| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the demonstrative tauta {Ταῦτα | Taû-ta} functioning as the fronted direct object, giving emphasis to “these things” that have just been taught. The verb lelaleka {λελάληκα | le-lá-lē-ka} is in the perfect tense with a first person singular subject implied, “I have spoken,” highlighting that the speaking is a completed act with continuing relevance for the hearers. The dative hymin {ὑμῖν | hy-mîn} marks the recipients of this speech, the disciples addressed directly. The subordinating conjunction hina {ἵνα | hína} introduces a purpose clause, which is negated by mē {μὴ | mḕ}, “so that not,” indicating the intended preventive result of Jesus’ prior teaching. The verb skandalisthēte {σκανδαλισθῆτε | skan-da-lis-thê-te} is an aorist passive subjunctive, “you might stumble / be caused to stumble,” expressing a potential event that the speaker aims to avert. The placement of the hina-clause at the end mirrors Greek rhetorical flow, where the reason or purpose is revealed after the statement of action; in English this is preserved by rendering “so that you may not stumble” or “to keep you from falling away,” keeping the logical relationship clear while maintaining natural word order. |