Matthew 4:24

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An Exegetical Analysis of Matthew 4:24: The Grammatical Function of Participial Phrases Describing Illness

This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of Matthew 4:24: The Grammatical Function of Participial Phrases Describing Illness is based on a b-greek discussion from September 4, 2008. An initial grammatical analysis of Matthew 4:24 identifies three primary clauses: the widespread dissemination of Jesus’ fame, the congregation bringing the afflicted to him, and his subsequent healing of them. The principal challenge lies in accurately interpreting the intricate structure of the second clause, specifically delineating the grammatical and semantic relationship between the general designation “all those who were sick” and the detailed enumeration of specific afflictions that follow.

The central exegetical issue in Matthew 4:24 concerns the precise grammatical and semantic relationship between the comprehensive designation παντας τους κακως εχοντας (“all those who were badly off/sick”) and the four subsequent descriptive clauses: ποικιλαις νοσοις και βασανοις συνεχομενους (“those afflicted by various diseases and torments”), δαιμονιζομενους (“those demon-possessed”), σεληνιαζομενους (“those suffering from epilepsy/moon-struck”), and παραλυτικους (“paralytics”). The discussion revolves around whether these four categories function as a further specification or elaboration of how the κακως εχοντας were sick (i.e., subordinate modifications), or if they represent distinct, parallel categories of suffering individuals brought to Jesus, alongside those generally described as κακως εχοντας. The absence of an explicit participle for παραλυτικους further complicates the grammatical analysis, prompting consideration of an implied verbal form.

Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἡ ἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὅλην τὴν Συρίαν· καὶ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ πάντας τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας ποικίλαις νόσοις καὶ βασάνοις συνεχομένους, δαιμονιζομένους καὶ σεληνιαζομένους καὶ παραλυτικούς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς. (Nestle 1904)

• Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No significant textual variants are present between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT (2010) for Matthew 4:24. The reading is identical in both editions.

Textual criticism (NA28), lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG): The text of Matthew 4:24, as presented in Nestle 1904, is consistent with the critical edition of NA28, indicating a stable textual tradition for this verse. Lexical analysis provides further insight into the terms used. The phrase κακῶς ἔχοντας, derived from ἔχω κακῶς, is an idiomatic expression meaning “to be in a bad way, be sick” (BDAG 1b; Kittel, TDNT 2:819-820). This idiom serves as a general descriptor for physical or spiritual affliction. The participle συνεχομένους (from συνέχω) signifies “to hold fast, confine, press hard, afflict” (BDAG 2a; Kittel, TDNT 7:881-882), with the dative objects ποικίλαις νόσοις καὶ βασάνοις indicating the means or instrument of their oppression (“by various diseases and torments”). The term δαιμονιζομένους (from δαιμονίζομαι) specifically refers to “being demon-possessed” (BDAG; Kittel, TDNT 2:19-20). σεληνιαζομένους (from σεληνιάζομαι) denotes “to be moonstruck, to be an epileptic” (BDAG; Kittel, TDNT 7:444-445), reflecting the ancient belief associating epilepsy with lunar phases. Finally, παραλυτικούς, an adjective, describes those who are “paralyzed, paralytic” (BDAG; Kittel, TDNT 5:732). The adjectival form here, in contrast to the preceding participles, raises a grammatical question regarding an implied verbal form.

Translation Variants

The interpretation of Matthew 4:24 hinges on the grammatical relationship between παντας τους κακως εχοντας and the subsequent list of afflictions. Two principal interpretations emerge:

1. Subordination/Elaboration: This perspective posits that the participles and adjective (συνεχομένους, δαιμονιζομένους, σεληνιαζομένους, παραλυτικους) function as an elaboration or specification of how the individuals described as παντας τους κακως εχοντας were “sick” or “ill.” In this view, κακως εχοντας serves as a broad, general category, and the subsequent terms provide specific examples or types of this general “bad condition.” This interpretation is strongly supported by the participial forms, which naturally modify the accusative object παντας τους κακως εχοντας. The shift to the adjective παραλυτικους, without an explicit participle, strongly suggests an implied participle such as οντας, maintaining the grammatical parallelism within the list. Rhetorically, this interpretation underscores Jesus’ comprehensive healing of the full spectrum of human suffering encompassed by the general state of illness, demonstrating his dominion over all forms of affliction. This approach also aligns with a common rhetorical pattern in Hellenistic Greek, often influenced by Semitic thought, where a general statement is followed by clarifying details.

2. Parallel Categories: An alternative interpretation suggests that the five descriptions (implicitly, “those badly off,” “those afflicted by various diseases and torments,” “those demon-possessed,” “those suffering from epilepsy,” and “paralytics”) are all distinct, parallel groups of people brought to Jesus, each governed by the article τους (preceding κακως εχοντας) and the inclusive quantifier παντας. In this understanding, κακως εχοντας would constitute the first specific category of suffering individuals, rather than an overarching descriptor. However, this interpretation faces grammatical challenges, particularly in explaining how κακως εχοντας functions as a specific category when its idiomatic meaning (“being ill”) inherently encompasses all other subsequent categories. The structure of “all those who…” followed by a series of attributive phrases or adjectives more naturally leads to the conclusion that these phrases modify the preceding noun phrase, detailing its scope.

Considering the idiomatic nature of κακως εχειν as a general term for being ill, and the grammatical coherence of participles modifying a preceding noun phrase, the subordinating/elaborating interpretation (Option 1) is deemed more robust. The implied participle for παραλυτικους further strengthens the parallelism within the list, supporting the idea that these are specific examples of the general “sick” condition.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the grammatical analysis and lexical considerations, the most compelling interpretation is that the listed afflictions serve to elaborate and specify the nature of the “bad condition” of those generally described as παντας τους κακως εχοντας. This highlights the comprehensive scope of Jesus’ healing ministry.

1. “And the report about him went out into all Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick—those suffering from various diseases and torments, demon-possessed, epileptic, and paralytic—and he healed them.” This translation uses an em dash to indicate that the subsequent list provides specific examples or manifestations of the general state of being “sick.”
2. “And his fame spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to him all those who were ill, namely, those afflicted by various diseases and torments, those demon-possessed, those suffering from epilepsy, and paralytics, and he healed them.” This version employs “namely” to explicitly signal that the following clauses clarify and detail the preceding general category, treating the afflictions as specific types of illness.
3. “And word about him went throughout all Syria, and people brought to him all the ill; those gripped by diverse maladies and tortures, demoniacs, epileptics, and those paralyzed, and he cured them all.” This translation maintains the participial and adjectival structure, implicitly linking the specific conditions to the broader category of “the ill,” while using a semi-colon to connect the elaborating details.