| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with tote {Τότε | Tó-te} ‘then’, marking a transition and temporal sequence in the narrative. The aorist participle proselthontes {προσελθόντες | pro-sel-thón-tes} ‘having approached’ functions circumstantially, providing background action that precedes the main verb. The subject hoi mathetai {οἱ μαθηταὶ | hoi ma-thē-taì} ‘the disciples’ is explicitly stated before the finite verb legousin {λέγουσιν | lé-gou-sin} ‘they say’, a historical present that adds vividness to the scene. The dative autō {αὐτῷ | au-tō} ‘to Him’ specifies the addressee, Jesus, forming a typical narrative pattern: temporal marker + participle + subject + historical present + indirect object. Direct speech follows, introduced without a verb of saying within the quotation, beginning immediately with Oidas {Οἶδας | Oi-das} ‘you know’, a perfect indicative used with present force, creating a direct question. The conjunction hoti {ὅτι | hó-ti} introduces the content clause of what they are asking if He knows. Within that clause, hoi Pharisaioi {οἱ Φαρισαῖοι | hoi Pha-ri-saî-oi} ‘the Pharisees’ serve as the subject of the participle akousantes {ἀκούσαντες | a-koú-san-tes} ‘having heard’, which is temporally anterior to the main passive verb eskandalisthēsan {ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν | es-kan-da-lís-thē-san} ‘were offended’. The object of their hearing is ton logon {τὸν λόγον | tón ló-gon} ‘the word’, likely referring to Jesus’ immediately preceding teaching. The participial construction akousantes ton logon is best rendered in English with a temporal clause (“after hearing the word” / “when they heard what You said”), preserving the cause-and-effect relationship that culminates in their being offended. |