| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} linking this conditional to the preceding parable. The subordinating conjunction ean {ἐὰν | eàn} with the aorist subjunctive genētai {γένηται | génētai} forms a third-class condition of potential occurrence. The infinitive heurein {εὑρεῖν | heurêin} serves as the complement of genētai, and auto {αὐτό | autó} refers back to the single lost sheep. The solemn affirmation amēn legō hymin {ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν | amḗn légō hymîn} introduces a forceful declaration, with hoti {ὅτι | hóti} marking the beginning of the content clause. Inside the clause, khairei {χαίρει | khaírei} is the main verb of joy, followed by the prepositional phrase ep’ autō {ἐπ’ αὐτῷ | ep’ autō̂} specifying its object. The comparative malon ē {μᾶλλον ἢ | mâllon ḗ} sets up a contrast with epi tois enenēkonta ennea {ἐπὶ τοῖς ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα | epí toîs enenḗkonta ennéa} “over the ninety-nine,” and the final substantival participle tois mē peplanēmenois {τοῖς μὴ πεπλανημένοις | toîs mḗ peplanēménois} defines those who remained. The translation preserves the conditional mood and comparative emphasis to highlight the greater joy in recovering the one. |