An Exegetical Analysis of Grammatical and Syntactical Features in Luke 5:7a
This exegetical study of Luke 5:7a is based on a b-greek discussion from June 18, 2001. The initial inquiry raised several grammatical questions concerning the first half of Luke 5:7, specifically focusing on the use of the definite article τοῖς, the construction involving τοῦ followed by an aorist participle ἐλθόντας and an infinitive συλλαβέσθαι, and the dative complement αὐτοῖς with the verb συλλαμβάνω.
The main exegetical issue under examination is the precise grammatical function and meaning of the phrase τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς. This construction, as presented in the original discussion, involves an articular infinitive with an intervening accusative aorist participle, which raises questions about the sequence of actions, agency, and the relationship between the participle and the infinitive. Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the broader principles of Greek syntax, including the idiomatic use of the definite article and the valency of compound verbs.
Greek Text (Nestle 1904):
καὶ κατένευσαν τοῖς μετόχοις τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ τοῦ ἐλθεῖν συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς·
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No textual differences are observed in Luke 5:7a between the Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 editions. Both read τοῦ ἐλθεῖν rather than the τοῦ ἐλθόντας that formed the basis of the initial query in the discussion.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):
The textual critical editions, including NA28, consistently present τοῦ ἐλθεῖν as the established reading for Luke 5:7a, aligning with Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010. The variant reading τοῦ ἐλθόντας, which prompted much of the grammatical discussion, is not supported by major manuscripts. The consensus among scholars and critical editions favors the infinitive ἐλθεῖν over the participle ἐλθόντας. This difference is crucial, as it fundamentally alters the grammatical analysis of the clause.
- κατανεύω (κατένευσαν): (Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural). BDAG defines κατανεύω as “to make a sign by nodding (with the head), signal.” It typically takes a dative object to indicate to whom the signal is made.
- μέτοχος (τοῖς μετόχοις): (Dative Plural). BDAG translates this as “one who shares with others, a partner.” The dative form τοῖς μετόχοις functions as the indirect object of κατένευσαν, receiving the action of signaling. The subsequent articular phrase τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ further specifies “those in the other boat.”
- συλλαμβάνω (συλλαβέσθαι): (Aorist Middle Infinitive). BDAG defines συλλαμβάνω in this context as “to help, assist, aid.” Lexicographers such as LSJ and BDAG confirm that when used in the sense of “to assist” or “to take part with another,” this verb regularly governs a dative complement for the person being helped. Thus, αὐτοῖς is a direct dative object of the infinitive, indicating “to them” or “for them” help is given.
- πίμπλημι (ἐπλήσαν): A related discussion from 2008 concerned the aorist formation ἐπλήσαν (they filled, from Luke 5:7b). The present active πίμπλημι exhibits reduplication (πι-) and a nasal infix (-μ-) in its stem formation, common features in -μι verbs (cf. δίδωμι). These elements typically drop off in the aorist stem, resulting in forms like ἐπλήσαν, which directly reflects the root πλη- augmented for past tense.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The initial questions concerned three main points:
- The definite article as a possessive: The use of τοῖς before μετόχοις (in the sense of “their partners”) is a common idiom in Hellenistic Greek where the definite article can convey a possessive sense without an explicit possessive pronoun like αὐτῶν. English translations often supply “their” for clarity and idiomatic flow, as noted by some participants in the discussion, such as the NRSV’s “So they signaled their partners.” Grammatically, τοῖς μετόχοις functions as the indirect object to κατένευσαν, indicating *to whom* the signal was directed.
- The phrase τοῦ ἐλθεῖν συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς: As per the critical text, this is an articular infinitive construction expressing purpose. The genitive article τοῦ governs the infinitive phrase ἐλθεῖν συλλαβέσθαι. This structure indicates the *purpose* or *goal* of the signaling.
- The presence of two infinitives, ἐλθεῖν (to come) and συλλαβέσθαι (to help), suggests a sequence or coordination of actions. The construction can be interpreted as “to come in order to help” or “to come and help.” Grammatically, ἐλθεῖν precedes συλλαβέσθαι, suggesting that coming is a prerequisite or immediate precursor to helping.
- Analysis of the debated variant τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι: If one were to consider the variant ἐλθόντας (accusative aorist participle), its function would be that of a circumstantial participle, grammatically agreeing with an implied accusative subject of the infinitive (i.e., “them,” referring to the partners). In this case, ἐλθόντας would describe the *manner* or *prior action* of the (implied) subject before they helped. This would result in a translation such as “for them, having come, to help them,” or more smoothly, “for them to come and help them.” The aorist participle would denote an action preceding the infinitive, implying a sequence of “first coming, then helping.” While grammatically plausible for Greek, this reading is not textually supported in critical editions.
- Dative complement αὐτοῖς with συλλαμβάνω: The use of the dative αὐτοῖς (“them”) with συλλαβέσθαι is entirely consistent with standard Greek grammar. As noted in the discussion, συλλαμβάνω, when meaning “to help” or “to assist,” regularly takes a dative object for the person being helped. Thus, αὐτοῖς clearly specifies *who* is to be helped.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the critical Greek text and the insights from the linguistic discussion, Luke 5:7a describes the fishermen signaling their partners for assistance. The construction τοῦ ἐλθεῖν συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς concisely expresses the purpose of their signal: that the partners should come and provide help.
Three possible translations are offered, reflecting slightly different rhetorical nuances:
- “And they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them.”
This translation emphasizes the coordinated actions, presenting “come and help” as a single combined purpose, which is typical for articular infinitive constructions of purpose. - “And they signaled their partners in the other boat for the purpose of their coming to assist them.”
This rendering highlights the specific purpose conveyed by the genitive article with the infinitives, making the sequence of actions explicit. - “And they signaled their partners in the other boat that they should come to their aid.”
This version translates the infinitive phrase into a subordinate clause, often used in English to convey a purpose or indirect command, while retaining the dative complement.