Luke 8:49

A Comparative Exegesis of ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν (Matthew 9:18) and τέθνηκεν (Luke 8:49)

This exegetical study of A Comparative Exegesis of ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν (Matthew 9:18) and τέθνηκεν (Luke 8:49) is based on a b-greek discussion from Sun Jun 7 18:48:13 EDT 1998. The initial query posed a question regarding the semantic and grammatical force of two Greek phrases appearing in parallel accounts of the synagogue official’s daughter: ἡ θυγάτηρ μου ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν in Matthew 9:18 and ἡ θυγάτηρ σου τέθνηκεν in Luke 8:49.

The core exegetical issue concerns the nuanced distinction between the aorist indicative with the temporal adverb ἄρτι and the perfect indicative. Specifically, the inquiry explores whether ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν should be rendered as “has just died,” “has now died,” or simply “has died,” and how this compares to the state-oriented perfect τέθνηκεν (“is dead” / “has died and remains dead”). This investigation delves into the temporal and aspectual implications of each construction and their potential impact on the narrative’s emphasis in the respective Gospel accounts, particularly concerning the immediacy of the event versus the resulting state.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

Matthew 9:18: τῇ θυγατρί μου ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν

Luke 8:49: Ἡ θυγάτηρ σου τέθνηκεν

• Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
• In Matthew 9:18, the SBLGNT (2010) reading is identical: τῇ θυγατρί μου ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν.
• In Luke 8:49, the SBLGNT (2010) reading is identical: Ἡ θυγάτηρ σου τέθνηκεν.
• There are no textual differences in these specific phrases between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010.

Textual Criticism (NA28): The readings ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν in Matthew 9:18 and τέθνηκεν in Luke 8:49 are consistently attested across major manuscript traditions and are retained in the critical text of the Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28). No significant textual variants are noted for these specific phrases that would alter their grammatical form or semantic meaning.

Lexical Notes:

• ἄρτι (adv.): According to BDAG, ἄρτι signifies “just now, recently, at this moment.” It denotes a temporal proximity to the present, emphasizing the immediacy of an event. Kittel (TDNT) further elaborates on its use to indicate a point in time that is either immediately past or immediately present, often highlighting a decisive or recent shift.
• ἐτελεύτησεν (aorist ind. of τελευτάω): The verb τελευτάω means “to die, come to an end” (BDAG). The aorist indicative, ἐτελεύτησεν, typically presents an action as a simple, undivided occurrence in the past. Its function here is constative, viewing the action as a whole without reference to its duration or completion.
• τέθνηκεν (perfect ind. of θνήσκω): The verb θνήσκω means “to die” (BDAG). The perfect indicative, τέθνηκεν, describes a past action with ongoing results or a resulting state in the present. It emphasizes the accomplished fact of dying and the enduring state of being dead. Kittel (TDNT) underscores the perfect aspect’s focus on the present reality resulting from a prior event.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The distinction between ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν and τέθνηκεν lies primarily in their aspectual emphasis and temporal precision. In Matthew 9:18, the official states, Ἡ θυγάτηρ μου ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν. The aorist indicative ἐτελεύτησεν denotes a simple, punctiliar past event. The adverb ἄρτι specifies the immediacy of this past action, conveying “just now” or “recently.” Therefore, the phrase emphasizes the recency of the daughter’s death, suggesting that the event has only just transpired. This choice of expression in the father’s direct plea underscores his immediate grief and urgent hope for intervention, implying that a final, irreversible state might not yet be fully set or that a window for miraculous intervention remains open. Rhetorically, it magnifies the pathos of the situation, drawing attention to the fresh wound of loss.

Conversely, in Luke 8:49, messengers report, Ἡ θυγάτηρ σου τέθνηκεν. Here, the perfect indicative τέθνηκεν highlights the resultant state of the action. While the act of dying occurred in the past, the primary focus of the perfect tense is on the present state of being dead. It conveys a sense of accomplished fact, that “she is dead” or “she has died and remains dead.” This formulation, delivered by messengers rather than the grieving parent, offers a factual and conclusive statement about the daughter’s condition. Rhetorically, it emphasizes the finality of the situation from an external perspective, presenting Jesus with an established, completed reality rather than an urgent, unfolding crisis. The difference in grammatical aspect thus aligns with the narrative context and the perspective of the speaker in each Gospel.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The grammatical and lexical analysis confirms a significant, albeit subtle, distinction between the two phrases. ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν, with its aorist aspect modified by the adverb ἄρτι, focuses on the immediate past occurrence of death. In contrast, τέθνηκεν, as a perfect indicative, emphasizes the present state of being dead, resulting from a past action. These choices are rhetorically effective, aligning with the narrative perspectives of the grieving father in Matthew and the reporting messengers in Luke, respectively.

1. For Matthew 9:18: “My daughter has just died.” This translation accurately reflects the aorist tense with the adverb ἄρτι, emphasizing the immediate past and the recency of the event, conveying the father’s fresh grief and urgent plea for intervention.
2. For Luke 8:49: “Your daughter is dead.” This translation captures the perfect tense, which highlights the resultant state of death, indicating that the action of dying is complete and the state of being dead continues.
3. A more nuanced option for Matthew 9:18: “My daughter died only moments ago.” This alternative for Matthew’s phrase further accentuates the temporal proximity of death, retaining the urgency implied by ἄρτι and the aorist while avoiding the potential ambiguity of “has died” which can sometimes imply a more distant past.