| 38. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the postpositive conjunction de {δὲ | dè} ‘but/and’, introducing a contrast with the preceding narrative. The nominative plural subject georgoi {γεωργοὶ | geōrgoì} ‘farmers’ is modified by the aorist participle idontes {ἰδόντες | idóntes} ‘having seen’, linking their recognition of the son huion {υἱὸν | huîon} ‘son’ to their response. The main verb eipon {εἶπον | eîpon} ‘they said’ introduces direct speech, with the prepositional phrase en heautois {ἐν ἑαυτοῖς | heautoîs} ‘among themselves’ indicating private deliberation. The demonstrative pronoun houtos {Οὗτός | hoûtós} ‘this’ and the copula estin {ἐστιν | estìn} ‘is’ affirm the son’s status as heir kleronomos {κληρονόμος | klērónomos} ‘heir’. The pair of exhortations—the aorist imperative deute {δεῦτε | dêute} ‘come’ followed by the subjunctives apokteinomen {ἀποκτείνωμεν | apokteinốmen} ‘let us kill’ and skhomen {σχῶμεν | skhốmen} ‘let us seize’—express the conspirators’ urgent collective resolve, linked by the conjunction kai {καὶ | kaì}. The accusative autou in kleronomia autou {κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ | klerōnomían authoû} ‘his inheritance’ marks the object of their intended appropriation. The use of the subjunctive mood underscores the deliberative and persuasive force of their murderous design. |