| 39. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the existential clause estin de synetheia hymin {ἔστιν δὲ συνήθεια ὑμῖν | é-stin dè synḗtheia hy-mîn}, where the verb ‘estin’ links the nominative subject ‘synetheia’ to the dative ‘hymin’ expressing possession, “there is a custom among you.” The conjunction de is postpositive and lightly contrastive, connecting to the prior narrative about Pilate. The subordinating conjunction hina {ἵνα | hína} introduces a clause that functions epexegetically, explaining the content or purpose of this custom: hena apolysō hymin {ἕνα ἀπολύσω ὑμῖν | hén-a a-po-lý-sō hy-mîn}, “that I should release one to you,” with ‘hena’ as the direct object of the subjunctive verb ‘apolysō’ and ‘hymin’ again as an ethical dative. The prepositional phrase en tō pascha {ἐν τῷ πάσχα | en tôi pás-kha} supplies the temporal and cultic setting, marking this release as a Passover-specific practice. The second half is a rhetorical question introduced by boulesthe oun {βούλεσθε οὖν | boú-les-the oun}, a present deponent verb of volition combined with the inferential particle ‘oun’ to draw a conclusion from the stated custom: “Do you then wish…?” The repetition of apolysō hymin {ἀπολύσω ὑμῖν | a-po-lý-sō hy-mîn} maintains the legal-release motif, now taking as its direct object the fuller title ton basilea tōn Ioudaiōn {τὸν βασιλέα τῶν Ἰουδαίων | tón basile-a tōn I-ou-daí-ōn}, “the King of the Jews.” The genitive plural ‘tōn Ioudaiōn’ specifies the people over whom this kingly title is claimed, serving both as a political title and an implied charge. Greek word order places the question’s key phrase “the King of the Jews” at the end for emphasis. In translation, the two clauses are rendered as sequential sentences to reflect the movement from stating an accepted custom to pressing the crowd with a pointed, legally framed question. |