| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kái}, linking this episode to the preceding narrative. The verb apostéllousin {ἀποστέλλουσιν | apostéllousin} in the present active indicative third person plural introduces the sending action, with autō {αὐτῷ | autō̂} marking the indirect object “to Him,” and tous mathētas autōn {τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν | toùs mathḗtas autō̂n} as the direct object. The prepositional phrase meta tōn Hērōidiōn {μετὰ τῶν Ἡρῴδιων | metà tō̂n Hērōíd-iōn} situates the group within a specific political faction. The participle légontes {λέγοντες | légontes} introduces the speech frame, followed by the vocative Didáskale {Διδάσκαλε | Didáskale}. The content clause oídamen hóti alēthḗs eî {οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθής εἶ | oídamen hóti alēthḗs eî} asserts Jesus’s verified character. The phrase tēn hodòn theoû en alētheíā didáskeis {τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ διδάσκεις | tēn hodòn toû theoû en alētheíā didáskeis} uses the accusative of direct object and the dative of instrument to describe the manner of teaching. The clause ou mélei soi perí oudenós {οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός | ou mélei soí perí oudenós} employs a dative of disadvantage to express indifference toward any person, with the following causal clause ou gar blépeis eîs prosōpòn anthrōpōn {οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων | ou gàr blépeis eîs prṓsōpon anthrṓpōn}, a visual metaphor indicating impartial perception. |