| 24. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the genitive absolute elthonton de auton {Ἐλθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν | elthóntōn dè autṓn} ‘after they came’, establishing a temporal backdrop. The prepositional phrase eis Kapharnaoúm {εἰς Καφαρναούμ | eis Kapharnaoúm} ‘into Capernaum’ situates the scene. The aorist indicative proselthon {προσῆλθον | prosḗlthon} ‘they approached’ is the main verb, with its subject expressed by the substantival participle hoi ta didrachma lambanontes {οἱ τὰ δίδραχμα λαμβάνοντες | hoi ta dídrachma lambánontes} ‘the collectors of the two-drachma tax’, identifying the agents. The dative to petroi {τῷ Πέτρῳ | to Pétrōi} ‘to Peter’ marks the indirect object. The direct question ho didaskalos humon ou telei ta didrachma {Ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν οὐ τελεῖ τὰ δίδραχμα | hô didáskalos humōn ou teleî ta dídrachma} ‘the teacher of you not pays the two-drachma tax’ uses the negative particle ou with telei to form a negative interrogative that expects affirmation of the payment obligation. |