| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with the finite verb eipen {εἶπεν | eî-pen} 'he said', functioning as a marker for direct discourse. The postpositive conjunction de {δὲ | dè} 'but' links to the prior context while shifting focus to a new utterance. The prepositional phrase pros autous {πρὸς αὐτοὺς | prós autoús} 'to them' identifies the recipients of the speech. The accusative noun phrase ten parabolen tauten {τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην | tḕn parabolḕn taútēn} 'this parable' specifies the illustrative teaching with deictic force. The participle legon {λέγων | légōn} 'saying' serves as a supplementary participle that smoothly introduces the ensuing direct quotation. |