| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the relative conditional construction hos an {ὃς ἄν | hós án}, pairing the particle an with the subjunctive dexetai {δέξηται | déxētai} to express a general truth. The verb dexetai takes the direct object phrase hen paidion toiouto {ἕν παιδίον τοιοῦτο | hén paidíon toiûto}, where hen emphasizes even a single case and toiouto refers back to the kind of lowly child introduced earlier. The phrase epi tō onomati mou {ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου | epí tôi ónomati mou} uses the preposition epi with the dative to indicate acting under the authority or on behalf of Jesus’ name. The apodosis eme dechetai {ἐμὲ δέχεται | emé dékhetai} asserts the identifying result: receiving the lowly child equates to receiving Jesus Himself. In translation, the relative-general condition is rendered as “whoever receives/welcomes,” and “in My name” is maintained to convey allegiance, culminating in the mutual reception of Jesus. |