| 26. Linguistic Exegesis The main clause begins with the finite verb eipan {εἶπαν | eî-pan} ‘they said’, followed by the nominative participial phrase hoi akousantes {οἱ ἀκούσαντες | akoúsan-tes} ‘the ones having heard’, which functions as the explicit subject. The postpositive conjunction de {δὲ | dè} ‘but’ signals a transition from the preceding teaching. The direct discourse immediately opens with the interrogative clause, introduced by the coordinating conjunction kai {Καὶ | kaì} ‘and’, linking the response to what was heard and heightening rhetorical effect. The interrogative pronoun tis {τίς | tís} ‘who’ serves as subject, while dynatai {δύναται | dý-na-tai} ‘is able’ takes the aorist passive infinitive sothenai {σωθῆναι | sōthḗnai} ‘to be saved’ as its complement. The use of the present indicative with an aorist infinitive projects a general, ongoing possibility regarding salvation, and the early placement of tis adds emphasis to the question of human inability. |