| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} linking to the preceding narrative. The causal phrase dia to homotechnon einai {διὰ τὸ ὁμότεχνον εἶναι | dià tò homótekhnon eînai} employs an articular infinitive to express motive, rendered “shared the same craft” or “shared their craft.” This governs the imperfect emenen {ἔμενεν | é-men-en} “he was staying,” translated as “lodged” or “stayed,” indicating continuous residence. The prepositional phrase parʼ autois {παρʼ αὐτοῖς | parʼ au-toîs} “with them” conveys association. The second imperfect ergazeto {ἠργάζετο | ēr-gá-ze-to} “he was working” is rendered “labored,” reflecting sustained effort. The explanatory conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr} introduces ēsān gar skēnopoioi {ἦσαν γὰρ σκηνοποιοὶ | ē-san gàr skē-no-poi-oí} “for they were tentmakers,” with the instrumental dative tē technē {τῇ τέχνῃ | tê tékh-nē} “by trade” explaining their livelihood. Both translations preserve the causal-explanatory flow and render the imperfect aspect into English past forms for narrative coherence. |