Matthew 16:2 — ExegesisTAB

The verse begins with the particle de {δὲ | de} connecting this statement to what preceded, followed by the aorist participle apokritheis {ἀποκριθεὶς | apokritheís} which, placed before the main verb eipen {εἶπεν | eîpen}, conveys a prior action (“after responding”). The indirect object autois {αὐτοῖς | autoîs} identifies Jesus’ audience. The genitive absolute Opsias genomenes {Ὀψίας γενομένης | Opsías genomenēs} provides a temporal setting (“when evening had come”). In the quotation, the present indicative legete {λέγετε | légete} gives a generalizing sense (“you customarily say”), and the noun Eudia {Εὐδία | Eudía} functions as the content of that saying (“fair weather”). The causal particle gar {γὰρ | gár} introduces the explanation purrazei gar ho ouranos {πυρράζει γὰρ ὁ οὐρανός | pyrrázei gár ho ouranós}, literally “for the sky is red.” The translation renders the genitive absolute with “When evening comes” or “At sunset” to reflect its temporal force and maintains the causal relationship with “because” or “since” to mirror gar’s function.