[B-Greek] Mark 3:13, 14 - present and aorist

Con Campbell concampbell at netspace.net.au
Sat Jan 24 05:35:10 EST 2004


I have a theory about this. My study in the area of verbal aspect within
discourse has led me to the following conclusions about the present tense
form:

In narrative, the present occurs in 3 ways: 1. By far the most common use is
within discourse (direct or indirect); 2. It is used to INTRODUCE discourse
(LEGEI etc. Here, PROSKALEITAI is doing this though the actual discourse is
not recorded); 3. With verbs of motion (coming, going etc. - ANABANEI).

I think this is explained aspectually, but I'm still working on it. I'm also
keen to hear what others think about this.

Con Campbell,

Canberra, Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of John Colby
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 10:11 AM
To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [B-Greek] Mark 3:13, 14 - present and aorist


Mark 3:13, 14 reads:

13. KAI ANABAINEI EIS TO OROS KAI PROSKALEITAI hOUS HQELEN AUTOS, KAI
APHLQON PROS AUTON 14. KAI EPOIHSEN DWDEKA hOUS KAI APOSTOLOUS WNOMASEN hINA
WSIN MET AUTON KAI hINA APOSTELLHi AUTOUS KHPUSSEIN.

Roughly translated:

13. And he went up onto the mountain and called (to himself) those he
desired, and they came to Him. 14. And he appointed twelve (whom he named
apostles) so that they might be with Him and that He might send them to
preach.

Jesus ANABAINEI and PROSKALEITAI, but those he called did not APEPCONTAI but
APHLQON. Then Jesus EPOIHSEN and WNOMASEN but then APOSTELLHi. I understand
that Mark uses that vivid/dramatic/historical present quite a few times, but
I am trying to understand why he switches between present and aorist,
especially in verse 13. Is it because of the actual verb (like AP/ERCOMAI)
or is there some other reason in this passage?

Jonathan Colby
Guyana, South America

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