| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The temporal adverb tote {Τότε | Tó-te} ‘then’ marks a new step in the narrative flow, connecting this episode to what precedes. The main verb proserchontai {προσέρχονται | pro-sér-kho-n-tai} is a present middle indicative functioning as a historical present, creating vividness in recounting past events. It takes the dative complement tō Iesou {τῷ Ἰησοῦ | tô Iē-soû} ‘to Jesus’, indicating the one approached. The prepositional phrase apo Hierosolymōn {ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων | a-pó Hi-e-ro-so-lú-mōn} specifies origin, highlighting that this delegation comes from Jerusalem, the religious center. The coordinated nominatives Pharisaioi kai grammateis {Φαρισαῖοι καὶ γραμματεῖς | Pha-ri-saî-oi kaí gram-ma-teîs} function as the compound subject of proserchontai, identifying the group as leading religious authorities. The participle legontes {λέγοντες | lé-gon-tes} is circumstantial, introducing the speech that follows and closely tying their coming to the act of speaking. In English, the subject is moved forward for clarity, and the historical present is rendered with a simple past “came,” while the participial clause is translated as “saying” / “said to Him” to introduce the ensuing dialogue smoothly. |