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An Exegetical Analysis of Mark 6:12-13: The Syntactic Scope of Participles and Verbal Hierarchy
This exegetical study of ‘Mark 6:12-13: Do participles govern the whole sentence or just the next main verb?’ is based on a b-greek discussion from July 22, 1999.
The initial inquiry centers on the syntactical function of the aorist participle ἐξελθόντες (“having gone out”) in Mark 6:12 and its relationship to the subsequent finite verbs in verses 12-13. Specifically, the question is whether this participle governs only the immediate main verb ἐκήρυξαν (“they preached”) or extends its influence over all four finite verbs present in the passage: ἐκήρυξαν, ἐξέβαλλον (“they cast out”), ἤλειφον (“they anointed”), and ἐθεράπευον (“they healed”).
The main exegetical issue under consideration is the determination of the discourse hierarchy within Mark 6:12-13. This involves assessing how the initial participial clause modifies the subsequent verbal actions, particularly given the shift in tense from the aorist indicative ἐκήρυξαν to the imperfect indicatives ἐξέβαλλον, ἤλειφον, and ἐθεράπευον. The resolution of this syntactic and rhetorical question significantly impacts the interpretation of the disciples’ ministry as either a series of equally weighted, coordinated actions, or as a primary proclamation followed by subordinate or descriptive activities that characterize their ongoing mission.
καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐκήρυξαν ἵνα μετανοῶσιν, καὶ δαιμόνια πολλὰ ἐξέβαλλον, καὶ ἤλειφον ἐλαίῳ πολλοὺς ἀρρώστους, καὶ ἐθεράπευον.
(Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- No substantive lexical or grammatical differences exist between the Nestle 1904 text and SBLGNT (2010) for Mark 6:12-13. Minor variations, if any, pertain to punctuation rather than word choice or grammatical structure, and do not affect the exegetical points raised concerning verbal hierarchy and participial scope.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The passage Mark 6:12-13 is remarkably stable in the New Testament textual tradition. The critical apparatus of NA28 (Nestle-Aland 28th edition) indicates no significant variants that would alter the meaning or grammatical structure pertinent to the discussion of the participle’s scope or the verbal hierarchy. The manuscript tradition consistently presents the verbs and participle as shown above.
Lexical notes on key terms:
- ἐξελθόντες (exelthontes): Aorist active participle (nominative masculine plural) of ἐξέρχομαι, meaning “to go out, come out, depart.” BDAG defines it as movement out of a place, often with a purpose. Kittel notes its frequent use in contexts implying a mission or an authoritative departure. Here, it signifies the disciples’ active commencement of their mission.
- ἐκήρυξαν (ekēryxan): Aorist active indicative (3rd person plural) of κηρύσσω, meaning “to proclaim, preach, herald.” BDAG emphasizes the public and authoritative nature of such an announcement. Kittel highlights its role in conveying a message with divine authority, often a call to repentance.
- μετανοῶσιν (metanoōsin): Present active subjunctive (3rd person plural) of μετανοέω, meaning “to repent, change one’s mind.” BDAG describes a change of heart or mind leading to a change in conduct. Kittel underscores the fundamental shift in moral and spiritual orientation implied.
- ἐξέβαλλον (exeballon): Imperfect active indicative (3rd person plural) of ἐκβάλλω, meaning “to cast out, drive out, expel.” BDAG refers to forceful expulsion, particularly of demons. Kittel emphasizes its use in scenarios of powerful, decisive action, often by divine agency.
- ἤλειφον (ēleiphon): Imperfect active indicative (3rd person plural) of ἀλείφω, meaning “to anoint, rub with oil.” BDAG describes the application of oil for medicinal or ceremonial purposes. Kittel details its use in healing rituals, often implying restorative or protective qualities.
- ἐθεράπευον (etherapeuon): Imperfect active indicative (3rd person plural) of θεραπεύω, meaning “to heal, cure, serve, take care of.” BDAG focuses on the provision of medical attention leading to healing. Kittel highlights the aspect of attentive service and care, resulting in restoration to health.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The primary exegetical challenge in Mark 6:12-13 lies in discerning the syntactic scope of the leading aorist participle ἐξελθόντες and the discourse relationship between the four main verbs that follow: ἐκήρυξαν (aorist), ἐξέβαλλον (imperfect), ἤλειφον (imperfect), and ἐθεράπευον (imperfect).
The aorist participle ἐξελθόντες (“having gone out” or “when they went out”) typically functions adverbially, describing an action prior to or concurrent with the main verb, or expressing attendant circumstance. Its connection to the following verbs presents several interpretive possibilities:
- Option A: Participle governing only the first main verb (ἐκήρυξαν). In this reading, ἐξελθόντες directly modifies ἐκήρυξαν, forming a coherent primary clause: “Having gone out, they preached.” The subsequent verbs (ἐξέβαλλον, ἤλειφον, ἐθεράπευον), all in the imperfect tense and joined by καί, would then represent a series of distinct but coordinated actions, perhaps characteristic or repeated, that occurred alongside or subsequent to the preaching. The tense shift from aorist (ἐκήρυξαν) to imperfects strongly supports a distinction in “level” or temporal emphasis, with the aorist presenting a summary or punctiliar event, and the imperfects describing ongoing or customary activity. This suggests a paratactic relationship among the imperfects, describing the regular nature of their ministry deeds.
- Option B: Participle governing all four verbs. An alternative view suggests that ἐξελθόντες establishes the premise for the entire sequence of actions described by all four verbs. In this case, “having gone out” sets the context for all that follows: preaching, exorcising, anointing, and healing. While grammatically plausible for the participle to introduce a series of coordinated main verbs, the shift in tense (aorist to imperfect) still introduces a rhetorical nuance. If the participle governs all, the imperfects would detail the types of activities they engaged in repeatedly or continually after their departure and initial proclamation.
- Option C: Interpretive Discourse Hierarchy (Aorist as main, Imperfects as elaborative/accompanying). A third perspective, emerging from discourse analysis, posits that while the grammatical structure may be primarily paratactic, the rhetorical function implies a hierarchical relationship. The aorist ἐκήρυξαν, being the first finite verb after the introductory participle and differing in tense from the others, functions as the principal action or the “main statement.” The following imperfects (ἐξέβαλλον, ἤλειφον, ἐθεράπευον) then serve to elaborate on or describe the “normal activities that accompany the basic activity of proclamation.” This suggests a form of implied hypotaxis or explanatory relationship, where the deeds are not merely a separate list but intrinsically linked to and supportive of the preaching mission. The repeated καί joining the imperfects, however, argues against a strict grammatical subordination among these three, confirming them as coordinate activities within the broader descriptive phase. The insight that exorcism and healing are frequently intertwined in Mark (cf. Mark 2:1ff.) lends theological weight to seeing these actions as integrated aspects of the disciples’ proclamation.
Regarding the internal structure of the imperfect verbs (ἐξέβαλλον, ἤλειφον, ἐθεράπευον), the repeated coordination with καί and their shared imperfect tense strongly suggest they operate at the same discourse “level.” Attempts to subordinate ἐθεράπευον to ἤλειφον or relate it as a result of exorcism would introduce a level of grammatical complexity not explicitly supported by the Markan syntax. Instead, they are best understood as three distinct but regularly performed activities.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis of Mark 6:12-13 reveals a sophisticated interplay of participial and finite verbal forms, with the aorist participle setting the scene and the tense shift between the aorist and imperfect indicatives signaling a nuanced discourse structure. While grammatically the verbs maintain a degree of parataxis, a rhetorical hierarchy can be discerned, where the initial proclamation serves as the central theme, supported by the ongoing activities of healing and exorcism.
Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions offer different emphases:
- “And having departed, they proclaimed that people should repent; and they regularly cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil, and continually healed them.”
This translation highlights the initial act of departure and proclamation as a punctiliar event (aorist), followed by a clear distinction for the subsequent activities, emphasizing their characteristic, ongoing nature (imperfects) in the disciples’ ministry. - “And when they had gone out, they preached a message of repentance; they also cast out many demons, anointed many sick people with oil, and healed them.”
This rendition treats “going out” as a temporal antecedent to the entire mission. It maintains the coordination of the activities but subtly emphasizes the preaching as the first action, allowing the imperfects to describe customary actions without strictly subordinating them. - “And they went out and proclaimed a gospel of repentance, proceeding to cast out many demons, to anoint many with oil, and to heal them.”
This interpretive translation uses English hypotaxis to capture the implied discourse hierarchy, presenting the healing and exorcism as naturally accompanying or elaborating upon the primary proclamation, reflecting a theological understanding of their integrated ministry.
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