Mark 8:5

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A Syntactic Analysis of Interrogative Word Order in Synoptic Parallels: Matthew 15:34 and Mark 8:5

This exegetical study of ‘A Syntactic Analysis of Interrogative Word Order in Synoptic Parallels: Matthew 15:34 and Mark 8:5’ is based on a b-greek discussion from September 22nd, 2017. The initial inquiry focused on understanding the reasons behind the divergent word orders observed in parallel interrogative clauses in the Gospels, specifically comparing Πόσους ἔχετε ἄρτους; as found in Mark 8:5 with Πόσους ἄρτους ἔχετε; as found in Matthew 15:34.

The main exegetical issue under consideration is the subtle but potentially significant impact of syntactic variation on the interpretation and nuance of seemingly parallel passages. In Koine Greek, while word order is generally more flexible than in English, it can still convey emphasis, focus, or pragmatic information. Analyzing the differing placements of the direct object ἄρτους (‘loaves of bread’) relative to the verb ἔχετε (‘you have’) in the presence of the interrogative adjective Πόσους (‘how many?’) in Matthew 15:34 and Mark 8:5 offers an opportunity to explore the rhetorical and grammatical choices made by the evangelists.

Greek text (Nestle 1904):

Matthew 15:34: Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Πόσους ἄρτους ἔχετε;
Mark 8:5: καὶ ἠρώτα αὐτούς· Πόσους ἔχετε ἄρτους; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Ἑπτά.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• Matthew 15:34: No significant lexical or structural differences. Punctuation is consistent between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT (2010).
• Mark 8:5: SBLGNT (2010) capitalizes the initial Καὶ and employs commas (`,`) instead of semicolons/colons (`;`/`·`) after αὐτούς and εἶπαν. These are minor orthographical and punctuation variations that do not alter the meaning or the specific word order under discussion.

Textual criticism (NA28), lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG):

In both Matthew 15:34 and Mark 8:5, the specific word orders Πόσους ἄρτους ἔχετε; and Πόσους ἔχετε ἄρτους;, respectively, are well-attested and show no significant textual variants in critical editions such as NA28. The textual tradition uniformly preserves these distinct syntactic arrangements.

• Πόσους (πόσος, -η, -ον): An interrogative adjective, here in the accusative masculine plural, meaning “how much,” or “how many.” BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed., p. 856-857) highlights its use in direct questions to inquire about quantity.
• ἄρτους (ἄρτος, -ου, ὁ): A masculine noun, here in the accusative plural, meaning “bread” or “a loaf of bread.” BDAG (p. 133-134) notes its frequent use in the plural for individual loaves. KITTEL (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W., eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. 1, p. 472-477) provides a comprehensive theological background, discussing its significance from common sustenance to its symbolic role in the Last Supper and the Eucharist, though its lexical meaning as “loaves” is direct in this context.
• ἔχετε (ἔχω): A verb, here in the second person plural present active indicative, meaning “you have” or “possess.” BDAG (p. 433-435) provides a broad range of meanings for ἔχω, but in this context, it clearly denotes possession. KITTEL (Vol. 2, p. 816-832) details the various uses and theological implications of “having,” but for this specific grammatical analysis, the basic sense of possession is paramount.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The grammatical distinction between Matthew 15:34 (Πόσους ἄρτους ἔχετε;) and Mark 8:5 (Πόσους ἔχετε ἄρτους;) lies in the relative placement of the direct object ἄρτους (‘loaves’) with respect to the verb ἔχετε (‘you have’). Both constructions are grammatically valid in Koine Greek, where word order is more fluid than in English and often serves pragmatic or rhetorical functions rather than strict syntactic necessity.

In Matthew’s account, the word order is Interrogative Adjective (Πόσους) + Direct Object (ἄρτους) + Verb (ἔχετε). This structure places the noun ἄρτους directly after the interrogative Πόσους, forming a tighter semantic unit: “how many loaves?” This fronting of the direct object, contiguous with its modifying interrogative, can be interpreted as emphasizing the quantity of the specific item (loaves). While the interrogative word itself carries the primary focus in a question, the immediate placement of ἄρτους reinforces its centrality to the inquiry. This aligns with a more direct, perhaps slightly more emphatic, inquiry about the specific number of loaves available, foregrounding the object of the question.

In Mark’s account, the word order is Interrogative Adjective (Πόσους) + Verb (ἔχετε) + Direct Object (ἄρτους). Here, the verb ἔχετε intervenes between the interrogative Πόσους and its semantic object ἄρτους. This arrangement places ἄρτους in a post-verbal position, which is often considered a more “neutral” or unmarked position in Greek when the initial interrogative element has already established the focus of the question. One perspective suggests that if an element is “activated” or “known” and “non-contrastive,” its normal position would be post-verb. Thus, placing ἄρτους after ἔχετε might indicate that the concept of “loaves” is already understood or assumed within the context of the feeding miracle narrative, and the question is primarily about the quantity possessed, with less specific emphasis on the item itself compared to Matthew’s phrasing. The question word Πόσους remains the primary focus, and the post-verbal ἄρτους serves to specify what the “how many” refers to without adding additional emphasis.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The syntactic variation between Matthew 15:34 and Mark 8:5, regarding the placement of ἄρτους, illustrates the subtle expressive capabilities of Koine Greek word order. While both phrasings inquire about the quantity of loaves, Matthew’s structure subtly foregrounds the noun ‘loaves’ by placing it adjacent to the interrogative, whereas Mark’s places ‘loaves’ in a more neutral post-verbal position. For the purpose of English translation, which lacks the same flexibility in word order to convey such nuances, these distinctions are often flattened, yet an awareness of them can inform more precise interpretive choices.

1. “How many loaves do you have?” This translation is direct and suitable for both Matthew and Mark, capturing the essential meaning without attempting to replicate the subtle Greek word order nuances. This is the most common and idiomatic rendering.
2. “How many loaves do you possess?” This option, using “possess” for ἔχετε, maintains a slightly more formal tone and might implicitly reflect Matthew’s tighter linkage of ‘loaves’ with the quantity, although the difference is minimal in English.
3. “How many do you have, of loaves?” This more consciously attempts to reflect Mark’s post-verbal object, treating ‘of loaves’ almost as an appositive clarification. While less natural in idiomatic English, it highlights the primary focus on the ‘having’ of a quantity, with ‘loaves’ as the specified item, perhaps suggesting a slight pause or a clarifying afterthought in the original Greek rhetoric.

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