Luke 3:18

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An Exegetical Study of Luke 3:18: Syntax and Verbal Voice

Introduction

This exegetical study of Luke 3:18: Syntax and Verbal Voice is based on a b-greek discussion from October 8, 1998. Initially, a query was raised regarding the syntax of Luke 3:18, specifically the phrase “πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν“. The core of the question concerned the grammatical function of πολλὰ and ἕτερα, and the transitivity of the middle voice verb εὐηγγελίζετο.

The central exegetical issue revolves around determining the precise syntactic relationship between the participle παρακαλῶν and the main verb εὐηγγελίζετο, the role of the neuter plural adjectives πολλὰ and ἕτερα, and clarifying the verbal voice and transitivity of εὐηγγελίζετο within the Lucan corpus. A secondary, though related, inquiry also emerged regarding whether the phrase πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα functions as a fixed idiomatic expression.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The SBLGNT (2010) text for Luke 3:18 reads: “πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν.” There are no substantive textual differences in this phrase compared to critical editions like Nestle 1904.

Textual and Lexical Notes

Textual Criticism (NA28): The phrase in Luke 3:18, “πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν,” exhibits no significant textual variants across major critical editions, including NA28. The textual tradition is remarkably stable for this verse.

Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):

• παρακαλέω (parakaleō): KITTEL (Vol. V, pp. 773-797) notes its broad semantic range, including “to call to one’s side, invite, summon; to encourage, exhort, comfort, console; to beseech, implore.” In Luke, the present active participle παρακαλῶν (here, ‘exhorting’ or ‘encouraging’) signifies an ongoing or repeated action. BDAG offers “to admonish, exhort, encourage, comfort, cheer up.”
• εὐαγγελίζω / εὐαγγελίζομαι (euangelizō / euangelizomai): KITTEL (Vol. II, pp. 707-735) highlights that in the NT, this verb is almost exclusively found in the middle voice (εὐαγγελίζομαι), meaning “to proclaim good news, evangelize.” Luke frequently employs this verb in the middle voice with an accusative object, referring to either the message preached or the recipients of the message. BDAG defines it as “to announce good news, proclaim glad tidings, preach the gospel,” confirming its capacity to take an accusative object, with the middle voice often functioning essentially as an active.
• πολύς (polys) and ἕτερος (heteros): “much, many” and “other, another,” respectively. As neuter plural accusatives, they can function substantivally (“many things,” “other things”) or adverbially (“in many ways,” “additionally”). In this context, their role as objects of παρακαλῶν is crucial.

Grammatical and Rhetorical Analysis

The syntax of Luke 3:18 presents an interesting construction, particularly regarding the phrase “πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν.” The primary points of analysis concern the function of πολλὰ and ἕτερα, and the voice and transitivity of εὐηγγελίζετο.

The initial query considered whether πολλὰ and ἕτερα functioned as grammatical subjects of εὐηγγελίζετο. However, this interpretation is grammatically untenable. Both πολλὰ and ἕτερα are neuter plural accusatives, making them unsuitable as subjects for the singular verb εὐηγγελίζετο. Instead, they are best understood as direct objects of the present active participle παρακαλῶν. This participle, modifying the implicit subject (John the Baptist), describes an accompanying action or the content of his exhortations. More precisely, they can be described as coordinated internal accusatives of παρακαλῶν, specifying the “many other things” that comprised John’s exhortations.

The phrase μὲν οὖν καὶ serves to connect ideas. μὲν οὖν often functions as a transitional particle, indicating a continuation or consequence (“therefore,” “consequently,” “then”). The καὶ (and) simply conjoins πολλὰ and ἕτερα. Thus, John’s exhortations were comprehensive, encompassing “many and other things.”

The verb εὐηγγελίζετο is an imperfect middle indicative, 3rd person singular, derived from εὐαγγελίζομαι. The middle voice here is not reflexive but functions with an active sense, typical of so-called “deponent” verbs in Koine Greek. As noted by academic discourse, Luke consistently uses this verb in the middle voice, and it frequently takes an accusative direct object. In this verse, τὸν λαόν (accusative masculine singular, “the people”) clearly functions as the direct object of εὐηγγελίζετο.

Therefore, the overall syntactic structure depicts John the Baptist (the understood subject) simultaneously performing two actions: he “was exhorting many other things” (πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα παρακαλῶν) and “was preaching the good news to the people” (εὐηγγελίζετο τὸν λαόν). The participle παρακαλῶν functions as a subjective predicative, describing what the subject was doing as he evangelized.

Regarding the question of whether πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἕτερα is a fixed expression, its occurrence largely confined to Luke (e.g., Lk 3:18; a variation in Lk 22:65: καὶ ἕτερα πολλὰ βλασφημοῦντες ἔλεγον εἰς αὐτόν) suggests a characteristic Lucan phrasing for “many other things.” While not an idiom in the sense of words losing individual meaning, its recurring use points to a recognizable authorial preference.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

In conclusion, the syntax of Luke 3:18 is straightforward once the functions of the participle and verb are clarified. John the Baptist, the implicit subject, engaged in ongoing exhortation concerning “many other things” while simultaneously preaching the good news to the people. The participle παρακαλῶν is transitive, taking πολλὰ and ἕτερα as its internal accusative objects specifying the content of his exhortations. The verb εὐηγγελίζετο, though in the middle voice, functions transitively with τὸν λαόν as its direct object, consistent with Lucan usage.

Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions are offered:

1. Therefore, giving many other exhortations, he was preaching the good news to the people.
   This translation emphasizes the content and ongoing nature of John’s exhortations as part of his evangelistic ministry.
2. So, while also encouraging them with many other words, he proclaimed the gospel to the people.
   This version highlights the encouraging aspect of the participle and uses a slightly more interpretative rendering of the verb.
3. Thus, with many and various encouragements, he evangelized the people.
   This option stresses the breadth of John’s message and captures the nuance of “many and other things” as distinct encouragements.

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