| 30. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the circumstantial participle proagagon {προαγαγὼν | pro-agagōn}, which precedes the main verb ephē {ἔφη | éphē} and sets the temporal sequence of events: first the jailer leads them outside, then he speaks. The phrase proagagon autous exō {προαγαγὼν αὐτοὺς ἔξω | pro-agagōn autoús éxō} aligns the object before the adverb according to common Greek narrative word order. The main clause ephē Kyrioi {ἔφη Κύριοι | éphē Kýrioi} introduces direct speech with a respectful vocative address. The question clause ti me deî poiein {τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν | tí me deî poiêin} uses an impersonal verb plus infinitive, literally “what it is necessary for me to do,” which translates naturally with modal verbs expressing obligation. The purpose clause hina sōthō {ἵνα σωθῶ | hína sōthō} follows the verb to indicate the intended result, rendered in English with “so that I may be saved.” This structure preserves the concise Greek tight-knit pairing of the conjunction and subjunctive verb. |