| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The clause opens with estai gar tote {ἔσται γὰρ τότε | éstai gàr tóte} ‘will be then’, which foregrounds a future event. The noun-adjective construction thlipsis megalē {θλῖψις μεγάλη | thlîpsis megalḗ} ‘great tribulation’ emphasizes severity. The correlative pronoun hoia {οἵα | hoîa} ‘such as’ introduces a comparative clause, contrasted by the perfect tense ou gégonen {οὐ γέγονεν | ou gégonen} ‘has not occurred’. The phrase ap’ archēs kosmou {ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς κόσμου | apʼ archḗs kósmou} ‘from the beginning of the world’ sets a temporal boundary, reinforced by heōs toû nûn {ἕως τοῦ νῦν | héōs toû nûn} ‘until now’. The emphatic double negation oud’ ou mē génētai {οὐδʼ οὐ μὴ γένηται | oudʼ ou mē génētai} ‘nor ever will happen’ underscores the unique, unparalleled nature of the future ordeal. English word order was adjusted to maintain the Greek’s progressive build-up while ensuring clarity. |