Matthew 2:4

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An Exegetical Analysis of ἐπυνθάνετο in Matthew 2:4: Investigating the KJV Translation ‘Demanded’

This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of ἐπυνθάνετο in Matthew 2:4: Investigating the KJV Translation ‘Demanded’ is based on a b-greek discussion from June 11, 2001. The initial inquiry focused on the rendering of the Greek verb ἐπυνθάνετο in Matthew 2:4, noting a significant semantic divergence between the King James Version (KJV), which translates it as “demanded,” and modern English translations such as the NASB and NIV, which opt for “asked” or “inquired.” The central question raised was whether “demanded” constituted a less apt translation in contemporary English or if it merely reflected diachronic changes in the English language over the four centuries since the KJV’s publication, specifically inquiring if “demand” in the 17th century would have conveyed the meaning of “ask.”

The main exegetical issue at hand involves a detailed investigation into the precise semantic range of the Greek verb πυνθάνομαι in its imperfect tense form, ἐπυνθάνετο, within the specific narrative context of Herod’s interrogation of the chief priests and scribes. This necessitates assessing the grammatical implications of the imperfect tense for iterative or continuous action, as well as conducting a thorough analysis of the diachronic lexical shifts in the English word “demand” from the Jacobean era to contemporary usage. Understanding these linguistic and historical facets is crucial for determining the most appropriate and contextually sensitive English rendering of the original Greek text.

καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ, ἐπυνθάνετο παρ’ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται. (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• There are no substantial lexical or textual differences between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 for Matthew 2:4. Both texts present the same Greek wording.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)

The critical apparatus of the Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28) indicates no significant textual variants for the verb ἐπυνθάνετο in Matthew 2:4. The form is consistently attested across major manuscript traditions, affirming its stability as part of the original text. Minor orthographical variations in surrounding words do not impact the verb under consideration.

Lexically, the verb πυνθάνομαι (from which ἐπυνθάνετο is derived) generally denotes “to inquire,” “to ask,” or “to learn by inquiry.” According to BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich Lexicon), its primary sense is to seek information, inquire, ask, often with a nuance of deliberate seeking. Examples show it used with the genitive of a person (of someone) or an accusative object (something). In Matthew 2:4, Herod “inquired of them” (παρ’ αὐτῶν) concerning “where the Christ is born” (ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται).

KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) corroborates this understanding, emphasizing that πυνθάνομαι signifies a purposeful effort to gain information. While it can range from a simple question to a more official investigation, it consistently implies an act of seeking knowledge rather than issuing a command or making a forceful request in the modern sense of “demand.” The context often determines the degree of urgency or formality. In the present passage, Herod, as king, is seeking vital information, which naturally carries a certain authority, but the verb itself fundamentally means ‘to inquire’.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The primary point of contention revolves around the KJV’s translation of ἐπυνθάνετο as “demanded” versus the “asked” or “inquired” of most modern versions. Grammatically, ἐπυνθάνετο is an imperfect active indicative verb. The imperfect tense in Greek can convey continuous, repeated, or attempted action in the past. Thus, a literal translation might be “he kept asking” or “he was inquiring.” This aspect of repeated or sustained inquiry was recognized in the discussion, with some commentators suggesting that “when one keeps asking and keeps asking… one is—in a very real sense—demanding an answer.” This interpretation suggests that the KJV translators might have been trying to capture the persistent or insistent nature implied by the imperfect tense and Herod’s authoritative position, rather than simply translating the root meaning of the verb.

Rhetorically, the choice of “demanded” in the KJV significantly alters the perception of Herod’s action. A modern reader encountering “demanded” likely perceives a forceful, imperative tone, indicative of a king’s authority to command an answer, potentially implying menace or urgency. In contrast, “asked” or “inquired” presents a more neutral, albeit still authoritative, quest for information. The KJV’s rendering, however, can be understood in light of 17th-century English. As noted in the discussion, dictionaries of the period (e.g., Webster’s, Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, American Heritage Dictionary) provide an archaic definition of “demand” meaning “to ask,” “to inquire,” or “to question,” often with an “of” construction (“demanded of him”). This semantic range is also evidenced in other KJV translations, such as Luke 3:14 (“And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?”). Furthermore, the English word “demand” derives from Old Norman French “demander,” which means “to ask.” Therefore, for 17th-century readers, “demanded” would likely have conveyed a sense closer to “asked” or “inquired” rather than the forceful insistence implied by the modern English “demand.”

The rhetorical effect of the KJV’s “demanded” for its original audience was likely to highlight Herod’s official inquiry, perhaps with an undercurrent of his royal authority, but without the strong implication of an immediate, forceful command that it carries today. For contemporary readers, retaining “demanded” would impose a connotation not necessarily present in the Greek or intended by the 17th-century translators, thus risking a misinterpretation of Herod’s immediate interaction with the religious leaders.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The analysis reveals that while the KJV’s “demanded” appears to be a mistranslation in contemporary English, it was likely an acceptable, albeit perhaps slightly emphatic, rendering of ἐπυνθάνετο in 17th-century English, reflecting the archaic semantic range of the word “demand” and possibly the iterative force of the imperfect tense. However, for a modern audience, a translation that accurately conveys the Greek verb’s core meaning of seeking information, while perhaps hinting at the king’s authority and persistent inquiry, would be more appropriate.

Suggested translations for Matthew 2:4 (focusing on ἐπυνθάνετο):

1. He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
   (This translation emphasizes the act of seeking information in a formal, investigative manner, suitable for Herod’s role and reflecting the primary lexical meaning.)
2. He persistently asked them where the Christ was to be born.
   (This rendering highlights the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or persistent line of questioning, without implying an aggressive, modern “demand.”)
3. He questioned them closely where the Christ was to be born.
   (This option conveys a more intense or thorough inquiry, acknowledging Herod’s authority and the importance of the information, while avoiding the problematic modern connotation of “demanded.”)

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