An Exegetical Analysis of Prepositional Case Usage with ἐπί in Matthew 14:25-26 and Mark 6:48-49
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of Prepositional Case Usage with ἐπί in Matthew 14:25-26 and Mark 6:48-49 is based on a b-greek discussion from January 4th, 2018. The initial inquiry raised a question concerning the differing case usages following the preposition ἐπί in Matthew 14:25 and 14:26. Specifically, Matthew 14:25 depicts Jesus walking ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν (with the accusative case), prompting the question of whether this implies a directional movement ‘towards’ the disciples or the sea itself. This is then contrasted with Matthew 14:26, which states the disciples saw him walking ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης (with the genitive case), typically understood as ‘on’ the sea.
This inquiry leads to a broader investigation into the semantic range of the preposition ἐπί when governing both the accusative and genitive cases in the New Testament, particularly in descriptions of Jesus walking on the sea. The central exegetical question is whether the different case usages (ἐπί + accusative vs. ἐπί + genitive), including a comparison with Mark’s parallel account (Mark 6:48-49) which consistently uses the genitive, inherently convey a substantive difference in meaning—such as directionality versus static position, or ‘to’ versus ‘on’—or if, in specific contexts like this one, they may function as stylistic variants expressing the same underlying reality. The discussion highlights the challenge of precisely mapping prepositional semantics across languages and underscores the importance of contextual analysis over rigid grammatical rules.
Matthew 14:25-26 (Nestle 1904)
25 τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν.
26 οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν.
Mark 6:48-49 (Nestle 1904)
48 καὶ εἶδεν αὐτοὺς βασανιζομένους ἐν τῷ ἐλαύνειν, ἦν γὰρ ὁ ἄνεμος ἐναντίος αὐτοῖς· καὶ περὶ τετάρτην φυλακὴν τῆς νυκτὸς ἔρχεται πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ ἤθελεν παρελθεῖν αὐτούς.
49 οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἔδοξαν φάντασμα εἶναι, καὶ ἀνέκραξαν·
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No substantive textual differences are observed in the specific phrases ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν (Matthew 14:25) and ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης (Matthew 14:26, Mark 6:48-49) between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBL Greek New Testament (2010). Both editions attest the same prepositional constructions in these verses.
Textual criticism (NA28): The readings for ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν in Matthew 14:25 and ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης in Matthew 14:26 and Mark 6:48-49 are consistently well-attested across the major manuscript traditions. The critical apparatus of the NA28 indicates no significant variants for these specific prepositional phrases that would alter the preposition or the case it governs. This strong textual support confirms the integrity of these constructions as they appear in the canonical texts.
Lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG): The preposition ἐπί exhibits a broad semantic range in Koine Greek, with its precise meaning often contingent on the governing verb, the context, and the case of its object. According to BDAG, when governing the accusative case, ἐπί typically denotes motion toward or onto a surface (e.g., ‘to,’ ‘onto,’ ‘up to,’ ‘against’) or extension over (e.g., ‘over,’ ‘across’). With the genitive case, ἐπί generally indicates a static position ‘on,’ ‘upon,’ ‘at,’ or ‘by,’ or a basis ‘on the basis of.’ KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) highlights the fluidity of prepositional usage in Koine Greek, noting that strict classical distinctions between cases can sometimes blur in the New Testament. This means that while grammatically distinct, contextual factors can lead to semantic overlap, especially when describing actions like ‘walking on/upon’ a surface. For θάλασσα (sea), both cases with ἐπί describe the miraculous act of traversing the water’s surface, whether emphasizing the initial movement onto it or the sustained position upon it.
Translation Variants
The variations in case usage with ἐπί in these passages present a nuanced challenge for translation and interpretation. In Matthew 14:25, the phrase περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν employs the accusative case. Grammatically, ἐπί with the accusative typically denotes motion *to* or *onto* a surface. This could suggest an emphasis on Jesus’s *movement towards* the sea and the act of *stepping onto* it. Rhetorically, it might highlight the commencement of the miraculous action, signaling the transition from land (or shore) to water. However, the very next verse, Matthew 14:26, describes the disciples seeing him ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα, using the genitive case. Here, ἐπί with the genitive characteristically indicates a static position *on* or *upon*. This firmly establishes Jesus’s location *on* the surface of the sea while walking, focusing on the resultant state. The shift within Matthew’s narrative, from accusative to genitive, could subtly mark the beginning of the action (v. 25) and its ongoing realization (v. 26).
In contrast, Mark 6:48-49 consistently uses the genitive case: περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης. Mark’s account maintains a singular focus on the established position of Jesus *walking on the sea*, without the potential initial directional nuance that Matthew’s accusative might suggest. This synoptic comparison reveals a potential authorial stylistic preference. While Matthew might briefly hint at the *process* of getting onto the water, both Matthew and Mark ultimately emphasize the miraculous *state* of walking *on* its surface. The rhetorical effect in all instances is to underscore the supernatural nature of Jesus’s act, defying natural laws by traversing the unstable surface of the water. The grammatical distinction, while present, does not necessarily necessitate a substantively different *phenomenological* understanding of the event; rather, it may reflect a slight variation in narrative focus or literary style. The broader context clearly indicates the same miraculous event.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The exegetical analysis of ἐπί with the accusative and genitive cases in Matthew 14:25-26 and Mark 6:48-49 reveals that while grammatical distinctions exist, the semantic overlap in this specific context is substantial. The primary meaning conveyed is Jesus’s miraculous ability to traverse the surface of the water. Matthew’s initial use of the accusative in 14:25 might subtly emphasize the initiation of the action or movement onto the water, but it quickly transitions to the genitive in 14:26, aligning with Mark’s consistent usage. Given the fluidity of Koine Greek prepositions and the overarching narrative of a miraculous event, strict differentiation in translation is often deemed unnecessary by modern scholarship. The focus remains on the extraordinary act of walking *on* the water.
- Matthew 14:25: “He came to them, walking upon the sea.”
This translation emphasizes the miraculous act of walking on the surface, allowing for the initial movement onto it without explicitly stating “towards.” It retains a formal tone suitable for the miraculous event. - Matthew 14:26 and Mark 6:48-49: “The disciples saw him walking on the sea.”
This renders the genitive usage, focusing on the established position, and reflects Mark’s consistent choice. In English, ‘on’ and ‘upon’ are often interchangeable in such contexts, and ‘on’ is slightly more common for a continuous state. - Harmonized Translation for all instances: “He came to them, walking on the sea.”
This harmonized translation prioritizes the primary meaning of the miracle—walking on the water’s surface—and acknowledges that the grammatical variation may not carry a significant semantic difference requiring distinct English renderings for the average reader, especially considering the fluidity of Koine prepositions. This approach prioritizes clarity and consistency regarding the core miraculous action.