[B-Greek] Word order for Parallel Passages in Mark, Matthewand Luke

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Mon Oct 27 11:56:39 EST 2003


> The text in question:
> Mk 2;28 hWSTE KURIOS ESTIN hO hUIOS TOU ANQRWPOU KAI TOU SABBATOU
> Mt 12:8 KURIOS ESTIN TOU SABBATOU hO hUIOS TOU ANQRWPOU
> Lk 6:5 KAI ELEGEN AUTOIS: KURIOS ESTIN TOU SABBATOU hO hUIOS TOU ANQRWPOU.
>
> Of course it will be important to view and interpret the formulation in
> each of the Synoptic gospels within the context of the pericope of which
> this is a climactic element (in Matthew's version this statement is
> preceded by a unique comment on understanding God's desire for compassion
> rather than sacrifice; in Mark's version the statement is a conclusion
> following upon a different unique comment on the institution of
> the Sabbath
> in relationship to humanity), but the question here is limited to the
> importance of the word order in these formulations. So far as I can see,
> there is no difference whatsoever between the phrasing and word-order
> between the Matthaean and Lucan versions. In the Marcan version
> however the
> introductory hWSTE marks the saying as a sort of conclusion to be inferred
> from what has been expounded in the preceding remarks. Otherwise TOU
> SABBATOU is positioned at the end of the clause and adverbially qualified
> by KAI. I think KAI TOU SABBATOU is emphatic in the Marcan clause, but
> those who hold a doctrine of frontal prominence might disagree; as I see
> it, the Marcan clause underscores that, while there are other matters over
> which the Son of Man holds authority, the Sabbath is also such a matter.
> That is to say, the assertion that the Son of Man holds authority over the
> Sabbath is a straightforward declaration in the Matthaean and Lucan
> versions, but in the Marcan version it is set forth as a provocative and
> unexpected claim at which the disgruntled Pharisaic observers may well be
> shocked.

Because of the reference to the "doctrine of frontal prominence" which I
hold - although I wouldn't call it a doctrine - I just want to say that I
agree with Carl in this analysis. hWSTE normally expresses a somewhat
unexpected result or consequence in the GNT. And the intensifier KAI
("even") before TOU SABBATOU makes this phrase emphatic and also suggests
something unexpected (by the Pharisees). Lexical highlighting like we have
here with KAI in my understanding takes precedence over word order
highlighting. If the KAI had not been present, we would have had a different
case.

Iver Larsen

Iver Larsen




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