| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with kai {Καὶ | Kaí} “and,” linking this episode to the preceding narrative and reflecting Mark’s characteristic paratactic style. The main verb apostellousin {ἀποστέλλουσιν | apostéllousin} is a historical present, which in context heightens vividness while functionally referring to a past action. The prepositional phrase pros auton {πρὸς αὐτόν | pròs autón} indicates motion “toward Him,” marking Jesus as the focal point of the action. The object phrase tinas tōn Pharisaiōn kai tōn Hērōidianōn {τινας τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν | tínas tōn Pharisaiōn kaí tōn Hērōidianōn} combines an indefinite pronoun with genitive articular nouns, meaning “some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians,” and portrays a selective delegation from two normally opposed groups, united here in opposition to Jesus. The hina-clause hina auton agreusōsin logō {ἵνα αὐτὸν ἀγρεύσωσιν λόγῳ | hína autòn agreúsōsin lógō} functions as a purpose clause, expressing intent: “in order that they might catch him by a word.” The verb agreusōsin {ἀγρεύσωσιν | agreúsōsin} carries hunting imagery, suggesting a deliberate attempt to ensnare, while logō {λόγῳ | lógō} is a dative of means, “by means of a word,” idiomatically “through something He said.” In translation, the main clause is rendered with a simple past for natural English flow, and the hina-clause is expressed as “in order to trap” or “trying to catch,” preserving both the purpose nuance and the adversarial, forensic tone of a verbal ambush. |