| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kaì} links this clause to the ongoing parable narrative. The aorist verb eipan {εἶπαν | eî-pan} serves as the reporting verb for the direct speech, with autō {αὐτῷ | au-tô} marking the addressee. Within the quotation, the vocative Kyrie {Κύριε | ký-ri-e} functions as a respectful address, and the present indicative echei {ἔχει | é-khei} denotes current possession of ten minas {δέκα μνᾶς | dé-ka mnâs}, where deka modifies the plural accusative mnas to indicate quantity. Syntactically, the structure is a simple main clause with a verb of speaking plus direct quotation. Retaining minas in both reconstructions preserves the parable’s internal economic terminology while remaining intelligible. |