| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with elegen {Ἔλεγεν | é-le-gen} ‘he was saying’, a narrative imperfect framing Jesus’ ongoing speech. The conjunction de {δὲ | dè} links this instruction to the preceding context. The noun parabolēn {παραβολὴν | pa-ra-bo-lḕn} ‘parable’ functions as the direct object, with autois {αὐτοῖς | au-toîs} marking the dative audience. The articular infinitive construction pros to dein {πρὸς τὸ δεῖν | pròs tò deîn} introduces a purpose clause governing the coordinated infinitives pantote proseuchesthai {πάντοτε προσεύχεσθαι | pán-to-te pro-seú-khes-thai} ‘always to pray’ and mē engkakein {μὴ ἐγκακεῖν | mē eng-ka-keîn} ‘not to lose heart’. The adverb pantote underscores continual action and the negative particle mē balances the exhortation. The accusative autous {αὐτοὺς | au-toùs} serves as the subject of the infinitives, emphasizing that the disciples themselves are to persist. Rendering this cluster as a finite purpose clause preserves both the imperative force and the sense of ongoing perseverance. |