| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} linking this action to the surrounding narrative. The aorist middle indicative erxanto {ἤρξαντο | ḗrxan-to} combined with the present middle infinitive aspazesthai {ἀσπάζεσθαι | aspá-ze-sthai} forms a complementary infinitive construction, “they began to greet,” marking the onset of a new, sustained activity. The pronoun auton {αὐτὸν | autón} functions as the accusative object, contextually referring to Jesus, though His name is not repeated here. Direct speech follows with the imperative khaire {Χαῖρε | khaî-re}, a conventional salutation meaning “hail” or “rejoice,” which in this scene carries an ironic, mocking force. The vocative basileu {βασιλεῦ | basileû} is directly addressed to Him, while ton Ioudaiōn {τῶν Ἰουδαίων | tôn Ioudaiōn} in the genitive specifies the realm or people over whom He is being called “king,” yielding the loaded title “King of the Jews.” The structure of vocative plus genitive highlights the political accusation against Him. In translation, the infinitive construction is rendered as “began to greet,” and the direct address is presented as quoted speech, which clearly conveys both the honorific wording and the underlying mockery. |