| 20. Linguistic Exegesis The verse uses the aorist participle prosagagóntes {προσαγαγόντες | prosagagóntes} “having brought” to background the action before the main verb eîpan {εἶπαν | eîpan} “they said.” The dative toîs stratēgoîs {τοῖς στρατηγοῖς | toîs stratēgoîs} indicates the magistrates addressed. In the accusation, hoûtoi hoi ánthrōpoi {Οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι | hoûtoi hoi ánthrōpoi} “these men” is fronted for emphasis. The participle hypárchontes {ὑπάρχοντες | hypárchontes} “being” with Ioudaîoi {Ἰουδαῖοι | Ioudaîoi} forms an identity clause, defining the accused by ethnicity. The present ektarássousin {ἐκταράσσουσιν | ektarássousin} “are greatly disturbing” conveys ongoing disruption, and the prefix ek- intensifies the upheaval. The genitive hēmôn {ἡμῶν | hēmôn} with tēn pólin {τὴν πόλιν | tēn pólin} “our city” underscores communal property and alarm. The formal reconstruction reflects the participial structure and forensic tone of the Greek, while the dynamic version streamlines the sequence for readability without losing the accusatory force. |