωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί, τίς γὰρ μείζων ἐστίν, ὁ χρυσὸς ἢ ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν;
Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
Christ overturns the casuistry: the sanctuary sanctifies the gold, so the temple is greater. The question exposes their inverted values.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
μωροὶfoolsVocativevocative of addressμωρός: 'foolish, stupid.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τυφλοίblindVocativevocative of addressτυφλός: 'blind.'
τίςwhichNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who, which?'
γὰρforcausal conjunctionγάρ: 'for.'
μείζωνgreaterNominativepredicate (comparative)μέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater.'
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὁtheNominativearticle with χρυσὸς
χρυσὸςgoldNominativesubject (first alternative)χρυσός: 'gold.'
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or.'
ὁtheNominativearticle with ναὸς
ναὸςtempleNominativesubject (second alternative)ναός: 'temple.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle with attributive participle
ἁγιάσαςhaving sanctifiedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἁγιάζωattributive participle (with ναὸς)→ aorist participle — the temple's sanctifying of the goldἁγιάζω: 'make holy, consecrate'; the sanctuary makes its gold holy.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with χρυσόν
χρυσόνgoldAccusativedirect object of ἁγιάσαςχρυσός: 'gold.'
18
καί· Ὃς ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δ’ ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ δώρῳ τῷ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ ὀφείλει.
And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift on it is bound.'
A second specimen of the same inverted casuistry: the gift exalted over the altar that sanctifies it.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καίandcoordinating conjunction (resuming λέγοντες)καί: 'and'; adding the parallel ruling.
ὋςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅς ... ἄν: 'whoever.'
ἂνevermodal particle with subjunctiveἄν: generalizing particle.
ὀμόσῃswearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (generalizing)ὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dative (oath formula)ἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with θυσιαστηρίῳ
θυσιαστηρίῳaltarDativeobject of ἐνθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the place of sacrifice.
οὐδένnothingNominativepredicate nominativeοὐδείς: 'nothing'; non-binding.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὅς ... ἄν: 'whoever.'
δ’butadversative conjunction (elided δέ)δέ: marking the contrast.
ἂνevermodal particle with subjunctiveἄν: generalizing particle.
ὀμόσῃswearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (generalizing)ὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with δώρῳ
δώρῳgiftDativeobject of ἐνδῶρον: 'gift, offering'; the sacrifice laid on the altar.
τῷtheDativearticle with ἐπάνω phrase
ἐπάνωonadverb/improper preposition with genitiveἐπάνω + gen.: 'above, upon.'
αὐτοῦitGenitiveobject of ἐπάνω (refers to the altar)
ὀφείλειis boundPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb→ stative presentὀφείλω: 'be obligated, be bound.'
19
τυφλοί, τί γὰρ μεῖζον, τὸ δῶρον ἢ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον;
Blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Parallel to v.17: the altar sanctifies the gift, so the altar is greater. Some witnesses prefix μωροὶ καί ('fools and').
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
τυφλοίblindVocativevocative of addressτυφλός: 'blind.'
τίwhichNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'which?'
γὰρforcausal conjunctionγάρ: 'for.'
μεῖζονgreaterNominativepredicate (comparative, neuter)μέγας (compar. μεῖζον): 'greater.'
τὸtheNominativearticle with δῶρον
δῶρονgiftNominativesubject (first alternative)δῶρον: 'gift, offering.'
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or.'
τὸtheNominativearticle with θυσιαστήριον
θυσιαστήριονaltarNominativesubject (second alternative)θυσιαστήριον: 'altar.'
τὸthe oneNominativearticle with attributive participle
ἁγιάζονsanctifyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ἁγιάζωattributive participle (with θυσιαστήριον)→ present participle — the altar's sanctifying functionἁγιάζω: 'consecrate, make holy.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle with δῶρον
δῶρονgiftAccusativedirect object of ἁγιάζονδῶρον: 'gift.'
20
ὁ οὖν ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ ὀμνύει ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ·
So the one who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it;
The correcting conclusion: an oath by the altar entails the gift on it — the parts cannot be severed from the whole, as their casuistry pretended.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing ὀμόσας
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, so.'
ὀμόσαςwho swearsAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὀμνύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ aorist participle — the one who takes the oathὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dative (oath)ἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with θυσιαστηρίῳ
θυσιαστηρίῳaltarDativeobject of ἐνθυσιαστήριον: 'altar.'
ὀμνύειswearsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb→ gnomic present — a general truthὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐν (the altar)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
πᾶσιallDativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐν)πᾶς: 'all, everything.'
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle with ἐπάνω phrase
ἐπάνωonadverb/improper preposition with genitiveἐπάνω + gen.: 'above, upon.'
αὐτοῦitGenitiveobject of ἐπάνω
21
καὶ ὁ ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ ναῷ ὀμνύει ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν·
and the one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it;
Parallel to v.20: an oath by the temple invokes God who dwells there — so it cannot be evaded as 'nothing.'
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing ὀμόσας
ὀμόσαςwho swearsAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὀμνύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ aorist participleὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with ναῷ
ναῷtempleDativeobject of ἐνναός: 'temple.'
ὀμνύειswearsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb→ gnomic presentὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐν (the temple)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷthe oneDativearticle substantizing κατοικοῦντι
κατοικοῦντιdwellingPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (object of ἐν)→ present participle — God's abiding presence in the templeκατοικέω: 'dwell, inhabit'; the Shekinah-presence of God.
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect object of κατοικοῦντι
22
καὶ ὁ ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ὀμνύει ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ.
and the one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.
The climax: even an oath 'by heaven' reaches God's throne and God enthroned (cf. 5:34). No oath escapes referring to God — the casuistry collapses.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing ὀμόσας
ὀμόσαςwho swearsAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὀμνύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ aorist participleὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with οὐρανῷ
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐνοὐρανός: 'heaven'; God's dwelling.
ὀμνύειswearsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb→ gnomic presentὀμνύω: 'swear.'
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷtheDativearticle with θρόνῳ
θρόνῳthroneDativeobject of ἐνθρόνος: 'throne'; heaven as God's throne (Isa 66:1).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with θεοῦ
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of possessionθεός: 'God.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: instrumental.
τῷthe oneDativearticle substantizing καθημένῳ
καθημένῳsittingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (object of ἐν)→ present participle — God enthronedκάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; God enthroned in heaven.
ἐπάνωonadverb/improper preposition with genitiveἐπάνω + gen.: 'above, upon.'
αὐτοῦitGenitiveobject of ἐπάνω (the throne)
23
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον καὶ τὸ κύμινον, καὶ ἀφήκατε τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου, τὴν κρίσιν καὶ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ τὴν πίστιν· ταῦτα δὲ ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
The fourth woe: meticulous tithing of garden herbs while neglecting the law's weightier demands. Jesus affirms both: do justice/mercy/faith without omitting the tithe.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because.'
ἀποδεκατοῦτεyou tithePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποδεκατόωmain verb→ customary present — habitual scrupulosityἀποδεκατόω: 'tithe, give a tenth of.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ἡδύοσμον
ἡδύοσμονmintAccusativedirect objectἡδύοσμον: 'mint'; a garden herb of trifling value.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ἄνηθον
ἄνηθονdillAccusativedirect objectἄνηθον: 'dill' (or anise); a kitchen herb.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle with κύμινον
κύμινονcuminAccusativedirect objectκύμινον: 'cumin'; another minor seasoning.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀφήκατεyou have neglectedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀφίημιmain verb→ constative aorist — their settled neglectἀφίημι: 'leave, let go, neglect.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle with βαρύτερα
βαρύτεραweightier mattersAccusativesubstantival comparative (direct object)βαρύς (compar. βαρύτερος): 'weightier, more important.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with νόμου
νόμουlawGenitivepartitive/relational genitiveνόμος: 'law'; the Torah.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with κρίσιν
κρίσινjusticeAccusativeapposition to βαρύτερακρίσις: 'justice, judgment'; right judgment (cf. Mic 6:8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ἔλεος
ἔλεοςmercyAccusativeapposition to βαρύτεραἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with πίστιν
πίστινfaithfulnessAccusativeapposition to βαρύτεραπίστις: 'faith, faithfulness'; here covenantal fidelity/trustworthiness.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (the weightier matters)οὗτος: 'this, these.'
δὲbutadversative/continuative conjunctionδέ: 'but.'
ἔδειit was necessaryImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (governs infinitives)→ imperfect of obligation — 'one ought (to have)'δεῖ: 'it is necessary, one ought'; the imperfect for unfulfilled duty.
ποιῆσαιto have doneAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (subject of ἔδει)→ aorist infinitiveποιέω: 'do, perform.'
κἀκεῖναand thoseAccusativedirect object of ἀφιέναι (the tithes)κἀκεῖνα (καὶ ἐκεῖνα): 'and those (other) things'; the lesser duties.
μὴnotnegative with infinitiveμή: negative.
ἀφιέναιto neglectPres Act Inf · ἀφίημιcomplementary infinitive→ present infinitive — ongoing neglect to be avoidedἀφίημι: 'leave undone, neglect.'
24
ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοί, οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!
The famous hyperbole (with κώνωπα/κάμηλον wordplay): straining the tiniest unclean insect from the wine while gulping down the largest unclean beast — meticulous over trifles, reckless over the weighty.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὁδηγοὶguidesVocativevocative of addressὁδηγός: 'guide, leader.'
τυφλοίblindVocativeattributive adjective (vocative)τυφλός: 'blind.'
οἱthe onesNominativearticle substantizing διϋλίζοντες
διϋλίζοντεςstraining outPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · διϋλίζωsubstantival/appositional participle→ present participle — habitual filteringδιϋλίζω: 'strain, filter (through a cloth)'; to remove an insect from the drink.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with κώνωπα
κώνωπαgnatAccusativedirect object of διϋλίζοντεςκώνωψ: 'gnat, mosquito'; the smallest unclean creature.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with κάμηλον
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marking the absurd contrast.
κάμηλονcamelAccusativedirect object of καταπίνοντεςκάμηλος: 'camel'; the largest unclean animal — proverbial bulk.
καταπίνοντεςswallowingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καταπίνωsubstantival/appositional participle→ present participle — habitual gulpingκαταπίνω: 'swallow, gulp down.'
25
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι καθαρίζετε τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
The fifth woe turns on the inside/outside antithesis: ritual purity of the vessel's surface masks an inner content of plunder and excess.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because.'
καθαρίζετεyou cleansePres Act Indic 2 Pl · καθαρίζωmain verb→ customary presentκαθαρίζω: 'cleanse, purify.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle substantizing ἔξωθεν
ἔξωθενoutsideAccusativesubstantival adverb (direct object)ἔξωθεν: 'from outside, the exterior.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with ποτηρίου
ποτηρίουcupGenitivegenitive of relationποτήριον: 'cup, drinking-vessel.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle with παροψίδος
παροψίδοςdishGenitivegenitive of relationπαροψίς: 'side-dish, platter.'
ἔσωθενinsideadverb of placeἔσωθεν: 'from within, inside.'
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marking the inner/outer contrast.
γέμουσινthey are fullPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γέμωmain verb (subject = cup and dish)→ stative present — their inner conditionγέμω: 'be full, be laden (with).'
ἐξofpreposition with genitive (content/source)ἐκ + gen.: here marking the filling content.
ἁρπαγῆςgreedGenitivegenitive of content (with γέμουσιν)ἁρπαγή: 'plunder, robbery, rapacity'; ill-gotten gain.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκρασίαςself-indulgenceGenitivegenitive of contentἀκρασία: 'lack of self-control, intemperance'; read here over the variant ἀδικίας.
26
Φαρισαῖε τυφλέ, καθάρισον πρῶτον τὸ ἐντὸς τοῦ ποτηρίου, ἵνα γένηται καὶ τὸ ἐκτὸς αὐτοῦ καθαρόν.
Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup, that the outside of it may also become clean.
The remedy, addressed to the singular 'blind Pharisee': cleanse the inside first, and the outside follows — inner purity governs the whole.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ΦαρισαῖεPhariseeVocativevocative of address (singular)Φαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee'; singular, individualizing the rebuke.
τυφλέblindVocativeattributive adjective (vocative)τυφλός: 'blind.'
καθάρισονcleanseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καθαρίζωmain imperative→ ingressive aorist imperative — a decisive actκαθαρίζω: 'cleanse, purify.'
πρῶτονfirstadverb of orderπρῶτον: 'first, firstly.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle substantizing ἐντὸς
ἐντὸςinsideAccusativesubstantival adverb (direct object)ἐντός: 'within, the inside.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle with ποτηρίου
ποτηρίουcupGenitivegenitive of relationποτήριον: 'cup.'
ἵναthatpurpose/result conjunction with subjunctiveἵνα: 'in order that.'
γένηταιmay becomeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive — the resulting cleannessγίνομαι: 'become, come to be.'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive) καίκαί: 'also, even.'
τὸtheNominativearticle substantizing ἐκτὸς
ἐκτὸςoutsideNominativesubstantival adverb (subject of γένηται)ἐκτός: 'outside, the exterior.'
αὐτοῦof itGenitivegenitive of relation
καθαρόνcleanNominativepredicate adjective (with γένηται)καθαρός: 'clean, pure.'
27
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι παρομοιάζετε τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις, οἵτινες ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνονται ὡραῖοι, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ὀστέων νεκρῶν καὶ πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
The sixth woe extends the inside/outside theme to a tomb-image: whitewashed to warn passersby of corpse-defilement, lovely without, full of death within.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because.'
παρομοιάζετεyou are likePres Act Indic 2 Pl · παρομοιάζωmain verb (governs dative)→ stative present — their resemblanceπαρομοιάζω: 'be like, resemble.'
τάφοιςtombsDativedative of comparison (object of resemblance)τάφος: 'tomb, grave.'
κεκονιαμένοιςwhitewashedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · κονιάωattributive participle (with τάφοις)→ perfect participle — the abiding result of the whitewashingκονιάω: 'whitewash, plaster with lime'; tombs were whitened before Passover to warn of defilement.
οἵτινεςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause)ὅστις: 'which, of such a kind that.'
ἔξωθενoutwardlyadverb of placeἔξωθεν: 'on the outside.'
μὲνindeedcorrelative particle (μέν ... δέ)μέν: 'on the one hand'; anticipating the δέ contrast.
φαίνονταιappearPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · φαίνωverb of relative clause→ stative present — how they lookφαίνω: (mid./pass.) 'appear, seem.'
ὡραῖοιbeautifulNominativepredicate adjectiveὡραῖος: 'beautiful, fair, comely.'
ἔσωθενinsideadverb of placeἔσωθεν: 'within.'
δὲbutadversative particle (answering μέν)δέ: marking the contrast.
γέμουσινthey are fullPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γέμωverb of relative clause→ stative presentγέμω: 'be full of.'
ὀστέωνof bonesGenitivegenitive of contentὀστέον: 'bone'; corpse-bones defile.
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveattributive genitive (with ὀστέων)νεκρός: 'dead'; here 'dead men's (bones).'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive with ἀκαθαρσίαςπᾶς: 'all, every.'
ἀκαθαρσίαςuncleannessGenitivegenitive of contentἀκαθαρσία: 'impurity, uncleanness.'
28
οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνεσθε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις δίκαιοι, ἔσωθεν δέ ἐστε μεστοὶ ὑποκρίσεως καὶ ἀνομίας.
So you also outwardly appear righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
The simile is applied: the tomb is they. A show of righteousness to onlookers hides an interior of hypocrisy and lawlessness — the diagnosis of the whole woe-series.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (drawing the comparison)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way.'
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive) καίκαί: 'also.'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subjectσύ (pl.): emphatic 'you.'
ἔξωθενoutwardlyadverb of placeἔξωθεν: 'on the outside.'
μὲνindeedcorrelative particle (μέν ... δέ)μέν: 'on the one hand.'
φαίνεσθεyou appearPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · φαίνωmain verb→ stative presentφαίνω: (mid./pass.) 'appear, seem.'
τοῖςto theDativearticle with ἀνθρώποις
ἀνθρώποιςpeopleDativedative of reference (to whom you appear)ἄνθρωπος: 'people.'
δίκαιοιrighteousNominativepredicate adjectiveδίκαιος: 'righteous, just.'
ἔσωθενinsideadverb of placeἔσωθεν: 'within.'
δέbutadversative particle (answering μέν)δέ: marking the contrast.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
μεστοὶfullNominativepredicate adjectiveμεστός: 'full (of).'
ὑποκρίσεωςof hypocrisyGenitivegenitive of content (with μεστοί)ὑπόκρισις: 'hypocrisy, play-acting.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνομίαςof lawlessnessGenitivegenitive of contentἀνομία: 'lawlessness, iniquity.'
29
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων,
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
The seventh and climactic woe: honoring the dead prophets with tombs and monuments — a piety that will be turned against them in vv.30–31.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Οὐαὶwoeinterjection of denunciationοὐαί: 'woe!'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative with οὐαί
γραμματεῖςscribesVocativevocative of addressγραμματεύς: 'scribe.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΦαρισαῖοιPhariseesVocativevocative of addressΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee.'
ὑποκριταίhypocritesVocativevocative in appositionὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because.'
οἰκοδομεῖτεyou buildPres Act Indic 2 Pl · οἰκοδομέωmain verb→ customary presentοἰκοδομέω: 'build, erect.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with τάφους
τάφουςtombsAccusativedirect objectτάφος: 'tomb, grave.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with προφητῶν
προφητῶνof the prophetsGenitivegenitive of relationπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κοσμεῖτεyou adornPres Act Indic 2 Pl · κοσμέωmain verb→ customary presentκοσμέω: 'adorn, decorate.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle with μνημεῖα
μνημεῖαmonumentsAccusativedirect objectμνημεῖον: 'monument, memorial tomb.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with δικαίων
δικαίωνof the righteousGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive of relation)δίκαιος: 'righteous (person).'
30
καὶ λέγετε· Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν.
and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets.'
Their disavowal — a contrary-to-fact condition ('if we had been there...') — claims dissociation from the fathers' prophet-murders, which v.31 exposes as self-incrimination.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγετεyou sayPres Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: 'say.'
Εἰifconditional particle (contrary-to-fact protasis)εἰ: 'if'; introducing the unreal condition.
ἤμεθαwe had beenImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of protasis→ imperfect in a contrary-to-fact conditionεἰμί: 'be'; 'if we had lived/been.'
ἐνinpreposition with dative (time)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle with ἡμέραις
ἡμέραιςdaysDativeobject of ἐν (time when)ἡμέρα: 'day.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with πατέρων
πατέρωνof the fathersGenitivegenitive of relationπατήρ: 'father, ancestor.'
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐκnotnegative with ἤμεθαοὐ: factual negative.
ἂνwouldmodal particle (apodosis of unreal condition)ἄν: marking the contrary-to-fact apodosis.
ἤμεθαwe would have beenImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of apodosis→ imperfect + ἄν — unreal apodosisεἰμί: 'be.'
αὐτῶνwith themGenitivegenitive with κοινωνοί (association)
κοινωνοὶpartnersNominativepredicate nominativeκοινωνός: 'partner, sharer, accomplice.'
ἐνinpreposition with dative (sphere)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
τῷtheDativearticle with αἵματι
αἵματιbloodDativeobject of ἐναἷμα: 'blood'; here 'bloodshed, murder.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with προφητῶν
προφητῶνof the prophetsGenitiveobjective genitive (the prophets killed)προφήτης: 'prophet.'
31
ὥστε μαρτυρεῖτε ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι υἱοί ἐστε τῶν φονευσάντων τοὺς προφήτας.
So you testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
The verdict: by saying 'our fathers' they admit descent from the prophet-killers — testifying against themselves. The kinship is not merely physical but moral, completed in their own act (vv.34–35).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὥστεsoinferential conjunctionὥστε: 'so that, therefore.'
μαρτυρεῖτεyou testifyPres Act Indic 2 Pl · μαρτυρέωmain verb→ present — the self-witness their words bearμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify.'
ἑαυτοῖςagainst yourselvesDativereflexive dative (of disadvantage)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'yourselves.'
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing content clauseὅτι: 'that.'
υἱοίsonsNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; descendants, kindred in deed.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle substantizing the participle
φονευσάντωνwho murderedAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · φονεύωsubstantival participle (genitive with υἱοί)→ aorist participle — the fathers' completed murdersφονεύω: 'murder, kill.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with προφήτας
προφήταςprophetsAccusativedirect object of φονευσάντωνπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
32
καὶ ὑμεῖς πληρώσατε τὸ μέτρον τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν.
Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers!
An ironic/prophetic command: 'finish what your fathers began' — go ahead and complete the cup of guilt (anticipating their part in Christ's death).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: 'and'; here connective/intensive.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subjectσύ (pl.): emphatic 'you.'
πληρώσατεfill upAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πληρόωmain imperative (ironic)→ ingressive/ironic aorist imperative — 'go on and fill up'πληρόω: 'fill, complete, fulfill.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle with μέτρον
μέτρονmeasureAccusativedirect objectμέτρον: 'measure'; the full measure of guilt.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with πατέρων
πατέρωνof the fathersGenitivegenitive of relationπατήρ: 'father, ancestor.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
33
ὄφεις γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς γεέννης;
You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to flee from the judgment of hell?
Echoing John the Baptist (3:7), a furious apostrophe — 'serpents, brood of vipers' — and a rhetorical question that all but forecloses escape from Gehenna's sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὄφειςserpentsVocativevocative of addressὄφις: 'snake, serpent'; evoking the deceiver (Gen 3).
γεννήματαbroodVocativevocative in appositionγέννημα: 'offspring, brood, spawn.'
ἐχιδνῶνof vipersGenitivegenitive of relation/sourceἔχιδνα: 'viper'; a deadly poisonous snake.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'
φύγητεare you to fleeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · φεύγωdeliberative subjunctive→ deliberative aorist subjunctive — 'how could you escape?'φεύγω: 'flee, escape.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition with genitive (separation)ἀπό + gen.: 'from, away from.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with κρίσεως
κρίσεωςjudgmentGenitiveobject of ἀπόκρίσις: 'judgment, condemnation.'
τῆςofGenitivearticle with γεέννης
γεέννηςof hellGenitivegenitive of source/destination (the sentence to hell)γέεννα: 'Gehenna, hell.'
34
διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς προφήτας καὶ σοφοὺς καὶ γραμματεῖς· ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀποκτενεῖτε καὶ σταυρώσετε, καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν μαστιγώσετε ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς ὑμῶν καὶ διώξετε ἀπὸ πόλεως εἰς πόλιν·
Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
Christ, speaking with sovereign authority ('I am sending'), dispatches messengers whom this generation will kill, crucify, scourge, and hound — completing the fathers' pattern and so filling the measure of v.32.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition with accusative (cause)διά + acc.: 'because of, on account of.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')οὗτος: 'this.'
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle/interjectionἰδού: 'look! behold!'; calling attention.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subjectἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; Christ's own sovereign initiative.
ἀποστέλλωam sendingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ futuristic/progressive present — the sending now underwayἀποστέλλω: 'send (with commission).'
πρὸςtopreposition with accusative (direction)πρός + acc.: 'to, toward.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
προφήταςprophetsAccusativedirect object of ἀποστέλλωπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σοφοὺςwise menAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)σοφός: 'wise (one), sage.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γραμματεῖςscribesAccusativedirect objectγραμματεύς: 'scribe'; here Christian teachers (cf. 13:52).
ἐξofpreposition with genitive (partitive)ἐκ + gen.: partitive 'some of.'
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἀποκτενεῖτε)
ἀποκτενεῖτεyou will killFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ predictive futureἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σταυρώσετεcrucifyFut Act Indic 2 Pl · σταυρόωmain verb→ predictive futureσταυρόω: 'crucify'; pointing beyond to the church's martyrs.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξofpreposition with genitive (partitive)ἐκ + gen.: partitive.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive
μαστιγώσετεyou will flogFut Act Indic 2 Pl · μαστιγόωmain verb→ predictive futureμαστιγόω: 'flog, scourge.'
ἐνinpreposition with dative (location)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle with συναγωγαῖς
συναγωγαῖςsynagoguesDativeobject of ἐνσυναγωγή: 'synagogue.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διώξετεpersecuteFut Act Indic 2 Pl · διώκωmain verb→ predictive futureδιώκω: 'pursue, persecute.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition with genitive (separation)ἀπό + gen.: 'from.'
πόλεωςtownGenitiveobject of ἀπόπόλις: 'city, town.'
εἰςtopreposition with accusative (direction)εἰς + acc.: 'into, to.'
πόλινtownAccusativeobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city, town.'
35
ὅπως ἔλθῃ ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος Ἅβελ τοῦ δικαίου ἕως τοῦ αἵματος Ζαχαρίου υἱοῦ Βαραχίου, ὃν ἐφονεύσατε μεταξὺ τοῦ ναοῦ καὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου.
so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
The purpose-result: all righteous blood from the first to the last martyr of the Hebrew canon (Abel in Genesis to Zechariah in Chronicles) converges on 'this generation' that completes the rejection.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction with subjunctiveὅπως: 'in order that, so that.'
ἔλθῃmay comeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive — the verdict's arrivalἔρχομαι: 'come.'
ἐφ’uponpreposition with accusative (ἐπί)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon, against.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί
πᾶνallNominativeattributive with αἷμαπᾶς: 'all.'
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject of ἔλθῃαἷμα: 'blood'; here innocent blood shed.
δίκαιονrighteousNominativeattributive adjective with αἷμαδίκαιος: 'righteous, innocent.'
ἐκχυννόμενονshedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ἐκχύννωattributive participle (with αἷμα)→ present passive participle — blood poured out (across history)ἐκχύννω: 'pour out, shed (blood).'
ἐπὶonpreposition with genitive (location)ἐπί + gen.: 'on, upon.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with γῆς
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition with genitive (starting point)ἀπό + gen.: 'from.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with αἵματος
αἵματοςbloodGenitiveobject of ἀπόαἷμα: 'blood.'
Ἅβελof AbelGenitivegenitive of relation (whose blood)Ἄβελ: Abel, first martyr (Gen 4); indeclinable in form but here a genitive of relation, hence kind n.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with δικαίου
δικαίουthe righteousGenitiveattributive adjective with Ἅβελδίκαιος: 'righteous'; 'righteous Abel.'
ἕωςtopreposition with genitive (terminus)ἕως + gen.: 'until, as far as.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with αἵματος
αἵματοςbloodGenitiveobject of ἕωςαἷμα: 'blood.'
Ζαχαρίουof ZechariahGenitivegenitive of relationΖαχαρίας: Zechariah (cf. 2 Chr 24:20–22), the last martyr in the Hebrew canon's order; a proper name in the genitive.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ζαχαρίουυἱός: 'son.'
Βαραχίουof BarachiahGenitivegenitive of relation (with υἱοῦ)Βαραχίας: Barachiah; the patronymic (cf. Zech 1:1), a proper name in the genitive.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐφονεύσατε)ὅς: relative 'whom.'
ἐφονεύσατεyou murderedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · φονεύωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist — corporate guilt charged to 'you'φονεύω: 'murder, kill.'
μεταξὺbetweenimproper preposition with genitiveμεταξύ + gen.: 'between.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ναοῦ
ναοῦsanctuaryGenitiveobject of μεταξύναός: 'sanctuary, temple.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with θυσιαστηρίου
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitiveobject of μεταξύθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the holiest precinct, aggravating the crime.
36
ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἥξει ταῦτα πάντα ἐπὶ τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην.
Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
The ἀμήν-saying seals the indictment: the accumulated judgment will fall on 'this generation' — historically realized in AD 70.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἀμὴνtrulyasseverative particle (Hebraism)ἀμήν: 'truly, amen'; solemn affirmation prefacing authoritative speech.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἥξειwill comeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (of content clause)→ predictive futureἥκω: 'have come, will come, arrive.'
ταῦταtheseNominativesubject (with πάντα)οὗτος: 'this, these.'
πάνταallNominativeattributive with ταῦταπᾶς: 'all.'
ἐπὶuponpreposition with accusativeἐπί + acc.: 'upon, against.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with γενεὰν
γενεὰνgenerationAccusativeobject of ἐπίγενεά: 'generation.'
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative with γενεὰνοὗτος: 'this'; the contemporary generation.
37
Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν, ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα σου, ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις ἐπισυνάγει τὰ νοσσία αὐτῆς ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας, καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!
The lament turns from indictment to grief: the doubled vocative, the maternal hen-image of Christ's longing, and the tragic refusal — 'you were not willing.' The 'how often' implies a long redemptive history of God's pleading.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
ἸερουσαλὴμJerusalemVocativevocative of address (Semitic indeclinable form, here vocative)Ἰερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem; the indeclinable Semitic form, functioning here as a vocative — hence kind n with case voc.
ἸερουσαλήμJerusalemVocativevocative (doubled for pathos)Ἰερουσαλήμ: the repetition heightens the lament.
ἡthe oneNominativearticle substantizing the participles (nominative for vocative)
ἀποκτείνουσαwho killsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἀποκτείνωsubstantival participle (nominative used as vocative)→ present participle — Jerusalem's characteristic, ongoing actἀποκτείνω: 'kill.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with προφήτας
προφήταςprophetsAccusativedirect object of ἀποκτείνουσαπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λιθοβολοῦσαstoningPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · λιθοβολέωsubstantival participle (parallel to ἀποκτείνουσα)→ present participle — habitual stoningλιθοβολέω: 'stone (to death).'
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle substantizing ἀπεσταλμένους
ἀπεσταλμένουςthose sentPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀποστέλλωsubstantival participle (object of λιθοβολοῦσα)→ perfect participle — those commissioned and sent (standing status)ἀποστέλλω: 'send'; God's envoys.
πρὸςtopreposition with accusative (direction)πρός + acc.: 'to, toward.'
αὐτήνherAccusativeobject of πρός (Jerusalem)
ποσάκιςhow ofteninterrogative/exclamatory adverbποσάκις: 'how often, how many times.'
ἠθέλησαI longedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ constative aorist — Christ's repeated, frustrated desire summedθέλω: 'wish, will, long'; the divine pathos.
ἐπισυναγαγεῖνto gatherAor Act Inf · ἐπισυνάγωcomplementary infinitive→ aorist infinitive — the gathering desiredἐπισυνάγω: 'gather together.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle with τέκνα
τέκναchildrenAccusativedirect object of ἐπισυναγαγεῖντέκνον: 'child'; the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὃνin whichAccusativerelative pronoun (ὃν τρόπον = adverbial 'in the way that')ὅς: relative pronoun.
τρόπονwayAccusativeaccusative of manner (ὃν τρόπον = 'just as')τρόπος: 'manner, way.'
ὄρνιςhenNominativesubject of ἐπισυνάγειὄρνις: 'bird, hen'; the maternal image.
ἐπισυνάγειgathersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισυνάγωverb of comparison clause→ gnomic present — the hen's habitual careἐπισυνάγω: 'gather together.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle with νοσσία
νοσσίαchicksAccusativedirect object of ἐπισυνάγεινοσσίον: 'young bird, chick.'
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession
ὑπὸunderpreposition with accusative (place)ὑπό + acc.: 'under.'
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with πτέρυγας
πτέρυγαςwingsAccusativeobject of ὑπόπτέρυξ: 'wing'; image of protective shelter (cf. Ps 91:4).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)καί: 'and (yet).'
οὐκnotnegative with ἠθελήσατεοὐ: factual negative.
ἠθελήσατεyou were willingAor Act Indic 2 Pl · θέλωmain verb→ constative aorist — the tragic refusalθέλω: 'will, be willing'; their decisive unwillingness.
38
ἰδοὺ ἀφίεται ὑμῖν ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν ἔρημος.
Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
The verdict on the refusal: the 'house' (temple/city, perhaps the nation) is abandoned, left desolate — the withdrawal of the divine presence (cf. Ezek 10–11). Some editions omit ἔρημος; it is read here.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: 'behold!'
ἀφίεταιis leftPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb→ present passive — the abandonment now effected (divine passive)ἀφίημι: 'leave, abandon, forsake.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of disadvantage/reference
ὁtheNominativearticle with οἶκος
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubjectοἶκος: 'house'; the temple and/or the city, perhaps the nation.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἔρημοςdesolateNominativepredicate adjectiveἔρημος: 'desolate, deserted, forsaken'; read here, omitted by some editions.
39
λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν, οὐ μή με ἴδητε ἀπ’ ἄρτι ἕως ἂν εἴπητε· Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου.
For I say to you, you will not see me again from now until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'
The closing word seals the departure but leaves a door: they will not see him again until they greet him with Psalm 118:26 — a future acclamation conditioning the renewed sight, whether of repentant welcome or of the Parousia.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
γὰρforcausal conjunction (grounds v.38)γάρ: 'for.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
οὐnotemphatic negative (οὐ μή)οὐ μή: emphatic negation of the future.
μήby no meansemphatic negative (with subjunctive)μή: with οὐ forming the strongest denial.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἴδητε
ἴδητεyou will seeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive of emphatic negation→ aorist subjunctive with οὐ μή — emphatic future denialὁράω: 'see, perceive.'
ἀπ’frompreposition with genitive (time)ἀπό + gen.: 'from.'
ἄρτιnowtemporal adverb (object of ἀπό)ἄρτι: 'now, at present'; ἀπ’ ἄρτι = 'from now on.'
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction with subjunctiveἕως: 'until.'
ἂνevermodal particle (contingency)ἄν: marking the indefinite future moment.
εἴπητεyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λέγωverb of temporal clause→ aorist subjunctive — the future acclamationλέγω: 'say.'
ΕὐλογημένοςblessedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐλογέωpredicate participle (Ps 118:26 acclamation)→ perfect passive participle — the abiding state of being blessedεὐλογέω: 'bless, speak well of'; the Hallel cry (Ps 118:26).
ὁthe oneNominativearticle substantizing ἐρχόμενος
ἐρχόμενοςwho comesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsubstantival participle (subject of the acclamation)→ present participle — 'the Coming One,' a messianic titleἔρχομαι: 'come'; ὁ ἐρχόμενος = the Messiah who comes.
ἐνinpreposition with dativeἐν + dat.: 'in.'
ὀνόματιnameDativeobject of ἐνὄνομα: 'name.'
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; in Ps 118 YHWH, here applied to the Messiah's coming.