| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with kai {καί | kaí} ‘and’, which connects this statement to Jesus’ broader teaching on oaths. The aorist participle homósas {ὁμόσας | homósas} ‘having sworn’ functions substantively as “the one who swears,” modified by the locative phrase en tō naō {ἐν τῷ ναῷ | en tōi naō̂} ‘in the temple’, indicating the context of oath-taking. The main verb omnúei {ὀμνύει | omnúei} ‘swears’ in the present indicative imparts a generalizing force. The phrase en autō {ἐν αὐτῷ | en autôi} ‘in it’ reiterates reference to the temple, while kai en tō katoikoûnti autón {καὶ ἐν τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν | kaí en tōi katoikoûnti autón} ‘and in the one dwelling it’ shifts the focus from the physical structure to its personal indweller. This parallel construction underscores that swearing by the temple invokes both the sacred building and the divine Presence residing within. |