An Exegetical Analysis of Luke 18:4a: The Temporal Expression ἐπὶ χρόνον
This exegetical analysis focuses on Luke 18:4a, specifically the temporal phrase ἐπὶ χρόνον, to elucidate its grammatical function, semantic range, and contextual implications within the immediate narrative of the Parable of the Persistent Widow and the broader Lucan corpus. The central exegetical issue revolves around whether this phrase functions idiomatically and how its usage aligns with similar temporal constructions in other New Testament texts, particularly in conveying a duration of refusal.
Textual Presentation
The verse text from Eberhard Nestle (1904) Greek New Testament, Luke 18:4a, reads:
καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἐπὶ χρόνον.—Nestle 1904
Comparison with SBLGNT (2010)
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No significant textual variants are present in Luke 18:4a between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010). Both editions present the text as καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἐπὶ χρόνον.
Textual Criticism and Lexical Analysis
The textual evidence for Luke 18:4a, specifically the phrase ἐπὶ χρόνον, exhibits remarkable stability across major manuscript traditions. The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) critical apparatus reports no significant variants for this particular segment of the verse, underscoring a high degree of certainty regarding its originality. This strong attestation supports the reading καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἐπὶ χρόνον as well-attested.
Lexically, the phrase ἐπὶ χρόνον involves the preposition ἐπί followed by the accusative case of χρόνος. According to BDAG (s.v. “ἐπί,” 2.b.δ.), ἐπί with the accusative in a temporal sense consistently denotes “for a period of time” or “during.” This usage signifies “the extent of time within a unit,” highlighting a duration or period for which an action or state persists. Parallel examples confirm this grammatical and semantic pattern, including Acts 13:31, 16:18, 27:20, and Hebrews 11:30, with the Lucan parallels reinforcing its characteristic usage within the author’s style.
The noun χρόνος (BDAG, s.v. “χρόνος,” 1.a.) refers to a period or duration of time, often contrasted with καιρός (an appointed or opportune time). In Luke 18:4a, χρόνος indicates an indefinite yet limited period during which the judge was unwilling to act. KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, s.v. “χρόνος“) elaborates on its common usage for an unspecified duration, which aligns precisely with the context of the judge’s initial resistance and the persistent nature of the widow’s appeals. This combined grammatical and lexical analysis confirms that the phrase is a standard temporal construction rather than an obscure idiom, effectively conveying a temporary unwillingness.
Translation Variants and Rhetorical Analysis
Given the robust textual stability of ἐπὶ χρόνον, variations in translation primarily stem from exegetical choices regarding the nuance of temporal duration conveyed. While the core semantic range of “for a time” or “for a period” remains consistent, translators employ different English expressions to emphasize either the indefiniteness of the duration or its temporary nature. Grammatically, the use of ἐπί with the accusative of χρόνος denotes a circumscribed period, not an eternal or perpetual state, which is rhetorically significant in setting up the eventual resolution of the judge’s resistance through the widow’s persistence. The choice of rendering thus influences the reader’s perception of the judge’s initial reluctance—whether it was brief, protracted, or simply non-permanent.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis demonstrates that the phrase ἐπὶ χρόνον in Luke 18:4a is a grammatically sound and semantically consistent temporal expression within the New Testament, notably characteristic of Lucan prose. Its construction with ἐπί and the accusative case of χρόνος signifies “for an extent of time within a unit,” denoting a discernible, albeit unspecified, duration during which the judge’s unwillingness persisted. This is not an idiosyncratic idiom but a conventional Greek construction for expressing temporal duration. The narrative tension of the Parable of the Persistent Widow hinges on this temporary but stubborn refusal, which is ultimately overcome by the widow’s unyielding appeals, highlighting the power of perseverance against a non-perpetual opposition.
- and he was unwilling for a time. (This translation is direct and literal, conveying an indefinite duration without further specifying its length, aligning closely with the Greek.)
- and he refused for some time. (This option uses “some time” to imply an indefinite yet potentially significant period, providing a natural English idiom for a temporary but unspecified duration.)
- and he would not for a period. (This rendering highlights the concept of a defined but unspecified duration, resonating with the grammatical sense of ‘extent of time within a unit’ and emphasizing the bounded nature of the judge’s refusal.)