| 32. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the connective kai {καὶ | kaí} linking this scene to the preceding narrative, a common feature of Markan discourse that creates a rapid narrative flow. The present indicative pherousin {φέρουσιν | phérousin} functions as a historical present, giving vividness to the action “they bring.” The indirect object autō {αὐτῷ | autō̂} precedes the direct object kōphon {κωφὸν | kōphón} and the coordinated mogilalon {μογιλάλον | mogilálon}, forming a double description of one individual: he is both deaf and impaired in speech. The repeated kai {καὶ | kaí} structures the sentence paratactically, first joining the two conditions, then introducing a second main verbal action, parakalousin {παρακαλοῦσιν | parakaloûsin} “they urge,” which portrays earnest petition. The purpose conjunction hina {ἵνα | hína} governs the aorist subjunctive epithē {ἐπιθῇ | epithē̂}, marking the requested action as the intended result: “that he may place.” The dative autō {αὐτῷ | autō̂} with the accusative object tēn kheira {τὴν χεῖρα | tḕn kheîra} expresses the gesture of laying on of hands upon the afflicted man. The syntax thus moves from the communal initiative (“they bring”), to intercession (“they urge”), to the anticipated healing act (“that he may place his hand”), emphasizing both communal faith and the centrality of the healer’s touch. |