Matthew 23:2 — ExegesisTAB

The verse begins with the circumstantial participle legōn {λέγων | lég-ōn} “saying,” which links this statement to the preceding narrative where Jesus addresses the crowds. The main clause centers on the verb ekathisan {ἐκάθισαν | eká-thi-san} “they sat,” an aorist indicative that presents the action as a completed event with ongoing relevance. The prepositional phrase epi tēs Mōuseōs kathedras {Ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας | Epì tês Mō-u-sé-ōs kathé-dras} “upon the seat of Moses” precedes the subject ohi grammateis kai hoi Pharisaiōi {οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι | hoi gram-ma-teîs kaí hoi Pha-ri-saî-oi}, giving prominence to the locus of authority rather than to those who occupy it. The genitive Mōuseōs modifies kathedras, forming a genitive of relation or possession that conveys the idea of an official teaching office associated with Moses’ role as lawgiver. In English, the participle “saying” can sound redundant after the preceding verse, so the formal rendering retains it to reflect the Greek structure, while the dynamic rendering foregrounds the main assertion by turning the focus directly to the subject and their position of authority, preserving the emphasis on their occupation of “Moses’ seat.”