Matthew 28:17

An Exegetical Analysis of Matthew 28:17: The Interpretation of οἱ δέ

This exegetical study of ‘hOI for some in Mt 28:17?’ is based on a b-greek discussion from Sun May 19 23:04:56 EDT 2002. The initial inquiry focused on the grammatical reasons for translating `οἱ δέ` as “some” rather than “they” in Matthew 28:17, particularly questioning whether the particle `δέ` indicates a switch in subject or merely presents the doubt in contrast to the act of worship.

The main exegetical issue concerns the precise referent and function of the phrase `οἱ δέ` in Matthew 28:17. The eleven disciples, who are the primary subject of the preceding verse (Mt 28:16), encounter the resurrected Jesus. The text states that “seeing him, they worshipped,” immediately followed by `οἱ δέ ἐδίστασαν`. The core question is whether `οἱ δέ` refers to a subset of these eleven disciples who doubted, distinguishing them from those who worshipped, or if it refers to the entire group, implying a collective experience of both worship and doubt. The interpretation significantly impacts our understanding of the disciples’ response to the resurrection and the subsequent Great Commission.

καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

The Greek text of Matthew 28:17, “καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν,” is substantively identical in both the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010). Any minor differences would primarily relate to orthographical conventions such as breathing marks, accents, or punctuation rather than lexical or grammatical content.

Textual and Lexical Notes

The text in Matthew 28:17 (`καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν`) is well-attested across all major critical editions, including the Nestle-Aland 28th Edition (NA28). No significant textual variants affect the phrases in question, `προσεκύνησαν` or `οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν`, thus assuring the integrity of the Greek phrasing for exegetical analysis.

Lexically, several terms are crucial for interpretation:

`ἰδόντες` (from `εἶδον`, Aorist Active Participle, Nominative Masculine Plural): meaning “having seen” or “when they saw.” It establishes the visual encounter as the immediate context for the subsequent actions.
`προσεκύνησαν` (from `προσκυνέω`, Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Plural): According to BDAG, `προσκυνέω` means “to prostrate oneself, do obeisance, worship.” KITTEL (Vol. VI, pp. 759-766) further elaborates on its use in the Septuagint and New Testament to denote acts of reverence, adoration, or homage, often implying submission to a superior being. In this context, it signifies an act of profound religious veneration towards Jesus.
`ἐδίστασαν` (from `διστάζω`, Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Plural): BDAG defines `διστάζω` as “to waver, doubt, be uncertain.” This verb indicates mental hesitation, internal conflict, or a lack of full conviction. The Aorist tense (`ἐδίστασαν`) typically describes a punctiliar or completed action, suggesting that this doubt was a specific, if perhaps momentary, response rather than a prolonged state (which would likely be expressed by an imperfect tense, `ἐδισταζον`).
`οἱ δέ`: This phrase consists of the definite article `οἱ` (nominative masculine plural) functioning substantivally, combined with the postpositive particle `δέ`. Grammatically, the article used as a demonstrative pronoun (often translated as “these,” “those,” or “some”) is a standard feature in Greek, as noted by various grammarians (e.g., Wallace, Robertson). The particle `δέ` serves as a conjunction, primarily marking transition, sequence, or a mild adversative relationship. While not as strong as `ἀλλά` (“but”), `δέ` often introduces a new development or a contrast (BDAG, s.v. `δέ`). In conjunction with a pronominal article, `οἱ δέ` frequently introduces a different subject or a subset of a previously mentioned group, typically contrasting their action or state with that of the preceding group or individual.

Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The core of the debate surrounding Matthew 28:17 lies in the interpretation of `οἱ δέ`. Two primary translation variants emerge, each with distinct grammatical and rhetorical implications:

1. “But some doubted” (or “others, however, doubted”)

This is the most widely accepted interpretation among grammarians and translators. It posits that `οἱ δέ` refers to a subset of the eleven disciples who were present. The grammatical arguments supporting this view are robust:

Pronominal Use of the Article with `δέ`: As noted by scholars like Carl Conrad, this is a standard usage in Greek, dating back to Homer. The combination of the article `οἱ` used as a demonstrative pronoun with the particle `δέ` often introduces a new subject or a distinct subgroup within a larger context. This construction (`ὁ δέ`, `ἡ δέ`, `οἱ δέ`, `αἱ δέ`) is commonly employed to indicate a change of focus or a shift to different participants, even if those participants are part of the original group.
`δέ` as a Subject Switch: Several participants in the discussion, including Manolis Nikolaou and Randall Buth, highlighted that `δέ` can signal a subject switch. Examples like Matthew 26:67 (`τότε ἐνέπτυσαν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκολάφισαν αὐτόν, οἱ δὲ ἐρράπισαν` – “Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists, but others slapped him”) and Acts 17:18, 17:32 demonstrate `οἱ δέ` introducing a distinct group with a different action. This usage strongly implies that not all of “they” (the original subject) participated in the subsequent action.
Lexical Semantics and Contrast: The contrastive force between `προσεκύνησαν` (“worshipped”) and `ἐδίστασαν` (“doubted”) is significant. While `δέ` itself is not as strong an adversative as `ἀλλά`, the juxtaposition of these two verbs creates inherent tension. The act of worship implies belief and submission, whereas doubting signifies hesitation or lack of conviction. It is rhetorically more coherent to attribute these opposing reactions to different individuals within the group rather than to the entire group simultaneously. As one participant noted, the contrastive force comes primarily from the verbs themselves, supported by `δέ` marking a new development.
Rhetorical Impact: This interpretation underscores the human reality of faith mixed with doubt, even among Jesus’ closest followers, immediately after the climactic resurrection appearance. It prepares the reader for Jesus’ subsequent words of comfort and authoritative commissioning (vv. 18-20), which can be seen as addressing both those who worshipped and those who doubted, reinforcing faith for all.

2. “But they (still) doubted” (implying all of them)

This alternative suggests that `οἱ δέ` refers to the same group (all eleven disciples), implying that even those who worshipped also experienced doubt. Mark House proposed this, suggesting `δέ` serves as a narrative link or mild contrast without a subject shift, and that worship and doubt are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The arguments against this interpretation are largely grammatical and contextual:

Grammatical Expectations for Same Subject: If the intention were to convey that the *same* group both worshipped and doubted, more explicit phrasing would be expected. Carl Conrad argued that a stronger pronoun than `οἱ` or a clearer indication would be needed if `οἱ δέ` referred to the entire `οἱ ἕνδεκα μαθηταί` (“the eleven disciples”).
Conjunction Usage: While `δέ` can introduce a mild contrast, it is not typically used for antithesis within the same subject where a stronger adversative like `ἀλλά` would be more appropriate for expressing “X, but also Y.” George Somsel highlighted this distinction, pointing to Matthew 9:24 where `ἀλλά` is used for a direct contradiction within a statement.
Aorist Tense of `ἐδίστασαν`: The aorist tense (`ἐδίστασαν`) indicates a specific action, not necessarily a continuous state of doubt for the entire group, which would be better conveyed by an imperfect verb.
Narrative Flow: The traditional Greek usage of `οἱ δέ` to introduce a shift in focus to a different individual or group makes this alternative reading “awkward and really rather difficult to understand,” as Carl Conrad stated. An isolated sentence about doubt (if it referred to the whole group) would be less integrated into the narrative’s response.

The consensus from the scholarly discussion and broader grammatical understanding strongly favors the interpretation of `οἱ δέ` as referring to a subset of the disciples. The usage of the demonstrative article with `δέ` as a subject-switching device is well-attested in both classical and Koine Greek, and the lexical contrast between worship and doubt is best understood when attributed to different responses within the group of disciples.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the grammatical analysis and the arguments presented, the phrase `οἱ δέ ἐδίστασαν` in Matthew 28:17 is best understood as referring to a portion of the eleven disciples who experienced doubt, contrasting with the general act of worship by the group. This highlights the nuanced and often mixed reactions of individuals to the divine, even in the most profound encounters. The subsequent commission by Jesus (vv. 18-20) can then be seen as a comprehensive address, strengthening the faith of all present, including those who wavered.

Here are three suggested translations, reflecting this understanding:

When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some of them doubted.
This translation clearly distinguishes between the two groups, emphasizing the partial nature of the doubt.
And having seen him, they prostrated themselves, yet others hesitated.
This option offers a more literal rendering while maintaining the distinction of subjects and the slight adversative force of `δέ`.
And upon seeing him, they bowed down in worship, though a few were uncertain.
This translation conveys a dynamic sense of the disciples’ mixed reactions, highlighting that even in an act of worship, some individuals harbored uncertainty.