| 26. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the temporal conjunction hote {ὅτε | hó-te} ‘when’, which introduces a subordinate time clause that sets the stage for the main event. The postpositive de {δὲ | dè} functions as a mild connective, continuing the narrative flow in the parable. The aorist verbs eblastesen {ἐβλάστησεν | e-blás-tē-sen} ‘sprouted’ and epoiēsen {ἐποίησεν | e-poí-ē-sen} ‘produced’ are sequential, both taking ho chortos {ὁ χόρτος | ho khó-r-tos} ‘the plant’ as their subject, presenting the normal growth process from emergence to fruiting. The adverb tote {τότε | tó-te} ‘then’ marks a subsequent, climactic moment, followed by the aorist passive ephane {ἐφάνη | e-phá-nē} ‘appeared’, where the subject shifts to ta zizania {τὰ ζιζάνια | tá zi-zá-ni-a} ‘the weeds’. The passive form underscores that the weeds become evident rather than being actively introduced at this point; their presence, previously hidden, is now revealed. The coordinating kai {καὶ | kaí} before karpon and before ta zizania links parallel elements (normal crop and invasive weeds), reinforcing the contrast that undergirds the parable’s later interpretation. In translation, the temporal clause is rendered first (“when the plant sprouted and produced fruit”), followed by a main clause (“then the weeds also appeared”), preserving the Greek temporal progression and highlighting the moment of revelation. |