| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the nominative article and particles ho men oun {ὁ μὲν οὖν | ho mén oûn}, which introduce Festus as the topical subject and signal a transition in the narrative. The proper name Phestos {Φῆστος | Phês-tos} follows in the expected nominative position, and the deponent verb apekrithe {ἀπεκρίθη | a-pe-KRÍ-thē} functions as the main verbal nucleus, presenting his judicial reply. The infinitival clause tereisthai ton Paulon eis Kaisareian {τηρεῖσθαι τὸν Παῦλον εἰς Καισάρειαν | tē-REIS-thai ton Paû-lon eis Kai-SÁ-rei-an} depends on apekrithe and reports the content of the answer, with the passive infinitive expressing that Paul is to be kept, and the prepositional phrase with eis marking Caesarea as the place of custody. A second infinitival clause, heauton de mellein en takhei ekporeuesthai {ἑαυτὸν δὲ μέλλειν ἐν τάχει ἐκπορεύεσθαι | he-au-TÓN de MÉL-lein en TÁ-khei ek-po-REU-es-thai}, is coordinated by de and supplies Festus’s own intention: the reflexive heauton is the logical subject of the infinitive mellein, and en takhei modifies ekporeuesthai adverbially to indicate the swiftness of his departure. The use of coordinated infinitival clauses after apekrithe allows Greek to report both the decision about Paul and the governor’s travel plans compactly, which in English is best rendered with finite clauses introduced by “that” to maintain clarity and natural flow. |