Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 24ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΘΘΑΙΟΝ ΚΔ′

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 ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἐπορεύετο, καὶ προσῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπιδεῖξαι αὐτῷ τὰς οἰκοδομὰς τοῦ ἱεροῦ.

And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away, and his disciples came to him to point out to him the buildings of the temple.

Narrative settingΚαὶThe Olivet Discourse opens as Jesus leaves the temple for the last time; the disciples' admiration of the buildings sets up the shocking prediction of v.2.
ΚαὶAndnarrative connective
ἐξελθὼνhaving come outAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐξέρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go/come out'; Jesus' departure from the temple.
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἱεροῦtempleGenitiveobject of ἀπόἱερόν: the temple precincts/complex.
ἐπορεύετοhe was goingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfectπορεύομαι: 'go, proceed'; the imperfect pictures the departure in process.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσῆλθονcame toAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubjectμαθητής: disciple, learner.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐπιδεῖξαιto point outAor Act Inf · ἐπιδείκνυμιinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristἐπιδείκνυμι: 'show, point out, display.'
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
οἰκοδομὰςbuildingsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιδεῖξαιοἰκοδομή: 'building, structure'; the Herodian temple complex.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἱεροῦof the templeGenitivegenitive of source/possession
2

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐ βλέπετε ταῦτα πάντα; ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται.

But he answered and said to them, 'Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left here upon another that will not be thrown down.'

PredictionδὲJesus foretells the total destruction of the temple — the prophecy that prompts the disciples' question in v.3 and launches the whole discourse.
heNominativearticle
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
ἀποκριθεὶςhaving answeredAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. (Semitic 'answered and said')→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; redundant ptc. with εἶπεν, a Septuagintal idiom.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω/εἶπον: 'say.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
Οὐnotnegative particle (expecting 'yes')οὐ + question expecting an affirmative answer.
βλέπετεdo you seePres Act Indic 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ progressive presentβλέπω: 'see, look at.'
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative (modifies πάντα)
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (substantival/attributive)πᾶς: 'all'; all these buildings.
ἀμὴνtrulysolemn affirmation (transliterated Hebrew)ἀμήν: 'truly, verily'; Jesus' characteristic solemn introduction.
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic/performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
οὐnotemphatic negation (with μή)
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subjunctive)
ἀφεθῇwill be leftAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (οὐ μή emphatic future denial)→ emphatic future negationἀφίημι: 'leave, let go'; here 'be left (standing).'
ὧδεhereadverb
λίθοςstoneNominativesubjectλίθος: 'stone.'
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (position)
λίθονstoneAccusativeobject of ἐπί
ὃςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of καταλυθήσεται)
οὐnotnegative
καταλυθήσεταιwill be thrown downFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταλύωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureκαταλύω: 'destroy, throw down, demolish.'
3

Καθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ κατ’ ἰδίαν λέγοντες· Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν πότε ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον τῆς σῆς παρουσίας καὶ συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος;

And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'

The disciples' questionδὲThe hinge of the chapter: a double (or triple) question — when, and what sign of your παρουσία and the end of the age — to which the whole discourse responds.
ΚαθημένουsittingPres Mid/Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κάθημαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ contemporaneousκάθημαι: 'sit'; teaching posture.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
αὐτοῦheGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὌρουςMountGenitiveobject of ἐπίὄρος: 'mountain'; the Mount of Olives faces the temple.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
Ἐλαιῶνof OlivesGenitiveattributive genitiveἐλαία: 'olive tree'; the Mount of Olives.
προσῆλθονcame toAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσέρχομαι: 'approach.'
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
μαθηταὶdisciplesNominativesubject
κατ’bypreposition + accusative (idiom κατ' ἰδίαν)
ἰδίανthemselves/privatelyAccusativeobject of κατά (idiom 'privately')ἴδιος: 'one's own'; κατ' ἰδίαν = 'privately, apart.'
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc. (manner)→ contemporaneousλέγω: 'say.'
ΕἰπὲtellAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωimperative (request)→ ingressive aoristλέγω/εἶπον: 'tell, say.'
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object
πότεwhenadverb
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject (the temple's fall)
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative (predicate)
τὸtheNominativearticle
σημεῖονsignNominativesubjectσημεῖον: 'sign'; the marker they seek.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σῆςyourGenitivepossessive adjective
παρουσίαςcoming/presenceGenitiveobjective/attributive genitiveπαρουσία: 'arrival, presence, coming'; a royal/imperial visit term — Christ's advent.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συντελείαςconsummationGenitivegenitive (coordinate with παρουσίας)συντέλεια: 'completion, consummation'; the close of the age.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςof the ageGenitiveattributive genitiveαἰών: 'age'; the present age whose end is in view.
4

Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ.

And Jesus answered and said to them, 'See that no one leads you astray.'

Discourse opening: warningΚαὶThe discourse proper begins with a controlling imperative — beware deception — which governs the whole survey of the 'birth pains.'
ΚαὶAndnarrative connective
ἀποκριθεὶςansweredAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιcircumstantial ptc. (Semitic idiom)→ antecedent aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer.'
theNominativearticle
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
Βλέπετεsee/bewarePres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωimperative (warning)→ durative presentβλέπω: 'watch out, beware.'
μήlestconjunction introducing caution (μή + subj.)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of πλανήσῃ
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
πλανήσῃshould lead astrayAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πλανάωsubjunctive (clause of fearing/caution)→ ingressive aoristπλανάω: 'deceive, lead astray'; the keyword of the section.
5

πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ χριστός, καὶ πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν.

For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

Ground of the warningγάρThe reason to beware: false messiahs claiming Jesus' name will deceive many.
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubjectπολύς: 'many.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐλεύσονταιwill comeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ predictive futureἔρχομαι: 'come.'
ἐπὶinpreposition + dative (basis/authority)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματίnameDativeobject of ἐπί (on the basis of)ὄνομα: 'name'; trading on Jesus' name/authority.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωcircumstantial ptc.→ contemporaneousλέγω: 'say.'
ἘγώINominativeemphatic subject pronoun
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the claim 'I am the Christ.'
theNominativearticle
χριστόςChristNominativepredicate nominativeχριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλοὺςmanyAccusativedirect object
πλανήσουσινthey will lead astrayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · πλανάωmain verb→ predictive futureπλανάω: 'deceive, lead astray.'
6

μελλήσετε δὲ ἀκούειν πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων· ὁρᾶτε, μὴ θροεῖσθε· δεῖ γὰρ γενέσθαι, ἀλλ’ οὔπω ἐστὶν τὸ τέλος.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for it must take place, but the end is not yet.

Birth pains: warsδὲWars and rumors of war are not the end but a necessary prelude; the disciples are not to be alarmed.
μελλήσετεyou will be aboutFut Act Indic 2 Pl · μέλλωmain verb (with infinitive)→ predictive futureμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἀκούεινto hearPres Act Inf · ἀκούωcomplementary infinitive→ durativeἀκούω: 'hear' (+ acc. of thing heard about).
πολέμουςwarsAccusativeobject of ἀκούεινπόλεμος: 'war.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκοὰςrumors/reportsAccusativeobject of ἀκούεινἀκοή: 'report, rumor, hearing.'
πολέμωνof warsGenitiveobjective genitive
ὁρᾶτεseePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative (warning)→ durative presentὁράω: 'see, watch.'
μὴnotnegative with imperative
θροεῖσθεbe alarmedPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · θροέωprohibition→ durative presentθροέω: 'be alarmed, frightened.'
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal main verb→ stative presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary'; divine necessity (eschatological δεῖ).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
γενέσθαιto happenAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'happen, come to pass.'
ἀλλ’butadversative conjunction
οὔπωnot yetadverb
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
τέλοςendNominativesubjectτέλος: 'end, consummation.'
7

ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, καὶ ἔσονται λιμοὶ καὶ σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους·

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Birth pains: conflict and disasterγάρExpands the unrest: international war, famine, and earthquakes — the convulsions of a world in labor.
ἐγερθήσεταιwill riseFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγείρω: 'raise'; passive 'rise up, be roused.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἔθνοςnationNominativesubjectἔθνος: 'nation, people.'
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostility)
ἔθνοςnationAccusativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βασιλείαkingdomNominativesubjectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, realm.'
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostility)
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσονταιthere will beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
λιμοὶfaminesNominativesubjectλιμός: 'famine, hunger.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σεισμοὶearthquakesNominativesubjectσεισμός: 'earthquake, shaking.'
κατὰin variouspreposition + accusative (distributive)
τόπουςplacesAccusativeobject of κατά (distributive)τόπος: 'place'; κατὰ τόπους = 'place by place.'
8

πάντα δὲ ταῦτα ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων.

But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.

Summary labelδὲThe interpretive caption for vv.5–7: these are only the 'beginning of birth pains' (ὠδίνων), not the end itself.
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject
ἀρχὴbeginningNominativepredicate nominativeἀρχή: 'beginning.'
ὠδίνωνof birth painsGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveὠδίν: 'birth pang'; the rabbinic 'birth pangs of the Messiah.'
9

τότε παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς θλῖψιν καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.

Birth pains: persecutionτότεThe disciples' own ordeal: betrayal, death, and universal hatred for Christ's name.
τότεthenadverb
παραδώσουσινthey will deliver upFut Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, betray, deliver up.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
θλῖψινtribulationAccusativeobject of εἰςθλῖψις: 'affliction, tribulation, pressure.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκτενοῦσινthey will killFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ predictive futureἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσεσθεyou will beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic with ptc.)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; periphrastic future with μισούμενοι.
μισούμενοιhatedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · μισέωperiphrastic participle (with ἔσεσθε)→ durativeμισέω: 'hate'; ongoing hatred.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐθνῶνnationsGenitivegenitive of agentἔθνος: 'nation, Gentiles.'
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ὄνομα: 'name'; hatred is for the sake of Christ's name.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
10

καὶ τότε σκανδαλισθήσονται πολλοὶ καὶ ἀλλήλους παραδώσουσιν καὶ μισήσουσιν ἀλλήλους·

And then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.

Apostasyκαὶ τότεPersecution sifts the community: many stumble, betray, and hate — internal collapse to match external pressure.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb
σκανδαλισθήσονταιwill fall awayFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · σκανδαλίζωmain verb→ predictive futureσκανδαλίζω: 'cause to stumble'; passive 'be made to stumble, fall away.'
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)
παραδώσουσινthey will betrayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureπαραδίδωμι: 'betray, hand over.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μισήσουσινthey will hateFut Act Indic 3 Pl · μισέωmain verb→ predictive futureμισέω: 'hate.'
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)
11

καὶ πολλοὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐγερθήσονται καὶ πλανήσουσιν πολλούς·

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

False prophetsκαὶA second wave of deceivers — false prophets, not just false messiahs — picks up the πλανάω theme of vv.4–5.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολλοὶmanyNominativeattributive adjective
ψευδοπροφῆταιfalse prophetsNominativesubjectψευδοπροφήτης: 'false prophet' (ψευδής + προφήτης).
ἐγερθήσονταιwill ariseFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγείρω: passive 'arise, appear.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πλανήσουσινwill lead astrayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · πλανάωmain verb→ predictive futureπλανάω: 'deceive, lead astray.'
πολλούςmanyAccusativedirect object
12

καὶ διὰ τὸ πληθυνθῆναι τὴν ἀνομίαν ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν.

And because lawlessness will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

Cooling loveκαὶThe moral consequence: as lawlessness multiplies, the love of the many cools — the spiritual climate of the last days.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause, with articular inf.)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πληθυνθῆναιbeing multipliedAor Pass Inf · πληθύνωarticular infinitive (cause)→ constative aoristπληθύνω: 'multiply, increase.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀνομίανlawlessnessAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveἀνομία: 'lawlessness' (ἀ- + νόμος); contempt for God's law.
ψυγήσεταιwill grow coldFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ψύχωmain verb→ predictive futureψύχω: 'make cold'; passive 'grow cold.'
theNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubjectἀγάπη: 'love.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πολλῶνof the manyGenitivesubjective genitiveπολύς: 'the many'; possibly 'the majority.'
13

ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος οὗτος σωθήσεται.

But the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved.

Promise to the enduringδὲAgainst the cooling love and apostasy, the assurance: endurance to the end issues in salvation.
the oneNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ὑπομείναςhaving enduredAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑπομένωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristὑπομένω: 'endure, persevere, hold out.'
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent/goal)
τέλοςendAccusativeobject of εἰςτέλος: 'end'; either life's end or the consummation.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativeresumptive demonstrative (subject)
σωθήσεταιwill be savedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve.'
14

καὶ κηρυχθήσεται τοῦτο τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ εἰς μαρτύριον πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, καὶ τότε ἥξει τὸ τέλος.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the inhabited world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mission before the endκαὶThe positive sign that precedes the end: the worldwide proclamation of the kingdom-gospel as a witness to all nations.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κηρυχθήσεταιwill be proclaimedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · κηρύσσωmain verb→ predictive futureκηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald, preach.'
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective
τὸtheNominativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelNominativesubjectεὐαγγέλιον: 'good news, gospel.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
βασιλείαςof the kingdomGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveβασιλεία: 'kingdom'; the gospel announcing God's reign.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/extent)
ὅλῃwholeDativeattributive adjective
τῇtheDativearticle
οἰκουμένῃinhabited worldDativedative of sphereοἰκουμένη: 'the inhabited world'; the populated earth.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (purpose/result)
μαρτύριονtestimonyAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)μαρτύριον: 'witness, testimony.'
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjective
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθνεσινnationsDativedative of advantage/referenceἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb
ἥξειwill comeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb→ predictive futureἥκω: 'have come, arrive.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
τέλοςendNominativesubjectτέλος: 'end, consummation.'
15

Ὅταν οὖν ἴδητε τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου ἑστὸς ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ, ὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω,

So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

The desolating abominationοὖνThe turning point of the discourse: Daniel's 'abomination of desolation' standing in the holy place triggers the call to flee. The parenthetical 'let the reader understand' flags the cryptic allusion (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).
Ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (Ὅταν + subj.)
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
ἴδητεyou seeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ ingressive aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βδέλυγμαabominationAccusativedirect objectβδέλυγμα: 'detestable thing, abomination'; LXX of Daniel's desolating sacrilege.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐρημώσεωςof desolationGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveἐρήμωσις: 'desolation, devastation'; that which makes desolate.
τὸthatAccusativearticle
ῥηθὲνspokenAor Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · λέγωattributive participle (modifies βδέλυγμα)→ antecedent aoristλέγω: 'speak, say'; the prophesied thing.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
ΔανιὴλDanielGenitivegenitive of intermediate agencyΔανιήλ: Daniel the prophet (indeclinable Hebrew name, here genitive).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
προφήτουprophetGenitiveapposition to Δανιήλπροφήτης: 'prophet.'
ἑστὸςstandingPerf Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ἵστημιattributive/predicate participle (modifies βδέλυγμα)→ stative perfectἵστημι: perf. 'stand'; the abomination set up and standing.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τόπῳplaceDativedative of placeτόπος: 'place'; the temple's holy place.
ἁγίῳholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy, set apart.'
the oneNominativearticle
ἀναγινώσκωνreadingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀναγινώσκωsubstantival participle (subject)→ durativeἀναγινώσκω: 'read'; the editorial aside to the reader.
νοείτωlet him understandPres Act Impv 3 Sg · νοέωimperative→ durative presentνοέω: 'understand, perceive, take note.'
16

τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη,

then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Command to fleeτότεThe apodosis of v.15: when the sign appears, immediate flight to the hills — no time for delay.
τότεthenadverb
οἱthoseNominativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἸουδαίᾳJudeaDativedative of placeἸουδαία: Judea (with syntactic case → nominal).
φευγέτωσανlet them fleePres Act Impv 3 Pl · φεύγωimperative→ durative presentφεύγω: 'flee, escape.'
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ὄρηmountainsAccusativeobject of εἰςὄρος: 'mountain'; the Judean hills as refuge.
17

ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος μὴ καταβάτω ἆραι τὰ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ,

Let the one on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,

Urgency of flightasyndetonThe flight must be instant: not even down the outside stair to grab belongings.
the oneNominativearticle
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
δώματοςhousetopGenitiveobject of ἐπίδῶμα: 'roof, housetop'; flat roofs reached by an outer stair.
μὴnotnegative with imperative
καταβάτωlet him go downAor Act Impv 3 Sg · καταβαίνωprohibition→ ingressive aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down, descend.'
ἆραιto takeAor Act Inf · αἴρωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'take up, carry away.'
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle
ἐκfrom/inpreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
οἰκίαςhouseGenitiveobject of ἐκοἰκία: 'house, household.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
18

καὶ ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω ὀπίσω ἆραι τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ.

and let the one in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

Urgency of flightκαὶA parallel illustration: the field-worker must not even go back for his outer garment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
the oneNominativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of placeἀγρός: 'field, countryside.'
μὴnotnegative with imperative
ἐπιστρεψάτωlet him turn backAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωprohibition→ ingressive aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return.'
ὀπίσωbackadverb
ἆραιto takeAor Act Inf · αἴρωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'take up, carry.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἱμάτιονcloakAccusativedirect object of ἆραιἱμάτιον: 'cloak, outer garment'; laid aside while working.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
19

οὐαὶ δὲ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις.

And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing in those days!

Woe to the burdenedδὲA lament for those least able to flee: the pregnant and nursing, for whom such sudden flight is hardest.
οὐαὶwoeinterjection of lamentοὐαί: 'woe, alas'; cry of grief, not curse here.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ταῖςthoseDativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom 'pregnant')
γαστρὶwombDativeobject of ἐν (idiom ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχειν)γαστήρ: 'womb, belly'; ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχειν = 'be pregnant.'
ἐχούσαιςhavingPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Fem · ἔχωsubstantival participle→ durativeἔχω: 'have'; in the idiom 'be pregnant.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταῖςthoseDativearticle
θηλαζούσαιςnursingPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Fem · θηλάζωsubstantival participle→ durativeθηλάζω: 'nurse, give suck.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjective
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of timeἡμέρα: 'day.'
20

προσεύχεσθε δὲ ἵνα μὴ γένηται ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν χειμῶνος μηδὲ σαββάτῳ·

Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

Prayer about the flightδὲA pastoral aside: pray the crisis not fall in winter (impassable roads) or on a Sabbath (movement restricted).
προσεύχεσθεprayPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · προσεύχομαιimperative→ durative presentπροσεύχομαι: 'pray.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἵναthatconjunction introducing content/purpose
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive
γένηταιmay be/happenAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'happen, occur.'
theNominativearticle
φυγὴflightNominativesubjectφυγή: 'flight, escape.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
χειμῶνοςin winterGenitivegenitive of timeχειμών: 'winter, storm'; the rainy, impassable season.
μηδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction
σαββάτῳon a SabbathDativedative of timeσάββατον: 'Sabbath'; travel restrictions complicate flight.
21

ἔσται γὰρ τότε θλῖψις μεγάλη οἵα οὐ γέγονεν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κόσμου ἕως τοῦ νῦν οὐδ’ οὐ μὴ γένηται.

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.

The great tribulationγάρThe ground of the urgency: an unparalleled tribulation, surpassing all before and after (echoing Dan 12:1).
ἔσταιthere will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τότεthenadverb
θλῖψιςtribulationNominativesubjectθλῖψις: 'tribulation, affliction.'
μεγάληgreatNominativeattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great, severe.'
οἵαsuch asNominativerelative/correlative pronoun
οὐnotnegative
γέγονενhas happenedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ consummative perfectγίνομαι: 'happen, come to be.'
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (temporal source)
ἀρχῆςbeginningGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀρχή: 'beginning.'
κόσμουof worldGenitiveattributive genitiveκόσμος: 'world.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νῦνnowGenitivesubstantival adverb (object of ἕως)
οὐδ’nornegative coordinating conjunction
οὐnotemphatic negation (with μή)
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subj.)
γένηταιwill happenAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (emphatic future denial)→ emphatic future negationγίνομαι: 'happen.'
22

καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐκολοβώθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι, οὐκ ἂν ἐσώθη πᾶσα σάρξ· διὰ δὲ τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς κολοβωθήσονται αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι.

And unless those days had been cut short, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Mercy for the electκαὶThe tribulation would annihilate all flesh; but God shortens the days for the elect's sake — a contrary-to-fact clinched by mercy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰifconjunction (second-class condition)
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'unless')
ἐκολοβώθησανhad been cut shortAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κολοβόωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristκολοβόω: 'cut short, curtail, dock.'
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubjectἡμέρα: 'day.'
ἐκεῖναιthoseNominativedemonstrative adjective
οὐκnotnegative
ἂνwouldmodal particle (contrary-to-fact apodosis)
ἐσώθηwould have been savedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristσῴζω: 'save, preserve alive.'
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective
σάρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; Semitic 'no human being.'
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐκλεκτοὺςelectAccusativeobject of διάἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect'; the keyword of the section (vv.22, 24, 31).
κολοβωθήσονταιwill be cut shortFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · κολοβόωmain verb→ predictive futureκολοβόω: 'cut short, curtail.'
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject
ἐκεῖναιthoseNominativedemonstrative adjective
23

τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ· Ἰδοὺ ὧδε ὁ χριστός, ἤ· Ὧδε, μὴ πιστεύσητε·

Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Here!', do not believe it.

Renewed warning: false ChristsτότεIn the crisis, the deception of vv.4–5 returns intensified: localized claims about the Messiah are to be flatly disbelieved.
τότεthenadverb
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of εἴπῃ
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
εἴπῃsaysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristλέγω: 'say.'
Ἰδοὺlookdemonstrative particle (attention-getter)ἰδού: 'behold, look.'
ὧδεhereadverb
theNominativearticle
χριστόςChristNominativesubject (verbless clause)χριστός: 'Messiah, Christ.'
ordisjunctive conjunction
Ὧδεhereadverb
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive
πιστεύσητεbelieveAor Act Subj 2 Pl · πιστεύωprohibition (μή + aor. subj.)→ ingressive aoristπιστεύω: 'believe, trust.'
24

ἐγερθήσονται γὰρ ψευδόχριστοι καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται, καὶ δώσουσιν σημεῖα μεγάλα καὶ τέρατα ὥστε πλανῆσαι, εἰ δυνατόν, καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς·

For false christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Ground: deceptive signsγάρThe reason for disbelief: counterfeit messiahs and prophets will work signs powerful enough to deceive even the elect — were that possible.
ἐγερθήσονταιwill ariseFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγείρω: passive 'arise, appear.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ψευδόχριστοιfalse christsNominativesubjectψευδόχριστος: 'false christ' (ψευδής + χριστός).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ψευδοπροφῆταιfalse prophetsNominativesubjectψευδοπροφήτης: 'false prophet.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δώσουσινwill give/performFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give'; here 'produce, perform' signs.
σημεῖαsignsAccusativedirect objectσημεῖον: 'sign, miracle.'
μεγάλαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τέραταwondersAccusativedirect objectτέρας: 'wonder, portent, marvel.'
ὥστεso asconjunction of result
πλανῆσαιto lead astrayAor Act Inf · πλανάωinfinitive of result→ constative aoristπλανάω: 'deceive, lead astray.'
εἰifconjunction (parenthetical condition)
δυνατόνpossibleNominativepredicate adjective (verbless)δυνατός: 'possible, able'; 'if possible' — implying it is not.
καὶevenascensive conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐκλεκτούςelectAccusativedirect object of πλανῆσαιἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect.'
25

ἰδοὺ προείρηκα ὑμῖν.

Behold, I have told you beforehand.

ForewarningasyndetonA solemn punctuation: Jesus has forewarned them, so they are without excuse if deceived.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particleἰδού: 'behold, see.'
προείρηκαI have foretoldPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · προλέγωmain verb→ consummative perfect (abiding result)προλέγω: 'tell beforehand, forewarn'; perfect stresses the standing forewarning.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
26

ἐὰν οὖν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν· Ἰδοὺ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐστίν, μὴ ἐξέλθητε· Ἰδοὺ ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις, μὴ πιστεύσητε·

So if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out; 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

Application: ignore the claimsοὖνDrawing the practical conclusion: whether the rumor places the Messiah in desert or hidden chamber, do not chase it.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
εἴπωσινthey sayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
Ἰδοὺlookdemonstrative particleἰδού: 'behold.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of placeἔρημος: 'desert, wilderness'; site of would-be messianic gatherings.
ἐστίνhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive
ἐξέλθητεgo outAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιprohibition→ ingressive aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, go forth.'
Ἰδοὺlookdemonstrative particle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ταμείοιςinner roomsDativedative of placeταμεῖον: 'storeroom, private inner chamber.'
μὴnotnegative with subjunctive
πιστεύσητεbelieveAor Act Subj 2 Pl · πιστεύωprohibition→ ingressive aoristπιστεύω: 'believe.'
27

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἐξέρχεται ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ φαίνεται ἕως δυσμῶν, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου·

For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Ground: the visible ParousiaγάρWhy secret-location rumors are false: the Son of Man's coming will be as public and unmistakable as lightning across the whole sky.
ὥσπερjust ascomparative conjunction
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἀστραπὴlightningNominativesubjectἀστραπή: 'lightning, flash.'
ἐξέρχεταιcomes outPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (simile)→ gnomic presentἐξέρχομαι: 'come out, go forth.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἀνατολῶνeastGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀνατολή: 'rising (of the sun), east.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φαίνεταιshines/flashesPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · φαίνωmain verb→ gnomic presentφαίνω: 'shine, appear, be visible.'
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)
δυσμῶνwestGenitiveobject of ἕωςδυσμή: 'setting (of the sun), west.'
οὕτωςsoadverb
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
παρουσίαcomingNominativesubjectπαρουσία: 'coming, arrival, advent.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveυἱός: 'son'; the title 'Son of Man' (Dan 7:13).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'man'; ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου = the apocalyptic Son of Man.
28

ὅπου ἐὰν ᾖ τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ συναχθήσονται οἱ ἀετοί.

Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

ProverbasyndetonA proverbial seal on the section: as vultures inevitably mark a carcass, the Son of Man's coming will be manifest and inevitable wherever judgment is due.
ὅπουwhereverrelative adverb of place
ἐὰνeverparticle (indefinite, with subj.)
isPres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ stativeεἰμί: 'be.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
πτῶμαcorpseNominativesubjectπτῶμα: 'corpse, carcass, dead body.'
ἐκεῖthereadverb
συναχθήσονταιwill be gatheredFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb→ predictive futureσυνάγω: 'gather together, assemble.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀετοίeagles/vulturesNominativesubjectἀετός: 'eagle, vulture'; carrion birds here.
29

Εὐθέως δὲ μετὰ τὴν θλῖψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων ὁ ἥλιος σκοτισθήσεται, καὶ ἡ σελήνη οὐ δώσει τὸ φέγγος αὐτῆς, καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες πεσοῦνται ἀπὸ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν σαλευθήσονται.

And immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Cosmic upheavalδὲThe cosmic sign-language of the prophets (Isa 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10) marks the Parousia: sun, moon, stars, and heavenly powers convulsed.
Εὐθέωςimmediatelyadverb
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (time)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θλῖψινtribulationAccusativeobject of μετάθλῖψις: 'tribulation.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitiveattributive genitiveἡμέρα: 'day.'
ἐκείνωνthoseGenitivedemonstrative adjective
theNominativearticle
ἥλιοςsunNominativesubjectἥλιος: 'sun.'
σκοτισθήσεταιwill be darkenedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σκοτίζωmain verb→ predictive futureσκοτίζω: 'darken, obscure.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
σελήνηmoonNominativesubjectσελήνη: 'moon.'
οὐnotnegative
δώσειwill giveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
φέγγοςlightAccusativedirect objectφέγγος: 'light, radiance.'
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀστέρεςstarsNominativesubjectἀστήρ: 'star.'
πεσοῦνταιwill fallFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb→ predictive futureπίπτω: 'fall.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἀπόοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἱtheNominativearticle
δυνάμειςpowersNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'power'; the celestial powers/host.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνof the heavensGenitiveattributive genitiveοὐρανός: 'heaven.'
σαλευθήσονταιwill be shakenFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · σαλεύωmain verb→ predictive futureσαλεύω: 'shake, agitate.'
30

καὶ τότε φανήσεται τὸ σημεῖον τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ τότε κόψονται πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ὄψονται τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς·

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The Son of Man revealedκαὶ τότεThe climax of the Parousia: the sign appears, the tribes of earth mourn (Zech 12:10–12), and all see the Son of Man coming on the clouds in power and glory (Dan 7:13–14).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb
φανήσεταιwill appearFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · φαίνωmain verb→ predictive futureφαίνω: 'appear, become visible.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
σημεῖονsignNominativesubjectσημεῖον: 'sign'; answering the disciples' request in v.3.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveυἱός: 'son'; 'the sign of the Son of Man.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'man.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
οὐρανῷheavenDativedative of placeοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb
κόψονταιwill mournFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · κόπτωmain verb→ predictive futureκόπτω: mid. 'beat the breast, mourn, lament.'
πᾶσαιallNominativeattributive adjective
αἱtheNominativearticle
φυλαὶtribesNominativesubjectφυλή: 'tribe, people.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςof the earthGenitiveattributive genitiveγῆ: 'earth, land.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὄψονταιthey will seeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ predictive futureὁράω: 'see.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect objectυἱός: 'son.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitive
ἐρχόμενονcomingPres Mid/Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιpredicate participle (with ὄψονται)→ contemporaneousἔρχομαι: 'come'; Dan 7:13 'coming with the clouds.'
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
νεφελῶνcloudsGenitiveobject of ἐπίνεφέλη: 'cloud'; the divine theophany vehicle.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitiveattributive genitive
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitiveobject of μετάδύναμις: 'power, might.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξηςgloryGenitiveobject of μετάδόξα: 'glory, splendor.'
πολλῆςgreatGenitiveattributive adjective
31

καὶ ἀποστελεῖ τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ μετὰ σάλπιγγος μεγάλης, καὶ ἐπισυνάξουσιν τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ἀνέμων ἀπ’ ἄκρων οὐρανῶν ἕως τῶν ἄκρων αὐτῶν.

And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Gathering of the electκαὶThe Parousia's saving purpose: the trumpet summons the angels to gather the elect from the whole creation (Deut 30:4; Isa 27:13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποστελεῖhe will sendFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ predictive futureἀποστέλλω: 'send out, commission.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativedirect objectἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
σάλπιγγοςtrumpetGenitiveobject of μετάσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the eschatological trumpet call.
μεγάληςgreatGenitiveattributive adjective
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπισυνάξουσινthey will gatherFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπισυνάγωmain verb→ predictive futureἐπισυνάγω: 'gather together' (intensive of συνάγω).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐκλεκτοὺςelectAccusativedirect objectἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
τεσσάρωνfourGenitiveattributive numeral
ἀνέμωνwindsGenitiveobject of ἐκἄνεμος: 'wind'; the four winds = all directions.
ἀπ’frompreposition + genitive (extent)
ἄκρωνendsGenitiveobject of ἀπόἄκρον: 'extremity, end, tip.'
οὐρανῶνof heavensGenitiveattributive genitive
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (extent)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἄκρωνendsGenitiveobject of ἕως
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of reference
32

Ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς συκῆς μάθετε τὴν παραβολήν· ὅταν ἤδη ὁ κλάδος αὐτῆς γένηται ἁπαλὸς καὶ τὰ φύλλα ἐκφύῃ, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγὺς τὸ θέρος·

Now from the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

Parable of the fig treeδὲA turn to the lesson of recognition: as budding leaves signal summer, the foretold signs signal the nearness of the end.
Ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
συκῆςfig treeGenitiveobject of ἀπόσυκῆ: 'fig tree.'
μάθετεlearnAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μανθάνωimperative→ ingressive aoristμανθάνω: 'learn.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παραβολήνparable/lessonAccusativedirect objectπαραβολή: 'parable, comparison, lesson.'
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (ὅταν + subj.)
ἤδηalready/nowadverb
theNominativearticle
κλάδοςbranchNominativesubjectκλάδος: 'branch, shoot.'
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession
γένηταιbecomesAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become.'
ἁπαλὸςtenderNominativepredicate adjectiveἁπαλός: 'tender, soft'; of new growth.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle
φύλλαleavesAccusativedirect objectφύλλον: 'leaf.'
ἐκφύῃputs outPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐκφύωsubjunctive (temporal)→ durativeἐκφύω: 'put forth, sprout.'
γινώσκετεyou knowPres Act Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (or imperative)→ durative presentγινώσκω: 'know, recognize.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἐγγὺςnearpredicate adverbἐγγύς: 'near, at hand.'
τὸtheNominativearticle
θέροςsummerNominativesubject (verbless)θέρος: 'summer, harvest-time.'
33

οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς, ὅταν ἴδητε πάντα ταῦτα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἐπὶ θύραις.

So also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the very gates.

Application of the parableοὕτωςThe point applied: when the signs appear, recognize that the end (or the Son of Man) is at the door.
οὕτωςsoadverb
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction
ἴδητεyou seeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal)→ ingressive aoristὁράω: 'see.'
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object
γινώσκετεknowPres Act Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωimperative→ durative presentγινώσκω: 'know, recognize.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἐγγύςnearpredicate adverbἐγγύς: 'near, at hand.'
ἐστινit/he isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; subject may be 'it' (the end) or 'he' (the Son of Man).
ἐπὶatpreposition + dative (location)
θύραιςdoorsDativeobject of ἐπίθύρα: 'door, gate'; 'at the very doors.'
34

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη ἕως ἂν πάντα ταῦτα γένηται.

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Solemn assuranceasyndetonA crux: 'this generation' (ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη) will not pass before 'all these things' occur — the temporal anchoring of the foregoing predictions.
ἀμὴνtrulysolemn affirmationἀμήν: 'truly, verily.'
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
οὐnotemphatic negation (with μή)
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subj.)
παρέλθῃwill pass awayAor Act Subj 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (emphatic future denial)→ emphatic future negationπαρέρχομαι: 'pass away, pass by.'
theNominativearticle
γενεὰgenerationNominativesubjectγενεά: 'generation'; debated — contemporaries, the Jewish people, or the final generation.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative adjective
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction
ἂνevermodal particle (with ἕως + subj.)
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject of γένηται
γένηταιtake placeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'happen, come to pass.'
35

ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσεται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Permanence of Jesus' wordsasyndetonThe certainty of the prophecy clinched: the cosmos is more perishable than the words of Jesus.
theNominativearticle
οὐρανὸςheavenNominativesubjectοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
γῆearthNominativesubjectγῆ: 'earth.'
παρελεύσεταιwill pass awayFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb→ predictive futureπαρέρχομαι: 'pass away.'
οἱtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
λόγοιwordsNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, saying.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐnotemphatic negation (with μή)
μὴnotemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subj.)
παρέλθωσινwill pass awayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (emphatic future denial)→ emphatic future negationπαρέρχομαι: 'pass away.'
36

Περὶ δὲ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ὥρας οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, οὐδὲ οἱ ἄγγελοι τῶν οὐρανῶν οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός, εἰ μὴ ὁ πατὴρ μόνος.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

The unknown dayδὲThe pivot from signs of nearness to the unknowable timing: the precise day and hour is hidden from all but the Father. The phrase οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός ('nor the Son') is read by the strongest witnesses (א* B D) though omitted in many later manuscripts (assimilation to Mark 13:32 or doctrinal smoothing).
Περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἡμέραςdayGenitiveobject of περίἡμέρα: 'day.'
ἐκείνηςthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὥραςhourGenitiveobject of περίὥρα: 'hour, time.'
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one.'
οἶδενknowsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (present sense)→ stative perfectοἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning).
οὐδὲnot evennegative conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἄγγελοιangelsNominativesubjectἄγγελος: 'angel.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνof the heavensGenitiveattributive genitive
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
theNominativearticle
υἱόςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son'; the disputed 'nor the Son' (cf. Mark 13:32).
εἰifconjunction (εἰ μή = 'except')
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'except')
theNominativearticle
πατὴρFatherNominativesubject (exception)πατήρ: 'father.'
μόνοςaloneNominativeadjective (intensive)μόνος: 'alone, only.'
37

ὥσπερ γὰρ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ Νῶε, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Analogy of NoahγάρThe unknown timing illustrated: the Parousia will overtake an unprepared world as the flood did in Noah's days.
ὥσπερjust ascomparative conjunction
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of comparisonἡμέρα: 'day.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
Νῶεof NoahGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveΝῶε: Noah (indeclinable, here genitive → nominal).
οὕτωςsoadverb
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
παρουσίαcomingNominativesubjectπαρουσία: 'coming, advent.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveattributive genitiveυἱός: 'son.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitive
38

ὡς γὰρ ἦσαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ταῖς πρὸ τοῦ κατακλυσμοῦ τρώγοντες καὶ πίνοντες, γαμοῦντες καὶ γαμίζοντες, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας εἰσῆλθεν Νῶε εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν,

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,

Noah analogy expandedγάρThe picture of heedless normalcy: ordinary life continued — eating, drinking, marrying — right up to the day Noah entered the ark.
ὡςascomparative conjunction
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic with ptcs.)→ progressive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; periphrastic with the following participles.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of timeἡμέρα: 'day.'
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjective
ταῖςtheDativearticle
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κατακλυσμοῦfloodGenitiveobject of πρόκατακλυσμός: 'flood, deluge.'
τρώγοντεςeatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · τρώγωperiphrastic participle (with ἦσαν)→ durativeτρώγω: 'eat, munch'; vivid, of ordinary feeding.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίνοντεςdrinkingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πίνωperiphrastic participle→ durativeπίνω: 'drink.'
γαμοῦντεςmarryingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γαμέωperiphrastic participle→ durativeγαμέω: 'marry' (of the man taking a wife).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γαμίζοντεςgiving in marriagePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γαμίζωperiphrastic participle→ durativeγαμίζω: 'give in marriage.'
ἄχριuntilpreposition + genitive (time)
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted to ἡμέρας)
ἡμέραςdayGenitiveobject of ἄχριἡμέρα: 'day.'
εἰσῆλθενenteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go in.'
ΝῶεNoahNominativesubjectΝῶε: Noah (indeclinable, here nominative subject).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κιβωτόνarkAccusativeobject of εἰςκιβωτός: 'ark, chest.'
39

καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ἕως ἦλθεν ὁ κατακλυσμὸς καὶ ἦρεν ἅπαντας, οὕτως ἔσται καὶ ἡ παρουσία τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be also the coming of the Son of Man.

Point of the Noah analogyκαὶThe application: as the flood came on the unknowing and took them all, so the Parousia will overtake the heedless.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
ἔγνωσανthey knewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, realize.'
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
theNominativearticle
κατακλυσμὸςfloodNominativesubjectκατακλυσμός: 'flood.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦρενtook awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωmain verb→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'take up, sweep away, carry off.'
ἅπανταςallAccusativedirect objectἅπας: 'all, every one' (strengthened πᾶς).
οὕτωςsoadverb
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
theNominativearticle
παρουσίαcomingNominativesubjectπαρουσία: 'coming.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitiveattributive genitive
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitive
40

τότε δύο ἔσονται ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, εἷς παραλαμβάνεται καὶ εἷς ἀφίεται·

Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.

Sudden separationτότεThe Parousia's discriminating effect: of two alike-occupied, one is taken and one left — separation without warning.
τότεthenadverb
δύοtwoNominativesubject (numeral)δύο: 'two'; two men.
ἔσονταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of placeἀγρός: 'field.'
εἷςoneNominativesubjectεἷς: 'one.'
παραλαμβάνεταιis takenPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb→ futuristic presentπαραλαμβάνω: 'take along, receive, take to oneself.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἷςoneNominativesubject
ἀφίεταιis leftPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb→ futuristic presentἀφίημι: 'leave, let go, abandon.'
41

δύο ἀλήθουσαι ἐν τῷ μύλῳ, μία παραλαμβάνεται καὶ μία ἀφίεται.

Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.

Second illustrationasyndetonA parallel pair, this time women at the mill — the same sudden, individual division.
δύοtwoNominativesubject (numeral)δύο: 'two'; two women.
ἀλήθουσαιgrindingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · ἀλήθωpredicate participle (with implied verb)→ durativeἀλήθω: 'grind (grain).'
ἐνatpreposition + dative (location/instrument)
τῷtheDativearticle
μύλῳmillDativedative of place/instrumentμύλος: 'mill, millstone.'
μίαoneNominativesubject (fem.)εἷς (fem. μία): 'one.'
παραλαμβάνεταιis takenPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb→ futuristic presentπαραλαμβάνω: 'take along, receive.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μίαoneNominativesubject (fem.)
ἀφίεταιis leftPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb→ futuristic presentἀφίημι: 'leave behind.'
42

γρηγορεῖτε οὖν, ὅτι οὐκ οἴδατε ποίᾳ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ κύριος ὑμῶν ἔρχεται.

Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Exhortation to watchοὖνThe controlling imperative of the final section: keep awake, because the day is unknown.
γρηγορεῖτεwatchPres Act Impv 2 Pl · γρηγορέωimperative→ durative presentγρηγορέω: 'stay awake, be watchful, be alert.'
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (present sense)→ stative perfectοἶδα: 'know.'
ποίᾳwhat kind ofDativeinterrogative adjective
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of timeἡμέρα: 'day.'
theNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'lord, master.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come.'
43

ἐκεῖνο δὲ γινώσκετε ὅτι εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης ποίᾳ φυλακῇ ὁ κλέπτης ἔρχεται, ἐγρηγόρησεν ἂν καὶ οὐκ ἂν εἴασεν διορυχθῆναι τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ.

But know this, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

Parable of the thiefδὲA vivid argument for vigilance: a householder forewarned of the thief's hour would have watched — so must the disciples.
ἐκεῖνοthisAccusativedemonstrative (direct object)
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunction
γινώσκετεknowPres Act Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωimperative→ durative presentγινώσκω: 'know, understand.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
εἰifconjunction (second-class condition)
ᾔδειhad knownPluperf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (protasis)→ stative pluperfectοἶδα: 'know'; pluperfect 'had known.'
theNominativearticle
οἰκοδεσπότηςhouseholderNominativesubjectοἰκοδεσπότης: 'master of the house.'
ποίᾳwhatDativeinterrogative adjective
φυλακῇwatchDativedative of timeφυλακή: 'watch (of the night), guard-period.'
theNominativearticle
κλέπτηςthiefNominativesubject (subordinate clause)κλέπτης: 'thief.'
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come.'
ἐγρηγόρησενhe would have watchedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γρηγορέωmain verb (apodosis, with ἄν)→ constative aoristγρηγορέω: 'stay awake, watch.'
ἂνwouldmodal particle (contrary-to-fact apodosis)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
ἂνwouldmodal particle
εἴασενhe would have allowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐάωmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristἐάω: 'permit, allow, let.'
διορυχθῆναιto be broken intoAor Pass Inf · διορύσσωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristδιορύσσω: 'dig through, break in'; of breaching a mud-brick wall.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitiveοἰκία: 'house.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
44

διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑμεῖς γίνεσθε ἕτοιμοι, ὅτι ᾗ οὐ δοκεῖτε ὥρᾳ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται.

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Application: be readyδιὰ τοῦτοThe conclusion drawn from the thief: constant readiness, because the Son of Man comes at an unexpected hour.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause, idiom 'therefore')
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun
γίνεσθεbePres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιimperative→ durative presentγίνομαι: 'become, be.'
ἕτοιμοιreadyNominativepredicate adjectiveἕτοιμος: 'ready, prepared.'
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
whichDativerelative pronoun (attracted; dat. of time)
οὐnotnegative
δοκεῖτεyou think/expectPres Act Indic 2 Pl · δοκέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ durative presentδοκέω: 'think, suppose, expect.'
ὥρᾳhourDativedative of timeὥρα: 'hour, time.'
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'son.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουof ManGenitiveattributive genitive
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come.'
45

Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ πιστὸς δοῦλος καὶ φρόνιμος ὃν κατέστησεν ὁ κύριος ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκετείας αὐτοῦ τοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς τὴν τροφὴν ἐν καιρῷ;

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household to give them their food at the proper time?

Parable of the servantsἄραThe final parable opens with a probing question defining the faithful steward: entrusted with feeding the household on time.
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
ἄραtheninferential particle
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativeattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy, reliable.'
δοῦλοςservantNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave, servant.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φρόνιμοςwiseNominativeattributive adjectiveφρόνιμος: 'sensible, prudent, wise.'
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατέστησεν)
κατέστησενappointed/setAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristκαθίστημι: 'appoint, set in charge.'
theNominativearticle
κύριοςmasterNominativesubjectκύριος: 'lord, master.'
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (authority)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
οἰκετείαςhouseholdGenitiveobject of ἐπίοἰκετεία: 'household (of servants).'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιarticular infinitive of purpose→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τροφὴνfoodAccusativedirect objectτροφή: 'food, nourishment, rations.'
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
καιρῷseasonDativedative of timeκαιρός: 'appointed time, due season.'
46

μακάριος ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ὃν ἐλθὼν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει οὕτως ποιοῦντα·

Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

Beatitude on the faithful servantasyndetonThe reward of fidelity: blessing for the servant found at his task when the master returns.
μακάριοςblessedNominativepredicate adjectiveμακάριος: 'blessed, happy, fortunate.'
theNominativearticle
δοῦλοςservantNominativesubjectδοῦλος: 'servant, slave.'
ἐκεῖνοςthatNominativedemonstrative adjective
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εὑρήσει)
ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial ptc. (temporal)→ antecedent aoristἔρχομαι: 'come.'
theNominativearticle
κύριοςmasterNominativesubjectκύριος: 'master.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
εὑρήσειwill findFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find.'
οὕτωςso/thusadverb
ποιοῦνταdoingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ποιέωpredicate participle (object complement)→ durativeποιέω: 'do, act.'
47

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐπὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν αὐτοῦ καταστήσει αὐτόν.

Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Promotion of the faithfulasyndetonThe reward enlarged: the faithful steward is promoted to authority over all the master owns.
ἀμὴνtrulysolemn affirmationἀμήν: 'truly.'
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ performative presentλέγω: 'say.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἐπὶoverpreposition + dative (authority)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle
ὑπάρχουσινpossessionsPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Neut · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle (τὰ ὑπάρχοντα = property)→ durativeὑπάρχω: 'exist, be at hand'; τὰ ὑπάρχοντα = 'possessions, goods.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καταστήσειhe will setFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb→ predictive futureκαθίστημι: 'appoint, set in charge.'
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
48

ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃ ὁ κακὸς δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ· Χρονίζει μου ὁ κύριος,

But if that wicked servant says in his heart, 'My master is delayed,'

The wicked servantδὲThe dark foil: the wicked servant presumes on the master's delay to abandon his duty.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
εἴπῃsaysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωsubjunctive (protasis)→ ingressive aoristλέγω: 'say.'
theNominativearticle
κακὸςwickedNominativeattributive adjectiveκακός: 'bad, evil, wicked.'
δοῦλοςservantNominativesubjectδοῦλος: 'servant.'
ἐκεῖνοςthatNominativedemonstrative adjective
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of place (inner)καρδία: 'heart'; seat of thought and will.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ΧρονίζειdelaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · χρονίζωmain verb (quoted thought)→ durative presentχρονίζω: 'take time, linger, delay.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
theNominativearticle
κύριοςmasterNominativesubjectκύριος: 'master.'
49

καὶ ἄρξηται τύπτειν τοὺς συνδούλους αὐτοῦ, ἐσθίῃ δὲ καὶ πίνῃ μετὰ τῶν μεθυόντων,

and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with the drunkards,

The wicked servant's conductκαὶHis presumption issues in abuse of fellow servants and dissipation with drunkards.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄρξηταιbeginsAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἄρχωsubjunctive (protasis, continued)→ ingressive aoristἄρχομαι: 'begin.'
τύπτεινto beatPres Act Inf · τύπτωcomplementary infinitive→ durativeτύπτω: 'strike, beat.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
συνδούλουςfellow servantsAccusativedirect objectσύνδουλος: 'fellow slave.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐσθίῃeatsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐσθίωsubjunctive (protasis)→ durative presentἐσθίω: 'eat.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
πίνῃdrinksPres Act Subj 3 Sg · πίνωsubjunctive (protasis)→ durative presentπίνω: 'drink.'
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
μεθυόντωνdrunkardsPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · μεθύωsubstantival participle (object of μετά)→ durativeμεθύω: 'be drunk.'
50

ἥξει ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει,

the master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know,

Sudden reckoningasyndetonThe apodosis: the master returns unannounced on the unexpected day and hour, echoing vv.42–44.
ἥξειwill comeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωmain verb→ predictive futureἥκω: 'come, arrive, be present.'
theNominativearticle
κύριοςmasterNominativesubjectκύριος: 'master.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
δούλουservantGenitivegenitive of relationshipδοῦλος: 'servant.'
ἐκείνουthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of timeἡμέρα: 'day.'
whichDativerelative pronoun (dat. of time)
οὐnotnegative
προσδοκᾷhe expectsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · προσδοκάωmain verb (rel. clause)→ durative presentπροσδοκάω: 'expect, wait for, look for.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
ὥρᾳhourDativedative of timeὥρα: 'hour.'
whichDativerelative pronoun (dat. of time)
οὐnotnegative
γινώσκειhe knowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (rel. clause)→ durative presentγινώσκω: 'know.'
51

καὶ διχοτομήσει αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ὑποκριτῶν θήσει· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.

and will cut him in pieces and assign him his portion with the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Judgment on the unfaithfulκαὶThe terrible end: the unfaithful servant is cut off and assigned the hypocrites' lot — the Matthean refrain of weeping and gnashing of teeth seals the discourse.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διχοτομήσειwill cut in twoFut Act Indic 3 Sg · διχοτομέωmain verb→ predictive futureδιχοτομέω: 'cut in two, cut in pieces'; perhaps 'severely punish, cut off.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μέροςportionAccusativedirect objectμέρος: 'part, share, portion, lot.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ὑποκριτῶνhypocritesGenitiveobject of μετάὑποκριτής: 'hypocrite, pretender'; the Matthean villains.
θήσειwill assignFut Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb→ predictive futureτίθημι: 'put, place, assign.'
ἐκεῖthereadverb
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be.'
theNominativearticle
κλαυθμὸςweepingNominativesubjectκλαυθμός: 'weeping, wailing.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
βρυγμὸςgnashingNominativesubjectβρυγμός: 'gnashing, grinding.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ὀδόντωνof teethGenitiveattributive genitiveὀδούς: 'tooth.'