| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The sentence opens with the impersonal verb lysitelei {λυσιτελεῖ | lusitelêi} ‘it is better’, which functions as the main clause and takes the dative autō {αὐτῷ | autô} as the person for whom the situation is advantageous. The conditional idea is introduced by ei {εἰ | ei} ‘if’, followed by the nominative subject lithos mylikos {λίθος μυλικὸς | líthos mylikós} ‘a millstone’ and the passive verb perieketai {περιέκειται | periéketai} ‘is placed around’, with the preposition peri {περὶ | perí} plus the accusative ton trachēlon autou {τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ | tón tráchēlon autoû} specifying the neck encircled. The coordinated perfect passive erriptai {ἔρριπται | érriptai} ‘is thrown’ with eis {εἰς | eis} and the accusative tēn thalassan {τὴν θάλασσαν | tḗn thálassan} expresses a completed action with ongoing result, intensifying the imagery. The comparative conjunction ē {ἢ | ē} ‘than’ introduces the alternative clause, which is framed with hina {ἵνα | hína} plus the aorist subjunctive skandalisē {σκανδαλίσῃ | skandalísē} ‘he should cause to stumble’, marking a potential but morally charged outcome. The genitive phrase tōn mikrōn toutōn {τῶν μικρῶν τούτων | tôn mikrôn toútōn} is partitive with hena {ἕνα | héna}, ‘one of these little ones’, emphasizing the seriousness of harming even a single vulnerable follower. The structure is a stark comparison between an extreme hypothetical punishment and the even worse reality of leading the “little ones” into sin, using hyperbolic conditional-comparative syntax to underscore ethical responsibility. |