| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the interrogative sequence dia ti {Διὰ τί | Dià tí} “why,” which introduces a direct question addressed to Jesus. The subject phrase hoi mathētai sou {οἱ μαθηταί σου | hoí mathētái sou} “your disciples” places emphasis on the association between the disciples and the one being challenged, with sou marking possession. The finite verb parabainousin {παραβαίνουσιν | parabainoûsin} “they transgress” stands in the present indicative, portraying the alleged violation as characteristic behavior. The object tēn paradosin tōn presbyterōn {τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων | tēn parádosin tōn presbutérōn} forms an accusative-direct object plus genitive construction, where the genitive specifies whose tradition is in view, that of the elders. The second clause is introduced by ou gar {οὐ γὰρ | ou gár}, where gar signals explanation: the question is justified by a concrete example. Niptontai {νίπτονται | níptontai} “they wash” is in the middle/passive form, likely reflexive (“wash themselves”), with tas cheiras autōn {τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν | tás kheíras autôn} as the accusative object “their hands.” The temporal subordinate clause hotan arton esthiōsin {ὅταν ἄρτον ἐσθίωσιν | hótan árton esthíōsin} combines hotan with the subjunctive esthiōsin to express a recurring situation, “whenever they eat bread.” This temporal clause functions adverbially to specify the time of the alleged failure to wash. In translation, the Greek order is slightly adjusted by bringing “when/before they eat bread” or “when they eat bread” to a natural position in English, while maintaining the logical flow: accusation, then explanatory basis. |