[B-Greek] John 13:4-5 present tenses

Eric Weiss eweiss at gte.net
Thu Mar 13 09:47:49 EST 2003


Stanley Porter seems to believe that time isn't a factor with ANY of the 
tenses, not even the indicative, as I recall from my reading of his 
Idioms book. In John 13:4-5, is this part of the explanation for the 
tenses here -- i.e., the present tense is being used to convey a 
continuous, deliberative activity, in contrast to the aorist tense which 
is simply stating the action?

EGEIRETAI EK TOU DEIPNOU KAI TIQHSIN TA hIMATIA, KAI LABWN LENTION 
DIEZWSEN hEAUTON. EITE BALLEI hUDWR EIS TON NIPTHRA KAI HRXATO NIPTEIN 
TOUS PODAS TWN MAQHTWN KAI EKMASSEIV TWi LENTIWi hWi HN DIEZWSMENOS.

"He [Jesus] rises (present m/p) from the supper and removes (present) 
his outer-garments, and after-taking (aorist ptc.) a towel he girded 
(aorist) himself; then he pours (present) water into the washbasin and 
he began (aorist) to-wash (present inf.) the feet of the disciples and 
to-wipe (present inf.) [them] with-the towel with-which he-is-girded 
(perfect ptc.)"

Assuming I didn't make any transcription or copying or translation 
errors, is John depicting or conveying the actions of Jesus raising 
himself.and removing his outer garments and pouring the water and 
washing and wiping the disciples' feet as being more "vivid" or as 
continuous, protracted activities by his use of the present tense 
(indicative and infinitive) -- in contrast to the aorist for "he took a 
towel and girded himself" (and "began")?

Normal English would probably translate this as: "Jesus rose from the 
supper and removed his outer garment, and took a towel and wrapped it 
around his waist. He then poured water into the washbasin and began to 
wash his disciples' feet and dry them with the towel he had wrapped 
around himself." All the presents would be changed to past tenses. Do we 
lose something by translating it into English this way, and if so, what 
do we lose -- i.e., what nuances or things did John mean to convey by 
these present tenses? Did he mean that Jesus slowly rose from the table, 
and carefully/methodically removed his outer garments, and slowly poured 
water into the washbasin, and slowly/deliberately/carefully washed and 
dried his disciples' feet?

-- 
Eric S. Weiss
http://home1.gte.net/vzn05pnm/index.htm
S.D.G.




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